Subj : August 1st - Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori To : All From : rich Date : Tue Jul 31 2018 10:09:44 From: rich August 1st - Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, Doctor of the Church (1696-1787) Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori , founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (also known as the Liguorians and the Redemptorists), Doctor of the Church, and humble servant of the Lord. The writings, sermons, and prayers of Saint Alphonsus remind us of the tenets of our faith, drawing us inward toward the Lord who resides in each one of us. Devoted to both the Blessed Sacrament and to Our Blessed Mother, Saint Alphonsus' sermons were praised for their eloquence, love, and humility. Someone once remarked to him: "It is a pleasure to listen to your sermons; you forget yourself and preach Jesus Christ." Saint Alphonsus is considered the patron saint of moral theologians. Saint Alphonsus was born to nobility, the oldest of eight children, in the village of Marianella near Naples, Italy. His mother, a deeply pious woman, instilled in him the love of Our Lord from an early age. His father, a naval officer, wishes his son to enter a military career. However, Alphonsus possessed bad eyesight, and suffered from chronic asthma, and as a result, he was steered in the direction of a legal degree. A child prodigy, he quickly surpassed his classmates in any intellectual activity, graduating from college at age 16 with a double doctorate in both canon and civil law. He was admitted to the bar that same year. By age 21, he had established his own successful legal practice, and was soon one of the most accomplished attorneys in Naples. Saint Alphonsus remained true to the teachings of his mother, never appearing in court without first having attended Mass, and refusing two arranged marriages by his father. Wealthy and privileged, Alphonsus came to know the world through artistic pursuits. An adept musician, he mastered several instruments, and spent long evenings at the opera. Through his legal work, he came face-to-face with the darker side of human nature, and was drawn further toward a life of religious observance. After losing an important legal case=E2=80=94one which caused him great humiliation and mockery=E2=80=94Alphonsus left the courtroom in disgust, exclaiming, =E2=80= =9CAh, world=E2=80=A6 I know you now!=E2=80=9D He refused to practice law from tha= t time forward, writing to a friend: "My friend, our profession is too full of difficulties and dangers; we lead an unhappy life and run risk of dying an unhappy death. For myself, I will quit this career, which does not suit me; for I wish to secure the salvation of my soul." Saint Alphonsus entered a period of discernment, during which time he participated in religious societies for nobles, served the poor, went on retreats offered by the Jesuits and the Vincentians=E2=80=94oftentimes w= ith his father. For his part, Alphonsus' father was puzzled and irritat= ed by his son's departure from law and interest in religious life, and after a period of estrangement, the two compromised with Alphonsus entering the Diocesan priesthood. The toll of the argument between father and son was nearly too much, however, and Alphonsus became so ill that the Last Rites were administered. However, the Lord was not done with him and he recovered to be ordained a priest. As a parish priest, Alphonsus concentrated his pastoral efforts on missions, hearing confessions, and forming Christian groups. He soon became as renowned a preacher as he had been a lawyer. His father, with whom he had hardly spoken in many years, stopped in a church to pray one day, and amazed, heard his son preaching. He suddenly saw clearly how God had marvelously elevated his son, and was filled with joy, saying: =E2=80= =9CMy son has made God known to me!=E2=80=9D Alphonsus continued his work within the city of Naples, introducing and cataloging his new techniques. He established a program of =E2=80=9CEvening Chapels,=E2=80=9D in which he and some fellow priests orga= nized and trained lay catechists who could work in the poor sections of the city. The perfect confessor, he further wrote a manual (=E2=80=9CGuide for Confessors,=E2=80=9D used ever since) for the instruction of those who administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Despite his apostolic fervor, and diligent care of the poor of Naples, Saint Alphonsus was plagued by =E2=80=9Cspiritual darkness,=E2=80=9D doubt, and sadness. His su= periors ordered rest and respite for him on the Amalfi Coast, and he obediently left at once. There, he discovered the residents of poor mountain communities, most of whom had never been Catechized, and had been left spiritually abandoned. He began to formulate a plan to minister not only to the poor of his parish, but also to those outside of it. He did not have to wait long for the opportunity to present itself. Upon his return to Naples, he was introduced to Sister Marie Celeste Crostarosa, a local nun at the Visitation convent at Scala, who had claimed to have been graced with Godly revelations. She claimed that the Lord had inspired her to found a new institute for women, whose Rule she was to write. Respected both for his piety and his legal mind, Alphonsus was tasked with investigating the claims of Sister Marie Celeste. Saint Alphonsus was impressed with Marie Celeste, concluding that the hand of God was responsible for her visions. She would, within the year, report that she had received divine plans that Alphonsus was to found a new missionary institute for men. He waited, prayed, contemplated, consulted with anyone who would listen for nearly a year before accepting the role as founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, the Redemptorists. It was an association of priests and brothers living a common life, dedicated to the imitation of Christ, and working mainly in popular missions for peasants in rural areas. Their numbers grew quickly, and their missionary style was soon in great demand. They had a reputation of relating well to all people, a popular and solid preaching style, and a benign pastoral approach in the confessional. Within 15 years, the Congregation had grown to 150 members. It was during this time that Saint Alphonsus wrote his seminal work, =E2=80=9CMoral Theology.=E2=80=9D Avoiding the extremist views of other con= gregations, Alphonsus took a simpler, logical, and kind approach to morality. He further worked for pastoral reform, making sermons and confessions more approachable and understandable for all. A prolific writer, despite his constant travels throughout Naples for 26 years, he also managed to publish 111 works. While Our Blessed Mother and the Holy Eucharist were favorite topics due to his deep devotion, he also wrote on doctrine, prayer, salvation, vocations, rules for religious, and preparations for death. While best known for his moral theology, he is also well respected for his spiritual and dogmatic theology. His =E2=80=9CGlories of Mary=E2=80=9D is one of the great works regarding the B= lessed Virgin, and his book =E2=80=9CVisits to the Blessed Sacrament=E2=80=9D went= through 40 editions in his lifetime, greatly influencing the practice of this devotion in the Church. At age 66, Alphonsus was appointed Bishop of Saint Agatha of the Goths, a well-heeled diocese near Naples. Accepting the position only out of obedience, Alphonsus reportedly viewed what others would consider a great honor as punishment for his sins. He would have preferred to stay where he was, serving the poor and needy, and tending to his community (which he remained Rector General of). Despite failing health, Alphonsus undertook major reforms in the diocese upon his arrival, re-invigorating the seminary, providing spiritual rehabilitation to the clergy, creating missions, establishing social welfare programs, and combating public indecency. While he was bishop, one of Alphonsus' priests led a worldly life, = and resisted all attempts to reform. This erring priest was summoned to Alphonsus, and at the entrance to the bishop's study he found a lar= ge crucifix laid on the threshold. When the priest hesitated to step in, Alphonsus quietly said, =E2=80=9CCome along, and be sure to trample it underfoot. It would not be the first time you have placed Our Lord beneath your feet.=E2=80=9D In 3 years Alphonsus created such dramatic refo= rm that the public cried for his transfer or resignation, which he requested, and Pope Pius VI accepted. Growing feeble and nearly blind, Saint Alphonsus was tricked into signing papers which led to the dissolution of the Naples chapter of his Order. Deeply depressed, he returned to Pagani "to prepare for death." He was afflicted with rheumatic pains which left incurable bending of his neck. The pressure of his chin caused a raw wound on his chest, which caused significant pain. He suffered a final 18 months of =E2=80=9Cdark night=E2=80=9D scruples, fears, temptations against= every article of faith and every virtue, interspersed with intervals of light and relief, when ecstasies were frequent. Throughout these dark and torturous months, he complained little, uniting his suffering with that of Christ. He was buried at the monastery of the Pagani near Naples. Shrines were built there and at Saint Agatha of the Goths. The life of Saint Alphonsus is remarkable for his willingness to empty himself of his own desires, trusting in the Lord=E2=80=94despite struggle, suffering, and failure. While he was a great writer, gifted preacher, and skilled leader, Saint Alphonsus is best known as a practical man who dealt in the concrete rather than the abstract. His life serves as a =E2=80=9Cpractical=E2=80=9D model when we have difficulty recognizing the= dignity of Christian life amid the swirl of our problems, pain, misunderstanding and failure. Saint Alphonsus suffered all these things, but attained the crown of sainthood because he was able to maintain an intimate sense of the presence of the suffering Christ through it all. by Jacob Selected Quotations of Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori: =E2=80=9CWhen we have to reply to anyone who has insulted us, we should be careful to do it always with gentleness. A soft answer extinguishes the fire of wrath.=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9CThere is no food which can fill the desires of our souls. All the goods of this earth--riches, honors, and pleasures--delight the sense of the body, but cannot satisfy the soul, which has been created for God, and which God alone can content.=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9CWe must show charity towards the sick, who are in greater need of help. Let us take them some small gift if they are poor, or, at least, let us go and wait on them and comfort them.=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9CPerfection is founded entirely on the love of God: =E2=80=98Charit= y is the bond of perfection;' and perfect love of God means the complete uni= on of our will with God's.=E2=80=9D --Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori <><><><> Hymn: Miris Modis In wondrous mode set free, lo, at the Lord's command The galling iron chain doth fall from Peter's hand, From Peter, Shepherd blest, who doth with gentle sway, His faithful children lead in virtue's fragrant way, And e'er with watchful love the tempter drive away. Now to the Father be eternal glory done; Our songs we raise to Thee, O everlasting Son; O Spirit from on high, Thy throne we bow before; To Thee be honor, praise, and glory evermore: The Holy Trinity we worship and adore. --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .