Alonso Rodriguez

Alphonsus (Alonso) Rodriguez (1538 in Valladolid, Spain – 21 February 1616 in Seville) was a Spanish Jesuit priest and spiritual writer.

It was said of him by those who were personally acquainted with him, that his character and virtues were accurately depicted in Ejercicio de perfección y virtudes cristianas, published at Seville, 1609.

This work is based on the material which Rodriguez collected for his spiritual exhortations to his brethren, and published at the request of his superiors.

It became popular at once, and remained in use till the era of Vatican II by all classes of Christians, particularly by those who had entered religious life.

The best known English translation, under the title Practice of Christian Perfection, often reprinted, is that which first appeared in London, 1697, from the French text of François-Séraphin Régnier-Desmarais.