Œi)e Saints anD Servants of ©oD. THE LIFE OF S. ALPHONSO MARIA DE LIGÜORI, BISHOP OF ST. AGATHA OF THE GOTHS, AND FOUNDER OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE MOST HOLY REDEEMER. “Gaude Maria Virgo, cunctas hæreses sola interemisti in universo mundo.”—Aidiph. Ecclesia:. PERMISSU SUPERIORUM. VOL. III. LONDON: THOMAS RICHARDSON AND SON, 172, fleet st. ; 9, cafel st. Dublin ; and M. DCCC. XLIX, derby. We hereby approve of this Series of Lives of the Canonized Saints and Servants of God, and recommend it to the faithful of η the glory our District, as likely to promote of God, the increase of devotion, and the spread of our holy Religion. II Given at Birmingham, this 29th day of October, 1847. f TO THE REGULAR CLERGY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ENGLAND, THE CHILDREN OF ST. BENEDICT AND ST. BERNARD, ST. DOMINICK AND ST. FRANCIS, OF THE HOLY IGNATIUS, THE GREAT MASTER OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE, AND THE NURSING-FATHER OF SAINTS AND MARTYRS, WHO, IN THE STRAITNESS AND NEGLECT OF THEIR UNHONOURED CLOISTERS, OR THE CHEERLESS SOLITUDE OF THEIR HIRED LODGING, ΠΑΥΕ JOYFULLY EMBRACED THE POVERTY OF JESUS, AND EARNED BY LOVING ZEAL THE CROWN OF MARTYRDOM, AND WHO, THROUGH SCENES OF AWFUL SACRILEGE, AND TIMES OF BITTER PERSECUTION, THROUGH THE LONG AND WEARY VISITATION OF ACTIVE MALICE OR OF COLD CONTEMPT, HAVE PERPETUATED, AMONGST THEIR UNWORTHY COUNTRYMEN, THE BLESSED LINEAGE OF THEIR HOLY FOUNDERS. St. Wilfrid’s, Feast of St. Bernard, M. DCCC. XLVII. PREFACE. In consequence of the circular issued by the Fathers of the Oratory in the last volume of the Series, the following ar­ rangements have been made in order to complete what has been begun by August next, when the Congregation takes the responsibility of the Series upon itself. The second and concluding volume of St. Ignatius will be published on the 24th of April. The fourth volume of St. Alphonso, with an Introduction by the Very Rev. Father De Held, Provincial of the Redemptorists in England, will appear on the 24th of June. The fifth and concluding volume of St. Alphonso will be published on the 24th of August; and as the appendix of Tannoja, containing the notices of St. Alphonso’s first companions, cannot be compressed into the five volumes of the Saint’s Life, it will be issued separately, either with the June or August volume, PREFACE· in lieu of the extra volume which was to have appeared according to advertise­ ment last Christmas, but which circum­ stances prevented. As many have complained lately of the delay of Benedict XIV. on Heroic Virtue, it may be as well to say that, although no date can yet be fixed for its appear-' ance, because of the laborious character of the work, yet there is every probability that a volume will be ready for the press in two or three months from this time. fifth F. W. Faber, Priest of St. Wilfrid's, Conversion of St. Paul, 1849. the Oratory. CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE XVI. Alphonso’s advice to his brother Hercules on his second marriage ----- 1 XVII. Alphonso’s indefatigable perseverance in dis­ tributing the bread of the word 7 XVIII. Alphonso causes missions to be given in his diocese—His disinterestedness on this subject —He requires the preachers to speak in a simple manner in the Lent sermons - 19 XIX. Famine afflicts the diocese of St. Agatha—Ad­ mirable charity of Alphonso - 32 XX. Continuation of the evils caused by the scarcity 40 XXI. Alphonso goes to Nocera to assist at a general chapter of his congregation—He publishes an apology for his Morals on his return - 49 XXII. Alphonso’s rules for the general good of his diocese -------59 XXIII. Alphonso erects new parishes and increases the revenues of the former ones - 75 XXIV. Alphonso falls dangerously ill at St. Agatha— He restores speech to a dumb boy—He goes to Noccra for change of air - «2 XXV. Alphonso’s sorrow at seeing the evils which the impious inflict on the Church—He addresses a circular to his congregation - 90 XXVI. Alphonso in vain solicits Pope Clement XIII. to accept his resignation of the bishopric -101 XXVII. Alphonso establishes the Xuns of the Most Holy Redeemer of Scala at St. Agatha - 110 XXVIII. The knowledge and good conduct which Al­ phonso required in candidates for holy orders —His mode of acting towards priests recently ordained -119 B Nil CHAPTER CONTENTS. CONTENTS. FAGE CHAPTER xiii PAGE XXIX. Some particulars on the subject of ordinations, XLIV. Alphonso’s manner of life after he became par­ and divers qualities which Alphonso requires alytic ................................................. 314 in young priests.............................. 133 XLV.Alphonso redoubleshis zeal after his illness - 327 XXX. Alphonso’s circumspection in regard to new XLVI. Alphonso watches over the education of his confessors........................................ nephews and the salvation of his brother - 339 142 XLVI I. Alphonso’s circular to his congregation—His XXXI. Qualities which Alphonso requires in the parish sentiments on divers subjects . 347 priests—His severity in regard to residence - 152 XLVIII. Alphonso sees his congregation in a great state XXXII. Alphonso’s justice and impartiality in the gift of alarm..................................... 359 of livings................... 162 XLIX. Alphonso recals his missionaries from Sicily— XXXIII. Alphonso endures great insults from those who He offers his resignation to Pope Clement set up unjust claims to livings—His equity XIV.—He animates our fathers to the observ­ and great patience with them—He revenges 175 himself by conferring benefits on them ance of rule—New works which he publishes 371 L. Alphonso dedicates his “History of Heresies” XXXIV. Alphonso revives fervour in monasteries—He reforms old abuses and guards against new - 197 to the Marquis of Tanucci, and publishes his Collection of Sermons—Private letter on apos­ XXXV. Alphonso causes the churches to be restored ; tolical preaching.................................... - 381 he builds new—He exacts decency in divine LI. Alphonso sends missions into Ulterior Abruzzi 212 worship..................................... —New houses at Scifelli and Frosinone - 389 XXXVI. Persecution arises against the house of Iliceto LII. Alphonso dedicates his translation of the Psalms 221 and against that of Ciorani to Pope Clement XIV. — The persecutions XXXVII. New calumnies are uttered against the whole against his congregation arc renewed —He congregation, and particularly against the endeavours to assist it by his pen and by his 229 houses at Iliceto and Ciorani prayers................................ - 397 XXXVIII. Alphonso’s work entitled “The Truths of the LIII. Alphonso’s circular to the members of his con­ Faith” is favourably received by the public— gregation, to animate them to religious per­ Pope Clement XIII. approves it—Other pub­ fection and the love of Jesus Christ - 406 lications—Fresh advice to his congregation - 234 LIV. Alphonso sympathises in the sorrows of the XXXIX. Alphonso repairs to Naples on seeing the suf­ Sovereign Pontiff Clement XIV.—He assists ferings of his congregation—His exemplary at his death—His letter on the election of the conduct, and the great veneration of which new Pope—The difficulties of his congregation 414 241 he is the object.......................... LV. Other sorrows felt by Alphonso in regard to XL. Alphonso’s apostolical labours during his so­ his congregation—The missionaries return to journ at Naples ------ 254 Sicily ---- 424 XLI. Alphonso is accused to the government, and LVI. Alphonso’s measures against dissolute priests— does not defend himself—He justifies himself His kindness to those who were penitent - 434 from reproaches made against him about his 274 publications................................ XLII. Alphonso falls seriously ill -His unvarying pa­ tience 283 .............................................. XLIII. Alphonso dedicates his dogmatic work to Pope Clement XIV,—His congregation is persecu­ ted in Sicily............................ 300 THE LIFE ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. BOOK III. CONTINUED. CHAPTER XVI. Notwithstanding the numerous cares which ac­ companied Alphonso’s zeal and devotion for the salvation of his flock, he did not give up being interested about his brother’s family. Don Her­ cules became a widower about this time, (17G3) by the death of Donna Rachel Liguori ; as he had no heir, ho resolved to enter into a second mar­ riage. To obtain the blessing of Heaven on the execution of this design, he imparted it to Al­ phonse, and asked him to aid him by his prayers and by saying several masses for his intention. “ This morning,” Alphonso replied, the 5th of November, 1763, “ I celebrated mass a second time for Donna Rachel at the special altar ; to­ morrow and the day after, or at latest next week, I shall say two masses for you, that God may dispose things in the most advantageous way for your soul.” Speaking afterwards on the 1 IL I ■L HI 2 ST. ALPIIONSO LIQUORI. projected U arriage, ho added, “ I beg of you to bo very careful to choose a young woman of moral habits, not a vain porson, or one who would bo disposed to take advantage of your advanced ago. If she is young and wishes to live always at Na­ ples and to frequent soirées, she will soon find some fashionable Adonis, who, after the custom of the times, will often visit the lady at her house ; the lady on her side will then have hardly any time to see you, and you will bo obliged to shut her up in a convent, or to live in continual disquiet, and what is worse, inquietude of con­ science. It would bo better, as I have already writ­ ten to you, that she should have less of birth and fortune than that you should run the risk of some vexatious embarrassment happening to you. Bo sure to declare your intention from tho first, both to her and to her parents, and say to thorn that you do not like visits, meetings, &c. When tho wedding has taken placo, try to give your wife good habits from the first; for this purpose tako her to Marianella, and make a long stay there. Bo attentive to what I say, for otherwise you will have uneasiness or scruples all your life.” Wo have another of his letters of the 12th of tho same month. Hercules had communicated his matrimonial plans to his brother ; Alphonso answered him, “I am rejoiced that such good alli­ ances are offered to you. Use all possible care to choose tho wife who will make you least anx­ ious, considering tho times in which we live. Bo persuaded that young women have more affection for young men than for those in advanced life, ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. 3 as you aro. I would warn you of another thing, which is, thatjiow when you are alone, you ought to take care to send all young female servants away from your house. Tho devil is always a devil, and with temptations so close, and in tho liberty you are, I should tremble for myself. Can you not dismiss them for the present, and tell them that you will take them back when you again sot up your establishment?” Meanwhile Hercules was in want of money. Ho spoke of it to his Lordship. Tho answer was alarming. Alphonse wrote to him, “You ask me for money, and I would wish that you could lend to mo, for this first year has been a gulf of ex­ penses. I have had to repair two houses, that at St. Agatha and that at Arienzo, and that I havo only been able to provido very poorly for tho most necessary things. I havo had to pay for dilapidations to tho chapter four hundred ducats to tho nuncio, and I havo incurred a debt of four hundred ducats to meet the cost of build­ ings erected at the seminary, which the students could not inhabit during summer. I have asked how much tho revenues will amount to, and I have been told that they would not exceed six hundred ducats, and tho time is near at hand when I must pay tho burdens with which tho episcopal estate is saddled. It would bo easier for you to put mo into prison than to get any­ thing from mo just now, for you must know that at present I give no alms but grains. I sympathize with your pain in having to go to many expenses without having enough to supply 4 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. for them. The misfortune is that the episcopate has come to me at the same timo,as your mar­ riage. Besides, I may say that I too am mar­ ried, but to a spouse who loaves me no moment of rest.” Alphonso wrote to him again on the 12th of December, as follows: “To speak plainly, it appears to mo that these projects of marriage will hardly cud well ; it seems to mo that your pretensions are too high. A lady of high family with a portion, seems to mo to exceed our con­ dition, which is a little decayed from what it was before. I greatly fear that, when tho time of conclusion comes, all these fine matches will slip away from you. May God cause all to succeed as may bo most for your soul’s advantage.” Don Hercules espoused Donna Marianna Capano Orsini, of tho illustrious house of Nilo. Alphonso rejoiced at her virtues more than at her titles. He rendered thanks for it to God, and congratu­ lated his brother. Don Hercules wrote to him, “ I expect a most happy future, were it only on account of your prayers and those of your Con­ gregation ; and then there is the exemplary con­ duct of Donna Marianna. She has always been pious, but now she is a saint.” Don Hercules ardently desired to have descendants ; his appre­ hension on this subject increased from an acci­ dent which seemed to counteract his best-founded hopes. When Alphonso heard of it he replied to his brother, “Your letter has informed mo of your wife’s miscarriage ; God has permitted it, and we must be resigned to His will. I recom­ mend you in all ways and unceasingly to Jesus ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. • Christ, that Ho will grant you the grace He knows is best suited to you : be then mutually tranquil, and let tho Lord act as Ho wills.” Alphonso’s great anxiety for his brother has nothing in it which ought to surprise. The de­ tachment in which ho lived from all which con­ cerned tho interests of flesh and blood is well known ; it may bo said that in this respect all things of this world were to him as if they ex­ isted not. Ho was insensible to good as well as to evil fortune, and also to the misfortunes which might afflict those belonging to him ; and he never had the curiosity to inquire into the state of their affairs. During the thirty years that he lived among us, and though his journeys to Naples were so frequent, he only entered his paternal house once, when ho had to fulfil a last duty to his mother, who was mortally ill. Though his brother lived above us in the same house, he never visited him. Ho was a stranger even at his own homo. One day ho went to Naples with Father Pentimalli, and found the door of our hospital shut ; ho submitted to cat a morsel of bread with some fruit in tho ante-chamber, rather than to enter into his brother’s apartment. Who would not admire such detachment ! When ho was bishop he did not alter his con­ duct. If his brother had not communicated to him his intention of re-marrying, Alphonso would not have cared about it, and would not have at­ tended to the etiquettes which tho world considers necessary between relatives in similar circumstan­ ces. Don Hercules would have been delighted to ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI have had him at Naples to witness his marriage, but ho did not ask it because he had no hope of obtaining it. When the nuptials wcro celebrated custom seemed to requiro some present to tho bride ; Alphonso, for his only wedding present, gave her a paper print of the Madonna, inclosed in a little wooden frame, the whole being of tho value of a few carlins. Don Hercules was dis­ pleased at this conduct, and returned tho little frame almost angrily. “ My brother takes of­ fence,” said Alphonso ; “ I have however more cause than he ; what did he expect to receive ? I have so many poor here who die of hunger ! Yes, so many poor mendicants, and they demand that I should make presents!” Don Michael Volpicelli, a gentleman of Sarno, who heard those words, told me that this heroic proof of his Lord­ ship’s indifference affected all present as well as himself ; no one could sufficiently admire his de­ tachment, and tho sacrifice he made to tho poor of what seemed so justly demanded by so inter­ esting a circumstance as his brother’s wedding. Alphonso had not the same insensibility for his kindred when flesh and blood were not con­ cerned, but ho took an interest in all that purely regarded their spiritual welfare ; ho even made it an object of solicitude. lie inquired, ho gave advice, and spared no trouble to insure their eternal happiness. Thus he had his father’s sal­ vation singularly at heart, and did not cease to try to fit him for it by numerous letters ; ho aided his mother in the same way by his pious counsels. On tho occasion of his brother’s mar­ ST. ALPII0NS0 LIGUORI. 7 riage ho took no pains about tho worldly affairs ; ho even passed over customary forms, and looking only to the good of his brother’s soul, he set be­ fore him the dangers to which he believed hi II exposed. In a word, detachment from worldly things counterbalanced his love of his neighbour, and tho just equilibrium between the one and tho other strengthened Alphonso in performing his duties, thus uniting the necessity of working out his own salvation with tho requirements of evangelical charity. CHAPTER XVII. Bishop Liguori held preaching as among his first duties as a bishop· “This ministration,” said he, “ is almost the only one that Jesus Christ seems to have imposed on the apostles, and it is one which he exacts from His bishops ; to fail in it, is to avoid an express commandment,” so ho became remarkable for his assiduity in preaching. Ho entered the dioceso preaching, and it was in preaching that ho quitted it. When ho was at St. Agatha, ho never missed preaching every Sunday at tho cathedral after vespers ; and on all feast days which fell during tho week, ho went to preach in the parishes. His sermons drew together such a great concourse of people of all classes, that it was sufficient to say that Bishop Liguori was going to preach to sec ST. ALPirONSO LIGUORI. every house deserted. Every Sunday before the sermon ho went to the church to catechise the little children, whom he attracted by giving them rosaries, pictures, and sometimes oven money. Ho established a confraternity of nobles in the church of Mount Carmel, as wo have seen, and every Sunday he went there to give instruc­ tions ; if by chance he was prevented in this, ho sent in his stead one of tho fathers of our Congregation, who lived with him. After ves­ pers, ho went again to tho church of Mount Car­ mel, to preach for tho confraternity of young girls ; ere long tho more spacious church of Monte Vergine was obliged to receive this confraternity, on account of its increased sizo. When ho was at Arienzo tho people could not easily como to tho collegiato church ; therefore ho preached alternately in ono of tho seven par­ ishes of tho town ; but on great solemnities ho preached at tho collegiate ; and his sermon was always accompanied with exposition of tho most blessed Sacrament. He furnished the candles for these churches on these occasions, to prevent any expense to tho curates ; they wished to declino them, but his Lordship never yielded : he said, “ I wish for God’s glory not to burden you with expense.” Every Saturday evening ho made a man go through the streets with a bell in his hand to announce to the people in what church ho would preach on the following day : he wished that tho curé should give it out publicly at the prone on the Sunday, and ho sent a person with the bell ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. 9 round tho parish. Besides this he ordered tho priests that ho met on tho way to go through the most frequented places to exhort the people to come to church. Ho never departed from his familiar style in his sermons. He showed forth truths in a prac­ tical manner, and even when he preached on startling subjects, he always concluded by mo­ tives for confidence. He said, “ If one does not encourage tho sinner to have recourse to God, at the same time that one leads him to penance, all the preacher’s efforts are useless.” He was ac­ customed to sing one of the pious hymns he had himself composed before tho sermon. Every Saturday, as he had vowed, ho pub­ lished tho praises of our Blessed Lady ; at St. Agatha ho did it in the cathedral, but at Arienzo he was in tho habit of choosing tho church of the Annunziata ; Jesus and Mary were the centre of all his affection. Ho never spoke of tho lovo of Jesus Christ for man without also speaking of the lovo of Mary, and ho never spoke of the love of Mary without exciting the people to love Jesus Christ. Not satisfied with doing this himself, ho established this devotion in all tho diocese, and according to tho convenience of tho people it took place in ono town on Saturday, and in another on Sunday, always with exposition of the blessed Sacrament; at Arienzo ho wished it to bo made twice, on tho Saturday in tho church of tho nuns of tho Annunziata with a sermon by a Capuchin father, and on the Sunday in tho collegiate church, where tho canons were 10 ST. ALPIIONSO LIQUORI. ordered to preach by turns. JIo established the same practice in all populous parishes. Each month he visited a church which he had fixed on beforehand, and he was accustomed to make tho protestation for a good death there, accompanied with exposition of the blessed Sacrament. It is impossible to belicvo what great good Bishop Liguori effected by this exercise, lie exposed the deformity of vice and tho beauty of virtue, and caused it to appear with admirable clearness to his audience, which was always nu­ merous, and ho showed, in a practical way, the great contrast between the death of tho just and that of tho sinner ; all his hearers molted into tears, and hell lost much thereby. Alphonso used to take advantage of this opportunity to recite some chosen hymns, which had not loss success than tho sermon. During tho three last days of the carnival ho was in tho habit of having public adoration and exposition of the blessed Sacrament to hinder tho people from going to public shows. When ho was at St. Agatha, there was a sermon in tho morning, at which ho assisted, and which was de­ livered by a doacon from the seminary His Lord­ ship preached himself in tho evening, and en­ larged on the exceeding love of Jesus Christ for man. lie had a similar forty-hours’ prayer cele­ brated in all parts of his diocese, and when he was at Arionzo he wished that the evening ser­ mons at St. Agatha should bo given by tho Lent preacher, and those of tho morning by throe dif­ ferent canons. Ho fixed that at Aricnzo there ST. ALPHONSO LIO U OKI. 11 should bo a sermon in the church of the nuns of St. Philip, with exposition of the blessed Sa­ crament, during the Sundays in Lent after ves­ pers, and this sermon ho preached himself. When there wore not many present ho generally spoke of tho lovo of Josus Christ for us ; but, when the auditors were numerous, ho showed the grievous­ ness of sin. However bad tho weather might be on tho day, he nover failed to go to give this sermon. Ono Sunday a furious storm came on ; Alphonso, though ill and urged not to go, still wont to St. Philip’s : he caught a cold, from which ho suffered a long time in consequence. Our Lord, to whom tho establishment of this devotion in this church was pleasing, favoured it sometimes by a special providence. One Sunday tho bishop had suffered much in tho morning from fever ; ho received tho visits of his doctor and Canon Don Marc’ Antonio Ambrosio after vespers, who assured him that the fever had not left him. His Lordship then asked if Bene­ diction would bo celebrated. “ How can there bo Benediction,” replied tho canon, “if your Lordship is not able to be there?” Alphonso replied, “ It will take place however, and you must preach instead of me.” “How can I?” answered tho canon, “ I have not time to pre­ pare myself for it.” “I wish you to preach,” repeated Alphonso, and you are to make your preparation while tho nuns say compline.” Tho * canon obeyed ; and ho has assured mo that by virtue of having put his confidence in holy obe­ dience, he preached for an hour, and that he 12 ΛΛ ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. never spoke with so much facility in all his life, nor produced so remarkable an impression on his hearers. The conventual fathers of St. Agatha wore in the habit of exposing tho blessed Sacrament to the veneration of the people every Saturday in March, and had a sermon each time from one of their clerks. Believing these discourses to bo merely an exercise for the young men, with­ out fruit to tho people, and wishing to procure farther good to their souls, his Lordship offered to preach there himself ; as he had no carriage, ho went there always on foot, however severe tho weather might be. Before tho sermon ho was accustomed to sing his hymn, 0 my Jesus, and ho did it in so touching a way that all the people melted into tears. The convent generally gave tho young preacher ten carlins ; Alphonso, not to deprive the clerks of this retribution, wished that they should continue to fix on some one who could preach in his stead in case ho should bo prevented ; and the one so nominated received tho same sum whether he preached or not. During Lent, he was in the habit of giving the spiritual exercises to tho regular and secular clergy at Arienzo or at St. Agatha. Ho never forgot to depict to them tho death of a holy priest and that of a sinful one, and that which follows for tho one and for the other. lie also adopted the custom of celebrating tho novena of tho birth of our Blessed Lord, every year in his cathedral after vespers, together with exposition of the blessed Sacrament. The ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. 13 people were deeply affected in hearing him speak of so groat a mystery. Ho expressed himself so clearly, that tho most simple woman went away quito satisfied. Ho also celebrated every year tho novena of the Assumption, and that of St. Joseph. Ho left tho panegyric of the Saint however, to ono of tho Capuchin fathers, not wishing to deprive these religious of the alms attached to this sermon. Sometimes, instead of tho novena of St. Joseph, ho celebrated tho Seven Wednesdays which preceded his feast ; ho also composed special hymns on this subject. When a young person presented herself at tho altar to make her religious profession, it was he who received tho sacrifice of tho holocaust, and presented it to tho Lord Jesus Christ. This ceremony was always accompanied with a pa­ thetic discourse, which ho pronounced with so much unction, that ho penetrated tho hearts of all present. Alphonso did all this from zeal, without wishing for tho smallest thanks. lie did it willingly, even for every lay-sister. At one time, when ho was suffering very much from his infirmities, ho was invited by a lay-sister who was to mako her profession at Airola, in the monastery of Regina Cceli. Alphonso accepted tho invitation ; ho was so ill, that fearing to bo unablo to finish tho ceremony, he told Father Peter Pollastrclli to got ready for it as a precau­ tion ; ho went there, however, and drew forth sufficient strength from his zeal. On these occa­ sions ho always went to tho parish church, to distributo the bread of tho gospel to the people. 14 ST. ALPHONSO LIOUORT. and ho did this every day that ho staid in any place. But ho did not content himself with that; as soon as ho knew that any particular solemnity would attract a great concourse of people into any particular church, ho went there to preach. He said, “Jesus Christ began to convert souls by preaching, and by preaching this must be continued. Everything consists in preaching well Jesus crucified.” On those oc­ casions, there was no need of inviting him or letting him know beforehand. Ono feast day at St. Mary do Vico, ho passed before the church of St. Nicholas, and noticed that the church was filled by the faithful ; ho immediately got out of the carriage and entered determined to preach : mass was being celebrated at the time; he ordered the celebrant to interrupt the sacrifice, and ho as­ cended the pulpit. Thus the people did not go away before they had listened to his sermon. Canon Don Marc’ Anthonio Ambrosio was engaged in celebrating an octavo in honour of the Feast of the Purification, in tho church of the Congregation of our Lady of Grace. Ono Sunday Alphonso, hearing that an immense crowd filled the church, sent for the canon, and begged him in tho most humble terms to allow him to preach that day in his stead. Ho did it, and his sermon, in which ho represented in a lively way tho terrible consequences of a sinner’s death, produced so general a sensation that it is spoken of even to this day. At Arienzo, Don Pascal Calcabalo practised the devotion of celebrating every year for three ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. days tho feast of tho holy cross, in the parish church of St. Felix ; the people went there in crowds ; tho solemnity was brilliant ; there was music and a long sermon each day. When they went to Alphonso tho first year ho was at Arionzo, to ask his permission for tho exposition of the blessed Sacrament, and to have his appro­ bation for tho preacher, “What!” exclaimed he, “ this feast is to be celebrated, and I have no­ thing to do with it ! I will go and preach there myself.” But Don Calcabale represented to him that there was not time enough to prepare himself, for that the feast commenced tho next day, and the subject of tho sermon was quito par­ ticular for the occasion. “ That signifies little,” replied Alphonso; “have not mortal sin and the cross connexion together?” Ho ascended tho pulpit, and preached on tho enormity of mortal sin, which fastened Jesus Christ to tho cross. Ho was so attached to this feast, that he undertook to preach tho sermons for it. Tho fathers of tho monastery of Monte Vergino also celebrated the novena of St. Joseph in their church at Arionzo, with exposition of tho blessed Sacrament. Many people went there, and yet tho whole exorcise consisted of a few pravers. The bishop let the fathers know that if they liked ho would preach there willingly, wore it only in a few words ; but when Alphonso saw a large audience before him ho entered on a real sermon. At last tho novena was changed into a little mis­ sion. The servant Alexius begged him to speak more particularly of St. Joseph ; his Lordship rTi I- 1 1G I ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. replied, “ May St. Joseph bo praised, but for mo, I wish sin to be extirpated and that God should not bo offondod.” lie did not fail however to conclude by an invocation to this powerful pro­ tector. In a word, there was no feast in any church or country chapel that his Lordship, whe­ ther ill or well, did not wish to go to himself, to announce the word of God and to fight against vice. “ There is no festival,” said he, “where many sins are not committed and ho wished to contribute personally towards the diminution or expiation of these sins. The convent of the Capuchin fathers of Arienzo is pleasantly situated on a hill at some distance from the town. The people go there in crowds on the Monday in Easter week, to eat pigeon as they say. Many parties of people of all classes go there to pass the day in various diversions. In order to prevent tho disorders which might bo committed there Alphonso wont to this church after vespers ; ho had exposition of tho blessed Sacrament there, and when tho people wore as­ sembled together preached for hours to them. He did tho same thing on tho feast of St. Anthony of Padua, when a similar concourse of people took placo in tho convent church. For tho same reason he went to tho fathers of St. Augustine, on tho feast of tho Girdle. To invito his Lordship to preach in any church was to invite him to a nuptial. lie was in the habit of saying that “ tho word of God always brings forth fruit, aud there is nothing which hell la­ bours more to hinder than preaching.” His zeal « ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. was specially manifested when ho had to preach to men, and particularly to nobles or tho learned ; he said, “When man is converted piety will reign among women also.” One evening he was returning with his grand vicar to St. Agatha from Airola, where he had assisted at tho profession of two young women : ho arrived at tho church of the Annunziata ; as this was tho first time ho was seen there tho peo­ ple went in crowds to receive his blessing. His Lordship blessed them and continued his journey. When he reached tho church of tho Virginian fathers ho said to his grand vicar, “ I feel an impulso to say a word or two to these people.” 11 it, Tho grand vicar wished to dissuade him from and begged him to remember that he had not his pontifical dross. ‘‘But,” replied the bishop, “who knows if there is not some soul there to save ?” Then making up his mind he added, “My rochet and stole will bo sufficient.” Ho then went towards the church ; the people, being surprised to see him turn back, surrounded him and followed him to the church, whore Alphonso proached for more than an hour. Ho got a chill there, which was followed by fever on tho follow­ ing day ; nevertheless, as he wished to take ad­ vantage of tho great concourse of people, who seemed eager for tho word of God, he remain­ ed three days longer in tho place, and preached there every evening for an hour. Ho was so convinced of the good ho had done there, that from this time he never failed to preach there each time he passed through the place. ·· 2 ? * I 18 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. His Lordship took advantage oven of public calamities to increase the interest of his sermons. In the spring of the year 17G8 there was so great a drought in all the diocese, but principally at Arienzo, that all the wells were dried up. In this general distress our saint thought of cele­ brating a novena in the church of the Annun­ ziata in honour of our Blessed Lady, to implore the mercy of God : this exercise became in fact a mission. On the first evening, after he had ad­ dressed his numerous audience, ho assured the 11 that if they would become truly converted the Lord would comfort them by sending an abundant rain on St. Anne’s day. Ho continued to preach on the just punishments which overtake the sinner, and he often struck himself severely with a thick rope. He sent two Capuchin fathers of Naples, Samuel and Cyprian, through the neighbouring country after the sermon, to exhort the inhabi­ tants to penance ; after this he kept these fathers with him, together with some others, to hear confessions. The novena succeeded most hap­ pily, and through the prayers of the saint the calamity ceased, as he had promised. Dry wea­ ther continued, and there was no hope of rain; but on St. Anne’s day, towards noon, the heavens became covered with clouds, which poured forth an abundant rain and watered all the distressed country. In eternity alone shall we learn the whole ex­ tent of the good which Bishop Liguori effected in his diocese by his discourses. Ilis words were fruitful, because they came from a humble heart ST, ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 19 full of tho love of God. “Since liis Lordship’s arrival at St. Agatha we have lost a great deal,” said an officer of justice, who had the care of the diocese, to a Neapolitan incumbent, “ for his sermons and those he has caused to be preach­ ed have made the people so peaceable that there is no longer any disorder to be found.” CHAPTER XVIII. Bishop Liguori was not satisfied with putting his own hand to tho spado and hoe for the cul­ turo of'his vineyard; ho wished to be assisted by labourers animated by tho same spirit, and provided with necessary science to aid him in his toils and hasten the maturity of the fruit. As soon as ho entered tho diocese, or rather, from the time ho accepted the bishopric, ho thought of missions. Ho was in treaty when at Naples with tho superiors of all the Congregations in order to obtain their co-operation ; ho applied particularly as a fellow-labouror to Don Joseph Sparano, superior of the Society of the Apostolical Missions, and to tho canon Don Joseph Pace, su­ perior of tho Society of the Conference. Ho earnestly solicited tho superior of tho Congrega­ tion of Pious Workmen, Stephen Longobardi, to send a mission to Arienzo, as well as tho provincial of the Jesuits, Father Don Matteis, to send another to Durazzano; he was the more ■ 20 ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. urgent for this country, as it was necessary to make use of legacies loft for this intention. lie also addressed petitions to the sùpcrior of tho missionary priests of tho church of St. George. Ho also applied to tho Dominican Fathers, and recommended himself particularly to his cousin, the Father Master Cavalieri. In tho course of tho autumn of 1762, the su­ perior of the Congregation of tho Conference pla­ ced more than fivc-and-twenty missionaries at his disposal, who wore chosen from among his best subjects. Alphonso sent them to labour in sev­ eral populous places, and caused tho Pious Workmen to preach at Arienzo at this time, and tho Jesuits at Durazzano. This general assault upon vice caused the diocese to assumo quito an altered appearance. Virtue and piety flourish­ ed again among all classes, and all became better, both ecclesiastics and gentlemen, as well as tho people at largo. Whilst those and other missionaries wore la­ bouring in divers places, tho chief pastor of tho diocese did not take any rest, or content himself with the efforts of others ; ho repaired to Arienzo, while the Pious Workmen gave their mission there: “And I also,” said he to them, “I wish to do something.” lie was particularly urgent about reforming tho conduct of gentlemen, and re­ solved to give them tho spiritual exercises. After having united all tho noblemon together in tho bond of charity, he formed them into a Congre­ gation, to which ho gave particular statutos, and incited them to frequent tho sacraments. Ho gave ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 21 these exercises in tho church of the Carmelite fathers. In his sermon on the patronage of Mary, lie spoke with the fire of a seraph ; his face was illuminated, and its brightness shed a supernatu­ ral splendour on tho church : he exclaimed, at tho same time, carried out of himself in an ecstacy, “ Seo, hero is the Virgin coming to scatter blessings ; ask her for these blessings ; she is ready to grant you everything.” After the mission at Arienzo Alphonso under­ took to go and give another himself in the village of St. Mary do Vico, which contained more than 4,000 inhabitants ; ho asked for tho aid of ten Dominican fathers of tho convent of la Sanita in Naples. As tho parish church was not largo enough, he obtained leave from the Dominican fathers of the placo to give the mission in their church. Tho Father Master Canti, of tho mon­ astery of Durazzano, gave the catechism, another gave tho exercises to tho clergy, and Alphonso himself undertook tho principal sermon. Several times, while weeping over his people’s sins, lie struck himself in the pulpit most cruelly with a thick cord. One evening the Father Trior and other clerics wore moved with compassion, and took away his discipline by main force. The mission lasted twenty-two days, and every one marvelled to seo how an old man of sixty-seven, broken down by infirmities, could bear up under so much. But that which astonished them most was his penitential life. IIis repast consisted of a simple soup ill prepared by the lay-brother, who was a cook only through necessity, some ounces 22 ST. ALPHONSO LIGU01U. of boiled meat, and a little fruit. This was al­ ways his diet during all the missions. One evening, after the Dominican father who preached to the clergy, had ended his sermon, his Lordship unexpectedly presented himself before them. He said to them, “ If any one amongst the clergy has a scruple about having received his benefice by simony, let him come to me; I am come here to help him,” It was known in fact that a young ecclesiastic was in this case, and that after having been to his Lordship he was freed from his scruple, and preserved his benefice. It is useless to speak of the fruits of this mission. Alphonso’s life of penance and the energetic simplicity of his apostolic eloquence produced the most consolatory effects on every heart. To give full liberty of conscience he caused the best confessors throughout the diocese to come to St. Mary’s, and placed them in the monastery, wishing that neither he nor these confessors should be an expense to the public. He contented himself with only being present at the mission at Airola. He returned to Arienzo on Christmas day, and celebrated pontifically in the collegiate church of St. Andrew. Canon An­ gelo Magillo and others have attested, that after having received the Precious Blood, our saint en­ tered all of a sudden into an ecstacy, and that his face beamed with heavenly fire. After having visited all the diocese, ho kept the celebrated missionary, Giuseppe Jorio, with him, and caused him to give a spiritual renewal ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 23 of tho missions. Father Jorio finished what had been commenced, and fervour became redoubled in the Congregations which were instituted by his Lordship. .. Alphonso did not like to employ missionaries of his own Congregation when he first arrived at St. Agatha, from the fear that they might be sus­ pected to be his spies ; for this reason he em­ ployed those who could exercise their ministry with perfect freedom. Ho founded his hopes on those of his own Congregation however, and in the end caused some of them to come each year from Noccra, Ciorani, and St. Angelus. Besides the Neapolitan missionaries and our own, ho got other labourers to come from the provinces. He heard that there were priests among the clergy of Caserti who laboured with success for tho good of souls ; ho immediately did all ho could to have them in his diocese. He also invited, on different occasions, tho missionary fathers of tho respected Congregation of St. Peter of Cæsarano. During his visitation he, as we have seen, en­ couraged several excellent priests, whom ho judged fit for this ministration, to devote themselves to tho salvation of souls. Ho sent these priests each year to preach in inconsiderable places, in the neighbourhood of St. Agatha, Airola, and Arienzo. Ho invited besides some priests of Cerreto, who wore equally experienced in apostolical min­ istry, to go and labour in these same places. Ho visited the wdiolo of his dioceso every two years, and ho also caused several missionaries b ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOllI. I ·» to go through it in tho same space of time ; and to those who blamed this multiplicity of missions, ho answered, that skilful husbandmen are ac­ customed to throw a double quantity of seed into places where tho earth is dry and barren ; and ho added, “ It is thus wo must do, if we would have an ample harvest. When tho seed is sown in abundance, if all doos not como up, at least a part of it does. Jesus Christ compares tho word of God to wheat : if it is not sown, nei­ ther can it be gathered.” Besides these missions ho had recourse to di­ vers other exorcises, such as novenas and triduos, in order to strengthen tho good and awaken the sinful. From the first he also introduced the adoration of tho forty hours at tho carnival, and it was particularly at that time that ho caused tho most zealous preachers to ascend tho pulpits. lie exacted great charity from all the mission­ re aries towards sinners. Whoever ho made use of, ho did not fail to remind them of tho true prin­ ciples which rendered their ministry efficacious, which ho called a ministry of grace and pardon. Once ho spoke very plainly to some missionaries whom he knew to bo guilty of rigorism, though they belonged to a respectable Congregation. “My fathers,” he said to them, “too much in­ dulgence in a confessor is hurtful to souls, but too much rigour is not less prejudicial ; I blamo certain rigid spirits, who are not according to knowledge, and destroy rather than edify ; with sinners charity and mildness arc necessary. Such was tho method of Jesus Christ, and if wo would ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. II II lead souls to God and save them, we must not imitato Jansenius, but Jesus Christ, the chief of Π missionaries. ” He also advised them to preach in a popular style, familiarly and without a series of long periods. Ho said, “ When Jesus Christ preached He did not use turns of sentences nor rhetorical expressions ; all His words were on a level with tho people’s comprehension ; His proofs were natural, il ­ and never abstract. He used parables and com parisons, which by striking the mind and heart, triumphed over the will. The apostles were in­ structed by Him, and they imitated Him ; and, we also must do as they did ; if not, journeys, expense, and fatigue of every sort will all become useless.” These brief but solid instructions were of great use to all the missionaries, and were never unattended by profit. Ono day when he was present at a mission given by tho fathers of a distinguished order, ho was scon to move about uneasily on his throne, because tho preacher used chosen tenus and studied phrases. Tho sermon was hardly ended before he sent for the preacher, and reprimanded him severely. “That is to betray tho people and Jesus Christ,” ho said to him; “if you only seek to preach yourself, and not Jesus crucified, why did you take the trouble to leave Naples ? I do not excuso you from mortal sin.” It would bo difficult to say how much Alphonso interested himself in tho work of missions; his disinterestedness and solicitude on this subject are proofs of his great devotion to it. His zeal ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. for the salvation of souls consumed him ; and as a husbandman spares nothing to render his vino more flourishing, so the saintly bishop was inde­ fatigable to cause piety to bo honoured in the diocese. He sent couriers to Naples and every where to obtain labourers. Ho was careful to provide for their w’ants and to guard against in­ conveniences ; and the expenses of tho missions, except those at Naples, which were provided for by foundations, were all placed to his account. It was he who paid the journeys, lodgings, and food ; he freed the incumbents and town from all expense, and furnished even tho oil and candles for the churches. But this even is the least part of what he did : the missionaries were lodged and fed at his charge wherever they wont, even in labours they undertook of their own accord. Ho was especially careful to enable them to give beds and other indispensable things to the poor whose misery caused them to make their children sleep with them, and ho exhorted them to take particular care of necessitous fam­ ilies, female converts, and young girls in danger. Notwithstanding all his pains and disinter­ estedness, ho had still much difficulty in over­ coming the obstacles he sometimes met with from tho old incumbents, who, fearing every sort of trouble, used at first to allege tho want of house­ room as their principal hindcrance, which often was only a false pretext however. When Al­ phonso met with a refusal from such a motive ho wrote to tho grand vicar in whoso juris­ diction the place where he wished to have tho ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 27 mission was, in order that the cost of the maintenance of the missionaries should be pro­ vided for at his own expense ; and, even if it cost him a great deal, he thought himself very fortunate in having procured this great means of salvation for his people. Ho had much to suffer from an incumbent on this head, who, not wishing to have the mission­ aries, excused himself, saying, that he had not and could not procure a house. Alphonso, who divined the incumbent’s real feeling, answered that ho must procure one at any price, and that it would bo defrayed for him ; the priest finding himself caught on this side, found other pretexts to justify his refusal. The bishop wrote to him in energetic terms, telling him that he was disedified by his conduct, for that while others so­ licited for a mission, and thanked him heartily when they had received it, ho on the contrary refused it when offered to him. This letter of­ fended tho priest, who replied in terms anything but respectful. Indignant at this obstinacy, the grand vicar and others wished him to be im­ prisoned, but tho bishop blamed their hastiness and pitied tho incumbent’s weakness, who in the end himself asked for tho mission. On this Al­ phonso, far from showing any farther dissatisfac­ tion, even begged his pardon. Ho wrote to him, “ I do not say that your Reverence has put any impediment in tho way, but I said that you did not show tho anxiety I should have wished ; it I have boon wrong in this, I hope that now all may bo as before again. Blessed bo God, who 28 ST. ALPHONSO LIOUORI. has permitted, this unpleasantness to arise to you as well as to me.” To do away with the excuse of tho want of a house, Alphonso applied to tho gentlemen of the different places who did not reside in the houses they had there. At Airola, ho always had re­ course to tho Prince della Riccia, who gave up a suite of rooms in his palaeo to him. Don Bar­ tholomew of Capua, who was tho last prince of this family, had also the greatest veneration for his Lordship; indeed, when tho furtherance of a mission was in question, Alphonso would havo applied not only to tho king, but also to tho sovereign Pontiff. As the parochial church of St. Mary do Vico was too small to hold all tho people, and his Lord­ ship could not mako use of that of tho Dominican fathers, who alone had tho right of preaching there, he applied to their general to obtain per­ mission to do so. To cause the Lenten sermons to be as profitable as those of tho missions, he exacted their being in a simple popular style: “ How can the people profit,” said ho, “from sermons which even tho preacher does not understand himself?” All who wished to preach in the diocese, in Alphonso’s time, were obliged to be very careful on this point, but some were wanting in good will. Among those whom our saint willingly invited to preach, was the celebrated Don Cæsar Abbigncnti, canon of tho cathedral of Sarno, and Don Benedict Barba, formerly of the Congregation of St. Peter of Cæsarano, and at that time canon of Avella. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 29 Ho also employed two other distinguished men, Capuchins of tho convent of Arienzo, by name Samuel and Cyprian of Naples, who were formed and instructed according to his own principles. It he onIt was to those above all others to whom trusted the Advent sermons, and those which were delivered in the cathedral. As in many localities tho parishioners had tho right of electing the preachers, ho never failed to speak to the most influential persons in each placo to get tho II to name subjects who were well known, and accord­ ing to his wishes. “ Tho prize that one gives a preacher is the blood of tho poor,” said he; “if the people derive no benefit, it is a wrong com­ mitted against them ; and the preacher as well as those who havo chosen him arc all equally bound to make restitution.” Unhappily this right of parishes, founded on very ancient usage, was uot always exercised in a spirit of true piety ; motives of private interest, or worldly civilities, often dictated tho votes given. Thus Alphonso often had tho sorrow to seo persons ascend tho pulpit at Arienzo who wcro far from being those of his own choice. In order to remedy this abuse, ho asked and obtained that the preachers should be chosen among tho Capuchin fathers exclusive­ ly. lie represented to them, amongst other rea­ sons, that these holy religious rendered great service to tho public, by tho continual aid they gave to tho dying, and that it was just that they should havo some amends. Before giving his approbation to the preachers selected ho obliged them to engage to give tho 30 ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. spiritual exorcises during Passion week in the form of a mission, and those who showed repugnance to do that were always refused. Ho was in tho habit of saying to those who nominated the preachers, “ Tho right of election belongs to you, but it is for me to regulate tho subject and form of the sermons.” Tho regulars succeeded ill for the most part, being accustomed to speak with II too much preparation and measuredness, and to be more occupied about words and periods than even the matter they had to treat of ; in our saint’s judgment this method was useless, to say II tho least ; for if the memory proves treacherous to tho preacher, all his science vanishes, and words fail him altogether. In the exercises of Lent, he wished the cate­ chism to precede the sermon, and ho caused it to be given by the incumbents or other priests. During this time he was attentive in seeing that the confessors should mutually exchange parishes. He provided for their food and other expenses by means of his rural deans ; in this way the Lenten exercises, which had formerly been useless to the people, produced general advantage, thanks to the pains-taking care of the vigilant bishop. When tho preachers and confessors presented themselves before him to receive his benediction, Alphonso liked to keep them for some days with him, and in conversing with them, he judged of their capability and knowledge. Tho obligations of the sacred ministry, charity towards sinners, and the necessity of encouraging them in pen- ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. 31 ance, furnished him with inexhaustible subjects of conversation, but above all, with the motives for very particular exhortations. Even in panegyrics, he wished, as we have seen, that the preacher should speak simply. “ For what use aro panegyrics,” said he, “if not to expose the virtues of a saint with clearness, and to excite others to imitate them ? If one confines oneself to making an eulogium, no utility whatever can result from it ; if the people do not understand what they hear and do not apply it, how can they imitate the model proposed to them?” On the celebration of tho feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, at Arienzo, they sent for a subject of a celebrated order in Naples to It make the penegyric ; Alphonso was too ill to officiate himself, but wished notwithstanding to bo present ; but what did ho not suffer in hearing flowery expressions and high-flown phrases delivered by the preacher ! If he did not quit tho church it was only to avoid cre­ ating disturbance in the ceremony ; he at least turned towards the high altar and turned his back on the pulpit and the preacher. When he had returned homo ho sent for him, and in a tone of authority thus addressed him : “Is it not to wish to betray Jesus Christ and the people to preach in that way ? If I did not make you come down from the pulpit, it was from respect to the habit you wear. What fruit have the •I all tho tropes, from all the people gathered from figures of speech and pompous descriptions with which you ornamented your discourse? All that ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. was only tho fruit of vanity, and can only merit tho firo of purgatory. Your end ought to have been to touch hearts and cause tears to bo shed ; but tho people were insensible, because they un­ derstood nothing.” It was tho greatest suffering to our ardent pastor when ho had to bo present at a panegyric given by some popular preacher. CHAPTER XIX. In tho year 1763, all Italy, but particularly tho town of Naples, was a prey to most fearful distress, which caused our saint to have an in­ crease of sorrow and of merit. lie foresaw this calamity before his election to the bishopric ; when ho gave the spiritual exercises at Naples, in tho church of La Misericordiella, ho became more animated than usual one evening, and in declaiming against sin he exclaimed, as tho priest, Niccolo Rotondo of Tegora, has attested, “Be­ ware, beware, God will overtake us with famine I” Ho predicted this at two other times also. Such a menace from his lips made an impression, in­ deed, but yet it was taken as a word said at random. The dean Daddio told me, that during the mission at St. Agatha, at different times, he exclaimed while preaching penance to tho people, “ My children, cease to sin, for a great calamity is threatening you’.” Another time Canon Don Vincenzo Viscardi, who assisted at his sermon, ST. ALPHONSO LIOUORI. 33 II heard him address his auditory in these terms : “ Amend your lives, I repeat to you, and recom­ II mend yourselves to God, for a great famine will soon afflict you.” lu the year which preceded the fatal winter of 1763-1764, he expressed him­ self still more definitely. He was at Arienzo, and while in tho collegiate church of St. Andrew, ho represented in tho most lively way the enor­ mity of sin to the people, and exclaimed, “ God will chastise us by a great scarcity, and the fam­ ine will be so great, that for want of bread even the herbs which grow close to the hedges will be eaten!” Another day the incumbent, Lorenzo Caprio, heard him say, “ Beware and tremble, for God is preparing a great scourge for us,’not because He wishes for our loss, but because He wishes our salvation. In a year we shall be af­ flicted by a dreadful scarcity.” The people were wearied with those reiterated menaces, and said, “ Where is this bishop come from ? He only fore­ tells famine and bad seasons.” Tho prophecy was only too true ; but if God willed him to bo a prophet, He did not allow him to be so for himself. After the harvest of the year 1763, Alphonso being in want of money for his alms, only kept the usual quantity of corn for tho poor, and sold tho rest to supply their wants. He soon found that he had none left. But sonic days after having sold tho corn, ho seemed suddenly to become aware of what he had done, sent for his secretary, and in an ani­ mated way ordered him to buy a great quantity of kidney and French beans and other vegetables. 3 34 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Nobody understood tho mystery, and all laughed at it, tho secretary being tho first to do so, for the harvest had been at least a tolerable one; his Lordship however would bo obeyed, and du­ ring tho months of September and October they collected a largo store of those vegetables. The eagerness ho showed in taking this step doubtless arose from an inspiration which he had received from God. Tho month of November of 1763 had not ter­ minated before tho scarcity, with tho rapidity of a torrent, spread itself from ono end of tho king­ dom to another. It is difficult to imagine the holy bishop’s sorrow in seeing the multitude of starving poor ; they had no bread left, and so all recurred to their common father for aid in their distress. The largo hall of tho episcopal palace was sometimes crowded with four or five hundred of these distressed people, who, in the most suppliant posture and with tearful eyes beg­ ged for a morsel of bread. Alphonso only listened to the dictates of charity, and tried to relievo them all. lie said to his servants, “ Make them all go away satisfied; they only ask for what belongs to them.” He applied to his rich pa­ trons however to obtain corn and lentils. He sent for fifty measures of beans from Cerra, and at a very high price. Ho applied to his bro­ ther Hercules at Naples, at that time ono of the governors of the city, and as the famine was not yet extreme at Naples, ho received plenty of corn, though it had already begun to bo sold at six ducats tho measure. Alphonso received nu- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. merous donations, and was overjoyed at being able to assist his poor children. Full of zeal for all, he inquired minutely into tho wants of each ; ho had a large list placed in the great hall, on which all the necessitous fa­ milies were noted down alphabetically ; as they presented themselves he drew a tally cor­ responding to their name, and all received ac­ cording to their poverty, a portion of beans or other vegetables, together with some alms in n money. Besides this, he had arranged a private list of families who were prevented from coming to his palace through shame or some other cause. In spite of all the pains ho took he met with an unexpected reproach in church one day. While ho was preaching and entreating the peo­ ple to return thanks to God for the protection He had afforded to tho town of St. Agatha, which was much less afflicted than many other places, a common woman suddenly interrupted him, and raising her voice, began to reproach him for having sold his corn. Alphonso was discomposed, and could not restrain his tears ; ho could not reply to this attack on him. Hap­ pily the audience were able to judge between their pastor and his calumniator ; every ono was indignant at the woman’s boldness; they gave her no time to say another word, and she was very fortunate in making her escape safe and sound. Alphonso was destitute of money, so ho wished to borrow by paying interest, but he was con­ stantly refused. In fact, who would have wished —------ - 36 ST. ALPHONSO LTGUORT. to risk his principal and be satisfied with the guarantee of an old man of sixty-seven, asthmatic and broken down with infirmities ? In this ex­ tremity, not knowing what to do, ho thought of selling tho ring which had boon made a present to him at Naples by Jane Scrsalo, (tho widow of Don Francis Cavalicri, and wife of Counsellor Vespoli,) as well as that which ho had received from Bishop Giannini of Lettere, and which had belonged to his uncle the bishop of Troy. Tho priest Don Boniface Galdieri was at St. Agatha at tho time ; Alphonso entrusted these things to him, charging him to sell them at Naples, with a little pectoral cross of gold, which he had also received as a gift, only keeping one of silvergilt for pontifical ceremonials. Besides this ho ordered his secretary to sell the little plate he had, and was satisfied to use copper instead. Not knowing what else to sell he was on tho point of getting rid of his rochet and watch, but ho gave up this idea on its being represented to him that they were of little value, while to hi 11 a watch was indispensable. As the scarcity continued to increase .Alphonso resolved to sell his carriage, but ho had to con­ tend against the opposition of tho grand vicar, the canons, and gentlemen, who represented to him not only his infirmities, but his dignity as a bishop. “ St. Peter was Popo,” replied Alphonso, “ and he had no carriage ; why should I have one, I, who am not greater than St. Peter ? ” His brother Hercules interfered in this discussion, and joined his opponents, being convinced how ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOHÏ. 37 much Alphonso needed his carriage. “All these pretexts to induce mo to keep my carriage are only a temptation of the devil in my opinion, to disquiet mo as well as you,” replied Alphonso; “I take advice in doubtful things, but not in those where there is certainty ; and for my part, I am certain that God does not wish me to keep a thing of such value uselessly. I am old ; I have already one foot in the grave ; I am burthened with debts ; I want a great deal of money to meet several necessary expenses for the glory of God, and I am distressed to death at being able to do nothing, because, first I have to pay the debts I have contracted against you and the seminary. Do not torment me any longer about this affair, for I will not answer you any more. You know very well besides, that when I come to a resolution, after a careful examination, I never go back from it. I cannot bear to see the mules remaining in the stable nearly all the year with nothing to do, -while the coachman is wasting his time, and the poor are asking me for bread.” As Don Hercules wrote him that Mgr. Testa disapproved of it, Alphonso added, “ If Mgr. Testa would hear mo myself, I should cer­ tainly gain my cause with him, but for that I should have to tell him all my reasons.” Don Hercules did not cease to insist on his point, and represented to him the need he would have of sometimes going to Naples. His Lord­ ship replied on the 13th of December, 1763: "You must know that very probably I shall not go to Naples any more, for if 1 have the annoy· 38 * ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. anco of being summoned there, I shall send my grand vicar, or one of tho canons instead ; my excuse is quite ready : I am old and ill ; I no longer leave my house.” That which he had resolved on, he executed. On tho 5th of January, he sent his carriage and mules to Naples. His brother Don Gaétan, not wishing them to pass into tho hands of strangers, bought them himself, and at a very high price. “ I flatter myself,” Don Hercules wrote to him tho same day, “ that you have at last changed your mind ; at my rate, if you persist in your view of tho subject, you can always consider the carriage as belonging to you, and when you wish it, I will procure it for you at my own expense. You are and always shall bo in all things master of my judgment.” The scourge continued to increase its ravages, and the zealous pastor applied to tho Dope, re­ presenting his people’s wants to him, and suppli­ cating him to grant him permission to mortgage all his own income in order to bo able to suc­ cour tho poor. Though the Popo consented to this, the answer did not arrive in time ; Alphonso united all the heads of the chapels together, and begged or rather commanded them to pawn all their plate. This was done, but it was only as a few drops of water cast on a great confla­ gration ; tho indefatigable bishop took no rest; ho daily assembled the principal gentlemen, can­ ons, and chief functionaries, and consulted with them as to the means of relieving tho town, and preventing tho death of the poor by hunger. Many refused to give him money, but many oth- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 39 ers, being moved with compassion, placed generous donations in his hands ; others, such as Lady Camilla Vinaccia, supplied him with money un­ der the name of a loan, but no doubt they never expected to recover the advances they had made. Father Matteis, provincial of the Jesuits, being informed of tho great difficulty in which the holy bishop was, sent him a note of thirty ducats to bo distributed among tho poor. The pious pastor was charged with the sins of the people, and offered himself as a victim to the justice of heaven ; he bound himself with hair­ cloth, and disciplined himself most severely every day ; to incite his people to penance, he preach­ ed on every feast-day, and repeated unceasingly that sin was the only cause of all the present evils. Every evening at the visit to the bless­ ed Sacrament, he renewed his animated exhor­ tations, which were always welcomed with grati­ •I tude. One evening on his return home, a woman of tho people ran after him, and exclaimed in a fury, “ Would to God you had never come among us ! since you have been here you have only an­ nounced calamities, and now you make us eat bread at seven grains tho pound.” Then raising her hand in a menacing way, she added: ‘'You have plenty of money, you, I say, to eat it at this price.” Alphonso, far from being moved at these violent and unexpected words, gave his blessing to tho woman. Tho sacristan, Michael d' Apruzzo, who accompanied him, began to scold the in­ solent woman, and took her by tho shoulder in order to force her to go away ; Alphonso -was : ■ ’if ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. indignant at this, and punished him for it, by four days’ imprisonment. “ These unhappy peo­ ple deserve compassion,” said he; “it is not their heart, but famine which makes them speak.” God however did not leave such a wicked act unpunished, and this woman, who had lived in ease before, was soon reduced to tho lowest beggary. CHAPTER XX. The scarcity of corn was increased by tho ava­ rice of tho rich, who, fearing to become victims themselves, spent large sums of money in buying great quantities of provisions, and in this way bread was soon entirely wanting in Naples and in all tho country of Apulia. Tho price of corn was raised to more than fifteen ducats the measure. Don Hercules informed Alphonso, in the month of March, 1764, that the calamity afflicted Na­ ples also ; Alphonso replied thus : “ I am ex­ tremely grieved to hear that scarcity exists now in tho capital. In sincerity I say, it pains me greatly, but as God wills it to be so, may His will be done always. Write to mo often, and tell me how one can procure corn. We are all in distress, you in Naples and we here ; let us be resigned to God’s will. The Lord chastises Naples in a special manner because there are many in that town who do not believe in God. God grant that now they may be converted !” i I I | I Λ ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 41 Poverty increased in Naples to such a degree that the scourge spared no one ; the starving poor were seen, as Alphonso had predicted, eating the grass of the hedges, and seeking in the country for tho nourishment which beasts had refused to eat, so as even to feed on noxious herbs. On seeing thousands of these poor people going about tho streets liko spectres, Alphonso was ready to dio for sorrow. He would have liked never to eat more, to bo able to aid his poor children ; ho confined himself to bread and broth, and sent for his secretary, saying to him, “You see how the people are dying of hunger ; it is necessary therefore that we should do without something more ; and so you must bear patiently your­ self as well as tho others.” He told the grand vicar the same thing, and his table was only supplied with broth and a very little boiled meat from this time, with which every one was obli­ ged to be satisfied without exception. lie con­ voked together the superiors of all the convents in his diocese, being full of solicitude for his people, and not only begged but commanded them to contribute to tho relief of tho poor by retrenching some part of their ordinary ex­ penditure. Ho heard that tho superior of a wealthy convent was very stingy towards the poor. Ho sent for him and reproached him for his hardheartedness : “I am obliged,” replied the religious, “ to maintain my family ; I give what is over to tho poor, and no more.” This answer pained our saint ; he rose from his chair full of indignation, and said in an imposing manner, 42 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. “ Do you know what maintain means ? It signi­ fies that it is necessary to eat enough to preserve life, and that tho surplus ought to bo given to the poor, When you became a religious, you said that you wished to load a life of poverty and penance. Do you believe in tho Gospel, or are The religious changed his lino you a Turk ? of conduct, and tho poor of the place were quite differently treated from this time. We may truly say that Alphonso acted like a glorious apostle of Christian charity during this calamity at St. Agatha. Tho poor were in his eyes tho special members of Jesus Christ, and all shared in his solicitude. Ho was delighted when ho could assist them, and wept when ho had nothing to give them. Everything was open to them, and there was not a single room in tho palace where one did not see some poor person being comforted or snatched from the grasp of death. One evening after the poor had all been relieved, the secretary in going to bed saw a man stretched on a bench in tho hall ; he thought he was asleep, but on going up to him with brother Francis Anthony and tho servant Alexius, with the intention of awaking him, they saw that ho was motionless and nearly expiring. They immediately informed their master. He hastened thither as fast as he could, and at tho sight of the unfortunate man was filled with sor­ row ; he sent for vinegar and other things to try to revive him ; he ran to his room himself and took a piece of chocolate, which he succeeded with difficulty in placing in the mouth of tho I ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. dying man. At length, by dint of much pains, II senses again, and his heart rejoiced at the sight of the poor man thus restored to life. Ever alive to the wants of his people, Alphonso order­ ed after this occurrence that liquors and spiri­ tuous essences should be always ready in case of need, and that tho starving poor who were met in tho town should have tho very food given them which had been prepared for himself and for his household. Tho poor had never been allowed to wait at Alphonso’s door, but during tho famine it was Alphonso who knocked at the door of the poor. He went round the town, and relieved a multitudo of miserable creatures, pro­ curing remedies and provisions for them. He begged tho monasteries in Naples, and his peni­ tents and relations, to bestow gifts on him for the sick : thus tho poor were comforted, and their consolation filled him with unspeakable joy. When ho had nothing more to sell, ho thought of getting rid of tho plato which had belonged to the bishops his predecessors, of tho pastoral cross, the basin, the ewer, and candlestick, as well as tho precious stone which adorned tho clasp of tho cope. “What shall wo do,” demanded tho canons, who dared not openly oppose him, “ when you have to celebrate pontifie ally ? ” Alphonso replied, “ I will use an earthen ewer ; is silver, think you, a matter of precept?” Finding that he was resisted, he asked to bo allowed at least to pledge these things ; but this also was denied him. This second refusal grieved him greatly ; 44 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. that which he wished to sell did not belong to him, and as he therefore could not order it to bo done, he was seen walking about alone in his room, weeping and giving way to all tho bit­ terness of his distress. While in this great sorrow ho envied rich bishops, because they had more power to succour tho wretched. “Oh, that I merited as much before God as St. Thomas of Villanova,” said he one day ; “ I might find my granaries filled with corn as ho did ! ” St. Agatha was not the only town which suf­ fered from tho calamity : there was a dearth of bread throughout all the diocese, and all had recourse to his Lordship. Gentlemen of tho greatest distinction, and even many opulent per­ sons, were often unable to procure any bread. Alphonso had a helping hand for all. The parish priests have attested to mo, that there was no place in tho diocese which ho had not aided with a quantity of corn and lentils, as well as with money. Ho once sent nine measures of beans to tho village of Arpaja alone, as I was told by the incumbent, Don Pascal Lesso. As bishop, ho was lord of the fief of Bagnoli ; tho inhabitants of this domain also demanded his assistance, and more than this, they used men­ aces. He succeeded in procuring a great quantity of corn from Naples secretly, at six ducats tho measure, and he distributed bread to the poor of this estate every day. The year 1763 was one full of difficulties and pain ; the consequences were still more deplora­ ble. New anxieties arose, which put the final ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 45 stroke to Alphonso’s sorrows ; however great was his solicitude, he could not satisfy the wants of all. On tho 20th of February, of tho year 1764, tho horrors of famine became still more felt, and tho exasperated people rebelled and chose as the victim of their blind resentment, the syndic Dominico Cervo, who was superintendant of pro­ visions in tho town. Tho unfortunate man re­ treated into his own house, but the mutinous people, desiring to assassinate him, attacked him there, and broke down his door by the blows of a hatchet. Happily ho succeeded in escaping, and ho took refuge in tho episcopal palace. The se­ ditious people, having hoard of this, hurried thither immediately, and without any regard for their bishop, besieged the palace; they penetrated into tho interior, and sought for tho syndic in II order to murder him. Alphonso in alarm ap­ peared before the furious mob, and offered him­ self as a victim to their anger ; ho ran into the midst of them, embraced them, pressed them to his heart, and in tears endeavoured to exculpate tho syndic. “ Life for life ! ” cried tho multi­ tude. Alphonso, not knowing what more ho could do to calm tho fury of this body of people, whom famine had rendered deaf to all his rea­ sons, distributed to them all the meal and bread which ho had kept for tho most necessitous poor ; besides this ho flow to tho seminary and distributed to them all tho bread and provisions which were there. On this the riot ceased, but Alphonso was not free from disquiet even then. “Wo have arrived at a great crisis on account .· 4G ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. of tho scarcity,” ho wrote to his brother Hercules on the 21st of February. “Tho day before yes­ terday, wo had a fearful riot, and wo apprehend another on Sunday.” This alarm had hardly ended when another arose. Tho court at Naples, being informed of tho revolt which had taken place at St. Agatha, despatched sixty horsemen there, to prevent still more serious disturbances. These measures, far from intimidating tho people, only served to exasperate them still more ; for tho number of inhabitants being thus increased, provisions be­ came in consequence still more scarce. Alphonso, considering this sad state of things, could neither cat nor sleep ; he consulted with tho superior officers at every moment in order to prevent tho soldiers causing inconvenience to any one, while he at tho same time negociatcd at Naples for fl tho recall of the military. He spoke to tho most influential among the populace, to urge them to bo peaceful, and to tell them how much ho com­ passionated their sufferings. Ho procured new stores of corn and vegetables, which he distri­ buted to tho people, and his active charity took no rest until he saw the soldiers set out and tranquillity re-established. “God knows,” ho wrote to his brother Hercules on tho 21st of February, “ in what anxiety I have passed these last days ! I have not been able to sleep for several nights.” But he was not satisfied with giving alms ; ho also had recourse to prayer, and assisted by light from on high, he often foresaw the misfortunes ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. which would happen even out of the town, and was thus able to obviate them. At Arienzo in particular, ho saved Don Giro Lettieri, tho first magistrate of this town from a great disaster. Alphonso had sent for Don Fabricius Lettieri, the treasurer of tho college of Arienzo, and brother of tho magistrate Ciro, to come to St. Agatha to put tho archives of the bishopric in order. Being asked how many days tho work would require, Don Fabricius replied that he must have at least a fortnight for it. Eight days had hardly elapsed before Alphonso, though overloaded with occupation, suddenly sent for tho treasurer one Saturday, and asked how far ho had proceeded in the writings. “ I do not know if I shall bo able to finish them in a week,” replied the trea­ surer. “No,” answered Alphonso, “I wish you to return to Arienzo this very evening, for your presence will be necessary there.” Ho immedi­ ately told his servants to got a conveyance ready for him. The treasurer was greatly surprised at receiving such a dismissal, not knowing its cause, lie set out therefore but little satisfied with the bishop’s proceedings. On the Sunday morning, being at Arienzo, Fabricius heard tho sound of tho tocsin, ho went to the piazza, and found tho people, whom famine had rendered desperate, col­ lected together, and with arms in their hands proceeding tumultuously towards his brother’s house. Tho treasurer then understood what that necessity for his presence was of which ho had been warned, and ho was just in time to save his brother, who but for him would have been ■ —- 48 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. killed, lie got before the populace and caused Don Ciro to enter into the monastery of the fathers of St. Augustine, from whence, clothed in a religious habit, ho fled from the town and escaped from tho attack of tho seditious mob, whoso number amounted to four or five thousand. However, tho bitter chalice was not yet ex­ hausted ; our saint had to drink it even to tho dregs. The tribunal of Montefusco, being inform­ ed of the tumult which had taken place, commis­ sioned Nicholas Vuolo to seek for the principal rioters. Thirty fathers of families were denounc­ ed by the subordinates ; they were innocent, but were all obliged to appear at Montefusco. Tho governors of the town, out of consideration for the ruin of so many families, felt compassion for them, and applied to their common father. At the news Alphonso was filled with grief, and wept over tho possible consequences of this denuncia­ tion. Tho Marquis of Monte Verde was president of tho court of justice at Montefusco at tho time. Alphonso, without loss of time, represented tho innocence of the accused to him, and entreated him to stop tho prosecution. His representations were so efficacious that the court granted all that ho desired. He also foresaw other misfortunes in different parts of the diocese, and ho was of great help to a number of unfortunate creatures, afflicted both by famine and by scandalous impu­ tations. St. Agatha had however much less to suffer than the other dioceses in tho kingdom, for, while everywhere else bread was from ton to twelve grains the pound, at St. Agatha it only cost six and a half. ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. 49 CHAPTER XXL As the spring of 1764 advanced it brought with it new resources, which at length put an end to tho fearful scarcity which had ravaged tho country. Tho holy bishop was able to resume the course of his visitation from this time. Many disorders had arisen during the scourge ; some people profited by the general misery to practise usury extensively; others tortured their debtors, and constrained them to subscribe to exaggerated claims. The bishop inveighed against these abu­ H ses, and used every means to rectify them. lie sent for tho merchants and monied men, and enjoined them not to deviate from the rules of equity. After having thus contributed to tho restoration of order at St. Agatha aud in the neighbouring country, he specially enjoined ou the parish priests tho relief of many sick persons, convalescents, and the most necessitous families, and then set out to visit tho other parts of his diocese. A mother’s solicitude for her sucking· o child equals not that which this saintly pastor felt for his flock ; tho shouts of joy by which ho was greeted in all parts showed plainly the delight which his presence caused in tho hearts of tho faithful ; tho poorest, above all, found in II him all the tenderness of the most affectionate father. About this time wo were obliged to assemble 50 4 λ I I r.l » ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. at Nocera in a general chapter, in conformity to the prescriptions of our rule, and the saintly founder was begged to preside there. He accept­ ed the invitation, though he was then overcharged with business. “ This meeting must take place before tho month of October,” ho wrote to Father Villani on the 4th of July, “ because the cold weather will begin then, and it will bo time for me to commend my soul to God, for my chest is much oppressed, and what I suffered last winter forces mo to be on my guard for the future. I beg you then to pray to God for me ; ask him to take pity on an exhausted old man, who can no longer bear the fatigues of tho warfare which must bo gone through daily in a diocese where disorder is so rampant and inveterate as it is hero.” It was then that Alphonso for the first time thought of resigning the burthen of tho episco­ pate, and of retiring to his Congregation for ever. Impressed with the idea that his efforts were in­ adequate for his office, he wrote to the holy Fa­ ther, and represented his great age and infirmities II to him, and entreated him to consent to his re­ tirement and to give him a successor. Ho be­ lieved ho should obtain his request, because he had been told, when he was nominated bishop, that circumstances required that he should ac­ cept the episcopate, and that he could renounce it afterwards ; but this really meant nothing, lie wrote to Father Villani on tho 25th of September, “The Popo has answered that I must not think of quitting my diooese ; he wish­ es that, ill as I am, I should govern it, if from ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. 51 my bed, saying, that that will satisfy him.” He went to Nocera towards the end of September ; in passing by Nola, he stopped at the seminary, where he had no sooner arrived than Canon Crisci begged him to give an exhortation to the semi­ narists. Alphonso complied, and, in a discourse which lasted more than an hour, he exhorted the young people to unite themselves to Jesus Christ, and to fly from sin at all times. He had on a former occasion paid his respects to Mgr. Caracciolo; they were delighted to see each other again, and piously conversed together on the affairs of tho Church at largo, and of their own dioceses in particular. Bishop Caracciolo, as well as our own saint, was an enemy to those pompous titles which were adopted by certain bishops at that time, who mistook the true nature of their functions. Ho related that having been addressed in a letter from one of his colleagues by tho title of Excel­ lency, ho had not returned tho compliment. “You did very right,” replied Alphonso, “I cannot un­ derstand what gave rise to this plaguing Excel­ lency. Tho Council of Trent condescended to grant us tho title of Most Reverend, and now they wish to introduce Most Illustrious. If wo had wished for Excellency wo could have staid at home.” When he entered tho church to visit the blessed Sacrament, ho was given an arm chair which was used by tho bishop ; he refused it, and placed himself on a bench, saying, “ This place befits Don Alphonso,” wishing to show that, not being in his own diocese, ho ought not to usurp any mark of distinction. ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. Our Congregation awaited his arrival with im­ patience, in order that ho might preside at the chapter, and he was punctual in coming. But ho always feared these assemblies, and never failed to prevent them as far as ho could. “ Ho who at another time cannot say anything, and does not deserve to bo heard,” said ho, “becomes a Solomon in chapter, and with one black ball overthrows half a world.” The chapter lasted a month ; the customs and rules already in vig­ our were revised and confirmed. Alphonso took the lead in these deliberations, and everything was done in tho most satisfactory manner. Tho chapter had scarcely terminated when tho saintly bishop set out for St. Agatha : he longed to re­ join his flock ; but his zeal, which was not bound­ ed by tho limits of his diocese, had a new enemy to combat about this time. Father Vincent Patuzzi, a distinguished Do­ minican, unceasingly criticised tho Moral Theol­ ogy of the saintly doctor. Alphonso on his re­ turn from Rome, published a long and learned dissertation, wherein all tho most weighty au­ thorities wore brought forward in support of his system. This work had so much credit amongst tho learned that Father Abbato Prospero Dell’ Aquila, a Virginian, did not hesitate to cite it in his “Theological Dictionary,” as an admirable master-piece. Father Patuzzi, not being willing to give up tho combat, prepared to take up arms again. The librarian Remondini informed his Lordship of his adversary’s preparations. The bishop replied, “I am rejoiced that he is going ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 53 to attack me, for that will serve to show forth the truth more plainly, which is all I seek for.” Ho wrote to this same Rcmondini at another time, “If ho proves that I am wrong, I am ready to retract.” Patuzzi’s work was not an erudito refutation, but a libel under the name of Adolphus Dositheus, and entitled, “ The cause of probabilism reproduced after the exami­ nation of Bishop Liguori, and again convicted of falsity.” Alphonso replied in a learned and moderato address, in which he supported his doctrine by the authority of the canons, the holy Fathers, and most celebrated theologians, principally St. Thomas. Tho distrust he had of his own light led him to seek for that of others ; he dedicated his book to his Holiness Popo Clement XIII., with this declaration : “ I protest that in all which I havo written on this subject, I have no other intention than to make tho truth clear in so grave a matter, on which depends tho good or evil direction of consciences ; and as I had the honour of dedicating my ‘ Moral Theology’ to the Sovereign Pontiff Benedict XIV. some years ago, I venture to present and submit to your Holiness this treatise, which is an ap­ pendix to this same ‘ Moral Theology,’ in order that you may deign to look over it, to correct, modify, and cancel all which may bo opposed to the maxims of the Gospel and to the rules of Christian wisdom.” In this work, wherein Alphonso has shown groat learning, tho author’s humility and mode­ ration are no less clearly proved. Father Pa- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORL r I tuzzi, without regard to the character of the author of the “ Morals, ” treated him as a petty writer, ignorant even of first principles. Ho used such expressions as the following: “It is impos­ sible to understand how you can have so far mistaken the doctrine of St. Thomas.............. Study these questions better, in order that you may not be exposed to the raillery of those who understand them......... You have no just ideas on these things.......... You ought to blush,” &c. &c. Alphonso, far from taking offence at these invectives, thanked Patuzzi, and was satisfied with only proving the falsity of his criticisms ; but his adversary, with a ridiculous impertinence, only replied to these refutations by calling them calumnies. He replied to him as follows: “ If you think that I have calumni­ ated you, what do you wish me to say to you ? I beg your pardon, unfortunate that I am ! I am abused, and then accused of being the cul­ prit.” Alphonso sent this Apology to the bishops and archbishops, as well as to the theological doctors. All united with one voice in praising the system he had defended with such moderation, and in reproving Adolphus for his ill - regulated zeal. Bishop Coppola, of Castellamare, wrote to Al­ phonso, “ My Lord, I assure you with all sin­ cerity, that I know not whether your modesty or your learning have appeared to me the more ad­ mirable. All the world in general, and each ono in particular, sees equally that you write from love of the truth, and not from a thoughtless ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. 55 wish to triumph over your adversaries.” As to the works of Patuzzi, they did him great injury, and Father Longobardi, superior of the Congre­ gation of Pious Workmen, assures us that his partisans themselves blamed his manner of wri­ ting. Bishop Albertini of Caserto, said one day, “I confess in all sincerity that Patuzzi’s indeco­ rous style makes me indignant. In the Apology, on the contrary, I see an edifying spirit of mod­ eration, which knows how to mortify, reprove, and instruct with charity. I hope that others will adopt a stylo so worthy of the humility and charity commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ.” Mgr. Mastrilli, archbishop of Tarento, expresses himself on this subject in the following terms : “ I confess that the Apology, in my opinion, per­ fectly corresponds with the dissertation, and just as the Abbate D’Aquila said that this latter work was a master-piece, so I also call the Apology a master-piece, not only on account of tho theo­ logical learning which one must sec in it, but also because it teaches Catholic controversialists that Christian charity which should be observed in all arguments.” The same feeling was expressed by other bish­ ops of tho kingdom of Sicily and tho States of the Church. Tho Apology * was scarcely printed, before it was spread throughout Italy. “Bcmondini has » If any one wishes to have farther information about the letters which contained these approbations, he will lind the greater portion quoted by Alphonso himself at the end of his Apology. 56 r. .· a f ' » ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. told mo, ’ ’ Alphonso wrote to Father Villani, “ that my book has been received in the most favourable manner. It is already known and sought for throughout all tho kingdom. I bog your Reverence to order our young people to read it, because I do not approve of their relying on my words blindly without taking tho trouble to study them ; it would then be to bo feared, that not being prepared, they would be unable to defend my opinion and their own, if they found themselves attacked by the innovators of our ago ; they ought to know how to reply ; yet I fear that those belonging to us will read other things than my Apology, and that they will bo incapable to refute the objections by which some will endeavour to embarrass them.” Every ono believed, with Alphonso, that tho Dominican fa­ ther would bo open to conviction, but this was not at all tho case, and in presence of a num­ ber of opposers ho would not confess that ho was vanquished. lie sharpened his pen anew, and published another libel, which contained the same abuse as his former writings, only under another form. Alphonso, without departing from II his usual moderation, replied to him on the 16th of January, 1764: “I have received your wellmeant letter, wherein are mingled praises and counsels, admonitions, reproaches, and menaces.” Then, after having apologised for not being able to reply more at length, on account of the busi­ ness of tho diocese, ho adds, “You tell me that you arc astonished, that, while leading an edi­ fying life, (you had better have said that I de- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 57 ceivo the public), I notwithstanding profess an erroneous doctrine. My father, I judge and see precisely the contrary ; I sec that my life is neither good nor exemplary, but full of faults, and on tho contrary I am sure that my system is very wise and certain.” After this he con­ tinued to overthrow his adversary’s objections with admirable skill and learning, and he sup­ ported his arguments principally by St. Thomas and other celebrated writers. Father Patuzzi had compared him to the Cal­ vinists ; “For as they maintain,” said he, “that it is easier to bo saved in their sect, -which denies the necessity of good works, so you say that it is easiest to bo saved in your system, which de­ nies the necessity of following the most certain opinions.” Alphonso replied, “A great many thanks for tho honour your Reverence has con­ ferred on mo in comparing my Apology to a blasphemy of Calvin. Has this opinion of Cal­ vin’s tho smallest moral certainty ? What do I say ? it is not even probable ; much more—it is certainly false, and contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church. What relation is there then between holding an opinion certainly false in a matter of faith, and in holding an opinion morally certain in morals ? ” Adolphus had spoken to him of tho terrible judgments of God. “I confess,” said Alphonso to him, “that I am not a saint, but a poor sinner, and do really tremble in thinking of tho account I shall have to render to God, for having corresponded so ill to such great mercy ; but I do not tremble on 58 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. account of the opinion I have defended. I am tranquil and certain that this opinion cannot damn me, because I hold it to bo irrefutable, and I shall continue to believe it such until your Reverence or others have convinced mo to the contrary.” Father Patuzzi had concluded his letter by warnings ; Alphonso also ended his by good advice: “As your Reverence,” said he, “ counsels me to reflect and to see if I am not guilty before God, for having maintained too in­ dulgent an opinion, permit me, before I conclude my letter, to invito you also, as you are constantly administering the sacrament of penance to so many persons, to examine whether you will not have to give a severer account to God than I, for having followed the rigorous opinion by which you have embarrassed the consciences of your pen­ itents, and have forced them to hold as certainly unlawful that which was not so ; in consequence of which, you may have caused many formal sins to be committed which were not such before God, and occasioned the damnation of many souls,” Patuzzi’s conduct convinced every one that he only acted through party spirit, and that it was useless to take any farther pains in refuting him. “If he attacks you again,” Mgr. Sabbabatino, bishop of Aquila, wrote to Alphonso, “let him talk on ; for my part I believe he will hold his tongue ; otherwise it will seem that ho thinks to win the cause through sophisms and insults.” Bishop Coppola of Castcllamare also wrote to him, “If your adversary will not be silent, I think, my Lord, that you will do well to pay no ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 59 farther attention to it, for you may see that as lie is under tho influence of party spirit, there is no farther hope of causing him to see the truth.” Many other prelates expressed themselves in a similar way, amongst whom I will only cite the bishop of Tarento. “I read in your Apology with pleasure,” he wrote to his saintly colleague, “ that you have resolved not to reply farther to answers which a spirit opposed to the love of the truth may still dictate.” In fine, Father Patuzzi was conquered, but not convinced, and thus the controversy ended. CHAPTER XXII. When Alphonso had made himself thoroughly acquainted with tho state of his diocese, he in­ formed the Pope that he thought he ought to assemble a synod, in order to remedy numerous abuses, and, supported by the approbation of his Holiness, to regulate many things by statute which ho judged necessary. Tho Popo heard his determination with pleasure, and to favour his undertaking, and in order that so pious a work might bear the more fruit, he granted, by his brief of the 21st of June, cum sicut accepimus, a plenary indulgence to whoever, after having confessed, should communicate and visit tho ca­ thedral of St. Agatha on tho opening day of the synod, and also every year on its anniversary. 60 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. I was then at St. Agatha; Alphonso wished me to repair to Naples to consult Bishop Borgia of Aversa about this matter, as well as Fa­ ther Don Janviero Fatigati, tho founder of the Congregation of tho Holy Family. They both disapproved of tho project from valid reasons, and their opinion was shared by several bishops who were friends of our saint. On re­ turning to St. Agatha, I communicated to him the opinion of Bishop Borgia, and that of Fa­ ther Fatigati. He reflected on them for some H time and then replied to mo: “I will accomplish what I wished to regulate in a synod, by simple decrees, and thus I shall not have to fear some unquiet spirit preventing my obtaining tho royal assent at Naples.” After having abandoned his first plan, ho consulted several times tho most judicious members of his clergy, particularly the archdeacon and other dignitaries belonging to tho chapter ; ho also took tho advice of several gen­ tlemen, and thus tho articles which he had pre­ pared for the synodical assembly were replaced by six ordinances, which he promulgated in duo form, and caused to be rigorously observed throughout tho diocese. Tho first decree referred to tho canons, to tho priests of the cathedral, and to tho chaplains. Ecclesiastical discipline of the choir was general­ ly very ill observed at St. Agatha, as well as in tho collegiate establishments, so the bishop, on tho authority of tho bull which Popo Benedict XIV. addressed to Cardinal Delfino, patriarch of Aquileja, showed that neither the daily distribu­ * ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 61 tions nor the probendal revenues could be gained H without chanting and saying the psalms in the manner ordered by the Church ; that also it was impossible for him, without grievously burdening his conscience, to allow the absent to have a part in that which is only due to those who assist in the choir. He told them to recite the psalms with devotion and to observe the pauses ; he subjected to severe correction those who did not observe silence in choir ; ho wished, that after the office had commenced, no one should be able to go out, except to hear confessions or to celebrate tho divino mysteries ; that several masses should not bo said at the same time, but that the priests should succeed each other seasonably, to produce the greatest amount of utility for the people. Ho also exacted that whoever did not assist at tho office and mass for tho dead on All Souls’ Day and tho two following days, which were conse­ crated as anniversaries of deceased bishops and canons, should bo severely censured. He insisted on the prudence which tho holy Council of Trent desires to be used when any necessity occurs of providing a substitute to fill a place in tho choir. Ho also brought forward the decrees of tho Sacred Congregation on tho same subject. Wishing to insure freedom of voting in tho chapter, ho ordered that in grave matters which concerned either the entire body, or some par­ ticular member of the cathedral or college, tho opinions should not bo taken aloud or tumultu­ ously, but by means of secret ballots, which '. Λ ill; fl I■ ' <· * 62 ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. should bo collected by one of the capitulars; and that in cases where there was disagreement H as to the gravity of tho matter in deliberation, tho question should be resolved by the archdea­ con or by tho president of tho chapter. Tho second ordinance refers to the duties of tho archpriests, vicars, and rectors throughout tho diocese. Tho ignorance of children on tho essential points of religion, and tho negligence of the parish priests in instructing them, were a sword of sorrow to tho soul of tho pious bishop. For this reason lie renewed the order given after his first visitation, and required that tho sum­ mary of Christian doctrine composed by himself should bo read twice to the people on every feast day, once at tho parochial mass, and tho other time at some other mass equally frequented. Ho ordered the same thing to bo done by priests who celebrated mass in rural chapels. Ho ordered that on every Sunday morning tho parish priests should give a detailed instruction on tho truths of the faith, especially to tho little children, besides the recital of this little treatise, and that for this they should obtain tho aid of other priests and clerics of the same parish, and that if the incumbent were prevented doing this himself, through some serious indisposition, he should at least try to be present at it in order to be sure that this sacred duty was properly performed. Ho •wished that children should bo made to know tho meaning of tho words their lips uttered, as far as their capacities would allow ; and that they should bo taught the acts MR ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. G3 for tho holy communion for several weeks before Easter, in order to cause them to understand well tho importance of this sacrament, the benefits it procures, and the dispositions it requires. Ho complained of having found children fourteen and fifteen years of age who had not yet made their first communion, and wished that they should be admitted to this sacrament, for the future, when nine or ten years old, or at most twelve years. lie directed that these children should bo taught the acts of faith, hope, charity, and contrition with particular care, and that they should be made to understand how neces­ sary these acts are to salvation. From the de­ sire of inculcating on all the necessity of prayer, which is such a great means of grace, he advised tho parish priests to bo very careful to try to convinco old and young of this truth, and that no ono can bo saved nor obtain God’s aid under temptation, if ho doos not ask for it humbly by prayer. In order to remedy more and more tho great ignorance which existed in tho diocese, even in persons of good station, in regard to the things of faith, ho ordered that all who wished to enter into matrimony should bo examined on tho most essential points, and this indispensably and without distinction. In this ho also acted in concurrence with tho doctrine of Pope Benedict XIV., and he desired that no one, whoever he might be, should obtain permission to marry, if tho curé did not affirm on oath that tho person was well instructed in all those things which a good G4 ‘ * 9 ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI, Christian ought to know. Alphonso attached great importance to this, and it was not an un­ common thing to see him refuse this sacrament to persons who had not fulfilled these conditions. In this same ordinance he set before the paro­ chial clergy their strict obligation of preaching every Sunday. “It is in that,” said he, “that tho care of tho sheep principally consists ; it is that which Jesus Christ has so many times recommencd to all pastors in tho person of St. Peter ; to fail in this precept is to refuse the flock the food which it requires.” He warned the curés that the omission of this duty for an entire month, or frequent interruptions during three months, would render them guilty of mor­ tal sin. Ho wished that, according to the direc­ tion of the Council of Trent, preaching should be familiar and level to tho people’s capacities, lie strongly recommended tho frequent repeti­ tion of eternal truths, and the showing forth tho gravity of sacrilege, and that once a month, to do away with false shame in confessions, a strange confessor should come to the parish. In order to prevent serious evils, which happen only too often, he obliged tho parish priests to receive no promises of betrothal without tho cer­ tainty of a speedy celebration of marriage. Ho also wished that parents should be repeatedly advised not to receive young men into their house who might prove an occasion of scandal to their daughters, and that they should bo re­ minded that this point is a reserved case with excommunication. • Μ ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 65 Ho also repeated tho precept regarding Easter communion, and he ordered that no ono should bo admitted to communion without having been previously examined by his parish priest on the things necessary to salvation ; he also forbade confessors to administer this sacrament to those who were not provided with a certificate. The incumbent was obliged to number all his parish­ ioners, and to give a ticket to each, the presenta­ Ù to be admitted to the tion of which caused them holy communion ; and when paschal time had elapsed the same priest collected together all the tickets, to see who had obeyed the command and who had not: these tickets were not to be receiv­ ed by any other priest. The same rule further prescribed, that those who had not fulfilled their paschal duty should be warned, that they would incur excommunication if they did not do so and in their parish church : communicating in the cathedral did not shelter them from this severe sentence. He ordered that if any person should not have performed this duty by Trinity Sunday, tho incumbent should then report it to the bishop, without delay, whoever it might happen to bo. Besides the paschal duty, the holy bishop thought tho young of both sexes have need of being fortified by the nourishment of tho eucha­ ristie food at other times : he ordered two general communions, tho one on tho Sunday during the octave of the assumption, and the other at Christmas. Tho cause of this regulation was, that ho felt how impossible it is to take too much pains about young people, for if they do not conceive 5 h'-l ■I ! ! G6 ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. a great love for this divine Sacrament at an early period they will only have a distaste for it at a later time. Ho wished that acts of prepara­ tion for the reception of this sacrament should bo suggested to them tho evening before, and that tho graces which it brings with it, and tho strength it gives against falling away, should be explained to them. He had also to repair very great negligences in regard to the Holy Viaticum and to Extreme Unction. Ho warned the parish priests never to omit the administration of tho Viaticum every time a sick person was in danger of death, and to give Extreme Unction, according to the directions of Benedict XIV., every time any serious illness occurred. The parish priests were reminded, that, according to the Roman Catechism, they sinned grievously if they did not administer Extremo Unction till the dying person has lost the use of his senses. There was also much abuse in the way of ful­ filling the obligations of perpetual masses. In order to remedy this the incumbents, rectors, and other priests were ordered to have a list in the sacristy, in which should be noted, together with tho founders’ names, the days and tho altars at which these masses ought to bo celebrated. “ If the dead can no longer watch over their own interests,” said Alphonso, “it is for us to take care of them. This list ought to be exposed so as to be seen by all incumbents, to avoid any forgetfulness.” It was ordered that when a legacy was left in favour of a church, the payment should be required from tho heirs in a month after the ST. ALPHONSO LIOUORL 67 death of the testator, and that in case of refusal recourse should be had to a competent judge to compel them, or else tho bishop should be in­ formed of tho refusal. It was forbidden to accept of any legacy without first informing the bishop, who had to decido whether it was right to ac­ cept it, and whether tho priests of the church to which the bequest was made could satisfy the conditions imposed by tho testator. Besides this, it was prescribed that a list of the foundations should be made every ton years, and of which ono copy was to bo remitted to the heirs, and tho other deposited in the hands of the chapter. Tho bishop was also to be immediately informed of tho death of benefactors by tho rural deans. Ono article of this same ordinance enjoined, that a list of reserved cases should be read to tho people at mass on Holy Thursday. Another suppressed the serious abuse of giving to the clergy, and much more to tho laity, the keys of * the holy sepulchre. And further, it was made of strict obligation not to entrust the holy oil, which had to bo sent from the cathedral to tho paro­ chial clergy, to any but priests, or at least to clerics in holy orders. On the authority of Popo Benedict XIV. the holy bishop reminded the incumbents of the ob­ ligation they were under, 1st, To say mass for the people on all Sundays and feast-days, notwith­ standing any abuse or custom to the contrary, and this too even if they had not a sufficient revenue ; 2ndly, To warn any of their parishioners whom they knew to be living in mortal sin, or to G8 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI, be in imminent danger of falling into it, even though it were at the risk of their own lives, and this not only in cases of extremo necessity, but every time that a grave sin was in question ; and in order to excite tho incumbents’ zeal as much as possible, ho threatened to punish their negligence by depriving them of tho proceeds of their benefico. The last docrec of this second ordinance was to repress tho abuses of which we have already spoken in regard to residence. The holy bishop warned tho incumbents that they could not remain absent from their parishes without some urgent cause and without the approbation of the bishop, whoso approval they must also obtain for those whom they wished to bo their substitutes, and that whoever should not attend to this rule would commit a grave sin, and would bo bound to give up tho proceeds of his living during the tiAo of his absence to tho poor of the parish or to the funds of the Church. Ho looked on those who neglected their principal duties as equally culpable, and punished them with tbo same penalty, and this must bo understood, according to the decree of tho Council of Trent, of those who remain for two months without preaching and administering the sacraments. In fine, ho strictly charged the incumbents to live in the presbytery or a neighbouring house, in order to be ready to attend to their parishioners with promptness. Alphonso addressed tho third regulation to all confessors, secular and regular. He reminded ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 69 them of tho necessity they lay under to study II moral theology ; ho showed them that it is not enough for a confessor to have obtained the faculties requisite, but he must also possess the knowledge which these difficult functions demand. Ho ordered them to belong to some congregation for discussing cases of conscience, the secretaries of which were bound to let him know, at tho end of Juno and December, tho names of those who had failed to attend tho meetings. lie ordered them not to omit to ask parents if they sent their children to be catechised, and to refuse thorn absolution if they would not do it, warning them of its being a reserved case ; and not to admit any of tho faithful to confession in paschal time who wore uninstructed in points of faith, and not provided with tho certificate of their parish priest. Ho especially wished tho confessors to interro­ gato those who confessed seldom, or whose con­ sciences were not known to them. Ho told them to refuso absolution to any one who was in a proximato and voluntary occasion of sin, until the penitent had quitted tho occasion ; and in case of necessity tho absolution was to be deferred at least until this occasion had changed from prox­ imato to remoto. Πο also caused absolution to bo refused to tho young of both soxes who court each other and live under tho same roof, though no evil had been known to como of it. “ That II which has not yet been done, may bo done,” said his Lordship, Ho wished above all that absolution should bo refused to heads of families ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. . » .. I who permitted such intercourse, and that they should bo reminded of the excommunication they incurred, and of its being a reserved case. He enjoined confessors not to absolve back­ sliding or habitual sinners, especially blasphe­ mers, except they gave extraordinary signs of contrition. The physicians caused him much uneasiness on account of the great number of sick people who died without the sacraments, or who did not re­ ceive them until they had lost the use of their senses. Ho inculcated on confessors tho duty of reminding physicians of the strict obligation It which the bull of Popo Pius V. imposed on them, of ordering tho sacraments to bo adminis­ tered to those of their patients whom they found after a third visit to bo in danger or likely to become so ; and they were also to bo reminded that if they mot with sick people who resisted this, they ought, according to tho same bull, to cease to visit them until they had satisfied tho wants of their soul. Ho condemned the facility with which many confessors grant absolution to venial sins, with­ out being certain that tho penitent repents of them and is resolved to amend ; ho wished that in case of doubt the penitent should accuso him­ self of some grave sin already confessed, in order to be sure that there was matter for the sacra­ ment. He also warned them not to impose a penance under pain of mortal sin when they fore­ saw difficulty in its accomplishment. Ho advised confessors to exhort their penitents to frequent ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 71 prayer ; above all, if they often fell into mortal sin, to recommend them to invoke the sacred names of Jesus and Mary unceasingly in temp­ tation, and often to ask God’s grace in order that they might persevere in virtue, lie charged the H to teach briefly the exercise of mental prayer to those whom they saw were most disposed to piety, especially to tho young of both sexes. He exhorted them above all to inculcate devotion to our Blessed Lady, the recitation of tho Ro­ sary, as well as three Aves night and morning in invocation of tho Mother of perseverance. After this followed tho third ordinance, which only regarded secular priests. He wished them all to join a congregation of cases of conscience, and told them the way in which they ought to conduct themselves therein. Confessors who wished to have their faculties continued were to exhibit proofs of their assiduity at the confer­ ences, otherwise they would bo excluded from all claim to benefices, and would not be per itted to bo candidates for vacant parishes. Alphonso renewed tho threat of suspension ipso facto for all who should finish mass, even one of requiem, or a votive one of tho Blessed Virgin, in less than a quarter of an hour. He reminded them of the serious obligation they were under of saying masses due for tho living within tho space of two II .onths, and within one month for tho dead. He recommended them to make a suitable preparation for mass, and not to neg­ lect to otter up a thanksgiving of a quarter of an hour at least, if not half an hour. Ho strictly 72 » V* * I ST. ALPHONSO LIGÜORI. prohibited all sort of conversation in going to or from tho sacristy when vested ; an abuse which many fell into without scruple. Ho ordered tho rectors of churches to have a book in the sacristy, in which tho masses which had been founded were to bo distinctly noted down, with tho names of tho testators, and he wished that as those masses wore said, a note II should bo made of it in tho registry. In accord­ ance with tho wishes of Popo Benedict XIV. ho gave directions for tho crucifix to bo placed upon the altar during mass in such a position that it might be seen by the people. Ho reminded them of tho suspension ipso facto II ­ which all in holy orders incur by amusing them selves at games of chance, such as cards, dice, or such like ; tho same penalty would bo incurred for any other game in which they engaged pub­ licly. Ho equally forbade hunting with a gun or nets, at least without the writton permission of tho bishop, which never extended to days of obligation. Ho forbade acting in comedies, oven if tho piece were a sacred one, and it were done in a private house, under pain of suspen­ sion if tho cleric were in holy orders, and of disability to receive them if ho wore still in minor orders. Ho also forbade them to be present at tho award of the contracts for farming tho exciso and tho other taxes, or to take any part in it, even indirectly, under a borrowed name, or in concert with others. Lastly, ho exhorted all the clerics to second their parish priests in the instructions on Chris- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 73 II tian doctrine, and promised to befriend them in the collations to livings, &c. Tho sixth decree (we shall speak of the fifth in tho chapter on candidates for ordination) aims at providing for that which was becoming in regard to tho clerical dress and tonsure. In virtue of tho bull of Popo Alexander III. he forbade the hair to be studiously arranged, curled, or perfumed ; it was to bo worn flat, without covering the neck or the ears ; the clerics were obliged to wear it short like the seminarists, under pain of being excluded from orders. The priest’s tonsure was to bo of the size of a large host ; it was to bo smaller for deacons, and so on in proportion for tho inferior clergy, but in no case should it bo less than a small host ; and all were to havo it renewed every fifteen days. It was forbidden to wear a coloured great coat or cloak ; ho permitted it however in the country or in travelling, but only to priests, and provided tho great coat was not trimmed with galloon or other ornaments. Ho also forbade shirt ruffles, and plaited lace called “girandoles.” He ordered all tho clerics in minor orders to wear in town nothing but tho cassock quite closed in front, and not like a zimarra; and when they presented themselves for ordination they were obliged to havo a certificate from their parish priest, attesting that they had worn no other dross since they received the first orders. In conclusion, it was proscribed that priests should wear tho cassock, according to tho decree of tho canons, from the month of May to the 1 >> ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. month of October inclusively, under pain of suspension ipso facto: but from the month of November until the end of April they wore allowed to have short habits, on account of tho bad weather and the quantity of mud in tho streets, especially if they had to celebrate tho sacred offices in distant places. Such is the summary of the decisions which Bishop Liguori felt it necessary to make for the good of his clergy and diocese, although he did not hold a synod. lie confessed that, in conse­ Cl quence of tho circumstances of tho times, he had not acted after tho rigour of tho ancient canons, but he also declared that in proportion to his indulgence from this cause would be his severity towards transgressors. “Any kind of contempt for myself does not affect me at all,” said ho ; “on tho contrary, I thank God for it ; but I cannot suffer any disregard for my ordi­ nances.” It was because ho considered their ex­ ecution as tho basis and foundation of tho good which ho desired to preserve in his Church, and of tho reforms which he intended to introduce into it. He therefore was very attentive in watching to see that they were kept, and not satisfied with the reports which were addressed to him by tho vicars, who wore specially bound to attend to what went on in tho different parts of tho diocese, he commissioned certain persons to inform him privately of all kinds of infraction of those ordinances. When ho saw that the offences were in consequence of contempt of his wishes, he acted with severity, and more than ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOIU. 75 one parish priest suffered an exemplary punish­ ment in consequence. One was deprived of the revenues of his parish ; another, for having twice failed to be present at the meetings of the dis­ cussion of moral cases, was sent for by the bishop, It who reprimanded him with severity, keeping him standing while the interview lasted. Canon Verzalla, who was a witness of this scene, and was II at that time secretary to tho bishop, told me that ho heard him say, that nothing pained hi] II more than tho neglect of tho conferences on moral cases and of the Saturday sermon in honour of tho most Blessed Virgin. CHAPTER XXIII. One of tho greatest evils which Alphonso re­ marked during his pastoral visitation, was the spiritual abandonment in which thousands of souls were to be found who were dispersed about the country, and above all, in the neighbour­ hood of St. Agatha. Tho population of this town and its environs amounted to more than twentyfour thousand inhabitants, who were scattered about in a number of villages, hamlets, and farm­ houses. In the suburbs and villages there were not less than two hundred families, who com­ prised all together more than thirteen hundred souls. 76 ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. This considerable population, who lived some II miles from the town, formed what is called the parish of St. Thomas ; it is divided into several II sections separated from each other. Some of II these sections are four or five miles from the church, which occasions serious inconveniences, for while the heat of summer causes tho access to church to bo very painful, winter renders it nearly impossible. Snow and rain, tho torrents, and above all, tho bad state of tho roads, were sufficient reasons for a groat number to exempt themselves from assisting at mass ; in a word, the old and very young never saw their parish priest. There was no catechising for tho young, nor instruction for tho adults ; and what is worse, nearly all tho sick were deprived of the Viaticum and Extreme Unction. Alphonso griev­ ed over such a deplorable state of things ; he wept over it before God, and with his peace of mind ho also lost his sleep. He often assembled tho most respectable members of tho chapter together, to ask their advice, and to seek for some means of remedying so great an evil ; but they were all content to sigh over a state of things which they believed themselves unable to change. Tho vigilant bishop examined into the numerous benefices of Santa Vita. As they were all of free gift, and till then had only been conferred on clerics attached to the bishop, or on strangers, he determined to divide tho parish of St. Thomas, and to form three others, which should bo sup­ ported by means of these benefices. Tho exe­ cution of this project was far from being an ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. 77 easy matter, but our saint’s zeal and constancy triumphed over all obstacles. The situation of the places led him to establish a parish con­ nected with tho ancient church of St. Peter, surnamed of Romagnano, which is a mile from the farm-houses of Lovanio, in which there are more than four hundred souls. He joined to them tho country places or villages called Fagnano, Lamia, and Albaneso. Ho formed a second parish around the Church of the Annunciation, which was more than four miles from that of St. Thomas. This parish extends to tho confines of Durazzano and of Bagnoli, and embraces tho small towns called la Rocca, la Porta di Ferrari, and la Peschievia, which contain altogether more than ninety-three families, or six hundred souls. This church belongs to the town of St. Agatha. Tho bishop did not let tho magistrates rest until they had agreed to establish a parish priest there. Ho founded a third parish in union with a church dedicated to St. Michael, in the village of Laiano. This latter was tho most distant from the parish of St. Thomas, and there were more than four hundred souls in it who had no spiritual assist­ ance whatever. These three parishes being thus formed, all the other little hamlets of Faggiano, Verruni, Cologna, and Cerreto, with tho country about Pis­ citelli and Cotugni, remained attached to tho ancient parish of St. Thomas, though they even were two miles from this church. It was thus that Alphonso provided for tho wants of these destitute souls. lie succeeded in endowing them 78 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. with considerable revenues, in order that tho best priests might bo willing to go there, and might have no pretext for exempting themselves from perfectly fulfilling the duties of their sacred ministry. There is a place called Cancello, within three miles of Arienzo, tho environs of which are peo­ pled by a great number of families, who are all dispersed about in various estates. It is said that this was formerly the rural district of the ancient Suessola, and the curé who serves tho church has even now the title of archpriest. As Cancello is dependant on tho parish of St. Felix of Arienzo, which is four miles distant at the least, the inhabitants for the most part died with­ out any religious aid. Alphonso was distressed at this serious evil, and after he had searched into the records, he resolved to make a parochial chapel of the one which is to bo found there, and which is dedicated to St. Peter. The Duke of Maddalon possessed largo farms on this domain. This pious nobleman was willing to concur in tho execution of the bishop’s project. Philip, count of Correto, tho young duke’s tutor, fol­ lowed his example. His Lordship on finding him­ self thus seconded, hastened to begin the work and to establish a baptistry there ; but ho was hindered by tho opposition of Vincent Mauro, archpriest of Cancello and incumbent of St. Nicho­ las, in the village of St. Mary do Vico. It became necessary to proceed in another manner. The duke gave twelve ducats yearly for the celebration of mass at Cancello on Sundays and festivals, ST. Λ and in order that the same priest might con­ sent to preach there and teach the catechism to the children, the bishop assigned him six ducats out of his own income ; he presented a beautiful missal to tho church, as well as other books for the celebration of the offices, and he promised tho priest besides not to forget him when a vacancy should occur in tho livings. At tho foot of Mount Tifati, which is also dependant on Arienzo, arc to be found the villages of Carpinetto, Crisci, Busciano, and Signorminico, which contain more than eight hundred souls, whose dwellings aro very distant from each other, and more than a milo from tho parish of St. Andrew. Tho inundations which devastate this part of tho country during winter, also pre­ vent the inhabitants from hearing mass, and de­ prive them of the sacraments. Alphonso resolved to establish a church in the village of Crisci, which is situated in the centre of them, to place the Blessed Sacrament there, and to make it a chapel of case for the archpriest of St. Andrew, lie obtained some ground from tho chapter; ho himself gave tho sum of twenty ducats, and the faithful of those places undertook tho building of the church themselves. Tho walls were already built up very high, and all promised to bo soon finished, when his Lordship was attacked by a serious illness, and was obliged to leave this work unfinished, to his great regret; and tho inhabi­ tants, not knowing how to appreciate the results of this undertaking, ceased to labour at it. There was also a hermitage at Arienzo, which I I I I I I I I I I 80 ■ ·* 9 * A I ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. belonged to tho see, and was dedicated to St. Mark, As it is surrounded with numerous villages, and is about two miles from the parish of St. Nicholas, and three from that of St. Felix, tho faithful of these places also awakened tho solicitude of their bishop. He or­ dered Don Dominic Piscitelli, who went there to celebrate mass on all festivals, to give a sermon and to catechise at tho same time, and, besides tho fee which was allowed to him for tho mass, he assigned six ducats to him. There were a great number of souls on the estate of Frascio who could not easily receive spiritual assistance on account of their distance from church ; ho wished to obviate this by divi­ ding tho parish, and by placing in a church which already existed there a rector, whoso parish should be dependant on the mother church. The archpriest opposed this in the most obstinate manner •I ; he even had recourse to the prince, and positively refused to contribute anything towards the salary of the rector, or to tho things neces­ sary for the service of tho church. Alphonso was in nowise discouraged. “Please to say to tho archpriest,” he wrote to the head of the chapter, Petti, “that if he will not yield, I am resolved to pursue the matter, and I believe that I have tho right of establishing at least a chapel of ease for the spiritual good of these people, so that they may bo able to go to confession in tho neighbourhood, to hear a sermon every Sunday, to pay a visit to the blessed Sacrament, and to perform novenas and other exercises of devotion. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 81 I am certain none of these things are practised at present, on account of tho great distance and the mountainous route which they must take, above all in bad weather. The expense will not stop me, oven though it should amount to four or five hundred ducats, because I think that tho glory of God is concerned. Represent all these things to him properly, and try to prevail on him by gentleness, otherwise we shall bo able to do no­ thing, because the man is obstinate, always loaded with debt, and does not like to spend money except after his own fancy.” Alphonso however could not bring his plan to a happy termination on account of tho great impediments which un­ expectedly arose in his way, but still more on account of his resignation of the episcopacy. Our saint’s zeal was not even satisfied by having provided for the good of so many souls by his wise regulations ; for if he had been able, ho would have given a pastor to each of his sheep : ho was careful that in many other rural chapels, which were distant from the parish churches, tho word of God should never fail to bo heard. “If the car is not struck,” said he, “ the door of tho heart does not open.” He himself supplied what was necessary for the maintenance of these chaplains, as they have themselves tes­ tified, and especially Dominic Moscati and Joseph Piscitelli. We should never have done were we to relate all the measures which tho holy bishop employed for tho advantage of parishes. A number of churches, where the revenues wore inadequate, 6 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. were by his care endowed with rentals and bene­ fices, taken from several others which were su­ perabundantly provided. By these means ho H attracted a number of meritorious priests, who till then had been kept at a distance through fear and distress. CHAPTER XXIV. Alphonso became ill at the close of the disas­ trous year 17G4, exhausted with austerity and fatigue. Tho fever made such rapid progress, that his life was shortly despaired of, and they hastened to administer tho Viaticum and Ex­ tremo Unction to him. Every ono was greatly affected at seeing tho Bishop of St. Agatha die on straw, between two sheets of coarse cloth, and covered with all tho emblems of poverty. The Dominican Father, Caputo, assisted him on one side, and tho Dean, Evangelist Daddio, on tho other; the sick man with a dying voice asked them to suggest some sentiments of lovo to him. The Dominican Father tried to suggest some holy thought, but tears stifled his voice, and ho could not uttor a single word. Tho dean then said to him, “My Lord, when St. Martin was near death, ho addressed the following prayer to God : ‘ Lord, if I am still of use to Thy people, I refuse not to work;’ ” and Alphonso who could scarcely move his lips, immediately repeated, “ Non recuso laborem. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 83 No children over wept more bitterly at the sight of a father’s death-bed, than the inhab­ itants of St. Agatha did at the prospect of so soon losing their bishop. His charity for his people had been shown in so touching a manner during the famine, that the poor es­ pecially seemed as if they would do violence to Heaven by their cries to obtain the re­ covery of their common father’s health. Pub­ lic prayers were had in every place throughout the diocese. Several religious communities at Naples offered up novenas and other prayers in common and in particular, in order that the Lord would deign to restore the pastor to his diocese, or rather to the whole Church, which was interested in his preservation. H As the invalid’s danger had been seen from tho first, it was proposed to send for a physician from Naples, but ho would not hear of it, saying that his life was not worth so much trouble, and that ho ought to employ tho physicians of St. Agatha, since God had given them to him. Ne­ vertheless, his brother Hercules was no sooner informed of his state than ho camo to see him, accompanied by two of tho first doctors of tho capital. The bishops of the neighbourhood were not tho only ones who hastened to visit tho holy prelate. Bishop Borgia and Bishop Pallanto of San Severo hurried from Naples, where they were at the time. Many distinguished persons both in and out of tho diocese were equally con­ cerned about his health. Tho Chevalier Negroni sent an express onco every day from Caserto to I I* ; 84 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. inquire for him. Alphonso required quinine, and he himself undertook to procure him some of the ibest quality, tho same as what the king used. Alphonso escaped from death at last, but it may truly bo said that his recovery was a recom­ pense for the tears of tho poor, and it was plainly seen that God wished,' for the salvation of his a flock, to preserve his life, of which they had still tho greatest need. God manifested Ilis servant’s sanctity during his illness by a miracle. One day while he was still in bed, he received a visit from tho canon, Don Charles Bumon, who brought him some fig­ peckers which he had shot. Ho was accom­ panied by his nephew, who, although about four years old, could not say a single word. Tho little child presented tho birds to his Lordship, who told tho brother who waited on him to give him some sweet-meats, and address’ ing the canon, asked what was his nephew’s name ; the uncle replied that the child was called Thomas, but that ho could not yet speak, and I· ' . that they believed he would continue to bo dumb. • Ilis Lordship immediately made tho sign of the cross on the child’s forehead, and taking a pic­ ture of our Lady of Power, of whom there were several engravings near his bed, he gave it to Thomas to kiss, and asked him what this Lady was called. The child kissed the picture, and his tongue being unloosed at the moment, ho replied, “ Tho Madonna.” Alphonso turned to tho canon, and to conceal tho miracle, said to him, “ This child is not dumb ; it is true that . 1 ‘W. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 85 there is an impediment in his speech, but you will see that it will gradually disappear.” From that time tho child recovered tho use of speech, • in fact, ho articulated every sound perfectly, and asked for all that ho wanted. All St. Agatha wondered at the miracle, and conceived a still higher opinion of their bishop than before. The doctors foreseeing tho tediousness of his recovery, and fearing that if ho wero not en­ tirely set up before tho autumn, ho would lan­ guish all the winter, advised him to go for a change to tho more salubrious air of Nocera. This proposition alarmed him. “ I cannot go far from my residence,” said ho; “let us place ourselves in tho hands of tho Lord, and He will do the rest.” Father Villani- was then at St. Agatha ; every ono with ono accord tried to in­ duce him to uso his authority over his penitent, and it required a command from tho holy priest to cause Alphonso to consent to go to Nocera. From tho time that Alphonso was among the congregation again, ho never failed, even though not well, to follow all tho exercises of tho com­ munity the same as the rest ; he resumed his scientific occupations at tho same time without allowing himself a moment’s relaxation. Don Joseph Messina, a priest and his confidant, asked him to play the harpsichord ono day. “ What will bo said,” replied his Lordship, “if I pass my time at an idle instrument in placo of employing it in thinking of my diocese ? My duty and that of every bishop is to give audience to all, to pray, to study, and never to play the harpsichord.” 8G ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. He was constantly visited by ecclesiastics and gentlemen who wished to profit by his counsels or to enjoy his conversation. Bishop Borgia de la Cava often camo to converse with him, and Bishop Volpé of Nocera came still more frequent­ ly, so that one may say that he hardly knew how to steal the time ho required for the works ho had undertaken. He preached a sermon in our church each Saturday in honour of tho Blessed Virgin Mary ; and from time to time he was called on to give familiar instructions to nuns in their convents. Tho rector caused him to be treated with some distinction in regard to food, not because he was a bishop, but because of his indisposition ; these attentions were a martyr­ dom to tho founder of tho congregation. He wished to have no distinction whatever made be­ tween himself and the rest of tho community, and the Lord, to second his wishes in some degreo, permitted him to suffer on one occasion a mortifying neglect. Alphonso ato in an upper room, and as he did not take wine, ho asked for a glass of water ; tho brother who was waiting on him saw a vase which was full of it, and pre­ sented it to him ; Alphonso took it and drank it without any notice, but Father Apicolli, who was beside him, smelt a bad odour, and saw that the vase was filled with corrupted water, which had been used for keeping flowers in a few days before. Alphonso did not show any displeasure, or say a word to find fault with one who had waited on him so badly. Once when he was saying mass in tho domes- i I | I ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 87 tic chapel of Mary of Sorrows, and had come to the Psalm Judica me Deus, he cast his eyes on tho statue, and suddenly broke off and stopped in the middle of the words he had commenced. Father Siviglia, who served his II ass, thinking he was distracted, wished to recall him to the place again ; he said the end of tho verse, but Al­ phonso did not say a word ; tho father repeated it a second and a third time without success ; at last he raised his eyes, and saw that Alphonso was in an ecstasy. It was not till after tho father had shaken him several times by pulling him by the albe that he continued the Psalm. Though far from St. Agatha, the holy bishop had tho wants of his dioceso before him at every instant ; and as ho wished to bo informed of everything, couriers set out from Nocera con­ stantly, and others arrived there from bis grand­ vicar and the parish priests of the district. Many among tho laity also had recourse to him. Ono day ho received as many as eight couriers, to all of whom ho gave an answer, so that one matter was hardly ended ere he began another. Ouo day when ho was conversing with Bishop Volpé, ho observed that ho was looking pensive : “What is tho matter,” ho said to him, “I see that you are uneasy.” “It is because I am a bishop,” replied Alphonso. “I hear that there is a wretched person whom I sent out· of the dioceso on account of her disorderly life, and now she is endeavouring to re-enter it.” Tho news of this attempt tormented him so much, that he, without regard for his health, hastened 88 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOKI. his return to St. Agatha to cause this scandal to disappear. Ho had already been nearly a month at Nocora, Bishop Volpé bogged him to remain a few days longer. “My dear bishop,” Alphonso said to him, “ God wills that I should bo at St. Agatha and not at Nocera ;” and as tho prolato insisted on it, “I cannot, I cannot,” Alphonso repeated with agitation, “ I cannot do it, for I have overwhelming scruples already.” Our prayers and those of his friends were unable to retain him, and he immediately set out for St. Agatha. As ho had suffered a groat deal du­ ring the preceding winter from coughs and af­ fections of the chest, tho doctors advised him to retire to Arienzo, as it had a bettor climate : ho yielded, but tho inhabitants of St. Agatha were distressed at this withdrawal, which afflicted him oro as tho physicians wished him to remain there for a long; time. “ They are much dissat­ isfied hero,” ho wrote to Father Villani, on tho 25th of Juno, 1765, “that I must pass tho com­ ing winter at Arienzo ; it is a great cause of regret to me also, for I have tho cathedral and chapter at St. Agatha, and, what is of more consequence, tho seminary ; but on tho other hand, I have been ill for tho last two winters ; for this reason I have been advised to pass this one at Arienzo, in a house of St. Mary do Vico, where tho air is not so damp as it is here. My greatest disquietude is in quitting St. Agatha for such a long time ; tho evils which afflict that town will perhaps become still greater through my absence. I wish to have your opinion, to ST. ALPHONSO LIGI take away my fears.” Father Villani, as well as Bishop Borgia, Bishop Volpé, and others whom ho had consulted, wished him to banish every scruple and go to Arienzo. When his health was re-established, he recom­ menced his visitation. Father Villani forbade him to make use of his straw-bed during the visita­ tion, in consideration of his great infirmities, his ago, and tho numerous maladies which had ex­ hausted his strength, and wished him to use whatever bed Providence might send him wher­ ever ho went. Alphonso obeyed, but this sub­ mission cost him a great deal when ho had no fever, for then ho thought that he enjoyed too good health. Ho wrote to Father Villani from St. Agatha on tho 25th of September: “By the mercy of God I am entirely recovered, and I go to Arienzo on Sunday.” Ho was scarcely re­ covered, (this must bo understood with reference to his infirmities,) when ho recommenced his penances and macerations ; the delicacy of his conscience would not allow him to do so without tho sanction of his director, so ho wrote to Fa­ ther Villani on the 28th of October, saying, “ I have not slept on straw again, but tho milk diet has quite restored mo, and so if you will permit · it, I wish to resume tho straw-bed. It has been necessary to apply another blister, for tho first has dried up. I have begun to wear tho chains on tho part where tho old ono has been taken away. I bog for your blessing.” Ho also said in another letter, “ I have only taken boiled moat at dinner till now, leaving the first dish 90 ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. untouched ; but as I am obliged only to eat once a day, I have consulted Father Maj one, and he has told mo to take a second dish. In case the boiled meat is sufficient, and that tho meat is tender, (for it is often tough,) and I cannot oat much bread, as it is bad for mo, I wish to ask your Reverence, as my principal director, to allow mo to eat the bouilli only. If you do not approve of my request, I will submit to your decision.” CHAPTER XXV. Alphonso’s mind was agitated by painful anxi­ eties at this time. Every day ho heard of tho great number of evil books which spread their contagious influence in tho transalpino countries, and particularly in France, to tho great injury of religion and of tho state ; these disorders left him no repose. Ho especially deplored the clandestine introduction of these books into Italy by the librarians of Naples, who spread them through the provinces ; ho was principally alarmed at tho poisonous writings of Voltaire and J. J. Rous­ seau, who were both sworn enemies of tho Church and state. He was constantly protesting against them to the court, from his anxiety to sco this evil remedied, and ho entreated tho Marquesses of Marco and Panucci to forbid tho importation and the sale of those works. He enforced on confessors and preachers tho duty of inspiring a ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 91 horror of such reading, and ho especially com­ manded this to be done by our missionaries and by those who went through tho provinces. Samuel Basnage’s abominable book made him very un­ easy, and ho grieved over the great mischief it caused to ill-instructed Catholics. He would have liked to enter tho lists against this dangerous writer, and there is no doubt that he would have discomfited him, but his great age and the weight of tho episcopacy left him neither strength nor time for it. He manifested to Father de Reo of our congregation, his desire to see him labour to refuto at least his errors as to matters of re­ ligion. “I have a work on hand,” he wrote •I to him, “from which I have made many inter­ esting extracts against the Jansenists ; I should 'like to see you also take up arms against these pestilential people ; above all, I beg you not to lose sight of tho unhappy Basnage. What you would write on this subject would bo read by tho whole Church.”* Cardinal Spinelli had indu­ ced tho same father to support an academy which he had established to combat tho errors of Basnago. Our Saint was especially grieved at seeing books which affected tho purity of the Gospel put forth by false Catholics. “There is nothing,” said he, “ which is so pernicious to souls and to tho * Father Don Alexander would have patisfied Alphonso’s wishes, if he had not been engaged with his grand work, the Annals of the Kingdom, at the time. We have a very learned refutation of Anthony Arnauld by this father, however, on frequent communion ; he composed it in defence of our Saint against Aristasio. Γ ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. » Church as error concealed under the mask of a specious evangelical perfection.” lie alluded to the Jansenists in particular. Ho said, “ These arc more dangerous enemies than Luther and Calvin, because they arc hidden, and one does not avoid them.—Be on your guard,” he repeated, “ against Anthony Arnauld, who makes a show of sanctity, and appears only to seek for purity and perfection in order to bo able to approach com­ munion aright, while ho has no other intention than to keep the faithful away from this sacra­ ment, which is the only support of our weakness.” lie was again attacked in tho controversies of the day, on account of his moral theology ; Fa­ ther Sapio of the Oratory, wrote to him that Fathers Patuzzi and Gonzales were armed against him. “Let them do as they please,” replied' Alphonso on the 7th of January, 17GG, “I did not write to gain honour, but only to make known tho truth. If what I have written is convincing, it is well ; if it is otherwise, I do not wish- to bo victorious by obstinacy, as Father Patuzzi has accused me of doing. I regret that the learned have a prejudice that ho who does not write to defend tutiorism, so in fashion in our days, is not well informed. The ultramontane party has spread in many Catholic countries ; it tri­ umphs, and souls go to their ruin. Lot us pray God to put a stop to this. A book has been published, entitled, Tho Realization of tho Project of Bourg-Fontaine, which shows tho Jansenists’ intention of overthrowing tho Church ; this book is important, because it proves every- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 93 thing by authentic passages, your Reverence must procure and read it ; I repeat that this is a book of great importance, the Jesuit fathers will be able to reap great advantage from it.” He was also transported with indignation against tho sect of tho Freemasons. “ This sect,” said he, with tears in his eyes, “will cause evil, not only to tho Church, but also to king­ doms and sovereigns. Kings do not attend to them, but they will recognise their fatal negli­ gence when too late. Freemasons act against God at present, and they will soon attack kings.” Besides addressing a great number of letters on this subject to tho members of tho regency es­ tablished at Naples, after King Charles III. had quitted this town, he also wrote to Cardinal Sersalo to get him to use all his influence, in order to free Naples and the provinces from this abominable sect. Ho composed his great work on the Truth of tho Faith at this time against the unbelievers of modern times. IIo said on this occasion in a letter to Father Sapio, which wo mentioned be­ fore, “ I am engaged in writing a completo work against tho modern errors of deists and materi­ alists. I have already finished a great part. Re­ commend mo to God, and pray that IIo may aid mo to write so as to undeceive a number of poor young pcoplo who aro infected with these errors, principally by the bad books which aro con­ tinually coming from Franco, and aro introduced hero by men of a certain party. We must weep and pray over the poor Church, which is thus 94 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. attacked ; let us have confidence however, porta) inferi non prævalobunt. I am going to publish another book on all tho heresies ; it seems to mo to be tolerably good, but as it is a tedious la­ bour, I do not know if I shall over bo able to finish it.” It caused him tho greatest sorrow to see tho infallibility of tho Pope attacked and questioned. As ho perceived that tho greatest argument •I which was made use of at that time against this dogma, was drawn from the declaration of tho Assembly of Paris in 1682, ho undertook to re­ futo it ex professo, in a treatise which ho pub­ lished under tho title of ‘‘ Reflections on tho De­ claration of tho Assembly of Franco, on tho sub­ ject of tho infallibility of the Sovereign Pontiff.” lie proved tho Popo’s infallibility therein, as a matter of faith, by tho authority of tho holy fa­ thers, and oecumenical councils, and how little value was to bo attached to this Declaration, as the assembly had not been a general one, but only consisted of forty-four bishops met together by the command of Louis XIV., who, in retal­ iation for the Pope’s having refused him the re­ venues of tho vacant bishoprics, convoked to­ gether this small number of bishops, forbade the doctors of the Sorbonne to make any opposition, and ordered tho adhering bishops to teach this same doctrine in their dioceses. Ho also proved how little authority this same Declaration has, even by tho confession of many among the French, who before and afterwards agreed to maintain tho infallibility·, he added, besides, that forty- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 95 four bishops themselves assured tho Pope in a H protest, that they had not intended to condemn tho contrary opinion. This treatise produced II such an effect, that tho Gallicans themselves sounded its praises. Another thing caused him much sorrow, and that was the storm which was raised up through­ out Europe against the Jesuits. He wrote to the Father Provincial de Matteis as follows : “ I have not received any tidings about tho affairs of your society : I feel almost as much uneasi­ ness as if it related to our little congregation. A society is menaced which one may say has sanctified all tho world, and which continues unceasingly to sanctify it.” As tho calumnies went on making most sad progress, and there re­ mained no doubt that this celebrated society would bo soon suppressed; the holy bishop felt nearly dead through sorrow. “The Church,” said he, “is called the vineyard of Jesus Christ, but if tho workmen who have to cultivate and preserve it are taken away, it will only produco thorns and briars, under which serpents will hide themselves to destroy religion and tho state. If these la­ bourers arc to bo no more,” he exclaimed in tho excess of his sorrow, “ Wo are lost ’ ” Ho con­ sidered a town happy which possessed one of the colleges of tho company. “ Independently of the great good which they do through missions, tho Jesuits,” said ho, “know how to sow the seeds of piety in tho hearts of the young, and to pro­ duce plants, which, when transported into all classes of society, sanctify both town and coun- ’ ·> 3 96 [* · I · ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. try. The Jansenists and all innovators would like to annihilate this society, in order to over­ throw tho bulwark of the Church of God. Against such, enemies, where shall wo find vi­ gorous champions such as those which tho Company of Josus alono can train up?” Ho therefore deplored the blindness of those sovereigns, who, being deceived by tho falso reports of prctendedly zealous Catholics, declared themselves also against these religious. “ Re­ ligion and the state,” said ho, “are mutually connected together ; when the ono is shaken, the other totters and goes to ruin.” However, Popo Celement XIII. issued a bull, by which he confirmed the institute and tho com- , pany anew. Alphonso was so full of joy at this, that ho felt that he must write to the Sovereign Pontiff to thank him. The following is his letter, dated from Castel Gondolfo, on the 19th of Juno, “ Most holy Father, The bull which your Holiness has issued in praise of tho venerable Society of Jesus, and for its confirmation, has filled all good people with a joy, in which I, although so unworthy, feel an honour in specially participating. I havo tho deepest and greatest esteem for tho company, on account of tho great good which these holy religious effect by their example and continual labours, in every place where they may bo, in the schools, churches, and oratories of the nu­ merous congregations which they direct, as well as through confessions and preachings, the spi- ST. ALPHONSO LIG DORI, 97 ritual exercises which they give, and by the fatigue which they undergo in order to sanctify even prisons and galleys, I can render testimony to their zeal myself, which I used to admire when I lived at Naples. The Lord has willed that they should bo tried by divers contradictions and obstacles lately ; but your Holiness, who is the head of the Church, and the common father of tho faithful, has comforted them, and us also who are your children, by solemnly publishing everywhere the praises and merits of the com­ pany. You have thus closed tho mouths of the ill-disposed, who have sought to blacken not only tho individuals, but also the whole institute. For us, shepherds of souls, who find such great aid in the government of our flocks, from the zeal and labours of these good fathers, we render our ost humble thanksgivings to your Holiness, for what you have done, and we most earnestly en­ treat you ever to protect this holy order—an order which has given to the Church so many worthy labourers, to tho faith so many martyrs, and which throughout the whole world has done so much for the salvation of souls, not only in Catholic countries, but also among infidels and heretics ; and which, we doubt not, is intended by tho Divine Goodness to effect still greater * good. It is with these sentiments that I pros­ trate myself humbly at the feet of your Holiness, and implore your sacred benediction.” • “ Dominus pauperem facit et ditat, humiliat and sublevat.” Reg. i. cap. 2, 7. 7 98 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Tho Pope was delighted with this declaration of Alphonso’s, and answered him most affection­ * ately, as follows : “ We have read the letter in which you have communicated to us the lively satisfaction which we were already persuaded you would feel at our apostolical constitution in favour of the pious institute of tho Company of Jesus. Wo have also seen with singular plea­ sure, that you entertain sentiments towards this society, in conformity with the high eulogiums which many other bishops, our venerable brothers, have also expressed in their letters to us. Wo are extremely glad to see in you a love of justice, a grandeur of soul, and a liberty so worthy of a bishop, which by raising you above all human respect, causes you courageously to make known what you think of tho company and its defenders. It is with the greatest affection that whilst embra­ cing you in the bosom of our charity, we give you, venerable brother, our apostolical benediction.” In the midst of these painful anxieties Alphonso had at least tho satisfaction of seeing his little congregation loaded with the blessings of the • "Libentissime legimus litteras tuas, ex quibus intelleximus, quod etiam sine litteris arbitramur, constitutionem nostram, qua pium societatis Jesu institutum laudavimus et confirmavimus, fra­ ternitati tuæ jucundissimum accidisse. Gratissimum præterea nobis illud fuit, eadem te de illa societate honorificentissime prædicare, quœ a pluribus aliis Ven. Fratribus episcopis, per litteras nobis datas, singularibus laudibus efferuntur. Cæterum, tuum justitiœ amorem, animi tui magnitudinem, libertatemque episcopo dignam, summopere amamus, Ven. Frater, qui nullo rerum humanarum respectu de­ territus, nihil veritus es de memorato instituto, ejusque sectatoribus, per litteras tuas apud nos profiteri, quid sentias puis concluant la lettre, “ Et fraternitatis tuæ, quam in nostræ charitatis gerimus sinu, apostolicam benedictionem peramanter impertimur.·’ ST. alphonso liguori. 99 Lord. Ile addressed a circular, dated 27th of August, in order to stir up a daily increasing fervour, from his great wish to see it become more and more perfect. He cherished this work as the apple of his eye, and the smallest spot which he observed in it affected him deeply, and always appeared to him considerable. “ I perceive with sorrow,” said ho in the exaggeration of his feelings, “ that fervour is much decayed a II ongst the subjects of tho congregation, and I beg each of you to watch over himself attentively for the time to come, because I cannot suffer any re­ laxation in the rule during my life. I am told that there is little inclination for poverty and mortification. Ah .' have we then entered the congregation to enjoy our ease, and to exclaim against pain ? It would in that case have been better had wo remained in our houses. I also hear that obedience to superiors is lessened ; if obedience ceases the congregation will not sur­ vive it ; if we lose obedience, what will our houses become or bo but habitations for disquiet, dis­ putes, and sin ? I sent for the Father VicarGeneral, Don Andrew Villani, to come here, and I have told him to punish public faults by public mortifications, and to expel such as shall show themselves to bo incorrigible. Tho congregation has no need of many subjects ; it only seeks for those who wish to become saints. It is enough for it if ten remain who truly love God. It is being too ungrateful towards God, to repay Him for the love with which He protects the Con­ gregation by failings and neglects. Do we wish 100 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. to become like so many others, who cause the Church scandal, rather than edification ? I have told Father Don Andrew Villani that his govern­ II ment is too weak and mild, and that I wish to bo better informed of all that occurs of an im­ portant nature for the futuro. I bog you all also to let mo know of any serious disorders to II which Father Villani, after being informed by you, shall not apply a remedy ; it will be for me then to supply his inefficiency, and I believe that it is for this end that God spares my life. I advise tho young men not to give way them­ selves to a kind of impatience for preaching ; I would rather that they wore impatient to please Jesus Christ. Let no one manifest a desire to ascend tho pulpit, unless ho is ordered to do it. I beg you all, and especially tho young, to revise and study what you have to say in public, should it bo only an evening exhortation. Wo preach now what comes first into our minds : why bo as­ tonished after that to hear it said that wo preach 1« at random? Lot none of tho young fathers ever fail to have their sermon revised by some older one, who understands the matter, such as Father Cajone, Father Rizzi, and others, and lot each one, before preaching or giving an instruction, study and read over what ho has to say atten­ tively, in order that all may bo said with order and solidity, without studied turns of speech and high-flown language, but in a familiar style, because that is what is fitting for missionaries. Above all, it is necessary to mortify oneself and to please God, otherwise God will not aid us, I ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. 101 and we shall preach in vain. I bless you all, I mean all those who are well intentioned ; if there aro others, I do not curse them, but God will curse them, and will expel them from the Congregation.” CHAPTER XXVI. Our saint’s infirmities daily increased through old ago. Fearing to be no longer fit to fulfil the obligations of his laborious ministry properly, he thought of quitting it for the greater good of his diocese ; but he could not disguise from him­ self that, in spite of his ago and sufferings, he was still able to do much good ; in this alterna­ tive he had recourse to tho opinions of several enlightened persons, in order to be sure of the H will of God; amongst others ho sont mo to Naples, to seek for Mgr. Borgia, in order to know what ho thought about it as before God. This holy prelate approved of his resolution, but his reasons did not satisfy Alphonso, nor give rest to his con­ science. Ho wrote to Father Villani, who was then at Naples, on tho 14th of January, 1765, saying, “Father Farmoja tells me that Bp. Borgia ap­ proves of my resigning my bishopric, but I wish to act in tho matter with more certainty as to the will of God, and to see if tho thing will con­ duce to Ills glory.” Ho also sent him tho foliow­ 102 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORT. ing letter on the same day, in which he expresses himself at greater length “ I wrote to you just now about the opinion which has been communicated to me on the part of Mgr. Borgia ; at present I beg you again to speak before your departure to Don Janvier Fati­ gati and to tho Fathers Alasio, Porcara, and de Matteis. Tho principal reason for my resignation must not be the desire for retirement, as Mgr. Borgia says, for this cause is rejected in the chap­ ter Nisi de renunc, but it ought to bo my advanc­ ed age, for I shall enter my seventieth year in September, and besides my usual affection of the chest, I was almost constantly ill during tho win­ ter last year ; this year I may say that I have been so until now. I have been confined to bed from asthma for upwards of a month. It is true however, (for I must tell all to prevent scru­ ples,) that I continue to attend to business, and that everything is done as usual ; but as long as winter lasts I am unable to go about on visi­ tation or to assist in the choir. In summer time, as I am then free from my malady of the chest, I go throughout my diocese during three or four months. I feel forced to ask for my dismissal, for I have a host of scruples at seeing the dissatisfac­ tion which arises from scandals, of which I am a witness and which I ought not to tolerate. I tremble most from the fear that I have sought for my own ease in this resignation, and not God’s glory : this is why I wish to be sure as to what will really conduce to the glory of God.” The opinion of Father Porcara and that of ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 103 Father Alasio were in conformity with that of Mgr. Borgia, but Alphonso, far from being freed from his anxiety thereby, became more embar­ rassed. “I received your note,” he wrote to Father Villani on the 1st of February, “ and I see there the answers which you have got from Fa­ thers Alasio and Porcara ; but, my dear Andrew, I wish much to have a conscience at rest. The difficulties in which I find myself on account of so many very delicate matters in which I am involved without cessation, urge me to wish for a little rest, it is true, but I would not have my cell become a hell to me, in order to free myself from a burthen, contrary to God’s will. I am certain that God has willed me to be a bishop during the last three years, and now I ought to be as certain that lie no longer ■wishes me to bo bishop. I am sorry to be unable to converse with you by word of mouth, for these things are not well explained otherwise. Nevertheless, since your Reverence is at Naples, I must communi­ cate to you all that I think of this matter, as you will be able to give me a wiser and better-ground­ ed opinion after having examined my reasons. Notice, in tho first place, that according to St. Thomas, a bishop is bound by vow not to aban­ don his Church, and that the Pope, in the chap­ ter Nisi do renunc, forbids him to quit it without a just cause. He expressly declares that nei­ ther the troubles of many labours nor tho desire for solitude can be regarded as a sufficient cause. Mgr. Borgia said that tho most adequate motives for me would bo my old age and bad health. 104 ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. ‘But it must bo observed,’ as tho Popo says, ‘that infirmity and great ago only form a legitimato excuse when they render us incapable of fulfilling our charge this is what ho has stated in tho third section of tho chapter cited above: ‘Alia vero causa est debilitas corporis ox infirmitate vel, senectute ; noc tamen omnis, sed illa solummodo per quam impotens redditur ad exsequendum officium pastorale.’ He then adds : ‘ Cum interdum non plus hortetur servilis debi­ litas aliquem cedere, quam moralis maturitas quæ in senibus esse solet, ipsum in suo suadet officio permanere.’ That being laid down, lot us come to ourselves. You must put everything before those persons to whom you have already spoken, or to whom you may still apply to ask for ad­ vice. It would be well for you not to forget to speak to Father Chiesa for that purpose. It is true that I am old, since I shall complete my sixty-ninth year next September ; it is also true that I have bad health, especially on account of the coughs which affect mo in winter ; but not­ withstanding all that, it seems to mo that no­ thing prevents my fulfilling the duties of my office, as to the examination of confessors and candidates for holy orders, and that as much with reference to knowledge as to good conduct, for I still do more than many others, even as regards knowledge. As for scandals, I never cease to pursue them to the end, and without any compromise. As to patents, I never confer them from preference, or on any but to those who have most merit, even when only simple ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. 105 benefices are concerned ; this has made me more enemies than friends. It is true that I cannot go out in winter nor go on visitation ; I employ that time in examinations and private corres­ pondences, for my head is more at liberty then. I cannot write much, but I have recourse to the pen of Brother Francis Anthony, whose discre­ tion leaves me at rest. After that four or five If months remain to me, which I devote entirely to the visitation of my diocese. “ It is necessary to enter into all these details, and to cause them to bo understood by those whoso counsel you ask, otherwise I should not resign my bishopric with a peaceful soul, and I feel that my conscience would torment me in my retreat at Nocera ; so I always pray that our blessed Lord will make me know His will clearly. Things being as I have just told you, it seems to mo that I cannot ask for my resignation with­ out scruple, on the plea of not being able to fulfil my duties through old age and ill health. Therein lies my uneasiness, as I told Father Fer­ rara yesterday, who came to see me, and who: I caused to read tho very words of the Sovereign Pontiff. I send this letter to you by the courier, in order that you may bo able to take the advice of tho good fathers whom you may consult before you leave Naples, and without hurrying anything; for I repeat, that I shall not be at peace if you do not communicate to them all which I have written to you. To sum up all in conclusion, I wish that my conscience should bo freed from a load of disquietudes; I meet with many things 106 ’ · ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. to disgust me, but I hear it said to me, 1 Si diligis me, pasce oves meas,’ and it matters little whether I die or succumb. Tho uncertainty I am in, not knowing if I am doing tho will of God or not in asking for my resignation, is a greater anxiety to me than all tho rest.” After having taken all these opinions, ho resolv­ ed at last to represent his ago and infirmities to the Pope in a simplo manner, to propose his resignation to him, and to leave tho decision with his Holiness. Tho following is bis petition on this subject : “ Most holy Father, “As Almighty God again visited me with a serious illness in the month of August, in which I was obliged to receive Extreme Unction, I once more prostrate myself at the feet of your Holi­ ness to ask you to accept of my resignation of the bishopric of St. Agatha de Goti. I am now sixty-nine years of age, and during winter I am obliged to be shut up on account of the affection of my chest ; for this reason I wish to retire amongst my congregation in order to prepare for death, which cannot now be far distant from me, and as it is impossible for me to continue myself the little good the Lord has deigned to do in this diocese by means of His unworthy servant, I beseech your Holiness to confide this Church to Mgr. Puoti, Archbishop of Amalfi, where his health is by no means strong ; I wish for this above all, because he is a prelate of great zeal and energy. It appears to me that Heaven ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 107 inspired me with the thought of addressing this request to your Holiness during my last illness, in order that the last act of my life as a bishop should be one for tho good of my diocese. How­ ever, if your Holiness has thought of another subject, I still offer my resignation ; and if you deign to accept it, I will place it simply and freely in your hands. If you, on tho contrary, notwithstanding my ago and infirmities, think me still fit to govern this church, I wish to die under tho yoke, in order to fulfil God’s will. I await the decision of your Holiness, and hum­ bly prostrate myself at your feet.” Alphonso impatiently waited for the result of his application, but his heart foretold to him that it would not be heard. “ I have received no answer from Romo,” he wrote to Father Villani on the 26th of June. “But I believe I shall have difficulty in obtaining the favour I have asked, for I have heard that they would not ac­ cept the resignation of the Bishop of Settere, who is however fit to be buried. May God do what ever is for His greatest glory.” Tho Pope was entirely opposed to the holy bishop’s wishes, and Cardinal Negroni answered him in these terms in his letter of 18th of June, 1765: “I read tho letter which your Lordship addressed to his Holiness to him from beginning to end, without omitting anything, and in which you represent your great age and tho decay of your health, which becomes still weaker every year, as well as the infirmities which incommode 108 <| I · 44 Hi ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. you, especially during winter, which make you fear that tho good administration of your diocese may suffer some injury, resigning yourself how­ ever to the judgment of tho holy Father, if he thinks fit to accept your resignation, but de­ claring yourself ready to accomplish the will of God as manifested by His Vicar. This delicacy H and this resignation have singularly confirmed his Holiness in tho perfect assurance he al­ ready had in your virtue when he called you three years ago to tho head of this diocese by a formal command. The holy Father thanks God for tho great good which you have effected by His aid until now, and he is persuaded that you can continue this good by your authority, your direction, and your example, even should ΓΙ your malady become still more serious, and should your physcial strength become still weaker ; from which, however, I hope God will spare us. “ His Holiness charges me then to reply to you, and to encourage you in his name to cast aside every scruple on this subject, to be in perfect 11 tranquillity of mind, and to continue to perse­ vere in your vocation, which is most certain, labouring for the good of tho souls which are entrusted to you, and for the glory of God, who will assuredly grant you all needful succour. It H is with these sentiments that his Holiness im­ plores the divine blessing on you, and paternally gives you his apostolical benediction ; I beg you to receive the assurance of my particular esteem, and I kiss your hand in all sincerity.” On the request of tho saintly old man, Car- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 109 dînais Spinelli and Rossi, and Mgr. do Simone, who was auditor, had supported his request to tho Popo. “His shadow alone would suffice to govern tho whole diocese,” was the Sovereign Pontiff’s answer to him. Alphonso had also em­ ployed Bishop Pallavicino, tho nuncio at Naples, as a mediator ; but tho Popo replied to him also, that ho positively wished that Alphonso should continuo to bear the weight of his charge. “Tho same will of God which caused you to bo a bishop,” said the nuncio to him, “ will know how to aid you in ruling over your Church.” When Mgr. Borgia saw that things took this turn, he reassured our saint, and said to him, “Do not bo distressed, for it is the will of God.” Al­ phonso did become tranquil, and was content, even if he had to dio under the burthen. In the midst of all these tribulations quite a mysterious circumstance happened to him. From the 1st of June, 1765, he, as well as those who wero near him, heard a great number of little blows issue from the cross he wore at his neck every time he said tho rosary. They examined to see if there were not some insect there ; they also made other searches, but they could discover nothing. But as soon as he had received tho negative answer of tho Popo, tho little blows wero heard no more. His Lordship concluded that there had been a mystery therein, and that God had wished hi II to understand that he ought to continue to bear tho cross with which ho had been entrusted. 110 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. CHAPTER XXVII. One of the principal establishments which Alphonso made at St. Agatha was without doubt tho convent of the nuns of the Most Holy Redeemer. As this distinguished town con­ tained no convent wherein young ladies of high family could receive their education, or conse­ crate themselves to God, families were obliged to send their children elsewhere, which entail­ ed much inconvenience and a double expense. Tho absence of such an institution was regret­ ted, but no one had yet been able to supply it ; Alphonso took tho work in hand, and succeeded gloriously. “ Tho establishment of tho religious of the Most Holy Redeemer,” Archdeacon Fran­ cis Rainone wrote to me, “is a work without doubt most worthy to promote the glory of God, most honourable to his Lordship, and most use­ ful for this town. The Lord has reserved to our saintly prelate to make this foundation ; his zeal, his constancy, and his great solicitude were ne­ cessary to put it in execution.” This work had been attempted two centuries before, but all tho plans remained imperfect. The Lords of Mazzi, noble and ancient patricians of St. Agatha, had begun to erect a church in the year 1G10, in honour of tho Blessed Virgin, under the title of St. Mary of Constantinople ; but as this family had become extinct, the church ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Ill remained unfinished, and it ended in being call­ ed tho church of St. Nobody, that is to say, that no saint was honoured there. The head of the - chapter, Don Thomas Talia, had erected an altar in this church in honour of the Blessed λ irgin, during tho episcopate of Mgr. Danza, who was raised to this see in tho year 1G18, and he had established a confraternity there, consisting of a hundred and fifty brothers, who were the edifica­ tion of the whole town. They practised many pious exercises, and took the discipline in com­ mon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays ; in short, through tho pains taken by Don Thomas, this confraternity was aggregated to that of St. Francis of Assisi at Rome ; but after the death of this worthy canon, the members became relaxed, and tho society dissolved itself in tho course of a few years. The Blessed Virgin did not fail to give proofs of her protection to this place, which was thus dedicated to her. Tho inhabitants of St. Agatha, on seeing it abandoned, wished to erect a house of Franciscan nuns there, instead of a confra­ ternity of men, and some pious women estab­ lished themselves on the 10th of October, 1630, in two small rooms annexed to the church. Tho buildings being increased, the religious continued to live there during fifty-two years, to the great advantage of many young ladies, who received their education there ; but discord penetrated into this holy spot in 1702, and it was again abandoned. Under Mgr. Albini, who was elected bishop 112 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. at tho beginning of tho eighteenth century, tho Duke of Costo entertained the idea of establish­ ing a convent of cloistered nuns there, and ho augmented tho revenues of tho house. Tho work was nearly finished, when tho death of the duke and of tho bishop again stopped it, and to make the matter still worse, the sanc­ tuary of virgins became tho resort of women of bad character. Tho church was shut up and de­ prived of revenue, and the house was destined to lodge tho soldiers who might come to St. Agatha. Alphonso had cast his eyes on this edifice from the first beginning of his episcopate, with tho intention of changing this resort of wild beasts into a nest for doves. When his project became known, he was immediately assailed by a torrent of objections; some wished for one thing, others for another ; a great number ap­ plauded this undertaking, which they judged to be advantageous to tho public good, and se­ veral opposed it on account of certain interests. Some, in short, wished that a simple asylum should bo established there, but not a cloistered monastery ; the most part wanted to have in­ closure however, but they were not agreed as to the manner of regulating it. “ Explain your meaning,” said Alphonso to them; “if you in­ tend to found a convent of servants of God, I will hasten to co-operate in it, but if you in­ tend to form a more assemblage of women, it would be better to say no more about it. The matter was at length put into his hands, and ho decided to establish tho religious of the s ST. zVLPHONSO LIGUORI. 113 Most Holy Redeemer of Scala there, in pre­ ference to any others. But one obstacle still remained, there was not sufficient revenue. The holy prelate fortified himself by trust in God, and managed so well that he obtained an annual subsidy of ninety-seven ducats from the Pope on the ecclesiastical chapels, and a rent of twenty-five ducats from the King of Naples on tho lay chapels. The town also granted him fifty ducats annually for ten years, with tho approbation of the chamber, which being added to tho four hundred and twenty-two ducats which the Church already possessed, formed an income of six hundred and ninetyfour ducats, which together with the portions, was sufficient for tho establishment of the con­ vent. The inhabitants of St. Agatha, astonished at tho success of their bishop’s undertaking, gave him all that ho wished. Ho caused the buildings o to bo repaired ; ho went to the spot nearly every day to encourage and hasten the workmen. “Who knows how much longer I may have to live,” said ho. Ho would have likod to see every thing done by enchantment. He arranged that the religious from the convent of Scala should come there as foundresses, and tho Popo permit­ ted him to instal them in tho new cloister in the month of Julv, 1765. Our saint was greatly aided in this underta­ king by Don Francis Andrew Mastillo, tho agent of tho Duke of Maddalon. After his Lordship had obtained tho approbation of the Sovereign Pontiff 114 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. and the consent of tho king of Naples, ho wrote to him, “We shall begin to set tho convent on foot immediately ; as to the subsidy from tho chapels, which is wanting in consequence of tho famine, tho sums paid by the pensioners will bo enough to supply for that during tho first two or three years ; I will furnish a hundred ducats annu­ ally during that time, for my share, in order to sco this excellent work advance rapidly. 1 hope that this institution will sanctify our dear town of St. Agatha. The erection of this con­ vent ought to change its appearance, for I plainly see that no human power can succeed in this, and I am certain that if this work is not com­ pleted in my time, it will never take effect ; they would raise a convent, but tho result would bo a house of mere inclosed women. If the convent can bo established under tho rule of tho Most Holy Redeemer, it will become a pre­ cious stone, by the edification which these reli­ gious will give to the diocese and to tho whole province ; and parents will see their children more content with these religious than they could bo with tho nuns of St. Clare, or of Dona Regina at Naples, where tho pension is from two to three hundred ducats. I hope you will inform all people who would like to place their daughters there, so that the opening may soon take place ; it is not necessary that everything should be perfectly finished yet ; all foundations have been in want of something in their com­ mencement. I am going to write to the religious, to hold themselves in readiness.” ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Sister Mary Raphael of Charity, whose sanctity was woll known, was chosen to preside over the beginning of this house of the Most Holy Redeem­ er. Sister Mary Felicie of tho Holy Nails, and sister Mary Celestine of Divine Love, were given to her as assistants, together with a lay-sister, named Mary Josephine of Jesus-Mary ; all four were extremely virtuous. They arrived at Nocera on tho evening of tho 27th of June, 1766, and they reached St. Agatha next day, accompanied by two ladies of that town, Donna Emily Vinaccia, and Jano Rainone, who went to fetch them at Nocera: Don Nicholas Robcrti, and Don Lucas Albanese were also with them ; the one was trea­ surer and the other canon of tho cathedral, and to these were added our fathers Andrew Villani and Jerome Ferrara. They passed tho night at Nola, in a house call­ ed tho Temple, where they were congratulated by Mgr. Caracciolo, and visited by several noble ladies. Mother Raphael had the happiness of receiving recruits on the road. Two daughters belonging to tho family of Speltri do Vitulano, the ono afterwards called Mary Louisa of tho Sacred Heart of Jesus, and tho other Mary Theresa of Jesus, who wore pensioners in the house of tho Templo, were so taken by tho high virtues of tho Reverend Mother Raphael, that they resolved to follow her. Alphonso, filled with joy at tho arrival of tho religious at St. Agatha, persuaded the people to adorn the gates of tho town with magnificence, and to ornament the streets with wreaths of 1 LI L 116 ,r I : ·. · I I ♦ ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. myrtle, rosemary, and boughs of trees, to greet them. Their entry took place on the 29th of June, 1766, at about three o’clock in tho after­ noon ; it was on a Sunday, and an immense crowd hastened to meet them. Alphonso, in his pon­ tifical vestments, advanced to meet them at the head of his chapter and of all tho clergy at the cathedral door ; while the firing of cannon and ringing of bells testified tho joy of the in­ habitants. After having visited tho Blessed Sa­ crament, the religious went in procession to tho new convent, preceded by the conventual fathers, the seminarists, tho clergy, and chapter, after whom went the bishop, followed by all the nobles. On their arrival at the new church, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed and tho To Dcum solemn­ ly chanted, during which the foundresses took possession of tho convent. The ladies of tho town had the power of visiting them and of en­ joying their conversation until the Wednesday, but on that day, which was tho feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin, the grand-vicar went to establish the inclosure with tho usual ceremonies in the bishop’s name. Alphonso took care to provide everything which could bo wanted for the convent. There were corn, wine, cooking utensils, table linen, and necessary furniture ; nothing was missing. He sent eatables all ready prepared to tho new comers for tho first eight days. Ho wished to continue it for a month, but the religious dis­ pensed him from it, wishing to live in the pover­ ty prescribed by their rule. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 117 When tho new foundation made under the auspices of Bishop Liguori became known in tho province, tho great regularity which existed there, and, above all, the holiness of its foun­ dresses, tho convent was soon filled with pupils who camo from St. Agatha, Arienzo, and Naples, Tho third Sunday in July was fixed for cele­ brating the feast of the Most Holy Redeemer. Il His Lordship caused tho Blessed Sacrament to be exposed all day on the vigil before, and preached himself in tho evening. Tho feast was solemnized with music and extraordinary pomp. As four pupils determined to take the novices’ habit his Lordship gave them the exercises of tho retreat. Ho was cheered at seeing their anxiety to consecrato themselves to Jesus Christ; but his joy was not allowed to be free fro: II all bitterness. Tho young Lucretia Vinaccia was so tormented by melancholy during the retreat, that, full of regrets, she unceasingly wept and sighed for her father’s house. One evening after tho meditation, Alphonso called her to tho grate, encouraged her, and succeeded in restoring her serenity ; he then gave her a crucifix to kiss, and made her promise to take Jesus for her Spouse ; tho young lady immediately expe­ rienced a complete change ; she returned gaily to the noviciate, and from that time was freed from her thoughts of regret. He did not exercise the same compassion to­ wards another pupil: “We must distinguish,” said he, “between temptation and obstinacy.” Tho one of whom we speak repented of tho step «Tf I · ■ I · # 118 1 ' : • ( · . ' . ,· li '4'·. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. she had taken, and lived in a manner little editying, thus doing harm to herself as well as to others ; though she was Archdeacon Rainone’s niece Alphonso silenced all human respect, and sent her back to her parents. Tho two young pupils from Nola were the ob­ jects of his peculiar kindness. The young ladies’ two brothers were dissatisfied with tho part they had taken, and for several years refused to pay their pension. His Lordship, aware of tho dis­ tress they felt, paid it for them, and amongst other things supplied thirty measures of corn to tho convent : tho brothers gave up their oppo­ sition in tho end, and they received their portion and made their profession. Alphonso considered this convent as his own work, and continued to assist it as far as pos­ sible, although he was himself in great poverty. IIo gave fifty measures of corn to it yearly, and also a great quantity of oil. IIo even wont so far as to promise that he would maintain tho four foundresses as long as ho lived. Ho very often made them a present of from ten to thirty ducats. lie sent them their allowance weekly whilst he lived at St. Agatha, and ho let a them have it at least monthly, even when he resided at Arienzo. Ho sent them various little treats on feast days ; and when ho received any present from his relations in religion, or from others, he bestowed tho greatest part on the pensioners and novices. _ »1 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 119 CHAPTER XXVIII. The most formidable responsibility of the epis­ copacy to our saint, was the imposition of hands. He required learning and virtue from the young Lévites. lie said to tho examiners at the open­ ing of the examinations, “ Let knowledge be your business ; I will occupy myself about con­ II duct but in reality he did all himself. In one of the regulations that he made for the good ad­ ministration of his diocese, he determined on the points on which tho young clerics ought to be examined. Those who received the tonsure were obliged to give an account of Christian doctrine, and to specify the different parts of meditation which are necessary to reap fruit from it. Those in minor orders had to know tho matter and form of or­ II ders, all that appertains to the sacraments, that is to say, their matter, form, reception, and administration ; they were also obliged to know tho Latin grammar. Ho admitted no one to the eub-diaconate who did not know tho treatises on oaths, vows, canonical hours, and censures, as well as on what belongs to orders. He required the treatises on conscience, laws, human acts, and sins, from the deacons. Ho wished them to give an account of the theological virtues of charity towards our neighbour, and of religion and its opposite vices, such as superstition, sacrilege, 120 ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. tempting God, and simony. Those who were raised to tho priesthood had to repeat besides tho things which relato to this holy order, that which they had already known, and to explain the treatises on the Eucharist, tho Sacrifico of tho Mass, Penance, Extremo Unction, and Mar­ riage, with all that belongs to tho commandments of God and holy Church. After having taken these measures, his Lordship anticipated an ob­ jection which might have been made on his seem­ ing to demand greater knowledge than is re­ quired by tho Council of Trent, and ho showed that this Council, in speaking of tho priesthood, wishes that its candidates “ad docendum popu­ 11 lum et ad administranda sacramenta diligenti examino, idonei comprobentur.”* Ile also claim­ ed tho support of the bull of Innocent Ill.f and the authority of another of Popo Benedict XIV., where it is said that “Episcopos in Domino hortamur ut, quantum fieri potest, cos tantum ad sacerdotium assumant qui saltem theologico II Oralis There were competenter periti sunt. cases, however, when Alphonso showed his justice by paying less attention to the cauditate for orders than to tho village from which it was a wonder to see a priest proceed. lie presided over the examinations in person, and caused all tho examiners to assist there also. Ho wished the other candidates to bo present, both to instruct them, and also to show them that there was no partiality, for he always • Sep. 23. Cap. 14, de Reform. t Apostolici ministerii. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 121 acted as a father rather than as a superior. I Io wished those who were but simplo clerics to be seated when questioned ; he spoke to them with so much kindness that, far from disconcerting them, his presence inspired them with courage. He very often liked to question them himself, and he did it so clearly that the demand sug­ gested tho answer. When ho reprimanded, ho always did it in a way to encourage the sub­ ject to study, and promised that ho would not delay in comforting him. Dean Daddio told II •I him that he ought at least to make them stand during the interrogatories. Alphonso replied, “I am a father, let us not forget what it is to be examined.” A deacon who had been sent away several times presented himself at the examination again, but in spito of the efforts made by one of tho exam­ iners to cause him to pass, he could not succeed. “My son,” said Alphonso to him, “I can do nothing more in this ; study well and with ap­ plication, and I will ordain you bye-aud-byo ; Don Cæsar,” (that was tho examiner’s name,) “whis­ pered tho answers to you ; what would you have me do?” This clerk was tho nephew of a priest whom his Lordship esteemed greatly. Ho camo to see Alphonso, and without saying any­ thing to him, lot him see, however, how much ho was distressed. “Forgive me,” said his Lord­ ship, “for I am myself distressed about your nephew ; forgive mo, for tho lovo of God, for conscience doos not reproach me at all. Ask Canon Michclla about tho charity with which we treated him.” 122 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. A young man of excellent conduct, and a good student, was attacked by a pain in the chest, which prevented his attending tho course on the treatise de Censuris. When ho presented himself for examination for tho priesthood, ho was found wanting. “The rules are made to bo observed,” said Alphonso to him, “ not merely to bo posted up in tho sacristy.” But when tho parish priest, Don Pascal Bartolini, whose pupil tho young man had been, assured him that ho was well acquaint­ ed with tho other matters of examination, his Lordship listened to him, and finding that ho really was very well instructed in all besides, he made no further difficulty in admitting him. Of all the orders, tho sub-di aeon ate was tho ono which caused most embarrassment to the young men as well as to his Lordship. “ If I ordain A,” said Alphonso, “ I must necessarily or­ dain B.” Ono priest has affirmed that ho was kept sitting during five hours at an examination for the sub-diaconato. In fact, Alphonso made him give an exact account of all tho treatises, that is to say, of those on human acts, con­ science, laws, sins, vows and oaths, and on resti­ tution. lie confessed that ho was not received without difficulty, and that tho trial lasted until seven o’clock in tho evening, so that the grand­ vicar was unable to continue any longer through fatigue. Tho bishop never left tho examination to his grand-vicar, or to any other person. Tho seminarists themselves, who had already given proofs of their capacity, in examinations under­ gone in the seminary in his presence, were still ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 123 obliged to go through the usual examination be­ fore entering into holy orders. Father Dominic Caputo, the director of the seminary, and others, have assured me that those who seemed to have no need of being examined were so, and with the most rigour, and that in the same measure in which Alphonso was comforted by praising the talent of those who distinguished themselves, did he also feel humbled in tho presence of those who gave proofs of idleness. Ho advised the examiners to proceed with most severity towards those clerics who had been brought up at the sem­ inary. If one of those latter were found wanting, and wished to trust to the indulgence of the examiners, imagining that his attending the course of lectures would supply tho place of the rest, his Lordship immediately overthrew his hopes. “I wish,” said he, “the thing done, and not tho thing to be done, and for this reason I know of no future tense in my grammar, I only know of tho past tense.” Alexander Lettieri, who was a young man en­ dowed with the most happy dispositions, had finished his course of study at Naples in Bishop Lanza’s time, and had maintained a dogmatical thesis in tho Church of St. Catharine of For­ melle ; when ho presented himself to receive the priesthood, ho thought that by repeating the argu­ ments of his thesis ho would be exempted from all further trial. “At Naples,” said Alphonso to him, “ all who heard you wore spectators, but here, in order to be ordained you must bo examin­ ed.” From the time of his arrival in the diocese 124 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. ho declared by an edict that no one was to aspiro to orders or to benefices, and that to manifest such a disposition would bo sufficient cause to bo excluded from it and declared unworthy. Tho real qualities of tho candidato and the testimony of respectable persons wore tho only claims which succeeded ; if these were wanting, tho case was desperato. There was a deacon at Airola who was not wanting in knowledge, but, as he could not satisfy his Lordship in regard to conduct, he was rejected notwithstanding all tho efforts of his supporters. Ho then adopted the clerical habit, frequented tho congregation of tho mis­ sionaries established at Airola, often approached the sacraments, and only conversed with respect­ able persons ; three years having passed thus, and several excellent priests having spoken in his fa­ vour at different times, Alphonso at last admitted him to the priesthood. Very great sweetness was to be admired in his Lordship, and not a less degree of energy. On his arrival in tho diocese, ho met with an ignorant benoficed clerk, who wished to receive holy orders ; in spite of tho entreaties which were made in his favour by distinguished person­ ages, he would not consent to admit him ; ho dismissed all his supporters with this laconic answer: “I cannot do it in conscience.” Don Pascal dell’ Acqua was onco present at the ex­ amination of a candidato of Durazzano, and his protege. After tho bishop and tho examiners had put some questions to tho candidate, Don Pascal wished to abridge the examination, and i ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 125 begged his Lordship to stop there. “ When you are bishop,” Alphonso replied to him, “you will do as you please ; but now the thing concerns mo, and my conscience must answer for it.” A gentleman tried to make him ordain a sub­ ject whom he loved ; believing that his Lordship II would bo satisfied with his testimony, he at­ tempted to persuade him by a thousand plau­ sible reasons, which he enlarged on for an hour ; his Lordship listened to him to tho end with immoveable patience ; at last, when the gentle­ man had exhausted the matter, and thought he had gained his cause, Alphonso asked him if he had said all. “ I think,” replied tho gentleman, “that I have wearied you long enough.” “Well, that may be,” answered Alphonso smilingly, “but II imagino that you have spoken to a dead man. ” “What do you mean by that?” replied the gen­ tleman. “ A dead person, ” answered Alphonso, “ could not reply to you. Well, no more can I.” Alphonso had a serious reason for rejecting tho candidate, and therefore endeavoured to extricate II himself in this manner. Tho Prince de la Riccia also tried to cause him to admit one of his tenants to tho subdiaconatc, whom ho had previously rejected. Al­ phonso was under tho greatest obligations to this prince, who had favoured and aided him ex­ tremely. “My most honoured prince,” he wrote to him, “ I beg you to pardon mo for not doing your pleasure, because in conscience I cannot do it. It is a thing which could not be done with­ out injury to my soul, and I am not a bishop in “’—""I 126 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI, order to damn myself.” The prince, who had been edified by this, replied to him thus : “ The letter that your Lordship has written to me in reply to my petition lias given mo pleasure ; I have seen in it a proof of your zeal, which may truly bo called apostolical ; and while I assure you that your refusal has caused mo great edification, I promise not to disquiet the tenderness of your conscience by similar re­ quests again. I beg your Lordship never to for­ get mo in your prayers, and to dispose of mo entirely at your service. I am, &c.” Tho candidates for holy orders who present­ ed themselves with dimissory letters from their bishops were also obliged to give proofs of their learning, in order to be admitted to ordination. A young man having been sent by Mgr. Filomarino, Bishop of Cascrte, Alphonso did not ad­ mit him without making him undergo an exam­ ination. This bishop, in retaliation, caused a clerk whom Alphonso had sent to him when ho was ill, to be examined also. It caused dissat­ isfaction at St. Agatha, but Alphonso was not offended at it: “If ho has acted so,” said ho, “he has done his duty.” Tho regulars were obliged to pass through tho same ordeal, in spite of the dimissory let­ ters of their provincials. In order to make tho thing agreeable to them, his Lordship sent for two fathers belonging to their order, and caused them to examine them in his presence ; but if there wore no monastery of the order in the neighbourhood ho examined them himself, assist­ ed by his grand-vicar and a canon. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Onco when ho was administering holy orders at St. Mary do Vico, at the moment when ho was going to officiate pontifically, the master of the ceremonies told him that a young Carmel­ ite had just arrived. ‘‘That is very well,” said his Lordship, “but ho must be examined.” Ho sent for tho young religious, and told him that ho was going to question him ; the young man replied that ho had been already examined by his provincial. “I am quite persuaded of that,” said his Lordship to him, “ but it is I who must impose hands on you, and not the Father Pro­ vincial.” As tho bishop was firm in exacting tho examination, tho young Carmelite thought ho had better not expose himself to it, so he took off his surplice and returned. Alphonso always refused to ratify tho letters dimissory if they did not submit to the exami­ nation, and if they did not furnish certificates of good conduct. The Jesuit Father Spinelli, brother of tho prince of this name, had noticed a young man of talent at Frascio, the son of an artisan, and ho brought him with him to Naples, to make him study in tho schools of the society ; but when it was suppressed, tho young man found himself abandoned. Counsellor Spinelli, moved with compassion, related tho young stu­ dent’s case to tho king, and obtained a chap­ lainship for him of seventy-two ducats ; he then wrote to Alphonso for tho dimissory letters ; but they were refused, and each time that tho young man advanced in holy orders, he had to submit to a new examination and to furnish 128 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. certificates of good conduct. Alphonso desired that tho candidates should present their letters at least a month before tho ordination, and all at the same time, to have facility in making his secret investigations in case of need. In order that the parish priests should only give sincere testimonials, ho represented tho duty of so doing to them very strongly; “As to erudition, I will ascertain that for myself,” ho said to them, “ by the repeated examinations I will make them all go through ; but, as to good conduct, I must trust to you.” He was not contented with a simple attestation; ho wished that it should be affirmed by oath : “Without that,” said he, “the certificates are often only letters accorded to human respect.” lie wished that they should testify on oath that tho canditate had not miss­ ed assisting at church on any Sunday or day of obligation ; that he had assembled the little children and taught them tho catechism ; that ho had confessed and communicated at least every fortnight: that ho had heard mass every day and visited tho Blessed Sacrament; that ho had not been seen without a cassock ; that ho had never played at cards; and that ho had never engaged in any kind of sport. All this preceded the examination. Alphonso was especially severo towards young men who had studied at Naples. He used every method to bo sure of their merits, and never seemod satisfied ; ho inquired of tho master under whom they had studied ; ho asked if they had been diligent in following tho lectures, what ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOKI. 129 persons they had visited, and if they avoided games and theatres. Ho wished, above all, to know if they had often received the sacraments, and if they assisted at the congregation of foreign clergy every Sunday. He never decided under a considerable time, and ho did not neglect to charge some friends at Naples to furnish him with tho most exact information about them. When young Pascal Bartolini, who afterwards be­ came tho very excellent parish priest of Airola, presented himself to receive tho tonsure and minor orders, Alphonso said to him, “You know that I admit no one into holy orders if ho does not frequent my seminary, or if he has not my per­ mission to study elsewhere.” Bartolini replied, that ho had been at Naples for upwards of nine years, that ho had gone through his course of philosophy, and that ho was then studying theolo­ gy. His Lordship, after hearing this preamble, said to him, “ I do not mean to refuso you, but come back again in a fortnight.” lie took tho time necessary to make inquiries about him. Bar­ tolini gave him Don Gaotan d’llicronymo’s remem­ brances on leaving him, as well as those of Don Paul do Majo. His Lordship immediately said, “You know Don Gaétan, then ?”—“Yes,” replied young Bartolini ; his brother Ignatius is my couH fessor.” Alphonso breathed more freely on hcaring this. “ Since this is the case,” he went on to say, “procuro mo letters from Don Ignatius.” lie received the letters, and admitted the young man to receive holy orders without any difficulty. He refused to receive a young novice to minor 9 130 ST. ALPTIONSO LIGUORI. orders, though his conduct might bo ever so exemplary, because he sometimes conversed with a suspected priest. Ho had no more pity for another seminarist clerk, who had been several times excluded from orders, as being little studi­ ous and little edifying ; as ho despaired of enter­ ing into favour with tho prelate, the young man laid down tho clerical dress of his own ac­ cord, and quitted tho seminary. A deacon hav­ ing walked about during tho night, in company with some singers, with whom ho had amused himself, Alphonso refused to make him priest ; the young man shed tears, and got several per­ sons of distinction to intercedo for him, but all was useless. He was obliged to dio only a dea­ con. “My reasons may not seem sufficiently weighty,” said his Lordship, “ but I cannot allow walking about and diversion during tho night.” A cleric in minor orders was refused for a nui H ber of years, without being able to bo made a sub-doacon, because he was fond of wino, although ho protested that he had put himself on a re­ gimen of water ; nor would his Lordship let hi: II II stay any longer in tho seminary. Tho young man went to another, but, in spito of the good testimonials of his new director, Alphonso always remained inflexible about him. In order to be sure of his amendment, he made him return to St. Agatha, and he determined not to ordain him until ho was convinced of his constant temper. anco. He who did anything to cause a shadow of suspicion as regarded virtue was obliged to re­ ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 131 nounco all hopo of ever being a priest ; he was not only excluded from orders, but he was also obliged to give up the clerical habit. One of tho three young men whom he had expelled from the seminary re-entered it, however, some years later, and was admitted to the sub-diaconate ; but Alphonso perceiving some levity about still, refused to make hi II a deacon. The clerk, in confusion and despair, enlisted as a soldier in the Italian Guard. This conduct made his Lord­ ship uneasy ; he hated tho vice, but not the in­ dividual. “This sheep will be lost,” said he, “if wo do not fly to his rescue.” Ho applied to General Sangro, and redeemed the clerk with his own money, added to that which he begged from tho chapels. Ho reclothed him in the ec­ clesiastical habit at Naples, kept him for some tinio in his palaeo at St. Agatha while he was at Arionzo, and directed Canon Jermieri to supply his food ; and then, being anxious to procuro him the means of subsistence, ho gave him a small stipend, and nominated him sacristan of the cathedral ; but there was no further chance of ordination for him. Alphonso had two misfortunes to deploro in regard to ordinations. On his arrival at St. Agatha, ho found a deacon at tho seminary whoso conduct was disedifying, but he was so distin­ guished in his studies that ho solved tho most difficult questions in theology and philosophy. But Alphonso heard that ho was addicted to wine ; and from that time ho determined not to admit him to tho priesthood. Some persons of distine- 132 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. tion interfered ; “ Do not speak to me any more about it,” replied Alphonso to them, “otherwise you will cause mo tho greatest pain.” After several years the parish priest and other eccle­ siastics of the chapter again endeavoured to speak in his favour. Alphonso resisted for a long time, but at length he could not refuse to yield to the numerous reasons they gave to assure him of tho deacon’s amendment. “ I consent to ordain him priest,” said he, “but ho will enjoy the dignity but a short time : ho will fall back into sin and die miserably.” Tho deacon was made a priest, and Alphonso sent him to give short missions in the country with other eccle­ siastics formed by himself ; but in a little time after he took to drinking again. Alphonso grieved over this ; ho sent for him one day and said to him with feeling before his parish priest, “ If you do not give up drinking woo will bo to you ! Wino will bo your ruin.” Tho incorrigible man got drunk again a year after this prediction, and fell into a ditch, whero he lost his life. Another deacon had been excluded from tho priesthood for several years, as he did not appear to possess tho requisite dispositions. An ecclesiastic of merit tried to overcome tho bishop’s repugnance, and represented to him this deacon’s regularity in frequenting tho sacraments on divers occa­ ni sions, and his retired and constantly exemplary life. His Lordship was prevailed on, but ho had scarcely ordained him before his conduct became a source of continual scandal to tho diocoso ; ho was soon thrown into prison, but ho broke his Hi ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 133 If Alphonso then reirons and banished himself. proachcd tho ecclesiastic for his inconsiderate ardour in tho affair, who answered that he had only acted thus in consideration of his poverty. “What!” said Alphonso with vehemence, “be­ cause ho is poor you betray mo and you betray Jesus Christ!” His Lordship required that those who wero to bo admitted to holy orders, should also present proofs of a suitable fortuno. “Tho priest who has no patrimony,” said he, “will bo obliged either to dig the earth, or to dishonour his ministry.” lie would not receive fictitious titles given through kindness. “ These are not works of charity,” said ho, “on tho contrary, this is to render evil ser­ vice; who is there, who if in want could claim property which does not really belong to him ?” lie wished them to have five hundred ducats free from any burthen. Ho examined into the H property as well as tho rental, and if tho income of twenty-four ducats was not clear, ho rejected tho whole. Ho wished particularly that the fami­ ly of tho candidato should not suffer any loss. CHAPTER XXIX. Alphonso was neither too easy nor too cau­ tious in ordaining now clerks ; ho admitted all in whom ho recognised a real vocation. “ It is not our business,” said ho, “to call any one to 134 ST. ALPHONSO liguori. this holy state, nor to reject him from it ; God is He who calls, and He does it as Ho pleases.” Ho liked to see young men eager to consecrate themselves to tho service of the altar, and if they showed themselves worthy of it, he was happy to receive them. Ho was particular in observing tho degrees of advance: tl Ont, and only granted a dispensation in case of necessity. Tho parish priest, Don Pascal Dcodatus, asked him for a dispensation for a young man of good conduct and well informed ; Alphonso refused it, saying, that he did not see that it was necessary. Don Pascal then replied, that tho archpriest himself wished to havo tho young mail as steward, be­ cause of his exemplary conduct. “ That is very well,” answered Alphonso, “but that reason is not sufficient ; I see in it tho advantage of tho archpriest, rather than tho Church’s wants.” His rule in tho distribution of minor orders was, to admit tho young men according to their ago, their knowledge, and their conduct. When young Donatus Truppi was presented to him for minor orders, who is now tho very worthy Dean of St. Agatha, ho readily received him, and, with­ out solicitation, ordered his secretary to note him down for tho four minor orders ; and when ho wished to oppose this, in order to multiply tho registries, “It is not to bo so,” replied Al­ phonso, “ I wish to confer all four at onco upon him, for this young man deserves still more.” Alphonso did not like to grant dispensations on account of age, as others do without diffi­ culty. “There are some,” said he, “whose fer- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 135 vour in regard to their vocation, only arises from cupidity ; in others it is from the desire of these dominantes in clero, who wished to havo prelates in their families.” lie never consented unless there was a real necessity, and for a sub­ ject of most exemplary conduct. He attached great importance to tho spiritual exorcises, which he regarded as the only means of instructing the young men in their duties, and he did not allow these exercises to bo gone through in a religious house of relaxed observance. “ If these reli­ gious,” said he, “have not tho spirit of prayer themselves, how can they pretend to give it to others ? Tho exercises will then only consist in being shut up, and in reading in tho morning II and evening as an amusement. ” Ho wished tho candidates to go to ono of our houses, or to Naples to tho fathers of St. Vincent of Paul. Ho tried however to prevent those belonging to him from going to Naples as much as he could, H fearing the danger of temptation for them there ; ho sent them to St. Angela in preference, which was a solitary house, and very suitable for a re­ treat. A deacon having begged him to send him to Naples and not to St. Angela, where he pretended they were too severe, “In short,” said Alphonso, “you wish to go to recreate yourself.” Tho young clerk replied that he could point out another monastery in tho diocese. “Yes,” re­ sponded his Lordship, “whore you can go and amuse yourself.” There was no coming to an agreement, and the deacon was obliged to go to St. Angela. 136 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. In order to save all disagreement in families, especially among those who were poor, Alphonso «1 wished that those in minor orders should have made the exercises of the retreat at least once, in order that they might thoroughly understand what tho ecclesiastical state is, and what are its obligations before the sub-diaconate. He at­ tached so much weight to these exercises, that if he kuew of any one who was really poor, ho paid his expenses. Λ clerk of Bucciano endea­ voured to allege divers pretexts to exempt him­ self. “Tell me tho truth,” asked Alphonso, “why do you wish not to go there?” Tho clerk replied openly, that his father, being poor, had a difficulty in supplying him with tho money ne­ cessary for his maintenance; “Go then,” said his Lordship to him, and I will provide all that you will require.” On tho day of ordination Alphonso was in the habit of assembling the young mon together in tho chapel beforehand, and of giving them a sermon on tho greatness of their state, and their obligation to live in it holily ; afterwards during mass he usually gave them a little ex­ hortation, in order to excite them to receive tho holy communion with fervour, and ho did it with so much unction that it caused the can­ didates and spectators to shod tears. Tho pious bishop, fully convinced of tho wants of the diocese, desired to have the now priests not only of good character and well instructed, but also truly disposed to aid souls, and to c^tuso religion to be honoured. “I do not try,” said 137 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. ho to tho examiners, “ to approve tho candidates, H simply that they may be able to say mass, for masses will not bo wanting, but in order to have useful workmen for tho Church and state. I wish that after having ordained them they may bo capable of hearing confessions and of serving mo in time of need, not only in the par­ ishes, but also in tho monasteries, and that they may bo capable of serving in the missions and attending to all tho wants of my diocese.” Ho usually gave faculties to hear men’s confessions together with the priesthood ; ho himself in­ structed all tho candidatos as to tho manner of hearing confessions, and gave them methods of conduct to be used towards the habitual tho backsliding and occasional sinner. When ho noticed any among these young priests of very promising dispositions, he profited by it, and immediately managed to placo them as curates. Having found two deacons whom ho judged fit to receive tho priesthood and to hear confes­ sions, but seeing that they were poor and still too young for it, ho obtained a dispensation for them at his own expense. When he ordained Don Alexander Capobianco priest, ho enjoined him to prepare to bo a con­ fessor ; but as ho showed a repugnance to ex­ ercise this ministry so soon, his Lordship said to him, “ If this is tho case, I forbid you to say mass before having come to the examination, and if you say mass, you shall return here no more ; you can close your books, and all that you have done at the seminary shall go for nothing.” But flfl 138 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. this was not said in earnest. Ho instructed him on the Wednesday after tho ordination, and made him a confessor. Ho ordained a young man as sub-deacon who had studied at Naples ; on leaving him, ho told him that ho H .ust soon ake his retreat, because ho thought ho ought not to delay in making him a priest and confes­ sor. “My Lord,” replied tho young man, “I have no fancy for being a confessor.” “You have no fancy for being a confessor!” responded Alphonso with animation ; “ then why do you become a priest ? If you do not wish to benefit souls, I have no more wish to give you tho priest­ hood.” Alphonso wished all to bo confessors, but when ho discovered some who wished to have tho honour, and to exempt themselves from the burthen, he deprived them of their faculties. Alphonso’s conduct in this matter created censors. Mgr. Pazzuoli amongst others could II not approve of it, but at that time ho was only in minor orders ; when he became bishop of St. Agatha, far from holding tho same opinions, he followed his saintly predecessor’s example. “If one does not bear this yoke from tho first,” said Alphonso, “ one has an aversion to it afterwards ; and on tho contrary, when one has contracted this obligation, one becomes edifying even by necessity, one makes efforts over oneself, grace comes to one’s assistance, and one advances much in tho way of perfection.” lie gave no one power to celebrate his first mass, if he were not beforehand assured that he knew even tho minutest rubrics. “ When a ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 139 II person commences in a bungling manner, ” said li lie, “ he never gets right again.” So the master of tho ceremonies did not approve of any subject until ho was more than certain of his aptness, especially as Alphonso often made them cele­ brate in his presence. A newly-ordained priest abstained from saying mass, fearing to expose himself to tho trial. Persuaded however that II ho would find more indulgence from his Lordship than from the master of the ceremonies, he beg­ ged him to allow him to say mass in his pre­ sence in his chapel ; his Lordship consented, and found that ho succeeded well. Alphonso did not allow a first mass to be an occasion of feasting and worldly rejoicing ; he even forbade extraordinary repasts to be given then, and strangers to bo invited. “Wino has sway at table,” said his Lordship, “and when wino has sway, sin is not far off.” Ho wished that tho young priest should preserve a state of recollection on this day, in order to merit from God tho plenitude of graces so necessary in this sublime state. Ho called tho day that of the solemn marriage of Jesus Christ with tho soul ; for this reason ho wished that the mass celebrated on this day should bo in a re­ tired placo. When Don Custodo Troisi was ordained priest, his Lordship, who loved him tenderly, made him say his first mass in his chapel, unknown to his parents, who thought that ho did not know tho rubrics well, and that ho had not been able to obtain leave to celebrate, and they were 140 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. only undeceived by the indiscretion of a person belonging to the palace. Don Alexander Capobianco, when newly rais­ ed to tho priesthood, went to visit his Lord­ ship, to pay his respects to him. Alphonso asked him when ho would celebrate his first mass. Ho answered that it would bo on the following Sunday, and that Don Joseph Petrillo would make tho panegyric. At the word pane­ gyric, Alphonso remained in astonishment ; “ If there is a panegyric,” ho said, “ there will bo an entertainment. I do not allow you to do it, and if you do it, you will repent of it.” But when he knew that none had been invited there but tho nearest relations, ho said, “I grant it to you, but there must bo no strangers there, 1 ___ ΛΊ1 ___ _____ HΠ After he had ordained Don Vincent do Am­ brosio of Durazzano, ho expressly forbade him to invito company to dinner. Tho people of the house not caring for tho prohibition, several re­ lations and friends assembled there ; as soon as his Lordship hoard of it, ho wrote to a priest in order to got accurate information about it, and as he did not reply to him immediately ho wrote a second letter. When ho was convinced of what had passed, ho reprimanded Don Vin­ cent, and forbade him to celebrate mass for a fortnight ; he consented however to reduce this prohibition to ten days, but it was through the intervention of Don Pascal doll’ Acqua, his great friend and tho superintendant of Durazzano. When ono of us celebrated his first mass in ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 141 liis family, ho would not have any peculiar so­ lemnity. Our father, Pascal Capriola, who was ordained at Avellino, asked Alphonso’s leave to celebrate his first mass at the house of his pa­ rents, for their consolation. Alphonso replied, that he must not invite any one on this occasion, nor have any feast, but celebrate in secret. He urged the newly-ordained priests to make a good preparation before celebrating mass, and to excite in themselves good dispositions by repeated acts of faith and of charity, so that they might wor­ thily handle so terrible a mystery. He also re­ commended them not to leave tho church with­ out making their thanksgiving. “By the acts which precede,” said ho, “above all, by those of contrition, tho vessel is emptied and purified, and by tho acts which follow, it is filled with tho gifts of grace.” * As ho detested all precipitation in mass, so ho equally condemned lengthiness, which is always wearisome to tho people. “A mass,” said ho, “ which exceeds half an hour, croates weariness and not devotion in those who hear it and ho was in tho habit of adducing St. Philip Neri’s example, who prescribed this rule to himself when he celebrated in public. IIo tried to cause a pauso to bo made in tho recital of tho office, but not an affected stop. “For some minutes, more or loss,” said Al­ phonso, “ one condemns oneself to years of pur­ gatory.” IIo, above all, would not suffer them to leave it until night, when they would bo forced to recito tho office hurriedly. “Mass 142 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. and office,” said ho, "will sanctify us if wo go through them as wo ought; but they will de­ stroy us, or deprive us of very great graces, if wo perform them negligently. ” Such were, amongst many others, the measures which Bishop Liguori took in order to have well-instructed and edifying priests, who might serve the people and consolo tho Church ; but as weeds always sprout up in tho midst of good corn, and briers grow in spite of tho vigilance of tho most able gardener, so his diocese was not free from subjects who afflicted his heart. CHAPTER XXX. Bishop Liguori was very careful and prudent in giving an approbation to new confessors ; the examination however was not rigorous, but was conducted with a wise degree of slowness ; it was sometimes prolonged during several weeks, during which the subject was obliged to return very often, and to undergo new interrogatories each time. His Lordship caused all these ques­ tions to be published, and they alone filled twentyfour pages. He commenced by the treatise on conscience, and went through the whole of morals, of which he caused an exact account to be given. When the priest had not, for some reason or other, received the faculty to hear confessions at the same time as the priesthood, and had to ob- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 143 tain it afterwards, ho was obliged to pass through a severe examination afresh. If Alphonso saw that tho candidato was well acquainted with theology, ho approved him ; but if he saw that ho was weak and hesitating, ho put him off to another time. At times several were found to bo capable who did not receive their powers, or at least only received them on condition of returning after two or three months. When tho parish priests or others came to ask him to give a priest tho faculty to hear confes­ sions, saying that their parish was in want of con­ fessors, ho admitted no one to the examination without being informed if ho were a man of pray­ er ; if ho made his thanksgiving as he ought, after having said mass ; if ho never failed to visit tho Blessed Sacrament every evening ; and, above all, if ho never visited suspicious or dangerous peo­ ple. If any suspicion remained on his mind, ho was not admitted to the examination. In giving faculties ho recommended nothing but evangel­ ical equity, and tho absence of too much indul­ gence as well as of too much severity. “ The custom now is,” said he, “to bo rigid in propor­ tion to one’s wish to avoid the suspicion of lax­ ity ; but such is not tho spirit of Josus Christ, nor that of His Church. Did Jansenius ever lead a soul to heaven?—Well! tho rigorism of our days is a legacy of Jansenism.” Alphonso did not fix on any age when women’s confessions might bo heard ; ho regulated this H according to the merits and conduct of tho priest. “There are old priests,” said he, “who, although I 144 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. docropid, are unfit for such an office.” His Lordship thought that a priest ought to bo useful to his fellow-citizens. Ho laid this obli­ gation before all those whom ho ordained, and urged them to devote themselves to preaching, and to tho ministry of tho sacred tribunal. Those who acquitted themselves faithfully in this, filled him with joy ; they were tho first whoso advance­ ment ho procured ; but ho immediately took away their faculties from those iu whom ho no­ ticed romissness or negligence ; and, further, ho was not satisfied with some amendment ; it re­ quired years of perseverance in order to regain his esteem ; there wore therefore many there who could never act as confessors during all the time he ruled over tho diocese. Ho was not less severo towards tho regular priests. Indeed, he may bo said to havo exacted even more from them than from tho seculars ; for ho was convinced that many only wished to be confessors in order to havo tho title, and did not seriously apply themselves to tho study of moral theology ; so that when a regular presented him­ self to obtain tho faculties for confessing, tho testimonies of tho provincial, and letters certify­ ing that he had been a confessor in other dio­ ceses, did not in the least exempt him from tho examination. A religious who was a Dominican, and who was nominated Prior of St. Mary do Vico, came to his Lordship with a letter of recommendation that Don Hercules had given him at tho solicitation of others. His Lordship received him with great civility, and was very ST. alphonso liguori. 145 kind towards him ; but when tho Father Rector asked him for tho faculties to hear confessions, ho answered that ho must bo examined. “ I am ready,” added ho, “to show you kindness, by rendering you all possible service ; but as for the examination, I cannot in conscience dispenso you from it.” The prior was unwilling to submit to tho tost ; his Lordship was still more so to grant him tho powers demanded, and the result was, that tho prior ended his life without ever having been a confessor in his church. Another camo to sco Alphonso ono day, putting on an air of importance and a tone of superiority. Ilis Lordship said to his grand-vicar with a smile, “As ho is a master, he must bo well examined.” After having given him a most civil reception, ho said to him, “ Do not take it ill, but I must examine you, because it is an established rule.” Tho religious submitted to tho trial, and did not know how to answer anything. Tho bishop, with­ out saying that ho could not approve him, went H II out, telling him to wait some time longer, and that ho intended to examine him before his prior. Ho had a singular visit ono day. A Francis­ can came to visit him, wearing a long beard and a coarse habit, and assuring him that ho had come from Bosina, where he had laboured for a long time for tho conversion of tho infidels. His Lordship congratulated him, and rejoicing in hearing tho recital of tho conversions of which ho spoke, ho kept him with him for two days. · Tho religious said that ho was sent to reside at 146 ST. ALPHONSO LIGÜORI. Arpaja. When ho was on tho point of sotting out, ho asked for the faculties of a confessor ; but hero Alphonso stopped short. “ I rejoice at your zeal,” ho said to him, “ but it is necessary that I should act in this matter in concert with your superiors.” Ho made inquiries ; tho reli­ gious proved to bo nothing but an impostor and a renegade ; ho was afterwards arrested and ex­ pelled from tho diocese. Tho office of preacher in tho church of tho Annunziata at Arienzo was conferred on a gradu, ate, who was a Capuchin Father, an exemplary man, and who was considered to be very learned by the religious of his order. Alphonso granted him license to preach, but ho exacted a previous examination before giving that of confessor. This was not what tho preacher wanted ; ho com­ menced the exorcises of Lent, but never sat in the confessional ; ho often visited his Lordship without manifesting any intention of being ex­ amined. Alphonso always showed him great kindness, and all tho Lent passed without a word being said about confession by tho Capu­ chin Father. When tho Father Abbot Muscati, of tho mon­ astery of Monte Virgine, was entrusted with the direction of the monastery of Airola, his Lord­ ship went to congratulate him. Tho abbot af­ terwards came to see him at Fascio, and asked him for faculties for two religious. I lis Lordship begged to be excused, as he could not acquiesce in the request, without a scruple of conscience, before having had proofs of tho capability of ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 147 these two religious. The abbot insisted and en­ treated, but his Lordship would not do it. When ho saw such immoveable firmness, the abbot ΰ­ had not courage to ask for jurisdiction for him self, and ho did it through the medium of a person of authority, but this was without success ; ho was obliged to present himself in person : his Lordship acted with prudence—he conversed with him alone and without formality, and propo­ sed some doubts to him, after which he confer­ red the powers on him. As to the two religious, they did not present themselves until after they had studied morals for a considerable time. Several superiors of monasteries, informed of his Lordship’s firmness on this point, came to pay him a visit of ceremony on their entrance into office, and they did not neglect to visit him again when opportunity offered; but they made up their minds to remain without juris­ diction, rather than expose themselves to being tried ; his Lordship never exempted them from examination, in spite of his demonstrations of friendship towards them. Abbot Caraffa camo to pay his respects to him and to ask for jurisdiction. “Very well,” said his Lordship, “but return another day, because I wish to know what books you used in your studies on morals.” When the abbot saw that an examination was in question, ho did not feel anxious to bo a confessor any longer. A priest for whom our saint had much esteem, and whoso knowledge ho was acquainted with, especially in regard to morals, camo one day to ask for a 148 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. confessor’s jurisdiction for a superior of a mon­ astery, assuring him that this religious was well fitted, and, above all, that ho led an exemplary life ; but as his Lordship did not know him, ho could not persuade him. Another religious, a Dominican, and one whom his Lordship consider­ ed to bo learned, but of a singular disposition, would not undergo tho trial ; in consequence ho was obliged to forego tho title of confessor. Λ Father arrived at tho monastery of tho Dominican Fathers at Durazzano, who had been provincial and oven vicar-apostolical at Smyrna. When ho presented himself in order to obtain his powers, his Lordship very politely told him that ho could not exempt him from tho exam­ ination, both on account of avoiding scruples and to prevent giving an occasion of offence to others. The Father answered that ho con­ sented to it; “But you do not know, my Lord,” added ho, “how many Jesuits I have reject­ ed who have been approved by tho Propagan­ da ! ” Tho Dominican Father returned there­ fore, accompanied by Don Xavier dell’ Acqua, the steward at Caserto ; his Lordship invited them both to dinner. Alphonso’s refusal had displeased Don Xavier ; ho begged him therefore to grant him that tho abbot should only be ex­ amined by indirect questions during tho meal ; Alphonso consented, and had in fact causo to rejoice in tho proofs which tho Father-Master gave of his theological knowledge. When Abbot Pignatelli, whose merits were cele­ brated, and who afterwards became Archbishop I ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 149 of Bari and of Capua, wont to tho abbey of Airola, his Lordship, who did not know him well, re­ plied, when ho was asked to give tho abbot fa­ culties for confessions, that ho could not give thorn if the abbot did not previously reply to the questions which ho would put to him. This indirect refusal offended tho abbot; ho came to visit Alphonso, however, who treated him with every mark of attention, but never spoke of tho jurisdiction. Tho grand-vicar, who saw his Lordship’s inflexibility towards tho abbot, at last said to him, to do away with his scruples, “ Suppose, my Lord, that when tho abbot comes again to visit you, wo try to make the conver­ sation fall upon theology, and if ho proves his capacity by his answers you can give him per­ mission to hear confessions without fear.” Al­ phonso agreed to tho plan ; ho put it into execu­ tion on the very next visit of the abbot’s, and the result was completely in favour of the learned religious. His Lordship was rejoiced at it, and immediately gave him tho faculties. Abbot Pignatelli was able to appreciate his Lordship’s im­ partiality, and had the most sincere attachment • I' from that time. for him Alphonso on his part was convinced of tho abbot’s merit, and took a great deal of pains to cause him to be nomina­ ted Archbishop of Bari. There was a priest belonging to Forchia d’Arpaja, who was a groat preacher, and had been fixed on to give tho Lent discourses in tho coun­ try of Real Valle. Chevalier Negroni, the chief superintendent at Cascrto, begged his Lordship 150 ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. to give this priest tho needful faculties for con­ fession ; but notwithstanding Alphonso’s great obligations to this magistrate, ho positively re­ fused his request. Don Negroni reiterated his prayer, but with no better success. Several subjects camo from tho stato of Ben­ evento into the dioceso to preach there during Lent ; but his Lordship gave none of thorn leave to hear confessions without a previous exami­ nation. This conduct displeased Mgr. Colombini, tho Archbishop of Benevento ; so when Don Pascal Bartolini, a priest of Airola, was nominated preacher at Paolisi, in tho dioceso of Benevento, and went to ask tho Archbishop for his benediction, and for tho faculties of a confessor, “You must resign yourself,” said tho prelate, “and undergo an examination; for Bishop Liguori has acted in this manner to those be­ longing to mo.” Don Pascal submitted, and satisfied tho Archbishop. Alphonso was not dis­ satisfied at it, but would have wished it to have been done through zeal, and not from resentment. It may bo truly said that Alphonso was as prompt in withdrawing faculties for hearing con­ fessions from those who proved to be unworthy of them, as he was prudent in giving them at all ; tho regulars especially experienced his se­ verity in this respect. Having heard that a religious of Arpaja, whom he had nominated to be a confessor, was in the habit of despising tho poor, and occupying himself too much with the direction of some devotees, ho sent for him and immediately withdrew tho powers. He also ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. 151 suspended several others, and some ho oven ex­ pelled from his diocose. Our readers will thank us for citing here the rules which Alphonso drew up for confessors, and which he accurately observed himself. ALPHONSO’s ADVICE TO CONFESSORS. 1. The confessor ought to study moral theo­ logy thoroughly, and to go over the most diffi­ cult points every day. 2. The confessor ought to have great charity, particularly in regard to sinners who need most assistance. 3. The confessor ought to have the same de­ gree of charity for all, without distinction of persons. 4. Tho confessor ought not to prefer hearing women’s confessions to those of men. 5. The confessor ought to interest himself in his penitents, more than a father for his chil­ dren, because ho is concerned for souls and eternity. 6. The confessor ought to feel as much zeal for a dirty and ragged woman as for a princess. 7. The confessor who makes a choice of cer­ tain penitents through sympathy, loses tho fruit of his labours, and endangers tho loss of his conscience and his honour. 8. Tho confessor ought not to bo scornful and irascible, for by that ho would estrange his pen­ itents from tho sacrament of penance. 9. Tho confessor ought to avoid all useless 152 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUO1U. and curious discoursing in tho sacred tribunal, which would expose him to profano tho sacra­ ment of penance. 10. Tho confessor ought to bo very careful in his intercourse with tho backsliding, tho occa­ sional and tho habitual sinner, tho scandalous, tho calumniator, and those of bad faith. Before being absolved, these sinners must first fulfil their duty, and give very definite and certain signs of conversion. 11. Tho confessor ought to bo very prudent in his interrogatories ; ho ought to do his duty, but with modesty and brevity, especially when any vice against holy purity is in question. 12. Tho confessor ought to bo a father, a master, a physician, and a judge ; and to bo so he ought to bo able to lovo, to instruct, to heal and to judge tho penitent. Rispoli, Vita del B. Alfonso Maria de Liguorio, p. 75—7G, Napoli, 1834. CHAPTER XXXI. Convinced of tho importance of tho duties of a parish priest, Alphonso gave tho most scrupu­ lous attention to their election. “A zealous priest,” said ho, “ sanctifies all his people ; but an indifferent ono docs not preserve tho good, and can only do harm.” Alphonso did not requiro groat learning in them, but he wished that they ST. ALPHONSO LIGÜORT. 153 should have a sufficiency of information, and above all, that they should bo versed in morals, and capable of instructing tho people properly. Ono day when ho assisted at a conference on cases of morals, ho saw an old priest who was greatly embarrassed ; he was uneasy at this from tho first ; but when ho was told that even these answers had been given to him before­ hand, and that ho had them in his hat, and yet could not remember them, ho immediately re­ moved him from tho charge of his parish ; how­ ever, in order to spare his reputation, (for he was otherwise a good man,) he appointed him to bo canon on tho first vacancy. Tho meetings for tho parishes always took place in his presence, and ho wished tho examinations to bo made with severity. Among the candidates who presented themselves at one of these mootings, there was an aged priest and confessor. lie pretended that these titles gave him a claim to tho benefice, which ought to be awarded to him through justice in preference to tho others. But when Alphonso proceeded to the examination, tho old priest evinced such extreme ignorance, that ho not only did not have the parish, but ho was suspended from exercising his powers of confessor, to his great confusion. In another meeting, ono of tho postulants, besides tho precision of tho answers which ho gave to ono of tho examiners, even quoted to him tho pages, tho chapters, and tho very paragraphs of tho treatises on morals ; but ho could not an­ swer in tho same manner to tho questions ad­ 154 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. dressed to him by the others ; his Lordship got suspicions about it, however, as he could not have any certainty about it, ho felt obliged to entrust tho parish to him, though he did so with regret. He, however, evinced his dissatisfaction to tho examiners in general, and urged them to fulfil their office faithfully, representing to them how much ho sins who co-operates in tho nomination of a parish priest who is unworthy of his ministry. An admirable delicacy presided also in these examinations. Don Pascal Deodatus, tho priest, having been presented to the meeting for the vacant parish of St. John the Baptist of Bucciano, was rejected by tho examiners, because ho had followed au­ thors opposed to tho system of his Lordship. When Alphonso know the result of the con­ ference, he was surprised at seeing tho cause of this condemnation. “ Tho authors whom he follows,” said ho to the examiners, “are stan­ dard and approved;” and on their replying that the answers were not in accordance with his moral theology, “I have no authority to act as a law,” said his Lordship, “and in a matter of opinion every one is at liberty to follow his own where tho Church has not condemned it.” He undertook tho defence of Deodatus, who ob­ tained the benefice in consequence. When the living of St. Angelus of Mungulariis became vacant, tho deacon, Angelus Stasi, was the one who answered tho best among tho nu­ merous candidatos. His Lordship witnessed it with satisfaction, but in consideration of the a ■ ■ 210 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. worse happening, and so ho hastened to pacify them. “Bo tranquil,” ho said to them, “do not alarm yourselves ; I do not wish to cause you any pain.” Ho then changed tho subject, and the conversation went on peaceably. Alphonso took still more pains to prevent tho introduction of new abuses than to refor II tho old ones. Catherine do Lucca had a bed-ridden daughter in a convent at Airola, and she had obtained leave from tho Popo to visit her onco a year, and to converso with her as II iuch as she pleased from morning till night. His Lordship got tho edict to examine it. Before sending it to Naples for the king’s approval, ho reflected on tho clause which ho had read of Arbitrio or­ dinarii, and on tho possibility of other persons pretending to the same thing to tho injury of the inclosure, ho therefore replied to tho mes­ senger : “Tell Damo Catherine that I suspend tho permission for tho present, she may do what she likes if I dio or resign ;” and on being im­ portuned on tho subject, he answered, “ I cannot do it, because I have a scruple about it ; tho Popo can grant it if he pleases, but as he has referred it to me, I cannot, and I will not, on account of tho attendant inconveniences.” Tho nuns of another convent intended to make new windows which would open on tho street, and bo furnished with blinds ; they asked for permission from his Lordship, but ho flatly refused it. Per­ sons in authority interfered in their behalf ; but as soon as Alphonso heard these solicitations ho let the nuns know, that if they did not desist ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 211 IT very from their project they would displease him much, because he could not consent to an im­ proper thing. The religious then took his advice and remained silent, and took no further steps in tho affair. Some other nuns in a convent at Aricnzo, wished to obtain purer air, and formed the plan of having a little belvedere above the front door of tho church. They asked for his Lordship’s sanction, who sent the grand-vicar to see if the thing were fitting or not ; ho caused him to bo accompanied by tho two architects from Naples, tho stewards and the confessor be­ longing to tho convent. When ho heard that the belvedere would bo opposite to tho windows of tho fathers of St. Austin, ho hastened to re­ ply in tho negativo. Tho religious themselves saw tho imprudence of their project, and in or­ der to show plainly that they were not in tho least offended at this refusal, they subscribed a declaration in which they all certified their en­ tire obedience to all tho wishes of their bishop. Tho Pope granted from timo to time tho clois­ tered nuns permission to absent themselves from the convent. Some in tho diocese, without re­ flecting on tho sad consequences which might re­ sult from it, wore inclined to ask for a similar dispensation ; as soon as Alphonso perceived it, ho warned them to abstain from so doing. “Tho Pope refers it to the ordinary,” ho said, “and I will never consent to grant it ; I know what a bad reputation these goings out have, and tho very least ovil which results from them is at least a very great dissipation of mind.” Alphonso 212 ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. had always an answer ready for all such thought­ less requests. Some nuns complained that ho never granted them anything, and that they had mot with II three refusals consecutively from him. “ Lot II them ask me for things that are just and right,” said Alphonso, “ and I will take care not to refuse them ; but whenever they address unrea­ sonable requests to me, they II iust not expect to obtain anything.” CHAPTER XXXV. The material temples were no less tho objects of Alphonse’s solicitude than tho living temples ; and as all that enhances the glory of God’s house must be considered amongst tho signs of perfect zeal, Alphonso also signalized himself in this respect after the example of king David. * When ho entered into the diocese, he particu­ larly aimed at increasing tho magnificence of tho churches, and he spared neither labour nor fa­ tigue to attain this end. Tho old church of St. Agnes, in one of the parishes of Arienzo, was so out of repair that it was nearly in ruins ; tho coiling was broken and tho walls were cracked in several places. AL phonso, on seeing this building in such a ruinous • Domine dilexi decorem domus tuæ. ct locum habitationis gloriæ tuæ. Γβ. xxv. 8. ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. 213 stato, was very anxious to got tho canons belonging to the chapter to remedy it ; and they, not satisfied with a simplo repair, sent for two cele­ brated architects from Naples, Don Peter and Don Salvadoro Ci II afonto, and ordered them to use all thoir skill in in aking a complete restora­ tion of tho church. A great portion of the outer walls, which were in a bad condition, were pulled down ; and instead of a low and mean-looking building, an edifice of a noble elevation and with a beautiful roof was obtained ; it was adorned with statues and other elegant ornaments, which made the church extremely beautiful ; the bishop caused a solemn mission to bo given in the parish at tho time of its re-opening. Tho parish church of St. Stephen at Arienzo was also in a deplorable state ; this church formed part of tho largo living of St. Angelus do Palomba, The roof was injured in several places, so that tho water ca H o in on all sides, and it seemed on tho point of falling. Tho bishop caused it to bo examined by expert work­ men, who said that the repairs would cost at least five hundred ducats. He had no means of supplying so great an expenso ; but as tho incumbent had sold a felling of wood for three thousand throe hundred ducats, Alphonso se­ questered three hundred ducats to bo applied to tho first third of tho payment ; with that ho repaired tho roof, embellished tho stucco of tho high altar, restored tho pavement with taste, and made a largo window to remedy tho damp. Tho principal church of St. Angelus was in as 214 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. bad a stato as its chapel of ease. It pre­ sented the appearance of barracks, rather than II that of a temple of God. As tho incumbent cared more for his revenues than for tho preser­ vation of the church, tho edifice, which was in a lonely country spot, would soon have fallen in­ to entire ruin. Alphonso still endeavoured to repair it, in spito of tho impertinent complaints of tho incumbent. Tho restoration of these two churches was a work of time ; but our saint made arrangements so that tho labours should continuo after his resignation of tho episcopacy, and it is to his caro that tho good state in which they aro now to bo found is attri­ butable. At Ducento tho church of tho archpresbytery of St. Andrew tho apostlo had been in a state of abandonment and ruin for a number of years, through tho avarice and carelessness of tho in­ cumbents ; tho neighbouring buildings, such as tho archpriest’s house, presented an equally un­ satisfactory appearance. All this, added to tho unhealthiness of the place, caused tho rector of tho church to bo almost constantly absent. His Lordship was distressed at tho sad state of these buildings, and above all, at tho neglect in which tho faithful of tho parish were left ; but ho could find no method of remedying it. When tho archpriest offered his resignation, Alphonso thought that ho ought not to nominate another in his place ; ho accordingly appointed a priest to perform the duties, giving him fifty ducats a year, and reserved tho rest of tho inco II Ό of tho ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 215 living for tho repairs of the buildings. He told Mgr., tho nuncio, of tho determination he had como to, and of the wants of this house of God : all was sanctioned, and the church was soon repaired, together with tho buildings belonging to it. By this expedient he prevented the future archpriests fro: H having any excuse for non-resi­ dence, and thus the faithful received for tho futuro tho care and assistance of their parish priests. The very large and spacious parish church at Mojano was so neglected that it looked more like a barn than a house of prayer. It was said that there was no means of restoring it ; but Alphonso, seconded by the worthy incumbent, Thomas Aceti, and aided by the generosity of the parishioners, made this church into a real basilica, worthy to rank with those which we admire in Naples or Romo ; it is all adorned by figures in stucco of finished workmanship, all the altars, tho baptistry, and tho basements of tho pillars are of marble, the choir is equally to be admired for its magnificence, all the paintings are master­ pieces, and tho other ornaments are in keeping with tho richness of tho altars ; in a word, all in this temple speaks of devotion and splendour, and is tho fruit of tho generous piety of the incumbent and parishioners, added to the zeal and the solicitude of Bishop Liguori. Ho did not take less pains in beautifying the cathedral, although it was in a very good stato. This church is a superb ono, thanks to the de­ ceased Bishop Gaeta, for this excellent prelate, 21G ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. on seeing that tho ancient cathedral was quite out of repair, undertook to rebuild it entirely. * Alphonso took the greatest care that it should always bo kept in good repair. Ho saw that tho roof was injured in several places ; ho imme­ diately sent for experienced workmen, and it was put in order ; ho effected a great many other repairs of this kind without ever flinching from any expense. When he first came the church had not yet been consecrated ; Mgr. Puoti, the Bishop of Amalfi, hastened thither at his voice, and the consecration took place in tho year 1663. Ho spent about four hundred ducats in ♦ The present cathedral of St. Agatha may be compared to the early basilicas of Naples and of Rome. The plan of the church is very grand, it consists of three naves and several chapels, it is rich in marbles, and all the altars are well proportioned and in good keeping. The ornaments are remarkable, and all bear token of a master’s hand; decorations abound in it, and all unite in rendering it majestic. The ancient church was no less beautiful ; it also was built with three naves, of which the middle one was supported by twelve beautifully proportioned columns. There is every reason to believe, that the ancient temple of Saticola was a Pantheon like that at Rome, and that it was converted into a church by the faithful. In digging for the new foundations, a piece of marble was found with the following inscription : “ J. Ο. M. C. O. D. I.” That is to say, “Jovi optimo maximo, cæterisque omnibus Diis immortalibus.” Vestiges of the primitive temple and of its magnificence may even now be seen in the court which Bishop Gaeta left untouched, and which, as it now exists, still forms the greatest ornament of the cathedral. It has three large arches in front, and two at the sides ; all five are supported by twelve columns, two of which are of orien­ tal granite. Besides these, there are columns of the same granite which adorn the door of the present cathedral, but two others of green and antique granite, which were formerly there, have been taken into the villa of the Portici. The capitals of the col­ umns are still ornamented by divers small columns, which clearly must have served, as at the Pantheon in Rome, for supports for a similar number of idols. ST, ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 217 embellishing tho cross pillars in marble, and tho horns of plenty in brass. But there is a still more remarkable instance of Alphonse’s zeal for tho house of God. The village of St. Mary do Vico contains more than three thousand souls, divided into two parishes, tho two priests of which had to exercise their respective functions together in the same church, which was, moreover, incapable of holding more than three hundred persons. A thousand incon­ veniences resulted from this, and the offices were either ill done or else neglected altogether. The Fathers of tho congregation of tho Pious Work­ men designed to give a mission there, and had not done so for want of a place to preach in. As soon as Alphonso came and saw such a sad state of things, ho grieved over it, and imme­ diately conceived tho bold scheme of building a church there capable of holding all tho in­ habitants. Tho priests wanted to form two dis­ tinct parishes, but his Lordship feared that if too much were attempted nothing would be done, and so ho decided that there should bo only one established as formerly. It was impossible not to sec that tho under­ taking was a difficult ono, but all was easy to Alphonso. lie hold several meetings in concert with tho two parish priests, Don Matthew Migliore and Don Vincent do Mauro, and at the head of tho clergy and gentlemen of the place, and ho persuaded tho two priests to give up the tithes for the benefit of tho building, which might amount to three or four hundred ducats. A 218 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. hundred ducats remained for tho maintenance of each, besides tho surplice fees, which were also considerable. Tho priests and tho committee for the building consented to everything, and tho parishioners promised to contribute an annual sum of two hundred ducats towards it. When everything was settled, there was still a disinclination to commence the work. Al­ phonso therefore sent for the two architects wo have before spoken of from Naples, and asked them for a design for a beautiful and spacious church. Tho parish priests would havo liked to havo the whole of tho sum needful for the build­ ing in hand before its commencement. “ If you 11 “you mean to act thus,” said Alphonso to them, will never obtain the desired end ; I wish the work to bo commenced at once, if it is not, tho church will never bo finished.” A committee of eight was formed, consisting of four laymen and four ecclesiastics, and tho foundations were com­ menced. Alphonso went to tho spot to look into it all himself ; tho circumference of tho church appeared to him to bo still too small to hold all tho people during tho time of a mis­ sion, so he ordered them to enlarge it. He was filled with unbounded joy on seeing this great work effected ; ho went in pontifical vest­ ments preceded by his clergy to lay tho first stono of tho edifice, in tho year 1763, with tho usual prayers. Tho eagerness with which ho was evidently filled, caused some ono to say that his Lordship would willingly havo cele­ brated tho functions of tho church in the building ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 219 before it was commenced. Tho generous prelate contributed no small sum towards tho expenses; indeed, wo may oven say that ho took tho whole II expenso of tho building on himself. Ho had only ten ducats at first, and yet he furnished money for a work which amounted to more than fifteen thousand ducats ; his faith did the whole. The people, encouraged by his magnanimity, aid­ ed in the undertaking by spontaneous gifts ; tho two priests, rivaling his Lordship’s confidence, gave signal proofs of their disinterestedness. They wrote to tell him that they would be satis­ fied with only retaining for their maintenance the sum requisite for the food and clothes of a mere servant. Alphonso was full of joy at seeing tho progress of the work, and ho never missed going to look after it when ho was in Airola, or ceased to encourago the people by his presence and by his exhortations. But troubles did not fail to mingle themselves in tho work, for good things are always opposed. Tho people grew cold, and as tho tithes had been prohibited, they applied to the royal council for permission to give up contributing to tho expenses. Alphonso however was not at all discouraged ; ho related all that had happened to tho president of tho council, Don Balthazar Cito, his friend, and obtained leave for tho tithes to bo continued until tho building was finished ; after which other measures could bo taken, lie also managed to triumph over a thousand other obstacles, which only served to cause his courage and firmness to be still more admired. —*■· 220 ST. ALTIIONSO LIGUORI. “His Lordship has given ten ducats,” said Don Matthew Migliore to me, “ but his solici­ tude and tho aid ho has obtained havo amount­ ed to thousands.” It was at his expenso that tho advocates and the attorneys went to Na­ ples, and it was he also who was unceasingly engaged in corresponding with persons who were able to assist in tho undertaking. What did he not do with the president of tho council and the two councillors John Pallanto and Salvadore Caruso, tho latter of whom was commissioner of causes ? and what did he not receive through their support ? Ho entertained the two archi­ tects with their servants and horses at his pal­ ace at his own expense, and he obtained an abatement of four or five hundred ducats through their generosity ; it was through this indefati­ gable energy that Alphonso conducted so groat an undertaking to such a happy termination, and when ho left the diocese there was nothing left to finish but some stuccoing and flagging. Alphonso had at heart the interior embellishII ent of the churches, and tho decency which becomes the houses of God, as well as what referred to tho outward part of tho buildings. Ho especially wished tho altars to bo furnished with suitable ornaments. “ I have never seen a priest,” said he, “make use of a dirty worn-out linen at table ; everything they themselves use is clean, and it is only for Jesus Christ that dirty things are allowed.” He would havo done still more if the rectors and tho revenues had corres­ ponded to his wishes. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 221 CHAPTER XXXVI. God never granted peace or repose to Alphonso, but unceasingly exercised him in resignation and patience. Our congregation was in a very flou­ rishing state, and Alphonso was full of a joy, in which wo too participated, in seeing how tho Lord was graciously pleased to shower down blessings upon us ; but an enemy, or to speak more justly, hell, was irritated at tho success of a work of God’s, and could not allow it to go on tranquilly. A quarrel occurred three years back between those belonging to our house at Iliceto, and Francis Anthony Maffei, who was a man of great authority, which caused tho great­ est difficulties to that house, as well as to the whole congregation. Maffei got engaged in a dispute with tho people about the fief of Iliceto, of which ho was tho lord, and they complained of him to tho king, and stated several offences against him. Tho affair became more and more serious, and wo, in order to avoid evil conse­ quences, applied to tho president, de Foggia Don Granito, through Bishop Basta of Melfi, and ob­ tained an exemption from tho necessity of ap­ pearing in this trial. Although tho people had appealed to us to appear as witnesses against Maffei, and wo refused to do so, not wishing to espouse either side, our neutrality offended this Lord. “He who is nbt for mo is against me,” 222 1 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. said ho. Ho would have liked our fathers to examine into his cause, and to testify in his favour ; for this reason ho got angry at our conduct, declared himself our enemy, and swore not only to extirpate tho house at Iliceto, but all tho congregation. Ho began by disputing our rights as citizens, and as tho administrators of tho law were under his control, ho prevented our cutting wood in the public forest, though ho could not well help our drawing water, and ho also deprived us of several other advantages. Now this happened in winter ; for lack of a fire, wo wore obliged to lay in bod till tho day was far advanced, and wo wcro forced to uso even tho church benches for cooking. Several eccle­ siastics joined our adversary’s side. Everything was of parochial right, and as such took away from our privileges. As soon as a person be­ came ill, ho was assiduously surrounded by those who thus prevented our being with him, and those who had formerly been consoled at ob­ taining the aid of tho missionaries, who wont every Sunday to catechise the people, now wanted us no more. Tho excellent Prince Don Matthias Miroballa was prejudiced against us, and no longer pro­ tected us. Our fathers at G'iorani lived harmo­ niously with Baron Don Nicholas Sarnelli ; ho however felt a secret resentment against us, on account of some property which his brother had bequeathed to Alphonso, and which formed tho only support of this poor house. It was tho same in regard to other gifts which his brother had ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 223 personally bestowed. Ho more than once had brought forward his designs, but we had suc­ ceeded in pacifying him at our own expense, when an unintentional mistake on our part caus­ ed him again to rise up against us. It so hap­ H pened that some mark of attention in church was omitted towards his wife, the baroness, and that was enough to cause the rupturo ; when ono wishes to quarrel with a person, one is apt to enter into friendship with his one Maf­ fei seized on tho opportunity of exciting the baron about his claims to attention, and ho became very violent against us. Tho matter 11 became serious, for they mutually oxcitod each M other ; Maffoi, that he might triumph in a point of honour, and tho baron, that ho might recover a thing which ho protended belonged to him. After tho flame was once kindled, Maffei was not ashamed of pursuing us, and accusing us in direct terms of crimes to tho king, saying, that wo, to tho scandal of tho public, had de­ generated from what wo were whon tho insti­ tuto had boon so much praised by his Catholic Majesty ; that wo no longer occupied ourselves with missions, but that, governed by a spirit of avarice, we endeavoured to make purchases robbing tho people for our own aggrandisement ; that we had suporb edifices, oven for our country houses, which surpassed those of tho Jesuits ; that wo had erected a church at Ciorani, which surpassed those of tho first cities ; and that, through a fatal abuso, wo wont into houses to excito tho inhabitants to rebel against thoii' 224 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. superiors ; in a word, wo wero loaded with all the accusations which had before been brought against the Jesuits; and in several addresses to the king, wo wero represented as having caused the ruin of his people, and as likely to become formidable even to the crown. While they thus held tho cards in their own hands, and thought that they had the best of tho game, they al­ II ready began to proclaim that tho missionaries were destroyed and exiled, and that the congre­ gation was suppressed. These calumnies having reached the throne, fresh accusations wero made against us in tho tribunal of Foggia, as well as at tho royal courts of Lucero, Montefusco, and Salerno. The ministers’ offices were daily be­ sieged by letters and claims, and there was not a court of justice in Naples which did not re­ ceive some petition against us. All tho congre­ gation were in a state of sorrow and affliction. Tho truth only reached the king’s ears by slow degrees, and adulterated by falsehood. However, tho baron represented that tho ground belonging to our house, and tho build­ ings situated thereon, had been invalidly given to us by his father; and that tho gift made to II us by his brother was still more invalid, for that, as he had died ab intestat, ho himself had inherited his possessions, and that in justice tho house ought to bo restored to him, together with the vineyard and tho fruits, which had boon unfairly gathered. Ho even went so far as to say that tho rapacity of tho missionaries either passed all bounds, or else had recourse to sub- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 225 tcrfugos and equivocation, in order to enable H them to make immense acquisitions, to the de­ triment both of the public and the crown. Every one can see what grief all this oppo­ sition must have caused to Alphonso. When I told him of all the extraordinary calumnies with which we were loaded, ho groaned over them, and humbling himself before God, he adored His righteous judgments. Ho was most moved H at Maffei’s animosity : “ The matter is more serious than you imagine,” he said to mo. “ If Don Maffei is offended, I grievo for the poor house ! I know his disposition, and what he caused tho venerable Mgr. Lucci to suffer. May God deign to bo our Protector !” He said, in writing to Father Villani, “ Cause a Salve Regina to tho Blessed Virgin to be recited after morning and night prayers, with tho pray­ er, Defendo, for tho house at Iliceto, which is in great danger.” Tho troubles did not cease, so he ordered prayers and fasts in all tho houses. Ho wished that the Psalm, Qui habitat, should bo recited in common every evening, and order­ ed a novena in honour of tho Blessed Virgin, with exposition of tho Blessed Sacrament. Ho recommended discretion and charity to bo ex­ ercised towards our adversaries, and above all, that nothing should bo undertaken against them, even in self-defence, and that recourse should bo made to no other arms than those of prayer and observance of rule. He further wished that an Ave to the Blessed Virgin should bo repeated after tho examination in common in the evou15 226 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. ing, in order to entreat her to enlighten our per­ secutors, and restore our tranquillity. This distressing affair gave sorrow to all our friends, and especially to tho Marquis of Marco, who at that time was the minister of justice and worship. He know perfectly well what sad an­ noyances tho venerable Bishop, Anthony Lucci, had suffered at Bovino from the same lord of Iliceto ; so when Canon Malizia informed him of our embarrassment, tho marquis exclaimed, “ He is not satisfied with having tormented ono of God’s servants, ho wishes to distress this ono also.” The marquis was affected at seeing us exposed to tho hatred of such powerful perse­ cutors, so ho took an interest in our cause, and wished to aid us by his protection. Tho flame gained ground daily ; Alphonso therefore wrote tho following circular to the members of his congregation : “ Behold, my dear brothers, how tho Lord has visited us in sending us so many tribulations ; wo aro in alarm on account of tho efforts of our enemies, who labour to destroy the congregation, and we know not what may bo tho end thereof. It is our negligence in observing tho rule which God now chastises. Lot us hope in tho mercy of Almighty God, who will not permit tho congre­ gation to bo destroyed ; let us now try to appease His anger by our prayers and by avoiding all voluntary transgressions, especially that of dis­ obedience, because in this respect there is no punishment which wo have not merited. Ob­ serve, that the congregation has been afflicted ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 227 ever since tho Saturday fast has been omit­ ted ; lot us then now endeavour to deserve the II protection of tho Blessed Mary amid the storm wherein we find ourselves, by restoring this fast-day in all tho houses. Thus the divine mo­ ther will exert her power, and will save us from tho total ruin with which wo are menaced by our enemies.” Maffei wished that we should be deprived of tho privilege of possessing tho rights of citizens by a sentence of tho supremo court, although he had already robbed us of them as far as prac­ tice went. We were obliged to appear before tho royal council of Sommaria, to which tho king had referred the decisions to be given in regard to protended claims. Five advocates undertook tho cause of Maffei, threatening to destroy and ravage all belonging to us ; wo on our side had only Don Gaétan Celano, who was a famous advocato at that time, and afterwards became tho king’s councillor. As ho felt con­ vinced of our innocence and of the justice of our cause, ho did not hesitate to defend us. Our possessions were confirmed to us after an inves­ tigation, to tho confusion of our adversaries ; they consisted of five boe-hivos, a gun, a basin, and some hundreds of young vines, which a country­ man left to bo sold, and their profit to bo used by tho clergy to meet tho expenses of a funeral, and to provido for the celebration of a certain number of masses which had boon promised. Tho royal council wore greatly surprised at seeing such grievances ; and on finding that tho demand 228 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. for depriving us of civil rights had been dictated by a malicious spirit, they decreed unanimously, on January 1st, 1767, that the members of the Congregation should enjoy tho same privileges as tho other subjects belonging to the kingdom. The councillors wore delighted at having to give such a decision, never having had to examine into any cause which had given them such groat satisfaction. Far from being ashamed at this disappoint­ ment, our persecutors only redoubled their hatred against us. Maffei had recourse to intrigue, and obtained access to tho royal council. Tho procurator allowed himself to bo prejudiced, and forbade us to administer our property. The reg­ ister of this court went to la Pouillo, accompa­ nied by a strong detachment of constables. Our enemies did not oven spare our money, in order to render our ruin more completo, and tho little that we possessed was entrusted to a strange commissioner, named by Maffei ; this was a most heavy blow to us, for wo had hardly even a few carlinos remaining. Alphonso’s sorrow on hear­ ing those tidings, and on seeing his poor children without bread, can bo well imagined. “ Let us not cease to pray,” ho wrote to them, “because all my hope is in God ;” and ho said to Father Villani, “ Let us behave well, and Jesus Christ will protect us ; Ho does not cease to give us warnings, but if we prove unfaithful, He will abandon us.” x ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 229 CHAPTER XXXVII. Calumny has tho peculiarity of having recourse to new falsehoods, instead of retiring into ob­ scurity after having been convicted of imposture. Thus our adversaries, in order to maintain the semblance of truth in their assertions as to our acquisitions, searched through all the records of tho notaries in the provinces where we had had tho most business, in order to find out, if possible, all tho legacies and donations which had been given to us. They had spoken of the magnificence of our houses, and of the excessive expenses which wo had incurred ; they there­ fore ordered some wretched masons to come and put a valuation on our houses, as if they had been so many architects, and after a sim­ ple glance at tho exterior, our houses were es­ timated some at sixty, and others at twenty-four thousand ducats. These new appraisers attest­ ed all they said on oath, and their falsehoods were reported to the king, under the guise of truth. In order to relievo the misery in which wo wore plunged, wo thought it right to send tho lay-brothors to beg for a little corn during har­ vest time ; but in order to cut us off from all means of subsistence, it was represented to tho king that wo went about begging without his permission, and in support of this accusation a 230 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. commissioner was sent through the provinces to verify tho truth of these serious offences ; the monasteries of the mendicant orders were also excited to protest against the missionaries. A few yielded to tho instigations of our persecu­ tors, it is true, but the greater part of tho religious repelled them with indignation. Wo were also accused of having committed a grievous offence in regard to our foundation in the state of Benevento. Tho king was told that it had been attempted contrary to his majesty’s wishes, as ho had only allowed us to have four houses. Tho gold and silver of tho kingdom, which had been amassed together in so many ingots, so to speak, was deposited in tho house at Benevento by tho missionaries, they said, who thus succeeded in eluding tho royal ordi­ nances about acquisitions. Searches were also made to confirm tho protondod legacies and do­ nations said to have been made to this houso. But this was not all, an odious attempt near­ ly completed our ruin. When wo saw that tho little that wo had at Iliceto was at tho mercy of tho so-called commissioners, wo found moans to consign some property which still remain­ ed to us into tho hands of a person who was devoted to our interests; Maffei profited by this as if it had been a capital crime. We had also ploughed on some land which served as tho boundary to the royal hunting ground ; in his office of keeper of this ground, ho accused the missionaries of having had tho boldness to take away tho boundaries of tho royal domain, and ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. 231 of having cut tho wood on it, and turned a por­ tion of it into tillage land. The husbandman was immediately seized by a royal command, and tho President of Foggia, Don Angelus Granito, went to tho spot in order to verify the pretended crime in person ; ho immediately saw tho truo stato of tho case, and he arranged aud expedited his report ; but the king did not per­ ceive this calumny for a year afterwards. Our misfortunes did not end here. Tho king was going to make a hunting party at Trcmoleto, in tho same territory of Iliceto ; Maffei went to Caserto, and told him that tho missionaries had prejudiced the people’s minds against his majesty, and that tho inhabitants intended to rise in a body, and to go and meet him, which would placo him in great danger. What put the idea of recurring to this imposture into Maf. fei’s head was, that he knew how much tho people hated him, and ho really feared that they u might rise up in revolt, and make complaints to tho king against himself. Ilis stratagem succeeded, for ho by this means prevented tho people from doing anything against him. Two couriers wore immediately despatched to Foggia, and when tho king arrived at Torre Guevara, a third was sent to the president, to get his orders aud enable him to make his report. Our suppression began to bo spoken of as well as the chastisements which awaited us. But when serious inquiries were set on foot, tho slanders against us were made manifest, and so far from any ono alleging anything to our disadvantage, 232 ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUOItr. they on tho contrary protested against our op­ pressor. Tho same miserable attempts were resorted to at tho same time in order to ruin the mission­ aries at Ciorani. Their conduct was misrepre­ sented ; they endeavoured to find them guilty of offences against tho sovereign and the state ; they pretended to prove that they led a scanda­ lous life and oppressed tho people. All these ru­ mours were spread about, and each of us became the laughing-stock of free-thinkers, especially at Naples. Wo had daily visits from tho constables and other inferior officers. The work of the missions suffered very much from these interrup­ tions, to our great sorrow and that of all good people. During this combination of unjust accusations one single thing remained untouched—it was the purity of the missionaries. The father-guardian of a monastery at Iliceto dared to attack it how­ ever. While he went about into different houses and tried to blacken our reputation in the eyes of the people, in order thereby to obtain favour with Maffei, he everywhere published that wo had also become guilty in this point in the wood of Iliceto. But God was too much incensed at such daring audacity, and therefore was not slow in punishing him for it. The accuser was found guilty of tho crime of which he had accused others ; divers complaints were laid against him before the episcopal court, on account of several improper solicitations which ho had made in the confessional and elsewhere. His trial was pre­ ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 233 pared, for Mgr. Pacelli deprived him of his facul­ ties for hearing confessions, and tho superiors of his order commanded him to be arrested for still further offences, which was done in the public square at Foggia, whither ho had gone. Such sad events could not fail to grieve Al­ phonso, notwithstanding all his constancy. In order that we might merit tho Divine mercy ho was continually urging us to penance, and re­ doubling his own ιβ .ortifications. He solicited the prayers of several monasteries and holy persons at Naples. lie also sent a great quantity of wax candles to the hermitages of tho Camaldules Fa­ thers, in order that they might expose the Blessed Sacrament and then intercede for the congrega­ tion with God. He repeatedly sent largo alms to tho Capuchin nuns at Naples, and got them to make novenas and other pious exercises. In consequence of this stato of things, we asked him to go to Naples, as tho king had en­ trusted tho whole of tho proceedings to tho court of justice of St. Claro, and wo especially feared as to tho result of tho accusations against tho house at Benevento. Alphonso was ill of a ter­ tian fever at tho time, but ho wrote to Father Villani on tho 7th of July, 1767, saying, “I have not gone to Naples, but I have written to tho president, Don Cito, in a way that will bo very efficacious. If ho does not protect mo after that letter, a hundred visits would be equally useless. I am prevented from going out by fe­ ver, which is constantly attacking me ; tho doc­ tors say that the least chill or excessive motion 234 ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. might occasion a relapse, and if I am not cured while summer lasts, there is no chance of being so for tho whole winter. Ilis only affliction was in seeing us in suffering. Ho wrote again to the same Father Villani, on tho 18th of the same month, when ho said, “ It is good for us to aban­ don ourselves entirely into tho hands of God with perfect resignation ; I cannot however understand why you are so afraid, for our houses in tho kingdom aro established by tho decrees of his Catholic Majesty. Maffei’s accusations aro known to bo powerless, for Benevento is now under the king’s authority, with whom envy has no influ­ ence.” Alphonso was filled with confidence and security when tho tempest was at its height, and in spite of tho peril to which our little bark was exposed, ho slept, or rather ho reposed on the goodness of God, tho innocence of his sons, and the king’s good dispositions. CHAPTER XXXVHI. In this same year 1767, while tho congregation was thus persecuted, Alphonso published his great work for tho defence of tho Catholic Church, called, “The Truths of tho Faith;” ho therein shows that it is one of divino institu­ tion, and that out of this Church there is no salvation. This work is divided into three parts: tho first .« ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. 235 is directed against tho materialists, who deny tho existence of God ; in tho second, he attacks tho deists, who deny a revealed religion ; in tho third, tho sectaries, who deny tho Catholic Church to bo the only true ono. Ho attacks at tho samo timo tho Jansenists, those other enemies of the Church and tho blood of Jesus Christ. When ho wrote to Brother Francis Tartaglione, to speak about tho printing of this work, ho said to him, “These manuscripts have cost me more than I can say.” Whilst tho work was in tho press, he added two appendices; tho first was against Helvetius, or rather against his book entitled “ The Spi­ rit.” Ho took especial pains to refuto it in two points: first, as to regard to physical sensibility, which Helvetius calls the producing cause of our thoughts ; Alphonso shows that if this definition bo adopted, there is no longer any difference be­ tween tho soul of a man, and tho instinct of brutes, and that such a principio destroys mo­ rality and religion. Ho combats in tho second placo Helvetius’s other proposition, viz., that plea­ sure and interest form tho morality of man, that is to say, that all which increases pleasure is honest, and all which favours interest is just. Alphonso proves that tho reality of true good and of real evil ought to bo man’s solo principio for action. Ho equally opposes other impieties against religion, liberty, and Christian morals. Tho aim of tho second part of tho book is to refuto a French work entitled, “Do la Predica­ tion,” &c. in which tho author attacks evangelical --------- -w 236 ST. ALPHONSO LTGUOni. preaching openly, and establishes a distinction between conversion of the mind and that of the heart, and maintains that tho first and not the second is effected through preaching. Al­ phonso demonstrates the impiety of this asser­ tion, and proves that without preaching man would bo deprived of one of the most efficacious methods established by God for his conversion. This work was received with universal ap­ plauso, and the zeal with which Alphonso had composed it obtained for him tho greatest praise. John Baptist Gori, canon of tho cathedral of Naples, said in a report which he sent to his Eminence Cardinal Sersale, in admiration of Alphonso’s zeal: “Nothing can hinder * or slack­ en tho zeal of this apostolic man ; in his devotion to tho salvation of souls, ho enters into the lists with indefatigable courage, in order to maintain a generous combat for truth, notwithstanding tho double burthen of the episcopate and of advanced age. Ono can seo that he has purposed in this book to re-establish tho integrity of faith and morals amongst tho faithful, to avenge the calumnies of tho wicked, and to scatter tho dark­ ness of error. Ho completely overthrows all the dreams of materialists, deists, and other impious • Cum nihil injurium, impervium nihil, viro apostolico sit in animarum salute procuranda ; hinc multiplici licet sollicitudinum mole Ecclesiæ suæ gravatus, devexa licet ætate, eadem tamen animi fortitudine ad certandum bonum fidei certamen progreditur. Omnia in eo tendere visa sunt ut integra fides et ingenui mores ab impiorum calumniis et pravarum opinionum caligine vindicentur materialistarum et deistarum, aliorumque perditorum hominum deliramenta penitus convellantur. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 237 mon.” Canon Simioli wrote to the king, saying, “ This very pious author has not feared to show forth all tho ardour of his faith and of his char­ ity ; and in some sentiments which are peculiar to himself, ho has given a vivid picture of his piety and religion.” Pope Clement XIII. was extremely gratified by reading our Saint’s work, and he replied to tho dedication, which had been addressed to him, by a brief, dated August 4th, 17G9, in which tho holy father testified his esteem for our bish­ op’s learning and zeal in these terms: * “We have received your book against the errors which now overrun almost tho whole of Europe with the greatest pleasure ; first, because it is by you, and many of your other writings have caused us to appreciate your talent and your doctrine, as well as tho great zeal with which you are filled for the glory of God ; and next, because wo hope that it will bo very useful and obtain great success. We have begun to read it, and * “ Librum tuum adversus errores qui nunc temporis omnem propemoduin infecerunt Europam, libentissime accepimus, tum quod tuus est, cujus probe novimus ex pluribus aliis scriptis tuis, et ingenium, et doctrinam, et Dei zelum magnopere flagrantem ; tum quod confidimus utilissimum futurum, maximeque frugiferum. Illum evolvere coepimus, nec dubitamus quin, ut ea quæ hactenus legimus nobis placuere, sic reliqua placitura. Cæterum, venera­ bilis frater, te summopere amamus, quod minime contentus uni Ecclesiæ tuæ prodesse, quidquid temporis tibi superest ex episco­ pali tua procuratione, id perire non pateris, sed omne consumis iu ejusmodi laboribus, quorum utilitas non circumscribitur finibus tuæ dioecesis, sed ad Ecclesiam porrigitur universam. Deum roga­ mus, firmam ut tibi tribuat valetudinem, et vitam addat ct vires, quo alia complura, quæ forte inchoasti, feliciter possis absolvere, et fraternitati tuæ benevolenti» nostræ in pignus apostoheam bene­ dictionem peramenter impertimur.” 238 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. have no doubt that tho pages which wo have not read are worthy to follow those which we have already looked over. In conclusion, venera­ ble brother, we must express our great affection for you, and the extent of our joy at your not only watching over tho good of your own church, but also profiting by tho slightest portion of lei­ sure remaining to you after fulfilling tho duties of your office, by bestowing it on labours, the usefulness of which is not bounded by tho limits of your diocese, but embraces tho church univer­ sal. We pray God to give you health, life, and strength, so that you may be able to succeed in finishing all tho other works which you have perhaps commenced ; and as a token of our good­ will wo heartily give you our apostolical benedic­ tion.” Tho ignorance which overspread tho diocese, and tho wish to aid tho people, led Alphonso to compose an extremely useful work at this time, which ho published under tho title of “In­ structions on tho Precepts of tho Decalogue,” in order that they may bo properly kept, and on the Sacraments, in order that they may bo right­ ly received. This book is short, but its great utility caused it to bo highly praised, especially by the parish priests. Tho preacher Jourdain, tho royal examiner, said in regard to it, “ Whe­ ther one considers tho matter of tho thoughts of this treatise, or tho manner in which they aro expressed, every ono who examines it with attention must seo that it is worthy of its au­ thor’s name, that is to say, of a learned man ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 239 full of zeal for God’s honour and tho salvation of souls.” In this work his Lordship again attacks those rigorous minds who, in affecting great purity of doctrine, and tho Christianity of primitive ages, oppress souls by an insupportable yoke, with which Jesus Christ never loaded them. “ This is not tho doctrine of tho Church,” said ho, “for sho glories in being a mother, and not a cruel step-mother. Jansenius and his followers have invented this severity ; I would ask if the number of souls whom they have caused to fall into hell through an erring conscience docs not exceed the number of those whom they have led to Paradise ; besides, it is clear that the sentiments which they have adopted aro not those of tho holy bishops whom wo honour on our altars, nor of those saintly labourers who have sacrificed their blood and their life for the salvation of but one soul. Wo have not yet seen a Jansenist,” said Alphonso, “who has lost an hour’s sleep to insure the salvation of a While so occupied about tho interests of the Church and of his diocese, ho did not lose sight of that of his congregation. On the 20th of Juno of this same year he sent tho following instructions to Father Villani, to bo given to all in his name : “ Tell the now superiors not to make now buildings of little importance without tho approbation of tho consultors of tho house. If they are of consequence, they must not bo undertaken without my permission ; they must Ij·] HHH νΉί’ί Bnl| Slim1' 240 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. not go to expense for books of high price. It is right to think of treating tho subjects better as to food, so that they may not complain, and may be more willing in submitting to the rule. Tell tho superiors also to exercise gentleness to­ wards all, and to correct with charity and in secret. When the faults are public, they must first be corrected in private ; let them have mild­ ness as well as firmness. That which is granted to one without a special cause, cannot easily be refused to another, and thus tho observance of tho rule is lost. Communicate this to tho rec­ tors from me, either orally or in writing.” Be­ lieving tho house at Nocera to be the most liable to distractions, from being frequented by tho citizens, and from receiving friends who camo from Naples, or returned thither on their way, ho wrote to tho superior of this house from Airola, on tho 25th of tho same month, saying, “ I beg you to communicate tho following orders to tho community of St. Michael. No father, or brother, or pensioner, must go to tho kitchen, except those whose office calls them there ; all must assist at tho exercises of tho community, with the exception of those who are really ill, or have our express permission to absent themselves ; no one must go to hear confessions in tho con­ vents of religious more than once a month ; no one must receive new penitents except on Thurs­ day, as is stated in tho rule ; lot no one go out of a convent to walk, and specially not on great feasts. In conclusion, our fathers and brothers must not hold long conversations under the ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 241 doorway or in the gardon, and still less in tho rooms with priests or seculars, unless by an ex­ press permission from your Reverence, and for a just cause. I embrace and bless you.” CHAPTER XXXIX. The disturbances in regard to the two houses of Iliceto and of Ciorani went on increasing. Our fear as to our adversaries’ power was but too well founded. Our two houses wore in dan­ ger, but that of Iliceto, which enjoyed the con­ fidence of the king, for the services it bad ren­ dered to him in regard to his hunting ground, still numbered several noblemen amongst its pro­ tectors, and in particular the chief minister, the Marquis Tanucci. This latter provided for every thing in tho offices of justice, without regard to expense, and supported us in the provincial courts by his influence. As the storm became more and more alarm­ ing, we redoubled our entreaties to Alphonso, to try and persuade him to go to Naples in person, in order to hold a conference with tho Marquis of Tanucci. Although the marquis took plea­ sure in being of service to him on every oppor­ tunity, yet, as he was prejudiced in favour of the gentlemen of Iliceto, ho gave us much cause for fear. “ Tanucci,” wrote Alphonso to Father 16 242 ST. ALPHONSO LIGU01U. Villani, “has had an audience of Mgr. Alber­ tini ; if ho has not attached faith to this pre­ late’s words, ho would bo still less disposed to believe mo, who am an interested party. If I see that I can bo of any uso, I will not fail to exercise it ; I believe that I love tho congrega­ tion as much as your Reverence does, so that you ought never to fear that I shall neglect the least thing which I may know would bo of use to the congregation.” On tho 20th of June, 1767, ho wrote the following exhortation from Airola to his congregation : “My brothers, let us bo united to Jesus Christ, for wo are in great perils at tho present time ; and in order that tho congregation may escape uninjured out of tho persecutions it is suffering, wo havo need of tho assistance of our blessed Lord. But if wo do not conduct our­ selves well, God will abandon us. I advise you therefore to study tho crucifix, and to converse with persons who are without as little as possi­ ble, otherwise wo shall lose fervour. I also beg you to fly from parents’ houses with tho greatest carefulness. You havo had of late instances enough of subjects losing their vocation from hav­ ing wished to frequent their paternal roof, and God only knows where they will end. Bo careful, for wo are at present in danger of being sent away from our houses, and this would bo the greatest punishment which God could infliction us. I bless and greet you all in the sacred heart of Jesus Christ.” Our adversaries continued to redouble their ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 243 efforts, and wo had no peace left. They heaped one slander on another, and not only besieged tho ministers by their importunities, but even tho sovereign himself. Maffei especially waged a furious war against us ; wishing to triumph over all obstacles at any cost, ho scattered mo­ ney and gifts with profusion, in order to obtain tho glory of victory, and endeavoured to dislodge us from Iliceto at all hazards, and even to see tho whole congregation fall. Father Villani went to see his Lordship in great sorrow, and the more hastily, because the cause was to bo brought before tho royal tri­ bunal, and the advocate Don Gaétan Celano had informed the ministers and prepared the defence ; on these tidings, Alphonso sent his secretary to Casorto with two letters, ono for the Marquis of Tanucci and the other for the Marquis of Marco, to beg them to deign to commence tho cause iu consideration of tho reasons which ho assigned. Although tho Marquis of Tanucci never gavo audiences to any one, yet when he heard that Mgr. Liguori’s secretary wished to see him, ho admitted him, and after having read tho letter, ho answered him, “ Tell Mgr. Liguori, that what is fitting shall bo done.” When tho Marquis of Marco arrived at Naples, the other letter was immediately delivered to him, and he was told that a similar ono had been presented to tho Marquis Tanucci. “ This affair puzzles me,” he replied, “ for in order to do a service to Mgr. Liguori, I have como for the very purpose of ordering tho cause to be postponed.” In fact, 244 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Secretary Vorzella arrived at Arienzo nearly at tho same time as an ordinance which had been despatched to his Lordship, in which the marquis, in assuring him that his wishes had been complied with, reiterated his offers of ser­ vice. In spite of these contradictions, Alphonso did not lose courage. “In regard to our affairs,” ho wrote to Father Villani on tho 7th of July, “ it does not appear to mo that wo have so much cause to fear, for it is clear that we are not guilty of manifest contravention of the law ; be­ sides, God is near us, so wo ought to pray to Him.” But the tempest however became still more furi­ ous, and our alarm was redoubled. Father Villani, accompanied by some other Fathers, repaired to St. Agatha, and all with tearful eyes repre­ sented our enemies’ superiority to his Lordship, and tho imminent danger which menaced us. They told him at tho same time, that if ho wish­ ed to save the congregation his presence in Na­ ples was necessary. But Alphonso was strong in his innocence, and had no doubt of obtaining tho protection of God: “What could I do by my presence?” ho said to them; “that which my letters cannot obtain, I shall bo unable to obtain myself.” Ho was moved at seeing our affliction however, and ill as ho was he resolved to set out. All his retinuo on this journey and all his methods of defence were masses and pray­ ers ; confidence in God and protection from on high strengthened his courage. Towards tho twelfth of tho same month, ho wrote to Father ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 245 Cajonc, the rector of Caposeli : “ I go to Na­ ples about our affairs ; make a novena for this intention. My stay in this town will not be long.” As ho had no carriage he borrowed that of Don Marcello Mazzoni, and arrived at Naples on tho IGth of July, 1767. As soon as he reached it be went to the Car­ dinal Archbishop’s. His Eminence was at dinner when the arrival of Mgr. Liguori was announced to him ; he immediately arose, and with eyes bathed in tears, through joy at this unexpected visit, ho hastened to meet Alphonso, and gave him a fraternal kiss. “ What has brought you to Naples so unexpectedly ?” ho said to him. “ My congregation is passing through a great crisis, your Eminence,” answered Alphonso ; “ our enemies wish to destroy it, but I hope that God will still grant us the assistance of His arm.” After a long interview they went out together. Tho cardinal wished to take Alphonso in his carriage, but as his brother Hercules had lent him his ho excused himself, saying that ho wished to go to tho church of the Virgins, to assist at a novena of St. Vincent of Paul, which was being celebrated there together with exposition of tho Blessed Sacrament ; and in fact ho followed the exorcises there without missing a single day. Before leaving him tho cardinal said to him, “Know that you are archbishop of Naples ; you must obtain the vic­ tory and dispose of everything as you wish.” Mgr. Liguori’s arrival put the whole town in motion. As soon as he came the canons, su- 246 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. poriors of orders, chevaliers, advocates, and min­ isters, camo to greet him ; tho people hurried in crowds eager to do him homage. Almost all the prelates who wore in Naples went to visit him. As to him, as ho had only como foi’ urgent business, ho begged every ono to excuse him if ho reluctantly failed in tho duties of civility. Humility and poverty were his attendants ; ho lived in his brother’s house, but ho did not wish to bo treated with distinction ; ho gave up the room and state-bed which his brother had had prepared for him to his secretary, and selected quite a plain little apartment for himself, which was used as a lumber-room. It had nothing in it but a miserable bed, with some straw chairs. When he had not to officiate in any church, Alphonso merely put on tho cassock of his con­ gregation, which ho had worn every day at St. Agatha, and which was then quite worn out. His shoes were the ones he had had made when he went to Rome ; he had the same hat then, which was no longer in fashion, and had only cost three carlines when new. His brother Don Hercules, who was more annoyed at this hat than at anything else, secretly took it away from him, and substituted a valuable ono in its place. His Lordship was sorry to bo obliged to have to wear it, but before ho left Naples ho caused it to be valued and sold, and with the produco ho bought four more common hats : ho kept ono for himself and gave us tho remaining three. As ho had no cloak, he made uso of a kind of mantilla ; as ho was told that that was not fit 217 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. I • > for him, ho sent it to tho pawn-broker’s in II an change for an old cloak, which caused him expense of fifteen carlines. To obviate all personal pomp and ostentation ho used all possible pains to have as humble an exterior as ho could. When ho was invited to any church, which ho could not avoid, whether for preaching or to celebrate the holy offices, ho put on his violet dress, but ho wore tho habit of tho congregation at every other time. Cardinal Sorsalo joked with him on this subject ono day, and said, “Am I to take you for a Greek or a Latin bishop at present? Tell us then which you are.” “I do not know,” con­ tinued ho, turning to Mgr. San-Severino, “ how ho can enjoy tho privileges of the forum and pass for a bishop ; ho has scarcely any sign of being ono.” Alphonso in fact wore no distinc­ tive mark Except a small cross at his breast, and that was so poor a ono that it could hardly bo seen. Some people gave him tho title of your Ex­ cellency, “Excellency!” said Alphonso, “what do you mean by this title ? Drop this Excel­ lency.” He had a singular altercation with a servant at a monastery on this head, who was continually addressing him by this title. “Como now,” said Alphonso to him, “give up this word Excellency.” “But,” replied tho servitor, “why am I not to call you thus ? you aro a chevalier, and this title belongs to you.” “That is enough,” replied his Lordship, “ do not speak to mo any more about your Excellency.” He said ·’»·· · * ObF " I 248 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. this in a tone which made tho poor servant hurry to the door as fast as possible. On seeing that his love of humility had no bounds, the advocate, Charles Melchionna, could not help telling him that lie carried this virtue too far. “Humility,” replied Alphonso, “has never in­ jured any one.” Ono evening some musicians came to offer themselves for the novenas in his diocese ; Alphonso’ received them kindly, and accompanied them to the end of tho hall when they went away ; several gentlemen who were present could not sufficiently admire such groat condescension. Our saint was always preceded by humility, but glory and veneration followed him wherever ho went. When ho went to tho royal palace to implore tho protection of Prince de la Riccia, his majesty’s grand equerry, he was received there not as a mere man, but as a messenger from heaven. As soon as tho prince heard that he was in the ante-room, he hastened to go to him, and respectfully kissed his hand. When ho know the reason of tho bishop’s visit, ho took an interest in our cause, and promised to render the congregation every assistance in his power ; and when Alphonso took leave of him, ho accom­ panied him to tho staircase with quite affection­ ate kindness. “I thank God,” exclaimed tho prince on leaving him, “ for having allowed mo to see this saintly man once more!” When ho presented himself at tho Marquis of Marco’s, ho was giving audience to another bishop, whom ho immediately dismissed to go and meet tho bishop ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 249 of St. Agatha : ho respectfully kissed his hand, and after having listened to him with interest, ho was not satisfied with merely accompanying him to the door of tho ante-chamber, but wished to go still further with him: his Lordship stopped, not wishing to trespass further on his politeness ; but the marquis was beforehand with him, and said, “ With others it is as far as this, but with you it is as far as that,” and ho accompanied him to the hall door, and kissed his hand a se­ cond time. The Marquis Cavalcanti, lord of the bed-chamber, received him with no less venera­ tion. When his Lordship’s unexpected visit was announced to him, he hurried to receive him, and did not take leave of him without accompanying him to the foot of the stairs. The prince of St. Nicandro received him with re­ spectful delight. This prince was one of the re­ gents and governor to our present sovereign. After having welcomed him with repeated testi­ monies of tho greatest veneration, ho wanted to accompany him when ho went away ; he went down stairs with him, and only consented to leave him at tho vestibule, never wearying in kissing his hand and recommending himself to his prayers. I cannot also omit to mention the marks of veneration which he received from tho Marquis of Cito, his friend and the president of tho royal council. As soon as he heard of his arrival he went to meet him, kissed his hand, and conduct­ ed him into his room with respect, ho shut tho door, and listened to him with kind interest. —«β 250 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Tho interview was so prolonged that a groat number of councillors and lords whom tho presi­ dent had convoked together, and who wore wait­ ing in tho ante-chamber, lost patience and went away murmuring. “When tho president wishes to give an audionco to Mgr. Liguori,” said they, “ ho ought to post up a notice to that effect all over Naples, and not admit any ono else.” When Alphonso went away, tho marquis accompanied him down stairs, conducted him to tho carriage, and again kissed his hand. Alphonso’s appearance at Naples put our ad­ versaries to confusion ; their very counsel .said, as soon as they saw him go to tho ministers, that the case had an altered aspect, and while they had previously protended that tho missionaries wore lost and tho congregation suppressed, now that they saw that they wero protected they changed their tone into ono of praise. Our ad­ versaries themselves could not help doing us jus­ tice ; they pursued tho affair, though they would have liked to suspend it ; they even sought to obtain as a favour what they had no right to claim. The inhabitants of Naples had already a high idea of Alphonso’s sanctity, but this occasion caused them to entertain a still more exalted opinion of him, lie managed to justify tho missionaries without slandering their enemies, and he defended innocence without injuring those who had calumniated it. Ho attributed our ad­ versaries’ attacks to interest, and their irritation to passionate temper. Cunning and malice were ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 251 equally foreign to Alphonso ; ho only sought to procuro tranquillity to those belonging to him, and to obtain tho prince’s protection for the congregation. This conduct conciliated even tho estee: II of those who favoured our adversaries; every one admired his moderation, and condemned the animosity of our enemies. The advocates, who till then believed that they wero sure of victory, and had sought to have tho cause brought on, saw that the circumstances wero changed, and now tried to delay it, no longer thinking it ex­ pedient to venturo further. This delay was displeasing to Alphonso, and by his solicitations with tho ministers, ho obtained tho king’s leave to have the affairs terminated without loss of time; and tho 11th of September was fixed for tho discussion of tho cause of Sarnelli, at tho royal court of justice at St. Claro. Tho devil foresaw his defeat, and did not fail to labour to causo Alphonso to perish, and in him to deprive tho congregation of its only support. IIo was one day in a carriage with tho counsellor Gaétan Celauo, who was afterwards his majesty’s counsellor; they had just left Coun­ sellor Vargas ; night was approaching, and tho rain was falling in torrents, their coachman urged tho horses on as fast as possible towards tho court of Counsellor Pirelli, in order to gain shel­ ter ; but other carriages had already taken re­ fugo there, and so ho was obliged to turn back again ; but another carriage camo up at a rapid rate, and struck with violence against that of 'Vn· 252 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. his Lordship, and in the fall Alphonso was thrown under Counsellor Celano. Tho windows were broken to pieces, and tho coachman was wounded as well as tho footman. His Lordship was not at all the worse, but Counsellor Celano had his hand cut; they both disengaged them­ selves from tho carriage, but with great difficul­ ty, and took refuge in a grocer’s shop, II ore dead than alive. The Duchess of Pirelli heard of the accident, and sent for his Lordship and the counsellor. They rested in her palace for some time, after which the duchess lent them her own equipage to take them homo again. In this disaster Alphonso regretted nothing but his beautiful hat, which was lost in the confu­ sion, as well as tho magnificent wooden stick which he used as a cane. The proceedings in reference to tho cause wore at length commenced ; Alphonso conquered without having ever striven. As it was fore­ seen that tho discussion would be a stormy one, a number of curious people attended at the court of justice, of whom some took part with tho ii lissionaries, and the others anticipated the plea­ sure of witnessing their defeat. Advocate Ce­ lano appeared there, but tho advocates of the adverse party had not the courage to show them­ selves. One of them indeed came, but only to declare that he had not tho heart to speak against a bishop whoso sanctity was proclaimed by all Naples. Our enemies’ inaction was dis­ pleasing to Alphonso ; he sent his secretary to tho President Cito’s, to complain of this disap- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 253 pointmcnt. “ Ho need not be annoyed at see­ ing his enemies put to flight,” replied the II gistrato ; “ let him take courage and return to his diocese in peace.” Such was Alphonso’s success in this visit to tho capital. lie took leave of all his acquaint­ ances, after a sojourn of two months and three days, and set out for Arienzo on the 19th of September, 1767. Ho afterwards wrote to Far­ ther Cajono, tho superior at Caposeli, saying, “ You must first know that I have been at Na­ ples for several months, where God willed that I should leave our affairs in a deplorable state ; tho tempest has been violent, and is not yet en­ tirely appeased. I beg you to continue tho dis­ cipline on Monday, as well as the Saturday fast which has been solemnly promised to tho Bless­ ed Virgin in thanksgiving for her protection un­ der the present persecutions.” In another let­ ter to Father Gajano, tho Rector of Ciorani, dated 3rd of October, ho said, “ I beg you to recommend strict observance of rule, humility, and fraternal charity to all. Let no one com­ plain of poverty, let humiliations be endured cheerfully, lot no one aspire to bo preferred be­ fore tho rest, still less let no one allow himself to oppose tho superiors or fail in obedience. Tho non-observance of tho rule makes mo trem­ ble much more than all our persecutions ; lot us act as wo ought towards God, and Jesus Christ and tho Blessed Virgin will not fail to assist us.” BWtrrma 254 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. CHAPTER XL. Although Alphonso only went to Naples on account of the interests of his congregation, which was undergoing such dangerous persecu­ tions, ho nevertheless made his visit subserve to the glory of God, and fatal to sin and hell. Great disorders had taken place for some time in the convent called tho Religious of tho Wood. These nuns, without respect for tho superior, who tried to unite them, had proceeded to sad lengths on several occasions. Mgr. Targiani, who was tho person bound to maintain order in this convent, had sent the celebrated mission­ ary Joseph Jorio there, but this truly apostolical On hearing of tho 11 an could obtain nothing. arrival of the Bishop of St. Agatha at Naples, they both entreated him to lend them aid in pacifying these angry religious. Alphonso went to tho convent several times, and preached there, and that which Joseph Jorio had not been able to effect by his words, still less Mgr. Tar­ giani by his authority, was obtained by his hu­ mility and mildness. Ho put an end to all the dissensions which existed in tho convent, and was able to re-establish peace there, tho love of prayer, and the frequent use of tho sacraments. Mgr. Targiani was quite overjoyed. Alphonso also found out some abuses as to tho manage­ ment of this convent ; he informed Mgr. Tar- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 255 giani of them, and lie, as well as the religious, ti had the satisfaction of seeing them remedied. Canon Mazzaccara, who was the superior of |l tho Congregation of Propaganda at that time, wished to take advantage of Alphonso’s presence at Naples, and resolved to ask him to preach the novena on tho Assumption of tho Blessed Virgin II in tho church of St. Restitutius. Tho solemnity of this novena is celebrated in tho capital ; tho canon fearod that Alphonso would not bo aile to grant his request, as ho was ill and over­ loaded with business, “ If you wish to have him,” said tho advocato Don Charles Melchionna to him, “ you have an infallible moans of obtain­ ing what you want ; ho is a brother of your con­ gregation ; exercise your authority as superior over him, command, and ho will obey you.” This expedient succeeded. When tho humble bishop received this order, ho made no oppo­ sition, but bent his head and said, “Pray that the Blessed Virgin may give mo strength, for I havo nothing written, and no time to prepare anything ; you must bo satisfied with what God and tho Blessed Virgin may deign to suggest to mo.” However, as ho was suffering from asth­ ma, ho thought that there would bo imprudence in attempting it, but as Mgr. Sorsalo in turn also begged him to do tho same thing, “ I will com­ mence tho novena,” Alphonso said to him, “but I do not know if I shall bo able to go on with it.” “Bogin it, at any rate,” answered tho car­ dinal, “ and if your asthma makes you suffer too much to go on, I will replace you myself. II 256 ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. No sooner was it known in tho town that Mgr. Liguori would give this novena, than tho church from tho first day was filled by a number of priests and religious, and Cardinal Sersale never failed to come with all his suite. Towards the evening of tho same day our saint was obliged to go to the archbishop’s, but he fouud that his carriage, the very one which his brother Gaétan had got, had been sent to be repaired, and was not yet come back again ; his intendant took another belonging to Don Hercules, which was rich and handsome-looking. Such luxury alarmed our bishop, who was not pacified on being told that no one could be surprised at seeing him in his brother’s carriage. His coachman and simple livery on so brilliant an equipage quite alarmed him ; in order to prevent his going on foot, old harness was put on the horses’ backs, and an old covering was put over tho seat. This mixture of old and new together caused the bishop of St. Agatha to present a somewhat singular appearance. When the tidings of his giving this novena were more widely circulated, the chief among the nobility were anxious to assist at it, as well as many ladies of the most distinguished families ; as the church was very confined, some noblemen of the highest rank went there before the time for the sermon. The crowd was so groat that the Swiss were placed at the doors of tho church to avoid confusion, to prevent crushing, and to restrain the multitude. Alphonso’s voice was wonderful, and notwithstanding his great age ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 257 II ho made himself heard in all parts of the build­ ing. The most distinguished literary people were also eager to bo present, well knowing that they had not to expect pompous and flowcry discourses •I II from Alphonso, but they came to admire his energy and apostolic eloquence : “ Would to God that every one preached like that!” said one of them. “ Tho Gospel would cease to bo an object of contempt.” Another said that the word of God had much more weight from Mgr. Liguori’s mouth, than from any one olso’s ; floods of tears II were shod in the church, and his Eminence, who made it a duty to assist at the novena daily, II weeping at tho touching could not refrain from spectaclo of an entire people in contrition. It would have required a person to have no heart not to bo affected at tho end of his sermon, and especially when ho excited tho feelings. His transports of lovo towards tho most Blessed Virgin and tho Blessed Sacrament, were so ten­ II der that tho most hardened could not help man ­ ifesting their emotion by their sobs. Canon Sparano declared that ten missions would not have done so much good, nor effected so many conversions as God did during this novena through Mgr. Liguori. That which is especially remarkable is, as wo have said, that tho learned II and tho nobility were his most eager listeners. On the last day, which was that of tho Bene­ diction, Alphonso ended by filling the hearts of all present with unbounded confidence in tho Mother of Jesus, whoso patronage ho was cole17 258 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. brating. This sermon was so divine, that it is even now spoken of with admiration. Tho im­ pression it made was general and extraordinary ; on all the preceding days tho cardinal made an inclination to his Lordship on retiring ; but this last day ho wont away without any gesture, sobbing and wiping his eyes. It was all an effort of mind on Alphonso’s part, he made no preparation at homo, but in tho church before tho Blessed Sacrament. After tho sermon ho still remained before tho altar as if entranced, and although bathed in perspiration ho did not leave the church until after tho benediction had been given. Tho canons, the chevaliers, and persons of tho highest rank were eager to kiss his hand, and several throw themselves at his feet in order to receive his blessing. Pieces of his garments were also taken from him in secret ; amongst others, a piece of his cloak was cut off. Mgr. Bergamo, at that time tho priest, and afterwards tho Bishop of Gaeta, thought hi ·· self very fortunate in being able to take his hat in exchange for another. Ho attempted tho same thing with his rosary, but Alphonso found it out ; ho complained of it, and wished to have it restored to him again, on account of tho in­ dulgences attached to it. As tho cause of his coming to Naples was known, it was difficult to admire enough tho way in which ho laboured so solicitously for the good of souls, when he had such a serious and weighty matter on hand. “Ho gives a lesson to bishops,” said tho wisest amongst them ; “ he has lawful reasons for being ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 259 far from his dioceso, but unlike those who come to Naples and are only occupied in amusing themselves, Mgr. Liguori steals time from his occupations to try and win souls to God.” A distinguished priest happened to meet him in tho street, and hastened up to him and kissed his hand. “ I was impelled to do it,” ho after­ wards acknowledged, “ by his poverty and hu­ mility, which make him worthy of this homage, and so different to those prelates who come to Naples richly clothed and go about the town with a suito of lackeys.” Alphonso’s appearance was a bitter censure on many, and our saint’s praises were but too often followed by blame of the conduct of some others. There were however some partisans of pomp and worldly grandeur who did not entertain tho same opinion in his favour. On tho eve of the assumption, ho went to pay his visit to tho Bless­ ed Sacrament in tho church of tho convent Re­ gina Cœli ; while tho nuns wore chanting ves­ pers, he knelt down before a chair in a corner of tho church. Three abbots were officiating pontifically ; ono of them who knew him no sooner saw him in his shabby dress than ho turned towards tho others and said, “Look what a figure this bishop is ! Does ho not disgrace his character?” Tho abbot soon found that ho was not a good judge. Tho Prince of MonteMilotto, who was present, also saw Alphonso, and immediately asked his valet who that pre­ late was ; on hearing that it was Mgr. Liguori, he approached him respectfully, kissed his hand, 2G0 I ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. and hold it to his forehead for some time. The Duke of Andria also presented himself to him, or rather cast himself at his feet, and would not consent to arise until after lie had received tho sign of tho cross on his head ; some other noblemen also hastened to render him tho same homage. Tho abashed abbots then sent him a velvet cushion by tho sacristan, but Alphonso would not uso it. A noble lady took the religious habit in the Convent of Miracles, and his Lordship was asked to sing tho high H ass ; the cardinal-archbishop, Mgr. tho nuncio, and several other bishops wore also invited there. Tho church was full of noblemen and gentlemen. On tho entrance of tho nuncio and tho cardinal, not ono of tho as­ sembled people arose from their seat, as I was informed by Canon Don Francis Rozzano, who was present ; some of them were satisfied with making a mere inclination to the prelates ; others took no notice of them at all ; but when Alphonso appeared, the noblemen and chevaliers eagerly advanced and vied with each other in hastening to kiss his hand. His humility procured hii•I those honours, which all tho pompous state of the others could not obtain. When the Barefooted Carmelite fathers com·· enced the solemnity of tho Wednesdays in honour of St. Theresa, Alphonso, who had taken this saint for his special advocate, did not fail to attend there, and mixing with the people ho placed himself according to custom on ono of the benches in the church. When tho fathers ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 2G1 II II 111 perceived him, they wished to show him somo token of respect, but Alphonso refused it. On tho following Wednesday the fathers prepared a special chair with a velvet cushion for him, but ii in vain, for ho made no uso of it. On coming out of tho church the same fathers accompanied him with marks of respect, and conducted him to his carriage. Tho least instant of leisure time at homo was always employed by Alphonso for tho good of souls. He received the visits of the priests, con­ fessors, and other ecclesiastics until a late hour in tho evening, as well those of the magistrates, knights of the order of St. Januarius, aud others. Many ladies who could not speak to him in the confessional also camo to see him at his house, and amongst others tho Princess de la Riccia, tho Princess of Cassano Serra, and tho duchesses of Bovino and of Cesariui ; tho former duchess especially took pleasure in kneeling at his feet to receive his benediction. Alphonso had tho gift of prophecy, as well as those of knowledge and counsel. A daughter of the Duchess of Bovino’s, who was on tho point of leaving a convent in order to embrace the state of marriage, still hesitated in regard to her vocation ; tho duchess went to his Lordship and bogged him to remember her in his prayers. “No, no,” replied Alphonso, “she will not marry. God will detach her from tho world and draw her to Himself.” Tho young lady’s mind, up to this time, had been occupied about anything rather than becoming a religious ; her mother ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI was therefore much surprised to hear these words from tho saintly man, but she was still more so when a note was handed to her on her return home, from her daughter, stating her intention of taking the religious habit in the convent. Tho young duchess became a nun, and was that Donna Delphino Guevara who has continued to edify tho convent of Alvina by her exalted virtue. Lady Marianne Capano Orsini gave birth to a little son at Marianella about this time. Don Hercules wished that tho ceremony of baptism should be performed by Alphonso himself. His Lordship assented. Don Hercules also wished the infant to boar the name of Alphonso. During tho ceremony of tho baptism, the priest in ad­ dressing Alphonso gave him tho title of Excel­ lence at every instant ; his Lordship boro it at first, in order not to interrupt the ceremony, but at last ho could bear it no longer, and so ho exclaimed, “Rev. Sir, if you wish to call mo Most Illustrious you can of course do so, but you will obligo mo very much by only using tho most simple expressions in speaking to mo!” Tho novena of which wo have spoken was not Alphonso’s solo occupation : zeal is like mighty waters which appear peaceful and tran­ quil at their sourco, but which inundato tho plains and country when they begin to overflow. Thus when Alphonso once began to work he could not contain his ardour for tho salvation of souls ; he excepted no one, and rejoiced in being em­ ployed for the good of the poorest and most ob­ scure. Don Charles Bergamo, tho priest of whom ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 263 wo have spoken, asked him to preach a sermon in his Church of the Advocate, for the confraternity of tho coachmen, footmen, and other domestics. His dear brethren of tho chapels, amongst whom was tho celebrated Peter Barberesc, his former penitent, also heard his holy exhortations once more. Λ head saddler begged him to come and preach in his chapel, which was situated beyond tho gate of Capua ; Alphonso went there most willingly. Ho found a very large assemblage of the lower classes, but as tho chapel could not hold them all, ho reassembled them in the church of tho monastery of St. Onuphre. Ho caused tho Blessed Sacrament to bo exposed, and exci­ ted his numerous auditors to lovo Jesus Christ, and to serve the Blessed Virgin with devotion ; ho enforced tho duty of fraternal charity, and encouraged them to seek for new members. Those good people assembled together on another occasion, in tho hospital of tho Annunziata ; the Blessed Sacrament was exposed at the end of the gallery, and Alphonso excited them all to tho practice of Christian virtue. Ho was also asked to preach a sermon to them on tho Na­ tivity of tho Blessed Virgin, and ho yielded to their wishes. Tho orphans who are brought up in this hospital, and they amount to tho number of more than three hundred, hearing of tho happy fruits of compunction which ho had produced by these exercises, also asked to hear him, and his Lordship satisfied them on tho following Sun­ day. Tho people were not satisfied with pro­ 264 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. fiting by his words in church, but they hastened in crowds to his house, and as he had not seats enough for all, they sat down on tho ground. His Lordship rejoiced in being in tho midst of this multitudo of poor people, much more than in being surrounded by tho chevaliers of St. Januarius, and his loving-kindness towards these unfortunate people won him tho admiration of all the town of Naples besides. Ho was occupied after dinner by the novena to our Blessed Lady, or in attending to tho affairs of his congregation, reserving tho morn­ ing for visiting tho monasteries ; but ho could hardly fix on which to go to first, for they were nearly all equally urgent in asking to see hi ii There were few of those deserving commenda­ tion, who had not tho consolation of hearing his words, and wherever ho went tho gift of pro­ phecy and his penetration into hearts, were seen with admiration. Ho visited tho convents of Donna Alvina, of St. Clare, of Sapientia, of St. Marcellinus, of St. Gandioso, of St. Liguori, of tho Blessed Sacrament, of St. Jerome, of Little St. John’s, of Donna Romita, of St. Potitus, of St. Andrew of tho Nuns, and others. Ho felt great devotion to tho memory of tho Blossod Jano do Chantal ; when ho was invited to celebrato mass on her foast day at the convent of tho Nuns of tho Visitation, ho went with pleasure. Ho preached in each of those monasteries, and returned several times to some of them to hear confessions. Nothing whereby ho could encou­ rage hearts in virtue and the lovo of Jesus Christ was accounted by him as too much. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 265 Although Cardinal Sersale told Alphonso when |l ho first camo to Naples, that ho, and no one else, was Archbishop of Naples, Alphonso never deviated from his profound humility, and as he did not wish to take advantage of such kindness, ho never did anything without informing tho cardinal. A religious asked him to hear her confession ; ho immediately sent his secretary, Vcrzclla, to ask for tho faculty to do so from Canon Carracciolo, tho secretary to tho nuns ; and as ho had not tho power to grant it, ho applied to tho cardinal, who replied, half displeased, “ What does Mgr. Liguori want ? Did I not tell him that ho was Archbishop of Naples ? Ho may confirm, confess, preach, and officiate, and do whatever ho pleases, for ho has power to do anything.” Amongst tho prophecies which his Lordship made in regard to inmates of convents, I will only cito tho following, for fear of being tedious. Alphonso’s sister, Marianne Liguori, a nun in tho convent of St. Jerome, manifested want of sub­ mission towards her director ; his Lordship pre­ dicted that she would die mad, and it speedily camo to pass. The Princess Zurlo, a pensioner of tho convent of St. Marcellinus, had an earnest desire to become a religious ; when this young lady’s fervour was mentioned to his Lordship ho answered, “ No, she will not be a nun, but sho will return to tho world and lead a saintly life there and his words proved to bo true. At St. Clare, Donna Beatrix Folgon tried to interest him in a niece of hers, whom sho wanted him to —— 266 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. get apmitted into tho convent, although slio had already left it. “Leave her alone,” answered Alphonso, “she is not fit for a convent.” And so it was ; she no longer wished to consecrate herself to God. Alphonso made no distinction of persons ; he acted just in the same manner towards convents for ladies of no rank as towards those of ladies of noblo birth. Ho willingly consented to go and visit tho convents of tho Little Rosary, of St. Margaret, St. Monica, of tho Miracles, of Jesus and Mary, of St. Catherine, of St. Jo­ seph, and of St. Theresa. Ho was also invited to go to tho convent of St. Philip and St. James, when ho gave a sermon on tho prodigal son, and his visits were always marked by great bless­ ing, as God assisted his efforts. Alphonso especially liked to preach in places devoted to penitence : besides going to tho con­ vent called tho Religious of tho Wood, and tho hospital of tho Annunziata, ho also preached several times at tho Refugo of St. Claro, where there was a penitent lady from Frascio. Ho vi­ sited tho penitents of St. Raphael, where ho placed a penitent from Arpaja ; ho also accepted tho invitation of tho Rev. Thomas Fiore, who asked him to go to tho Penitents of tho Cru­ cifix ; it was especially edifying to seo him re­ turn from tho most humble and despised places, with still more pleasure than from the convents for tho nobility. Ho did not omit to go and comfort a great many infirm nuns, and particularly his old pen- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 2G7 itents. He evinced his scrupulosity in regard to holy modesty during these visits. In order to prevent his hand from being kissed, he kept his left hand across his breast, and wrapped up tho other in a hankerchief. When asked to make tho sign of tho cross on a sick person’s forehead, ho only consented to give her his bless­ ing at a distance ; whenever he entered any con­ vent, ho wished to bo accompanied by a priest to help him, as he said, but in reality it was as a precaution. Although so aged, and loaded with infirmities, ho never omitted to provide himself with hair-shirts and iron chains, and to discipline himself to blood. I cannot help mentioning hero a prophecy which ho uttered at Santa-Margaritella, which was as remarkable as it was instantaneous. Sister Mary Concetta Ronchi, who had been suf­ fering for a long time and was confined to bed, heard that Alphonso was in Naples, and mani­ fested a wish to seo him. Tho abbess of the convent, who was her sister, sent Alphonso word of this, and begged him to grant this consolation to the sick person, offering to ask for tho car­ dinal’s permission if ho wished it. “There is no need to ask for it,” replied Alphonso, “I will go to tho convent to-morrow, and I will say mass for her.” There was a mystery about this which could not bo understood, but tho abbess rejoiced at it, believing that her sister’s wishes would bo gratified. On tho following morning, Alphonso hastened to order his secretary to cause his car­ riage to bo got ready to go to tho convent of 268 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Santa-Margaritella, whore Sister Mary Concetta had asked him to go. Now, it is necessary to ention that this nun had died on the preceding night. When Alphonso arrived at tho convent, those who accompanied him and announced tho visit which ho wished to pay to tho sick nun, could not help laughing on hearing that her body was exposed in tho church, but Alphonso went to the church straight without any sur­ prise, saw tho deceased on the catafalque, and celebrated mass for her, as ho had promised. When ho saw any good to bo done by it, ho never omitted to return where ho was asked to do so as wo have already said ; but if his visit were only a matter of compliment, ho sought how to avoid it. Tho religious of Little St. John’s were not satisfied with having seen him at tho grate and having assisted at his mass, they solicited him to repeat his visit ; but as this was not in order to consult him as a director, ho did not accedo to their invitation. They therefore got Father Januarius Fatigati to intercede in their favour, but ho also received a negativo answer, and as Alphonso saw that ho insisted on it, ho said to him in a displeased tone, “Don Januarius, I like much to go to St. John, but not to Little St. John’s; they havo caused me to lose an hour, and I am scrupulous about time.” His Lordship was also honoured by other to­ kens of veneration and respect when at Naples, which I think ought not to bo passed over in silence. As his cousin Father Cavalicri was flfl ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 269 II provincial of the Dominicans at St. Thomas Aquinas, Alphonso could not avoid dining at their table. Tho young men at tho Chinese College also solicited to have him ; Alphonso wont there, and rejoiced to see so many young soldiers of Jesus Christ animated with the de­ sire of fighting tho Lord’s battles in a distant land. IIo was also obliged to yield to tho en­ treaties of Father do Matteis, the ex-provincial of tho Jesuits, who asked him for the festival of St. Ignatius ; Alphonso officiated in the con­ vent, remained to dinner, and assisted at tho panegyric of the founder on the same day. This feast of St. Ignatius was the last which these religious celebrated in Naples. lie was also invited by Father Sanchez to assist at a thesis on theology, which was to bo maintained in tho old house of the Jesuits. Father Pagano, his relative, and tho provincial, wished him to como early in tho morning ; Alphonso dined there, but his chief consolation arose from hav­ ing celebrated mass in tho chapel of tho vener­ able Father Mastrilli, towards whom ho felt a holy envy for tho happiness ho had had in ob­ taining tho palm of martyrdom in Japan. He also accepted several invitations from di­ vers religious societies. Tho missionaries of St. Pavon, now called of tho Conference, wished to hear him speak at ono of their assemblies as a H follow-member. Alphonso spoke to them of tho zeal which every priest ought to have for tho salvation of souls: ho exhorted them to preach in apostolic stylo, and declaimed against a far- 270 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. fetched stylo. “This is indeed a true apostle,” said they; “thanks bo to God for having given us a bishop of primitive times in this age.” They went so far as to say that ho deserved to bo canonized. When ho retired, they ac­ companied him to tho outer court. The mis­ sionary Don Charles Zanpoli has attested to me, that there was no instance of any other bishop having over received so many marks of honour in their congregation as Mgr. Liguori did. Cardinal Sorsalo also wished tho fervour of tho young people of tho establishment which ho had himself founded for tho instruction of young clerics in sacris, in tho exercises of tho missions, to bo animated. He conducted Alphonso there, and concealing his own hands under his arms, made all tho young people kiss tho Bishop of St. Agatha’s hand, despite of his humility. As ho was expected they recited discourses of their own composition before him ; and those who were tho furthest advanced repeated fragments of ser­ mons. Alphonso felt great joy at this sight, and continually exhorted them to preach in an apos­ tolical manner. Tho cardinal then conducted him to the chapel, where ho wished him to give benediction to all tho pupils. Alphonso once more spoke to them on tho practice of sacerdotal virtues for half an hour, incited them to devote themselves zealously to tho salvation of souls, and to bo filled with love to Jesus Christ and tho Blessed Virgin. Although Alphonso effected so much good in ST. ALPHONSO LIGL’ORI 271 Naples, and although his presence there drew down so many blessings, he never ceased to grieve at being so far from his diocese ; ho counted tho moments, and only longed to return there. “ If it were not on account of the interests of tho congregation which is persecuted, and which labours so successfully for God’s glory and the salvation of souls, I should believe that I sinned mortally in remaining so long in Naples.” It must not however bo supposed that ho ever lost sight of tho wants of his diocesans. Ho took tho greatest pains to get a penitent female from Arpaja admitted into tho Refugo of St. Raphael. When ho asked this favour from tho canon who was tho director of tho house, ho received a positivo refusal. This woman was a tenant of tho Prince do la Riccia’s, ho therefore went to tho palaeo to suo for his protection ; but his valet do chambre remembered that ho had re­ ceived nothing from Alphonso on his first visit to tho prince, and had therefore no hopes of getting anything this time; so ho said that tho prince was in attendance on tho king. A soldier of tho Italian Guard who was on duty said to a comrade, on seeing this old man, whose long beard and neglected exterior seemed unsuitable to his dignity as a bishop, “ Look at this shabby Lord. Ho has not a half-penny to pay to be shaved!” Alphonso heard it and smiled. “I thank thee, 0 my God,” ho said, “for causing mo also to receive tho censuro of tho soldiers.” But tho guard was soon undeceived, and his irony was turned into confusion, when ho saw tho first 272 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. noblemen hasten to pay their respects to tho holy bishop. Alphonso returned a second timo to tho prince’s palace, and was again dismissed on some other pretext ; ho then went a third timo, when, on tho advice of his secretary Verzolla, who suspected tho cause of tho mystery, he slipped some money into the valet do cham­ bre’s hand, and the prince was made visible. II Ho was angry at tho refusals and discomforts which Alphonso had met with ; he offered to provide for all tho needful expenses in regard to tho penitent woman, and informed tho canon that sho was one of his tenants ; nothing further was required for her admission. Alphonso then wished to do away with any resentment which tho canon might have felt at his having triumph­ ed over his refusal, so ho went to him, and beg­ ged him to excuse his having applied to tho prince, but tho canon took tho thing with a bad grace, and did not appear inclined to listen to tho bishop. Ho then changed his tone, spoke in an energetical manner to him, and reprimand­ op him for his want of zeal and tho little interest ho had shown for this poor soul. Not a day passed on which ho did not receive some courier from his diocese. Ho had reasons to complain of the conduct of a religious, and let his provincial know that this subject was not in his proper place in the diocese. “What can I do ?” replied tho superior quickly ; “ tell his Lordship that I do not know where else to send him.” “Oh!” said Alphonso, “he has no place to send him to, and yet perhaps he still wishes ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 273 mo to pity him !” lie sent back Verzella to the II provincial, to speak to him in more energetic terms, and tho religious was transferred else­ where before Alphonso returned to St. Agatha. A graduated religious of another monastery un­ derwent tho same fate. At this timo Alphonso heard that a gentleman belonging to Arienzo paid suspicious visits to a certain house ; this pierced his heart like an arrow. His secretary, on seeing his agitation, suggested that ho could write a letter to tho gentleman. “A. letter!” replied Alphonso quite animatedly ; “a letter ! Wo should rather take care that tho magistrate should be informed, if we want to reach this culprit ; he will know very well how to act for his own interest.” IIo wrote to tho magistrate, and from tho warnings which ho received tho gentleman saw what his Lordship intended to do ; ho immediately went to Naples, acknowledged his offence, and pro­ mised to amend. All these things made Al­ phonso uneasy, and ho did nothing but long after his dioceso. Don Jorio again importuned . him for a novena, but Alphonso replied, “ What novena do you wish mo to give ? I will go and make ono in my diocese, where God only knows what disorders I shall find ! Jesus Christ no longer wishes mo to be at Naples, but at St. Agatha.” Ho could not forget tho graces which ho had received from tho Blessed Virgin in tho Church of the Redemption, where ho went several times to visit her. “My Queen,” ho said to Blessed Mary on tho last day, “ wo shall see 18 J 274 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. each other again in Paradise, but wo shall meet no more in Naples.” Such was Mgr. Liguori’s sojourn in Naples ; ho left his diocese with regrot, and notwithstand­ ing tho rich harvest which ho had reaped at Naples, ho left this capital with tho inten­ tion never to return thither again. “ Tell Don Hercules, ” ho wrote to his brother Tartaglione from St. Agatha, “ that ho may freely dispose of the apartments which ho keeps at my service, for I shall return there no more.” CHAPTER XLL Although Alphonso was unceasingly and ex­ cessively solicitous for the right government of his diocese, and though his conduct in this re­ spect obtained tho admiration of tho most dis­ tinguished men and tho praises of tho Sovereign Pontiff ; ho could not however escape from the darts of malignity and censure. He experienced that which happens to the greatest masters, whoso works are not looked at as wholes, but tho H tost trifling details of which are submitted to the examination of judges, whoso only business is to criticise them. The whole economy of his go­ vernment was like an admirable master-piece ; but as shadows often seem substances to tho en­ vious, such persons did not fail to find fault with it. His reputation for sanctity caused him to bo ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 275 attentively watched, and as his administration seemed rather like that of an angel than of an ordinary man, people fancied that he ought to make sin disappear from the world. As soon as any disorder in his diocese was spoken of, people began to calumniate and blame him ; for some were too ready to listen to the discourses of the wicked, and co-operated through inexcusable cre­ II dulity in what the others did though malice. It is thus that a respectable religious of Naples found fault with, and condemned things in Al­ phonso which ho had not seen, but of which he had heard. The priest Don Salvadore Tramon­ tana, who had Alphonso’s interests at heart, heard of these observations, and hastened to inform him of them, begging him to justify himself: “I have heard,” Alphonso answered him, “of Father N----- ’s bad opinion of me. There is no need of writing to him ; St. Francis of Sales, Father Torres, and so many others have not defended themselves.” Tho religious said, amongst other things, that the diocese was governed by three people, and not by his Lord­ ship. “ Tho three who rule,” answered Alphon­ so, “ are the grand-vicar, who aids mo by counsel, Archdeacon Raiuone, who performs his duties at St. Agatha, and tho secretary who governs still less thereby meaning to say that he did every­ thing himself. He expressed himself thus in another letter : “ Everything passes through my hands, with tho single exception of tho ordinary decrees as to temporals, which are under the charge of the grand-vicar hero, and of my vice- 276 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. gcrent at St Agatha.” “Tell mo, my dear Salvadoro,” continued ho, “where is there a diocese where nothing is wanting? As to me, I do what I can, but all ground produces its thorns ; one may pluck out ono hero, but another will spring up elsewhere, ί see that I cannot avoid the reproaches which are made against mo ; it is enough if God does not com­ plain : however, complaints are of use to mo as regards my spiritual welfare, by humbling me through tho contempt and want of favour which I must meet with from some people. May God should be very glad if you would tell Father N. to come and see mo, because ho can then bo enlightened as to tho real stato of things.” Tho good father went to his Lordship, and was his panegyrist from that time. Alphonso took tho reproaches made against him with a good grace. Father Villani informed him of some reports against him, and tho following is tho way in which Alphonso answered him : “ As to the king’s touching the diocese, I am obliged to you, be­ cause these admonitions are always good, and can never do harm ; but I must beg you to re­ mind mo of this matter when wo see each other again, that wo may talk it over in private.” He liked to bo told of all that was said to his dispraise, and never hesitated to make amends if ho found he had made a mistake. Tho same Father Villani wrote to tell him that ho must bo on his guard and not trust in others. “ You must know,” ho answered, “that I no longer ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 277 trust in any ono, not even myself ; for the rest, it is impossible to close every body’s mouth, and to prevent comments and murmurs.” There was a report that a priest in the dio­ cese, whose reputation was far from good, had baptised a goat. This scandal was generally spread about, and not only the priest, but also his Lordship, was attacked in consequence, as it was pretended that ho was unfit to govern the diocese. When Tramontana, the priest, in­ formed him of this calumny, as well as of sev­ eral acts of negligence of which he was accused at Naples, Alphonso replied, “As for the other things about which you have written to me, I thank you for what you say, because it serves to make me more humble and attentive. I will tell you however that those are all falsehoods. Tho affair of the goat has been mentioned here, but nothing has been ablo to be cleared up about it, and as to tho priest who is named I havo already banished him for other causes.” About this same time an idle person circulated a report through Naples, that they were much dissatisfied with Mgr. Liguori’s government at Romo, in consequence of numerous complaints against him addressed to tho Sovereign Pontiff, as well as to tho sacred congregations. It was oven added that the Popo was very far from rejoicing at having elected him to tho bishop­ ric of St. Agatha, for that ho repented of his choico. This calumny grieved his Lordship’s friends very much ; as to him, when Father Villani informed him of it, he contented him- 278 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. soif with replying thus: “You say that the accusation of which you speak may have been very probably made at Rome ; I have heard nothing about it yet. For the rest, and as to the government, I do not know how I could have been more careful than I was. I always note down in writing all that has to be done for the present day and for tho following one, and when any business connected with the diocese is in question, I leave everything to occupy myself about it. All belonging to my dioceso may see this plainly ; God will do tho rest, but this will enable mo to get my resignation more easily accepted.” By an inconsistency, which is a characteristic of falsehood, others accused him of governing with too much rigour ; but Alphonso was certain of the good ho had done, and cared equally little for being thought too lenient or too severo. “Human respect,” said Father Raphael do Ruvo, “could never succeed in influencing Mgr. Liguori.” One day when he was at table with several gentlemen, amongst whom was Canon Clement do Montella, they said that people talk­ ed a great deal about a priest who as they alleged had been banished unjustly. This priest was guilty of several hidden offences, for which Al­ phonso felt constrained to recur to this punish­ ment, without wishing to publish things against him which were unknown. When he heard that he was censured for it, ho got out of the dif­ ficulty by a smile, and said nothing to exculpate himself. Canon Clement, who knew all about ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. 279 it, was no less edified by the holy bishop’s mode­ ration, than by the charity with which he glo­ ried in choosing God alone as the judge of his conduct. Most frequently these wicked discourses only took place in tho conversation of certain prelates who felt Alphonso’s life a tacit and continual censure on their conduct, and wished to justify their own negligence by saying that his zeal was in excess, and if they perceived some little defects, that is to say, some little disadvantages, they hastened to magnify them, and perverted them by speaking of them, without mentioning what measures the saintly bishop took in order n to remedy them. Others who could not cast blame on his conduct, boasted of their own, as if theirs were, if not better, at least as praise­ worthy as Alphonso’s. I will mention one in­ stance amongst others with which I am familiar. On his Lordship’s death I went to the house of one of these prelates, in order to get informa­ tion about a miracle which had been wrought on one of his servants ; our conversation turned on tho moderation with which Alphonso treated those who served him, when tho prolato imme­ diately interrupted me, and said, “That is true, Mgr. Liguori’s domestics were treated just as I treat mine.” Ho thought he must make this observation because he had a number of ser­ vants. Ho attracted attention by tho richness of his equipages, and was remarkable for tho elegance of his appearance, never forgetting to wear town or country attire according to tho 280 ■ ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. places lie might visit. Such were pretty nearly all Alphonso’s censors ; as to tho ono of whom we have just spoken, ho was too full of indiffer­ ence about tho miraclo I camo to inquire into, to give me any information about it. Several people wondered at tho great nu: II her of works which his Lordship published. Some even in the congregation, who only judged from afar, said in an under tone, that in tho publica­ tion of his works Alphonso sought for an un­ certain good to others, while ho neglected the certain good he could have effected had he been exclusively engaged in the affairs of his diocese. Father Villani wrote to him that several amongst us could not approve of such a way of occupying himself ; his Lordship replied, “ In regard to tho murmurs relative to my publications, I will say that tho bishops who are most celebrated for their great zeal preached and published works while ruling over their dioceses ; such as St. John Chrysostom, St. Augustine, St. Ambrose, St. Francis of Sales, Mgr. Sarnclli and others. I am always shut up during the winter, and con­ verse with no one ; besides every ono avoids my conversation, because it is not agreeable. I pray three times a day, make an hour’s thanksgiving after mass, as well as a spiritual lecture, at least when I am at liberty. After that I try to profit by all tho time remaining to me, in la­ bouring in things which seem useful.” Detraction found fresh matter whereon to feed in the expenses which all these publications caus­ ed ; this reproach was no better founded than ST. ALPHONSO LIOUORÏ. 281 tho others, for if his Lordship made no profit on tho works, ho at least lost nothing by them. When ho published a work, ho had a few copies printed at Naples, that tho impression might be made with exactness, and that ho might bo able to make tho corrections himself ; but he after­ wards gave up tho copy-right to Don Remondini of Venice, or to some other bookseller in Naples. Ho even allowed some bookseller of tho capital to have tho solo right over them, and for this purpose to procure tho royal privilege ; thus there was no loss, and all tho profits which ho reaped wore given to tho poor. “ As to the books I have printed,” ho wrote to Father Villani, “I have been repaid for tho expenso ; besides, they are books which are necessary to my diocesans, and except that against Patuzzi, all the others have boon expressly composed for the ecclesiastics and confessors of tho diocese, as tho ‘Way of Salvation,’ and ‘The Country Confessor,’ which arc of great use hero.” He had composed tho “Instruction for Confessors” at this same time. “This Instruction,” ho adds, “I have also writ­ ten for my dioceso ; and I can assure you that it is better than any I ever saw on the subject, as they aro all full of frivolities, with the excep­ tion of one which is too long.” It is thus that Alphonso justified his conduct, which also had tho full sanction of tho Sovereign Pontiff Clem­ ent XIII., whose approbation encouraged him in pursuing his labours, which were not only use­ ful to his dioceso but to tho whole Church. Notwithstanding all these remarks, Alphonso 282 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. did not at all slacken in his glorious career, and giving his pen no further rest was constantly planning new works. In one of his letters to Remondini of Venice, dated tho 3rd of March, 17G8, ho says, “ I have already written to tell • you that I wished to have a little book called Reflections on the Faith printed, which is against n a pamphlet by an anonymous Frenchman ; but after much consideration, I have come to the conclusion that it is not fit to spread this little book through Naples in its present state ; for this reason, as I cannot have it published hero, I have thought it best to compose another on tho same subject, against Justin Febronius, who at­ tacks the same points as tho French writer, al­ though in a different manner. It must however bo written in Latin, and on a different plan to the former ; it will also bo well to publish it un­ der a fictitious name. I reckon on being able to labour at it constantly, because the book on the Practice of the Love of Jesus Christ is nearly done, and tho printing is already begun. Tho book against Febronius will bo small, and will not number more than nine or ten sheets at most. If you wish me to take the cost on my­ self, I shall be satisfied to do so, as I think that this work will bo of great glory to God and a great good to the Church, now, as it were, trod­ den underfoot.” ITe published tho “ Way of Salvation” about this time, which is a work of great utility for all classes of men : it is divided into three parts ; the first contains meditations for all seasons of ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 283 the year; tho second, for divers times in par­ ticular; and tho third contains a rule of life for a Christian, the practice of virtues and con­ siderations on tho lovo of Jesus Christ, entitled, “Darts of Fire.” CHAPTER XLII. When Almighty God wishes to raise one of His servants to great sanctity, the usual course of His providence is to throw them into a sea of sorrow^ so to speak. Alphonso, whom God had destined to bo a shining pillar in tho heavenly Jerusalem, was also obliged to pass through tho crucible of tribulation. In tho sixteenth year of the century, the sixtysecond of his ago, and tho seventh of his epis­ copate, on the 23rd of June, Alphonso was at­ tacked by a fever which at first seemed so slight that it was believed to bo only a cold ; but it in­ creased on the second and third day, and made such progress that it was taken for a dangerous putrid fever. When tho doctors camo to see him, his Lordship said to them in a cheerful tone, “Water and oil,” and as he was asked what ho meant by that, ho answered, “ That if tho fever wore putrid, as they thought, he would require iced-water, and extreme unction as a precaution in case of death.” However, tho fever disappeared three days af- 284 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. terwards, and contrary to all expectation he was attacked by acute pains on the right side. The doctors called it a commencement of sciatica arising from rhew II atic tendencies ; in fact, ho experienced constant pains in tho bone of tho thigh, these, however, were not very severe. As ho had no fever, and his head was free, ho never ceased to give audiences, or interrupted his sci­ entific and spiritual occupations. Ho was full of solicitude for tho wants of his diocese, and not being able to visit it himself, ho sent his grand­ vicar into tho estates of Frasso and Arpaja, as well as to tho village of Forchia. “I continue,” ho wrote to Father Villani, “ to bo tormented with internal pains in nearly ono half of my body, and it seems as if tho pain would fix in the hip bone. Blessed for ever be God for hav­ ing sent mo this suffering ! I shall havo diffi­ culty in going out this year to make my accus­ tomed visitation. They speak of my having blis­ ters and cupping-glasses.” Ho wrote to the same father on tho 29th of July : “ As to my illness, notwithstanding all the remedies which havo been employed, I am just in the same state, and perhaps suffer even more from tho sciatica. The doctors hardly know what to think ; but I have resolved to let God do as He pleases, and to embrace suffering as He sends it to mo.” Wo see by this that he expected to regain sufficient strength to undertake tho visitation of tho most important places in tho diocese. “ In a few days,” ho goes on to say, «I shall go to St. Agatha to make my visitation there, and from ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 285 thonco to the property of Durazzano.” He had the will, but it was not to bo done. On tho approach of tho Assumption he tried to give tho novena in tho church of the Annun­ ziata; notwithstanding his sufferings ho succeed­ ed in crawling to the pulpit ; but the pain ere long seized him in a most violent manner, and fixed itself obstinately in tho hip bone, so as to render it impossible for him to go on. The priest Nicho­ las Manucci, tho Neapolitan missionary, had ac­ companied him there, and replaced him on tho sixth day. From this time tho malady made such progress that he no longer knew in what position to place himself, either by day or night. In spite of that, and as if some ono else were suffer­ ing in his stead, ho was unceasingly occupied about tho affairs of his diocese while in bed ; ho dictated his works, and continued to perform with tho members of his household all tho accustomed exercises. “It is already six days since I said mass,” ho wrote to Naples on the 18th of August, to tho priest Don Salvadoro Tramontana, who was his confidant. “ I havo blisters on my logs, and thus would I remain during all the rest of my life, if such is God’s good pleasure. Pray that God may give mo a perfect submission to His will.” On tho 27th ho wrote to him again, saying, “ I continue to bear the cross of my infirmity ; it will bo twelve days to-morrow that I havo been in bod ; it will bo fifteen on Mon­ day since I celebrated mass, and I do not seo any amelioration. I seem as if I had lost my stomach, but I am contented, because God wills it to be so.” 286 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. However, the fever went on increasingly day by day, and his sufferings were so increased that fears were soon entertained for his life. When it was proposed to him to send for a doc­ tor from Naples, he replied, “Do you then think that the doctors in Naples work miracles, or that they have studied different books to the doctors hero ? I am in the hands of God, and the doctors. He has given me.” An express was sent for Father Villani, and as ho also wished to get Alphonso to call in a doctor of Naples, he received for answer that tho doctors II at Arienzo wore worth as much as those of Naples. His two worthy doctors, Don Salvadore of Mauro and Don Nicholas Ferrara, were not however of tho same opinion ; for they sent for Father Villani and the grand-vicar Rubini, and said to them, “We do not wish to bear the responsibility of his Lordship’s death ; we want to have a consultation.” Tho physician Don Francis Dolce was therefore summoned from Naples. Alphonso said nothing on seeing him, but his face betokened tho suffering of his heart. Ho affected every ono while in this state by his ejaculations of love towards Jesus Christ and tho Blessed Virgin. He showed great con­ fidence in their merits, and seemed quite con­ founded at his own conduct, which ho said had not corresponded to their goodness. Ono of our fathers was just going to begin saying mass, when he called him close to his bed, and said to him with a profound sentiment of humility, II “Pray that God may deign to be merciful to- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 287 wards mo.” Although he had confidence, ho still trembled in thinking of tho judgments of H servo tuo, God. “Non intres in judicio cum he repeated, and “ Fac cum servo tuo secundum misericordiam tuam.”* Π After receiving tho last sacraments on August the 2Gth, 17G8, ho made his will. He would not havo had matter for ono if his steward had not received four hundred and twenty-three ducats some days before, arising from the rents belong­ ing to him. Ho wished this sum to be deposited in tho hands of the archpriest Romano, and fixed on the number of masses to be celebrated for hi; II at Arienzo and at St. Agatha; ho pointed out what alms ho wished given to the poor, and order­ ed that the surplus should bo distributed to all who were in his service, as a token of gratitude, two hours after his death ; finally, he asked that his body should be taken to the cathedral of St. Agatha. Tho inhabitants of this town manifested a degree of veneration for Mgr. Liguori which they had never done towards any of his pre­ decessors in similar circumstances. Arienzo is eight miles from St. Agatha. When tho diocesans saw their bishop’s life in such great peril, they agreed together, that after the celebration of the funeral office at Arienzo, tho body should bo carried to a neighbouring village, accompanied by all tho clergy in their ♦ “Enter not into judgment wtth thy servant. O Lord.. «.Do unto Thy servant according to Thy loving mercy.” 288 ι I 'T i\l Γ· ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. choir dress, and by all tho confraternities, with lighted torches ; that tho clorgy of this village should thon accompany it to tho next village, and so on until it reached tho gates of St. Aga­ tha ; when the clorgy, secular and regular, and confraternities of tho town, were to como and moot tho funeral procession, when they were all to repair to tho cathedral to celebrate the obsequies with the greatest pomp. But tho fever visibly abated, although the sufferings were still very sharp. Tho pains caus­ ed by tho rheumatism were violent and continual. Ho could find no position whereby he could lio in bed, so ho got into an arm-chair though with great difficulty, where he remained nailed down by his suffering, as it wore; it is easy to imagino tho way in which ho passed tho nights and days, as ho could neither move nor dress himself ; his stato forced us to shod tears of compassion. Father Villani adjusted a light covering of dark buckram in order to conceal tho disordered stato of his clothes. Tho rheuΠ latism was constantly making fresh progress ; its seat was at first confined to tho hip bono, it soon reached tho log, and extended through tho nervos of tho limbs which caused a great increase of pain. Tho pious bishop bore it all with unalterable pationco : no groan ever issued from his lips, but that which filled up the mea­ sure of admiration in regard to him was, that ho nover ceased to bo still occupied in tho af­ fairs of his diocese. During this extreme suffering ho made such ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 289 lively aspirations to a large crucifix placed before him, that one of those who attended him could not help collecting a great portion of them. “Lord,” said he, “I thank Thee for having given me some share in the sufferings Thou didst en­ dure in Thy nerves, when Thou wert nailed to the cross. I wish to suffer, my Jesus, as Thou wiliest, and as much as Thou wiliest, only give mo patience. * Hic uro, hic seca, hie non parcas, ut in æternum parcas.’ Unhappy damned ones !” ho sometimes exclaimed, “how can you suffer without merit? My Jesus, my Hope, the only Remedy for all my ills!” As if he wore already in the arms of death, ho exclaimed joyously, “ Oh, how happy a thing it is to die fastened to the cross!” He was heard to exclaim in envy at the lot of tho poor, “A poor person who loves God, dies more con­ tent than all tho rich in the world. An hour of suffering is worth more than all the treasures of the earth.” During tho exhaustion caused by a long want of sleep, ho said, “ I should like to have a little sleep, but God does not will it, and I do not wish it either.” Ho also said, looking sadly at his palliasse, which ho could no longer enjoy, “Oh, my palliasse! thou art worth more for ono day than all the thrones in tho world.” But his sufferings did not end hero. Tho rheumatism settled in tho vertebrae of the neck, and his head was so bent forwards, and rested so much on his chest, that on looking at him from behind ho appeared like a body without a head. “Nothing but a miracle,” the doctor 19 290 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Don Nicholas Ferrara said to mo, “ could have prevented this curvature from taking away respi­ ration altogether.” But even this was only a part of his martyr­ dom. In consequence of this displacement of tho head, his chin sunk down into tho middle of his chest, and as his beard was strong and bristly, it caused a considerable wound there. However, this painful contact between tho chin and the chest, prevented tho sick man from being strangled, by constraining him always to turn his head towards the opposite side. This wound could not be seen, and as his Lordship boro it without any complaint, it did not at first attract attention, but the humour, which was not long in issuing from it, soon caused the doctors to entertain tho most lively fears ; they wanted to raise his head to ex­ amine it, but Alphonso was obliged to raise his hand, for any force used in that direction, would have broken his neck. They then tried to place him on a sofa, in an horizontal position, and thus they were at length able to examine tho wound. It was so deep and dangerous, that it had very nearly laid bare the bone of tho chest. The doctors, however, succeeded in pre­ venting mortification, and tho wound was soon completely healed. Ho began to get better at the end of a few months, but the malignant hu­ mour settled on the nerves, the body was con­ tracted, and his head rested on his chest during the rest of his life ; he remained in this state during the seventeen years he lived after this. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 291 H During the course of this cruel malady, our saint evinced superhuman patience. He was not sad, on tho contrary, ho rejoiced to suffer, for ho looked on himself as fastened on the cross with Jesus Christ. “ Wo all admired such pa­ tience and courage,” said Doctor Mauro, “it seemed as if the torments he endured acted on another body. Had ho only had that horrible wound in tho chest, what strength would he not have required to endure the disgusting effects of an ulcer which could not bo attended to ! I, who have attended him in all his maladies, and in this last which was so painful, can attest, with all truth, that he has borne everything with tho greatest patience, without allowing the least murmur to escape, and always united to tho Divine will, as if his sufferings had been those of another.” “Mgr. Liguori,” also said Father Raphael do Ruvo, the ox-provincial of the reli­ gious of St. Peter of Alcantara, was a true picture of tho saintly Job. Though having ho­ come, as it were, ono mass of pains, he never opened his mouth to utter even tho slightest complaint. Ono look raised up to heaven with some pious aspiration was tho only sign of his suffering ; ho still expressed himself so calmly that ho consoled and confounded me, as well as all who were present.” Ono of the first surgeons of tho capital, who had witnessed his patience at Arienzo, said when speaking of this painful wound at Naples, “If I had had to enduro such torments, I should H have become frantic.” Ho could not conceive Fl : "LL 292 ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. how his Lordship had boon able to preservo un­ alterable serenity in tho midst of such terrible sufferings. At length tho invalid was placed on a poor mattress, though it was with great pain, where he was in an uneasy and painful position. It was not without difficulty that they succeeded in putting on his cassock, and as ho could not undress himself, ho remained in this garb night and day, and in the same position. “ That which made most impression on mo, and which I admired most,” said the grand-vicar Rubini to me, “ was, that during tho whole time of this sickness, which lasted at least for fifty days, he was always immoveable, full of invincible cou­ rage, and never showed tho least impatience or tho least wish for relief.” In all his pains Alphonso showed the truth of St. Augustine’s words, that ho who loves docs not suffer, and wishes to suffer more. “He was fixed on his poor bed,” said Don Benedict Barba, a canon of Avella, “ once while I was arranging tho sheets with Brother Francis An­ thony, I saw that he had his largo rosary by him, and that there were as many holes in his flesh as there wero beads in it. As I attributed this to accident, I told Brother Anthony to take tho rosary away. But ho answered in a way which made mo understand, that this ser­ vant of God was not satisfied with only bearing his infirmity, but sought to crucify himself still * more. ’ His submission to tho doctors was no less ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 293 admirable. “Let us obey them,” he often said, “and resign ourselves to die.” They had scarcely spoken before they were obeyed. Doctor Mauro asserts that the saintly patient always anifested the greatest obedience in taking any kind of remedy, however disagreeable it might be. As he had a very delicate body, blisters were ost painful to him, but ho never sought to be ex­ empted from them. Doctor Ferrara in turn said that he was submissive to his doctors, not through tho wish to prolong life, but because ho recognized God’s will in theirs. One day amongst others the saint said to him, “I am nothing but an old man now, what can I hope for, or aspire to ? I obey in order to fulfil your will and that of God.” He was not only contented and serene, but ho carried his heroism so far as to bo quite joyous. One day when ho received a visit from Doctor Ferrara, ho said to him, “You endeavour to hold mo up, by moans of props and stays, but if you happen to put a new prop some day, and raise it up too much, all tho rest will fall, and you will lose your trouble.” Tho priest Don Thomas Aceti onco asked him how he had passed tho night: “I chase flies by day,” re­ plied he laughingly, “and I take spiders by night.” Canon Barba camo ono day up to his bed-sido : “There,” said the sufferer, slightly moving his head, “that is tho no plus ultra, my head can do no more.” Another timo ho said to him, “ They have so often called me crippled, that I am caught at last.” Although •I 294 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. reduced to this state of infirmity, he never dis­ pensed hi in self from any of his exercises of piety. Tn tho evening especially ho wished all his household to como to his room, together with the grand-vicar, that they might all recito tho rosary together, the Litanies of tho Blessed Vir­ gin, and tho other accustomed prayers. He passed nearly tho whole day in hearing some spiritual lecture, which was read to him alter­ nately by Brother Francis Anthony and tho other priests who attended him. In this state of oppression and pain he never forgot his dear flock, on whom ho never ceased to lavish all the care of a good shepherd ; he dictated, ordered, and did everything as if ho had been quito well. Thus ho caused several noblemen to be written to touching tho refor II of abuses, and ho addressed certain congrega­ tions at Naples, in order to obtain missionaries that year for all his diocese. On tho 21st of November he wrote to Father Villani for a village which had not yet had any. “By tho grace of God,” said he, “I have regulated tho missions for the whole diocese, and they have already been begun in four quarters ; a fifth still remains where there is no mission : it is Lajano, a village about four or five miles fro: II St. Agatha ; the inhabitants are poor country­ men and simple people ; I must therefore havo two or three of our fathers at tho least to give this little mission during the carnival, or at tho latest during Lent, but should prefer its being in tho carnival.” Thus suffering did not in tho ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 295 least diminish the activity of his zeal and his solicitude for his flock. “That which most astonished me,” said Canon Barba, “was that he not only never ceased to watch over and labour for the good of souls and the glory of Jesus Christ during this ex­ cess of suffering, but that ho also did so beyond the bounds of the province.” Having been in­ formed that a bishop had been guilty of an abuse which was most prejudicial to souls, he hastened to dictate a letter, which he sent by an express, to inform him of his error, after which ho turn­ ed towards mo and said, “My dear Benedict, wo are obliged mutually to aid each other.” As tho bed of pain was not only an object of patience to Alphonso, but also an object of love, his sufferings did not prevent him from revising for the last time and publishing a great work which he entitled, “ Tho Practice of tho Love of Jesus Christ.” lie manifests the sentiments of his heart in this book, in treating first of tho love wo owe to Jesus Christ, on account of the love Ho has shown towards us in His passion, and in tho institution of tho Blessed Sacrament. Ho afterwards shows what great confidence wo ought to have in Him ; ho then comments on tho Apostle St. Paul’s words, “Charitas patiens est,” where ho finds tho characteristics of that true charity which tends to bind us more close­ ly to Jesus Christ ; after that he explains tho methods to bo employed during temptations, and II tho great benefits they procure for us ; ho ends by noticing tho causes of spiritual desolation, h * 4 » >1 t t Ar £ θ ST. ALPIIONSO LIQUORI. for the sake of holy souls, and tho motives for bearing it with patience and courage. In the latter part of this work ho comments on all tho Passion of Jesus Christ after tho writings of tho sacred evangelists, and proposes divers practices of piety, in order to inflame us with Divino Love. Don Laurence Selvaggio said in speaking of this treatise, “Knowledge, piety, and zeal for the salvation of souls aro especially to bo discovered in this book. It everywhere breathes of tho spirit of its pious author, shows the necessity and teaches tho way of loving Jesus Christ our God, who ought to bo the sole object of the affec­ tions of our heart, and to whom all tho actions of our life should bo referred.” Tho convalescence of tho Bishop of St. Agatha was very painful and lasted more than a year. “I continuo to be without fever,” ho wrote to Father Villani on the 8th of October, 1768, “but tho pain is just tho same. They make mo walk about on crutches, supported however by two people, and this is tho sixth day since I be­ gan to do this ; but I do not see that it or the carriage does mo any good. I am awako nearly every night ; naturo fools it ; but I think that my will is resigned to that of God. Remember mo during mass, that God may give mo perfect resignation.” He wrote to tho same father on the 2nd of November: “I am in a stato which renders mo incapable of moving, and fover at­ tacks me from time to time. However, my head is clear, and by God’s grace I am cheerful and resigned. He wrote as follows to Don Romon- ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI 297 dini of Venice, on the 9th of November: “I wrote to you that I was going to give the re­ treats to the clergy of Naples in November, but it has been God’s will that I should go through a different kind of exercise since the beginning of August, and I shall continue it throughout all this winter. I have been suffer­ ing from pains in tho nerves since August; I cannot walk, nor even move, without suffering. I am imprisoned in bod, but I thank God for send­ ing mo this trial.” On tho 8th of December, ho also said to Father Stephen Longobardi, the superior-genoral of the Pious Workmen, “I con­ tinue to bo in my shell without power of motion, and attacked by pains in every part of my bo­ dy.” Ho sent him a rosary at tho same time, begging him to attach tho indulgences of St. Brigot to it. Who could imagino that ho continued to occu­ py himself in tho general affairs of the Church, even in the midst of his sufferings, and that ho was full of zeal in combating against her enemies ! A learned man of Naples published a treatise against tho authority of tho Church, and particularly against her privileges. Alphonso felt that his mind was at liberty, and did not hesitate to enter into tho lists. In a letter to Father Villani of tho 11th of October, he said, “ Tho pain continues just tho samo : fiat volun­ tas. I am impatiently expecting N.’s book ; send it immediately, and by Naples ; I say im­ mediately.” And in another letter ho writes, “ If you know of anything good on personal im- 298 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. munity, let mo hear of it, and if you find a pa­ per in the book” (it was the pamphlet of which wo have before spoken, and which he had sent to Father Villani,) “ whereon I have noted down several things touching this same book, send it back to mo.” I have kept tho manuscript of this refutation, which he had only sketched out; ho would have finished it but on account of several circumstances, and on tho advice of Father Villani ho did not think fit to put tho finishing stroke to it. Alphonso’s solicitude for the wants of tho Church and of his diocese ex­ tended also to those of his congregation. Ho never omitted to answer all tho letters he re­ ceived from any of us, especially those from the houses in Sicily and from tho state of Benevento. Ho even liked to be loaded with occupation ; ho wished to know all about tho conduct of tho divers members of his congregation, and ho weighed their actions in the balance of the sanc­ tuary. Father Villani informed him of tho ex­ pulsion of one of them ; ho wished to know all particulars about it, and after he had examined into tho faults alleged against him, ho did not consider them sufficient, so ho answered on tho 2nd of November: “In order to justify tho ex­ pulsion of a subject, it requires to have wellgrounded reasons for it, and they must bo of a nature to preclude any compassion, if all hope of amendment is gone.” I myself applied to him to obtain tho expulsion of a lay-brother, when ho replied to me : “ After a subject has been received as a novice, there must bo weighty 1 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 299 reasons to expel him, and when he has been allowed to make bis profession, there must be very important ones, added to incorrigibility, in order not to commit a mortal sin in sending hi u away. ’ ’ During his convalescence he composed and published a treatise on the ceremonies of the mass. In the first part he expounded most clear­ ly tho rubrics which one is bound to observe, and when a mass is curtailed so far as to become a grievous sin. In tho second ho urged upon them tho duty of making that preparation and thanksgiving which are required by so august a mystery. About this time, and whilst he was on the point of bringing out this treatise, ho received a dissertation against tho fees for masses, which was written in an angry spirit and published at Naples. Tho author, who wished to abolish masses and tho ecclesiastical stato altogether, pre­ tended to demonstrate tho great disorders, as ho said, tho sins of simony, tho sacrileges, and the scandals which result from tho retribution which priests receive for masses. Tho whole dissertation breathes of tho poison of Jansenism. The author proposes in conclusion, as tho only method of putting an end to so many abuses and sacrileges, that paid masses (as ho terms them,) should bo abolished, and that tho custom of tho primi­ tive ages should be recurred to, of having but ono mass celebrated by tho bishop or a priest nominated by him, at which tho people should assist. He also wished tho oblations to bo 300 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. made, as formerly, through tho medium of tho priest and for tho wants of the poor and of tho Church. His Lordship zealously took up arms, and published a learned reply on tho 15th of December of tho same year 1768, in which ho refutes tho impious doctrine of the anonymous author by tho true Catholic doctrine. Ho added this refutation to tho treatise we have spoken of above, of which it forms tho third part. Don Lawrence Solvaggio especially admired tho learn­ ing which his Lordship evinced in this little book, and also his spirit of piety and his attachment to religion. CHAPTER XLIII. When his Holiness Popo Clement XIII. pass­ ed to a better world, Alphonso, though bent down by infirmities, never ceased to pray ardently that God would deign to grant a worthy pastor to His Church. lie immediately enjoined that tho prayer ‘‘Pro elegendo summo Pontifice,” should bo recited in his diocese, and ho recom­ mended this matter to all who camo to see him. “After God,” said he, “is tho Popo. What con­ fusion should wo not bo in, if wo had no Pope ! Tho Popo is tho only person who manifests tho will of God to us, and puts our consciences at rest.” When Clement XIV. ascended tho pon­ tifical throno on tho 19th of May, 1769, Al­ phonso rejoiced greatly, on hearing that the elec- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 301 tion had fallen on a prelate who was so full of knowledge and zeal. In spite of all the sufferings which did not cease to come upon him, he suc­ ceeded in finishing a work on Dogmatics, which was extracted from the Council of Trent, and against the pretended Reformers, and he hastened to dedicate it to the newly-elected Pontiff. “ The election of your Holiness to the throne of ^t. Pe­ ter,” said he to him, “ causes a general rejoicing throughout the whole Catholic universe ; but I do not know that any ono has felt greater con­ solation than I have done in considering the ex­ cellent qualities possessed by your Holiness, to wit, your knowledge and prudence, your detach­ ment from tho things of tho earth, and above all, your piety and zeal for our holy religion.” He says that he composed this work, at the ago of sixty-three years, for no other reason than to show more clearly the truth and holiness of tho dogmas of the Catholic Church, as now de­ fined by tho Council of Trent, against tho pre­ tended Reformers. All Naples wondered how Alphonso had been able to apply to such profound studies, while a prey to such innumerable sufferings, and nearly in tho arms of death. This work was ono of singular merit, and was applauded even beyond tho borders of Italy. Tho Popo received with pleasure this new mark of tho zeal of tho in­ defatigable bishop in propagating the knowledge of true religion amongst unbelievers, as well as of morality amongst Catholics, to whom he also showed what attachment they owe to the holy 302 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. faith they profess. The Pope manifested his satisfaction to him, and thanked him kindly in a brief, of which we regret that we are not in possession. In this work tho pious writer combated Peter Soavo, otherwise called Paul Sarpi, who made such attempts to throw discredit on tho authority of the Council of Trent in his pestilential wri­ tings. Alphonso, after having clearly exposed tho errors of tho innovators, refutes them, an­ swers their objections, and triumphantly demon­ strates tho dogmas of tho Catholic Church. “In this work,” ho wrote on tho 13th of March, 1769, to Father Don Stephen Longobardi, “I only treat of the dogmatical points of faith de­ fined by the Council, and not oven of tho history of this Council, as Pallavicini has done ; so that my book contains a good quantity of dogmatics, as I have not only there spoken of the difficul­ ties which wore agitated in tho Council, but I have set forth tho doctrine of the authors in each treatise. I have also added other points of distinct theology, such, for example, as tho man­ ner in which grace acts in us, whore I point out nearly all tho systems of tho schools on effica­ cious and sufficient grace. I have further added a very useful treatise on tho infallibility of tho Church, on the rules of tho faith, and tho ne­ cessity of an infallible judge, which is the most powerful n method of converting heretics, who find some answer to everything but this. In fine, I have also subjoined two treatises or appendices, one on the manner in which grace operates in ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 303 the conversion of a sinner, and the other on the obedience which is due to the definitions of the Church, which are the rules of our faith.” The learned canon Don Joseph Simioli, calls this work “ a production of the mind, and still more of the heart.” As afflictions arc sisters, they always go to­ gether ; thus in addition to all these anxieties and sufferings, Alphonso’s heart was also op­ pressed by still further sorrows. Our congre­ gation had prospered wonderfully in Sicily up to this period ; tho brothers of St. Mary d’ Itra, who had once refused their church to the Jesuit fathers, yielded it up to us with pleasure ; we had also the use of tho valuable library at Cento, which was worth more than one hundred thou­ sand ducats, with an annual allowance for the librarian. All this was tho work of Mgr. Luc­ chesi. Besides tho diocese of Girgcnti, the mis­ sionaries were welcomed in that of Messina, where Mgr. Ventimiglia was bishop ; we met with a similar reception at Cefalu from Mgr. Castelli and from Mgr. San-Severino in the diocese of Palermo. The bishops of Syracuse and of Mazzara also wished to have us, but we were not sufficiently numerous to satisfy them. At Palermo tho Fathers of tho Oratory offered to give us tho church of the Ecce-IIomo. Tho inhabitants of tho territory of tho Grottos made most urgent entreaties on this subject to Al­ phonso, and the prince Coto of St. Margarita was so desirous of it that ho immediately com­ menced tho work. Mgr. Lucchesi was greatly 304 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. rejoiced at seeing tho missionaries so popular, and he neglected nothing whereby ho could render them permanently established. All this prosperity, which consoled us, caused tho bishop of St. Agatha to reflect seriously, “If tho works of God,” said ho, “are not con­ tradicted, they are not well-rooted.” He wrote several times to Father Don Peter Blasucci, say­ ing, “I am rejoiced at tho progress of our con­ gregation in Sicily, and am much comforted by it ; but this universal applause makes mo tremble.” But soon Almighty God, who willed that ho should go through a martyrdom of mind as well as of body, permitted a furious storm to bo raised up against his dear children in Sicily. Tho only relief ho experienced in tho midst of his tribulations, was from tho conversion of a great number of souls, which resulted from the II labours of our missionaries in that island ; but God willed that ho should also bo deprived of this consolation.” From tho month of February in tho year 17G7, a perfidious Jansenist gloried in accusing us to tho viceroy, Don Deodatus Targiani, as men of corrupted morals, as followers of tho Jesuits, and as relaxed probabflists. Tho calumny was a dangerous ono, and tho missionaries began only to be spoken of as men unworthy of their posi­ tion. However, wo justified ourselves with so much energy and force, that the undeceived min­ ister replied as follows, to Father Peter Blasucci, on tho 10th of April : “Being animated by zeal and a true desire to avenge the Gospel from the ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 305 injuries and outrages it has received from men whoso reasonings have followed no other guide than human philosophy, I declared myself against tho companions of your Reverence, who had been denounced to mo as miserable casuists ; now that I am convinced of the contrary, I experi­ ence unspeakable pleasure, and I offer to concur in furthering the instruction of those who re­ quire it, and in supporting the pastors of souls.” In October, 17G8, Mgr. Lucchesi passed to a better world, and tho Prince of Campo-Franco declared himself his heir, ab intestat, and protended that tho hundred ounces annually which had been assigned to us by the defunct bishop, for the work of tho missions and for their mainte­ nance, were not validly given, because tho capital did not proceed from the revenues of the bishop­ ric, but from tho inheritance of his uncle, General Lucchesi, and that besides that, the missionaries had not power to make acquisitions. He in consequence sought to establish tho validity of his claims at Naples, and with tho Jesuit assembly at Palermo ; they proceeded to seques­ ter tho revenues, and tho members of our con­ gregation there, on finding themselves without provisions, had begun preparations for leaving Sicily. Tho tidings of this sad reverse reach­ ed Alphonso during tho very height of his cruel malady ; he was deeply affected, but ho did not allow himself to bo cast down by it. “ I have received tho disastrous news which you give mo in your letter of October, 17G8,” ho wrote to Father Blasucci, “ but I say wrongly, for nothing 20 306 vF If < ; ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. that God wills can bo disastrous. Ho wishes to mortify us ; may His name bo praised for ever. I especially beg you not to lose confidence in Jesus Christ. If you aro turned out of your house, try and procure another, where you may be able to remain. It will not do to yield so soon, on the contrary, you must persevero till God shows you that Ho no longer wills you to bo at Girgcnti. Thero will bo fewer Π issions, but you will not lack a morsel of broad to keep up life. Wait and see what tho depu­ ties will do, what will bo done by the new bish­ op, and, above all, what God’s will may bo. I believo that God does not will tho destruction of this house. I continue to havo no use of my body from head to foot, but I am contented ; I bless God, and thank Him for having given mo peace and patience.” He wroto as follows to Father Villani on tho 21st of October: “May God’s good pleasure bo done in regard to tho house at Girgcnti ; if Ho no longer wishes it to exist, praised bo His name ! tho good it has already done is sufficient.” Alphonso saw that his moral theology on tho subject of the work of tho missions was also at­ tacked about this time, so ho sent a letter to tho bishop of Sicily, to justify his doctrine. lie also represented tho true stato of things to that learned and devoted man tho Marquis of Fogliani, tho viceroy of Palermo, and implored his pro­ tection, They both in reply did justice to his merit, and eulogised his virtue and knowledge ; but a new misfortune, and ono more painful than ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 307 the first, increased our alarm as to the fate of our brothers in Sicily. Mgr. Lanza, a learned and pious Theatine of the house of tho Princess of Trabbia, succeeded Mgr. Lucchesi in tho chair of Girgenti. This worthy bishop, who felt the most tender interest in his seminary, discovered a traitor there, who possessed tho heart of a wolf under the exterior of a sheep, and sought to corrupt both the morals and doctrine of this holy spot. He was a chaplain belonging to tho cathedral, and a professor of the Holy Scriptures. He gloried in publishing amongst tho theologians that tho Jansenists were tho true disciples of St. Augustine. He com­ mented on Quesnol’s “Moral Reflections on the Now Testament,” in tho most advantageous man­ ner. He said that the holy Roman Church was contrary to St. Augustine, and that in condemn­ ing tho doctrine of Quesnel, the doctrine of St. Augustine and tho Holy Fathers was condemn­ ed also ; and that the bull Unigenitus was im­ pious. Ho eulogised tho French prelates, who had asked for an appeal to a future council against tho Popo. Ho asserted that tho Roman Church had fallen into error through tho moans of tho heretical Jesuits, as ho called them ; final­ ly, ho also maintained, with Michael Baius, that all the actions of infidels arc so many sins. Mgr. Lanza no sooner heard of these blasphe­ mies than ho dismissed tho professor of the semi­ nary, suspended his faculties as a confessor, and forbade him to havo access to the illustrious monastery of tho Benedictines of Citcaux, where ho had till then been tho director. Ύ—· 308 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Mgr. Lanza had tho greatest esteem for our missionaries ; ho was already prepossessed in their favour by his brother, tho Prince of Trabbia, who had boon able to appreciate their zeal and their talents in his fief of Muzzomele. Fro Π tho time of his arrival at Girgonti, ho chose Father Peter Blasucci for his confessor and the­ ologian. Tho chaplain, who was full of confusion, and whoso reputation was lost, thought that this blow could only have come to him through tho means of tho missionaries. Tho suspicion ap­ peared to have some foundation, but it was not so. Tho ] re asters of tho seminary and tho pupils had themselves complained of him, as soon as they found out tho poison ho wished to disse: ii nato. Not being able to lay tho blame on tho bishop, he thought ho had bettor turn his weapons against the missionaries, and as his own downfall had befallen him on account of his doctrine, he tried to accuse that hold by us. lie won over several important personages to his party ; after having obtained fourteen certificates ho went to Palermo in tho February of 1769, and presented himself to tho royal junta of tho presidents, and above all to tho viceroy Deodatus Targiani, as having been persecuted by tho missionaries. The least of his calumnies was that of designa­ ting us as corrupt probabilists as to morals, and as Molinists in dogmatics. lie complained to tho viceroy of having been unjustly expelled from tho seminary, calumniated and persecuted by/ the missionaries on account of his opposition to tho doctrines which they had spread to tho pro- ST. ALPIIOXSO LIGUORI 309 judico of souls and of the stato. With theso deadly preparations and with tho support of his II partisans, ho already had begun to flatter himself with the certainty of a triumph, and chanted tho song of victory before the battle had com­ menced. Mgr. Lanza was greatly distressed at our being accused of professing ovil doctrines and treated as if guilty of crime, and ho hastened to rep­ resent to tho viceroy how unjust and slanderous theso reports were, and to inform him at the same time of tho errors of the plaintiff, which were rendered public through his obstinacy. lie then stated tho soundness of the doctrine which we professed to tho viceroy as well as to tho su­ premo junta, and also tho abundant fruit which was produced by our missions, and tho great edification which we gave by our exemplary conduct, strengthening his assertions by the at­ testations of all tho vicars and curates of tho diocese, as well as by those of tho Dominican and Augustinian fathers. Calumny tarnishes what it cannot blacken ; thus at Palermo some judg­ ed well of us, others ill, and several hesitated, being embarrassed by tho falsehoods alleged against us. Those divers sentiments engendered such a confusion, and things took such an in­ auspicious aspect, that tho suppression of our house and tho departure of tho missionaries began to be talked of. As theso rumours spread throughout Girgenti as about to become realized, the whole town began to mourn ; pious persons unceasingly interceded with God for us ; some 310 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. ortifiod themselves and fasted on bread and water in order to avert such a calamity ; many distributed abundant alms, and caused a great number of masses to bo celebrated. Father Stephen Drago was not so fearful ; ho was a man of great sanctity, who had boon several times at Palermo as prefect of tho house of the Fathers of tho Oratory, ho sympathised with our difficul­ ties, and encouraged tho missionaries to patience. On tho morning of Holy Tuesday he said to our Father Don Gaétan Mancusi, in order to encou­ rage him, “ Believe me, you will not lose tho house of Girgcnti, and that because of tho pray­ ers of Mgr. Liguori. Continue to bo firm ; God will change ignominy into glory, and your congregation, after these first obstacles are surH ounted, will bo more honoured than before.” About this same time another holy soul, who had recommended our congregation to God, but who was however ignorant of tho distress in which wo then wore, saw in spirit a little column standing up without a pedestal, and seeming ready to fall at tho least breath ; at tho same time she also saw a great fire blaze up in all the houses of tho congregation, which threatened to reduce them to ashes. At tho sight of such a spectacle this person was filled with terror, and heard words which told her that tho little column was tho house of Girgcnti, to which a pedestal was going to bo added to render it immoveable ; that tho fire which exercised its ravages in tho houses of tho congregation was a dangerous storm with which it was menaced: H ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 311 sho however saw tho fire go out by degrees, and tho houses were thus saved from this impending calamity : a pedestal was placed beneath the column, and tho firo, which equally prefigured H a general discord amongst the members of tho congregation, was also done away with. The vision referred to several different events, and was completely verified in tho end. When Alphonso was informed of all these vicis­ situdes, ho adored the depth of the judgments of God, and never ceased to urge us to be hum­ ble and respectful towards all, to keep silence and to bo patient. IIo however wished the truth to bo manifested, but, as ho repeated several times, without injuring those who had shown such perfidy in our regard. Father Mancusi showed great distress in tho recital which he made to him of these calumnies, because they attacked our reputation : “Your Reverence seems much afraid,” replied Alphonso; “for me, I put all my trust in God, who will protect us, as IIo has always protected tho holy Church, which has also been persecuted throughout all ages. Lot us act as wo ought towards God, and God will comfort us.” However, tho storm became more and more threatening, and Father Blasucci feared that ho and his companions would bocomo a prey to it ; ho therefore presented an cncrgotic and sincero explanation to the Viceroy Targiani, in favour of tho doctrine of Alphonso and that of tho mis­ sionarios. Don Targiani was undeceived by this report as well as by those ho had received h______ IfSP A 4 312 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOlU. from others, and ho replied to him on tho 3rd of March, 1769, saying, “As to what you toll me of the suspicion you entertain that tho priest N. has perhaps altered tho good opinion I en­ tertain of your Rovorenco and your companions by disadvantageous reports, I declaro that I have never attempted to condemn any ono, nor to judge any one to be guilty of holding false doc­ trine until tho alleged error of doctrine has been verified to mo. You may therefore bo assured on tho score of my indifference in regard to this report, and if I have spoken in favour of N. it has only been from tho supposition that ho was unjustly persecuted on account of his doctrine. In conclusion, as regards myself, I can only say that I am always rejoiced when I hear tho pure doctrines of tho Christian religion preached, in conformity to tho maxims of the Gospel, of tho Holy Fathers, and of the Church.” This apology, by disabusing tho viceroy and tho other ministers of tho monarchy, also reached tho chaplain, although unintentionally. When he saw that ho was no longer looked upon with as much consideration as before, ho had recourse to a now scheme, and presented an anonymous address full of horrible impostures. Tho accusa­ tion made no impression, for tho very reason of its being anonymous, but it was principally rejected on account of the hatred it betrayed. When Alphonso was informed of it he hastened again to defend his sons and his morals before the viceroy and tho prelates of Sicily. V hen ho was certain that this scheme and ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 313 those calumnies had failed, ho returned thanks for it to God, but as he saw that his sons were wanting in courage ho encouraged them by writ­ ing to them as follows: “You see that Jesus Christ protects us most lovingly against tho at­ tacks of hell. Let us therefore ever thank Him as well as our blessed mother, who keeps us under her special protection. I am certain that God has protected this mission, and will protect it for tho future. I feared some disaster through tho anonymous accusation ; but I repeat once moro, I now see that God protects us.” As ho had it much at heart that tho observance of tho rule should bo strictly kept up in tho house, and that tho subjects should preserve a spirit of charity amongst themselves, ho adds, “ I enjoin you all to observe tho rule, and above all, to preserve concord amongst each other. Re­ member that wo aro surrounded by enemies who wish to destroy us, as well at Naples as at Girgenti ; if wo sin against God, wo shall soon seo tho consummation of our ruin. May God pro­ tect this mission which is so advantageous to souls. Let us pray, but let us also bo resigned : if God wills, or rather, if IIo permits this work to bo destroyed, fiat voluntas...... ” In another letter, dated September 8th, and of tho same year, 17G9, he said, “I continue to bo paralysed and to be in bed, without power to move, and I am in constant pain. But God in Ills mercy knows how to make mo contented by the thought of its being a great grace for me. I thank Him for it, but do not cease to pray Him 314 .ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. to give mo perfect resignation. By God’s mercy my head is free, I feel well, and do not neglect the least thing; I enter on my seventy-fourth year this month ; do not omit to recommend mo to Jesus Christ every morning, but do so in a II special manner at mass, in order that I may have a happy death, which cannot be far dis­ tant.” Returning again to tho difficulties of the mission, he goes on to say, “ I have the Hlission at Girgenti much at heart, on account of the great good it effects ; but now I see it in danger of falling. This affair has kept me in a state of affliction thoughout all my last illness. The devil cannot bear it, but wo must do all wo can to uphold it, and then abandon it into tho hands of God, who loves it better than we do.” CHAPTER XLIV. We have admired tho patience with which our saint endured the tedious sufferings of a painful illness, and tho energy with which ho surmounted it and devoted himself to tho cares of his go­ vernment, the labours of controversy, and the spiritual exercises which he had been in tho habit of performing ; we shall find equal rea­ son to admire tho mode of life he adopted, as soon as his state became less painful. He for­ got his infirmities and sufferings, and laboured as if he had been healthy and robust, without ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 315 intermitting any of his penances. He generally only took five hours’ sleep. The ] attress he was obliged to use was nothing but a miserable covering a few inches thick, and as he did not allow it to bo shaken it was just like a board. Fastened down to this painful bed ho was ready for everything, he occupied himself about his diocese, and listened to and satisfied every one. In tho morning, after having finished a halfhour prayer, he made his preparation for holy communion, which he never omitted, and as­ sisted at tho II ass which was celebrated by his secretary. After his thanksgiving, which was a very long one, he recited tho canonical hours, although with great difficulty, and in the course of tho day he performed all his other exercises of privato devotion at their appointed hours. Let us listen to the priest Gaétan Mancusi, who at that time was a ] It ember of our congregation, and is now tho rector of the seminary of Potonza : “ On my return from Sicily, where I have made a sojourn of ten years, I found his Lordship just tho same as he was formerly ; there was just the same sanctity and tho same devotion. Ho made a meditation three times a day ; ho took half an hour’s rest after dinner, which was his only repast ; ho then performed his spiritual reading, paid a visit to tho Blessed Sacrament, and recited vospors and compline ; after that he gave audience and began to study. Although ho was paralytic ho did not coaso to practise works of mercy, and to remain occu­ pied from morning to night without losing a 316 ST. ALHIONSO LIGUORI. single moment.” In fact, ho lay on his little bed surrounded by books, and occupied without any intermission until midnight, and often when wo brought him a miserable collation of a little milk, or even of nothing but water, ho only took it with his watch in his hand. In a letter which ho himself wrote to Joseph Remondini of Venice, on tho 21st of August, 1769, he said to him, “I try not to lose timo, and I am expecting death from day to day. I have already received tho viaticum four times, and extreme unction twice. I will not fail to pray for you, both as regards your health, and the prosperity of your affairs, but especially for tho ono grand matter, your eternal salva­ tion.” This constant zeal and application filled us all with admiration and astonishment. “Wo may well compare him to tho most learned and de­ voted bishops of antiquity,” said Archdeacon Rainono. Father Caputo also wrote to mo, say­ ing, “ Mgr. Liguori was a true copy of tho primi­ tive bishops of Christianity, who had not only tho good of the souls entrusted to their caro at heart, but who at tho same timo anxiously la­ boured for tho whole Church by their writings. This line of conduct on his Lordship’s part filled every one with admiration, and as a venerable ecclesiastic of Naples said, “If it has been said of St. Jerome that ho triumphed over his mala­ dies by not ceasing to read and write, 1 perpetua lectione ac scriptione superabat,’ if there is rea­ son to marvel at seeing all that St. Gregory has 317 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. written, although ho was infirm and in bad health, ‘infirma et ægra valetudine,’ Mgr. Ligu­ ori ought to excite still moro admiration on ac­ count of tho numerous labours to which ho de­ voted himself when in a worse stato than St. Jerome or St. Gregory ever wero.” Those who took the greatest interest in him personally, wero pained at seeing such great application, and thought that ho would thereby abridge his days ; they applied to Father Villani to got him in his capacity of director to mod­ erato it ; but when ho spoko to him of it, our saint justified himself mildly, and replied, “ I do not think that I ought to remain idle. I could employ myself in reading without dictating, but my head would gain nothing by that. When I have read for twenty minutes or half an hour at most, I can do no more ; besides I do not neg­ lect my devotions ; I pray in tho morning and evening, in addition to tho visit to tho Blessed Sacrament. My thanksgiving still lasts for an hour, and I mako my spiritual reading for half an hour ; but there aro many days which aro entirely taken up by tho affairs of my diocese, and while the visitation which I have commenc­ ed continues all tho writings must slumber. I have been anxious to enter into all those details with your Reverence, in order to obtain your blessing.” On another and a later occasion, when Father Villani insisted on his taking caro of himself, it ho replied to him in July, 1774, “Do not bo afraid, because as far as tho new work is II concerned I do not fatigue mysolf ; I write a ·· —■■ 318 ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. little bit every now and then only, I go out in tho mornings and evenings, and always take my usual walk. I have undertaken this work by way of relaxation, in doing thus I only follow the advice you gave me ; believe me, it is a real relaxation to me, although it may be at tho same time a useful one, on account of tho numer­ ous and interesting extracts I have collected du­ ring tho nine months I have been at work at it. By God’s mercy, I feel well ; but sixty-eight years is a heavy infirmity.” Ono may see by these few words where his soul is depicted, that ho thought of everything except tho sufferings which encompassed him. Ho prolonged his audiences and occupations until tho last moment, without taking a moment’s relaxation, and he never stopped except when his food was brought to him; but to take nour­ ishment caused him extreme pain, ho experi­ enced tho greatest difficulty in introducing any­ thing like food into his mouth, and could only drink by means of a quill. It was suggested to him to got a silver pipe made ; he negatived tho idea with horror ; at first ho only made use of a wooden pipe, but tho use of coffee and other hot drinks caused several of them to split. Ono of our lay-brothers having manufactured another sort of pipe of turned iron, our bro­ ther Francis Anthony soon had it thrown away because tho rust destroyed it, although Alphonso did not complain of it. Application was at length made to tho silversmith Dominic Torpora of Arienzo, who made ono of silver, ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI 319 but ho was obliged to pretend that it was of some other metal. IIo was distressed at first at not being able to visit his cherished sick, however ho supplied his placo by priests and divers ecclesiastics. When he was informed of the misery of any of tho poor people, ho never neglected to supply what II Anthony or his servant Alexis. IIo wished to know about tho state of those in greatest suf­ fering day by day, and what they required in regard to food and medicine. On hearing that sister Mary Catharine, a poor cloistered nun, had met with an accident which had obliged her never to leave her chair, although sho could still sew and knit stockings, his Lordship assigned her an assistance of five carlines a month. God also aided him in tho excrciso of his charity, and several sick persons were cured through his prayers. Father Joseph Morgillo, of tho congregation of Pious Workmen, happened to be at Arieuzo, and was descending a moun­ tain where his friends had induced him to take a walk, when ho fell and broke his leg: tho bono was reset, but the operation did not succeed, and ho was for ton days in great suffering and unablo to take any rest. When Alphonso hoard of his sad stato, he sent one of his servants to him with a little picture of tho Blessed Virgin, telling him to have confidence in her, and that he would obtain his cure. Tho father placed the picturo on his face, saying, “ My Queen ! by tho merits of Mgr. Liguori, deliver mo from this 320 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. torment,” and ho was cured that very instant. Father Morgillo honoured this little picture as long as ho lived, as a relic of tho blessed bishop from whom ho had received it. Ho sold his carriage during the time of tho scarcity, as wo have already said, and had not since thought of procuring another, but tho doctors, on seeing his body so paralyzed, and his mind so devoted to study, ordered him to take a daily drive, in order to preserve a rem­ nant of life. Although ho was always anxious to follow their advice, ho manifested indifference about it this time, and when tho doctors and his own household insisted upon it, ho answer­ ed, “What is tho use of those drives? I am well enough as I am, and I do not suffer. Tho money which a carriage and horses would cost •I mo ought to be employed by mo in relieving tho poor.” On seeing however tho real neces­ sity there was of his having it, Brother Francis Anthony and others resolved to buy him a poor sort of carriage, which, together with tho horses, caused an expense of a hundred and thirteen ducats. At first ho was told that it was a pre­ sent from his brother Don Hercules, but when ho know how it was, ho complained to Brother Tartagliono for having caused so much expense for these things. “You could have economised more,” ho wrote to him, “by buying a carriage and horses of an inferior quality.” Ho also wished tho horses to bo treated and equipped in a manner conformable to his condition, that is to say, as poorly as possible ; so his drives af- 321 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. forded groat diversion to the gentlemen of Arionzo : “ An old bishop, said they, “an old coachman, an old carriage, and old horses.” Those drives, although ordered for him under tho idea of relieving him, often ended in being most painful to him. If the carriage met with any shock by coming in contact with a stone, or from any other cause, it was a martyrdom to Alphonso, whoso head was as if it were dislo­ cated by each jolt. Ono evening when he was going through tho street of tho Crisci, ono of the wheels met with such a shock that the spokes were all scattered about, tho carriage was up­ set, and it was a miracle that his Lordship was not killed by tho blow. Brother Anthony aud tho servant lifted him up in their arms with great difficulty, but as they were not able to bear such a weight for long at a time, they were obliged to put him down on the road at inter­ vals ; some poor women who were going homo per­ ceived him, and in compassion lent him a chair. il On other occasions a shaft or some other part of tho harness broke, when his Lordship had to wait in tho middle of tho street until it was mondod. Ono of tho horses had a singular habit ; after having gone through various contortions of the head, ho suddenly went down, and did not got up again until after having been pulled η by tho oars for a long while. Several times Al­ phonso was obliged to get out of tho carriage into tho middle of tho road, and to remain there patiently, if he could not bo dragged to tho pa­ lace, supported by those who wore with him, 21 O 9 ■ 322 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Tho incapacity of tho coachman multiplied these accidents, for ho cither did not seo what was in tho way, or else not knowing how to avoid it, ho ran up against something or other at every step. His Lordship was tho only ono who did not appear to suffer, and ho never thought of chang­ ing tho horses, or carriage, or tho coachman. At tho beginning he went out in tho mornings and evenings by the order of tho medical men. “I am better,” ho wrote on Saturday, 9th of December, 17G9, to his brother Hercules, “I have preached this evening ; I take a little drivo every morning, and that is a great relief to me.” It was in this same letter that ho thanked his brother for his charity in giving him the car­ riage and horses, as at that time ho believed himself indebted to him for them. At a later period ho only took his drivo in tho evenings about six o’clock, and always in tho country, to avoid the frequent meetings which interrupted him when driving through tho town. Every instant was precious to him, and in order to lose as little time as possible, ho no sooner was seated in the carriage than he began to re­ cite an Ave to tho Blessed Virgin, three Gloria Patri in honour of his patron saints, and a Do Profundis for tho souls in purgatory. Ho then had the life of some saint or some other book on ecclesiastical matters read to him ; as ho was a little deaf they were obliged to bo read in a very loud tone of voice. He most frequently went to St. Mary do Vico, visited tho Blessed Sacrament there, and excited tho people to fervour by some ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 323 holy exhortation. When he left tho church he re-opened his book, and did not close it again until ho re-entered the palace court. After he had gone on with this regimen for nearly two years, and found benefit from it, he became scrupulous about the expense which the horses and coachman cost, and earnestly beg­ ged that tho carriage might be sold in order that its value might bo distributed among tho poor. The vicar-general, tho doctors, and all his household united in representing to him the absolute necessity there was for his going out, and tho impossibility of his going in any other way. These representations were useless, or mov­ ed him but little : to decide him it was necessary to refer tho matter to his director, and he only yielded to tho command of Father Villani. When six o’clock had struck, and ho had made a medi­ tation of half an hour with his household, he recited matins and lauds with his secretary, and then resumed his studies. When his Lordship became paralytic, it may truly be said, that ho was oven more occupied than before his painful infirmity ; his refection in tho evening generally consisted of nothing but lemonade, a little coffee, or a small quantity of milk. All his household assembled together about nine o’clock, and recited the rosary and night prayers together, Τ11Θ grand-vicar then wont to supper with tho rest, while his Lordship, especially in summer, kept his watch open before him, and prolonged his studios until midnight. “I have witnessed tho long sufferings of tho saint,” said our Father IE 324 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Buonopanc, “ and I have admired liis marvellous and truly Christian modesty ; this appeared in things almost too undignified to be related ; when, for example, ho went to bed at night ho took off his undor-garments himself, and after ho had got into bed with great pain ho had his stockings pulled off underneath the clothes.” Mass was the only thing wanting in tho life of Mgr. Liguori. “ God w’ills that I shall not say mass ; His will bo done ! ” said ho one day to tho priest Don Salvadore Tramontana. This privation, and it was tho one Alphonso felt tho most, lasted for two years, during which time ho had been obliged to bo satisfied with receiving holy communion from the hands of tho priest whoso mass ho heard. When Father Marcorio, afterwards tho prior of the Convent of St. Au­ gustine, camo to see him on Saturday tho IGth of August, 1770, ho invited him to preach on the following Sunday in his church on tho occasion of tho Feast of tho Girdle ; Alphonso promised to do so, and while ho was conversing with him, ho expressed amongst other things tho pain which ho felt in being unable to celebrate tho holy mysteries. Father Marcorio was moved at his distress, and told him that necessity dispensed him from tho less essential parts, and that by placing himself on a chair ho could easily take tho Precious Blood. Al­ phonso received this advico with a transport of joy, and tried to put it in practice, and after two or three attempts ho had tho ex­ ceeding consolation of celebrating on the follow­ ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 325 ing day. After vespers he went to preach at St. Augustine’s, and could not cease thanking him who had suggested such a happy expedient. On tho same day he imparted his satisfaction to us. “To-day, the 27th of tho II onth,” he wrote to Father Villani, “I have recommenced saying mass, and I hope that I shall be able to continuo to do so. All tho difficulty was in taking the Precious Blood, but wo have contrived a method which has perfectly succeeded : Gloria Patri. I am going to deliver a sermon to-day in a church where they will be a great concourse of people, that is to say, in the church of the Fathers of St. Augustine.” On tho 9th of De­ cember, ho wrote to Father Nicholas Sapio at Palermo : “ I celebrato mass every day, I go out in tho carriage when it is fine, and I go on with divers works when I am free from busi­ ness in regard to my bishopric.” From this timo he celebrated mass every day, and obtained per­ mission from Romo to celebrato that of tho Blessed A^irgin at all times. Ho was exact in observing all the rubrics, and never wished to dispense even with those which are tho least essential. The most painful to him were the genuflexions, and ho therefore took great care to make them, bending tho knee until it touched tho predella; but when he wished to raise it again, it fell heavily back, and ho only succeeded iu standing up again by tho aid of another person. In a letter which he wrote to Father Villani on tho 1st of September, ho said, “ By God’s mercy, I continue to say mass, but I 32G ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. do so with much difficulty, and when I have said it I am quite exhausted and in a perspiration.” The canon, Don James Morgillo, has attested, that when he served at his Lordship’s mass, it seemed to him as if he saw an angel at tho altar, and when ho prepared to take tho Precious Blood, his face became inflamed like that of a man ravished out of himself. He heard the H ass of tho chaplain or some other priest for his thanksgiving, sitting down, but when tho priest pronounced tho words “Et Incarnatus est,” in tho Credo, his Lordship filled with compunction fell to the ground, and remained there bending profoundly ; ho did the same thing at the con­ secration, and each time he required assistance in sitting down again. During the two years when Alphonso did not say mass, ho never forgot his people, but had mass celebrated for them by our Father Don Carmin Fiocchi, tho superior of tho house of Ciorani ; and for tho other masses which ho had to celebrate, ho sent the fees to our Fathers of St. Angelus of Capoli. Such was his Lordship during all the remain­ ing time of his episcopacy ; ho retrenched none of his austerities nor of his labours. Ho was insensible to his own infirmities, but all alive to those of the persons who lived with him ; our Father Fabius wrote to me from Arienzo on this subject about the month of July, 1773: “Such a mode of life and such great regularity fatigue mo greatly, although I am only thirty-throe ; his Lordship on tho contrary always appears to bo ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 327 frosh, full of ardour, and refuses all attention.” This also filled Canon Rubini, his grand-vicar, II with astonishment, as ho has many times as­ sorted. CHAPTER XLV. When tho sorious illness under which Alphonso had laboured, and the state in which ho still was became known, the dioceso of St. Agatha became an object of compassion. Every ono thought that in this stato his Lordship would only bo able to attend to himself, and could no longer bo occupied about tho interests of his Church, or at least could not watch over the: II as formerly ; but they wero mistaken. He was in tho full enjoyment of all his intellectual fa­ culties, Ho. gave audiences, reflected on every thing, and gave his orders accordingly. The priest Tramontana informed him of tho reports which wore current about him, and ho said in reply on tho 5th of October, 1769, “As to tho caro of my dioceso, my dear Salvadoro, I do not know what moro I could do ; I do not slumber, and leave nothing undone. I prompt­ ly give all tho advice and reprimands which are necessary. But it is impossible to shut tho mouths of all tho discontented. Thoro are nine priests whom I keep in banishment at present. Except in tho affairs of tho council, 328 st. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. for which I depend on two curates, of whom ono is hero and tho other at St. Agatha, everything passes through my hands, but while I pull out tho thorns on one side, they shoot up at tho other. I beg you to recommend mo to Jesus Christ, in order that Ho may give mo light and strength to accomplish His holy will.” There was a current rumour, that although ho was ir­ reproachable, his grand-vicar was as worthy of blame ; on this head he ono day said smilingly, “The Marquis Tanucci has said that I am a saint, and that my grand-vicar is an unworthy man ; ho has made two falso assertions, I am no more a saint than my grand-vicar is a worth­ less man, for ho does nothing without mo.” There were murmurings about a dissension which agitated a certain part of the dioceso, and it was believed that tho bishop was not occupied in remedying it. Don Anthony Clement, the canon of tho college of Montella, happened to bo in this samo place to preach there during Lent, and they begged him to speak about it to his Lordship. Ho did so, and Alphonso after having explained all that ho had done to him, showed him that ho had nothing loft to do. Don Clem­ ent was struck with tho groat zeal and profound humility of this justification of his Lordship’s. Although Mgr. Liguori was nothing more so to speak than a living skeleton, and although all that remained to him was tho solo power of moving his lips, as was tho case with holy Job, ho employed even this mere breath of life for tho good of his flock. In order to bo ac- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 329 cessible to all, ho caused his bed to be placed in a room where every one might havo access ; it was his only apartment, or to speak more cor­ rectly, his solo apartment was his bed ; it was there that ho ate, that he studied, and that he gave audience ; except at tho time of meditation, ho had no fixed hours. He wished his door to bo open to every body, but tho poor were espocially privileged. “He had always a serene and contented appearance even when on his bed,” said Father Caputo; “he was always tho same, and ready to see every one.” This serenity and this obligingness with which he treated tho rich were manifested by him in an equal degree towards tho very poorest and most miserable, and he never showed tho smallest impatience towards them. We were in admiration at seeing such incessant activity even in tho midst of ferings, and felt full of shame ourselves, i the least difficulty casts down.” Not a day passed in which ho did no or despatch several messages, cither foi pair of some disorder, or to inquire stato of things. However great had vigilance up till this time, it appeared t doubled in his latter years, and as ho w not to bo able to attain his end hastens 1 in order to reach it ; so Alphonso always ing that ho did not fulfil his office v ceasingly redoubled his solicitude in ordc complish his duties better. As soon as 1 of any disorders ho took no rest ; he as vice, he examined it, and provided for its i z__ I i| E JI B J; U || | 330 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. There was not a single» day that he did not cause some priest or episcopal vicar to come to Arienzo, in order to become acquainted with all that could concern him. “You see in what state I am,” ho said to the priests, “ if you are not careful in informing mo of all tho disorders which occur, you will be responsible for all tho mischief, and should you not be so, remember that from this time I accuse you of them before the tribunal of God.” When ho was informed of any abuse u through tho medium of some ono else, and not by tho priest, especially if this latter had kept silence through human respect, ho lost all peace, and in spito of all his mildness, ho never dis­ guised how much ho felt it to any one. This vigilance in regard to secular priests also extend­ ed to religious, the wicked amongst whom found in him an inflexible opponent. He addressed such lively remonstrances to tho provincials, that they were obliged to expel all amongst their subjects who misconducted themselves from tho diocese. I heard from the priest Don Pascal Bartolini, that only a year before he resigned tho episcopate he caused two religious who occasioned scandal to bo banished from Airola, and that ho took the greatest pains in order to obtain his point. It happened that a superior was embarrassed on account of the irregularities of two of his sub­ jects ; he told the provincial that theso two re­ ligious were not to remain in the diocese ; ho tried to temporise, and endeavoured to exculpate the culprits. “ Do not oblige mo to take rigorous measures,” replied Alphonso, “for I shall not ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 331 forgive you if you do.” Tho result was the departure of the two wicked religious. Another excited suspicions by his conduct ; that was suf­ ficient to cause him to be banished to a very distant monastery. Many similar cases, as we shall elsewhere show, took place while his Lord­ ship was nearly iu his last agony, and rather to bo numbered amongst the dead than the living. Tho laity were no less the objects of his watch­ fulness, than they were formerly. When there was any scandal, and paternal exhortations were of no avail, ho had recourse to tho help of tho great, and even to that of tho king in case of need. When there was any disorder to be check­ ed, he did not suffer it to bo deferred until tho following day, if it could bo done at once. “ lie neither took food nor rest,” said the grand-vicar Rubini to me, “until ho saw tho ovil cut down to tho roots, and when any matter of this sort was in question, the only meal ho took in tho whole course of the day was tho evening one.” The good of his seminary seemed also to in­ terest him more and more. lie required to bo informed of tho way iu which things were going on there several times a week. He very often caused Father Caputo to come to Arionzo. Sometimes he sent for the students whoso con­ duct and labours were distinguished as being exemplary, and made them give an account of tho conduct of the others. Ho never suffered any fault, tho example of which might be conta­ gious. “There will always bo evil sheep,” said he, “ but wo must nevertheless do all wo can to "■^1 332 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. euro them.” IIo was especially vigilant over those who stayed at homo on account of indis­ position ; ho particularly recommended them to tho caro of tho priests and episcopal vicars. When ho received information of the miscon­ II duct of a seminarist, ho caused him to bo re­ proved, and if this were not followed by amend­ ment, the subject ceased to form a part of his flock. Tho young pupils were much more afraid of displeasing their bishop when ho was para­ lytic and stretched on his sick bed, than when he was up and well. If the illness of a pupil appeared to be put on, ho used every exertion to como at the real truth about it. Father Caputo stated his doubts to him as to tho reality of tho indisposition of several of them, and so Alphonso wrote to him on tho 4th of September, 1773: “As to tho pupils who pretend to bo ill, I havo taken all tho pains I could to arrive at tho truth ; I have caused them to come to me, and I havo found that some of them really do requiro to remain away in order to take baths or other remedies ; but there is ono about whom I am in doubt my­ self. I am going to send letters to intimate to all, even to those who are in foreign countries, that they must return to the seminary, unless there bo any real impediment in tho way; and that otherwise they will be dismissed. I am engaged in inquiring into the absence of one of them which is said to bo without cause. If it bo true, I hope that his expulsion may servo as an example to all those who may bo tempted to ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 333 imitato his indifference. I must beg your Rev­ erence to make inquiries, and to bo firm when you are in doubt about any of them, oven if tho physician’s opinion should bo in favour of the pupil, or at least, in this case write to me, and we shall see what is to bo done, for I am afraid that tho illnesses of many are only feigned.” As ho condemned tho vacations being passed out of tho establishment, ho wished that all suitable recreations should be afforded in tho seminary, and that nothing should bo spared which could in this respect conduco to tho pre­ servation of tho health of the pupils. “When tho vacations are passed in tho seminary,” said ho in tho same letter, “let the pupils go out every morning and evening ; and during the hot weather let them go out onco in tho afternoon also, at whatever hour may bo most convenient ; follow the dictates of prudence in the matter. Pray for me to Jesus Christ.” His vigilance in regard to candidates for or­ dination and confessors, seemed also to increase after his illness. “ Until tho end of his govern­ ment,” said the priest Bartolini, “ho always evinced indefatigable zeal in causing tho confes­ sors and candidates for orders to be examined in his presence ; ho required knowledge and good conduct from them all. IIo said that ignorance renders a subject useless, but that bad conduct renders him useless and hurtful.” Canon Rubini relates that ho showed even more severity than over in this respect latterly, and the reason ho gave for it was that ho did not wish to give his successor occasion to weop over sin. ul· I « I >**■1 334 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Ho no sooner regained a little strength than ho also wished to perform tho ministry of tho word. As ho could not go on foot, and had no longer a carriage, ho borrowed ono from some gentleman or other. Although ho was so para­ lyzed, ho went about preaching everywhere whoro any solemnity gave a prospect of a numerous audience. On account of his great infirmities, ho required several persons to place him in his carriage, and to aid him in ascending tho pulpit. Whilst ho preached, his face was not seen; his arm only moved about towards the people ; how­ ever he went on unhesitatingly for hours, and I know not whether his words or tho touching spectacle ho himself presented, were the most affecting. Tho church where ho had been in the habit of celebrating the fete of tho holy cross was too large for his voice, so ho wrote to Father Villani : “ As tho Church of St. Andrew is too largo, I must beg your Reverence to como for these three days. Do not be uneasy as to what you have to say; you will say something on tho cross, that is to say, on the love of Jesus Christ who died for us on tho cross, but tho substance of the sermon will consist in speaking against blasphemy, against hatred, and especially against impurity, against occasions of sin and bad confessions. That is tho end of this solem­ nity. If tho state of your health should happen to bo an obstacle to your departure, send me ono of our best fathers, for ecclesiastics and gentlemen aro invited to this feast.” ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 335 IIo was conducted to tho church every year when mass was celebrated on Holy Saturday ; after that he seated himself at the side of tho altar, and announced the coming of Easter to tho people, endeavouring to excite his children to a state of spiritual resurrection, by a picture of tho resurrection of Jesus Christ. IIo strongly urged all those who had not yet fulfilled their Easter duty to comply with this holy command. lie was particularly watchful in seeing that tho priests did not omit to instruct tho people and catechise tho children. IIo did not pass over the least negligence. A man died in the country without tho sacraments ; as tho priest appeared to be to blame, Alphonso was already prepared to punish him, when ho anticipated him, and •I wrote to him as to tho stato of tho caso : “ I have read your letter,” replied Alphonso on tho 10th of March, 1773. “It is true, Sir, that you have been accused of tho things of which you speak to me, but do no£ doubt that after I have examined into it all in concert with my council, justice· shall bo rendered to you.” _ IIo opened tho visitation of tho 2nd of July, in tho year 1769, in tho college of Arienzo, being assisted thither and supported by his ser­ vants. It was a sight which caused all present to shed tears ; ho preached to tho people and to tho clergy, and made all the necessary ar­ rangements. Canon Jormiori, his secretary, wish­ ed to perpetuato tho remembrance of this memo­ rable act, and so ho registered it in tho archives of tho bishopric in tho following terms : “ Dio se- 336 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. cunda julii 1769, decurrento festivitate B. Virgi­ II II nis Mariæ, illustrissimus et reverendissimus Epis­ copus ordinarius, post vesperas, habituali sua II infirmitate non obstante, petiit ecclesiam insig­ nem collogialem hujus terræ...ot indutus cappa et rocheto oscalatus fuit crucem ab admodum reverendo archipresbytoro porrectam ; indequo ingressus eamdem ecclesiam, habito sermone ad populum, recepit omnes ad osculum manus.” His Lordship also continued to visit tho col­ lege and the parishes of tho adjacent villages every year. Ho always felt tho greatest in­ terest in his pastoral visitations. “ However flourishing a graft may be,” said ho, “if tho trunk on which it is grafted is not pruned of its wild shoots, they will be like so many natural branches which will exhaust tho graft. Tho same thing occurs in tho culturo of souls,” con­ tinued ho, “if ono docs not cut away all that is wild, that is to say, all that nature produces of herself, the good that one has grafted in can­ not fail to perish.” As ho was uuablo to go to distant places in person, he supplied his place by tho grand-vicar, to whom ho especially commended the poor, widows, and those innocent souls whom indigence exposes to tho danger of being lost. lie was informed that tho priest Don Dominic Nuzzo in the parish of St. Peter and St. Paul, had transgressed some of his decrees, especially in regard to certain church-furniture which he ought to have had renewed ; ho sequestered twelve ducats from his stipend, in order to make ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 337 these repairs, which he entrusted to the man­ agement of Canon Don Mark Anthony d’ Am­ brosio. As tho observance of discipline in regard to tho choir and in vestments had suffered a little in consequence of his absence from the cathedral of St. Agatha, ho issued an edict in 1770, renewing the ordinances he had formerly decreed on this subject ; it was only in 1774, that is to say, a year before his resignation, that ho ceased to make tho visitation in person, as his stato thon mado it quito impossible for him to go on with it. However, though ho had not sufficient strength to give tho spiritual exercises to the priests and religious as before, ho assembled thorn together at tho bishop’s house, and .during at least three days reminded them of tho duties of their stato. Ho had also just the same zoal in regard to the sacred edifices. As he noticed that the paro­ chial church of Bucciano was dirty and too small for tho people, ho several times let tho priest know that it required to bo enlarged. Tho priest was afraid of tho trouble and expense, and could not resolve to commence the work ; but as his Lordship thought that the holy mysteries could not bo decently celebrated in tho church in tho state it was in, ho ordered in the visitation of 1773, that some adjacent ground should bo bought within tho space of ono month, and ho had tho satisfaction of seeing a large edifice erected and ono worthy of tho purpose for which it was consecrated. ‘‘Tho memory of Mgr. Liguori,” said tho priest 22 338 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Don Pascal Bartolini, “will never bo forgotten in tho diocoso of St. Agatha. Tho zeal for tho II glory of God which formed a chief part of his II un­ character was very great, and actuated him ceasingly up to tho moment when wo had tho sorrow of seeing him quit tho diocoso. Although paralytic ho was always vigilant in driving away II wolves from his flock, and in procuring tho spiritual advantage of his sheep by every possi­ ble means. Tho least disorder ho became ac­ quainted with deprived him of all rest until ho II II had taken measures to remedy it. Ho uncoasingly fortified his people by his counsels and by tho bread of tho Gospel, and ho sent zealous preachers everywhere where ho could not go himself. Two years before ho resigned tho bish­ II opric, ho again sent our missionaries of tho II diocoso, in company with tho Redcmptorist fa­ thers, to preach in divers parishes, and I myself was one of tho number.” Tho grand-vicar Ru­ bini, Archdeacon Rainono, and Father Caputo, and every ono elso indeed agreed in giving him II tho same praise. “A hundred bishops put to­ gether,” Archdeacon Rainono wrote to mef, “ would not have done what Mgr. Liguori alono did, notwithstanding all his infirmities.” ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 339 CHAPTER XLVI. The double burthen of a diocese, as well as that of a congregation whoso wants were so multiplied, did not however occupy Alphonso entirely. We have seen the wise counsels which ho gave to his brother Hercules on his second marriage ; he took however a still greater interest in tho spiritual welfare of his nephews. Don Hercules had four children by his second H arriage, a daughter and three boys, of who: two wore twins, and ho wished Alphonso to bo tho godfather to all four. During Donna Marianne’s first pregnancy Don Hercules took her to Ari· onzo ; tho couple mutually flattered themselves that they would obtain a male child ; his Lord­ ship however gave a little picture of tho Blessed Virgin Mary to Marianne, and said to her, “ You will not give birth to a boy, but to a little girl, and I should like you to call her Mary-Theresa.” And this really camo to pass. Don Hercules wished that his Lordship should hold tho new­ born babe at tho baptismal font; Alphonso con­ sented to this, and his gift to her on tho occa­ sion was a relic of St. Agatha, which ho had himself boon made a present of ; it was in a little silver box which did not exceed a few ponce in value. Don Hercules continued to urge Alphonso to pray to God to grant him a male child. Ho went with his wife to Airola, where tho prolate 340 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOHI. then was during Donna Marianne’s second preg­ nancy. When they took leave of Alphonso, they asked him to pray to God to grant them a son. Alphonso in reply gave Donna Marianne two pic­ tures of St. Louis, ho told her to bo of good courage, and that God would certainly comfort her. Two pictures of tho same saint seemed undoubtedly a mystery ; and Donna Marianne was H happily delivered of twin-sons. They were comforted by the birth of a third son after this. His Lordship took a great interest in tho edu­ cation of his four nephews. Besides tho tie of blood, his office of sponsor also combined to render him scrupulous in this respect. Ono of them, as wo have already said, was regenerated in tho baptismal waters by Alphonso himself. As they grew in ago their uncle’s solicitude also increased that they might imbibe the milk of piety betimes. The priest Don Dominic Podicino, who acted as their tutor, told mo that no letter ever came from St. Agatha in which Alphonso did not urge his brother to attend to tho education of his sons. IIo oven composed a short rule for them, which was appropriate to their age, in order that they might pass tho day devoutly. In a letter which ho wrote to Don Hercules on tho 4th of December, 1770, he expressos himself thus: “For tho lovo of God often call to mind what I have begged so frequently in regard to tho business of your eternal salvation. I am pleased to hear that my little godsons practise tho devotions I have re­ il commended for them ; I hope they will bo in­ II clined to become saints.” ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. 341 Don Hercules was greatly rejoiced at having obtained three sons from God at an advanced ago. As he was persuaded that ho owed them to tho intercession and to the prayers of his brother, ho thought it right to introduce them to their undo. Ono day therefore when lie went to Arienzo, ho took them all three with him and presented them to his Lordship, and said to him, “ Seo, Alphonso, how beautiful they aro ! this ono is called Alphonsino, and those two aro tho twins : see how well they behave.” His Lordship then looked at tho twins, and said, “If you should lose ono of these two, should you bo very sad at it?” “Oh! then it will bo so,” replied Don Hercules. His Lordship slightly smiled and was silent, but ho had pro­ phesied. After some months ono of tho twin brothers died. Tho disconsolate and aged father camo to St. Agatha to seek for comfort from his Lordship, when ho reminded him of his pro­ phecy. “Do not say any more to mo,” ho said to him, “for your prophecies aro too inauspicious.” “Fear no more,” replied Alphonso, “for you will preserve tho sons who now remain to you, and will see that they will live and grow old.” Alphonso loved his brother’s children, and would have wished them to have been perfect, lie himself gave them confirmation, after having instructed them about this sacrament. When they camo to seo him at St. Agatha, ho ex­ plained to them their duties towards God and towards their parents, tho nature of sin, and told them how much bad conduct dishonours 312 ST. ALPHONSO LIQUOHL a Christian and also a gentleman, Ho above all tried to inspiro them with love for Jesus Christ, and a tender devotion towards tho Bloss­ ed Virgin. When they grew up a ii ttlo, ho advised his brother to take great pains about their instruction, but especially not to entrust u II them to any masters but those whose probity was well known, and who united Christian piety to knowledge. Don Hercules intended to place them in tho college of tho nobility, and ho com­ municated it to his brother, who replied to hi II on tho 15th of December, 1771, saying, “I cannot approve of your project of placing your II sons at the college of tho nobility in November, because I have not an over good opinion of that establishment ; besides, boys are not fit to enter a college until they are at least ten or twelve years of age. In order to prevent their imbibing vice in their very infancy, it is good for them at present to remain with yourself, and when God wills it, it will bo time to think of their going elsewhere ; but I repeat, that they ought not to go to college now. I should like to know where they may best be placed so as to become virtuous as well as learned.” Prince Pignatelli told him that the college of Nunziatella, where ho had a son, was going to bo closed on account of its want of success, and that this establishment would pass into tho hands of tho Fathers of the Pious Schools, otherwise called the Sommasquo Fathers : Alphonso wrote to his brother, saying, “ Should this college bo under tho direction of those good Fathers of tho ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 343 Pious Schools, I should bo inclined to wish my nephews to be entrusted to the management of these good priests, because they are especially pains-taking from the first, in forming the chil­ dren who are confided to them properly, and thus your sons would make more progress in three or four years than they would make elsewhere in twice that time.” Don Hercules, who thought of temporal ad­ vantages, would have liked to place his sons in tho royal houses for tho young pages ; but al­ though the prince was favourable to his wishes, Alphonso dissuaded him from it. “ The more innocent children are,” he wrote to him, “the II .ore easily may they be corrupted by frequent· ing the society of others, especially if these lat­ ter are older than themselves. The malice of but one is enough to cause the ruin of a hun­ dred. Keep them under your own eyes, and God will provide for the rest when tho proper time shall come. For your part, have their spiritual good at heart, and Providence will sup­ ply their temporal interests without injury to those of the soul.” Although his ancestors were illustrious in war, and thus had merited the patronage of their sovereigns, Alphonso was quite an enemy to this mode of life. “ There are good people in this state,” he often said, “but the gene­ rality, and especially tho young men in it, are unsteady, and I know not if they are in a state of grace.” Having heard that his brother wish­ ed to present his two sons‘to the king, and to 344 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. avail himself of the first opportunity when he should bo admitted to kiss his hands for this purpose, ho wished him not to do it. “ If the king were to tell you,” ho wrote to him, in a letter of tho 13th of November, “that ho wishes to have your sons as cadets in tho brigade or in some other regiment, you will be obliged to make them cadets or soldiers, and thus to risk tho loss of their souls as well as that of their bodies. I see that you do not enter into my sentiments as to tho way to bring up these dear little children, and you do tho contrary of what I tell you. You aro their father, therefore can do what you please, but I am greatly afraid that you will one day have cause to repent of some misfortune which you will then bo unable to remedy. Tho love which I bear towards you and your children has made mo write thus. I am confined to my room by a cold on the chest like those I usually have, and which have several times brought me to tho brink of tho grave, but I am at peace, and await death without dread.” Tho great consolation Don Hercules experi­ enced in seeing himself tho father of such a fine family at an advanced ago, was soon troubled by a deplorable incident. Donna Marianne was tormented by scruples, and lost her senses. “ I sympathise in your sorrow,” Alphonso wrote to him on tho 5th of April, 17G8, “in regard to tho calamity which has befallen Donna Marianne, and I bog God to give you patience. Since Ho has sent you this cross, you must accept it with ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 345 II good courago ; otherwise it will become more weighty, and you will be still obliged to bear it.” “I beg your Reverence,” ho wrote to Fa­ ther Villani, after imparting to him his brother’s affliction, “ to recommend him to God, and to write to all our houses to pray for Donna Mari­ anne, for my poor brother is in great distress.” “ I have heard of Donna Marianne’s state with pity,” ho wrote to Don Hercules, on tho 9th of December, 17G9, “but it is principally on your account. I pray God to grant you patience, and bo assured that I will not cease to pray to Him for you. On tho other hand, I exhort you to practise entire resignation, and to bo co •I forted as well as your little children.” In a letter of tho 4th of December, 1770, he says, “ I do not cease to pray for you, for your dear children, and for all your household. May God preserve you in good health, for you aro now necessary to your family. I have been comfort­ ed at hearing that Don Gaétan takes caro of Alphonsino, and still more that he is now able to say mass. Tell hi H to recommend me to Jesus Christ, as I on my part do as regards him and you all,” About this time Alphonso gavo his brother a proof of his disinterestedness. Don Charles Cavalieri, his cousin, tho general and governor at Mantua, died at that town, and left sixty thousand ducats to tho Bishop of St. Agatha and to Don Hercules ; Alphonso did not hesitate to yield it all without reserve to his brother. Ho expressed himself in tho following terms on this subject, and with regard to all that 346 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. might happen of a similar sort at any other time, in a letter of tho 23rd of March, 1770: “1 do not wish for rents, nor possessions, nor anything olso I may have a claim to ; oven were 1 to be no longer bishop, I could live on my income from tho college of doctors. Bo satisfied therefore, and do not be uneasy on this head ; it is enough for you to know that I lay no claim to any money from you, cither for tho past or tho future.” His Lordship remembered Don Hercules’s great ago, and his own declining years, and succeeded in getting him to make his will, and to select guardians for his nephews bctimo. Ho hoard from Don Hercules that ho had turned his thoughts to Counsellor Caracciolo, and the ad­ vocate Don Peter Anthony Gavotti. Alphonso approved of his choice, and told them that in case either ho or his brother should die, they must watch carefully over tho education of tho children, and ho wrote to his brother, saying, “ Continue to bo of good courage, and do not got alarmed on account of tho will, because ma­ king one’s will doos not abridge one’s life. I re­ peat once more, I wish for none of your goods, dispose of everything freely in favour of my dear nephews.” Alphonso hoard from his other brother Gaétan that Don Hercules had made use of a sum of a thousand ducats on tho chaplainship of tho Prince of Presiccio, their relation, and that ho had not yet made it good. “I should not like you to commit any act of injustice to tho pre­ judice of your conscience for this capital,” he ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 347 wrote to Don Hercules, “for what I care about is tho concerns of your conscience. In conclu­ sion, take care and settle with Don Gaétan.” Don Hercules had a matter of business to settle with another person, and Alphonso wrote to him on tho subject, saying, “ I advise you to bo scru­ pulous as to what I have already spoken to you about several times ; you have not yet told me that you have arranged it ; this delay makes mo very uneasy, I can assure you.” CHAPTER XLVH. We have already seen how much tho saintly bishop’s thoughts were occupied about his flock, and with what care ho sought to obviate all that could bo injurious to their salvation, and to pro­ cure all that could facilitate it. His solicitude as a pastor did not stifle tho sentiments of tender­ ness ho owed to his nephews, and wo have seen all tho details of the correspondence ho entered into with his brother when tho manner of providing for their instruction was in question. In tho midst of all those occupations, and in spite of tho corporal pains which wo have described, tho man of God did not forgot his first spiritual chil­ dren, tho members of tho Congregation of tho Most Holy Redeemer. Iu order to manifest tho desire ho preserved long after his separation from them, of causing that virtue and evangelical per- 348 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. fection to flourish, which ho had formerly taught by his own example, wo will transcribe a cir­ cular which he addressed to all our houses, on tho 2Gth of February, 1771. “ My very dear brothers, you already know that within a short space of time God has called sev­ eral of our companions into eternity ; you also know how much the congregation is persecuted. However, none of all this gives mo any alarm, but I am alarmed at seeing some amongst us who have little fervour and numerous faults. St. Philip Neri said that ten holy workmen would suffice for tho conversion of the whole world. I write to you this time with tearful eyes, for I hoar that several amongst you correspond badly with the end for which God called them into our little congregation, and they allow themselves to be governed by a spirit of pride. God can­ not dwell in hearts where Christian humility, fraternal charity, and peace are absent. Our sin in not corresponding to God’s grace makes mo tremble more than tho most furious persecutions from men and devils ; God will protect us against these eno 1) ies, when wo live according to His will, and then wo can say, ( Si Deus pro nobis, quis contra nos?’ but if we behave ill towards God, He will chastise instead of protecting us. I feel great displeasure when I hear that any of tho young amongst you do not live according to evangelical perfection, which is tho peculiar duty of tho labourers of Jesus Christ ; but the pain I suffer is still more keen, and tho sadness of my heart is still greater when I am told that ST. ALPHONSO LIGÜOKI. 349 faults of insubordination and of non-observance of tho rule are committed by the fathers, or by tho most aged and most ancient brothers, by Ιί those, in short, who ought to servo as models for tho younger and those recently received. «I “ In my letters and by my discourses, I havo always enforced holy obedience and submission to superiors, who aro the interpreters of the will of God hero below. On them depend good or­ der, tho glory of God, the success of tho mis­ sions, and tho peace of our souls. Whoever ©J obeys punctually is sure to do tho whole will of God, in which alono true peace is to be found. It is in order to destroy the influence of these truths and tho effect they produco for our great­ est good, that tho devil continuos to tempt some amongst you to attach little weight to obedi­ ence ; it is in consequence of this temptation II that they are uneasy, and that they make their companions and their superiors uneasy by en­ H ­ deavouring to deceive them as they deceive them selves by evil pretexts, which tho enemy of their salvation represents to them as tho effects of a zeal whoso end is tho reform of abusos and tho lovo of justice. Reform and zeal aro talked of, but no thoughts aro entertained of reforming one’s own conduct, which is more evil than that of the rest. Ho who wishes to remain amongst us must resolvo to oboy and not to disturb tho house where he is, or that which may bo assign­ II ed to him. I am determined not to put up with subjects whoso disedifying lives cast discredit on the work of the missions, and are productivo 350 'Λ Γ ; iJ » Μ. X i .·»; ,1 ' ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORT. 11 of no good either to themselves or others. My brothers and my sons in Jesus Christ, you must fully enter into what I say : God wishes to have obedience and respectful submission to superiors II you rather than a hundred sacrifices and a from thousand more striking works. God wishes us to be poor and contented with the poverty we profess ; and we ought to thank Him if by His mercy we havo bread to eat, and if He provides us with the necessaries of life. He who is not satisfied to lead a life of poverty amongst us in food and clothing, had better take leave of our society without troubling us further, and can go 11 and live as ho likes at home ; I am ready to give H him permission, for God will not havo discon­ tented servants in His house, who serve Him by constraint and cause constant disturbance. “ The complaints of some are truly worthy of ridicule : they say that their health suffers in the II ­ congregation, as if they entered it to gain im mortality on earth, and exemption from all in­ firmity. Wo must die, and before death we must bo ill. What ought to bo tho principal aim of him who enters tho congregation, but that of pleasing God and making a good death ? and this grace has been already obtained by many of our good brothers who havo now passed into eternity, and who are at present, I fool assured, all occupied in thanking God for having caused II them to die in tho congregation. My brothers, when infirmity comes, embrace it as coming from tho hand of God, and do not be seduced by tho suggestions of the devil.” ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 351 Passing on then to the proper manner of preach­ ing, ho recommends that which he always practis­ ed himself, and which he had so often taught in person when he was at either Ciorani or at Iliceto. “Let each of you,” said he, “renounce the vain glory of shining, even in preaching the word of God, as so many others do» I cannot suffer that sort of polished style adorned by periods and chosen words, which is tho plague-spot of preaching, for by it we gradually lose the sim­ ple and familiar style, by means of which our missions havo never ceased to produce prodigious conversions, through tho mercy of God. Even when a discourse on some saint is in question, tho panegyric on his virtues must be made in a simple and familiar stylo, and you must endea­ vour to conclude by useful moral reflections for tho benefit of tho auditors. We must not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ crucified ; wo must II His glory, and not display our vanity ; proclaim I pray God to send His chastisements down on those who preach with vanity ; I wish, yes, I wish that they may be rendered unable to as­ cend the pulpit of truth, and I hope that my desires will be granted.” ALPIIONSO’s ADVICE TO PREACHERS AS TO HOW THEY MUST ACT IN ORDER TO HANDLE THE DIVINE WORD HOLILY. “I. Tho preacher ought to speak of tho truths of tho Gospel in tho pulpit, and should never make curious and useless observations. 352 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. “ 2. He ought to prepare himself for preaching by tho study of tho sacred writings, by prayer, and by meditation. “ 3. If tho preacher is not himself impressed by the truths he preaches, ho will never produce fruit in others. “ 4. Ho must bo as pains-taking as possible in studying his sermon, that is to say, in composing it properly ; ho must take still more pains in learning it, and in delivering it so as to do hon­ our to our ministry. “5. Tho preacher ought to prove what ho ad­ vances, and not to utter sayings and words which come to nothing. “6. The stylo of a sermon ought not to resem­ ble that used by poets and dramatic authors ; this stylo is only fit for fables, and only servos to flatter tho ears and to corrupt tho imagina­ tion. “ 7. Sublimity of stylo does not consist in a selection of phrases taken from profane authors, and in hard words, or in that which renders a discourse obscuro and unintelligible. “ 8. It consists in the choico of sublimo truths, and in tho art of making them clearly under­ stood by tho auditors. “9. All tho truths of our holy religion aro very sublime, and if they aro expounded -ndth order and clearness, and in a manner calculated to bring forth fruit, a sermon is truly sublime. “10. There aro preachers who weary themselves by only speaking in an obscure manner, but they will find tho evil of this at the hour of ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 353 death, and before the dreadful tribunal of the II supreme Judge. r< 11. The art of preaching with clearness and H simplicity is so difficult a one, that many learned men have not succeeded in it. “ 12. Tho holy Scriptures, the holy fathers, and tho Spirit of Jesus Christ alone, can form a great preacher ; and the only style which can operate on souls effectually, comes from the grace of the Holy Ghost. (“Rispoli, Vita del Beato Alphonso Maria de Liguorio, pag. 7G—77, Napoli, 1834.”) H “My brothers, I love you all more than I should love a brother according to the flesh ; and when any of you leave our society, I grieve • I ore than I can say. But when I see that H mortification has attacked a sick member, and that he requires tho use of caustic, I must use II it whatever pain it may cost mo. I am per­ suaded that God preserves my life at so ad­ vanced an age, in order to remedy the disorders which have arisen, to tho detriment of the work of tho missionaries ,· I am resolved to remedy them at all costs. God does not require many. It is sufficient if but few remain, if those few bo good ; a few of this latter sort will do more good than a groat number of imperfect, proud, and disobedient. “ I continually pray for you, my brothers ; pray also for mo too. I must beg each one in parti­ cular to recommend me H to Jesus in a special manner, in order that Ho may grant me a good 23 354 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. death, which cannot well be far distant, as well on account of my infirmities as of my age ; I am nearly seventy-six years of age ; I trust that I shall be saved, and that I may bo able to in­ tercede with God for tho interests of the con­ gregation in another life. Therefore I say to all those who may despise the advice I havo just given, that at the judgment day they will find that I shall be their first accuser before tho tri­ bunal of Jesus Christ. I havo never ceased to give the same warnings to all my brothers, but notwithstanding all that I havo seen many turn their backs on God by quitting the congregation. I shall expect to see these miserable beings and il all who may resemble them at the day of judg­ ment. “I have also to tell you, that in regard to the young men who are not priests, I wish to bo informed when they are going to receive any holy order ; for I will not allow any one to bo ordained before his whole conduct has been strictly investigated, and if ho is not free from all the objections laid down in his majesty’s decrees. I hope never to do tho least thing which could be displeasing cither to God or to tho king, for this reason I beg you all in general and in particular to write to me with sincerity about any faults which you have observed in any of our candidates, although I may not havo given you this office. “ I do not wish the young men to go on mis­ sions before the age of thirty, and when there is any necessity for giving a dispensation on this head, I wish to be informed of it. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 355 “ I advise you all to observe exactly the praise­ worthy practices which arc in use amongst us for tho promotion of piety and sanctification. I enforce obedience to superiors, and love to­ wards Jesus Christ and His adorable passion. I do tho same also in regard to prayer, the spi­ ritual exercises, and the customary retreat. Let him who loves Jesus Christ be obedient, let him be contented with all, and always remain in tranquillity. “I conclude by once more entreating you all with tears to act as you ought, and not to grieve me during tho few days which I have yet to live. The lovo and respect you have always shown towards me, lead me to hope for this. I bless you all.” It is thus that our saintly founder encouraged us and never let us stand still in the way of perfection. However slight an infraction of the rule might be committed in the congregation, it did not remain unpunished : “ Uncorrected faults,” said he, “become an established evil.” On hearing that some young clerics of St. An­ gelus de Cupoli had become lax in the practice of virtue, and unsteady in tho observance of the rule, he was not satisfied with forbidding them to receive holy orders, ho wished that they should be sent back into tho noviciate in order that they might there regain the fervour which was lacking in them ; and ho did not pardon them until ho was assured of their amendment. He was extremely anxious, as we havo seen, that the 356 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. subjects should not go to their parents’ houses, except in case of absoluto necessity. As he heard that some indulgence was practised on this head, he did not hesitate to complain of it to Father Villani, who governed in his stead. Fa­ ther Villani justified himself, and received the following letter of reply bearing date the 26th of September, 1772: “It is not your Reverence II whom I accuse, but tho rectors of our houses and therefore I beg you to warn them about it. In conclusion, I know that this permission ought to be granted under certain circumstances, and in this respect, I am sure that you will ex­ ercise discretion. Act in this matter then with all liberty, as well as in every other, and do as you think best.” Tho exterior trials of tho congregation also caused him to suffer interiorly. Tho good became discouraged by them, and the others acted as if set free from observance of tho rule, and seemed neither to fear Alphonso nor tho superiors. In these critical times it was ne­ cessary to exercise moderation ; so Alphonso thought it right not to increase tho fire ,· and instead of casting oil on tho flames, ho preferred to take advantage of tho good dispositions of tho ono set to retain those who: II tho devil might tempt, and thus prevent their joining tho enemies without ; ho acted with circumspection, and was not so prompt as usual in pronouncing sentence of exclusion. Two of these subjects were tired of tho rule, and no longer took tho trouble to ob­ serve it : ono of them was from St Angelus do ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 357 Cupoli, and the other from Ciorani ; Alphonso II sent for them to Arienzo, and spoke to them, but without success. In their blindness, they wont so far as to say that they would remain in tho congregation in spite even of him, and II that if any attempt were made to dismiss them, they would know how to act. Alphonso in sor­ row told me that the circumstances of the times did not allow of their being espelled from the congregation, but that which he did not do God would do for him ; and so it came to pass, one of them asked for a dispensation to go that same year, and the other speedily followed his exam­ ple. “I know,” he wrote on the 13th of Octo­ ber, to the superior of Frosinone, “that it is ne­ cessary at present to have the patience of a saint with some, and to go on waiting without gaining what one wishes for ; but what can be done ? Let us aid the bark as much as we can, and n if wo meet with scandals, let us not hesitate ; let us repress them by the punishments they deserve ; it is our duty to punish them, and we must fulfil our duty, lot what will happen. And even if wo do not punish them, would they be thereby at all shielded from tho chastisements which God lias in store for them?” He wished honey to bo in the mouth, and a sword in the hand. “ I beg your Reverence,” ho wrote to tho Father Rector Cajone, “to govern with all possible mildness, added to great firmness against all attacks against the rulo, for they do us more harm than all our persecutions. When it is no­ cessary to use correction, do it privately in tho 358 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. first placo, and with charity, and treat every one with affability and kindness.” While ho rejoiced at getting rid of disobedient subjects, ho experienced deep sorrow at seeing somo lose courage and abandon their vocation for health’s sake alone. A sick subject asked him for a dispensation from his vows, on tho 3rd of October, 1772. “I grant it with regret,” ho replied to the rector, “ but I cannot help re­ minding him that there aro several houses in tho congregation, and that if tho air of ono of them does not suit a subject, ho can bo sont to another. Wo have consideration for sickly bo­ dies ; wo take care of them, and wo do not require an exact observance of all tho points of tho rule from them as from thoso in good health. It must also bo remembered, that if, in spite of all sorts of remedies, and of all tho care, tho attentions, and charity which can bo bestowed on us, God wishes to call us to Him­ self, wo aro all ready to go to Him, as wo have loft tho world and entered into religion, in order not to die in tho world and amongst our rela­ tions, but in God’s own house. I send him tho dispensation, but let him bo told that although lio may recover his health entirely on quitting tho congregation, ho will never more find peace, but ho will dio in disquiet from tho thought of having been unfaithful to his vocation. I pray Josus Christ to bless him, but for mo, I cannot resolve to bless ono who turns his back on Josus Christ.” This subject did not recover his health, and on his death-bed he folt all that Alphonso had foretold. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 359 CHAPTER XLVIII. He who recoils at the sight of a barrier does not for that renounce tho idea of surmounting it. Thus our adversaries in tho kingdom only desisted from their attacks while Alphonso was in Naples, in order not to waste their efforts at a timo when they would have derived no profit from them ; but they intended to return to tho assault at a more opportune timo, and with re­ newed strength, and with expedients which it would be more difficult to ward off. Thus by giving a false interpretation to the decision tho king gave when ho said, that ho did not recog­ nise our houses as communities, which ho did in order to prevent our acquiring property ; they took advantage of these words, and drew mat­ ter for accusation against us from them, which seemed to furnish them with an engine too formi­ dable to resist. “ Tho king,” they said, “does not wish for a community, and they form com­ munities in spito of tho sovereign. They have general and local superiors, a noviciate and a master of novices, clerical students, and a pro * feet of studies ; they have rules and constitu­ tions ; thus they have everything which can form a community equal to any other, oven of those which aro most celebrated. All this there­ fore proves their opposition to tho prohibitions of tho sovereign. And besides that, they obtain 360 I ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. graces and privileges from tho Popo, oven to the prejudice of tho royal authority, and to tho great detriment of parishes and bishoprics.” As they were in hopes of finding arms wherewith to combat us advantageously out of our rule, which had been approved by tho Popo, they sought to obtain possession of it. They applied to tho king, and obtained an order to got a copy fro II II tho court of Benevento. But they misinterpreted tho decision of tho king, who had himself wished for the erection of our houses, and had consented to their establishment with a head, a rule, and constitutions ; but in order to prevent our making acquisitions, lie declared that ho did not recognise our houses as communities, and thus they were rendered incapable of having property. They therefore drew up a fresh petition, filled with new calumnies against us. As nothing was then talked of but Jesuitism, our enemies took advantage of this, and represented us as for II ing only a branch of tho latter, or rather, as being Jesuits in disguise. They said that our rule was nothing but an extract from that of tho Jesuits; that tho Society of Jesus had been banished on account of its form of government, which caused it to be an object of suspicion and danger to tho state ; that we concealed ourselves under another name, in order not to bo suspect­ ed of forming part of the proscribed society, from which however we only differed in name. The former company was called that of Jesus, tho now ono boro tho name of the Congrega­ tion of tho Most Holy Redeemer. There was ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 361 also another difference, which was, that the Jesuits were an approved body, while tho Congregationists were destitute of lawful authority, and were therefore in open opposition to tho laws of the kingdom. After this serious accusation, they camo to particular causes of complaint, among which they found one which was all tho more formi­ dable from appearing to bo well founded. In order to satisfy tho devotion of our benefactors, tho superiors of our houses were in the habit of granting them a share in our good works. This appeared a serious crime in Maffei’s eyes, and one which bo could profit by, if ho could prove it. In order to effect this, ho sent emissaries, at his own expense, to make a note of these sort of affiliations in tho different provinces, which were an evident proof that we formed commu­ nities according to our adversaries. They added that such a course had never been pursued by tho most distinguished and the most ancient orders. Such a violent storm filled us all with fear, and wo were almost without hope. Our eueIII ies were considered as so sure of success, that every one considered us as already lost. Al­ phonso was old and in a declining 'state, and if some further respite and length of days were granted to our congregation, at most it seemed as if it would only bo during tho life of our solo protector. However, all the boasts of our ad­ versaries, which cast us down, did not succeed in discouraging tho saintly old man. Ho tried to make us share in his confidence ; ho con- .Ύ 362 ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. stantly repeated to us, “People say that all will be put an end to after my death ; I maintain that this congregation does not come from mo, and that it does not depend on my existence. It is the work of God, who has preserved it for forty-two years, and He will continue to main­ tain it. Why should the king wish to dissolve it when it is not guilty? It does no injury to any one ; it is received with acclamation by the bishops ; it does not possess revenues ; it cannot therefore be a cause of distrust to the sovereign. Let us take courage ; the king said in a decree that ho wished our company to bo maintained, not only during the life of Alphonso Liguori, but for as long as it shall continue the work of tho missions with its primitive fervour. So that our stability depends upon God in tho first place, alid then upon our own good conduct ; lot us therefore bo careful to unite ourselves to God, to observe our rules, and to be charitable towards all ; let us bo contented oven with our miseries, and above all, lot us strive to be hum­ ble, because a little pride may destroy us in the same manner as it has so many other societies.” Wo had not as much confidence as the saint, and our fears were founded on the old ago and impair­ ed health of tho Bishop of St. Agatha. His life could not bo prolonged for many years, and if ho were dead, what power would the mission­ aries have ? what support would remain to them ? Father Villani went to Arienzo in tho year 1772, accompanied by some of tho other fathers. IIo set tho state of things before tho prolato with ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. 363 tearful eyes, and implored him, if he loved the congregation, to repair to Naples to appease so furious a tempest. They spoke so plainly that Alphonso discovered tho real cause of their fears, and told them to tranquillize themselves. “ Do not bo afraid that I shall die yet,” he added; but as the fathers continued to urge him still more earnestly, he said to them several times over, “Do not fear for tho congregation, and bo assured that I shall live some time longer.” Although the storm was so violent, and though tho winds tossed our little bark about until it seemed to bo on tho point of sinking, Alphonso trusted in God, and reposed peacefully in the arms of Providence. However, Maffei, aided by Sarnelli, strove to obtain his point ; but every thing did Uot go according to his wishes. Tho Marquis of Marco, tho king’s minister, as well as Don Balthasar Cito, the president of tho royal council, were already awaro of tho character of tho Lord of Iliceto, _for they knew the outrages ho had com­ mitte ainst our venerable brother Anthony Lucci, tho Bishop of Bovino, and were far from favouring his wishes. For this reason he changed his course and his artifices ; ho applied to tho primo minister, and left off addressing himself to tho minister of ecclesiastical affairs. He once more gathered together tho slanders he had alrea­ dy spread ; ho affirmed that immenso acquisitions had been made by us in tho kingdom and in tho stato of Benevento, but that they had been carefully concealed from the king by equivoca­ I 364 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI, tions and mental reservations. This accusation had some weight with tho Marquis of Tanucci, and as tho cause had to bo brought before the royal chamber, in an official despatch to tho Duke of Turritto, tho advocate of tho king at this court, he ordered him to perform tho duties of his office in this cause with rigour, and to give his majesty an account of tho results, without losing sight of tho fact that the missionaries ought not to possess anything. Tho accusations which wero addressed to tho prime minister had a most gloomy appearance to us, both because tho Marquis of Tanucci look­ ed on Maffei in a favourable point of view, and attributed all ho did to nothing but zeal, and also because this latter had gained over some of tho minister’s clerks by means of his gifts. H Tho chevalier Fernandez amongst others, who received large sums of money from him, aided him with all his might, and even went to tho different offices in order to assist him in his schemes. The machinations still went on, and tho commissioner of the country, Blais^^anscverino and tho Duke of Turritto, were ordered by another dispatch to make a report to tho royal court of justice ; they wero enjoined to fulfil their office with all possible rigour, and to inform his majesty of tho result of their researches. When those details wero related to his Lord­ ship, ho was not discouraged : “ Let us act as we ought towards God,” said ho, “and He will aid us ; for God can do more than man. Let us have recourse to tho assistance of prayer. 365 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Innocence and prayer are all-powerful.” He recommended that there should be prayers in all tho houses, and ho never wrote any letter to his friends in which he did not also beg for their intercession ; but he was still more anxious that fraternal charity should dwell amongst us, and that all should be careful in observing the rule properly. Another cause of distress also happened about this time at Palermo. A period of repose had been enjoyed there since the first anxieties that our enemies had caused us ; and as fine weather after a storm fills tho mind of tho mariner with joy, so wo wero happy at being again allowed to rest, and imparted to Alphonso our hopes of being able to go on with tho good which we wero * producing in Sicily, and of preserving peace. They especially took care to inform him of a mis- . sion which had been given at tho monastery with groat success ; but Alphonso always feared a calm more than a storm, and so he replied to them on the 30th of April, 1771, saying, “I feel great consolation at tho exorcises you have given at tho convent, I derive comfort from them ; but on tho other hand, these very consolations fill mo with fear. St. Theresa said that persecutions are the signs that the seed sown produces fruit ; you are without persecutions, but hero wo aro plentifully supplied with them ; however, God assists us.” Alphonso was so ill and in such suffering that ho signed this letter “ Brother Al­ phonso Maria the cripple.” This tranquillity was not of long duration in Sicily ; although tho wisH 3G6 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. dom of tho supremo council had rondorod justice to Alphonso’s merits and doctrine ; although tho Marquis of Fogliani, tho viceroy of that island, had declared himself as tho protector of our missionaries, and their doctrine and labours had merited tho eulogium of tho bishops and arch­ bishops ; yet our adversaries, who were not sat­ isfied with having slandered us at Palermo, re­ turned to attack us in this town with renewed strength ; they heaped up calumnies upon calum­ nies, they stirred up again those which they had already spread, and pursued their prosecutions against us even to Naples. They stated to tho king that tho missionaries wore tainted by evil principles, that they wore Molinists and probabilists. They said that wo wore dangerous to tho state and to tho Church, that rapacity made us eagerly seek for gold instead of for souls, and that wo had had tho audacity to establish a house at Girgenti, in order from thence to bo able to spread boldly throughout all Sicily. Tho priest Cannella especially sought to obtain tho protec­ tion of the king, by giving himself out as having been persecuted by tho missionaries on account of his professing sound doctrine, and through his opposition to that which wo hold, which, ho said, was quito contrary to that of tho Gospel and to tho sentiments of tho Church. This wretched man, who could not hopo to bo easily able to overcome tho personal sentiments of the king, even with all tho humility and sincerity ho af­ fected to possess exteriorly, did not confine him­ self to deceiving tho prince. Ho attacked tho ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 367 ministers, and sometimes visited ono and some­ H times another, to endeavour to set them against us. When Alphonso saw tho affairs take this turn, ho did not fail to justify himself and his congregation to tho king and to tho ministers. Ho represented that although tho missionaries wore at Girgenti, they were only there as stran­ gers, subject to the ordinary, supported at tho bishop’s expense, and engaged in serving tho in­ habitants of the diocese, as they had done in tho other part of the kingdom ; that they had only gone to Sicily at tho request of Mgr. Lucchesi ; that this prelate, perceiving their value, had thought it well to retain them, but that ho had been taken away by death without having had timo to submit his project for tho royal approbation. Father Don Peter Blasucci made similar representations to tho supreme junta at Palermo, and especially to tho consul Targianni. Ho protested that ho and his brethren followed tho doctrines which were tho soundest aud I· most approved by tho Church. “ Once for all,” ho said amongst other things, “let people bo as­ sured that wo abhor tho very name of Molinism and relaxed probabilism, looking upon those in­ ventions as extravagances to which tho simplicity of tho Gospel is a stranger. Our system of the­ ology is precisely that of not espousing any of tho systems produced by tho confined and narrow spirit of man, and of not subjecting our liberty and our reason to an arbitrary yoke. Such is a summary of tho sentiments wo cherish in our hearts and follow in our practice. During all —er: 368 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. tho timo that wo have exercised the apostolical ministry here, in a town and in a diocese where sound doctrine is professed, we have never been accused of publishing any sentiment which was either false or deserving of censure.” The minister saw the truth through this re­ presentation, and wrote to Alphonso on the 31st of March, 1772 : “ In answer to your most illustrious Lordship’s letter of the 18th of this month, and after having fully considered what you speak of in regard to tho suspicions you entertain, that tho priest Joseph Cannella has perhaps injured the good opinion which was en­ tertained in your regard, I * declare to you that I have never taken upon me to condemn any doctrine as bad until its erroneousness has been to proved to me. You may therefore rest assured of my impartiality, and if I have spoken in fa­ vour of Cannella, it has only been on the sup­ position that ho was persecuted on account of his doctrine having been unjustly accused. I am always pleased at hearing preached tho pure truths of Christian doctrine, according to tho precepts of the Gospel, of tho holy fathers, and of the Church.” About this same timo Maffei thought of a new snare, into which we should have fallen if Alphonso, assisted by light from on high, had not been able to avoid it. All Hiceto joined with him in trying to ruin us, with tho exception of tho poor people ; now, as Maffei was himself in difficulties through tho opposition of tho sa II 0 populace, ho tried to bo at peace with us again, ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 369 in order to have us as mediators between him and his adversaries. The president, Ginesi, who protected us, approved of this project, and our advocate, Celano, who was of the sa II c opinion, wanted our Father Fiocchi to repair to Iliceto to bring tho négociation to a satisfactory end. Tho stratagem was a subtle one ; but that which tho president and tho advocate had hot suspected did not escape Alphonso. After Father Villani had informed him of all this, Alphonso answered him, “ It would be the means of alienating tho minds of tho inhab­ itants from us, without giving any hope of a reconciliation with Maffei ; ho is an untractablo man, whom it is impossible to pacify. What Father Fiocchi might say to the people in favour of Maffei would bo of no avail ; they would all believe that wo spoko not becauso Maffei is right, but to win his friendship. On tho other hand, everything makes mo believe, that in whatever way ono may turn in the matter, right will always be found on the side of tho people. So that it would bo difficult for Father Fiocchi to say anything in favour of Maffei, without wounding his conscience and justice, and the inhabitants would always say that the mission­ aries only sought to get out of their difficulties and get on good terms with Maffei. We should thus only draw down their enmity, which would bo much to bo regretted. And if Father Fiocchi tries to make the balance inclino in favour of tho people, ho will thereby increase Maffei’s ha­ tred against us, who will say that the opinion 24 370 μ ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. which is against him is dictated by a spirit of vengeance. I am then decidedly of opinion that no ono belonging to the congregation must ac­ cept such an office on any terms. The reasons which I have just set before you may be stated to the president, and I think they will suffice to convince any one.” However, Alphonso would have been glad if tho president had interposed with Maffei, and tried to make up our differences. Ho thought that tho congregation would have everything to gain in coming to an agreement and in getting out of the difficulties which all these obsta­ cles caused. The only thing Alphonso had at heart in all these occurrences, was to preserve charity towards our enemies and tho obser­ vance of tho rule ; ho considered these as tho most solid means of protecting us. “ Wo ought not to do anything against Maffei,” he wrote in a letter on tho 1st of June, 17G8, “but neither must we cause pain to tho inhabitants, who may bo of great assistance to us in our pre­ sent circumstances; let us leave all to our good God, and consider it as a rule, not to stir with­ out there is a necessity for it, and by necessity I only mean that of defending ourselves, with­ out ever taking part against Maffei or any one else. However, do not let us lose confidence in tho midst of this tempest,” he wrote again to Father Villani, “it is great, but tho power of God is still greater. I should not wish our fathers to tie tho hands of God, by their own faults and short comings ; this is what I feel ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 371 ost strongly about. If we are faithful to God, a thousand contradictions and a thousand cal­ H II umnies will not make any impression on me. Tho only thing which grieves me is sin commit­ ted against God. lie will not fail to protect us, but let us constantly pray that Ho will deign to enlighten our adversaries.” II CHAPTER XLIX. II The flames which were lighted in Sicily, so II becoming extinguished, did nothing but far from increase. Cannella commented on the de­ fences wo had produced, and searched for con­ cealments and equivocations in them, in order to II draw something to our disadvantage from the; II to prejudice tho judges, and while ho stirred up tho firo in Naples, his partisans were not idle at Palermo. They made use of so many artifices that doubts began to be entertained as to our sincerity. “Who does not see,” said the junta of II Palermo, “ the skill with which the missionaries have given things such a favourable appearance, that if their residence at Girgenti is not a real foundation, it has indirectly acquired all that belongs to one.” This point of accusation, viz., that of dwelling at Girgenti without royal au­ II II thority, made an impression on the junta, and as calumnies wore multiplied day by day, there was every reason to fear for the congregation. • ____ 372 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Tho groat contradiction wo experienced in Sici­ ly did not fail to excite Maffei and the haron to redouble their efforts. They added now com­ plaints to their former accusations. When Maffei saw that his scheme on tho subject of mediation was disconcerted, ho endeavoured to render tho complaints of the people ineffectual by denouncing us as leaders of a party. Ho therefore addressed several petitions to tho king, in which ho stated that all tho complaints against him were tho work of the missionaries. Tho credit ho enjoyed with tho Marquis of Tanucci of course influenced that minister in his favour, and as he also accused us of other offences, ho rendered all tho efforts of tho people of no avail, and when their delegates camo to set forth their grievances, and ventured to speak of us, tho minister cut them short, and said to them sev­ eral times over, “Yes, I know very well that tho good fathers can do what they like with you.” Our accusers published their advantages every­ where, and thus wo were looked upon as if al­ ready annihilated. Our fathers were so much alarmed, that in the houses at Iliceto and St. Angelus, several nights wore passed without sleeping, in tho fear of being assailed and driven away by tho constables. When Alphonso saw that tho fire was lit at both extremities, ho felt that it was time to try and prevent a general conflagration ; ho there· fore recalled us from Sicily. “ If God wishes us to bo in that kingdom,” ho said, “ lie will not ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 373 lack means of procuring our return there, and you will then return blessing God and tho king.” This retreat was a cause of lively distress to Mgr. Lanza. “Who cannot see the triumph of hell therein?” he said, “and it is a wretched and wicked priest who will have the glory of this victory!” lie then got more animated, and exclaimed, “Well, you go away from Sicily, but you shall return there again, in spite of hell ; and if it is necessary for me to sell my mitre and my cross in order to compass this end, I will sell them for God, for you, and for this work.” Tho most respectable people of the town and of the clergy shared in their pastor’s sentiments. Our brethren left Sicily then, and arrived at Naples in July, 1772. Although their departure took place secretly, and during tho night, it was nevertheless the occasion of many tears and groans on tho part of the people. As soon as they were informed of it, a groat multitude ac­ companied our fathers to the shore, deploring the loss which they would bo to tho town, and tho blank they wrould leave there. Immediately after tho embarkation tho air resounded with tho cries of the crowd, who blessed tho mission­ aries and cursed the author of their departure. Our fathers had scarcely set out from Sicily before there was not a person in Girgcnti who had not addressed petitions to tho king to obtain our return thither. Tho clergy and all tho re­ ligious orders united together for tho same pur­ pose ; tho chevaliers and ladies, magistrates and men of letters, all respectively presented their sup- 374 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. plications. Some pious persons at Girgenti had recourse to Alphonso to try and obtain the re­ turn of the missionaries ; thirty-eight ladies in particular, and twenty-eight chevaliers expressed their sorrow at the departure of our fathers and the spiritual injury which their absence would cause: “As wo have addressed an energetic pe­ tition to tho king to implore his clemency,” said they, “ the urgency of our spiritual wants also compels us to implore your Lordship.” All these demonstrations affected Alphonso, and he said that after matters were cleared up, he would certainly give an answer. His Lordship then dwelt much on tho dan­ gers his congregation incurred on the ono hand, and believing, on tho other, that his infirmities and great age rendered him of little use to his church, while ho could still bo of service to his sons, ho resolved to resign tho episcopate ; but the differences which then existed between tho court of Naples and that of Rome in regard to tho election of bishops, made him defer taking any step in tho matter, from tho fear that his church would be left without a shopherd for a long time. When tho two courts had settled tho matter in debate, our Saint wrote to Father Villani on tho 5th of January, 1770, “I hear that tho busi­ ness in regard to tho nomination of tho bishops by tho Popo is now settled, so that I wish to recommence the négociations about my resigna­ tion ; but as I have already told you, I shall not propose any ono else to replace me ; with­ ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 375 out sending in my formal resignation, I shall re­ present the state in which I am to the Pope, and I shall say that I wish to know what is the will of God concerning me. If he thinks fit to accept my resignation, I will immediately send it to him. But before doing anything, I wish to speak to your Reverence again, in order not to take a step of which I should afterwards have cause to repent.” After he had represented to the Pope all the reasons which led him to tender his resignation in this year, 1772, through Cardinal Castelli, he protested that ho was far from wishing to do his own will, and that he meant to depend entirely on that of his Holiness, and that he was equally ready to give up the bishopric, or to die under the burthen of his office. The Pope was greatly edified by this submission to the head of the Church ; but as he was aware of the very great good which tho Bishop of St. Agatha still effect­ ed, he replied to him in a brief, in which he ex­ pressed himself in tho most consolatory manner, in order to encourage him to continue his ad­ ministration ; and when Cardinal Castelli solicit­ ed the Pope to consider the old ago of the saint­ ly bishop, and to release him from this burthen, his Holiness replied to him, “ that it would suf­ fice if Don Alphonso ruled over his diocese from his bed and when tho cardinal wanted to show him his incapacity in regard to making his visi­ tations, tho Popo answered him, “Ono simple prayer addressed by him to God from his bed, is worth more than if ho went about his dio- 376 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. coso for a hundred years.” Alphonso bent his head when ho hoard that tho Popo’s opinion was contrary to his request, and submitted his will to that of tho Vicar of Jesus Christ. Our fathers seeing Alphonso in such a deplo­ rable stato that his very appearance inspired compassion, thought they ought to persuade him to make a formal resignation. Several bishops who were his friends wore of tho same opinion, as well as divers prudent ecclesiastics ; but how­ ever feeble our saint felt for so weighty a charge, ho would never consent to this. “ Tho voice of the Pope,” said he, “is to mo as tho voice of God, and I shall die content if by God’s will I die now under tho burthen of the episco­ pate.” As they wont on to urge him with rea­ sons which seemed to authorise this step, ho one day extricated himself from their instances by answering cheerfully, “ The present Popo is a man who does not easily yield ; if I were to give him my resignation, ho would not accept it ; let us bo patient and wait for his successor.” At this every one burst out laughing. Alphonso was nearly broken down and paralytic, while tho Popo was still young and robust, and num­ bered seventeen years less in ago. lie prophe­ sied truly however. Popo Clement XIV. con­ trary to all expectations, died two years after this, while Alphonso, wrho was old and broken down by infirmities, continued to live on and to labour. Another reason made him afterwards renounce tho idea of abdicating then, and even caused him I ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. to expel the thought of it as a temptation. Nu­ merous candidates aspired to succeed him in tho church of St. Agatha. Now he heard that tho Popo would bo obliged, in order to supply his place, to yield to tho efforts of a powerful party, who favoured a subject who was unfit to govern tho diocese. He said on this occasion, “ I would rather die tho most painful death, than see my beloved sheep in the mouth of a wolf.” This candidate was so bad that Mgr. Borgia, who had at first been of opinion that Alphonso ought to" tender his resignation, and who had even solicited him to do it, went to him and assured him that ho would be guilty of a grievous sin if ho indulged in this idea any longer. As ho could not go in person amongst tho mem­ bers of his congregation, in order to excite them to a more perfect observance of the rule, and to urge them to bear their present tribulation with patience, Alphonso addressed the following circu­ lar to all the houses of tho congregation on the 1st of October: “My very dear Brothers in Jesus Christ, “I know that you are already aware of the great storm which agitates our congregation in consequence of tho accusations our enemies have addressed to his majesty against us. But it is not these accusations which I fear, but tho want of fervour which now exists amongst some of our brothers. They do not like poverty, and act as if our houses were endowed like those of tho Chartreux, while it is a miracle of Providence that ( 378 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. each of us has a morsel of bread to oat. There is little love for obedience, little love for charity. That which has most grieved mo has been to hoar that some brothers have imagined that they have a claim to bo allowed to preach. Is God likely to aid us when Ho discovers pride in us ? I never heard any ono of you accused of this sin before. Aspire to preach ! but what profit can there bo from tho sermons’ of a subject who preaches because he has aspired to preach ? Oh ! never let mo hear again of such things. It is a fault for which a subject deserves to bo sent out of the congregation, or at least to bo banished into a corner where ho can never open his mouth again. Oh ! let us always bo united to God, and let us never do anything to displease Him, because wo have no one on our side but God ; but if wo continuo to act as wo have done, God will abandon us and destroy tho congregation, and I am very much afraid that this will como to pass if wo do not amend. Let each ono enter into himself, and endeavour to reform. If there bo any one to whom tho congregation and tho observance of its rule is displeasing, let him leave it with tho blessing of God. I am well pleased at such brothers as theso going away, because infected sheep communicato tho infection to tho flock. It matters little if but a small number remain to us ; God does not wish us to bo nu­ merous, but to be good and holy.” Ho then reverted to the embarrassing position in which we were, and added, “ I repeat to you, the tempest rages violently. Let each ono re- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 379 commend tho congregation to God, and let three litanies be said daily in common with three ‘De profundis.’ Wo stand in need of prayers, and there is no ono who will aid us but the Blessed Virgin ; but prayers will be of little use to us if wo do not correct our faults. I can do no more, I who am very decrepid and in bed all paralysed. What should I, or could I do ? It is you, my children, who must support the congre­ gation, and bo assured that if wo behave proper­ ly God will always assist us, and the more poor, and despised, and persecuted wo may be, tho more good wo shall do and tho greater also will bo the reward which Jesus Christ will give us in heaven. I bless you all ono by one, and pray God to fill you with His holy love. Pray each of you daily to God for me, because I do so daily for each of you, my children and my brothers. “ Jesus and Mary bless you. “Brother Alphonso Maria, “ Of tho Most Holy Redeemer.” Notwithstanding all tho bodily and spiritual sufferings with which ho was laden, Alphonso did not lose sight of Jesus crucified, and in order to impress His sacred wounds on the hearts of the faithful, ho wrote down the points of his meditations on the subject. The title of his little book on this subject is, “Reflections on Di­ vers Spiritual Subjects.” Tho first part contains reflections on tho passion of Jesus Christ, and the second comprises divers spiritual matters for souls who wish to advance in divine love. 380 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. This work is considered by every one to be admirably adapted to win the heart of man to that of Jesus Christ. It contains a lively de­ scription of tho whole passion of our Blessed Saviour, as well as of tho most powerful motives to excite us to love Him. In tho account which Canon Scincoli gives of it to Cardinal Sersalo ho expresses himself thus : “ Libellum hunc quantivis pretii putaverim, Præsul amplis­ simo, sive ad pietatem excitandam, sive ad socorII diam desidiamquo excutiendam, iniquissimis hisco temporibus, ubi charitas refrigescit, ubi scandala augentur, Pientissimo anctori et hoc debet ætas nostra, ut ignem et in frigidis accen­ dat, et in fervidis augeat, opusculis suis.”* Although Alphonso had combated tho unbe­ lieving by a dissertation which was published in tho year 1756, and although ho had done so again and still more recently in his book, “On tho Truth of tho Faith,” yet in consider­ ation of tho ravages they wero continually mak­ ing, ho onco more attacked them in a disserta­ tion entitled, “Reflections on tho Truth of Divino Revelation, against the opposing Principles of the Deists.” This concise work is level to the comprehension of all, and also breathes of the zealous spirit of its author. “ If tho enemies of our religion,” said ho, “aro never satisfied, although they fight against it by thousands of • “ How can I worthily praise a treatise so fitted to encourage the good and to awaken the tepid, in this deplorable age, when charity bas grown cold, and scandals in consequence triumph ?” ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 381 books, which they publish daily, why should the friends of religion get tired of defending it?” After having stated all the sophisms which tho impious and unbelieving are in the habit of putting forward in order to disprove a revelation, Alphonso shows that revelation is not only use­ ful, but necessary for man’s salvation, that it is not in any degree opposed to reason, and that it contributes to the happiness of private individuals and to the tranquillity of states. CHAPTER L. That zeal which has for its object the glory of God, knows no bounds ; it is a fire which seizes on all that can support it, in order that it may spread and propagate itself unceasing­ ly. Although the Bishop of St. Agatha was seventy-six years of age, he was not held back, either by that or by his great infirmities, for his heart was full of zeal. He therefore undertook another work which was intended to bo of uso to religion, and to separate the true doctrine from the errors which had endeavoured to stifle it in former ages. In order to place all tho evils which tho Church has suffered before tho eyes of the faithful, and to show them all tho noxious things which error has at all times emitted against her, ho put together in three volumes the history of all the heresies which I ! I 382 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. have existed since the birth of Christianity up to our own days. In this ho particularly ani­ madverts on the absurdities of tho innovators of II moderu times, and shows tho contradictions of thoir doctrine and tho invariable stability of the Roman Church. He had repeatedly, as wo have already said, represented tho great evils which tho introduc­ tion of impious books into the kingdom had caused, to tho Marquis of Tanucci, tho king’s primo minister, and this wise and religious : •I mis­ ter had not been backward in taking suitable measures on this subject. Tho introduction of these books was prohibited several times over under very severe penalties, and transgressors wore unrelentingly punished for each offence. This history of heresies was finished in 1772, and it was published under tho title of “Tho Triumph of tho Church.” Alphonso dedicated it to tho Marquis Tanucci, to whom ho said, “ I cannot do better than present this book to your Excellency, as you, together with our august sovereign, have unceasingly and zealously la­ boured for tho good of tho interests of our holy religion, by defending her against tho unbelieving, and protecting her from tho effects of tho errors which aro spread throughout their writings.” This work was received most favourably, liko all tho rest. “In this work,” said Julius Selvaggi, “ is displayed tho ardent zeal of tho learn­ ed author to further tho interests of religion, no less among the incredulous, by setting before them tho falsity of their doctrine, than amongst ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 383 tho faithful, by demonstrating to them the holi­ ness of tho religion they profess.” Canon Don Joseph Simeoli, well known through­ out all Italy for the extent of his knowledge, could not sufficiently read and study the Triumph of Religion, of which ho said, “In hoc libro aniII mum ac mentem religiosissimi Præsulis, voluti in tabula depictam intuitus sensi : quandoque II fides, quandoque ingenium, semper pietas singulis elucet in partibus.”* Alphonso was not satisfied with the use of theological arguments alone, he also added divers other proofs and particular reflections. “Ad calcom cum hereticis,” says tho same canon, “sivo antiquis rebus, sive recentioribus congredi, consertis tum ex veterum commentariis, tum ox privata sui ipsius senten­ tia argumentis.”! The author defends tho in­ fallibility of tho Popo, and his pre-eminenco in tho Church in a special manner in this work, and combats the errors of Jansenius and his followers in it in particular. Ho however met with opposors, and amongst others, Canon Simeoli was one, and as wo learn by one of his letters of tho 22nd of February, 1772, to tho ecclesiastical examiner, Laurence Selvaggi, it was on tho subject of tho infallibility and supemacy of tho Sovereign Pontiff. Tho canon, W— · • ·· I see the soul and mind of our pious bishop depicted in this book as in a picture; in each page shines forth either faith or ge­ nius, and in all there is always piety.” f “He defeats heretics whether ancient or modern by his own arguments, no less than by those with which the apologists who preceded him have supplied him." 384 Iw ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. who hold tho Gallican opinions strongly, did not approve of tho work of Alphonso. Tho poor old man was much afflicted at meeting with this contradiction, and at being unablo to go to Na­ ples to defend himself. “I say what is true,” he wrote to Selvaggi, “ and I cannot understand from whence these difficulties proceed. If the canon will tell mo what I ought to add, and what I ought to take away, ho shall bo obeyed. I have employed a great deal of time in refuting tho false reasoning of Father Berruyor, now I see a difficulty arise where I least expected it. Tempus loquendi et tempus obodiendi. If the passage which is wished to bo corrected is not ono of great importance, I submit implicitly to what is wanted ; your Reverence can make tho changes you deem needful, and I willingly con­ sent to this, but only, I repeat, in points which are not of importance, for there aro some an­ swers to tho objections which aro of consequence, if your Reverence dislikes them, please to tell mo of it, because at worst I can take away tho objections as well as tho answers. If it is tho Pope’s supremacy which is in question, I am ready to give my life in its defence, for if that is taken away from us tho authority of tho Church will bo lost, I feel sure.” Another work caused him still more serious embarrassment ; it was his Collection of Sermons, which ho published about this same time. Mgr. Cervone, at that time tho royal examiner, spoko of it in the following manner in his report to tho king : “ Magni nominis famæquo antistes qui ante ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 385 cpiscopalo munus divini verbi semina late fudit per felicissimi regni tui provincias, nunc Ecclesiæ inliærens suæ, ut prædicatione divini verbi Italis omnibus prodesse valeat, conciones suas typis consignat episcopus pietate doctrinaque plano insignis.”* One of Alphonso’s enemies denounced this work to the authorities, as containing things which might bo displeasing to tho sovereign, and there­ fore tho publication of it was hindered for nearly a year. Alphonso was grieved at not being able to go to Naples, but Mgr. Ccrvone, of whom wo have just spoken, freed him from his difficulties. “ I have been sent for to tho Marquis of Marco’s, who asked mo if I had found anything repre­ hensible in this work ; I told him what I thought about it, and he desired me to write down what I had told him by word of mouth.” As soon as the report of tho examiner became known, the intrigue was put an end to; the work was pub­ lished to the satisfaction of the minister and to tho glory of Alphonso ; and it produced every­ where as much good as was expected from it. Some letters aro added to this book in for H of an appendix. The first is written to a young student deliberating on the choico of a state of life. It places before him the great good which ♦ ·· This illustrious and celebrated prelate, who had sow’ll the seed of the divine word before his episcopate in all the provinces of your happy kingdom, but who is now attached to his Church, this bishop, no less distinguished for his learning than for his piety, has printed his sermons in order to render his apostolical preaching use­ ful throughout all Italy.” 25 386 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. II ho may dorivo from tho spiritual exercises mado during a retreat, with tho wish to profit by them. In the second, Alphonso presents tho great utility of missions to a bishop, and settles all the difficulties concerning them ; and in tho last, which is addressed to a religious, ho treats of the manner of preaching with apostolical sim- As the love of novelty and the wish to be re­ markable caused some of tho congregation to de­ viate from this apostolic simplicity, and led them to display a kind of refinement of language in panegyrics, though they did not yet dare to do so during missions, his Lordship was greatly dis­ turbed at it; and as he was told that even Father Don Louis Capuano, who was of a certain age, was among the number, lie acted with prudenco in the matter, and wrote to him on the 7th of September, 1773, as follows: “My dear Don Louis, my heart is pained at hearing that a far­ fetched stylo has been introduced amongst us, and amongst others your Reverence, (if I do not mistake,) has boon named to mo. This makes me sad, because tho example of ono leads others to do the same. I comfort myself with the persuasion that your Reverence preaches in a familiar style during missions; but I fear that this polished style will pass from panegyrics into the sermons of tho missions, as has happened in a certain congregation at Naples. Your Reve­ rence must read what I have said in a letter on preaching, which is inserted into my Collection of Sermons, and also what Muratori has said on ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 387 this same subject. As to panegyrics, why should one not express oneself with simplicity in rela­ ting the virtues of a saint? Read my thirtyfirst sermon on Communion in my Collection of Sermons, as well as the sermons on St. Joseph, on the Annunciation, and on the Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin, at tho end of the same book. When your Reverence writes a sermon, take care and avoid all high-flown expressions which are not familiar to tho peasantry, or quite intelli­ gible to them. What is the use of saying man­ sion instead of house, consummated instead of perfected, reaching tho destination instead of arriving, summit instead of head, bestow a boon instead of pardon, bear in remembrance instead of recollect, arduous instead of difficult, couple instead of man and wife, and such-like expres­ sions ? Words of this sort, and new and affected expressions, ought to be avoided. All affectation in pronunciation must also be shunned ; such vanities only give a sermon a high-flown and bombastic air. It does not do to bo inelegant undoubtedly, but it is necessary to express one­ self as intelligibly as possible. Segneri was a great preacher, but even he has erred in that respect ; however, we only read his sermons as they are written, and as what is written is al­ ways rather more far-fetched than what is spoken, I have reason for thinking that Segneri did not deliver them as he has written them. Your Reverence has talent : when you compose a sermon, endeavour to replace choice expressions by others more in common use, and even by 388 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. words of a common and familiar sort. But I repeat what I have said before ; by simply avoid­ ing what is low, you will overcome all scruples and produce more fruit. Whore a little vanity and wish to seem eloquent find entrance, God doos not lend His aid. There is no need of my hero repeating what I said to you in my last letter, to which I have only to refer you. Mo­ notony must also bo guarded against : I once recited a sermon in this tone before Mgr. Falcoja, in imitation of Father Cutica ; but what II ho said to me about it has cured mo of this fault for good. Even when ono speaks forcibly, what is tho good of employing this tone ? We II to should preach as ono should speak in a room several people whom one wished to lead to tho li practice of some virtue, or to whom ono was relating some event or other ; then wo speak without affectation and with benefit. Try to become a saint yourself, and pray for me who am on tho brink of tho grave.” We have also another very precious little book which the saintly bishop published at this time, under the title of “ Tho True Happiness of Man, and on his Submission to the Will of God.” Ono may truly say that this treatise was inspired rather than composed. A pious person was so moved by tho groat benefit ho had himself de­ rived from it, as to cause it to bo reprinted and generously distributed it everywhere. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI, 389 CHAPTER LI. In the following year, that of 1773, God willed that though in the midst of so many troubles, Alphonso should yet sec his congregation • happily augmented by two new foundations in H the states of Romo. Mgr. Sarni, the bishop of Aquinas, had ardently wished for our mission­ aries for several years, but had not yet been able to obtain them. He renewed his entreaties in March of this year ; but as our fathers were then engaged, especially in Calabria, Alphonso could not promise them to him before the follow­ ing November. Ho destined nine fathers for those missions, under the direction of Don Fran­ cis of Paul. The fruits of salvation which they produced caused them to be earnestly asked for to preach in other dioceses. Mgr. Giacomini wanted to have them at Veroli, at Pofi, and at Castro. Mgr. Sarni obtained them for Sora and Arpino ; and the pious Duke Don Gaétan Buoncompagno had them also for tho inhabitants of his estates. They were called for at Vallecorso by Mgr. de Fondi. The abbot of Monte Cassino also had the satisfaction of having them in several villages which wore dependant on tho monastery there. The labours of our missionaries, who were di­ vided into two companies, were everywhere at­ tended with tho greatest success. 390 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. As Father Don Francis of Paul was informed of the prodigies which grace had wrought at Casamari, he wished to go with Father Don Lau­ rence Neri to visit this celebrated abbey, after having terminated tlio mission in tho little island of Sora. Our Fathers gained the affection of tho virtuous Trappists by their exemplary con­ duct, and they joined in a plan for establishing a house of our missionaries, for tho advantage of the numerous inhabitants of tho neighbouring country. Λ priest of Avignon had recently gone into the country of Scifelli which is not far from la Trappe, with the idea of aiding the villages in these parts where there was not even a church ; he erected one, and also a commo­ dious habitation for himself and for those with whom he hoped to be associated. As this priest was a man of God and a zealous labourer, Mgr. Giacomini, tho bishop of Veroli, nominated him as his grand-vicar. It was then on this placo, which was thus vacated, that the Trappists cast their eyes, and they invited our fathers to ex­ amine and see if they found it convenient. Don John Louis Arnaud, (this was tho name of the pious priest of Avignon,) received our fa­ thers in tho most cordial way possible ; ho in­ quired all about tho congregation, and if ho conceived a great affection for our missionaries, they conceived no less a one for him. When Fathers Francis of Paul and Laurence of Neri returned to Casamari, they said that the place pleased them, and the father prior, Don Joa- ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 391 H chim Castiati, and Father Don Arsenins Smirt, promised to bring the work to a happy end. While our fathers laboured in the diocese of Aquinas, tho two Trappists went to see Mgr. Giacomini, to give him an account of our insti­ tute, and of the project they were meditating. The holy bishop was filled with joy at hearing their design, and ho agreed with the priest Arnaud in wishing tho mission to be given at Scifelli. This village is situated on a pleasant eminence, four miles on this side of the town of Veroli ; it contains about four hundred inhabitants. At some distance from it there is another village called Candi, peopled by about two hundred souls ; and a mile further on is the country call­ ed St. Francis, tho inhabitants of which are divided into several hamlets, and amount to seventeen hundred. The inhabitants of all these villages are labourers; but that which was most deplorable about them was that they depended on the cathedral, and seldom were visited by any priest or monk. Mgr. do Veroli informed Alphonso of tho neglected state of these souls, and easily obtained his consent for the projected foundation. Alphonso shed tears of compassion over the sad state of these abandoned people, and looked on this project as an inspiration from on high. After he had stated tho wants of these people to the holy Father Popo Clement XIV., Mgr. Giacomini obtained what he desired ; he informed Alphonso of tho consent of tho Pope, and tho foundation was decided on. 111 have 392 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. consented to lot this foundation bo made,” he wrote to Father Don Francis of Paul on the 28th of May, 1773. “I have written to thank tho abbé Arnaud for it ; it is to him that wo aro indebted for all concerning it.” Alphonso was most anxious that harmony should subsist between us and Arnaud, with who] II wo should have to live, and ho took particular pains in ad­ vising Father Francis of Paul, tho future rector of the now house, to do all that ho could to ob­ tain this end. “We owo everything to him,” ho wrote to him, “ and your Reverence, who has already done so much, must use all possible circumspection and prudence in your intercourse with him ; I enforce the same thing on all. Take care not to displease him in things which arc not absolutely contrary to tho good order of tho house. Divers things must be yielded for the sake of peace and convenience. Ho has conferred good on us, and may do so again. Let him see that you esteem him, and listen to his opinions as far as possible. Nevertheless, I advise you to keep up tho observance of rule from tho commencement of this foundation, and I beg you to do this for the love of God and your neighbour. I must once more urge on you all that I mentioned to you in my last.” Ho said to him in another letter, “ I trust to your pru­ dence in not doing anything to pain M. Arnaud, and that all tho fathers and brothers will keep up strict observance of rule.” Poverty and misery wore also tho portion of this new house. Alphonso did not fail to assist ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 393 it, not however with the revenues of his diocese, but with that which he received at Naples from the College of Doctors ; he wished this money to bo spent solely for food and clothing, and when ho heard that some books had been bought with it ho wrote to tho superior, saying, “Is this a time to purchase books, when there is not enough to eat? It quite astonishes See if these books cannot be sent back, if even at some loss.” He wrote to Father Francis of Paul, on hear­ ing that ho laboured in tho missions with too much ardour, even during the intense heats, saying, “Fatigues undergone in missions, during tho hot weather, risk tho loss of the health of II more than one subject, and when they become II much weakened they can no longer render any service. Therefore, for the future, I order you to stop the missions in Juno, or at least, at tho beginning of July.” At tho end of these first missions on tho confines of tho state of Benevento and of tho kingdom of Naples, Alphonso had much II cause to rejoice at tho striking conversions which re­ sulted from them, but he had also reason to bo distressed at tho complaints which some of tho fathers made in consequence of these fatigues. As tho foundation was a recent one, and in a spot with which they were unacquainted, they necessarily had much to suffer, which required a double measure of fervour in them, and all had not tho dispositions to be desired in this respect. “Tell them all in my name,” he wrote 394 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. to Father Francis of Paul, “ to remember that this foundation is now and situated iu another kingdom. In all new foundations it is neces­ sary to suffer, and to suffer much, both on ac­ count of their poverty, and also because ono has to deal with people whom one does not know. If they wish to please Jesus Christ, let them read what the saints suffered in their first establishments and how they thereby became saints.” At this period our fathers were also labouring to be established in Romo ; tho circumstances were favourable, and the thing could have been easily carried out, on account of tho favourable dispositions of the Pope to the Bishop of St. Agatha and his holy work. But Alphonso did not approve of this project ; ho replied to him who had made him this proposition : “ I have read your long letter, but I do not approve of your reasons ; what is the good of wasting time about these things, since God does not wish for them ?” When the Jesuits were suppressed, tho Pope of his own accord conceived tho idea of giving us a convent in Romo. Father Francis of Paul of Frosinone, and Father Villani of Nocera, in­ formed Alphonso of tho will of tho Sovereign Pontiff, and of the share which Mgr. Macedonio had taken in this project. Father Francis of Paul believed that Alphonso would at length favour his wishes, but ho answered him as follows on tho 25th of August, 1774 : “I am rejoiced at what you tell mo about Mgr. Macedonio, and ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 395 about tho Popo’s favourable dispositions in our regard. But wo have cause to thank God that this affair has not been attended with conse­ quences. If the Pope had persisted in such a design, I would have written energetically to him, even if I had had the whole congregation against me, to try and get him to abandon this project. What have we to do in Romo, let mo ask you ? Tho congregation would be lost, be­ cause wo should bo distracted from the work of our missions, and wo should lose sight of the end of our institute. A bastard work would result from this, and that would bo all the profit wo should derivo from it. There are many besides us who can do all that wo have been asked to do in Rome, and in the midst of the great multi­ tude who inhabit this town what good can wo produce there ? Our congregation is fitted for villages and mountains. If wo aro once placed in tho midst of prelates, of lords, and courtly people, adieu to missions, and adieu to the coun­ try ; wo shall become courtiers greedy after praise and riches. May Jesus Christ deliver us from this. Finally, let us thank God for tho good opinions tho Popo has of us.” Alphonso was as hard to please when great towns were in question, as ho was ready to establish missions in villages which ho saw were destitute and de­ prived of tho bread of life. Ho constantly re­ peated to us : “ It is into tho cottages and cabins of shepherds that wo must enter; it is there that God calls us, and it is to tho service of tho poor people who inhabit them that we must devoto ourselves.” 396 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Father Francis of Paul wrote to him and com­ plained with a good deal of asperity of not being freely able to give missions in several other dio­ ceses, because Mgr. of Veroli wished to have the missionaries with him in his pastoral visita­ tions, but Alphonso thought such lamentations out of place. “ As to the missions which you cannot give this year,” he replied to him, “it is a necessity to which it is needful to submit, you must obey the Pope and the bishop who 11 command it. By making the visitation with tho bishop, you may also do good, for you can remain long enough in each place to give at least a triduo and also some little mission where there has not yet been one. Arrange matters with tho bishop, whom wo aro bound to obey next to tho rule.” God blessed the labours of our missionaries in the diocese of Veroli. They gave tho II ission at Frosinone tho following year, and the clergy as well as the gentlemen were so satis­ fied with it that they also tried to have us in their town. Tho Discalced Augustinian fathers had abandoned a church and a hospital which they had under tho title of St. Mary of Grace, for upwards of four years ; they were offered to our fathers, and Alphonso did not hesitate to accept tho foundation. Besides a great number of little villages around, which wanted evangel­ ical labourers, there were two other consider­ ations which caused our saint to agree to this proposition. Tho first was, that in these houses there -would be freedom from tho persecutions ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 397 which were suffered in the others, and no ob­ stacle there to the exact observance of the rule in all its rigour, which appeared to this man of God as a manifest sign of the divine will. In the second place, ho thought that as these two houses were near to each other, they would be of mutual assistance ; however we were not es­ tablished there before the 20th of June, 1776. H Thus God procured our establishment in the Papal States by means of these missions. “I cannot help rendering thanks to Jesus and Mary, who have granted me so many consolations in my old age,” wrote Alphonso to Father Francis of Paul. “I have had fever for four days as well as an obstinate cold ; I am now better and H free from fever. Praised for ever be Jesus and Mary ! ” Thus were the words of the Psalmist verified in Alphonso ; “ According to the multi­ tude of my sorrows in my heart, Thy comforts have given joy to my soul.”* CHAPTER LIL There arc certain plants which have a pe­ culiarity which renders them very remarkable, which is, that when they produce a ripe fruit, a new one appears nearly at tho same time : and in like manner did Alphonso make himself wor« “Secundum multitudinem dolorem meorum in corde meo. coneolationos tuæ lætiiicaverunt animam meam.” Fs. xciii. 19. 398 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. thy of admiration by his successivo productions. Ono work had scarcely issued from tho press ere another closely followed it. In spito of tho distress which the continual attacks of the ene­ mies of the congregation caused him, and in spito of tho painful labours which ho was obliged to undergo in order to support it, ho did not lose sight of tho general good of tho Church. Thus, in consideration of tho little profit which most people derive from tho recitation of the divino office, when tho Psalms aro recited hurriedly, because they aro not understood by the multi­ tude, ho made a translation of them into tho vernacular tongue, in which ho explained even tho obscurest passages with great clearness. lie dedicated this book to Popo Clement XIV. in 1774. In addressing it to the holy father he said, u This is a book which I havo written in the last years of my life, and at an age when my exhausted strength announces my approach­ ing end. I have felt that I could not do bettor than in dedicating it to your Holiness, who is tho head of the Church, and who is in the place of Jesus Christ upon earth. I hope that your Ho­ liness will approve of this work, which may bo useful to a great number of the faithful who say the divine office in a language which they do not understand ; they who aro ignorant of tho sig­ nification of tho words, and far more of tho sense of tho Psalms.” This work, which was a difficult ono, and composed at such an advanced age, was the admiration of the most learned men at Naples. ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 399 Canon Massa, considering tho ignorance of a great number of clerics, passed a eulogium on Alphonso, who had remedied it ; he extols his piety, his wisdom, and his indefatigable zeal, which neither infirmities, nor ago, nor the gov­ ernment of his church could slacken. He says that the author of this translation “ explains tlio meaning of the Psalms, and the obscure pas­ sages in them so skilfully, that without taking away anything from tho purity of the inspired word, he aids both the mind and the heart of those who read it.”* Benedict Cervone, who afterwards became bish­ op of Aquila, also praised this work, saying that “ Alphonso by his labours has shown that he is worthy to rival the holy bishops of the primitive church, and that without speaking of tho many other works by which he brought back to the road of virtue mauy who had wandered from it, or strengthened in goodness many who were al­ ready walking therein, had tho saintly bishop not written anything else in support of religion and of the church, this work alone would havo sufficed to render him worthy of immortality.”! • Occurrit pietas, sapientia, strenuus zelus...Fractis jam pene viribus, rotate affecta, vigili pastorali cura haud prropeditus... sensus et latebras ita operit et revelat ut puritati verbi Dei nihil detrahens, * intellectum etiam legentibus prrobeat et cor. t Clarissimus Alphonsus Liguorius, episcopus Agathensis, quem norunt omnes totis viribus omnique contensione, ad eas virtutes conniti, quibus veteres episcopi beatissimis Ecclesiæ temporibus floruerunt·.ut Christianos homines a virtute aberrantes in viam revocaret, revocatos confirmaret. Hos industria et pietate quanta maxima explicavit, ut nisi tam multa tamque utilia pro religione et Ecclesiæ disciplina tantus vir edidisset, hoc uno tamen opusculo immortalitatem promereri posset" w- -*** 400 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Alphonso added a statement of his system on the rule of moral actions to this work, in an appendix, which ho also submitted to the pope for correction if any error should bo found there. While he was wholly occupied for tho glory of God and for the good of souls, Baron Sarnelli and Don Maffei never rested, and left nothing un­ done in order to calumniato us by fresh accusa­ tions, not seeing any botter method of insuring tho success of their cause. “ Father Carrodo has told me,” Alphonso wrote to Father Villani on tho 21st of April, 1774, “that tho baron has been searching for things which ho hopes to use against us ; may Jesus Christ assist us and give us patience. I also hear that Maffei has renewed his persecutions, and that ho has given vent to a fresh accusation against our fathers at Iliceto. Let us pray God to havo mercy on him, and let us trust in Ilis mercy, and that Ho will aid us.” Laden with infirmity and occupation as was tho poor old man, he showed that ho still re­ membered his former profession as a lawyer; he arranged his plan of defence himself. “ I have got ready my answer,” ho wrote to Father Villani on tho 2nd of June, 1774, “on tho most important points. As this answer ought to bo presented in writing, I will place it in tho hands of tho advocate Celano, in order that ho may arrange it in his own way.” However Alphonso was in a state of extreme uneasiness. “ I have caused prayers to bo said everywhere,” ho wrote on the 18th of December, to the same father, ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 401 who was thon on a H ussion “I havo had mass­ es celebrated, and I know not what moro I can do. Don Cclano has promised to see the minis­ ters in order to render them favourable towards us ; but the danger is great and imminent. Get tho people to say an Ave before the sermon, and get prayers said in as many monasteries and places as you can. The circumstances are such, that they make mo fear tho ruin of the whole congregation.” Ho thought however that the storm threatened tho missionaries less than him­ self, its head and founder. Ho said in a letter to Father Majori, who resided at Naples, “When tho ministers are spoken to, tho congregation must not bo named, I only ought to be spoken of, for I am tho person principally aimed at in this affair.” AVliilo ho implored tho aid of Divine Provi­ dence, ho did not neglect also to avail himself of that of men. Ho roco Hill ended tho matter in writing to the counsellors of St. Clare, and got some persons of great influence to mediato with them, and specially the Prince de la Kiccia. Ho wrote to tho Marquis of Cito, at that time tho president of tho royal council, saying, “ God has given mo a feeling of confidence that your Excellency will deliver us from this persecution, and I am certain that you will bo rewarded for it either in this life or in another. When I la­ boured for tho establishment of this work, I H ost assuredly did not seek to obtain the titlo of founder ; but my only wish was to do what was pleasing to God, and the oxpcrienco of so many 26 402 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. years has already shown that I have not labour­ ed in vain, and that our congregation has been of use by contributing to the glory of God, and I have no doubt that God has reserved a groat recompense of reward for him who will assist us in our tribulations.” In these conjunctures ho also solicited for an intervention in his favour with tho same Presi­ dent Cito, and for this purpose ho applied to Nicholas Vivonzio, who was a man of very great integrity, and who is at present tho chief minis­ ter of tho court della Sommaria. Tho probity of this person, his zeal, and his knowledge had already won for him the esteem of tho king and of his ministers : “ I particularly bog you to see Nicholas Vivenzio,” Alphonso wrote to Father JSJajono, “and entreat him to use his influence with President Cito. Λ word from him to tho president and to Don Liona will bo worth more than a thousand from Colano or others. It is therefore necessary to bo most careful in dealing with Don Vivenzio. I am full of joy, because it seems to mo that the Blessed Virgin will bring us safe and sound out of this tempest. There­ fore let us abandon ourselves into the hands of Jesus Christ; let us pray to Him, and lie will do all for His greatest glory. ” However, our saint addressed a memorial to tho king, in which he without injuring any ono represented the innocence of his missionaries, tho labours to which they daily gave them­ selves up for tho welfare of tho kingdom, and their respectful submission to all tho royal de­ ST. alphonso liguori. 403 cisions. Ho especially tried to remind the mon­ arch of the real intentions of his father, Charles III. who if he had not meant to recognise tho II as four houses which wo had in the kingdom communities, had nevertheless not forbidden us to live together under a head, and had allowed tho missionaries to bo governed according to their rule. Ho concluded by saying that this princo had wished that tho work of the missions should bo accomplished, and that all the good which was to bo desired should be effected ; that this end could not bo attained if each member of tho congregation wero obliged to live on his own resources ; and that if they wore to bo re­ duced to this, to view the matter on tho other side, tho houses would bo turned into so many habitations of discord and trouble, instead of being societies of apostolical men. Ou seeing the fury of our enemies and tho perils of the congregation, several persons of distinction, who were interested in tho public good, also began to interpose in our behalf with tho primo minister. Amongst others, Mgr. Filomarino, tho Bishop of Casorto, presented himself before the Marquis of Marco with tears in his eyes, and implored his protection. Mgr. Ber­ gamo, tho Bishop of Gaeta, had no sooner heard of tho painful circumstances in which wo were, than ho wont to Naples in person, to seo tho President Cito, and tho councillors Paoletti and Salomon, who wore both members of tho court of justice at St. Clare, and said to them, “ What will become of us poor bishops if you do away 404 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. with this congregation?” Wo were also support­ ed in a similar way by Mgr. Testa and Mgr. Sanseverino, tho former of whom was tho grand almoner, and tho latter tho confessor of tho king. It is easy to imagino what must have been tho impressions produced on this saintly old man by such a dangerous stato of things. Ho adored tho just judgments of God, he embraced tho cross, and far from feeling ill will towards those who were so obstinately set against him, ho never omitted to enjoin us to pray for our enemies. In order that the congregation might II erit tho Divino mercies, he encouraged us to pa­ tience, and above all, to a faithful observance of tho rule. Ho mortified himself, and excited us also to penance. lie again ordered the use of tho discipline in common on Mondays and Satur­ days, and in order to obtain tho protection of the Blessed Virgin, ho enforced anew tho fast of Saturday in honour of this our Holy Mother, lie had recourse to tho prayers of several mon­ asteries of religious, and to those of many holy souls; ho exposed our distress to the Camaldulcs Fathers ; ho sent them a great many wax candles, in order that they might expose the Blessed Sa­ crament, and pray for us then to Jesus Christ ; ho also frequently sent divers alms to tho Capuchinesses at Naples for tho same end. Ho never wrote a letter to his penitents at Naples or elsewhere, in which he did not solicit their prayers for the same intention. He especially wished that when night prayers wore said in ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 405 our houses an Ave should be added for our per­ secutors. Above all, he insisted that our fathers II at Naples should avoid all methods of defence II which might appear of a suspicious kind. “I must also enforce a thing of great importance,” ho wrote to Father Maj one, “ which is, that, in seeking for patrons for our cause, we must avoid certain ladies of rank. God wishes us to II have recourse to lawful means, it is on that con­ dition only that Tie will protect us. Your Rev­ erence will understand mo well, without my having to enter into further details.” However, ho afterwards stated his sentiments on this sub­ ject in speaking to Father Corrado. About this time he published in two volumes his book on tho “Triumphs of the Martyrs.” The end which he proposed in writing it was to kindle in all hearts a greater degree of lovo for Jesus Christ, and a greater zeal for the faith. Don Benedict Ccrvono could not sufficiently ex­ press his admiration for tho extraordinary ardour which Alphonso therein evinced. “Alphonsus do Liguorio, episcopus Agathcnsis, integritate morum, intelligentia, vigilantia, liberalitate supra omnem, sæculorum memoriam prædicandus, qui do gravissimo animæ negotio sollicitus, nihil eorum praetermittit quibus sibi aliisque ad cælestcm pa­ triam iter aut patefacere possit aut expedire.”* • “ Alphouso Liguori, the Bishop of St. Agatha, who by the up­ rightness of his conduct, his learning, his vigilance, and his liberali­ ty, has rendered himself worthy of the praises of all ages, is full of solicitude for the grand affair, that of eternal salvation, and omits nothing which can open or facilitate the road to the celestial coun­ try, cither to himself or to others." 406 ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. CHAPTER LIII. Alphonso, when stretched on a bed of suffer­ ing, boro it all with lovo ; ho also wished his sons to show themselves more and n ore worthy of their high vocation. For this end ho address­ ed tho following circular to them on tho 29th of July, 1774, which manifests his zeal for tho observance of tho rule, and tho lovo ho boro to­ wards his congregation : “ My very dear brothers in Jesus Christ, “ The principal thing I have to urge on you, is tho love of Jesus Christ. Let us not forget tho motives wo have for loving Him. It is in order that wo may satisfy this obligation that He elected us from all eternity, and called us into this congregation. Ho has also made it our duty to labour to cause Him to bo loved by others. And what greater honour, what greater blessing could Jesus Christ confer on us, than that of taking us out of tho world to draw us to Himself, to give us in our pilgrimage towards eternity facilities for pleasing Him in all things, and for causing Him to bo loved by so many souls who through our II inistry cease to sin, and aro restored to tho favour of God? When wo go on a mission into a country, tho greatest portion of tho people aro generally estranged from God, but oro five or six days have passed ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI. I 407 they awaken as if from a profound sleep, and on hearing our sermons, which announce to them the mercy of God, they begin to weep over their sins, and to entertain tho wish to be converted. After this, on seeing the way of pardon open be­ fore them, they begin to detest that which they have before loved, and stirred up by grace they enjoy a peace which formerly they knew not. Then they think of confessing their sins, and they renounce those passions which keep them far from God. Instead of a mass of a quar­ ter of an hour seeming too long to them, a chaplet of five decades too tedious, and a ser­ mon of half an hour insupportable, they now listen even to three masses with pleasure, and aro not satisfied if the sermon does not last for an hour and a half or two hours. Now is it not of us that God makes use in effecting these won­ derful changes, and in thus bringing hearts to find their happiness in what was before an ob­ ject of disgust to them? So that when a mis­ sion ends, it leaves from two to three thousand persons loving God, who wore formerly living at enmity with Him, and without tho smallest anxiety to regain Ilis favour. “But if God has honoured us thus far, and if He has selected us to be the instruments of Ilis glory by causing it to bo loved by others, which is an honour that is never granted to any mon­ arch on earth, what reason have wo not for thank­ fulness towards Him, and what lovo do we not owe Him ! If others strive to gain the title of men of merit and wit, let us endeavour to ad. 408 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. vanco day by day in tho lovo of Josus Christ ; seeking occasions of pleasing Him, and offering up to Him some mortification, or doing somo action to please Him. And if wo wish to grow in lovo to Jesus Christ day by day, lot us al­ ways put ourselves in tho lowest place, and take care never to wish for notice. Ho who hides him­ self tho most amongst mon is tho most closely united to Jesus Christ, and ho who only lovos Him by halves and who doos not strive to bo as nearly united to God as possible, gives proof of great ingratitude, · “ My brothers, at tho hour of death, and by the light of tho funeral torch, wo shall sco what gra­ ces tho Lord has given us to enable us to pre­ serve the high vocation Ho has bestowed on us. I can truly say, that I feel great compassion when I think of those brothers who once wero with us, living in calm submission to obedience, united to God and contented with all that hap­ pened to them, but who aro now in tho midst of the world, in trouble and disquiet ; they have liberty to go whore they please, and to do as they please, it is true ; but all they do is without rulo and without fervour, and they have no more peace. They may think of prayer from time to time, but when tho infidelity and ingratitude with which they have abandoned their vocation comes before their eyes, they will bo filled with the pains of remorse, which will bo as a worm gnawing their heart ; and in order to escape such torments for tho future they will gradually give up prayer, and their tepidity will go on ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 4 409 Π increasing by the efforts they will make to get free from anxiety. Their fall did not be­ gin with grave sins, but with slight faults, by il means of which the devil imperceptibly caused them to lose their vocation. I repeat it again, I feel compassion for them from the bottom of my heart, for I am certain that theirs is full of confusion, and that if their life has been a dis­ turbed one, their death will be much more so. Several years ago I was forced to try to encou­ rage one of these unfaithful subjects in his last moments ; ho was full of sorrow at the thoughts of his lost vocation, and exclaimed like a fran­ tic person, “I am full of despair, I cannot now be saved ! ” Tho misery of those who have thus fallen ought to affect us : let us dread their fate, and profer to suffer anything rather than tho loss of vocation. Tho first means to bo used is, to avoid trifling faults, especially those against rule. Ho who does not mind tho rule does not caro any more for tho lovo of Jesus Christ. Expe­ rience proves that ho who continues to commit a fault which is contrary to tho rule with his eyes open, infallibly loses tho fervour which sus­ tained him, and tho lovo of God becomes cold and gradually extinct within him. “You already know that the most efficacious H means for enduring contradictions is to lovo Jesus Christ very much, and in order to lovo Jesus Christ much, it is necessary to pray a great deal. To lovo Jesus Christ is the greatest thing we can do on earth ; it is a gift which wo cannot havo of ourselves, but which must como from Jesus 410 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Christ Himself, who is ready to give it to who­ ever asks it of Him, so that wo are deprived of it only by our own negligence. For this reason tho saints have always been most devoted to prayer.” Tho saintly author of this letter also therein predicts tho prosperity of tho congregation, the good which it was to effect, and tho salvation which all would find in it. “I am sure,” ho said, “that Jesus Christ looks upon our little congregation with most loving eyes, that He loves it as the apple of His eye, as wo see by expe­ rience ; for in tho midst of so many persecu­ tions, He never ceases to protect us and to ren­ der us more worthy to labour for His glory in divers countries, by tho assistance of His mani­ fold graces. I shall not see it, for my death is at hand, but I feel assured that our little flock will increase more and more with time, not by becoming richer and more highly thought of by tho world, but by procuring tho glory of God, and that through our labours Jesus Christ will be better known and loved by others. A day will come when wo shall see each other again, and when we shall bo reunited all together in that eternal abode where wo shall never more bo separated, and whore wo shall also bo united to hundreds of thousands of persons who once lived without love to God, and who through our II cans recovered grace, and who will cleave to tho Lord for over, and form our glory and joy for all eternity. Ought not this thought alone to stimulato us to love Jesus Christ with ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 411 I all our hearts, and to cause others to love Him also ? I bless you ono and all, in tho name of tho adorable Trinity, and I pray Jesus Christ to augment His divino lovo more and more in each of those who live in tho congregation, or who shall live in it hereafter, so that when we get to heaven wo may bo like seraphims all inflamed with lovo, and praiso God and sing of M His Divino mercy for all eternity. “ Lot us never omit to recommend ourselves to our Divino Mother, in order that, through her intercession God may grant us the privilege of making His glories known everywhere. One thing gives mo great comfort and great hope, and it is this, that this good Mother will never ceaso to take special caro of each of us, and to obtain us that grace which wo need in order to become saints. I must conclude, but I should like never to end from my desire to see us all inflamed with lovo to Jesus Christ, and worthy promoters of His glory, especially in these un­ happy times when Jesus Christ is so little loved. “I am not alarmed at poverty, nor at infirmi­ ties and persecutions ; what alarms mo is, tho fear that some of you may some day abandon II tho house of God, through tho temptation of somo passion, and return into tho world, as has been tho caso with so many others who formerly be­ longed to tho congregation, and who now are without and live in trouble ; for oven if somo of them succeed in being saved, they will certainly find that they have lost tho rich crown of glory which God had prepared for them in heaven, 412 ! ; I1 r. [ 5‘Π H I. < Ml •. M JI 1 f Mf • » 1) *1 I ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. as a recompense for their labours had they per­ severed. For this reason, my beloved brothers, let us continually pray to Jesus Christ and our Blessed Mother Mary for tho gift of holy perse­ verance, in order that God may deign to grant it to us all for Ilis great mercy’s sake. I trust each of you will specially recommend mo to Jesus Christ, in order that Ho may grant mo a happy death, which I am daily expecting. Though I am such a miserable creaturo, I pray several times a day for each of you ; and if I am saved, as I trust I shall bo, I shall not fail to pray for you in heaven also, and in a botter way than I can do now. “ I have now to recommend to you, in a special manner, tho observance of tho exercises of each day, and of tho three periods of mental prayer. IIo who has little love for prayer loves God but coldly. When prayer is absent, fer­ vour is absent also, good desires are absent, and tho strength to go forwards is wanting too. I also recommend spiritual reading, which is the faithful companion of prayer ; I enjoin you es­ pecially to do everything with devotion and to say the divine office with deliberation. “ Do not lose tho lovo of poverty. Remember that wo live in all our houses nearly by a miracle, for you know that we have no revenues, and that tho little wo have is scarcely enough to allow four or five pence to each, and yet wo provide for tho maintenance of such a great number of brothers ! For this reason, each one ought to bo contented with tho little ho reçoives, * ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 413 i I U» and should tako it as if an alms from God. It is miraculous to see that thoro is bread enough for each day by day ! “ I also recommend silence : where silence is absent, there is no recollectedncss ; where that is wanting there must bo sin and trouble. One of the greatest blessings in our congregation is tho advantage of silence, and ho who fails in keeping silence, does injury to himself and to others. “ Let those who go on missions obey their su­ periors ; obedience preserves good order and re­ gularity in tho exercises of the day. Even when ono sees that certain things might bo better re­ gulated, it is always necessary to obey what has been commanded. Exact obedience, unmurmur­ ing obedience, makes everything go well ; God then lends His aid, tho mission succeeds, and produces great fruit. “To conclude, let each one avoid giving pain to his brothers by words or propositions which may injure charity, and tako care not to enter upon any employment when on mission which his superior has not assigned to him. It is not enough to have asked for it. How can God assist a person in an office which ho has entered into of his own accord ? Ho who has such ambi­ tious desires does not deserve to go on missions any more, and this chastisement would bo justly inflicted on those who may have the audacity to wish to fill a post which has not been destined for them. It is submission that causes our missions to succeed ; but I have heard with very 414 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. great pain that some of our brethren have be­ come guilty of this grievous offence. “ Once more I bless you all, and each one in particular. “Brother Alphonso Maria, “Bishop of St. Agatha. “Arionzo, 29th July, 1774.” CHAPTER LIV. It is well known how grievously the Church was disquieted during the pontificate of Clement XIV. and the misfortunes which these troubles foreboded to religion ; they caused Alphonso the greatest alarm, and he continually offered up prayers to Heaven for the peace of the Sovereign Pontiff and of tho much-persecuted Church. No one can well imagine how ho sorrowed over tho storm which raged against the Jesuits on all sides ; he never spoke of it without the deepest feeling of distress. “It is nothing but intrigue on the part of tho Jansenists and unbelieving,” said ho; “if they succeed in oversowing tho company, their wishes will bo accomplished ; and if this bulwark falls, what convulsions will there not bo in Church and state ! If tho Jesuits aro ouco destroyed, the Popo and the Church will bo in a most disastrous situation. Tho Jesuits are not the only aim of tho Jansenists ; they aim at ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. -115 tho company in order thereby to be more cer­ tain of striking at tho Church and state.” Such were tho thoughts and fears of Alphonso ; but tho judgments of God aro impenetrablo. Clement XIV. suppressed the Society of Jesus in a brief dated tho 22nd of July, 1773 ; this was a terrible blow to Alphonso. His face showed the sufferings of his heart, although ho said nothing. When ho received the brief, he adored tho judgments of God which were manifested in the conduct of this Pontiff, in silence for some time ; ho then spoke : “ The will of the Popo is tho will of God ! ” exclaimed he ; and he did not utter another word to manifest how much ho suffered interiorly. Ono day, when I was present, tho grand-vicar and other persons of distinction wished to cast blame on the dispo­ sitions of the Sovereign Pontiff. “Poor Popo,” H exclaimed the saintly bishop, “ what could ho do in tho difficult circumstances in which ho was placed, and when so many crowned heads united in demanding their suppression. As for us, wo have only to adore tho secret judgments of God and bo at peace. However, I assert, that if but one single Jesuit bo left in tho world, ho alone would bo enough to establish tho company.” No one is ignorant of tho constantly increas­ ing troubles in which tho Popo found himself after tho suppression of tho Jesuits ; tho deplo­ rable state of the Church and of its head filled tho Bishop of St. Agatha with tho deepest sor­ row. “Pray for tho Pope,” he wrote to Father I—* 416 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Francis of Paul at Frosinono, on tho 27th of Juno, 1774. “Tho superior of the Chinese Col­ lege, who has como from Rome, told mo that tho Popo is overwhelmed with sadness, and in fact, ho has cause to be so ; for there does not seem to be a shadow of peace for the Church. Pray for tho Popo ; God knows how I feel for his afflictions!” “Pray for the Pope,” ho said once more, in another letter to Father Villani at Nocera. “ For my part I never cease to do so. Pray for tho Pope ; I have hoard from RoΠ Lagna that he wishes for death, so great is his distress at all the trials which afflict the Church.” “Tho affairs of tho Church go on worse and worse,” ho wrote to the same father on tho 12th of Juno ; “ Mgr. Rosctti, who has come from Rome, has told mo things which have made me he is constantly shut up alone ; he hardly sees any ono, and does no business.” In another letter of the 23rd of July to Father Paul, he says to him, “ Tho Popo suffers a great deal on ac­ count of tho pretensions of tho crowns, and es­ pecially on account of Venice. Ho is also af­ fected by tho fear of death, through tho pro­ phecy of tho nun inclosed in tho castle of St. Angelo, who foretold that ho would die on the 16th of July. Now the 16th has passed and ho is not dead ; lot us therefore hope that God will preserve him for the holy year of Jubilee, and for a long time after that. I do nothing but repeat over and over again, Poor Pope, poor Pope, who is tried on all sides ! I pray for him, ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. I 417 that God may come to his aid.” He added at the end of this letter, “The Pope shuts himself up continually and will hear no one. There is II therefore reason to pray in a most special manner for the Pope and for the Church.” On the 25th of August, he again wrote, saying, “ I hear fro II various quarters that the Pope is in sorrow, that ho is shut up and does no business. Let us pray God to deliver him from this profound II melancholy. ” The same sentiments occur in ono of his letters to the same father, dated Sep­ tember tho 5th. In tho morning of tho 21st of September, 1774, H after Alphonso had ended mass, contrary to cus­ tom, ho threw himself into his arm-chair ; ho was cast down and silent, ho made no movement of any sort, never articulated a word, and said nothing to any one. He remained in this state all that day and all tho following night, and du­ ring all this time he took no nourishment and did not attempt to undress. Tho servants on seeing the state he was in, did not know what was going to happen, and remained up and at his room door, but no ono dared to enter it. On tho morning of tho 22nd ho had not chang­ ed his position ; and no ono knew what to think about it. Tho fact was that ho was in a pro­ longed ecstacy. However, when tho day became further advanced ho rung tho boll to announce that ho intended to celebrato mass. This signal was not only answered to by Brother Francis Anthony, according to custom, but all tho peo­ ple in tho house hurried to him with eager27 418 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. noss. On seeing so many people, his Lord­ ship asked what was tho matter, with an air of surprise. “What is tho matter?” they replied : “ you have neither spoken nor oaten anything for two days, and you ceased to give any signs of life.” “That is true,” replied Alphonso, “but you do not know that I have been with the Pope, who has just died.” Agatha Viscardi, a servant of tho Redemptoristine nuns who was present, carried this news to St. Agatha, whore it was immediately spread about as well as at Arienzo where Alphonso was. But it was looked upon II as a mere dream in both places. However, ere long the tidings of tho death of Popo Clement XIV. were received ; ho passed to a better life on tho 28th of September, at 7 o’clock in the II orning, at the very moment when Alphonso camo to himself. Cardinal Castelli was well aware of tho high reputation for sanctity possessed by Alphonso ; he know how much he was venerated for his wisdom, which was said to be inspired by God ; ho also know what a great veneration the sacred college of cardinals had for tho holy man ; ho therefore determined to ask Alphonso to write, before tho conclave began, a long letter on all ' the abuses which ought to bo reformed in the various orders of the ecclesiastical hierarchy. The cardinal wished this memoral to be presented to tho conclave, and that it should servo to de­ termine tho election of a Pope capable of reme­ dying all tho ills of the Church. Some people who were attached friends of Alphonso’s were ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. I 419 commissioned to make this request to him ; such it an office alarmed him, but it was imposed on him by a cardinal for whom he felt great esteem. He recommended himself to God’s guidance, and determined to express his opinions in a letter written on the 23rd of October, 1774, as fol­ lows : “ Most Rev. Cardinal, ‘‘You ask for my sentiments on the present affairs of tho Church and on the election of a Popo. Alas ! what sentiments can I worthily express to you, I who am but a poor bishop ? All I can find to say is, that it is necessary to pray and to pray much ; for in order to raise tho Church from the state of remissness and con­ fusion into which all classes have fallen, prudence and human wisdom are insufficient ; and in or­ der to remedy them nothing less than tho pow­ erful arm of God will suffice. There are few among the bishops who have a true zeal for the salvation of souls. Most if not all tho com­ munities of religious aro relaxed ; and in the confusion which surrounds us observances are destroyed, rules are despised, and aro treated as if they were not. Tho secular clergy aro in a still worse stato, so that there is an absolute necessity for a general reform among all eccle­ siastics, in order afterwards to be able to reform the conduct and the manner of the laity. There­ fore wo must pray to Jesus Christ to give His Church a head who has something more than knowledge and human prudence, to give her one 420 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. who through tho spirit of God may bo filled with a groat love and zoal for His glory, and who may bo totally detached from all parties, so as to bo able to resist tho attacks of human respect. If we over havo tho misfortune to havo a Popo who has not God’s glory alono in view, Ho will not assist him, and things will become worse and worse. Prayer is tho solo remedy for such great misfortunes. For my part, I havo not only enjoined all tho houses of my congregation to pray with more than ordinary fervour for tho election of a new Pontiff, but I have also order­ ed all the secular and regular clergy of my dio­ cese to say tho collect ‘ pro eligendo summo Pon­ tifice’ during mass. This is the best advice I can give you ; I often pray about this election during the day myself, but what can my poor prayers avail ? Nevertheless, I place all my trust in tho merits of Jesus Christ and of the Blessed Virgin, and I hope that God will com­ fort mo by letting me see the Church relieved ero I die, which my age and infirmities tell mo cannot be far distant. “I also wish to see all tho disorders which exist done away with, and a thousand different ideas come into my mind on tho subject which I should ardently wish to communicate to you all, if the knowledge of what I am did not take all boldness from me, by convincing mo that it is not for mo to wish to reform the world. I should also like the future Popo, when he has to sup­ ply any vacancies in the college of cardinals, to select only the best informed and the most ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 421 zealous among those who may be proposed to him, and that he should request all princes not to present any but men of well-known piety and learning to him as candidates for a car­ dinalship. I should also wish him to exercise firmness in refusing livings to those who are already sufficiently provided for in all their state can demand, to repress luxury in all the prelates, and to fix the number of their ser­ vants of all sorts, so that they should only have so many valet do chambres, so many other servants, so many horses, &c. ; this would be a method of putting a stop to the slander and de­ traction of our enemies. lie ought to take pains never to confer benefices on any but on those who havo merited well forj what they havo done for the Church. “ I should wish him to be very strict in choos­ ing bishops, and that he should obtain information on all hands about those who are proposed as candidates for this high and important office in tho Church, and that he should bo certified as to tho goodness of their character and their doctrine, which aro indispensable qualities in ruling over a diocese. It is on these chief pas­ tors that tho good of religion and the salvation of souls chiefly depend. I should like him to require the metropolitans and others to inform him in secret as to any bishops who aro care­ less as to the welfare of their flocks. I should also wish him to threaten with suspension or the supervision of a vicar apostolical, both neg­ ligent bishops and those who aro non-resident, 422 ST. ALPÎIONSO LIGUORI. and those who scandalizo the world by tho luxury of their attendants, and by-tho excessive expense of their equipages, their festivities, &c. In some cases it does not do to bo afraid of putting these threats into execution; corrections purify tho Church from tho corruptions which sully her, and hinder other bishops from falling further into them through tho fear of public blame, which admonishes them of their backslidings ; and they then hasten to return to a sense of their duty, to tho great advantage of their flocks. “ In fine, why should not tho futuro Popo be backward in granting favours which are injurious to tho maintenance of discipline, such, for in­ stance, as that of permitting nuns to leave their inclosure to enter into tho world without any real necessity for it? Ho ought not readily to consent to tho secularisation of religious, on ac­ count of the number of evils which result from it ; and above all, ho ought to constrain all re­ ligious whatsoever to tho primitive observance of the rules of their institute, at least, in all the most important points. “ I will not tire you by saying more ; I can do nothing further than to pray God to give us a pastor full of His own Spirit. And now I con­ cludo with profound respect, and assure you that I am, &c.” While the saintly bishop was thus occupied for the well-being of tho Church at largo, for the administration of his own diocese, and for ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. the existence of the congregation, hell too did not slumber, and was on tho watch for ppportunities of injuring its dreaded antagonist. Up to this time tho enemies of our congregation spared its head, and had only fought against its members ; the veneration attached to Alphonso’s name caused them to shun meeting him, in place of attacking him ; but on seeing that they could not injure tho members while they continued to respect tho head, they turned their weapons against him too. As they could find nothing to condemn in the private life of our saint they blamed his doctrine ; they published everywhere that his book on Moral Theology was full of decisions of too indulgent a nature, and above all, that it contained the lax sentiments attribu­ ted to tho Jesuits. This was a sure means of producing a sensation and of exciting suspicion at that time. After Alphonso’s book had been thus de­ nounced, tho congregation became an object of suspicion, for it seemed impossible for it to es­ cape from tho taint caused by tho errors of which its founder was accused. These wicked calum­ nies reached Naples, where there wore a number of ignorant people who made a point of condemn­ ing him without however even knowing if such a theology had ever been promulgated before. But God, who kills and who brings to life, caused it to bo approved by tho king at tho very time that his adversaries expected to see it con­ demned. Some copies of his Moral Theology were sent from Naples, and reached tho custom- 424 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI, house, where they wero stopped by tho Chevalier Vergas, the king’s procurator-general, who was prejudiced against tho work, and wished it to bo examined with all possible strictness by Father Majono, a conventualist. This learned religious assured him, in his report, that the doctrine was perfectly sound, and that there was not any pro­ position in tho work which deserved censure. “Well,” exclaimed Vergas on hearing this, “to what a length iniquity has been carried ! What calumnies have been spread ! I am delighted and rejoiced at this nows, for I regretted being obliged to pain this saintly old man.” It was thus that Heaven frustrated the plots of the wicked, and turned them to tho confusion of their authors, and to the glory of His servant. CHAPTER LV. Alphonso was kept in a state of constant and groat alarm on account of his If tuck persecuted congregation. Its enemies wero powerful and inveterate, and there wero many people in tho kingdom, who so far from approving of new con­ gregations, would have liked to destroy tho old ones. If tho suppression of tho Jesuits caused communities to totter which wore as distin­ guished as they wero ancient, was there not cause to fear for those which wore more recent, and which had not yet taken root? ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. - J 425 Our persecutors, Dons Maffei and Sarnelli, wero impatient for our overthrow, and did all H they could in order to accelerato the coming of tho day when tho debates occasioned by their accusations were to be held in tho royal court ; and as they flattered themselves with tho ex­ pectation of victory, they were continually mul­ tiplying petitions for hastening this day, which they regarded as that of our defeat. Even Alphonso could not think of it with­ out his courage being shaken. God generally strengthens the hearts of His servants in the midst of their sorrows, by fortifying them and II to trust in Him, but He also some II ­ causing them times seems to absent Himself from them and to leave them to human wisdom only. Thus Alphonso, who had up to this time been full of confidence, now felt weak and without courage on seeing matters assume such an unfavourable aspect. Ho fancied that in order to avoid the total ruin of the congregation, the house at Iliceto must be abandoned, and the baron left in possession of tho vineyard and its costs. Our fathers had manifested a wish to come to an amicable arrangement with Sarnelli for three years, and some mediators had already labour­ ed to manage so that ho should keep the vine­ yard, and give us a sum of money in compen­ sation for tho pious works his brother had in­ tended to establish ; but Alphonso thought that he ought in conscience to oppose such an arrange­ ment: “I must weigh these matters well,” ho wrote to Father Maj ono, who was at Naples, on 426 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. tho 4th of December, 1774. “If this conciliatory plan should ever be acted on, I shall have to consult tho learned and those versed in spiritual matters, in order to put my conscience at rest about it. Wo shall see what answer the baron will give, and then we can speak.” He gave tho same reply to Father Don Matthias Corrado : “ I am not at liberty to do what I please, for my hands are tied. In caso I were to have to give up tho vineyard to tho baron, in return for tho equivalent indemnity of four hundred ducats, my conscience would become uneasy, for I should have interpreted Don Andrew’s wishes. If the project is ever likely to bo executed, I must consult both advocates and theologians, in order to see whether I can do it or not.” Things assumed a more and more gloomy as­ pect, and Alphonso wrote to Father Villani on the 18th of December, saying, “We are under­ going a great storm hero on account of this affair with Sarnelli. I have got the opinion of all the counsellors who were capable of deciding on this point, because I do not wish to decide alone as to the necessity of abandoning tho house at Iliceto, and of giving up tho vineyard, as we have spoken of doing in favour of tho baron. I repeat that tho circumstances are such as to make mo apprehend tho ruin of tho whole con­ gregation. One maxim is certain :—it is better to lose an arm than to risk tho loss of tho whole body. I have had prayers offered up in all di­ rections ; I have had masses said, and I know not what more to do. Pains have also been ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 427 taken to draw up petitions ; the Advocate Celano takes care to inform the ministers of tho state of things, but the danger is great and imminent.” As Father Villani was on a mission at this time, ho told him to recito an Avo Maria to tho people before tho sermon, with the view of obtaining tho Blessed Virgin’s protection in this critical conjuncture, and ho enjoined him to ask some monasteries to offer up tho same prayer for this intention. All tho houses of tho congregation shared in tho apprehensions which tormented that of Iliceto. In order to restore our courage and incite us all to confidence, he wrote to Father Don Francis of Paul at Frosinone, on tho 3rd of October, 1774, “ Let us behave as we ought, and Jesus Christ will protect us. This is of great importance, for if we commit faults God will abandon us. In any event we shall bo able to take refugo at St. Cecilia and at Benevento.” He referred to tho houses of Scifeli and St. Angelo de Cupoli. On tho 4th of Febru­ ary of the following year, 1775, he again wrote to the same father, saying, “ God, who made tho congregation, will know how to preservo it. but if wo commit faults, wo expose ourselves to tho risk of being turned out of our houses, which will then not fail to bo destroyed ; and then wo must return to that world which wo quitted with joy. Frequently set before all tho brothers the dangers in which wo are, in order that each of them may bo attentive in tho observance of the rule, and in obedience to tho superiors. V e are in tho hands of God and in continual risk 428 ST. ALPIIONSO LIQUORI. of being dispersed. Prayers alone can save us ; and that which makes mo tremble, is to hoar that faults aro committed amongst us.” Alphonso’s alarm increased as tho storm be­ came more violent. IIo wrote to Father Vil­ lani on tho 20th of March, 1775, as follows : “ I havo not received any tidings from Naples, whether for good or for evil, for several days. I havo been afraid of some other commotion de­ priving mo of my intellects, as I havo boon in danger of it lately, but thank God I am much better to-day. I am greatly alarmed at tho idea of tho possible suppression of our houses, and this thought is unceasingly present to my II mind. I havo not writton to any one, and I do not wish to do anything more of myself. Con­ sult together, and co II o and soo mo as soon as possible, for whom the case is once begun, our fato will bo speedily settled. Reflect on it all; our affairs aro in a very critical stato, for tho whole congregation is involved in this affair, and its fato will, it is bolioved, depend on tho sentence -which may bo given by tho judges. Wo havo a groat deal of trouble with N. N., who glories in trying to destroy us. Tho Mar­ quis of Tanucci inspires more fear than all tho rest, that is to say, if tho circumstances you aro aware of bo true ; so that it will not do to fall into a stato of fancied security, in tho midst of such imminent danger. Think it well over, consult over it together, and write to mo of all tho divers opinions which will bo delivered ; mako hasto and let mo know all 129 ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUOKI. about it before the court have delivered their sentence.” The famous advocate, Don Paul Sarnelli, who was a relation of tho baron’s, inter­ posed in our favour, with tho idea of being able to effect some amicable arrangement, but in vain. Tho baron, who believed himself sure of tho victory, wanted to enter into possession of tho property without being obliged to give an account of tho charitable intentions of his bro­ ther’s will. On seeing tho obstinacy of Sarnclli, divers bishops and magistrates, and in particular Mgr. Borgia, Mgr. San Severino the king’s confessor, and Mgr. Testa, tho grand almoner, Councillor Avena and tho president of the council Don Balthasar Cito, as well as many others, wished us to abandon ourselves into tho hands of God. Our members, and especially Father Villani, beg­ ged Alphonso to go and cast himself personally at tho feet of tho king. lie replied to them with a smile : “ What a figuro I should cut be­ fore tho king in my present state ! would he ii not take mo for a phantom, and order mo out of his presence ? My brothers, let us place our­ selves in God’s hands, and let us not trust in hu­ man moans, for tho congregation is a divino work, and not tho work of man, who is incapable of supporting it.” Our enemies succeeded in fixing tho opening of tho debates in tho royal court for tho 24th of December. But while they ondcavourod to move heaven and earth in order to injure us, Alphonso on his side did not neglect anything with God in order to obtain His mercy. k 430 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Tho celebration of masses, tho prayers of pious souls, alms—all was done in order to escape tho shipwreck, which so formidable a tempest threat­ ened. By his order the Blessed Sacrament was exposed in all tho houses, and tho Psalm Qui habitat was recited in common in tho church, together with an Ave to the Blessed Virgin for our persecutors. Another cause of trouble arose, which was un­ looked for. As we kept on tho defensive the attacks of the accusation were immediately ward­ ed off by our council. Ilis Lordship and all our fathers feared as to tho way in which tho august tribunal would receive tho objections of our ad­ versaries, and they on their side began to fear that all tho plot which they had contrived would bo broken, and that tho truth would thus bo manifested to the sight of tho wise councillors. They therefore thought of a fresh contrivance, and, who can believe it ? by means of a protector who supported them with tho ministers, they Lanaged so that the end of tho debate should not take place before the royal council ; and that the papers containing tho complaints and wrongs, or rather the calumnies of our adver­ saries, should pass through tho hands of the commissioner, Ferdinand do Leo, who was first to make himself acquainted with their contents, and then to make his report of them to the royal court. All Naples were astonished at such pro­ ceedings. There is no need for my repeating how much we dreaded fatal consequences from such a blow. Tho commissioner took * away all ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 431 hope from us ; for ho was an enemy to all new monasteries in tho kingdom as well as new in­ II stitutes, and indeed ho could scarcely bear the ancient ones. And from some things he had dropped, wo could already conjecturo how un­ favourable his report of us would be. But we shall speak of this in tho following book, in its proper place. As tho congregation was in imminent danger of being destroyed, Alphonso was advised to write to Naples in order to gain the patronage of a lady who had great influence with the procu­ rator; but as he entertained somo fears that God might bo displeased at it, he replied as follows to Father Maj one : “I will never do such a thing ; let the congregation be destroyed ra­ ther than become tho occasion for even the sha­ dow of any sin.” We have already said that ho recommended nothing but prayers, penance, and observance of rule in all tho houses. “That alone,” ho repeated, “and a very great confidence in Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin, can bo of assistance to us, and can draw down tho Divine mercy on us. I am also of opinion that human means are necessary; but tho shield of tho protection of God is that which is of most power in defending us from the blows of our enemies. Let us rest assured of this protection, at least unless wo render ourselves unworthy of it by our own fault.” Happily wo were looked on more favourably II by the ministry of grace and justice. Tho tears of the just are never shod in vain, and the Lord, b * : 432 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. who never permits them to bo persecuted except to show forth His mercy and His glory more brightly, also comforted Alphonso in the midst of these trying circumstances. The inhabitants of Girgonti had never ceased to petition for our return into Sicily, as wo have already soon. Tho Prince of Trabbia amongst others, who enjoyed tho king’s favour, which he had so justly merited, did not forgot to intercede for us with his ma­ jesty through tho medium of his brother tho bishop. Alphonso heard of these favourable dis­ positions in our regard in Sicily as early as in November ; he returned thanks for them to God. “ There is good news at Naples about the affairs of Girgenti,” he wrote to Father Villani, “ which have given mo great consolation, because a great deal of good has been done in that country, and still more will bo effected after this last tempest. Let God’s glory alone be before our eyes. May God’s will bo done, and then let us die if it bo necessary.” As tho king know tho purity of our intentions, and tho great good wo had done in so many parts of Sicily, he did not hesitate in giving a favourable hearing to all these repre­ sentations, and in permitting us to return to this island. Tho decree was made known by tho Marquis of Marco on the 3rd of December, 1774. Our enemies on seeing their wishes thus defeated put an end to their intrigues, and Alphonso, in concert with tho bishops, decided on tho return of tho II issionarios, whoso departure however did not take place until tho month of April, 1775. In order to render tho entrance of our fathers ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. into Girgenti as glorious as possible, Mgr. Lanza II wanted them to stop at Aragone, which was a place about three miles from tho town, and that they should bo there mot by a brilliant suite of carriages and a retinue of ecclesiastics and gen­ tlemen ; but our fathers did not approve of such display. However, although they did not an­ nounce tho time of their arrival, several car­ riages and persons of distinction camo to meet them. On arriving at Girgenti they wero received at tho gates of tho town by tho clergy and the citizens who wero perfectly delighted to see them. When Mgr. Lanza saw our fathers again, ho could not help exclaiming with tho holy old Simeon of tho Gospel, “Now dost Thou dismiss Thy servant, 0 Lord, according to Thy words in peace ; because mine eyes have seen Thy sal­ vation!” And on tho 23rd of this same month of May, this zealous prelate, so worthy of im­ mortal memory, fell asleep in the arms of tho II issionaries, that ho might go and enter into eternal rest, and receive from God in heaven the reward which ho had merited by his great solicitude and zeal, especially in regard to the work of tho missions. It is easy to imagine what sorrow wo, as well as Alphonso, felt for the loss of so worthy a pro­ tector, especially in tho circumstances in which wo wore placed. However, wo found another protector, and one no less full of zeal and lovo for our congregation, in his Eminence Cardinal Branciforti, who succeeded him in February of the following year, 1776. After this prelate we 28 434 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. II must not forgot to mention Don Dominic Spota, grand-chanter of tho cathedral, Don Liborius, canon of Amico, and Mgr. Papô, who was after­ wards Bishop of Mazzara, and at that time tho very estimable Dean of tho cathedral of Gir­ genti; all these persons were tho protectors of our houses in Sicily. CHAPTER LVI. II We have nearly reached the termination of Alphonso’s episcopate, but before wo speak of his farewell to his church, I think it right not to omit various particulars which manifest his zeal during his government. As tho clergy were the portion of his flock which ho held dearest, he was most anxious to make it edifying and worthy of tho sacred min­ istry. Ho followed St. Paul’s precept literally, and was instant in season and out of season, ho reproved, he entreated, ho threatened, without ever being wearied in bearing with them and in­ structing them. * Father Caputo thus describes tho conduct of this holy bishop : “ His Lordship’s first reproof was full of sweetness and humility; if ho saw no amendment ho gave a second repri­ mand of mingled sweetness and severity. If after this he found that the person was incorrigible, chastisement soon followed, and in such a case if * Insta opportune, importune: argue, obsecra; increpa in omni patientia et doctrina. 2 Timothy, iv. 2. ST. zVLPIIONSO LIGUORI. I 435 tho king and the Pope had wished to interpose II in his favour, they would have met with a refusal.” Amongst all the sins which were committed in his diocese, drunkenness and incontinence were those which he abhorred the most. “It was a great scandal in his eyes,” said the Archpriest Rainone, “ if an ecclesiastic entered into a cellar or a tavern in a country place even, but still more so if it happened in a town. Ho said that àho drunkard is not a man, but a brute ; that one can even expect more from the brute than from tho drunkard ; and he looked upon drunk­ enness as the source of the most infamous vices.” lie was not satisfied with imprisoning those who were addicted to it ; he also sent them for several months to one of our houses at Na­ ples, or to that of the fathers of the mission. He was not satisfied with an ecclesiastic who merely abstained from frequenting taverns and practised tho exorcises of meditation ; ho looked for no­ thing good from one who yielded to tho love of drink in private. This passion was in his eyes a complete dishonour to a minister of the Church, A priest of this description came to him one day at the commencement of his episcopate ; ho asked him who he was ,· the priest replied that ho was at the head of tho Annunziata. Alphonso who know him replied quickly, “No, you aro not at tho head, you have no head.” Ho then set the fatal effects of wine before his eyes, and reprimanded him with as much strength as sweetness. He was eager to see his clergy completely free from this vice, aud he not only 8' 436 ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. enjoined the episcopal vicars to bo vigilant, and to seize those who went to public-houses in tho very fact, but ho also charged the syndics of each village with the same office. Don Tho­ mas Briganti, a gentleman of Franca-Villa, a syndic and judge in tho territory of Real-Valle, informed him of several abuses of this kind which wore of no rare occurrence in this place, and received the following answer : “ I have read your excellent letter with great pleasure ; thank you for it ; and when you find any priests or other ecclesiastics in taverns of an evening, I beg that you will have the II conveyed to my house ; by this means they may bo amended.” In another letter to tho same person he said, ‘‘When tho officers have taken up any ecclesias­ tic, ploaso to let him be brought to St. Agatha, whore there are prisons.” This same gentle­ man wrote to me, that when his Lordship heard of a priest of Real-Valle, who was in the habit of frequenting public-houses, ho addressed tho most urgent entreaties to him in order to cause him to return to tho path of duty. As tho warning was unsuccessful, ho caused him to be imprisoned, and gave him up to the care of his grand-vicar. A priest of Frasso passed days and nights in taverns, abandoning himself to drunkenness in company with the lowest amongst tho populace ; and what is scarcely credible, ho never omitted to bo at tho altar every morning. Ono day when this miserable being was drunk, ho forgot himself so far as to lose respect towards tho ma­ gistrate, who shut him up in prison. Not satisfied / f ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. I 437 with this punishment, tho bishop pronounced a II sentence of interdiction against him for several months, and commanded him to remain in a religious house during that time. It Alphonso had an equal abomination for the vice of impurity. Ho was in the habit of say­ ing, that he saw no difference between a sow which wallows in the miro, and a man who is addicted to this sin. I have heard from Arch­ deacon Rainone, that all kinds of crimes, even that of homicide, found mercy from his Lord­ ship, who said on these sad occasions, “Do we know how he came to do that? We must have pity on tho unhappy man.” But when he heard of any act of licentiousness, especially if it concerned a priest or monk, he lost all rest, and pursued the culprit without mercy. How­ ever, he know how to make a distinction be­ tween frailty and malice. He compassionated II him who had made a false step through weak­ ness, but ho could not put up with him who was the voluntary and obstinato slave of passion. He had always salutary remedies at hand for the first, and did not recur to very severe measures with them ; his principal mode of causing them to think seriously was tho spiritual exercises. But when ho saw that the vice had taken root, he did not make any compromise, but used the strongest methods for destroying tho evil. Ono day ho said in an agitated tone to Don Nicholas Ranucci, tho chaplain at Naples, “If a priest H falls from grace, I must givo an account of it and as ho tried to tranquillise him, his Lordship replied in a feeling tone, “It is I, my dear 438 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Nicholas, and no ono else, who must render an account of it to God.” Don Agnello Sgambato, procurator of tho parish of St. Agnes, has told mo that Alphonso did not know what more to do in order to cure ono of these miserable men, so ho sent for him to speak to him, but before admit­ ting him, ho took care to placo his largo crucifix on the ground at tho entrance of his room. On u seeing this, tho wretched man was seized with terror and wanted to draw back. “No,” said his Lordship to him ; “ enter and trample it under­ foot, it would not perhaps bo tho first time.” IIo then gave free vent to tho ardour of his zoal, of his sin. Tho and set before him tho enor priest was full of confusion and repentance ; ho burst out sobbing, and promised to amend ; and the same Sgambato assured me that ho was as good as his word. When ho had exhausted mild measures in try­ ing to deliver some ecclesiastic from this pas­ sion in vain, his ordinary remedies were exile and suspension : exile in order to break through tho attachment, and suspension, to avenge tho dignity of tho sacred ministry. Alphonso had caused a priest of tho village of Luzzano to bo imprisoned on account of his scandalous conduct. Ho made him go through tho exercises of a retreat, without the unfortu­ nate being deriving tho least benefit from them ; tho bishop then sentenced him to exile for six years. Another on whom imprisonment and other chastisements had proved inefficacious, was obliged to undergo a banishment of ten years, and he died out of tho diocese. A third priest ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Ί 439 whom reiterated reprimands had not been able to extricate from his shameful passions, was put into prison, but he succeeded in escaping, and carried a large padlock off with him, which serv­ ed to fasten his prison door. On hearing of this flight, tho good bishop was not angry at this man having freed the diocese from so bad a priest, but he regretted the loss of tho padlock, which he was obliged to replace. This priest sentenced himself to a voluntary exile, and never returned to St. Agatha whilst Alphonso was its bishop. No personal considerations were able to move him when this shameful vice was in question, I will give an instance of the firmness with which he opposed it. There was a priest in a village in the neighbourhood of St. Agatha who lived in open sin : Alphonso immediately resolved to deprive him of his parish, and to strike a blow by which all tho clergy might profit. “Quis custodit custodem?”* said he on this occasion. Ho would have done it without showing any II mercy ; but some prudent people represented to him, that ho would increase tho evil by a public punishment. This argument did not convince tho prelate, and ho remained inflexible, when at length tho priest became alarmed, and came to him giving proofs of repentance and amend­ ment, by which means ho obtained forgiveness, although with difficulty ; ho proved that ho was worthy of it, however, by his after conduct, and his example produced the most salutary effects. " Who can keep the keeper?” 440 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. Tho rigorous bishop had recourse to tho secu­ lar power in regard to priests who wore thus depraved, that is to say, if those who were its depositaries wore prudent persons and feared God. “Ho frequently counselled mo to exer­ cise constant watchfulness,” said tho syndic Briganti, “in order to prevent any priest from ren­ dering himself guilty of any action unworthy of tho holy n inistry. Above all, ho advised mo to bo most zealous in hindering any ono from hav­ ing any suspicious connexions; and when I told him what I had done in order to put a stop to profligacy, his reply showed how much satisfac­ tion it had given him. Those who H I thus suc­ ceeded in thwarting or hindering in their dis­ sipation were not few in number, and this ser­ vant of God always let mo seo how much ho was pleased with my conduct.” If ho could punish them and obtain tho mastery over them more surely by it, ho never stopped short at any expense, as tho grand-vicar Rubini has testified. Ho had several commissioners in his service for this purpose, and ho also mado uso of soldiers, to whom ho gave largo recompenses. Brother Francis Anthony has related that each imprisonment cost him five or six ducats. By moans of this severity, ho struck terror into the hearts of all bad priests, and whether through a lovo for virtue, or through tho fear of punish­ ment, sin either disappeared or hid itself in obscurity. While ho was on a mission at Arienzo, ho was informed that a priest of la Cerra frequent­ ed a dangerous house; ho immediately hasten- ST. ALPHONSO ticuoni. < f 411 ed to order tho soldiers to seize him during tho night, and ho caused him to bo conducted to his bishop under a strong guard. IIo who was onco exiled for such a cause could never more hope for his favour. There was a priest whom ho had forbidden to frequent a certain village, who had business which com­ pelled him to return to it ; Alphonso granted him leave to go there for ten days, but on find­ ing that ho exceeded this period, and that he frequented a suspicious house, he immediately wrote to tho episcopal vicar, on the 23rd of February, 1775 : “ Let this priest know that ho must set out instantly,” said ho, “or I will send people to imprison him ; tell me if ho obeys.” This wretched man wished to take advantage of an amnesty, which had been issued by tho king. “ This pardon is not applicable H to him,” wrote his Lordship. “He must there­ fore either go away of his own accord, or I will prosecute him by virtue of a warrant I have ob­ tained against him.” His severity in regard to tho refractory was so well known, that it soon was a commonly received opinion in tho dioceso, that if ono of these dissolute priests had begun to bo an object of tho bishop’s watchful obser­ vation, there was no further chance of rest for him unless ho gave clear proofs of amendment. At times, however, tho prolato seemed resolved to leave things alono ; but it . soon became noticed that this was a fatal omen for those who wore the objects of this toleration. On his first visit to Frasso he met with a priest of bad character ; he warned him in a paternal 442 ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI. manner, but when ho saw that ho fell back into sin again, ho had him shut up in tho prisons of St. Agatha : even after this chastisement, tho miserable creaturo did not amend : “ Let him alone,” he said to tho episcopal vicar, “ God’s justice will reach him.” Ho was carried off by sudden death some time afterwards, although ho was in the prime of life. Even when ho exercised tho greatest severity his Lordship never lost sight of tho spirit of charity, and while ho gave free course to his zeal, ho did not forget tho mercy which should animato tho Christian. A priest who had been sentenced by the chapter to pay a fine of four ducats, stated to him what trouble he had gone through in coming to St. Agatha, as well as II what expenses this sojourn away from his homo had occasioned him, and begged him to release him from the fine of four ducats ; his Lordship II twenty carlines, and told him to givo gave him tho balance to tho poor. When tho priest had gone Father Buonapane, who had been present, disapproved of what Alphonso had done, and II said that it would have been better to make him pay tho whole fine and givo it to tho poor : “It is necessary to punish tho guilty,” his Lord­ ship answered him, “ but they should be dismissed with mildness, in order to bo able to correct them tho bettor.” His commiseration was increased if sin were united to misery ; in these cases it was not tho fine, but amendment which ho sought; ho oven sometimes gave money to them. Ho onco sent for a priest of the village of Cervino, whose con­ ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. 443 duct scandalised the inhabitants ; ho kept him for a fortnight in his palace, after which he sent him to our house at St. Angelo at his own expense. Λ poor priest of the village of Forchia was also kept for a long while in the house at Ciorani, and supported at the cost of the bishop. Tho same course was pursued towards a great many others. In certain ecclesiastical tribunals, when a II priest is degraded and sentenced to banishment, II II his poverty does not exempt him from being de­ prived of his dues ; but he preserves the power of saying mass, as if such an one were not to­ tally unworthy to ascend tho steps of the altar. The bishop of St. Agatha, on the contrary, forbade them to celebrate the holy sacrifice, but in order to compensate for the loss of their fees, he granted them an adequate indemnification out of his revenue ; and when, after the lapse of a H certain time, ho thought them in a right state of mind again ho sent them their pardon. Don Joseph Sparano, a canon of the cathedral at Naples, could not help greatly admiring such zeal and charity, and expresses himself thus re­ garding it : “ Such disinterestedness is truly singular, and perhaps not to bo met with in any other modern bishop.” Canon Verzella told me that two of theso priests who were suspended and banished out of the diocese, received ninepence a day for their maintenance from Al­ phonso. This assistance was bestowed on them on account of their poverty. A priest who had once already suffered impri­ sonment, was again condemned to exile, and 441 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. complained of such rigour. “My son,” said Al­ phonso to him, “ havo I then acted thus through anger? You have yourself constrained me to it. Amend, and then take my life’s blood if you will ; I am ready to do anything for you.” Ho frequently forgot his character as judge, and became the advocate for tho guilty. Ono of the; II had been incarcerated for a considerable time, and tho grand-vicar wanted to prolong his deten­ tion. Tho bishop was moved with compassion towards him ; ho himself asked that ho should bo set free, and that tho length of his sojourn in prison should bo taken into consideration. His inflexibility towards those who remained obstinate in their sin, changed into mercy, when ho saw that they repented. He had an admi­ rable degree of charity for those whom ho had reproved and who gave proof of real amendment. Father Caputo affirmed tho same thing. Ho re­ ceived them to his arms with all tho tenderness of a father, and forgetting their misconduct never spoke to them more of tho sorrow they had caused him. A person was led by envy to denounce a priest of Mojano to the king and tho bishop of St. Ag­ atha, accusing him amongst other crimes of crû II inal intercourse with a lady of rank ; when tho unfortunate man found himself thus pur­ sued, and being conscious of not being irre­ proachable, ho began to think seriously ; ho went to his Lordship, humbled himself before him, confessed his fault, and promised II to cor rect it. Alphonso was so pleased at this that ho not only put an end to all proceedings against ST. alphonso liguori. 445 him in the ecclesiastical court, but he undertook to defend him before the king ; and not even thinking this enough, he sent for his accuser, and succeeded in softening his severity and reconciled him with tho priest. This latter was constant in his good resolutions, and his Lordship never ceas­ ed to look on him with kindness. lie heard that a priest belonging to a noble and most distinguished family, lived in a scanda­ H lous way ; ho scut three times for him, but he did not deign to give any satisfaction. When Alphonso saw his obstinacy, he ordered his grand­ vicar to prepare the cause, and told his secreta­ ry that should this priest come to speak to him It at a future period, ho must not show him in to him, but send him to tho grand-vicar. Some time afterwards the culprit heard what was being dono in his regard, and not being able to bear to see his name figuring in the courts of justice, ho got into his carriage and proceeded to his Lordship with all possible expedition. On finding that ho was refused admittance to Al­ phonso, ho made tho antechamber resound with his vociferations. Ilis Lordship was at the time making his meditation in bed, where ho was con­ fined by illness ; not knowing from whence all the noise proceeded, he sent for his secretary, in order to tell him to take care and havo silence kept, but at the same moment tho priest entered after the secretary ; his Lordship on seeing him imme­ diately told him to go to his grand-vicar, but tho gentleman fell on his knees at tho foot of his bed. “ I do not know the vicar Rubini, “ ho said to him, “but I acknowledge Mgr. Liguori II 446 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. as my father.” At these words Alphonso became affected. “My son,” ho said to him, “I sent for you and you did not como ; I was obliged to placo you in the arms of justice ; you know what scandal you have given.” Tho culprit was ashamed, and began to shed tears. “It is true,” said he, “that I made this acquaintance eight months ago ; I have done wrong, and I confess II it ; I have fallen three times, and I should have done so oftener still had I had tho opportunity. There is my confession ; now do whatever you II please with mo. ” “Since you acknowledge your fault,” said Alphonso to him, “and confess the truth to mo, I leave you to choose your penance yourself.” So much goodness completed tho priest’s confusion, who answered with sobs, “ I choose the house at St. Angelo de Cupoli for my place of retirement, and only when God tells it mo that He has forgiven mo then only will I de­ part from it.” His Lordship on seeing that his repentance was sincero, sent for tho papers con­ nected with his suit, and said to him while tear­ ing them, “ My son, may God do tho samo in heaven.” Father Caputo, tho priest Don Francis Ferrara and tho priest Don Clement Crisci, who were present, were all three filled with admira * tion at such excessive charity. Tho priest went II to St. Angelo, ho remained there for a month, and was afterwards a subject of edification to all his country. Impurity and drunkenness wero tho two vicos of which his Lord ship had tho greatest horror ; but ho was equally an enemy to every other sort of irregularity on the part of his priests, in whom ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI, 447 tho slightest fault was a considerable sin in his eyes. Thus ho severely reprimanded a priest II who went out to buy something in the public square, being negligently dressed in the clothes ho had had on in his house. On another occa­ sion again, it was in tho October of 1768, when tho bishop was ill, a priest of Airola took a part in tho representation of a play. Alphonso or­ H dered him to go to his grand-vicar at St. Aga­ tha, but tho culprit suspected what was the cause of this, and not only did not obey, II but even acted a second time. Ho relied very much on tho protection of the prince, in whoso palaeo tho play was performed. His Lordship, whoso sufferings did not put a stop to his zeal, had tho princo spoken to, and told fro: II II him, “This sort of thing cannot bo tolerated. H This priest has deserved a severe punishment on account of tho scandal he has given by ap­ pearing on tho stage in tho evening, and at the altar in the morning ; however as the comedy took place in your Excellency’s palace, I have wished to inform you before inflicting punish­ ment, on account of tho respect I feel for you, with tho assurance that your piety would not wish such an abuso to remain unpunished.” It was with difficulty that ho consented that tho ponanco should only bo tho interdiction of saying II ass for fifteen days, and ho ordered that during that timo tho suspended priest should be in re­ II tirement at St. Agatha. His Lordship was not ignorant of tho transgres­ sions which aro committed under cover of dis­ tance, when people believe themselves sheltered 448 ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI. from all inspoction, so ho took caro to bo in­ formed as to tho conduct of tho priests, not only of his own diocese, but also as to those who were in tho villages or adjacent estates. Thus in order to know what they did in tho country of Paolisi, ho had recourse to tho archpriest Gallo, as well as to tho parish priests of Maddalon, of Caserto, of la Cerra, of Correto and elsewhere. On tho culprits finding themselves thus reproved without being able to discover how Alphonso had been informed as to their conduct, they exclaimed, “ It is either an angel or a devil who betrays us and tells him of every­ thing!” “By this indefatigable zeal,” said Canon Ru­ bini, “and by the assistance of Divine grace, His Lordship succeeded in doing away with a groat number of scandals amongst tho priests of tho diocese, and he insensibly worked a sea­ sonable reform among the clergy.” Λ gentle­ man of Maddalon on hearing that his Lordship was seriously ill and in danger of death, replied to those who announced these sad things to him, “ St. Agatha will lose a great deal if Mgr. Liguori dies. Who cannot see what regularity his zeal has succeeded in establishing amongst so many priests who formerly lived in a state of the most deplorable licentiousness ?” lucu ARDSON AND SON, DERBY