Alphonsus Rodriguez (c 1533-1617) began his life in prosperity, yet spent his last 46 years in total abandonment to poverty and simplicity.
He was born in Segovia, the third child of a wool merchant, and at 14 went to study with the Jesuits at Alcalá. When his father died, however, he was constrained to return to Segovia in order to take over the business. Married at 26, he had a daughter.
Then his world fell to pieces. His daughter died, and his wife failed to survive the birth of a son. Soon afterwards his mother also expired.
