Saint’s Life Story

His Early Life

Alphonsus was born on September 27, 1696, in Marianelli near Naples, Italy. He was the eldest of seven children of his Italian father, Giuseppe Liguori, a naval officer and Captain of the Royal Galleys, and his Spanish mother, Anna Maria Caterina Cavalieri. From the moment of his birth, he was placed under the special protection of the Blessed Virgin, that she might adopt him as her son, and be to him in all his necessities an advocate and a mother; hence he was always called Alphonsus Mary (or Alphonsus de Maria). Two days after he was born, he was baptized at the Church of Our Lady the Virgin as Alphonsus Mary Anthony John Cosmas Damian Michael Gaspard de’ Liguori.

As a young boy, Alphonsus loved to decorate little altars, to celebrate in his own fashion the ever-recurring festivals of the saints, and to imitate the beautiful ceremonies of the Church. As soon as he was old enough, his
mother prepared him for his first confession, and placed him under the spiritual direction of Father Thomas Pagano. Alphonsus was just nine years old, when he was placed under the care of the Oratorians of Saint Jerome established at Naples as a pious congregation to promote the spiritual welfare of the young nobility.

Doctorate at 16

Alphonsus displayed exceptional intelligence and talent from a young age. He was an avid painter and practiced the harpiscord three hours a day becoming quite proficient by age 12. He received a thorough education and achieved great academic success, earning his doctorate in civil and canon law from the University of Naples at the remarkable age of 16 in 1713. Since he was quote small in stature, Alphonsus himself sometimes jested at the ludicrous appearance he made when a legal practitioner of sixteen: ” My long cassock,” said he, “perpetually twisting itself about my feet, provoked the laughter of every one I met in the streets.”

Successful Lawyer

Before Alphonsus was 20, he had applied himself to his law practice with great success that he had numerous clients and had an honorable place among the leading advocates of Naples. From 1715 to 1723, Alphonsus never lost a case! His success came from defending his clients’ cases with as much care as he would his own case.

Despite his legal career and growing prominence as a lawyer in Naples, Alphonsus remained deeply devoted to his Catholic faith. He frequented the sacraments, visited the sick in the hospitals, practiced prayer and mortification, and would never enter the courts until he had heard mass and finished his morning devotions.

Loved Music

Alphonsus had a deep love for music that begin during his youth playing the harpsichord. He often visited the opera, although he paid more attention to the music than the theatrics of the production. However, he himself made the
following acknowledgment : “I frequented the theater, but, God be thanked, I never committed even a venial sin there, for the music absorbed all my attention, and was my sole attraction.”

A skilled musician, later Alphonsus composed joyful religious hymns for the poor he heard singing in the streets, that they might glorify God and not waste their voices and efforts in vain and worldly songs.

Turned Down Marriage

As Alphonsus matured and gained a deeper understanding of the world, he grew disillusioned with its vanities and felt a strong calling to religious life. His distinguished talents combined with his irreproachable morals and manners, nade Alphonsus a desirous suitor to many marriageable daughters of famous families of Naples. However, Alphonsus turned down an arranged marriage to and Teresina Liguori, a distant relation, and dedicated his time to studying theology.

Lost His First Case

At 27, after losing an important case, the first one lost in eight years of practicing law, Alphonsus made a firm resolution to leave the profession of law. He became indignant at the corruption and injustice that was ruining the legal system.

Father Opposed His Priesthood

Alphonsus decided to become a priest despite the opposition of his father. He told his father, “God has called me to the Oratory; do not be offended if I follow my vocation, but console me with your benediction.” Although his father used others to try to shake Alphonsus resolution, their efforts were fruitless. Alphonsus’ constant reply was: “God has called me, I cannot resist him.”

Ordained

In 1723, Alphonsus decided to offer himself as a novice to the Oratory of St. Philip Neri with the intention of becoming a priest. Alphonsus had excellent teachers who introduced him to the study of Sacred Scripture, of the Church history and of mysticism. He acquired a vast theological culture which he put to good use when, after a few years, he embarked on his work as a writer.

In December, 1724, he received the tonsure from Monsignor Mirabello, Archbishop of Nazareth. Two years later, on December 21, 1726, at the age of 30, Alphonsus was ordained as a priest. Cardinal Pignatelli appointed him, almost immediately after his ordination, to give spiritual exercises to the clergy of Naples.

15 Obligations of a Priest

Alphonsus wrote the 15 obligations of a priest who wished to attain sanctity, while adding that it was the rule by which he regulated his own
conduct.

1.  I am a priest, my dignity is above that of the angels. I should then lead a life of angelic purity, and I am obliged to strive for this by all possible means.
2.  A God deigns to obey my voice. I ought with far greater reason to obey His, speaking to me through his inspirations, or my superiors.
3.  The Holy Church has honored me; I must therefore honor myself, by sanctity of life, by my zeal and labors, etc.
4.  I offer to the Eternal Father Jesus Christ, his Son; it is then my duty to cloth? myself with the virtues of Jesus Christ, that I may be come fit for my office.
5.  Christian people see in me a minister of reconciliation, a mediator between God and man; consequently, I must always keep myself in the grace and friendship of God.
6.  The faithful desire to see in me a model of the virtues to which they should aspire; I must then be edifying always and under all circumstances.
7.  Poor sinners who have lost the light of grace, come to me to be spiritually resuscitated; I must therefore aid them by my prayers, exhortations, and good example.
8.  Courage is necessary to triumph over the world, the flesh, and the devil; I must then correspond with divine grace, that I may combat these enemies victoriously.
9.  To defend religion and fight against error and impiety, one must have knowledge. I will then strive, by every means within my reach, to acquire the necessary knowledge.
10.  Human respect and worldly friendships dishonor the priesthood; I will then avoid them.
11.  Ambition and self-interest have often caused priests to lose their faith; I must then abhor these vices as sources of reprobation.
12.  Gravity should accompany charity in a priest; I will then be prudent and reserved, especially with regard” to women, without being proud, rough, or disdainful.
13.  I can please God only by recollection, fervor, and solid virtue, which nourish the holy exercise of prayer; I will then neglect nothing which may tend to their acquisition.
14.  I ought to seek only the glory of God, my own sanctification, and the salvation of souls; consequently, I must achieve these ends, though it should cost my life.
15.  Being a priest, it is my duty to inspire virtue in all with whom 1 come in contact; and to glorify Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest.

Evangelized and Cared for Poor

Alphonsus began an activity of evangelization and catechesis among the humblest classes of Neapolitan society, to whom he liked preaching, and whom he instructed in the basic truths of the faith. Many of these people, poor and modest, to whom he addressed himself, were very often prone to vice and involved in crime. He patiently taught them to pray, encouraging them to improve their way of life.

His preaching style was simple, clear, and direct, resonating with the common people. He said: “I have never preached a sermon which the poorest old woman in the congregation could not understand”. Alphonsus was widely respected for his patience and understanding in the confessional, providing gentle guidance to those seeking absolution.

Alphonsus obtained excellent results. In the most wretched districts of the city, there were an increasing number of groups that would meet in the evenings in private houses and workshops to pray and meditate on the word of God, under the guidance of several catechists trained by Alphonsus and by other priests. When at the wish of the Archbishop of Naples, these meetings were held in the chapels of the city, they came to be known as “evening chapels”. They were a true and proper source of moral education, of social improvement and of reciprocal help among the poor: thefts, duels, prostitution ended by almost disappearing. The chapels were centers of prayer and piety, preaching, community, social activities, and education. At the time of his death, there were 72, with over 10,000 active participants.

Founder

In 1730, he founded the Redemptoristines, a women’s order, in Scala, Italy. Then two years later in November, 1732, Alphonsus founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (the Redemptorists or Ligourians). He founded the congregation with the charism of preaching popular missions in the city and the countryside. Its goal was to teach and preach in the slums of cities and other poor places, laboring for the salvation of the most abandoned souls.

Bishop

Esteemed for his goodness and for his pastoral zeal, in 1762 at the age of 66, Alphonsus was appointed Bishop of Sant’Agata dei Goti. He was Bishop for 13 years until he left in 1775, following the illness which debilitated him, through a concession of Pope Pius VI.

Writer

Alphonsus wrote his first book at the age of forty-nine and in his eighty-third year had published about 100 volumes, when his director forbade him to write more. Very many of these books were written in the half-hours snatched from his labors as missionary, religious superior and Bishop, or in the midst of continual bodily and mental sufferings.

Alphonsus also demonstrated his brilliance as a writer, contributing significantly to the fields of asceticism, theology, and history. His theological insights and mastery of the subject earned him the title of a master theologian.

Some of his works include:

The Glories of Mary
The Passion and the Death of Jesus Christ
The Way of Salvation and of Perfection
Victories of the Martyrs

His Death

Alphonsus vowed early to never to waste a moment of his life, and he lived that way for over 90 years. As Alphonsus lay dying, he was brought him a picture of his friend and lay brother in the Redemptorists Saint Gerard Majella, but Alphonsus muttered: “Even he cannot save me now”. His last words were “Grant me, O Lord, eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine on me!” At the age of 90, Alphonsus died in Nocera dei Pagani, Italy on August 1, 1787.

In 1871, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Alphonsus a Doctor of the Church.

Twelve houses of the Congregation were in successful operation when he died. Today, there are approximately 4,500 Redemptorists who serve in 82 countries on all five continents helped by many men and women who collaborate in their mission and together form the Redemptorist Family.

Born:                    September 27, 1696 in Marianelli near Naples, Italy

Died:                    August 1, 1787 age 90 in Nocera dei Pagani, Italy

Beatified:            September 15, 1816 by Pope Pius VII

Canonized:         May 26, 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI

Feast Day:           August 1

Patron Saint:    Against Arthritis; Against Scrupulosity; Confessors; Moralists; Naples, Italy; Nocera, Italy; Sant’Agata de’ Goti, Italy; Theologians

Source:

• Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor: Brief Bio, Favorite Quotes, and a Prayer – Catholic Fire
• CatholicSaints.Info » General Audience of Pope Benedict XVI, 30 March 2011 – Saint Alphonsus Liguori
• Anonymous – The Life of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori.pdf
• Saint Alphonsus Maria De Liguori – Saint for a Minute
• Alphonsus Liguori – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

St. Alphonsus Liguori: From Lawyer to Church Doctor – YouTube (Awaken The Saint)