St. Alphonsus was born in Spain in 1532.  His wife and child died and so he entered the newly formed Jesuit order at about age 40.  His lack of formal education led his superiors to appoint to be the porter.  In this capacity he assisted many in their troubles.  He helped a fervent seminarian who eventually became a priest, St. Peter Claver.  St. Alphonsas died in 1617 and was canonized with St. Peter Claver in 1888.