Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of Matthew (13: 47-53) in Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds of fish. Afterwards, Fr Paul shares a little about St Alphonsus Liguori whose memorial we celebrate today.

Fr Paul says St Alphonsus Liguori was a prominent Catholic, he was a saint, a Doctor of the Church who lived in the 18th century. He was born in 1696 in Naples, Italy into a noble family. As a young man, Alphonsus was a brilliant lawyer, winning all the cases he defended for eight years. However, he felt a calling to the priesthood and abandoned his successful legal career to be ordained as a priest in 1726.

Alphonsus dedicated his priestly ministry to evangelizing and catechizing the poor and marginalized in the Neapolitan region. He was known for his simple, accessible preaching style and his deep devotion to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Alphonsus founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Redemptorists, a religious order focused on missionary work and moral theology.

As a moral theologian, Alphonsus was influential in promoting a more merciful and pastoral approach. His major work, the “Moral Theology,” became widely used and praised, even by popes. Alphonsus emphasized the importance of prayer, the sacraments, and God’s infinite mercy in the spiritual life.

Alphonsus served as a bishop for 13 years, during which time he worked tirelessly to reform his diocese, feed the poor, and care for the spiritual needs of his flock. Despite poor health and physical suffering, he remained a zealous pastor until his death in 1787. Alphonsus was beatified in 1816, canonized in 1839, and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1871, recognizing his significant contributions to Catholic theology and spirituality.

In summary, St Alphonsus Liguori was a remarkable figure who exemplified a balance of intellectual rigor, pastoral sensitivity, and deep devotion to Christ and the Church. His life and teachings continue to inspire and guide the faithful to this day.

And so, Fr Paul invites us to ask, ‘St Alphonsus Liguori…Pray for us!’