Alphonsus Rodriguez
(1532-1617) lay brother and saint
Feast: 31 October (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Who they were
Alfonso Rodríguez was born at Segovia on 25 July 1533 and was taught as a boy by Peter Faber, the first companion of St Ignatius. He had to leave his studies to run his father's business, and lost his wife, his children and all his goods.
He was received into the Society of Jesus as a lay brother and for many years served as porter of the college, an example of humility and obedience. Counted among the great Spanish mystics, he died on 30 October 1617.
The miracles
The Dicastery's biography says his life was full of visions and miracles, without detail of those approved in his cause.
Why that counted as sanctity
A widower who lost everything and became a saint answering the door, in humility, obedience and constant sacrifice.
Connected on this site
- Peter Faber Saint“Alfonso Rodríguez was born at Segovia on 25 July 1533 and was taught as a boy by Peter Faber, the first companion of St Ignatius.” — this site's research
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints - biography: Alfonso Rodriguez
- Wikidata Q582213 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Alphonsus Rodriguez (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.