Aug 2nd - St. Alphonsus Ligouri

St. Alphonsus Ligouri 1696 – 1787

Doctor of the Church Italian bishop, writer, composer, musician, artist, poet, lawyer, philosopher, & theologian.

From an anonymous Jesuit Priest, 1868:

"From [Alphonsus'] ordination until his extreme old age, the saint never ceased to preach, to hear confessions, to give retreats and missions. To these labors he added, for thirteen years, the government of a diocese in that of his numerous congregations for forty-two years more. Here was enough, indeed, to fill up the life of any man; but Alphonse's had made a vow never to lose time, and, incredible though it seems, he also found time to compose more than 52 books, some of which such as his Moral Theology and the Glories of Mary, are so filled with quotations that it is evident that he had read the works of all who had written before him about morals and our Lady. And laboring thus, the saint, though feeble in health, lived 90 years."

"The long life of the saint was an uninterrupted exercise of zeal. He exercised it in almost every town and village in the Kingdom of Naples, and his zeal was always rewarded by extraordinary conversions, often by striking miracles. More than 100 of these are cited in the process of his canonization."

"There are few saints who have had such a tender love for Mary, and who have increased the devotion to her so much by their sermons and writings. Among the latter, the incomparable treaties of the glories of Mary, full both of unction and learning, has been translated into all languages, it has given everywhere a fresh impulse to the devotion to the Queen of Heaven."

From the Church's liturgy: "Alphonsus Mary de Liguori was born of a noble family at Naples, and from his early

youth gave clear proofs of sanctity. While he was still a child, his parents once presented him to St. Francis Jerome, of the Society of Jesus. The saint blessed him, and prophesied that he would reach his ninetieth year, that he would be raised to the episcopal dignity, and would do much good for the Church. Even as a boy he shrank from games, and both by his words and example incited noble youth to Christian modesty.

When he reached early manhood he enrolled himself in pious associations, and made it his delight to serve the sick in the public hospital, to spend the time in prayer and in the church, and frequently to receive the sacred mysteries. He joined study to piety with such success that, when scarcely sixteen years of age, he took the degree of Doctor in both Canon and Civil Law, in the University of his native city. In obedience to his father's wishes, he pleaded at the bar; but, while winning himself a name in the discharge of this office, he learnt by experience what dangers beset a lawyer's life, and, of his own accord, abandoned the profession. Then he refused a brilliant marriage proposed to him by his father, renounced his right of inheritance as eldest son, and, hanging up his sword at the altar of the Virgin of Mercy, he devoted himself to the divine service. Having been made priest, he attacked vice with such great zeal that, in the exercise of his apostolic ministry, he hastened from place to place, working wonderful conversions. He had a special compassion for the poor, and particularly for country people, and founded a congregation for priests, called of the Holy Redeemer,' who were to follow the Redeemer through the fields, and hamlets, and villages, preaching to the poor.

In order that nothing might turn him from his purpose, he bound himself by a perpetual vow never to waste any time. On fire with love of souls, he strove, both by preaching the divine word and by writings full of sacred learning and piety, to win them to Christ and to make them lead more perfect lives. Marvelous was the number of quarrels he stilled and of wanderers he brought back to the path of salvation. He had the greatest devotion to the Mother of God, and more than once, while he was speaking of her with great earnestness during his sermons, a wonderful brightness came upon him from our Lady's image, and he was seen by all the people to be rapt in ecstasy. The Passion of our Lord and the Holy Eucharist were the objects of his unceasing contemplation, and he spread devotion to them in a wonderful degree. When he was praying before the altar of the Blessed Sacrament, or celebrating Holy Mass, which he never failed to do, through the violence of his love he shed burning tears, was agitated in an extraordinary manner, and at times was carried out of his senses. He joined a wonderful innocence, which he had never stained by deadly sin, with an equally wonderful spirit of penance, and chastised his body by fasting, iron chains, hair-shirts, and scourgings even to blood. At the same time, he was remarkable for the gifts of prophecy, reading of hearts, bilocation, and many miracles.

He firmly refused the ecclesiastical dignities which were offered him, but he was compelled by the authority of Pope Clement XIII to accept the government of the Church of St. Agatha of the Goths as bishop. Though he changed his outward dress, yet he made no alteration in the severity of his life. He observed the same in moderation; his zeal for Christian discipline was most ardent, and he displayed the greatest is devotedness in rooting out vice, in guarding against false doctrine, and in discharging the other duties of the pastoral charge. He was most generous towards the poor, distributing to them all the revenues of his see, and in a time of scarcity of corn he sold even the furniture of his house to feed his starving people. He was all things to all men. He brought religious women to lead a more perfect life and took care to erect a monastery for nuns of his Congregation.

Severe and continual sickness forced him to resign his bishopric, and he returned to his children as poor as when he had left them. Though worn out in body by old age, labors, chronic gout, and other painful maladies, his mind was fresh and clear, and he never ceased speaking or writing of heavenly things till at length, on the Kalends of August, he most peacefully expired, at Nocera dei Pagani, amidst his weeping children. It was in the year 1787, the ninetieth year of his age. His virtues and miracles made him famous, and on this account, in 1816, Pope Pius VII enrolled him amongst the Blessed. God still glorified him with new signs and wonders, and, on the feast of the Most Blessed Trinity, in the year 1839, Gregory XVI solemnly inscribed his name on the list of the saints; finally, Pope Pius IX, after consulting the Congregation of Sacred Rites declared him a doctor of the universal Church."

From The Life of Saint Alphonsus by Antonio Tannoja, 1855:

His Parents

Joseph de Liguori, of an ancient patrician family in Naples, and Anne Catherine Cavalieri, of an equally noble family from Brindes, were the happy parents of Alphonsus. Illustrious by his birth, as also by his military talents, and the public offices which he filled with integrity and prudence, D. Joseph was, moreover, a man of exemplary piety, and by his devotion to the passion of our Lord he obtained many signal graces. His wife was a woman of singular virtue, and descended from parents equally remark able for their piety and their rank. Devoted to prayer, loving the poor, she practiced self-denial and mortification, abstained from worldly amusements, and was to be found most frequently in the house of God.

1696 - His Birth and Baptism:

Alphonsus was born on the 27th of September, 1696, in the vicinity of Naples, at Marianella, where his parents had a country-house, and two days after, he was baptized in the Church of St. Mary of Virgins in Naples. He received the following names: "Alphonsus Mary Anthony John Francis Cosmas Damian Michel-Angelo;" the first of which were given him in memory of his ancestors, the others in honor of the Saints on whose respective days 'he was born and baptized. From the hour of his birth, he was placed in a special manner under the protection of the Blessed Virgin, that in all his necessities he might find in her an advocate and mother. Prophecy of St. Francis Jerome:

Shortly after his birth, St. Francis Jerome, of the Society of Jesus, foreseeing with a prophetic eye how dear to God, and how useful to his Church, the infant would become, foretold his future sanctity. He took him from the arms of his mother, and blessing him, said: "This little child will live to a great age, even until ninety years; he will be a bishop, and will perform great things for Jesus Christ." Alphonsus was henceforth regarded as a special gift from heaven, destined to procure the salvation of souls and promote the glory of Jesus Christ.

Early Education & Childhood

Contrary to the usual custom among the nobles, the early education of Alphonsus was not confided to strangers; his mother superintended it herself, and instructed her son in the knowledge of religion. The brother of Alphonsus, D. Gaetan, related that every morning after having blessed her children, she made them pray to God, and every evening she assembled them around her, and taught them the elements of the Christian faith, reciting with them the Rosary and other prayers in honor of different Saints. She was careful in preventing them from associating with other children of their age; she wished that grace should anticipate in them the malice of sin, and that they might early be taught to hate it; she therefore took them every week to confess to her own director, F. Thomas Pagano, of the Oratory of St. Jerome. It was thus she guided her dear Alphonsus, and made him truly holy. Above all, she endeavored to kindle in his heart a tender love for Jesus Christ, and a filial confidence in Mary.

Even in childhood, he knew not the ordinary amusements of infancy, but placed all his delight in erecting little altars, and celebrating in his childish manner the feasts of different Saints.

When he was only nine years old, his placed him under the care of the Fathers of St. Jerome who had for their object the spiritual welfare of young nobility. and his exemplary conduct and great piety were the admiration of these good Fathers.

He came early every Sunday morning to the Congregation, and although so young, he was docile and submissive to the slightest command of the Superiors, attentive and recollected during the devotional exercises, full of a holy avidity for the general instructions, and even over-anxious in his desire to profit by them. He regularly confessed to F. Pagano, and when arrived at the proper age, received holy communion from his hands. It was then an edifying spectacle to see this young child on his knees, hearing mass with singular devotion, and approaching the holy table with the greatest fervor.

As Alphonsus advanced in age, his mother redoubled her solicitude: not content with all he learned under these excellent fathers, she took care to instruct him herself in the manner of performing his devotions, and acquitting himself of his other duties. She spoke to him of the enormity of sin, of hell which it merits, and of the great displeasure the slightest fault gives to the heart of Jesus Christ. To the latest period of his life, Alphonsus continued to acknowledge his obligations to his mother, for the great care she haft taken of him during his childhood. " If I must admit," he was wont to say, "that there was anything good in me, as a child, and that I was kept from wickedness, I owe it entirely to the tender solicitude of my mother.

Joseph and Anna feared that in a college the innocence of their son might run some danger, and that intercourse with other young men might tarnish its luster, would have him continually under their own eyes, sheltered from every occasion of sin, and procured him excellent private masters to teach him belleslettres.

His mind was quick and penetrating, his memory faithful and retentive, and he combined great docility with an ardent desire for instruction. With these excellent qualities, he made rapid progress in his studies, and gave great satisfaction both to master and parents.

The father and mother of Alphonsus wished not only to make their son a man of letters and a good Christian, but also an accomplished gentleman, they took care to adorn his mind with every other species of knowledge necessary to form a distinguished education. They gave him masters in drawing, painting, and architecture. He succeeded admirably in all these arts: even in his old age he sketched pictures, sometimes of the infant Jesus, or of the blessed Virgin; and had en graved several of them for the use of his congregation. His father, who was exceedingly fond of music, wished him also to excel in that art, and gave orders that he should apply himself three hours daily to the study of it with a master. Thus before Alphonsus had attained his twelfth year, he touched the harpsichord with great skill.

Master of Law at Sixteen Years Old

Joseph, ambitious of seeing his son distinguish himself in the magistracy, by the talents with which he was adorned, wished him, when his philosophy and other studies were finished, to apply himself to civil and canonical law. He gave him two learned masters, who enjoyed great reputation in Naples. Alphonsus was not Jess successful in this new career.

Alphonsus devoted himself so successfully to the study of jurisprudence, that before his sixteenth year he was master of it. He received his degree on the twenty-first of January, 1713, amidst general applause, having previously obtained a dispensation of three years and nine months, being little more than sixteen years old.

Alphonsus had not yet attained his twentieth year when he saw himself surrounded by numerous clients, and seated before the tribunals, side by side with the most distinguished advocate.

Not Interested in Marriage

Alphonsus was now approaching his twentieth year, and, seeing the progress he daily made in the career of the law, everyone prognosticated, that with such distinguished talents, and such powerful family interests, he would soon attain the highest dignity in the magistracy. These rare prerogatives, enhanced by all the qualities that could be wished for in a young nobleman, and joined to irreproachable conduct, made the first families in Naples anxious for him to form a matrimonial alliance with their daughters. His father tried to arrange marriages for him, but in the end, Alphonsus failed to show any attraction or interest. In time, Alphonsus saw the vanity of the world and his occupation and determined to leave it in order to save his soul. He renounced the world and consecrated himself to God.

Alphonsus enters the Ecclesiastical State and Performs Strict Mortification:

From the time he assumed the clerical habit, his mode of life became stricter than ever. Prayer and study occupied him alternately: he mortified his senses, refusing them every species of indulgence. He fasted, used the discipline, wore hair shirts, and practiced all kinds of penitential exercises, in order to follow more closely the steps of his Divine Master, and to keep his body under subjection. Every Saturday he fasted on bread and water, in honor of the Blessed Virgin ; his clothes were as plain as possible: for some little time, to please his father, he allowed himself to be followed by a footman, but soon disembarrassed himself of this encumbrance. Thus, bidding adieu to the vanity of time, and enriching his soul with treasures for eternity, he became the edification of the whole city.

A year after Alphonsus had assumed the ecclesiastical habit, he received the tonsure in 1724. In 1725, he was promoted to minor orders, with a dispensation, and three months succeeding, was made subdeacon. He then entered as novice in the Congregation of the Missions where he applied himself with remarkable diligence to the observance of all the rules and practices of piety.

1726 - Alphonsus begins preaching and is ordained:

Because of the holiness of his life, by dispensation he was given the deacon's orders on the 6th of April, 1726; and, satisfied with his zeal and talents, he was given permission to preach in all the churches of Naples. It was in the church of St. John at the Latin Gate he preached his first sermon, from these words of Isaias: "O that Thou wouldst bend the heavens, and come down .... the waters would burn with fire," (ch. Ixiv, 1-2:) and the fire of his eloquence was directed to show the amazing love of Jesus Christ towards us, and our monstrous in gratitude towards God.

Such was the effect of this sermon, that invitations to preach poured in upon him from all quarters. His usual subject was the dogma of the Eucharist, and it rarely happened, that he did not preach in the church where the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. The Fathers of the Mission sent him also into different parts of the kingdom, where he attacked vice with such eloquence, that he did much to promote the glory of God in the salvation of souls.

He was elevated, again by dispensation, to the priesthood, and if he before burned with zeal to promote the glory of God, from henceforth this fire seemed to consume him; descending from the altar, he might be seen rushing like a lion on his prey, to attack the strongholds of Satan. Everywhere he was now sought after, curates desired him to preach in their churches, Congregations besought him to give spiritual exercises, and many monasteries desired with avidity to participate in the fruits of his powerful eloquence.

His time was fully occupied, either in the city of Naples, or the adjoining districts, where he was frequently sent on mission with the Fathers of the Congregation, and he was never known to excuse himself for want of time, or negligently to fulfil any duty to which he was appointed.

Notwithstanding his incessant labor to promote the salvation of others, he did not neglect his own: every day he consecrated some hours to meditation, without including the time spent in reading the lives of the saints, which he used to call "the Gospel in practice." Every morning he said mass with so much devotion, that it occupied a considerable time, besides long preparation, and returning thanks afterwards. Not a day passed without his visiting Jesus Christ in the church where the forty hours' adoration was made, and there he might be seen, sometimes for hours, contemplating his divine Redeemer.

Alphonsus in the Confessional Alphonsus had been one year a priest, when he received from Cardinal Pignatelli faculties for hearing confessions. No sooner was he seated in the confessional, than he saw himself surrounded by persons of every rank and condition; he received all with unexampled charity; he was the first to take his place in the confessional, and the last to leave it. It was his invariable opinion, that the office of confessor is more profitable to souls, and less apt to produce vain glory in the priest, than any other priestly function. For by confession, sinners are immediately reconciled to God, and the grace of Jesus Christ is applied to them superabundantly. Severe towards himself only, he treated the greatest sinners with inexpressible meekness, and, without excusing the sin, was full of compassion for the sinner, when, sincerely repenting, he wished to make his peace with God ; and the more a soul was sunk in vice, the more compassionate was his manner, in order to draw it from the fangs of Satan, and lead it into the arms of Jesus Christ.

The means Alphonsus employed to lead his penitents to perfection, may be reduced to two, meditation or prayer, and mortification. He affirmed there could be no true prayer without mortification, and to practice mortification, the spirit of prayer was indispensable. He pre scribed prayer, saying, "He who prays will certainly be saved, and he who neglects prayer will as certainly be damned." But above all remedies, he prescribed frequent communion, and daily visits to the Blessed Sacrament, particularly in the church where it was exposed for the forty hours' adoration He exacted besides, a filial confidence in the Divine Mother Mary, he wished that all should daily recite the Rosary in her honor, visit some church where her image was placed, and have a picture of her at the head of their bed.

Crowds coming thus from every quarter to obtain the benefit of his direction, and as he had no time to give many fervent souls the instructions he judged necessary, to advance them in the way of perfection, he thought of assembling them for instruction, in some solitary place, during the summer evenings. Alphonsus did great good in Naples by these conferences, and many of those who had attended them, ever after led the lives of saints.

Alphonsus Takes up Residence at the Chinese Institute in Naples

It was against his will that Alphonsus continued to live in the house of his father; he longed for a solitary cell, where, retired from the world, he could enjoy that calm and delicious peace, to be found only in solitude. In 1729, Liguori left his family home and took up residence at the Chinese Institute in Naples.

Resolves to Practice Greater Austerity

No sooner did Alphonsus find himself in the college, delivered from the surveillance of his parents, than he gave himself up to the practice of mortification with more freedom and ardor than ever. He was clothed in sackcloth, and wore chains of iron; several times a day, he took the discipline until the blood flowed. The wretched food which he ate was not sufficient for his love of mortification, but he added to it bitter ingredients, such as myrrh, aloes, and wormwood. He ate but little, or not at all, of the fruits of which the others partook, and fasted every Saturday on bread and water, and generally ate in a kneeling position, or sitting on the floor. In his chamber he would not allow himself a chair, but stood while he studied, holding his book in his hand, and keeping little stones in his shoes.

In the meanwhile, he continued to draw new strength from prayer and the examples of the saints.

Time of Aridity

It might naturally be supposed, that amidst these bodily austerities undertaken and endured from pure love of God, his mind would be enjoying that foretaste of heaven which nothing worldly can give; but it was not thus with our Saint; God permitted him to feel the nature of our Saviour's anguish, when he exclaimed, "My God! my God! why hast thou forsaken me?" His heart enjoyed no consolation. He was deprived of all those favors which render every trial light and easy. He believed he had lost all devotion for mass, his prayer was arid; he sought God, and found him not. "I go to Jesus," he said, "and He repulses me. I have recourse to the Blessed Virgin, and she listens not to me." All he did at this time was done by the mere light of faith, which made him resolute in seeking to please God in all things, without being impelled either by the hope of heaven or the fear of hell.

Alphonsus is called to found a Congregation of Missionary Priests.

Alphonsus being exhausted and worn out by his labors in the provinces, his friends began to have serious apprehensions for his health, and accordingly it was determined he should retire to the country, until he should recover his strength. He was accompanied by Joseph Jorio, John Mazzini, Pansa, and two others.

The place fixed upon, was a hermitage in the neighborhood of Amalfi, situated on a hill near the sea. They had obtained permission to keep the Blessed Sacrament in the hermitage, and while Alphonsus was recovering strength of body, he gained new strength to his soul in the presence of his beloved Saviour. They began to catechize the poor shepherds and goat herds, with the other inhabitants of the country around, and heard their confessions; and this sojourn in the country became an uninterrupted mission, which produced abundant fruits.

It was now that Alphonsus became acquainted with the extreme destitution of the people Altered over the country, who often lived without the knowledge necessary for salvation; many, being without the sacraments and the word of life, had to be instructed in the first rudiments of faith, before they could make their confession.

He continued to labor among the good shepherds of St. Mary of the Mount, until September, when he returned to Scala. It was then that God made known to Alphonsus that he was chosen to be the instrument of God's glory in a great work...

1732 - Alphonsus establishes his Congregation at Scala

On 9 November 1732, he founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. He founded the congregation with the charism of preaching missions. Its goal was to teach and preach in the slums of cities and other poor places.

On arriving at Scala, he was joined by only eight of his companions. The dwelling prepared by the Bishop, Mgr. Santoro, accorded in every respect with their wishes — it was a hospice belonging to a convent, almost destitute of furniture, small and inconvenient; besides a small oratory, there were only a parlor, and three little rooms containing palliasses and scanty coverings, with a few earthen dishes for the table and the kitchen. The day after their arrival, they assembled in the Cathedral, and after a long meditation, chanted the mass of the Holy Spirit, thanking God for the establishment of a Congregation so ardently desired, and asking for His benediction upon the work. They gave it the name of "The Holy Saviour," placing it under the protection of the Chief of all Missionaries. They now applied themselves sincerely to prayer and penitence; their hearts overflowing with love to God, they embraced every opportunity of mortifying them selves; they wore sack-cloth, and small chains with sharp points. But it was at the hours of repast, those hours when the world seeks after sensual enjoyments, that these holy men signalized their love of mortification. Some kissed the ground ; others knelt, and remained for a length of time with their arms extended in form of a cross, be fore eating; another made the round of the refectory, kissing the feet of each of his brethren. They ate kneeling, or sitting on the floor, while others, to make the moments of eating still more uncomfortable, hung a heavy stone round their neck. Their poor and scanty food they seasoned with bitter herbs ; many would not taste meat, or abstained from fruit. Their food was of such a quality that the poor hesitated to accept what they left. Vitus Curzius was cook, and as he knew nothing of cookery, he spoiled everything he attempted to prepare.

Such was the life these missionaries led at Scala. As for Alphonsus, he occupied himself with God only, "instant in prayer," reading the Lives of the Saints, or laboring to save souls. His application was constant; and besides Mass with a long thanksgiving, and the general prayers of the community, he spent hours in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. He carried his austerities to such an excess, that the utmost the others could do, seemed as it were nothing.

Here I take liberty to skip the many details of the founding of the Congregation and the preaching of the missions and jump ahead to when he became a Bishop...

1762 - Becoming a Bishop:

One day, when conversing with Bishop Nicolas Borgia of Cava, on the mercy of God in rescuing him from the world, Alphonsus said: "One of the greatest graces that I have received from the Lord, is that of having escaped the peril of being a bishop, a peril which I should have had difficulty in avoiding, had I remained with my family." Thus thought Alphonsus, but God had ordained otherwise. A courier arrived at Nocera on the 9th of March, 1762, with a letter from Cardinal Socatelli, Nuncio at Naples, inclosing one from Cardinal Negroni, which announced to him his election to the bishopric of St. Agatha, in the name of the Pope. On reading them, Alphonsus was thunderstruck; his senses became troubled, and he could not speak.

On St. Basil's day, the 14th of June, at the age of 66, Alphonsus was consecrated bishop, in the church of Minerva, by Cardinal Rossi, assisted by two bishops. It was an overwhelming day for our saint. He confessed to his director afterwards that he had had two great battles in his life: the first, when he left the world, and had to struggle against the tender ness of a father who clasped him tightly in his arms; the second, when he was forced to be ordained bishop when at Rome. "For then," said he, " I was cast down by fear in thinking of the burden I was loaded with, and the account I should have to give of it to God."

When Alphonsus later tried to resign his appointment, Clement XIV said: "He can govern the diocese from his bed; his very shadow is sufficient to govern it.”

1787 - Death Alphonsus died on the 1st of August, 1787, at about 11:00, and at the age of ninety years. After a final and painful illness... "the fathers continued to arrive from all the houses, and, as he had always wished to die among his dear brethren who would aid him to die well, Alphonsus, like another Jacob, entered into his last agony surrounded by his numerous children who were his joy and his crown. He seemed not so much to be struggling with death, as to be conversing with God in a prolonged ecstasy. No change was observed in his body, no oppression of breathing, no painful sigh; but whilst holding a picture of the Blessed Virgin in his hands, and amidst the prayers and tears of his sons, Alphonsus gently and sweetly expired, or rather he tranquilly fell asleep in the arms of the Lord and of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, at the very moment when the bell was rung for the Angelus."