Siamo Napoletani
Given that grace builds on nature, my Neapolitan ancestry may, in some way, account for my spiritual affinity with Saint Alphonsus Maria Liguori. For the long lazy days and hot nights of August I recommend a a fascinating biography of the saint: Alphonsus de Liguori, Saint of Bourbon Naples, by Frederick M. Jones, C.Ss.R.
Reparation Then and Now
Meditate the following text written by Saint Alphonsus Maria, and translated by Norman J. Muckermann, C.Ss.R. It is astonishingly relevant to the need for reparation in the wake of recent outrages against the Most Blessed Sacrament.
The Sorrowful Heart of Jesus
It is impossible for us to appreciate how greatly afflicted the Heart of Jesus was for love of us and at the same time not be filled with pity for Him. . . . The principal sorrow affecting the Heart of Jesus was not so much knowing the torments and insults His enemies were preparing for Him. Rather, it was seeing how ready we would be to reject His immense love.
Desecrations of the Sacred Host
Jesus distinctly saw all the sins which we would commit even after His sufferings, even after His bitter and ignominious death on the cross. He foresaw, too, the insults which sinners would offer His Sacred Heart which He would leave on earth in the Most Holy Sacrament as proof of His love. These insults are almost too horrible to mention: people trampling the sacred hosts underfoot, throwing them into gutters or piles of refuse, and even using them to worship the devil himself!
The Pledge of His Love
Even the knowledge that these and other defamations would happen did not prevent Jesus from giving us this great pledge of His love, the Holy Eucharist. Jesus has an infinite hatred for sin; yet it seems that His great love for us even overcomes this bitterness. Because of His love, He allows these sacrileges to happen in order not to deprive us of this Divine Food. Should not this alone suffice to make us love a Heart that has loved us so much?
Jesus Forsaken on the Altar
What more could Jesus do to deserve our love? Is our ingratitude so great that we will still leave Jesus forsaken on the altar, as so many are wont to do? Rather, should we not unite ourselves to those few who gather to praise Him and acknowledge His divine presence? Should we not melt with love, as do the candles which adorn the altars where the Holy Sacrament is preserved? There the Sacred Heart remains burning with love for us. Shall we not in turn burn with love for Jesus?
His Excellency, the Bishop of the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma has given
Father Mark a special mandate to live in adoration before the Most
Blessed Sacrament, in a spirit of thanksgiving and intercession, that he
might make reparation before the Eucharistic Face of Jesus for all his
brothers in Holy Orders. At the same time, he is available to the
priests and deacons of the Diocese for spiritual and sacramental
support in their pursuit of holiness.
Beautiful counsel. Thanks.
Dear Father Mark,
I read your blog fairly regularly but now wish to comment. Your recommendation of the saint Alphonsus's biography is the second I've had in a week, I have already ordered it. The first was from a priest of the Confraternity of Christ the Priest, which was founded by the Redemptorist Father John Whiting in 1954. The Confraternity carries out an 'intensive apostolate', which involves working in a parish for 15 to 20 years.
I have recently read Fathers Miller's and Aubin's biography of Saint Alphonsus, which made me appreciate the tremendous difficulties he had and overcame.
In Christo,
Anthony B
Dear Father Mark
I may add that the Catholic King of Naples added to Saint Alphonsus's problems, among others, with his, the king's, wish to control the Church within his domain, much as French kings had done previously and as the Habsburg Emperor Joseph II would do.
Dear Anthony:
Thank very much for your comments. Are you a Redemptorist? My own appreciation for Saint Alphonsus has grown over the years. When I lived in Rome I would often walk the short distance from Santa Croce in Gerusalemme to the Church of Saint Alfonso on the Via Merulana. And there, of course, is Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Again, thank you for contributing to Vultus Christi.
Father Mark
Dear Father Mark,
Thank you for your comments. I am, and have always been, a member of the laity. Some years ago I returned, in a hopefully meaning way, to the Church on Holy Saturday. It was my local parish church but the Liturgy was according to the Missal of Blessed John XXIII and it appealed to me, though I attend both forms of the Mass.
While there were several reasons for my indifference to the Church it was my own lack of knowledge, and refusal to correct that, which to my effectively leaving the Church.
Reading to know more and, more importantly, of course, prayer will hopefully ensure against tepidity. My interest in Saint Alphonsus came about by reading some of the writings of an Australian Redemptorist, Father Crean, and having an interest in the Confraternity of Christ the Priest.
Your blog I visit regularly as I have found some of the people you write about useful to my own development, particularly devotions and Novenas you mention.
With my best wishes,
In Christo,
Anthony B