St. Alphonsus Feast Day

Dear sisters and brothers,

Happy Feast Day! As almost all of you probably already know, St. Alphonsus de Liguori is not only the patron Saint of our parish, but also the founder of The Congregation of The Most Holy Redeemer... or The Redemptorists. From birth, Alphonsus’s father had his entire life mapped out. Unlike his siblings, Alphonsus was educated at home with some of the best tudors of his day. His education was extremely broad in scope, and by the time he was 18 he had doctorates in both civil and canon law. His family was amongst the social elite, and he was considered one of Naples’ most eligible bachelors. Alphonsus was one of the most successful lawyers of his day, as well as being very involved in charity work, primarily at “The Hospital for Incurables.”

Till the day that everything came crashing down. Through an oversight on his part, he lost a case. It so devastated him that he vowed never to practice law again. His once perfect life had been derailed and Alphonsus did not know what to do or where to turn. With the help of his spiritual director and a lot of prayer, Alphonsus began to focus on a new direction. While praying before a statue of Mary, Alphonsus literally traded in his sword (a symbol of his social status) and hung a rosary in its place. Then, in opposition to his father wishes, Alphonsus would dedicate the rest of his life to God, and serving God’s children.

Alphonsus gave up wealth & status, in order to spend his life in the service of “the poor and most abandoned.” He had tremendous compassion for those who were truly hungry for The Good News. He was a man of many gifts and keen intelligence. He used those gifts and talents in the service of God’s people.

Alphonsus’s new path was a difficult one, and he would face many persecutions, from his spiritual scrupulosity to his crippling arthritis, and even enemies within The Church. But he persevered and left an amazing legacy in the religious congregation he founded to his moral theology that still guides The Church today. Not to mention his countless other pieces of literature, operas, and even Christmas hymns.

It is easy to get so fixed on our path in life that we miss the roadsigns that direct us to the path that God is calling us to travel. We sometimes become so fixed on our course that we even miss the warning sign of danger ahead. But if we are willing to let God do the driving, who knows what wonders we might encounter, what blessings we might be able to share with others. There is an old saying, “Man [sic] plans, God laughs!” Sometimes it is good not to have our course fixed and locked in place. Sometimes God needs us to take a detour, to go down that “road less traveled,” to get off the busy highway and enjoy the scenic byways.

Like Alphonsus and myself, you may even find that the course you are headed down will only lead to sorrow and ruin, and God is calling you to take a different path, a path that will lead you to places you never thought you would ever go, to do things you never thought you would do. In the end, you too may say that “it made all the difference” and that you are all the better because of it.

A son of St. Alphonsus, Fr. Rick