Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori

Saint Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori, C.Ss.R. (27 full of difficulties and dangers; we lead an unhappy life September 1696 – 1 August 1787), was an Ital- and run risk of dying an unhappy death.”[5] At the age ian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, composer, musi- of twenty-seven, after having lost an important case— cian, artist, poet, lawyer, scholastic philosopher, and the first he had lost in eight years of practicing law—he theologian. made a firm resolution to leave the profession of law.[6] Moreover, he heard an interior voice, saying: “Leave the He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Re- [4] deemer (the Redemptorists). In 1762 he was appointed world, and give yourself to me.” Bishop of Sant'Agata dei Goti. A prolific writer, he pub- lished nine editions of his Moral Theology in his lifetime, in addition to other devotional and ascetic works and let- ters. Among his best known works are The Glories of Mary and The Way of the Cross, the latter still used in parishes during Lenten devotions. 1.3 Career change He was canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI. Pope Pius IX proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church in 1871. In 1723, he decided to offer himself as a novice to the One of the most widely read Catholic authors, Alphonsus Oratory of St. Philip Neri with the intention of becom- Liguori is the patron saint of confessors. ing a priest. His father opposed this plan, but after two months (and with his Oratorian confessor’s permission), he and his father compromised: he would study for the 1 Biography priesthood, but not as an Oratorian and while living at home.[3] He was ordained on 21 December 1726, at the age of 30. He lived his first years as a priest with the 1.1 Early years homeless and marginalized youth of Naples. He became very popular because of his plain and simple preach- Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori was born in Marianella, near ing. He said: “I have never preached a sermon which Naples, then part of the Kingdom of Naples. He was the poorest old woman in the congregation could not the eldest of eight children of Giuseppe and Anna Cava- understand.”[4] He founded the Evening Chapels which lieri Liguori.[2] Two days after he was born he was bap- were managed by the young people themselves. These tized at the Church of Our Lady the Virgin as Alphon- chapels were centers of prayer and piety, preaching, com- sus Mary Anthony John Cosmas Damian Michael Gas- munity, social activities, and education. At the time of his pard de' Liguori. The family was an old and noble one, death, there were 72 of these chapels with over 10,000 though the branch to which the Saint belonged had be- active participants. His sermons were very effective at come somewhat impoverished. Alphonsus’s father, Don converting those who were alienated from their faith. Joseph de' Liguori was a naval officer and Captain of the Liguori suffered from scruples much of his adult life, and Royal Galleys. His mother was of Spanish descent.[2] felt guilt about the most minor issues relating to sin.[7] Moreover, the saint viewed scruples as a blessing at times, 1.2 Education he wrote: “Scruples are useful in the beginning of conver- sion....they cleanse the soul, and at the same time make it [8] Liguori learned to ride and fence, but was never a good careful”. shot due to poor eyesight.[3] Myopia and chronic asthma In 1729, Alphonsus left his family home and took up res- precluded a military career, so his father had him ed- idence in the Chinese Institute in Naples.[5] It was there ucated for the legal profession. He was taught by tu- that he began his missionary experience in the interior re- tors before entering the University of Naples, where he gions of the Kingdom of Naples where he found people graduated with doctorates in civil and canon law[2] at age who were much poorer and more abandoned than any of sixteen.[4] He remarked later that he was so small at the the street children in Naples. In 1731, while ministering time as to be almost buried in his doctor’s gown and to earthquake victims in the town of Foggia, Alphonsus that all the spectators laughed.[3] He became a success- claimed to have had a vision of the Virgin Mother in the ful lawyer. He was thinking of leaving the profession, appearance of a young girl of thirteen or fourteen, wear- and wrote to someone: “My friend, our profession is too ing a white veil.[5]

1 2 3 WORKS

1.4 Congregation of the Most Holy Re- 2 Veneration and legacy deemer Alphonsus Liguori was beatified on 15 September 1816 Main article: Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer by Pope Pius VII and canonized on 26 May 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI. On 9 November 1732, Alphonsus founded the In 1949, the Redemptorists founded the Alphonsian Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer,[9] when Academy for the advanced study of Catholic moral theol- Sister Maria Celeste Crostarosa told him that it had been ogy. He was named patron of confessors and moral the- revealed to her that he was the one God had chosen to ologians by Pope Pius XII on 26 April 1950, who subse- found the congregation. He founded the congregation quently wrote of him in the encyclical Haurietis aquas. 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. They 3 Works also fought Jansenism–a heresy that supported a very strict morality–declaring that “the penitents should be treated as souls to be saved rather than as criminals to be 3.1 Overview punished.” He is said never to have refused absolution to a penitent.[4] Alphonsus was a prolific and popular author.[9] He was proficient in the arts, his parents having had him trained by various masters, and was a musician, painter, poet, and author at the same time. Alphonsus wrote 111 works on spirituality and theology.[10] The 21,500 editions and the translations into 72 languages that his works have under- gone attest to the fact that he is one of the most widely read Catholic authors. His best known musical work is his Christmas hymn Quanno Nascetti Ninno, later translated into Italian by Pope Pius IX as Tu scendi dalle stelle (“From Starry Skies Thou Comest”).

Alphonsus kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament in a 19th- 3.2 Moral theology century stained glass window of Carlow Cathedral. Alphonsus’ greatest contribution to the Church was in the area of moral theology. His masterpiece was The 1.5 Bishop Moral Theology (1748), which was approved by the Pope himself.[4] This was born of Alphonsus’ pastoral expe- Alphonsus was consecrated Bishop of Sant'Agata dei rience, his ability to respond to the practical questions Goti in 1762.[9] He tried to refuse the appointment, posed by the faithful and from his contact with their ev- proposing his age and infirmities as arguments against his eryday problems. He opposed sterile legalism and strict consecration. During this time he wrote sermons, books, rigorism. According to Alphonsus, those were paths and articles to encourage devotion to the Blessed Sacra- closed to the Gospel because “such rigor has never been ment and the Blessed Virgin Mary. His first order of busi- taught nor practiced by the Church”. His system of moral ness was to address ecclesiastical abuses in the diocese, theology is noted for its prudence, avoiding both laxism reform the seminary and spiritually rehabilitate the clergy and excessive rigor. He is credited with the position of and faithful. He suspended those priests who celebrated Aequiprobabilism, which avoided Jansenist rigorism as Mass in less than 15 minutes, and sold his carriage and well as laxism and simple probabilism. episcopal ring in order to give the money to the poor. In the last years of his life, he suffered a painful sickness and a bitter persecution from his fellow priests, who dismissed 3.3 Mariology him from the Congregation he himself had founded.[4] His Mariology, though mainly pastoral in nature, redis- covered, integrated and defended the Mariology of Saint 1.6 Death Augustine and Saint Ambrose and other fathers and rep- resented an intellectual defence of Mariology in the 18th In 1775, he was allowed to retire from his office and went century, the Age of Enlightenment, against the ratio- to live in the Redemptorist community in Pagani, Italy, nalism to which his often flaming Marian enthusiasm where he died on 1 August 1787. contrasted.[11] 3

• The Glories of Mary[12] [9] “Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori”, St. Alphonsus Liguori Parish, Peterborough, Ontario • Marian Devotion [10] “Alphonsus Maria de Liguori”, Saint Alphonsus Mary de • Prayers to the Divine Mother Liguori Parish, Makati City Philippines

• Spiritual Songs [11] P Hitz, Alfons v. Liguori, Paterborn 1967, p. 130.

• The True Spouse of Jesus Christ[13] [12] Liguori, Alphonsus, The Glories of Mary, P.J.Kenedy & Sons, New York, 1888 3.4 Other works [13] Liguori, Alphonsus. The True Spouse of Jesus Christ, Eu- gene Grimm, ed., Benziger Brothers, New York, 1888 • [14] Great Means of Salvation and of Perfection [14] Liguori, Alphonsus. Great Means of Salvation and of • The Way of Salvation and of Perfection[15] Perfection, Eugene Grimm ed., Benziger Brothers, New York, 1886 • The Way of the Cross, [15] Liguori, Alphonsus. The Way of Salvation and of Perfec- • The Incarnation, Birth and Infancy of Jesus tion, Eugene Grimm ed., Benziger Brothers, New York, Christ[16] 1887 • The Holy Eucharist[17] [16] Liguori, Alphonsus. The Incarnation, Birth and Infancy of Jesus Christ, Eugene Grimm ed., Benziger Brothers, New • Victories of the Martyrs[18] York, 1886 [17] Liguori, Alphonsus. The Holy Eucharist, Eugene Grimm ed., Benziger Brothers, New York, 1887 4 See also [18] Liguori, Alphonsus. Victories of the Martyrs, Eugene Grimm ed., Benziger Brothers, New York, 1887 • Index of Catholic Church articles • Mental prayer This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). • Teresa of Ávila "article name needed". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: • Thérèse of Lisieux Robert Appleton.

5 References 6 External links

[1] Calendarium Romanum (Libreria Editrice Vaticana Media related to Alphonsus Maria de Liguori at Wikime- 1969), p. 99 dia Commons

[2] “St. Alphonsus Liguori”, Liguori Publications • Works by or about Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori at [3] Castle, Harold (2007). “St. Alphonsus Liguori”. The Internet Archive Catholic Encyclopedia. New Advent. Archived from the original on 5 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-09. • Works by Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori at LibriVox (public domain audiobooks) [4] Fr. Paolo O. Pirlo, SHMI (1997). “St. Alphonsus Liguori”. My First Book of Saints. Sons of Holy Mary Im- • Saints Books, E-Book Library of the Works of St. maculate - Quality Catholic Publications. pp. 166–167. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori ISBN 971-91595-4-5. • Founder Statue in St Peter’s Basilica [5] Tannoja, Antonio. “The life of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori” (1855)John Murphy & Co., Baltimore, 1855 • “Tu scendi dalle stele”, Pavarotti [6] Miller, D.F. and Aubin, L.X., St. Alphonsus Liguori, Tan • Free scores by Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori in the Books, 2009, ISBN 9780895553294 Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki) [7] Selected writings by Saint Alfonso Maria de' Liguori, 1999 • ISBN 0-8091-3771-2 p. 209 Liguori, Alphonsus. The Holy Mass, Eugene Grimm ed., Benziger Brothers, New York, 1887 [8] The true spouse of Jesus Christ: The complete works of Saint Alphonsus de Liguori 1929,Redemptorist Fathers • Liguori, Alphonsus. Preaching, Eugene Grimm ed., Press, ASIN B00085J4WM, p. 545 Benziger Brothers, New York, 1887 4 6 EXTERNAL LINKS

• Liguori, Alphonsus. Dignity and Duties of the Priest, Eugene Grimm ed., Benziger Brothers, New York, 1889

• Founder Statue in St Peter’s Basilica • Free scores by Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki) 5

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• Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphonsus_Maria_de'_Liguori?oldid=714116911 Contributors: William Avery, JASpencer, Charles Matthews, Tb, Sam Spade, JackofOz, Peterklevy, Tom harrison, Solipsist, Icairns, Ukexpat, Kle- men Kocjancic, D6, Sfeldman, Rich Farmbrough, Bender235, Lima, Remuel, Polylerus, Caeruleancentaur, Jonathunder, ADM, Patsw, Jguk, Nuno Tavares, WadeSimMiser, BD2412, Dpr, Rjwilmsi, Dominicotoole, Str1977, Gdrbot, YurikBot, Nighm, Anglius, Shell Kinney, BOT-Superzerocool, Staffelde, Attilios, SmackBot, AFBorchert, HeartofaDog, Hmains, Carl.bunderson, Ludi, Chris the speller, Blue- bot, FordPrefect42, DHN-bot~enwiki, Niels, Ser Amantio di Nicolao, Ian Spackman, Summerbell, Mgiganteus1, Sailko, Jetman, Tenor- cnj, Ioannes Pragensis, Ale jrb, Csckcape, 5-HT8, Drinibot, MAlanH, Vaquero100, Cydebot, Aristophanes68, Sirmylesnagopaleentheda, Merkurix, PsychoInfiltrator, Lunamaria, Escarbot, Kariteh, Leuko, Louisar, Kikadue~enwiki, VoABot II, Ling.Nut, Twsx, Billcito, Geboy, Kostisl, J.delanoy, Reedy Bot, Mangwanani, SJP, VolkovBot, Emmo827, Steven J. Anderson, John Carter, VanishedUserABC, Tomaxer, AlleborgoBot, SieBot, BotMultichill, Gerakibot, Afries52, MaynardClark, Theun k, Lightmouse, Soulrefrain, Francvs, Avemarpr, Michele- Brown, ClueBot, Excirial, Cayambe, TonyBallioni, Yorkshirian, Executor Tassadar, Riccardo Riccioni, Gennarous, AMC0712, Appari- tion11, Ambrosius007, ChristeAudiNos, Roxy the dog, Arturo57, Addbot, ShepBot, Peti610botH, UnknownSage, Lightbot, Bernadeta, Zorrobot, MamaGeri, Rojypala, Caius k, Middayexpress, Yobot, AnomieBOT, Rubinbot, Baraqa1, Piano non troppo, Materialscientist, Cyan22, BlakeCubs16, Xqbot, Jayarathina, Cavila, RibotBOT, 78.26, Mattis, Green Cardamom, DefaultsortBot, Robertoredentorista, Julien1978, Lorien79, Daniel the Monk, RjwilmsiBot, Alph Bot, DASHBot, Esoglou, EmausBot, John of Reading, Farragutful, ZéroBot, MariaCamella, Jbribeiro1, Nahbios, Abbyzwart, Donner60, Moses the Black, Paulxavier86, Romancatholic3, ClueBot NG, NapoleonX, Mannanan51, JeBonSer, Patrug, Marcocapelle, Futurebillionaire98, PaterEst, VIAFbot, Epicgenius, CsDix, Jodosma, Palmettoredbird, Sam Sailor, OccultZone, Loose eel, JoeHebda, Noobdudes, KasparBot, DenverBroncos1960, Jturn113 and Anonymous: 84

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