At the birth of Alphonsus on September 21, 1698 in a noble and devout Catholic family of Naples, no one had ever suspected that he was destined to impact Christendom in a sensational way. He was a renowned barrister who threw himself into this career with commitment and distinction. Due to an error of judgment, he lost an all-important case. As a result, he realized the emptiness of earthly glory, abandoned the legal practice, embraced priesthood and involved himself in pastoral activities with particular emphasis on popular missions in rural areas. To perpetuate this task, in 1732 he founded the Congregation of the Holy Redeemer /Redemptorists. Due to his qualities of head and heart, in 1762 the Bishopric of the diocese of Santa Agata Dei Goti was thrust upon Alphonsus by the Holy Father.
Alphonsus was an authority on moral theology. Three of his most popular books are: Moral Theology, Glories of Mary and Visits to the Blessed Sacrament. His pastoral reforms included simplicity in preaching as against pompous oratory from the pulpit and kindness at the confessional as against the rigourism of the Jansenists. If sanctity is in proportion to the cross one carries, Alphonsus has certainly a place of honour in heaven. Due to power politics and internal dissensions, he was deserted by his own followers and even expelled from the very Congregation he founded. As a result he experienced a deep spiritual depression. However, this momentary dark night of the soul was replaced by interior peace and incredible ecstasies. His homilies and writings were subjects of severe criticism by his rabid opponents. Moreover, rheumatic pains plagued his life from the age of seventy-one. In the midst of all these traumatic experiences, his intimate relationship with the Suffering Christ saw him through till his peaceful death on August 1, 1787. The canonization of Alphonsus took place 1830. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1871 by Pope Pius IX.
Reflections: God’s call can come to us not only through sensational events as in the cases of St. Paul, St. Augustine and St. Francis of Assisi but also through failures in life as was the case with St. Alphonsus. One who discovers the fingerprint of God in every event of life is truly a wise man.
It is a pleasure to listen to your sermons; you forget yourself and preach Jesus Christ. (Comments by the listeners after a sermon by St. Alphonsus.)
