Again, Ss. Alphonus and Thomas were talking specifically about Catechumens possibly being saved without water baptism.
So, if we limit ourselves to their specific criteria, then what? Are we to think they just didn't understand the already-defined dogma? I know this discussion frequently becomes contentious and unsavory, but I hope to keep it calm and charitable.
The two men mentioned above certainly knew our holy Faith far better than we and undoubtedly knew that EENS is a dogma, pure and plain and simple. Why would they even speculate about the matter as they did unless it makes sense that one can possibly receive the grace of the sacrament without receiving the sacrament itself? This is an honest question seeking and honest answer. Thank you in advance for treating it as such.
Please try to forget about the modern nonsense/insanity for a moment and focus upon two of the greatest men to ever live. For my part, I am certain their minds and hearts were unspeakably superior to mine or any other modern's.
Are we to believe they were both wrong on such an important matter? NO ONE realized that was so while reviewing their writings during their causes for beatification/canonization? No one detected the error or said anything about it, for centuries? One would hope that such an error would have been detected by someone, and the faithful would have been protected from ever seeing it.