St. Martin of Tours, born in 316 in modern-day Hungary, was a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity after a vision of Christ wearing the half-cloak he had given to a beggar. He left the army, returned home, and helped convert others. Martin opposed Arianism and later became a hermit in Gaul, founding its first monastic community. In 371, he was made Bishop of Tours, where he continued living a monastic life at Marmoutier Abbey. Known for his holiness, miracles, and defense of orthodoxy, Martin died in 397. He is a pioneer of Western monasticism and a model of Christian charity. St. Martin of Tours Time Period: 316-397 Feast Day: November 11 Title/Attributes: Bishop, Confessor Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Marin of Tours was a Bishop and pioneer of Western monasticism. He was born in 316 to a pagan army officer in Sabaria, Pannonia, on the Danube (modern day Hungary). He then moved with his family to Pavia, Italy. At age fifteen, he was inducted into the army, and in 337 cut his cloak in half to clothe a freezing beggar in Samarobriva (modern Amiens, France). That night he had a vision of Christ wearing half of his cloak. Converting to Christianity, Martin left the army and returned to Pannonia, where his mother and others converted to the faith. After years of fighting Arianism and enduring persecution from the Arian heretics, Martin joined St. Hilary of Poitiers and became a hermit around 360, the first monastic-style community in Gaul (modern France). After a decade at Liguge, Martin was made bishop of Tours in 371. He founded Marmoutier Abbey and lived there while performing his episcopal duties. He intervened with the usurper Magnus Maximus in the Priscillianist Controversy. He then went to Rome and then back to Gaul, where he established a religious center, dying there on November 8, 397. Martin was gifted with many mystical graces and was the outstanding monastic pioneer before St. Benedict of Nursia. Next Item Previous Item

Fellowship Sunday Guide for sponsoring Fellowship Sunday Time frame: 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM Following 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 1:00 PM Masses Fellowship Sunday is an opportunity for your ministry to be visible to parishioners after Mass. If your ministry would like to participate, contact Danel Brodie at dbrodie@ap.church . The monthly sponsoring ministry is given a table to display information about upcoming events, share flyers or brochures or books about the ministry's purpose, etc. Many ministries strategically plan to sponsor a particular month prior to their big annual event or fundraiser in order to maximize awareness to the parish community. In addition to the one (1) sponsor table, there are four (4) additional ministry tables available to be reserved each month for non-sponsoring groups. Contact Danel Brodie to reserve a table for your ministry at upcoming Fellowship Sundays. Responsibilities of the Sponsoring Ministry Schedule volunteers to work a mass or two (for example: 6:30-8:30am, 8:30-10:30am, or however works for the group) Prepare coffee (directions are listed on wall by coffee makers) Put coffee in coffee pump pots and place on tables, along with coffee condiments, cups, and napkins. Prepare a container of ice water and lemonade in drink dispensers with cups. Line the food table with napkins (do not use plates). The donuts will arrive about 6:30am, place a variety of donuts on the napkins. Continue to keep the beverages and donuts supplied during the day. At end of day, clean coffee pots, coffee maker, water station, place any remaining paper goods back in pantry. Any leftovers you can offer to volunteers and leave rest for Life Teen. Upcoming Fellowship Sundays Previous Item Next Item

St. Anastasia of Sirmium is one of the early martyrs included in the Roman Canon of the Mass. St. Anastasia was martyred during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. Tradition states that she was the daughter of Praetextatus, a Roman noble. She married a pagan named Publius, who died while on mission to Persia. As a widow, Anastasia cared for the Christians, enduring persecution, and was arrested herself. ON a ship with other prisoners, Anastasia was miraculously saved from drowning by St. Theodata. The prisoners, including Anastasia, landed on the island of Palmaria, where they were burned to death. St. Anastasia of Sirmium Time Period: 281-304 Feast Day: December 25 Title/Attributes: Martyr Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Anastasia of Sirmium is one of the early martyrs included in the Roman Canon of the Mass. St. Anastasia was martyred during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. Tradition states that she was the daughter of Praetextatus, a Roman noble. She married a pagan named Publius, who died while on mission to Persia. As a widow, Anastasia cared for the Christians, enduring persecution, and was arrested herself. ON a ship with other prisoners, Anastasia was miraculously saved from drowning by St. Theodata. The prisoners, including Anastasia, landed on the island of Palmaria, where they were burned to death. Saint names in Eucharistic Prayer I. The first list begins with Mary and Joseph and then the blessed Apostles and Martyrs, including Peter, Paul, Andrew (Peter's brother), James (James the Greater: the brother of John), John, Thomas, James (James the Lesser: the son of Alpheus), Matthew, Bartholomew, Simon (Simon the Zealot), and Jude (also called Thaddeus). The First List of Saint Names Continuing this first list of saints in Eucharistic Prayer I, as Charles Belmonte notes, Five popes head the list: St. Peter's first three successors, Linus, Cletus, Clement; then two popes of the third century, Sixtus II and Cornelius; Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, the intrepid defender of Catholic unity; the deacon Lawrence, who when his persecutor demanded from him the treasures of the Church, showed him hundreds of poor people; Chrysogonus, a Roman priest who carried out the holy work of comforting the Christians who were in prison; two brothers, John and Paul, both officers of the [Roman] imperial palace, who were put to death under [the emperor] Julian the Apostate; and lastly, Cosmas and Damian, two Oriental physicians who gave their aid freely, and at whose graves there occurred yet more cures than they had effected in their lives (Understanding the Mass, p. 158). The Second List of Saint Names As for the second list of saints in Eucharistic Prayer I, we ask for some share in the fellowship of several saints who were martyrs. Belmonte continues, It mentions, in the first place, John (here obviously St. John the Baptist), and then seven men, followed by seven women, all martyrs. Stephen is the first deacon, whose glorious martyrdom is recounted in the Acts of the Apostles (6:8-7:60). Two apostles come next: Matthias, elected to take the place of Judas (Acts 1:15-16) and probably left out of the first list so as not to exceed the number of twelve, and Barnabas, St. Paul's companion in his first missionary journey. Ignatius is the famous bishop of Antioch, sentenced to be fed to the wild beasts in Rome under [emperor] Trajano. Besides their names and the place of their martyrdom, little else is known of Alexander, the priest Marcellinus, and the exorcist Peter, who were all put to death in the great persecution of [emperor] Diocletian. The list continues with the names of the two young girls, Felicity and Perpetua (their names form the expression everlasting happiness), who confessed their faith at Carthage [in North Africa]; and of Agatha and Lucy in Sicily. It concludes with the names of two young martyrs beloved by the Romans, Agnes and Cecelia; and of Anastasia, martyred at Sirmium and later honored in Rome (Understanding the Mass, pp. 159-160). All these saints are important because they were among the many early witnesses to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. These are our spiritual fathers, our older brothers and sisters in Christ, who showed us that our faith was worth living and dying for. They showed us that, strengthened by the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, they could overcome any persecutions and sufferings, even to the point of being killed. These saints give us great hope, and their prayers for us give us confidence that we, too, can live out the faith as they did, that we can live our life in Christ every day and look forward to the glory of heaven! https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/post/do-this-in-remembrance-of-me-part-55-saint-names-epi Next Item Previous Item

St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows was an Italian Passionist monk known for his intense devotion to the Virgin Mary and the Passion of Christ. Born Francesco Possenti in Assisi, he lived a lively youth before feeling called to the Passionist Order at 18. His deep piety, humility, and dedication to prayer and penance were evident in his short life. Everyone who met Gabriel was impressed with his joyful submission to the humdrum routine of daily life. No great achievement marked his short life, except that he did all that was expected of him with extraordinary patience and kindness. He died of tuberculosis at 24 before his ordination. St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows Time Period: 1838-1862 Feast Day: February 27 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Passionist Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Body Francesco Possenti was born on March 1, 1838 in Assisi to a wealthy family. The eleventh of 13 children, at home they called him Checchino and from an early age he learned to pray, as taught by his parents who passed on to him a strong faith. His father Sante, an official of the Papal State, after various assignments, was appointed assessor in Spoleto and the whole family moved there. Shortly after, his mother died; Checchino was only 4 years old and his sister Maria Luisa and the governess took care of him. He studied with the Jesuits, where his Marian devotion, already transmitted to him by the religious education he had received, grew and, in the college environment, he meditated on the life of Christ and on the contrast between evangelical values ??and the world. As a teenager he was noted as an exuberant and witty young man, elegant and lively. He performed well at school and enjoyed frequenting the high society of Spoleto. He was also attracted and fascinated by religious life, but he loved entertainment, frequented dance halls and theaters, and read novels avidly. However, the various family bereavements affected him deeply. In 1855 his sister Maria Luisa dies of cholera. Francesco is greatly affected by her loss, reflects on the inconsistency of human joys and thinks back to religious life. But his father tries to dissuade him. It is August 22, 1856 - the last day of the octave of the Assumption - when the procession with the image of the Madonna venerated in the cathedral takes place through the streets of Spoleto. Francis is among the crowd and when the icon is in front of him, he clearly perceives the Virgin addressing him with these words: “ Francis, don't you still understand that this life is not for you? Follow your vocation”. Fifteen days later he leaves Spoleto. He is 18 years old. He stops in Loreto to pray and talk with Mary and in Morrovalle he asks to join the Passionists. As a novice he chose to call himself Gabriele dell'Addolorata and thus described his new life in the religious community to his family: "The contentment and joy I feel inside this house is almost indescribable compared to the entertainment I had outside. I would not exchange a quarter of an hour spent here in prayer before the Madonna for a year or however much time you want filled with the shows and pastimes of Spoleto. Truly, my life is full of joy." On September 22, 1857, he professed his vows and in June 1858 he moved to Pieve Torina to perfect his philosophy studies and begin theology for the priesthood. Here he multiplied his ascetic practices, continued to cultivate devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, and dedicated himself to the poor. On July 10 of the following year, he was sent to the convent of the Immaculate Conception in Isola del Gran Sasso to prepare for ordination. In May 1861 Gabriele received minor orders in Penne. But his health was poor: he had lost weight, was attacked by fevers and had difficulty breathing with coughs and chest pains, and was diagnosed with tuberculosis. He died on February 27, 1862, at the age of 24, clutching to his heart the image of the Crucifix with Our Lady of Sorrows. Next Item Previous Item

Join our welcoming Catholic community at St. Anthony of Padua in The Woodlands, TX. Mass times, confessions, events, and parish programs for all ages. Welcome To St. Anthony of Padua The Woodlands, TX Mass Times Welcome Daily Mass Monday: 9 AM • Our Lady of the Angels Chapel (OLA) Tuesday: 9 AM & 6:45 PM • OLA Chapel Wednesday: 6 AM and 8:30 AM • Main Church Thursday: 9 AM and 6:45 PM • OLA Chapel Friday: 9 AM • OLA Chapel Saturday*: 10 AM • OLA Chapel *The First Saturday of every month, Daily Mass will be moved to the Main Church. We, the people of St. Anthony of Padua, are a joyful Roman Catholic Community. We believe Our Lord calls us beyond membership to become His true disciples and live as One Body in Christ. Therefore, we choose to use our unique gifts to build a welcoming, interconnected gathering of the faithful that will be a beacon, a light to the world. Parish Mission Statement – Adopted on September 8, 1998 (Birthday of Our Lady) Weekend Mass (Main Church) Saturday: 5 PM Vigil Mass Sunday: 7 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM Español, 6 PM Nursery Registration Parish Survey - Disciple Maker Index - Click Here Confession * Confessions are located in the Our Lady of the Angels Chapel Tuesday: 5 PM - 6:30 PM • English and Español Wednesday: 6 PM - 8 PM • English Only Thursday: 5 PM - 6:30 PM • English and Español Saturday*: 8 AM - 10 AM • English and Español *The First Saturday of every month, Confessions will be moved to the Main Church. Every Saturday we have nursery available. Pre-registration is required. Nursery Registration MAIN CHURCH PARISH OFFICE 7801 Bay Branch Dr The Woodlands, TX 77382 OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS CHAPEL 8715 Kuykendahl Rd The Woodlands, TX 77382 ST ANTHONY'S BREAD FOOD PANTRY 7985 Bay Branch Dr The Woodlands, TX 77382 JOIN OUR PARISH Register Today! PARISH EVENTS Upcoming Events EMAIL LIST Subscribe to Emails LIVE STREAM Watch Our Live Stream Calendar of Events Calendar of Events Calendar of Events

St. Giuseppe Moscati, born in 1880 in Benevento, Italy, was a brilliant physician and devout Catholic who viewed medicine as a mission of mercy. Inspired by caring for his injured brother, he pursued medicine, earning his degree with honors in 1903. Known for his humility, he treated the poor for free and saw the sacraments as essential to healing. He heroically saved patients during the 1906 Vesuvius eruption and pioneered treatments for cholera and diabetes. Revered for his miraculous diagnostic abilities, Moscati treated thousands, including soldiers in WWI. He died in 1927 at the age of 46. St. Guiseppe Moscati Time Period: 1880-1927 Feast Day: November 16 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Layman, Physician Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Clothing St. Giuseppe Moscati was an internationally acclaimed scientist who became the first modern doctor to be canonized a Saint. He was proficient in twenty different specialties, yet he turned down promotions and cared for the poor free of charge. He saw his medical practice as a ministry for the suffering, calling the sacraments the “first medicine,” and leading many of his patients back to the Church. He treated thousands of people in his lifetime and became known as a “miracle worker” in the medical world. Giuseppe was born on September 25, 1880, in Benevento, Italy. Although his father was a lawyer, Moscati decided at a young age to study medicine. This decision was heavily influenced by the tragic injury of his older brother Alberto, who fell from a horse and suffered incurable head trauma. Moscati was twelve years old at the time and cared for his brother for years at home, realizing the inseparable nature of spiritual and physical healing. Moscati enrolled in medical school in 1897 at the University of Naples. He earned a doctoral degree with honors in 1903 and began practicing medicine at the Hospital for Incurables. He quickly became an administrator there and conducted medical research in his spare time. There are many accounts that testify to Moscati’s humble and tireless work as a doctor. In April of 1906, he led an evacuation of a nursing home after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Moscati physically carried the disabled patients out of the building moments before it collapsed in ashes. He later insisted that those who helped in the evacuation would be rewarded, yet didn’t mention his own name. Moscati was extremely influential in researching the origins of the cholera epidemic and discovering effective ways to eradicate it. He also treated over 3,000 soldiers during WWI and became one of the first Neapolitan doctors to experiment with insulin as treatment for diabetes. Many people thought his extraordinary skill in diagnosing his patients’ ailments was miraculous. Giuseppe Moscati died on April 12, 1927 of natural causes at the age of forty-six. "Blessed are we doctors, often unable to remove illness, blessed are we if we remember that we have in the presence of sick people, not only bodies to cure, but also divine and eternal souls to love them as ourselves" Pingel, Jana Zuniga. Humans of Heaven . January Jane Shop, 2023. Hardback , 167 pp. Next Item Previous Item

First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation for adults will occur through our Becoming Catholic/Adult Confirmation Process. During the process, participants will prepare for and receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. First Communion - Adult First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation for adults will occur through our Becoming Catholic/Adult Confirmation Process. During the process, participants will prepare for and receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. 18+ years old First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation for adults will occur through our Becoming Catholic/Adult Confirmation Process. During the process, participants will prepare for and receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Baptized Catholics will be Confirmed by the local bishop at a special Adult Confirmation Mass. We will work with you to prepare you to participate in that celebration. Please complete the Adult Confirmation Request Form to get started. Adult Confirmation Request Form Program Contact Katie Krall Adult Faith & Sacraments Manager kkrall@ap.church 832-482-4147 Next Item Previous Item

St. Damien de Veuster, a Belgian priest of the Sacred Hearts Fathers, heroically served the lepers of Molokai, Hawaii. Arriving in Honolulu in 1864 and ordained shortly after, he worked on the Big Island for eight years before volunteering in 1873 to minister to those exiled to Molokai with leprosy. Known for his fearless compassion, Damien embraced the lepers—physically and spiritually—becoming one of them in every way. He built churches, homes, and a sense of dignity. Contracting leprosy in 1876, he continued his mission until his death in 1889. His life remains a powerful witness to mercy and solidarity with the suffering. St. Damien of Molokai Time Period: 1840-1889 Feast Day: May 10 Title/Attributes: Confessor, SS.CC Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Wood from the Altar of St. Damien St. Damien de Veuster was called the hero of Molokai, a Belgian member of the Sacred Hearts Fathers who gave his life for the lepers of Hawaii. He was born in Tremeloo, Belgium and followed his brother, Auguste, called Pamphile, into the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, the Picpus Fathers. He took his final vows on October 7, 1860, and then volunteered as Pamphile’s replacement to the Hawaiian missions, even though he had not been ordained. Damien arrived in Honolulu on March 19, 1964, and was ordained two days later in the cathedral. Assigned to the island of Hawaii, called the Big Island, he spent eight years in a mission that covered two thousand square miles of cliffs, ravines, valleys and volcanoes. In January 1866, the Hawaiian royal government, recognizing that leprosy was spreading through the islands, exiled victims of the disease to a settlement on the island of Molokai. Damien volunteered to care for the victims. On May 10, 1873, he landed at Kalaupapa, Molokai, in the company of Bishop Louis Maigret, SS.CC. The Bishop introduced Damien to the 816 community members as “one who will be a father to you and who loves you so much that he does not hesitate to become one of you, to live and die with you”. Under horrifying conditions, he gave the rest of his life to the lepers. What surprised the lepers most was that Damien touched them. Other missionaries and doctors shrank from the lepers. In fact, one local doctor only changed bandages with his cane. But Damien not only touched the lepers, he also embraced them, he dined with them, he put his thumb on their forehead to anoint them, and he placed the Eucharist on their tongues. All of these actions spoke volumes to the dejected lepers. They showed that Damien didn’t want to serve them from afar; he wanted to become one of them. In 1876, the first symptoms of leprosy appeared in Damien’s left foot. He did not shrink from this cross, and he was thrilled to see the Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse, led by St. Marianne Cope, arrive to start an advanced medical clinic. Damien served his fellow lepers until his death in 1889. At the request of the Belgian government, his remains were returned to his homeland decades later. Next Item Previous Item

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 Baptism - Infant "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 0-6 years old We are excited to be a part of your child’s relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church through the Sacrament of Baptism! It is always a joyful experience for us to welcome a new Christian into the Church and into our parish community. Through baptism, your child will be adopted into God’s family, receive the grace of salvation won for us by Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, and have life in the Holy Spirit. As the doorway into God’s Church, Baptism enables your child to grow in holiness. Preparation for Registration If you can answer YES to all the questions below, you may be ready to request the Sacrament of Baptism for your child. After you attend the Baptism Preparation Class, you will receive a Baptism Packet which contains the necessary forms and information. Is the child 6 years old or younger? Have the parents of the child attended a Baptismal Preparation class? Are the parents of the child registered parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua? Registration Process 1 . Sacrament of Baptism Request Form . Complete the Baptism Request Form for more information on how to get started. Upon submitting this form, our Baptism coordinator will get in touch with you for further instructions. To see available baptism ceremony dates, check our schedule here . 2 . Complete Baptism Preparation class . Both parents must take the online and in-person components. If parents attended a Baptism Preparation class within the past three years at a parish other than St Anthony of Padua, you will need to submit the verification letter or certification from that parish. 3. Godparent Information Forms must be completed and signed by each godparent. You will find the requirements and obligations for godparents on the forms linked below. Email completed forms to our baptism coordinator. English Godparent/Christian Witness Commitment Form Español Forma de Padrino/Madrina/Testigo Cristiano 4. Official Birth Certificate. We will need a copy of your child’s official Birth Certificate as soon as possible. To receive the baptismal certificate on the day of the ceremony, the birth certificate must be received no later than two weeks before the ceremony. 5. Parish Registration. You will need to provide your parishioner registration number you received when you submitted the "join our parish" form. If you do not know your number, it is found on your Church Center profile at ap.churchcenter.com/me/profile-and-household or you may send an inquiry to support@ap.church If you are not a member of our parish, we will need a Letter of Assurance from the pastor of your current church. If you need a Letter of Assurance from St Anthony of Padua because your child is celebrating baptism at another Catholic parish, email Claudia Avena with your request. Questions Let us know if you need any assistance with the registration process. If you prefer, we are happy to set up an appointment to meet in person to guide you through the steps or answer any questions you may have about infant baptism. Program Contact Claudia Avena Baptism Coordinator (Bilingüe) cavena@ap.church 832-482-4033 Next Item Previous Item

St. Alphonsus Liguori was a bishop, founder of the Redemptorist Congregation, and a Doctor of the Church. A prodigy, he earned his doctorate at sixteen and practiced law before dedicating himself to God in 1723. Ordained in 1726, he preached missions and later founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in 1732. Despite challenges, he expanded his work and became a bishop in 1762, tirelessly serving the poor and clergy. Afflicted by severe rheumatism, he resigned in 1775. He endured betrayal but remained devoted to faith, writing influential theological works. He died in 1787, leaving a lasting legacy. St. Alphonsus Liguori Time Period: 1696-1787 Feast Day: August 1 Title/Attributes: Bishop, Doctor of the Church Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Alphonsus Liguori was a bishop, founder of the Redemptorist Congregation and he is a Doctor of the Church. Educated at the University of Napes, Alphonsus received his doctorate at the age of sixteen. By age nineteen he was practicing law, but he saw the transitory nature of the secular world, and after a brief time, retreated from the law courts and his fame. Visiting the local Hospital for Incurables on August 28, 1723, he had a vision and was told to consecrate his life solely to God. In response, Alphonsus dedicated himself to the religious life, even while suffering persecution from his family. He finally agreed to become a priest but to live at home (a custom at the time) as a member of a group of secular missionaries. He was ordained on December 21, 1726, and he spent six years giving missions throughout Naples. In April 1729, Alphonsus went to live at the Chinese College, founded in Naples by Father Matthew Ripa, the Apostle of China. There he met Bishop Thomas Falcoia, founder of the Congregation of Pious Workers. This lifelong friendship aided Alphonsus, as did his association with a mystic, Sister Mary Celeste. With their help, Alphonsus founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer on November 9, 1732. The Foundation faced immediate problems, and after just one year, Alphonsus found himself with only one lay brother, his other companions having left to form their own religious group. He started again, recruited new members, and in 1743 became the prior of two new congregations, one for men and one for women. Pope Benedict XIV gave his approval for the men's congregation in 1749 and for the women's in 1750. Alphonsus was preaching missions in the rural areas and writing. He refused to become the bishop of Palermo but in 1762 had to accept the papal command to accept the see of St. Agatha of the Goths near Naples. Here he discovered more than thirty thousand uninstructed men and women and four hundred indifferent priests. For thirteen years Alphonsus fed the poor, instructed families, reorganized the seminary and religious houses, taught theology, and wrote. His austerities were rigorous, and he suffered daily the pain from rheumatism that was beginning to deform his body. He spent several years having to drink from tubes because his head was so bent forward. An attack of rheumatic fever from May 1768 to June 1769, left him paralyzed. He was not allowed to resign his see until 1775. In 1780, Alphonsus was tricked into signing a submission for royal approval for his congregation. This submission altered the original rule, and as a result Alphonsus was denied any authority among the Redemptorists. Deposed and excluded from his own congregation, Alphonsus suffered great anguish. But he overcame and went to experience visions, perform miracles, and give prophecies. He died peacefully on August 1, 1787, at Nocera di Pagani, near Naples, as the Angelus was ringing. His writings on moral, theological and ascetic matters had great impact and have survived through the years, especially his Moral Theology and his Glories of Mary. He was buried at the monastery of the Pagani near Naples. In liturgical art he is depicted bent double with rheumatism or as a young priest. St. Alphonsus Liguori is declared a Doctor of the Church which are certain men and women who are revered by the Church for the special value of their writings and preaching and the sanctity of their lives. They each made important and lasting contributions to the faith and are to be recognized for their great merits. To be declared a Doctor of the Church , you have to meet three basic requirements: First, you must have lived a life of exemplary holiness, or insignis vitae sanctitas (outstanding sanctity). In short, you have to be a saint. Second, to be a Doctor of the Church you must have deepened the whole Church's understanding of the Catholic Faith with emins doctrina (eminent teaching). Which is to say, sanctity isn't enough. There are thousands of saints, but only 37 Doctors of the Church. To be a Doctor one must do more than just live the Faith. Rather, one must significantly and profoundly contribute to our understanding of Divine Revelation, helping us to know more deeply some truth about God and His actions in the World. And third, a pope must officially declare you a Doctor. That being said, as the Church understands it, when a pope declares someone a Doctor of the Church, he's not so much making someone a Doctor as he is recognizing what the Holy Spirit has already done - that He has conferred the charism of Doctor upon them. Next Item Previous Item