175 years ago on May 26, St Alphonsus Canonised...
On May 26, 1839, Pope Gregory XVI declared a saint of the Catholic Church, Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787), an Italian lawyer, the priest, missionary, writer and bishop. He is the founder of the congregation of the most holy Redeemer, or the Redemptorists, which has currently around 5100 members, preaching the gospel of abundant redemption in 78 countries around the world.
In one of his catechesis during his general audience, Pope Benedict XVI said that St.. Alphonsus Liguori was “a distinguished theologian, a moralist and a master of spiritual life for all, especially for simple people.” Pope portrayed him as a precursor to the new evangelization and a zealous pastor who tirelessly served the faithful preaching the Gospel and searching for lost souls among the most disadvantaged sections of society. He also gave some tips on how to apply the theology and the writings of St. Alphonsus in the Church today.
In contrast, St. Pope John Paul II in his apostolic letter on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of his death, wrote that Saint Alphonsus was a “master of wisdom and father in faith”, “teacher of Christian life” and “a great friend of the people.”
The Holy See in 1871 gave St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori the title of Doctor of the Church, and Pope Pius XII in 1950 declared him patron of confessors and moralists.
St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori - Pray for us!
