St Alphonsus de Liguori,
Italy, 18th Century
Feastday: 1st August
Born:
1696
Died:
1787
Born
to the nobility, he was a child prodigy, was extremely well-educated, and
received his doctorate in law from the University of Naples at age 16. He had
his own practice by age 21, and was soon one of the leading lawyers in Naples,
though he never attended court without having attended Mass first. He loved
music, could play the harpsichord, and often attended the opera, though he
frequently listened without bothering to watch the over-done staging. As he
matured and learned more and more of the world, he liked it less and less, and
finally felt a call to religious life. He declined an arranged marriage,
studied theology, and was ordained at age 29. Preacher and home missioner
around Naples. Noted for his simple, clear, direct style of preaching, and his
gentle, understanding way in the confessional. Writer on asceticism, theology,
and history; master theologian. He was often opposed by Church officials for a
perceived laxity toward sinners, and by government officials who opposed
anything religious. Founded the Redemptoristines women's order in Scala in
1730. Founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Liguorians;
Redemptorists) at Scala, Italy in 1732. Appointed bishop of Saint Agata dei Gotti by Pope Clement XIII in
1762. Worked to reform the clergy and revitalize the faithful in a diocese with
a bad reputation. He was afflicted with severe rheumatism, and often could
barely move or raise his chin from his chest. In 1775 he resigned his see due
to his health, and went into what he thought was a prayerful retirement. In 1777 the royal government threatened to
disband his Redemptorists, claiming that they were covertly carrying on the
work of the Jesuits, who had been suppressed in 1773. Calling on his knowledge
of the Congregation, his background in thelogy, and his skills as a lawyer,
Alphonsus defended the Redemptorists so well that they obtained the king's
approval. However, by this point Alphonsus was nearly blind, and was tricked
into giving his approval to a revised Rule for the Congregation, one that
suited the king and the anti-clerical government. When Pope Pius VI saw the
changes, he condemned it, and removed Alphonsus from his position as leader of
the Order. This caused Alphonsus a crisis in confidence and faith that took
years to overcome. However, by the time of his death he had returned to faith
and peace. Alphonsus vowed early to
never to waste a moment of his life, and lived that way for over 90 years.
Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1871. When he was bishop, one of Alphonsus's
priests led a worldly life, and resisted all attempts to change. He was
summoned to Alphonsus, and at the entrance to the bishop's study he found a
large crucifix laid on the threshold. When the priest hesitated to step in,
Alphonsus quietly said, "Come along, and be sure to trample it underfoot.
It would not be the first time you have placed Our Lord beneath your
feet." 1
1. Taken from the Patron Saints Index at http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainta09.htm
“The
devil has always managed to get rid of the Mass by means of the heretics making
them the precursors of the Antichrist who, above all else, will manage to
abolish, and in fact will succeed in abolishing as a punishment for the sins of
men, the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar, precisely as Daniel predicted.” 1
References
1.
St. Alphonsus Liguori La Messa e ‘Officio Strapazzati in Opere Ascetiche as quoted by Father V.
Miceli The Antichrist (Roman Catholic Books, 1981) p. 276.