01/08/2025
Today we celebrate ✨Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696–1787).
Enjoy the reading about this Saint 🙏🏼
Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori was one of the most influential Catholic saints, theologians, and moral thinkers.
He was the founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) and was declared a Doctor of the Church for his contributions, particularly in moral theology and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Here are the main teachings and spiritual themes of Saint Alphonsus Liguori:
🌟 1. God’s Mercy Above All
Saint Alphonsus emphasized God’s infinite mercy and love over fear and condemnation. He taught that no matter how great a sinner one may be, repentance and trust in God’s mercy would lead to forgiveness.
“He who prays is certainly saved; he who does not is certainly damned.”
🙏 2. The Power of Prayer
Prayer, especially mental prayer, was essential in his teachings. He believed that no one can live a Christian life or be saved without a life of daily, sincere prayer.
• He wrote: “Without prayer, it is impossible to resist temptation and to do the will of God.”
• He especially promoted short, heartfelt acts of love and spiritual communion throughout the day.
💓 3. Devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist
Alphonsus had deep love for the Blessed Sacrament. He encouraged frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament and taught that the Eucharist is the greatest proof of Jesus’s love.
He authored “Visits to the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin Mary” — a beloved devotional book still in use today.
🌹 4. Love and Devotion to Mary
He saw Mary as our compassionate Mother, Mediatrix, and advocate. His famous book “The Glories of Mary” shows how much he trusted in Mary’s intercession.
• He taught that Mary leads souls to Jesus, and he frequently quoted Church Fathers to show her role in salvation history.
📖 5. Moral Theology Rooted in Love
Saint Alphonsus was a pioneer of what’s known as “moderate moral theology.”
• He rejected rigorism (too harsh) and laxism (too lenient), seeking a balanced, compassionate approach to moral questions.
• His “Moral Theology” became the standard manual for confessors for centuries.
✝️ 6. The Passion of Christ
He encouraged deep meditation on the Passion and suffering of Jesus, not to provoke guilt, but to inspire love and gratitude. His book “The Practice of the Love of Jesus Christ” is a classic.
🌿 7. A Simple Path to Holiness
Holiness, for Alphonsus, wasn’t reserved for mystics or monks — it was for everyone, through:
• Faithful daily duties
• Trust in God’s will
• Gentle self-discipline
• Avoiding sin and near occasions of sin
🕊️ 8. Doing God’s Will with Love
He constantly taught:
“The perfection of love consists in conforming our will to the will of God.”
He believed that peace of heart comes from surrendering to God’s will, especially in suffering.
🙏 A Short Prayer by Saint Alphonsus Liguori
O my God, help me to remember
that time is short, eternity is long.
What value has all the greatness of this world at the hour of death?
To love You, my God, and to save my soul is the one thing necessary.
Without You, I have no peace of mind or soul.

📜 And a Quote to Carry with You
“If we would completely rejoice the heart of God, let us strive in all things to conform ourselves to His divine will… Uniformity means that we make one will of God’s will and our will.”
~ St. Alphonsus Liguori 
May this image, prayer, and quote bless your day with grace, inspiration, and peace,
Ana 💫
