Such are the questions of moral theology. And the Saint whom we honor today, Saint Alphonus Ligouri is the patron saint of moral theologians and confessors. He was a lawyer, creative writer, a gifted artist and musician, and even tried his hand at church architecture. He was a wise confessor, a loving pastor, a priest of the poor, a doctor of prayer, and a bishop who was considered a saint long before his death.
He had been a priest for only six years when he, on November 9, 1732 gathered with a small group of brother priests and committed his life to preaching to the Gospel to the abandoned and the poor, founding the order known today as the Redemptorists, the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
He wrote one of the great tomes of Moral Theology in a time of theological debate, primarily between the Dominicans and Jesuits. Alphonsus’ moral teaching took the middle road between rigorism and laxity emphasizing both God’s great mercy and our responsibility to live in right relationship with Him.
In the great moral questions, to be good, to be moral, to be holy, to be perfect, to be free, we see the answer in Jesus Christ, calling us from slavery and the debasement of fallen human nature, to the freedom of the children of God and the fullness of life. Alphonus said, “All holiness and perfection of soul lies in our love for Jesus Christ Our God”. The one whose love for Jesus Christ is authentic will seek to rid his life of sin, not wanting to offend the Lord or break his communion with Him, and grow in the virtues to please Him.
It was while working with the abandoned poor that he came to the great conviction that God’s mercy is greater than any human tribulation or sin.
Through the intercession of Saint Alphonus and the example of his virtuous life, may we come to experience the great plan God has for each of us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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