Alphonsus was a young lawyer in Italy when he realized that there were not enough priests to preach to the poor. He became a priest and started an order to preach in poor cities and villages. He was very good at helping people with difficult decisions. He was a patient listener and wrote a book to help priests be good confessors and spiritual guides. Alphonsus suffered through many struggles. Heretics tried to mislead the people he was teaching, and even the priests in his order turned against him and forced him to resign. He never complained and was admired for his gentleness and patience.