#alphonsus liguori

[thatscarletflycatcher]

Christmas carol poll - category: Alphonsus Liguori vs. Alphonsus Liguori

(St. Alphonsus Liguori was a lawyer-turned-priest who became bishop, and composed these Christmas carols for his diocese)

music and lyrics below the cut

You come down from the stars, O King of heaven And come to a cave in the cold and frost O my divine Child, I see you here trembling O blessed God Ah, how much it cost you to have loved us You, who are the Creator of the world, lacked clothes and fire, oh my Lord.x2 Dear chosen little child, how much this poverty makes me fall in love more and more, since love has made you poor for our sake.

When the Child was born in Bethlehem, it was night and it seemed like midday. Never have the shining and beautiful stars seen themselves like this: and the brightest went to call the Magi to the East.

Soon the birds awoke, Singing in a new form: Even the crickets with their chirps, jumping here and there; He is born, He is born, they said, the God who created us.

Even though it was winter, beautiful child, thousands of roses and flowers sprouted. Even the dry and tough hay that was placed under you, it blossomed, and it was covered with branches of flowers. In a town called Engaddi, the vineyards flourished and the grapes sprouted. My child, a tasty bunch of grapes are you; that makes the mouth sweet with love, and the heart drunk with gladness.

There were no enemies in the land, the sheep grazed with the lion; the leopard was seen playing with the goats; the bear and the calf, and with the wolf in peace the little lamb.

In short, the whole world turned upside down, the sky, the earth, the sea, and all the people. Whoever slept felt his heart jumping in his chest with joy; And he dreamed of peace and contentment.

The Shepherds were watching over the sheep, and an Angel shining brighter than the sun appeared and said to them: Don't be scared, no! There is happiness and laughter: the earth has become Paradise. For you today in Bethlehem the awaited Savior of the World was born. You will find him, you cannot be mistaken, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in the manger. Millions of Angels descended and began to sing: Glory to God and peace on earth, No more war - the King of love is born, and gives joy and peace to every heart.

The hearts of the Shepherds beat in their chests; and one to the other said: why are we waiting? - Quick, let's go, because I feel the desire I have to see the God who became a child is fading. Leaping, like wounded deer, the Shepherds ran to the Hut; there they found Mary with Joseph and my Joy; and in that Face they had a taste of Paradise.

They remained enchanted with their mouths open, for a long time without saying a word; then they made -tearing up- a sigh to give vent to their feelings. From the bottom of their hearts with a thousand gestures they expressed their love. With the excuse of offering gifts they began to slowly approach the Child, he did not refuse them, he accepted them and showed his appreciation by placing his Hands on their heads and blessing them. Gradually gaining confidence, they asked their Mother's permission: they covered the little feet with little kisses - first, and then those little hands, and lastly the Little nose and the little cheeks.

Then together they began to play and sing with the Angel and Mary, a single voice - so sweet, that Jesus said: ah aah... and then he closed those graceful eyes and fell asleep. The lullaby they sang seems to me to be the one I am now saying. But in the meantime - while I sing it, imagine being with the Shepherds near the beautiful Child. "Come sleepy from Heaven, come and put this little Child to sleep; for pity's sake, since he is little, come sleepy and don't delay. Beautiful joy of this heart, I would like to become sleep, to make you, sweet, sweet, put these beautiful eyes to sleep.

But if you made yourself a little child to be loved, only love is that sweet nap that can make you fall asleep. If so, you can go to sleep, for you this soul is beautiful and burnt. I love you, I love you... uh! this song already put you to sleep. I love you, God, my beautiful, my joy, I love you, I love you.

Then singing and playing, the Shepherds returned to the herds once again: but how can it be helped? they no longer found rest in their chests: they came and went every now and then to their dear goodness. Only hell and stubborn and obstinate sinners became afraid, because bats want to stay in the darkness, scoundrels fleeing from the sun. I too am a dark sinner, but I don't want to be hard and stubborn. I don't want to sin anymore, I want to love, I want to be with the Child like the ox and the donkey.

My little child, You are the sun of love, you shed light and even warm the sinner when he is all black and ugly as pitch, the more you keep him in mind, and you make him beautiful and shining. But You will tell me that you cried, so that the sinner would cry too. I'm wrong, ouch! if I had died an hour before sinning! You loved me, and as thanks I mistreated you! My eyes, will have to make two fountains of tears, crying to wash - to warm the little feet of Jesus; Who knows, maybe once he's calmed down he'll say to me: Come, I've forgiven you.

Lucky me if I have this good fortune! What more can I possibly want? O Mary - My hope, while I cry, I ask you: remember that you have also become the mother of sinners!

[cruger2984]

THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI Feast Day: August 1

"A devout servant of Mary shall never perish."

The founder of the Redemptorists, formally known as the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, was born Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, in Marianella, near Naples, then part of the Kingdom of Naples on September 27, 1696. He was the eldest of seven children of Giuseppe Liguori, a naval officer and Captain of the Royal Galleys, and Anna Maria Caterina Cavalieri. The family was of noble lineage, but the branch to which Liguori belonged had become somewhat impoverished.

He learned to ride and fence but was never a good shot because of poor eyesight. He was educated in the best school of the city, and took a Doctorate in Law (civil and canon law) at the age of 16.

In 1722, he lost the first case of his career at the age of 27, and fell into deep crisis. Moreover, he heard an interior voice, saying: 'Leave the world, and give yourself to me.'

Alphonsus decided to offer himself as a novice to the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in 1723, with the intention of becoming a priest. His father opposed the plan, but after two months (and with his Oratorian confessor's permission), he and his father compromised: he would study for the priesthood, but not as an Oratorian, and would live at home.

After his ordination on December 21, 1726 at age 30, Alphonsus became very popular because of his interesting and simple preaching. He said: 'I have never preached a sermon which the poorest old woman in the congregation could not understand.'

He also fought bravely against Jansenism, the heresy that supported a very strict morality. He said that the penitents should be treated as souls to be saved rather than as criminals to be punished. He is said to have never refused absolution to a penitent.

On November 9, 1732, Alphonsus founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, with the charism of preaching popular missions in the city and the countryside. Alphonsus was well known as a moral theologian, and his masterpiece, The Moral Theology, was approved by the Pope himself.

Appointed and consecrated as the bishop of Sant' Agata de Goti by Ferdinando Maria de Rossi on June 20, 1762, he set out to reform the people and the clergy. He suspended those priests who celebrated Mass in less than 15 minutes, and sold his carriage and 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 had him dismissed from the congregation. He died on August 1, 1787 at the age of 90, having endured everything as trials permitted by God for his sanctification.

Canonized a saint by Pope Gregory XVI on May 26, 1839, he declared a Doctor of the Church in 1871 by Pope Pius IX. He is the patron of arthritis sufferers, lawyers, confessors, moralists and vocations.

[thisbibliophiile]

The author of one book keeps referencing the other, so now I've downloaded two six hundred page books

Thus far I am mildly horrified by the second

[famousdeaths]

Alphonsus Liguori, CSsR, sometimes called Alphonsus Maria de Liguori or Saint Alphonsus Liguori, was an Italian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, composer, mus...

Link: Alphonsus Liguori

[apesoformythoughts]

‘It is much more satisfactory to deal with God than with human beings. When we have dealings with our fellow men and women, they very frequently do not live up to their promises, either because their promises were deceitful or because, having promised, they changed their intentions.

But as the Holy Spirit asserts, "God is not a human being, that he should lie, or a mortal, that he should change his mind." God simply cannot be unfaithful to his promises since being truth itself he cannot deceive nor can he alter his intentions, since all that he wishes is just and right. He has promised to receive everyone who comes to him, to assist those who ask his help, to love those who love him. And will he not do as he says? "Has he promised, and will he not do it? Has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"

Oh, that we were as faithful with God as he is faithful with us! How often in the past have we not promised to belong to him, to love and serve him. And then we have betrayed him, and, abandoning his service, have become the slave of the powers of evil. Let us pray to God that he will give us strength to be faithful in the future. How happy we would be if we were faithful to God in the very few things he demands of us. He, for his part, will always be faithful in rewarding us out of all proportion to what we have done.’

— St. Alphonsus de Liguori

[portraitsofsaints]

Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

1696 - 1787

Feast Day:  August 1 (New), August 2 (Trad)

Patronage: arthritis, confessors, moralists, theologians

Born to the nobility, Alphonsus was a child prodigy and received his doctorate in law from the University of Naples at age 16. After losing an important court case, he decided to become a priest. He was ordained at 29 and appointed bishop at 66. Founder of the Redemptorists, Alphonsus is the most published author in history, with over 21,000 editions of his works having been printed. 

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

[church-history]

[anastpaul]

Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – Spiritual Communion

Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – The Solemnity of Corpus Christi “It is enough for us to love Himand to be ready to keep His commandments.Such an act of sincereand effective love for Jesus,will cause Him to enterand to remain in our hearts,even after the Sacramental Specieshas been consumed.This is Spiritual Communion,which consists mainly in the yearning…

[peoplefromheaven]

“Should we not melt with love, as do the candles which adorn the altars where the Holy Sacrament is preserved? There the Sacred Heart remains burning with love for us. Shall we not in turn burn with love for Jesus?”

-St Alphonsus Liguori

[eternal-echoes]

“The practice of recommending to God the souls in Purgatory, that He may mitigate the great pains which they suffer, and that He may soon bring them to His glory, is most pleasing to the Lord and most profitable to us. For these blessed souls are His eternal spouses, and most grateful are they to those who obtain their deliverance from prison, or even a mitigation of their torments. When, therefore, they arrive in Heaven, they will be sure to remember all who have prayed for them.” 

– St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

[daughter-of-mary]

[catholic-saint-tournament]

About St Hildegard of Bingen

About St Alphonsus Liguori

Post-Schism Bracket Round 1

[the-mercy-workers]

We must show charity towards the sick, who are in greater need of help. Let us take them some small gift if they are poor, or, at least, let us go and wait on them and comfort them.

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (August 1)

St. Alphonsus Liguori is a doctor of the Church who is widely known for his contribution to moral theology and his great kindness.

He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, known as the Redemptorists, on 9 November 1732.

He was born on 27 September 1696 in Naples to a well-respected family and was the oldest of 7 children.

His father was Don Joseph de' Liguori, a naval officer and Captain of the Royal Galleys, and his mother came from Spanish descent.

He was very intelligent, even as a young boy. As a boy of great aptitude, he picked up many things very quickly.

St. Alphonsus did not attend school; rather, he was taught by tutors at home where his father kept a watchful eye.

Moreover, he practiced the harpsichord for 3 hours a day at the heed of his father and soon became a virtuoso at the age of 13.

For recreation, he was an equestrian, fencer, and card player. As he grew into a young man, he developed an inclination for opera.

He was much more interested in listening to the music than watching the performance.

St. Alphonsus would often take his spectacles off, which aided his myopic eyes, in order to merely listen.

While theatre in Naples was in a relatively good state, the young saint developed an ascetic aversion to perhaps what he viewed as gaudy displays. He had strongly refused participation in a parlor play.

At the age of 16, he became a doctor of civil law on 21 January 1713, though by law, 20 was the set age.

After studying for the bar, he practiced law at the age of 19 in the courts. It is said in his 8 years as a lawyer, he never lost a case.

However, he resigned from a brilliant career as a lawyer in 1723 when he lost a case because he overlooked a small but important piece of evidence.

His resignation, however, proved profitable for the Church. He entered the seminary and ordained three years later in 1726.

He soon became a sought-after preacher and confessor in Naples. His sermons were simple and well organized that they appealed to all people, both learned and unlearned.

However, his time as a diocesan priest was short-lived: in 1732, he went to Scala and founded the Redemptorists, a preaching order.

He was a great moral theologian and his famous book, “Moral Theology,” was published in 1748.

Thirty years later, he was appointed bishop and retired in 1775. He died on 1 August 1787.

He was beatified by Pope Pius VII on 15 September 1816. He was canonized by Pope Gregory XVI on 26 May 1839.

He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1871.

[angeltreasure]

“We ought to view in the light of God’s holy will, the loss of persons who are helpful to us in a spiritual or material way. Pious souls often fail in this respect by not being resigned to the dispositions of God’s holy will. Our sanctification comes fundamentally and essentially from God, not from spiritual directors. When God sends us a spiritual director, he wishes us to use him for our spiritual profit; but if he takes him away,he wants us to remain calm and unperturbed and to increase our confidence in his goodness by saying to him: “Lord, thou hast given me this help and now thou dost take it away. Blessed be thy holy will! I beg thee, teach thee what I must do to serve thee.”” - page 23, Uniformity With Gods Will by St. Alphonsus de Liguori.

[tabernacleheart]

[To continually] strengthen your confidence in God, often call to mind His loving treatment of you, and the gracious means He has used to help you to overcome your faults and to detach you from the things of this world, in order to draw you to His holy love. Fear, therefore, to have too little confidence in treating with God, now that you are determined to love Him and to please Him by every means in your power. The mercy which He has shown you is a most sure pledge of His love for you. God is displeased with a want of confidence on the part of souls who sincerely love Him, and whom He loves. If, then, you desire to please His merciful Heart, converse with Him henceforward with the greatest possible confidence and tenderness.

Saint Alphonsus de Liguori