Today’s saint was an Italian Catholic Bishop and Founder of the Redemptorists, whose life spanned the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. A prolific writer, he is known for his Marian devotion.

Here is a prayer of his to the Holy Spirit, which you may like to pray today: ‘You are fire; enkindle in me your love. You are light; enlighten my mind with the knowledge of eternal things. You are the Dove; give me innocence of life. You are the gentle Breeze; disperse the storms of my passions. You are the Tongue; teach me how to bless you always. You are the Cloud; shelter me under the shadow of your protection. And lastly, You are the Giver of all heavenly gifts; animate me, I beseech you, with your grace; sanctify me with your charity; enlighten me with your wisdom; adopt me by your goodness as your child, and save me in your infinite mercy; so that I may ever bless you, praise you, and love you; first during this life on earth, and then in heaven for all eternity. Amen.

May St Alphonsus pray for us, and may God bless you this day.