St
Alphonsus Liguori is a good saint to turn to when we feel overwhelmed by our
fears and anxiety regarding a prodigal loved one. When you and I may
struggle to understand why things happen, why nothing happens, or we
cannot see or feel the hand of God in our lives and that of our prodigal loved
ones, let us turn to this saint who understands those feelings and ask his
intercession for both ourselves and our loved ones that we might come forth from
our dark night of the soul into the light of Jesus and may praise God for His
Goodness and trust that He is working even though we cannot see it. |
Who
was Saint Alphonsus Liguori
?
St Alphonsus founded the Redemptoris congregation of
priests and brothers, dedicated to the imitation
of Christ, in 1732. He is known as the Marian and Morality Doctor of the
Church. No other doctor wrote more books or was more particular in his devotion
to our Lord and his Blessed Mother.
Many of his writings focused on the practical problems in
living a good Christian life. He is known for his reforms regarding the
pulpit and the confessional where he guided priests to turn to kindness and
simplicity in their words and interaction with the faithful.
After age 70, he was afflicted with
rheumatic pains and lived another 20 years in severe pain and suffered from
fear, temptation against his faith and against virtue. He was a
superb Christian model for all.
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St.
Alphonsus' Aspirations to Mary
O Mary, conceived without
sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Holy Mary, pray for us!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation!
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us!
His Life
His life is indeed a “practical” model for the everyday Christian
who has difficulty recognizing the dignity of Christian life amid the swirl of
problems, pain, misunderstanding and failure. Alphonsus suffered all these
things. He is a saint because he was able to maintain an intimate sense of the
presence of the suffering Christ through it all.
Saint
of the Day, Lives, Lessons and Feast, By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by Pat
McCloskey, O.F.M.
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