Individuals with arthritis have connection to St. Alphonsus

Submitted on September 22, 2010

Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@stlouisreview.com

Redemptorist Father The Pham, associate pastor of St. Alphonsus Liguori “Rock Church” Parish in North St. Louis, gave a blessing to Bernice Grant after Mass Aug. 1 at the parish. On that date, the Redemptorists in the United States offered a blessing to anyone who suffers from arthritis. Father Pham was holding a relic of St. Alphonsus, who is a patron of those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

Rebecca Venegoni Tower

Those familiar with St. Alphonsus Liguori know that the founder of the Redemptorist Order was an influential writer on spirituality and theology. But many don't know that the Italian saint and Doctor of the Church also is a patron saint of those with rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammation of the joints that can cause great pain for those who have the condition.