St. Alphonsus Liguori, August 1
A brilliant Neapolitan lawyer, Alphonsus (1696-1787) left the courts after losing a case and became a priest. In 1732 he founded the Redemptorists to preach in poor rural areas. A prolific writer on prayer and morals, he is a Doctor of the Church and patron of confessors.
On the General Roman Calendar, August 1 is a memorial: Saint Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and doctor.
Name days on August 1
In countries that keep name days, August 1 is the day for people named Alphonsus and Alfonso. These names come from the same saint, as variants, nicknames or forms used in other languages.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Alphonsus | August 1 |
| Alfonso | August 1 |
August 1 on the calendar
August 1 is the 213th day of the year (the 214th in a leap year), with 152 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday |
| 2027 | Sunday |
| 2028 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | Thursday |
Keeping August 1
August 1 falls in summer. As a memorial, the saint is named in the opening prayer of every Mass celebrated that day. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Alphonsus and Alfonso, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around August 1
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| July 29 | Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus |
| July 30 | St. Peter Chrysologus |
| July 31 | St. Ignatius of Loyola |
| August 2 | St. Eusebius of Vercelli |
| August 3 | St. Lydia |
| August 4 | St. John Vianney |
The day before, July 31, is the day of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The day after, August 2, belongs to St. Eusebius of Vercelli. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.