“If you embrace all things in this life as coming from the hands of God, and even embrace death to fulfill His holy will, assuredly you will die a saint.”
St. Alphonsus Liguori, through his continual acceptance of God’s will, even in the face of the most painful ailments, lived out these words he spoke, becoming a beloved and influential saint upon his death.
St. Alphonsus Liguori was born near Naples, the eldest of eight children of a noble family. He became a lawyer after receiving his doctorate in canon and civil law at the age of 16.
For many years he was successful in practicing law, but grew disenchanted with the profession. After losing a case for the first time at the age of 27, he discerned a call to enter the seminary and became a priest. Alphonsus spent the early years of his priesthood ministering to homeless and marginalized youth, and through this work eventually founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, known as the Redemptorists, which aimed to preach in city slums.
He was known for his sermons, especially his ability to convert those estranged from the Faith, and for his great works in moral and spiritual theology. He was a practical and prudent theologian, avoiding the extremes of being too rigid and legalistic on the one hand and too lax on the other, despite the fact that he struggled with scrupulosity in his personal life. He suffered from arthritis in his old age, with his neck becoming so bent that his chin left an open sore on his chest.
His most famous written works were on the Virgin Mary and the Blessed Sacrament. He was declared a Doctor of the Church for his work in moral theology. He is the patron saint of moral theologians, vocations, arthritis sufferers, and those who struggle with scrupulosity. St. Alphonsus Liguori’s feast day is August 1st.
Like St. Alphonsus Liguori, we are all called to sainthood. Through the example of his life, may we all embrace the holy will of God as he did and join in heaven’s banquet. St. Alphonsus himself compiled a step-by-step guide to acquiring the virtue necessary for obtaining heaven. His practical guide, 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation, helps explain the 12 virtues we must all acquire to be happy in this world and to earn salvation. Get a copy today at the Catholic Company.
