Gospel Matthew 13:36-43
"Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears ought to hear." (Mt. 13:43)
REFLECTION
Today the Catholic Church, the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, and PAPA (Priest Always-Prayer Apostolate) celebrate a very holy and faithfull servant of Jesus Christ, St. Alphonsus Marie de Liguori, C.Ss.R. His righteousness truly shines like the sun in the Kingdom of God, the Father, and here on earth.
St. Alphonsus Marie de Liguori persevered in protecting the Redeemer's Holy Catholic Church. He is known for his contribution of many books written on the Moral theology of the Catholic Church. Pope Pius XII declared him Patron of Moral theologians. He was, also, known as the Patron Saint of Confessors.
His life was blessed with a thirst for God and justice. He had received his doctorate in both canon and civil law by acclamation at the age of 16. He left civil law practice and conscentrated on helping the poor. He eventually became a priest and conducted parish missions, hearing confessions, and forming Christian groups.
In 1732 he founded the Redemptorist congregation (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in Latin: Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris ) Their mission is to work as a community of priests and brothers, vowing to imitate Christ, and to work by conducting missions to spread God's Word to the poor and rural populations.
St. Alphonsus endured many obstacles in establishing the Congregation. He implemented pastoral reforms through his preaching and through his practical and kind counseling in the Confessional. One of his teachings about sin was,
"Devil does not bring sinners to Hell with their eyes open: he first blinds them with the malice of their own sins. He thus leads them to eternal perdition. Before we fall into sin, the enemy labours to blind us, that we may not see the evil we do, and the ruin we bring upon ourselves by offending God. After we commit sin, he seeks to make us dumb, that, through shame, we may conceal our guilt in confession."
He loved people and truly wanted to save souls for Jesus Christ.
"There is a practice that is most powerful in keeping us united with God. That practice is the constant recollection of His presence." (St. Alphonsus)
St. Alphonsus endured many obstacles in establishing his Congregation. Eventually, the Redemptorists split under two jurisdictions but later reunited after St. Alphonsus died. His legacy did continue in the Redemptorists.
The Redemptorists have taken on the spirituality of Jesus and His imitator, St. Alphonsus. They preach from a practical point of view and deal with what is concrete rather than abstractions.
St. Alphonsus is "shining like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father." Yet, there was a place for one more love,
"After the love which we owe Jesus Christ, we must give the chief place in our heart to the love of His Mother Mary." (St. Alphonsus)
PAPA celebrates the Feast of St. Alphonsus Marie Liguori with our brothers' the Redemptorists and the Holy Catholic Church.
Let us pray for all priests to be inspired and live moral lives and preach morality to the people. Join us in praying our PAPA Prayer for Priests.
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