Saint Alphonsus Ligouri begins a life in the courts of law.

His father had him trained to become a lawyer.

By the time he was 16 years old, he was so proficient in his studies, he received a degree of Doctor of Laws. And this came about in spite of the fact that the required age to receive such a degree was no younger than 20 years of age.

When he received his degree, his stature was so small, the robes of his new profession dragged on the floor, dwarfing him, to the delight of all in attendance.

His next step - he studied for the Bar, and by the age of 19 he was able to practice law in the courts, again far ahead of all who had preceded him. The world and its snares were weaving gossamer fibers (not unlike those of a spider's web), threatening to entrap the young man in its web.

There was an ongoing battle for Saint Alphonsus Ligouri's future.

Although his father's focus was to groom him for the world, his mother, who was highly spiritual, was the loving instrument who would prepare him for a future life as Jesus and Mary's troubadour.

But it would not be a battle easily won. Now, don't get me wrong. Saint Alphonsus Ligouri's father, even when trying to arrange a suitable marriage for him, always prompted him to place God first. Father and son even made retreats together.