Alonso was born on July 25, 1532, in Segovia, Spain, the 2nd son to a wealthy wool and cloth merchant.
Blessed Peter Favre, one of Saint Ignatius’ 1st companions, stayed with the family when he visited Segovia and helped prepare Alonso for his First Communion.
When he was 12, his father sent him to the new Jesuit college at Alcalá, but his studies ended upon his father’s death. He helped his mother run the family business, eventually taking it over.
At 27, he married Maria Suárez, and they had 3 children. Within 3 years, his mother, wife, and 2 of his children died. Heavy taxes drained his business, and he viewed himself as a failure. He reassessed his life and turned to prayer and meditation.
His only remaining child died and, in his distress, he sold what was left of the business. He turned to the Jesuits for spiritual direction as he was familiar with them and they had been visiting his city. He sought to join them but his lack of education and poor health, undermined by his austerities, made him undesirable as a candidate. After much delay, he was accepted as a lay brother through connections he maintained from his youth.
He was sent to the Montesion College on the island of Majorca and labored as a hall porter and doorkeeper for 46 years. When not at his post, he was almost always in prayer.
His holiness and prayerfulness attracted many to him, including Saint Peter Claver, who was a Jesuit seminarian at the time. His doorkeeper duties may have been ordinary, but he exerted a wondrous influence on many, including civic and social leaders, who sought his advice and direction.
Obedience and penance were the hallmarks of his life, as well as devotion to the Immaculate Conception. He experienced many spiritual consolations and wrote religious treatises.
His superiors saw the good work he performed among the townspeople and were eager to have his influence spread, so on feast days, they let him into the pulpit to provide a sermon. On more than one occasion, the community stayed quietly past their mealtimes to hear him finish preaching.
He produced copies of the complete text of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the private recitation of those who asked and was favored with mystical graces, ecstasies and visions of our Lord, our Lady, and the Saints.
His memory began to fade and he died after a long illness on October 31, 1617. His funeral was attended by many including Church and government leaders.
He is the patron saint of Majorca, Spain.
His feast day is October 30.
“In the difficulties which are placed before me, why should I not act like a donkey?
When one speaks ill of him — the donkey says nothing.
When he is mistreated — he says nothing.
When he is forgotten — he says nothing.
When no food is given him — he says nothing.
When he is made to advance — he says nothing.
When he is despised — he says nothing.
When he is overburdened — he says nothing…
The true servant of God must do likewise, and say with David: Before You I have become like a beast of burden.
— Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez
For God’s Glory.
