Saints an» Servants of <5oO.
THE

LIFE
OF

S. ALPHONSO ΜΑΡΙΑ DE LIGUORI,
BISHOP OF ST. AGATHA OF THE GOTHS,
AND FOUNDER OF THE CONGREGATION OF ΤΠΕ MOST HOLY

REDEEMER.

"Gaude Maria Virgo, cunctas hæreses sola interemisti in
universo mundo."—Antiph. Ecclesia.
PERMISSU SUPERIORUM.

VOL. V.

LONDON :
THOMAS BAKER,
1, SOHO SQUARE.
M. DCCC. XLIX.

We hereby approve of this Series of
Lives of the Canonized Saints and Servants
of God, and recommend it to the faithful of
our District, as likely to promote the glory
of God, the increase of devotion, and the
spread of our holy Religion.
Given at Birmingham, this 29th day
of October, 1847.

TO

THE REGULAR CLERGY
OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ENGLAND
THE CHILDREN’
OF

ST. BENEDICT

ST. BERNARD

AND

ST. DOMINICK AND ST. FRANCIS
AND THE SONS

OF ΤΠΕ HOLY IGNATIUS
THE GREAT MASTER OF ΤΠΕ SPIRITUAL LIFE

AND THE NURSING-FATHER OF SAINTS AND MARTYRS

WHO
IN THE STRAITNESS AND NEGLECT

THEIR

OF

UNHONOURED

CLOISTERS

OR THE CHEERLESS SOLITUDE
OF THEIR HIRED LODGING
HAVE 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.

I

•λ

advertisement.
The Lives of the Companions of St.
Alphonso Liguori are in the press, and
will be published on the 24th of August.
The Oratory, London,
Feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel, 1849.

CONTENTS.

BOOK IV. CONTINUED.
CHAPTER

PAGE

XXIII. Alphonso strives to get his rule approved by
the king............................................ 1
XXIV. The congregation rise up against Father Majone 11
XXV. Alphonso convokes a general assembly. He is
overwhelmed by grief.......................... 21
XXVI. The procurator calumniates Alphonso to the
Sovereign Pontiff Pius VI., and plunges him
into the most cruel difficulties
-29
XXVII. The houses in the kingdom fall under the Pope’s
displeasure, who appoints another superior
for the houses in the states -37
XXVIII. Alphonso submits to the superior of the houses
in the states. He labours to regain the Pope’s
favour in vain............................... 44
XXIX. Alphonso obtains leave from the Pope to take
the oaths of poverty, life in community, and
perseverance. Opposition of the procurator
at Rome
------- 56
XXX. Fresh attempts at conciliation always opposed
by the procurator............................................ -65
XXXI. Pius VI. establishes a house of the missionaries
at Rome. Fresh foundations at Gubbio and
Foligni. Generous sentiments of Alphonso
74
XXXII. Alphonso partially regains the favour of the
Holy Father. He is justified befbre the king
from the accusations of the procurator-advo­
cate
-........................... --82
XXXIII. Beautiful sentiments of Alphonso during his
affiiction. Unhappy end of the father-procu­
rator
................................................ 96
XXXIV. Alphonso’s sentiments and mode of life during
his latter years............................ 107
XXXV. Alphonso is assailed by scruples and tempta­
tions
-------- 124

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER

PAGE

XXXVI. Alphonso is tormented by phantoms and dia­
bolical illusions. God consoles and favours
him
-..................................... 132
XXXVII. Decay of Alphonso’s bodily strength. His con­
stancy in the practice of virtue .
- 143
XXXVIII. Farther particulars of Alphonso’s virtues
- 153
XXXIX. Alphonso’s presence of mind, and divers pro­
phecies which he made at the end of his life - 164
XL. Alphonso foretells his death. Virtues which
he exhibited during his last infirmity - 171
XLI. ïVphonso’s last moments and precious death - 186
XL1I. Alphonso’s obsequies, which were accompanied
with divers miracles
200
XLIII. Solemnisation of Alphonso’s obsequies in the
cathedral at Nocera and in our houses. Fresh
miracles wrought by his intercession - 213
XLIV. Celebration of Alphonso’s funeral rites in other
parts of the kingdom....................... 222
XLV. Testimonials of Alphonso’s sanctity which are
given by persons of the highest distinction
immediately after his death 229
XLVI. Reputation for sanctity and learning which
Alphonso obtained in the kingdom of Naples 236
XLVII. Alphonso’s prodigious renown in foreign parts 248
XLVIII. Profound respect entertained towards the relics
of this servant of God...................................... 265
XLIX. Miracles worked by Alphonso’s intercession
after death........................................ 273

SUPPLEMENT.
L.
LI.
LIL
LIII.

LIV.

Notice>to the reader..................................... 291
Ou the beatification of the Blessed Alphonso - 291
On the canonization of St. Alphonso Maria de
Liguori...................................................... 303
Bull of the canonization of St. Alphonso - 319
Neapolitan fête in honour of St. Alphonso
Maria de Liguori, and on the election of St.
Alphonso as the patron of the town of Naples 340
Catalogue of the principal works of St. Al­
phonso, and the years of their publication · 352

THE LIFE
OF

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

BOOK IV. CONTINUED.

CHAPTER XXIII.
Alphonso did not remain in the hands of the
Lord as a statuo fashioned in a mould, but as
one of those living stones which must bo per­
fected by the stroke of the chisel. When ho
at length saw his congregation justified fro: II
the calumnies of his enemies, he was in his
eighty-third year, and it seemed as if he might
finish his long career in peace ; but a fresh
H
storm
soon approached and caused him the
greatest anguish. As the devil, could not gain
the victory by besieging its walls, ho sought to
stir up treason within in order to cause it to bo
ruined through itself.
Our rule was confirmed by the Pope, but it
had not been sanctioned by the government,
and it was a stumbling-block to all our enoII ics, as wo havo already seen.
When through
the decree of tho 24th of August, 1779, the
1

VOL. v.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGVOHI,

royal approbation had been obtained on di­
vers points, it was thought to bo a favourable
moment to ask for a general approbation
which might at length put an end to all tho
attempts of our enemies, Tho plan was a very
agreeable one to Alphonso. Ho however wished
to act with prudence, and that tho opinion of
wiso and enlightened men should bo taken on
the subject.
Mgr. Testa, tho grand-almoner, was spoken
to, and he did not hesitate to promise his
protection, provided tho rule were transcribed,
and that tho part which was opposed to tho
royal decrees regarding the acquisitions and the
rentals of the houses wore left out. When all
was thus arranged, tho affair was entrusted to
Father D. Angelo Majono, one of tho advisersgeneral, who had hitherto acquitted himself in
his post very well, and who was in tho habit
of frequenting tho tribunals and tho courts with
reference to tho interests of tho congregation.
Alphonso was jealously anxious about tho pre­
servation of tho integrity of the rule, and seve­
ral times protested that ho would not permit any
change to bo made in it, except that he would
agree to pass over in silence what referred to tho
acquisitions forbidden by tho king. It was an
undertaking which must obviously again excite
the indignation of our enemies, and Father Ma­
jono did not appear to bo without fear regard­
ing it. “If opposition bo made,” said he, “and
if we receive a refusal from the king, it will
be a blow wo shall always feel, especially if tho

ST. ALPHONSO LIG GORI.

3

thing becomes known, which seems to me in­
evitable, unless the whole matter remains as a
secret between the consultors.” From these
reasons, Alphonso and the other members of
the council, were all persuaded to take an oath
to preserve secrecy in regard to all that II ight
bo done in tho course of this affair. But Fa­
ther Maj one was not faithful. This good father
wanted to bo wiser than Alphonso and than the
Holy Seo itself. Ho and the consultor who had
been associated with him at Naples, and who
was imbued with a similar spirit of innova­
tion, made tho most arbitrary changes in tho
rule, adding to it, modifying or abridging it,
entirely according to their own fancy. Not­
withstanding the precautions of Father Majono
in keeping tho things so secret, this very cir­
cumspection was not long of creating suspi­
cions as to his intentions. A report became
current amongst us that innovations were going
to bo made in tho rule, and general alarm en­
sued. Protestations were addressed to Alphonso
expressive of fear, and of their wish not to have
tho rule altered. Tho poor old man, who had
no reason to suspect any treachery of tho kind,
endeavoured to reassure every one. "‘My dear
Father D. Anthony,” ho wrote to mo at Iliceto,
“not only you, but others also have informed
mo that it is wished to alter the rule. This
is not true, certain things are being done, but
they will not be of tho least injury to tho rule;
bo pacified and pacify the others also ; it is all
false, falso, falso.”

ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI.

Ά 1

On the 4th of September, 1779, ho also wrote
to Father Corrado, at tho house at Ciorani,
“My dear D. Bartholomew, I have heard that
there are some who manifest fear lest I should
make new rules differing from the former one.
How can any one have been able to conceive
such a suspicion, as all must know that I have
always been most jealously careful in preserving that rule intact, according to which I have
always governed tho Congregation ? Until my
last breath I will always employ all my strength
to prevent its sustaining the slightest alteration.”
In another letter of the 15 th of December
to the same father, ho said to him, I have
received your letter, and I have weighed all
its words. I hope that you do not suspect
mo of deceiving you, of lying, or of being so
weak as to allow tho least change to be made
in tho rule. I will say no more than this ;
if after that I am not believed, what do you
wish me to do ? I accept it all for my sins.
It is a great sorrow to me to hear all these
things, for I see that these are the devices of
the devil to make us remain in disquiet. I
repeat to you, on my conscience, that you may
rest assured that nothing is being done against
the rule or against its general observance. If
after this you will not believe me, there is
nothing left but to have patience!” He gave
the same answer to the other houses, not
doubting that Father Majonc and his colleague
would faithfully execute what had been agreed
on.

ST. ALPHONSO LIG LORI.

J

There wore some, amongst whom I was one,
who wrote to Father Majone himself, to de­
mand an explanation ; but ho did not hesitate
to deny everything, and boldly to reply, that
what was being done at Naples was not at all
relating to the rule and constitutions. But as
he was afraid his plans were seen through, he
wrote to Alphonso on the 22nd of August, say­
ing, “ The want of caution which has been ex­
ercised in this aflair, has endangered its success,
and has excited tho persecution of the whole
congregation against me, by whom my conduct
and intentions have become suspected, so that
some have gone so far as to write mo unbe­
coming letters full of menaces. I have been
obliged to dissimulate, but I keep their letters
that I may obtain satisfaction when the time
for it arrives. You see, therefore, that prudence
and discretion are absolutely necessary.” Nev­
ertheless, as it became known that some inno­
vation as to poverty and life in community was
in question, unceasing protests were addressed
to him and to his Lordship. The poor old man
persisted in believing in his sincerity, and as­
sured us all that there was nothing to fear :
“I assure you,” he one day said, taking the lit­
tle cross he wore on his breast iu his hand,
“that nothing is being done against the rule ;
what is to be retrenched only relates to the ac­
quisitions, because the king does not choose to
have the H and we must obey him.”
So many appeals, however, aroused the atten­
tion of Alphonso ; iu order to become more fully

G

ST. ALPIIONSO LIQUORI.

acquainted with the real state of tho case, ho
wrote to Father Majone : “ You have informed
me that our fathers tease you by a thousand
suspicions as to your proceedings, and you tell
me to dispel them, but you do not say what it
is of which they suspect you. If it relates to
the matter which we agreed upon, I say that
the things are to go on as before settled, but
if it refers to anything else, I cannot say any­
thing about it.”
Alphonso plainly told him that somo innovation
in regard to poverty and life in community was
suspected : “ As for what you say to mo touching
life in community,” Majone replied to him, “to
wish to do away with this regulation, would bo
to wish to destroy tho congregation. I hope that
Divine Providence will punish all those who thus
spread discord, and that Ho will expel them to a
distance from us rather than let tho congregation
be destroyed.” It was by means of these am­
biguous answers, that this perfidious man reas­
sured Alphonso as to his conduct.
His intrigues did not end here. In tho month
of September he camo to Nocera, and with au­
dacious effrontery, ho presented tho regulations
ho had made to Alphonso, assuring him that
with tho exception of what related to tho acquisi­
tions, all tho rest was in conformity to tho rule.
Tho poor old man could not read it himself, as
the writing was small and illegible, and covered
with erasures and interlinings, so he gave it to
Father Villani to bo examined with care. He
was much surprised at seeing that tho vows had

ST. ALPHONSO LTGUORT.

7

been done away with, and that holy poverty had
also been injured. “The king does not wish
to have vows,” Majone said to him, “because
they would make us semi-regulars. Besides,”
ho added, “ it is not for us to make the laws ;
wo must receive them from his Lordship the
almoner ; and if some slight changes must be
made in order to obtain the approbation of the
rule, it matters little.”
As Father Majone was of a violent and over­
bearing temper, Father Villani had not the cour­
age to oppose cither him or his colleague ; he
therefore went to Alphonso, and fearing to over­
come him by revealing such sad tidings to him,
ho told him that all was going on well ; and his
Lordship believed this, and became tranquil, in
tho expectation of a happy termination.
Father Majone returned to Naples, and there
consummated tho work of iniquity, and on the
2nd of January. 1780, he wrote to Alphonso with
inexplicable boldness, saying, “ If any one exam­
ines tho rule, and says that ho will not observe
it except as it was formerly, you can boldly reply
to him, that when anything is proposed to bo
observed which is not prescribed in tho royal
decrees and in tho rule, he need not observe it.”
Then, in order to justify himself with regard
to tho obscurity of his letters, of which Alphonso
had complained, ho adds, “As your Lordship
cannot read, I am afraid lest that my letters
may bo read by others, which is tho reason why
I am cautious in writing to you.” Thus after
having asked for secrecy that ho might be able

ST. ALPHONSO L1GUORI.

to act with security, lie made use of this same
wish for secrecy to justify the ambiguity of his
answers.
Alphonso being thus reassured, and especially
by what Father Villani had said, no longer doubt­
ed that the mistrust felt by his subjects was the
work of the devil. He was not however without
uneasiness in regard to a clause in the decree
of the 21st of August, 1779, by which the mem­
bers of the congregation were at liberty to
abandon it at pleasure, and freely to return tq
their homes. In order to dispel his uneasiness
on a point on which ho said the existence of
the congregation depended, ho wrote to Father
Majono to represent to his Lordship the almoner
in his name, that such a contract between the
congregation and the subject was not equitable.
“If,” said he, “the congregation binds itself
to maintain tho subject, to instruct him, and
to provido him with all that ho requires, it is
not just that the subject should bo at liberty
to abandon it, and to deprive it of tho benefit
of his labours ; this is contrary to all equity,
for whilst tho congregation cannot dismiss a
subject without a valid reason for so doing, the
subject on his side, ought also to have a legiti­
II
mate
reason for quitting tho congregation. Such
liberty,” ho added, “is contrary to tho intention
of the king, who wishes the work of tho mission
to be continued and maintained in fervour, and
this cannot be done without this reasonable
contract.”
This recommendation, which was several timos

ST. ALPHONSO LTGUORI.

9

renewed, was not agreeable to Father Majone,
who had quite different ideas in his head ; and
in order to get out of the difficulty he said that
there was no longer time to do anything. “ I
flatter myself,” he wrote, “that the affair is
already on the eve of being completed : in limine
expeditionis, so that we have now nothing more
to do.”
Amidst these disquietudes, Alphonso was dis­
tressed at the extreme poverty to which the two
houses in the Pontifical States were reduced,
and especially that of Frosinone. “I am in
such an embarrassing position,” he wrote to
Father Majone, “that I am nearly bewildered
by it. The rector at Frosinone has written to
me, that he thinks of coming here because he
does not know how to maintain his companions.
I have this morning sent the four services I had
to be sold, but what is that to supply for such
numerous wants ? I had thought of leaving
off chocolate and disposing of my carriage ; but
if I do not go out any more to breathe the air as
I have hitherto done, I fear I shall accelerate my
death. If your Reverence could find any one
v’ho wrould advance half my pension for this year
I might be able to assist them a little ; but I
know not to whom to apply. What I receive
from tho college of doctors is far from sufficient,
and your Reverence is also impoverished by all
the expenses which the négociations at Naples
have occasioned. All these reflections quite stupify me, and I remain as if I were stunned, not
knowing on what to resolve. I will conclude,

10

ST. ALHIONSO LIGUORI.

that I may not become still more distressed. I
entreat you to send mo the money for the ser­
vices in notes, that I may send it to Frosinone,
for 1 am afraid of seeing the rector and all his
companions arrive hero, which might overthrow
their house. I bless you, and concludo ; for I
cannot say more.”
Such was Alphonso’s solicitude for the houses
in the States. But let us return to those of the
kingdom. On the 1st of January, 1780, tho
affair was proposed to the royal council. Fa­
ther Majone did not find it difficult to obtain
all that he wished ; the favour of the king, and
the venerated name of Alphonso, of which he
made use, smoothed all before him. As they
were ignorant of his deceitfulness, Mgr. Testa,
the grand-almoner, the Marquis of Mario, and
all the council of state, entered willingly into
what they thought would bo agreeable to our
aged saint ; the Marquis of Tanucci, however,
on hearing that the missionaries could not have
anything to do with treaties of marriage nor
other contracts, wisely wished that it should
be added, “nor with wills.” But Father Majono showed that Mgr. Liguori had also thought
of this, and that it was only through an over­
sight of the transcriber.
Tho king most graciously gave his approba­
tion, but the marquis was not satisfied with tho
answer of Father Majone, and in a letter of
tho 22nd of the same month to the grand-almo­
ner, whilst he informed him of the king’s con­
sent, ho took care to add that tho intention of

ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI.

11

his Majesty was that the missionaries should
not take any part in wills. On the 19th of
February, the grand-almoner informed the king
of tho insertion of this clause. The whole being
thus settled, Father Majone, in order to con­
firm his work, managed that two copies of the
said regulations should be sent to the office of
the ministry, by royal authority, one of which
was intended for the procurator-general, and the
other for the royal council.

CHAPTER XXIV.
On tho 27th of February, 1780, on the third
Sunday in Lent, the mutilated rule reached
Noccra, accompanied by an official letter from
the grand - almoner. Father Majone did not
bring it in person, as ho was afraid of the
consequences which ho foresaw would happen,
but ho sent it by Father Don Gaspar Cajone,
who was also a consultor. This latter arrived
at tho time of tho siesta after dinner ; as soon
as this became known, tho impatient subjects
awakened one another, and tho whole house was
in a stato of anxiety ; they wont together to
awaken Father Villani, (who was vicar-general
and superior,) and Father Marrini. They did
not then open tho papers, because Alphonse
was too ill for it. In tho evening tho fathers
went to speak to him, and his Lordship said

12

ST, ALPIIONSO LIGUORT.

to them in quite a joyous tone, “ On Good
Friday wo shall receive the rule after it has
been approved, and we shall offer it up to Jesus
Christ in sacrifice.” “We will do so,” wTas the
reply, “after wo have road it and weighed its
contents.” The same evening the fathers man­
aged so well, that before Father Villani went
to bed, they got the statutes into their hands.
No one went to bed, but the sheets of the re­
gulations were divided amongst us in order to
copy them. Ere day-break they went to awaken
Alphonso to tell him of the havock that had
been made in the rule and to ask for justice.
At these tidings the poor old man was in the
greatest distress ; he asked for the fatal pages,
he looked over them with his failing eyes, and
in sorrow of soul, he exclaimed, “ It cannot be,
it cannot be!” then turning to Father Villani,
he said to him, “Don Andrew, I did not ex­
pect such deception from you.” ile then addressed the community, and said, “I deserve to
be dragged at a horse’s tail, for I ought to
read everything myself as I am superior.’’ He
then turned himself to the crucifix with his
eyes bathed in tears, and exclaimed, “My Jesus,
pardon me, I trusted to my confessor ; on whom
could I have bettor reposed confidence? You
know,” said he, addressing the community again,
“how much it costs me to read even a line;”
ho then gave way to his tears, “ I have been
deceived,” he said with sobs ; and he then was
silent.
He passed the whole morning in profound

ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI,

13

silence, and in such a state of dejection, that
sorrow seemed to have quite overpowered him ;
ho would hardly consent to take any nourish­
ment, and what ho had ho mingled with his
tears. “Ah, Lord,” he repeated, “punish not
the innocent, but punish the guilty one who
has destroyed Thy work.” His heart was trans­
fixed with tho most poignant anguish ; he no
longer slept and his life was soon in danger.
Not knowing on what to resolve to do, the
poor old man was constantly sending first for
ono subject then for another, in order to obtain
tho assistance of their advice. He sent for me
from Iliceto. On the 10th of March bo wrote
to Father Corrado who was then at Naples :
“ My dear D. Bartholomew, I am in danger of
becoming delirious, for I find that the new re­
gulations made by Maj one are quite contrary
to my opinion. Tho young men here are cla­
morous about it. I entreat you to leave every­
thing, and to come and see mo if you do not
wish mo to lose my senses and to die of grief.”
Λ company of our fathers returned from Cala­
bria where they had boon on a mission, and vi­
sited Alphonso ; as soon as Alphonso saw them,
ho said to them weeping, “They have spoilt the
rule.”
On hearing that Father D. Gaspar Cajono, ono
of tho consultors-general, and at that time tho
superior at Benevento, had had a secret under­
standing with Father Maj one, ho wrote to him
on tho 7th of April: “I much wish your Reve­
rence would carefully examine tho things which

14

ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI.

Father Majono has changed
ho then drew
a parallel between the regulations and the
rule, and added, “Our rule was examined at
first by Mgr. Falioja, who is a holy man and
has wrought miracles, it was afterwards revised
by Cardinal Spinelli, and finally approved by
Benedict XIV. ; and now it is entirely spoiled
and changed. I cannot think who can bo bold
enough to prefer the present regulations. It is
not the king who has done it, nor his minister;
it is the work of Father Majono. Ho may have
had a good intention, but I cannot call a change
of this sort the work of God. As for me, I am
on tho borders of death; I am eighty-four years
of age, tho time I have to live is then but
short, and my chief desire is to dio at the feet
of Jesus crucified.”
Father Majono on seeing what opposition ho
met with, put on a semblance of zeal, and
feigning to pity Alphonse, he represented tho poor
old man to the grand-almoner as sinking un­
der affliction in the midst of rebellious sub­
jects. Tho latter therefore immediately intimated
to the Congregation in an official letter of March
1st, 1780, an order to follow the new regula­
tions in every particular. This letter was
couched in tho most imperious terms, and was,
as was afterwards discovered, tho work of Fa­
ther Majono. Tho following was its conclusion :
“Your Lordship, as founder and superior-gene­
ral of tho Congregation, must inform each
member in my name, that this regulation must
be put in force, from this time, without any

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

15

alteration or retrenchment whatsoever, for it is
now the only rule, and is binding in all its
parts on all the members of the Congregation
present and future, on superiors, priests, stu­
dents, or lay-brothers, without any room for
reply or opposition.”
It can bo imagined how this letter served to
increase the flames which burst forth in all
the houses. Whilst Alphonso endeavoured to
allay it, ho did not wish for tho death of Father
Maj one, who was tho cause of all these evils ;
but rather that ho should be converted and
dwell always amongst his children. Ho wept
on seeing everyone bent upon his ruin, and
neglected nothing in order to save him ; he
wrote to him at Naples on tho 20th of March,
1780, and without speaking of his treachery, he
said to him, “I write you this letter whilst em­
bracing tho feet of Jesus Christ ; I entreat you
also to do tho same on your side, in these days
when Jesus Christ gave Ilis life for our love.
My dear Don Angelo, let us forget the past,
and pass over all that has been done. I beg you
to retire into your house at Ciorani ; if that
house does not please you, chose whichever you
please. Be sure that I shall love you as before,
and more than before. I am ready to prove
this to you. You will continue to be consultorgeneral as formerly, and you will give your
opinion in all the important affairs of the congre­
gation. As for your honour, place that in my
hands, I will not cease to defend it in tho con­
gregation and to strangers. Let us then become

16

ST. ALPIIONSO LIQUORI.

tranquil, I conjure you by tho sacred wounds
of Jesus Christ ; I have nothing else to say.
Take counsel from tho blessed Sacrament, and
then send mo an answer Avhen you please. I
bless you and pray Jesus Christ to fill you
with His holy love, and to draw you wholly to
Ilimself as He wishes to do.”
He wrote to Father D. Bartholomew Corrado,
on tho same day, saying, “ I have thought it
right to act with all mildness towards Father
Majonc, because such is tho will of Jesus Christ,
and it is thus He inspires me to act. I
have written him a very kind letter, begging
him for the love of Jesus Christ to forget all
tho past. I shall continue to act thus in his
regard, until God restores peace to us. I
have begged him to retire to Ciorani or any
other such house as he pleases to select, I hope
that by this method, which is certainly one pleas­
ing to Jesus Christ, I and all tho others may
obtain peace. Wo must have patience and re­
commend ourselves to Jesus Christ and to the
Blessed Virgin, who is tho mother of peace.”
Far from yielding to such loving measures,
Father Maj one got more and more inflamed
with indignation against tho congregation and
against AJphonso himself : on seeing his designs
thus thwarted, ho resolved to address a petition
to tho king to get him to constrain the subjects
to embrace tho new regulations, under pain of
being expelled from tho congregation. This
news, which caused him to become still better
known, supplied fresh fuel to tho fire already

17

ST, ALPHONSO LIGUORT.

kindled ; his Lordship became full of uneasi­
ness, and hastened to prevent the consequences
of such a step ; he therefore instantly wrote to
Father D. Salvador Gallo at Naples, on the
12th of April, to take away the procuracy from
Father Majone, and to transfer it to Father D.
Bartholomew Corrado. “I have heard,” said he
to this father, “ that tho perfidious Majone wish­
es, by means of a sheet of tho new regulations
to which my signature is attached, to obtain an
order from tho king, by which I am to be au­
thorised to expel any one from the congrega­
tion who shall refuse to accept the regulations ;
in fact, ho wishes to make me the executioner
of my brothers.” Alphonso thou charged Father
Corrado to inform the grand-almoner of every­
thing. “If Mgr. Testa,” said he, “is not con­
vinced as to the deceit which has been practised,
wo can obtain nothing from him, because he
will say that ho has granted me all that I wished
for; but it is Father Majono who has obtained
all that ho wished, and not I. If tho regula­
tions are to be maintained, I am afraid that
several will lose their vocation. Try and make
him understand tho state of our congregation :
tell him that we have more than a hundred young
men who have finished their studies in it, and
who have honourably distinguished themselves
at the Sorbonne or at Louvain ; but Father
Majone would destroy them all in order to attain his end.”
The poor old man could not calm himself, and
this same day he addressed another letter to the
9

VOL. v.

lUOi
I.

II . jl

18

ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI.

grand-almoner to represent to him the treachery
of which he was the victim. He also wrote to
Father Corrado that he might unito with Father
Gallo in putting before him the affliction into
which tho congregation was thrown. “ I hope
that tho grand-almoner, ” he said to him, “ will
listen to you with kindness. Your Reverence
must inform him of the spirit which actuates
Father Majone, who, in order to increase his own
powers as consultor, has tried to take away all
the faculties of the superior-general, and has
put into tho regulations, which are his composi­
tion, and not the least mine, everything that his
own fancy suggested to him.”
As Father Majone did not hesitate to say that
Alphonso’s mind was in a disturbed and weaken­
ed state, in order to cause tho ministers and the
grand-almoner to think lightly of him, Alphonso,
in order to overthrow this fresh manœuvre, added
to his letter, “Tell tho grand-almoner that I have
not become imbecile, as Father Majone would
wish him to believe ; my head is still of use to
me ; although this father labours to make me
lose my senses.”
As he also had confidence in Don Joseph Cantore, who was one of the first clerks in tho min­
istry, he wrote to Father Corrado, “Speak to
Don Cantore and to Arecchictti if you can. As­
II that the changes which Father Majone
sure them
has made are not trifles, but very essential
things, which destroy the right management of
the congregation. Ho has even arrogated to him­
self tho right of expelling subjects, even if they

ST, ALPIIONSO LIGUORI.

19

be priests, and lie has also tried to establish other
things which aro odious to the fathers, so that
they are in distress in all the houses, and perhaps
are contemplating quitting the congregation.”
The subjects, on finding themselves called on
by reiterated letters from the grand-almoner to
follow a rule which they had never promised to
observe, protested against the consultors, and
even against Alphonso himself, for having kept
tho thing a secret. Their dissatisfaction was so
great that they lost that veneration which they
had always manifested for his Lordship ; the poor
old man did not know where to steer in such a
stormy sea, and did nothing but groan in silence
at tho foot of the crucifix. As his only hope
was in the protection of tho grand-almoner, ho
wrote him another long letter, to causo him to
understand tho critical position in which he was
placed more clearly. Amongst other things, ho
said to him, that if tho rule were changed, ho
looked upon tho congregation as destroyed, and
that if ho did not deign to prevent this, ho him­
self would run the risk of losing his life. Al­
phonso at the same time wrote to Father Don
Januarius Fatigati, who was the superior of the
Chinese college, and was a great friend of Mgr.
Testa, to solicit him to deign to use his influence
to causo tho rule to be re-established in its pris­
tine integrity. As Alphonso thought that Mgr.
Bergamo, the bishop of Gaeta, might also have
some influence on tho mind of tho grand-almoner,
ho informed him of what had been done, and of
tho evil consequences which ho dreaded, and

20

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

begged him to como to Nocora that ho might
tell him of tho serious difficulties in which he
was placed regarding tho congregation. “ I wish­
ed,” ho wrote to him, “to go and sco you myself;
but at tho ago of eighty-four years, and para­
lytic as I am, I have not strength to travel ; I
shall therefore expect to sco you here, and en­
treat you to do mo this kindness : God will as­
suredly reward you for this journey ; for I hope
that your presence will bring peace amongst us
again. All tho fathers of this house unite with
mo in entreating you to como. Tho preservation
of this congregation, which has sanctified so many
provinces, is in question. Your Lordship is full
of zeal and of charity, and I hope much that
you will give mo this comfort.”
Mgr. Testa, on whom Alphonso had centred
all his hopes, was far from acceding to his wishes·
As ho had had part in tho composition of the new
regulations, ho maintained that they were excel­
lent, and refused to annul what ho had done
with tho consent of all parties. Ho was beset
by Father Majonc, and instead of condescending
to tho prayers of Alphonso and his excellent
friends, he urged tho execution of the regulations.
From tho 25th of January of this fatal year,
1780, Alphonso had foreseen this calamity. Ono
day ho aroused himself from a profound medita­
tion, and said to us, and also wrote on tho same
day to Father Cajone at Benevento, “ I fore­
see that the devil will do all in his power to
overthrow us this year. Your Reverence must
therefore cause the short prayers marked in tho

ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI.

21

inclosed paper to be recited every evening in
common, from the month of February until the
end of May.” We have to regret the loss of
the note which contained these prayers.

CHAPTER XXV.
That which at times befals an unfortunate
pilot who is exposed to a violent tempest, and
who casts himself on one rock in order to escape
another, now bcfcl Alphonso ; for in order to
reestablish order and peace in the congrega­
tion, without incurring the displeasure of the
Pope or of the king, he suspended the execution
of the regulations. “If each one,” he wrote on
tho 14th April, 1780, “is at liberty to have
recourse to his prince to obtain his favours, or
to make known his intentions, I think it will
not bo out of placo in us to expose our difficul­
ties before tho sovereign, and the fears we en­
tertain with regard to fresh changes.” After
ho had recommended tho matter to God, and
implored tho protection of tho Blessed A’irgin
during several days, ho decided that on tho
return of the missionaries a general assembly
should bo held, composed of two subjects out
of each house, and that tho result of the deliber­
ations should be presented to tho king by com­
mon consent, after tho affair had boon thoroughly
examined. He consulted several persons on this

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

subject at Naples, and they all assured him that
these measures would bo attended by the most
happy results. lie informed the grand-almoner
of this resolution, and begged him to lend him
his support ; but ho gave him no answer : for
this reason Alphonso commissioned a father
who was then at Naples to inform the grand-almo­
ner of his intentions ; and in order that he might
express himself in entire accordance with his
wishes, he wrote down the very words ho was
to uso : “Tell his Lordship,” he wrote to him,
“ that if ho will not hear us, I will go to him my­
self, all paralysed as I am ; I was not ablo to
sleep last night, from knowing that tho father
who had tho charge of my letter was not ablo
to obtain an audience of him an account of the
crowd ; in conclusion, if ho will not hear you,
I will send a thousand letters to the Marquis
of Marco, and a thousand petitions to the king.”
When tho grand-almoner saw the real state
of things and of tho general dissatisfaction ho
had produced, he showed a disposition to favour
Alphonso, who hastened to communicate tho
news to all the houses, and to urge them to
bo tranquil. He also informed them that a ge­
II
neral meeting
was to bo held on tho 1st of
May, and that two subjects wore to bo elected
by a majority of votes out of each house to
compose this assembly, which was intended to
remedy the present evils.
Whilst Alphonso thus sought to heal these
wounds and to extinguish tho flames kindled
hi tho houses of tho kingdom, the devil was

ST. alphonso liguori.

23

not backward in making a fresh attack, and en­
kindling a fire in the houses in the Pontifical
States which was calculated to reduce every­
thing to ashes. The house at Frosinone at that
time contained amongst its members one of those
restless and factious characters who are always
a burthen to the community, and who was con­
stantly obliged to be removed from one place
to another ; these changes were very displeasing
to him ; ho got indignant against his saintly
founder, and took advantage of the circumstan­
ces to create discord between the houses in the
states and those in the kingdom. Ho conceal­
ed his perfidy under tho mantle of a lively
zeal, while ho suggested tho raising tho stand­
ard of rebellion against Alphonso, and tho ef­
fecting a separation which would render the
missionaries independent of the Pontifical States.
In consequence of this, steps were taken to have
a council held at Romo, on tho 3rd of February ;
Alphonso was there denounced as an accomplice
as regarded tho innovations, and deprived of
his dignity as superior ; it was decided that the
Popo should bo informed of it, and that he
should bo entreated to convoke a general chap­
ter of tho houses in his states, to pronounce
their separation from those of tho kingdom, and
to give them power to elect another head.
Alphonso’s circular ordering tho meeting of
which we have spoken, was far from being wel­
comed by the missionaries of the states with their
ordinary docility.
As they believed that the
object was to constrain them to adopt the new

24:

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

regulations, they did not even reply to it. They
carried their resistance so far that tho poor old
man felt obliged contrary to custom to intimato
an order to them to repair to this chapter by
virtue of holy obedience. “I issue it,” he wrote
to the rector of Frosinono on tho 1st of May,
“as a formal command to your Reverence and
to your companions,” and that there might bo
no doubt as to his signature, ho caused it to bo
certified by the public notary.
“I feel constrained to exact this obedience,”
he said to the superior of Benevento, “ on account
of tho contempt which has been shown to my
authority by not answering my letters.” The
deputies of tho houses of tho states arrived at
Nocera at tho same time as those of tho kingdom,
and the subject of whom we have spoken, whom
we shall designate as tho procurator, repaired
thither as tho deputy of tho house at Frosinone.
He camo there filled with thoughts of insubor­
dination and discord, firmly resolved to shako
off Alphonso’s yoke, and to carry out tho separa­
tion ho had projected. Tho assembly was opened
on tho 12th of May, when flames burst forth on
all sides. They all testified great zeal, some
from love for tho rule approved by the Popo,
and tho others from love for a party which pas­
sion had caused them to embrace. The priests
were clamorous, and so were the students and
even the lay-brothers ; but above all tho procu­
rator, The greater part were prepossessed against
Father Majono and his colleague, whom they con­
sidered as tho enemies of the congregation, and

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

25

wished to expel them, or at least to depose them :
on seeing such exasperation, Alphonso regretted
having convoked this meeting, which only seemed
to forbodo disastrous consequences. Alphonso’s
position was a most painful one ; on tho one side
he saw tho partisans of a dangerous novelty, and
on tho other tho friends of the rule were ready
to revolt against him ; with a sense of the impos­
sibility of re-uniting them, ho pressed his crucifix:
to his heart and shed tears of bitterness. “ On
one side,” said he, “I see the disciples of Jesus
Christ, and on tho other the instruments of the
devil.”
There were two distinguished fathers at Naples
who had boon elected to form part of the assem­
bly ; Alphonso wrote to them, “ My dearest bro­
thers, I entreat you as a favour not to do any­
thing against the two consultors, for that would
overthrow everything. It is true that several per­
sons cannot bear them, but I hope that all these
troubles will be appeased by tho assistance of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, that the work will remain on
its former footing, and that God will continue to
reap glory from it. But if wo break up every­
thing, I fear that tho disagreement which will en­
sue will aid the efforts of tho devil. I feel that
God inspires mo with this resolution ; tho grand­
almoner will not be against it, and you must also
do all you can to convince yourself of its truth.
I am sure that as I am head of tho congregation,
God will not inspire mo with a sentiment pre­
judicial to His glory. I see that hell makes every
possible effort to sow discord, but as for mo I

26

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOlir.

feel drawn to peace, and it appears to mo that
it will assuredly bo obtained by following this
course. Write mo a few words of peace on Sun­
day morning.”
Alphonso at tho same time was striving to
convert the accomplice of Father Majone, and
ho begged him to endeavour to convert him in
turn. “Father N.” ho wrote to Naples on tho
3rd May, to tho above-named fathers, “camo
hero yesterday evening ; I spoke to him, and
hope I affected him. Lot us leave the mat­
ter to God ; until now I have done nothing
but speak to stone walls.” “I was deceived,”
he again wrote to him on tho 12th, “ when I
thought I had convinced, or at any rate moved
Father N. I see ho is more than ever disposed
to defend Father Majone. However, God will
help us.”
When Father Majone saw tho impossibility of
escaping, ho strove secretly to thwart tho mea­
sures which were adopted at Naples in regard
to tho grand-almoner. Nothing further was
needed to put tho finishing stroke to tho dis­
union of tho assembly. General dissatisfaction
was felt at the compassion Fathers Villani and
Mazzini showed towards the two consultors, and
led away by tho semblance of holy liberty, they
audaciously went beyond their prerogatives, and
deposed the six consultors on tho 20th of May.
If they abstained from taking Alphonso’s office
from him, they forced him to resign it himself.
The saintly old man submitted unresistingly to
all. He would have liked to bo the only victim

ST.

ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

27

of tho tempest, to restore calm to the troubled
sea, and to save all his sons from shipwreck.
After many difficulties they proceeded to a
fresh election, and on the 2Gth of May, Alphonso
was re-elected as superior-general, but of the
former six consultors, only Fathers Villani and
Mazzini wore reinstated, and this was only done
as a favour in consideration of their previous
valuable services.
His Lordship, who was unable to prevent this
disorder, adored the secret judgments of God,
and in order to avoid still greater evils, he adopt­
ed the decisions of others as his own. Father
Villani was no longer vicar-general, and in his
stead Father D. Bartholomew Corrado was nomi­
nated ; the latter did not wish to take such a
charge upon himself ; so Alphonso wrote to him
from Naples saying, “I entreat you to accept
and fill this post ; if it be necessary, I cast my­
self at your feet, and I hope that you will not re­
fuse me.” With the shadow of authority which
still remained with him, he even obliged him to
accept this office, under pain of grave sin.
As Alphonso had been unable to preside at
this assembly, they adopted the most arbitrary
decisions at it, both in contempt of tho rule
as well as in its favour. Amongst other things,
they determined to ask tho sovereign’s permis­
sion to make the solemn vows of obedience, pov­
erty, and life in community, as well as that of
perseverance, but they obtained nothing from
the king. Tn a word, tho rudder was without
a manager, and the congregation was in the

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI,

idst of rocks, like a vessel without a pilot du­
ϋ
ring the height of tho tempest.
In tho midst of this confusion, the father
procurator did not lose sight of his criminal
ii
designs ; wishing to emancipate
himself from
Alphonso’s authority, ho did all ho could to
consummato tho separation between tho houses
in tho kingdom and those of tho states. As
he was unable to succeed in his unjust preten­
sions, he withdrew from Nocera with his parti­
sans, with a mind filled with wicked thoughts,
and thus the assembly which ought to have pro­
cured peace, was in truth only an occasion of
hatred and discord to tho congregation.
During the twelve days which this contest
lasted Alphonso was aimed at by all ; his
neutrality in regard to tho parties was looked
upon as the cause of all the evil ; some re­
proached him for having kept the secret as
well as tho consultors ; others for not having
listened to the general complaints ; and instead
of admitting tho validity of his reasons, they
only thought of their present misfortunes ; they
forgot tho respect which was duo to his per­
son, and loaded him with reproaches. An illregulated zeal must necessarily fall into tho
greatest excesses. “You have founded it,” they
said to him, “ and you have destroyed it. Wo
know not if God will forgive you for this fault.”
Alphonso suffered all in silence, attributing
everything to his sins ; far from complaining,
he only replied to every one with words of re­
spect and kindness : however bitter were his
Il

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

29

sorrows, lie received all as from tho hand of
God, and submitted to drink the last drops of
that chalice, of which the dregs were not yet
fully exhausted.

—

CHAPTER XXVI.
Hell could not have had a more favourable
opportunity for increasing tho confusion already
existing in tho work of God. A town suffers
when its walls are surrounded by enemies ; but
we look upon it as surrendered when its inha­
bitants are divided. After tho assembly was dis­
solved, Alphonso no longer found in the con­
gregation the spirit of submission which had
existed there before, nor that peace and har­
mony which formerly united the houses of the
kingdom to those of tho States. Division of
opinion produced that of hearts, and even in
tho houses of the kingdom several parties arose ;
each one constituted itself judge of what was
done ; some approved, while others blamed the
deposition of tho ancient consultors, and they
did the same in regard to all tho decisions of
that unhappy assembly.
In order to attain his ends, which were to
mortify Alphonso and to divide tho congrega­
tion, tho procurator hastened to go to Rome
and to present himself before tho Holy Father ;
with a great display of zeal he stated to him

30

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

what injury tho rule had sustained in tho king­
dom, and then by his protestations of submission
to tho Holy See, ho obtained tho Popo’s protec­
tion for himself and for tho houses of tho States.
Ho was silent as to the treachery of which Al­
phonso had been a victim, and without speaking
of his innocence, ho represented him as caring
little about obeying tho decrees of tho Holy
See. Tho Popo was deceived by those calum­
nies, although he could not conceive how it was
Alphonso, once so devoted to the Holy Seo, and
endowed with its favours, had been able to fall
into such an extravagance as to alter the wise
regulations which Benedict XIV. had given him
in his office of Head of the Church. All Romo
shared in tho astonishment of the Iloly Father,
and spoke as ho did about it. The procurator
pursued his perfidious designs ; ho got into fa­
vour with tho members of tho Sacred Congrega­
tion, and told them that if his Holiness did
not adopt suitable measures in order to put a
stop to these innovations, Mgr. Liguori would
soon introduce them into the houses of the
States : this put the finishing stroke to tho in­
dignation of the Pope ; he sent for Mgr. Carafa,
and ordered him to write as follows to Cardinal
Banditti of Benevento, on the 12th of June,
1780:
“As the Iloly Father has heard that in the
Congregation of tho Most Holy Redeemer changes
have been made, or are wished to be made, in
the rules and constitutions approved by Benedict
XIV. of happy memory, in 1749, his Holiness,

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

31

in an audience granted to Mgr. the secretary of
the congregation of bishops and regulars, on the
9th instant, ordered me to write to your Emi­
nence, to inform the members of the said con­
gregation who are in the two houses in your
diocese, that his will is, that they strictly observe
tho rules and constitutions approved by Benedict
XIV., without changing anything. He wishes
your Eminence to obtain a copy of the said rules
and constitutions, and to take care that they
undergo no alteration ; should they do so your
Eminence must inform the Sacred Congregation
of it, that it may remedy it by efficacious mea­
sures.” Λ similar letter was despatched to Mgr.
Giacobini, the Bishop of Veroli, in regard to tho
houses of Scifelli and Frosinone.
This decree of the Sovereign Pontiff, so far
from displeasing Alphonso, gave him courage.
“God be praised!” exclaimed he; “by this
order of tho Pope’s tho subjects of tho States
are deprived of tho liberty to make changes in
tho rule. My Jesus! bless tho work, for it is
Thine own doing.” But Alphonso’s hopes wore
once more deceived. As soon as the decision of
the Sovereign Pontiff was known in the houses
in tho kingdom, a great number of the subjects
who were faithful to the rule went into tho
houses of Benevento and of St. Angelo, with
tho knowledge of Alphonso and in contempt
of him, in the foar of being obliged by tho
grand-almoner, and even by tho king, to ob­
serve tho now regulations. Amongst them there
were twelve students of Iliceto, who were the

32

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

hope of the congregation, and they wore ac­
companied by their superior and their prefect.
This transmigration was tho more painful to
Alphonso from being unexpected, and because it
proved to him that he was forsaken by tho young,
who wore specially dear to his heart ; however,
his resignation was always perfect, and bowing
his head, ho only blessed the hand which struck
him. But as an intrepid pilot never abandons
the helm of his vessel, however great the danger
may be; so Alphonso, without ever losing cour­
age, saw a last resource in tho protection of
Cardinal Banditti, to whom ho applied without
loss of time. “ My Father and Lord,” he wrote
to tho cardinal, “after a thousand different
thoughts having crossed my mind, I have finally
felt it a duty to address your Eminence, to tell
you that if you wish to save the congregation
you must espouse its cause and act with free­
dom, doing as God may inspire you ; for if you
do not, discord will continue amongst us, and
wo shall never obtain anything good. It is ne­
cessary, I repeat, for you to take our cause in
hand, without regard to anything which may
have been written by us, nor to tho assembly
and tho elections which wore then made. Even
if your Eminence wishes to deprive mo of my
office of superior-general, I say do as you think
right before God. I have no other wish than
that of seeing peace restored to my poor con­
gregation, and I know of no one but your Emi­
nence who can succeed in doing this. Bo not
listen to what any one says, and write to the

33

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Holy Father what you think may be most cal­
culated to resuscitate this corpse. I pray tho
Blessed Virgin to aid you to triumph over all
obstacles. I have ordered them all to obey your
Eminence blindly. I kiss tho hem of your sa­
cred vestments, and subscribo myself, with all
humility,” &c.
However, tho insubordination of the subjects
caused this wise expedient to fail, as no one would
submit his judgment to that of the cardinal.
Whilst Alphonso was doing all he could to
II
re-establish tho rule in tho kingdom,
amidst an
ocean of sorrow, ho was treated as a faithless
cquivocator at Romo. Tho procurator pursued
his measures without any one being able to resist
him : ho compared the meeting which had taken
place at Nocera to tho falso council of Ephesus ;
ho represented Alphonso as having intruded
himself into tho office of superior-general ; ho
declared tho election of tho new consultors to bo
null and void, and demanded in consequence, that
tho houses in tho States should no longer bo
subjected to tho authority of the superiors of tho
kingdom ; in fine, his representations wore such,
that on tho 4th of August an order was ex­
pedited in tho Pope’s name to Cardinal Ban­
ditti at Benevento, and to Mgr. Giacobini at
Vcroli, to tho effect that no obedienco was to
bo paid to tho superiors of tho kingdom in any­
thing, and that no subject was to bo permitted
to leave tho houses of tho States. When Al­
phonso heard some indistinct tidings of tho
Popo’s having made arrangements in regard to
3

VOL. v.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

tho houses of the States, he immediately sent
for the most ancient Fathers of Benevento and
St. Angelo, to inquiro about it ; but they replied
to him that they were not bound to obey him,
as bo was no longer their lawful superior. These
words were as a sword which pierced the heart
of Alphonso. Tho interior conflicts they caused
him to enduro twice endangered his life. All
this took place at the beginning of August in
1780. His soul however was inseparably united
to tho will of God, and ho awaited death with
calmness ; but tho Lord, in order to crown His
servant more gloriously in heaven, had still se­
verer trials in store for him to bear on earth.
After the procurator had gained the favour of
the Sacred Congregation, he, without making
known any of tho reasons which excused Alphon­
so, drew up a petition on the 4th July, in the
name of the four houses of the States, to obtain
tho convocation of a chapter, or at least tho
nomination of a president for these houses, which
were, ho said, left without a superior ; but this
wise assembly acted with its usual prudence,
and before adopting these extreme measures,
they examined more thoroughly into tho state
of affairs. His Lordship, the internuncio at
Naples, was therefore instructed on tho 12th of
August, secretly to inquire into tho matter and
to make a faithful report thereupon.
Mgr.
Liguori received an order from Cardinal Caracciolo to remit all tho acts which were drawn up
at tho last assembly to the Sacred Congregation,
with an exact account of all that had taken place

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOllT.

35

there. But this order threw Alphonso into the
greatest perplexity. Tho court of Naples at
that time most strictly forbade any intercourse
whatever to bo held with the court of Rome.
Not knowing what to do, in order to obey the
Pope, and also not to fail in the duty he owed
to his sovereign, Alphonso replied to the cardinal
on the 24th of August, in consequence of his
embarrassments what to do, and in conformity
to tho advice ho received, that he would send
two of his fathers to Rome tho following Novem­
ber, to give all the wished-for information by
word of mouth. “ The auditor will state to your
Eminence,” he said to him, “all that I am at
liberty to do, in conformity to your revered
orders. I hope that my great age, for I am
eighty-five, and tho accumulation of miseries
which oppress me, will obtain some compassion
from your goodness, both in regard to my delay
in sending this answer, as well as for tho ab­
sence of tho details which were asked for. As
soon as the time of year will admit of travelling,
I shall send one or two of my brothers, that
they may dissipate tho clouds which obscure
tho truth by word of mouth, and cause things
to assume a better aspect. I never expected to
bo reduced in my old ago to the state in which
I now am ; but I thank our good God for not
having taken His grace away from me as I de­
served. I recommend myself to your Eminences
amid the anguish which I suffer, and conjure
you to preserve tho work of tho Lord which I

36

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

have established at tho cost of so much labour
and so many tears.”
Tho sorrowful old man afterwards began to
think that his having sought for delay might
be found fault with at Rome, so after having
again taken advice, ho hastened to write once
more to tho same Cardinal Caracciolo on tho
28th of August, to set before him a summary
of tho critical conjunctures in which ho was
placed, tho unhappy nature of tho attendant
circumstances, and his total want of power to
remedy them. “At the age of eighty-five,” ho
said to him, “my infirmities no less than my
old ago have reduced mo to a most miserable
condition. Would to God that I could myself
go and speak to tho king ; but paralytic as I
am that is impossible, and so I must pass my
days in sorrow.”
After having specified tho things in detail, he
added, “ To sum up all ; tho greatest contradic­
tions now happen to mo through some of my
brothers, especially those of tho houses of Frosinono, who wish to sec the congregation divided
and governed by two superior - generals. Tho
thing matters little to me, who am on tho bor­
ders of the grave, but I am distressed at see­
ing tho Congregation on tho brink of destruction.
I entreat your Eminences to do what you can
to prevent this misfortune, by opposing this
separation.”
Mgr. Bergamo, the bishop of Gaeta, was moved
with compassion at seeing the really alarming
position Mgr. Liguori was in, and he himself

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

37

wrote to Cardinal Caracciolo on the 5th of Sep­
tember, to represent Alphonso’s innocence to
him, and to entreat him to suspend all decision,
assuring him that Mgr. Liguori would not fail
to make known to him tho uprightness of his
intentions, and fully to justify his conduct.

CHAPTER XXVII.

Alphonso believed that the measure he had
adopted would cause him to regain the favour
of tho Holy See ; but God did not make the
Popo discover his innocence so speedily. The
procurator did not fail to cause the delay which
he asked for, to pass for a piece of chicanery,
11 ado use of by Alphonso in order to gain time
and to elude the orders of the Holy See. Ho
multiplied his petitions in the name of the houses
of the States, ho exaggerated as far as he possibly
could tho pretended offence of Alphonso, and
more especially tho injury which tho absence of
a head would occasion to tho houses of tho
States, and he redoubled his solicitations that a
superior should be given to them. Tho centre
of all the clamour was the house at Frosinone ;
that house for which Alphonso had four mouths
before sold his four services, and had wished to
sell his carriage and do without bare necessaries.
Tho procurator was listened to, and through the
misunderstanding which at that time existed be-

■

38

I

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOni.

tween the courts of Naples and of Rome, be
succeeded in defaming Alphonso still more. Pius
VI. was ill-informed, and as none of us were in
Rome to justify Alphonso’s conduct, he took for
a holy zeal on the part of tho procurator what
was nothing but passion, and declared that the
houses of tho kingdom should no longer form
part of tho Congregation. Ho stripped Alphonso
of his authority, and appointed Father D. Fran­
cis de Paul superior of tho houses of tho States.
0, the depths of the judgments of God ! who
could have imagined that Mgr. Liguori could
ever have been looked upon as wanting in sub­
mission to the Holy See, and as such should
have been deposed, condemned, and disgraced
by tho Sovereign Pontiff ! This fatal blow was
inflicted on tho 22nd of September, 1780. Mgr.
Carafa informed Cardinal Banditti of it on the
n
25th of tho same month,
and in the following
terms : ‘ Our Holy Father the Pope, being anxious to provide a lawful superior for tho houses
of tho Congregation of the Most Holy Redecmer of your diocese and of that of Veroli,
has deigned in an audience granted on the 22nd
instant, to Mgr. tho secretary of the Congre­
gation of bishops and regulars, on tho 22nd
instant, to appoint Father D. Francis do Paul,
the present superior of Frosinoue, as president
of tho said houses of tho Redemptorists. His
Holiness confers on him all necessary faculties,
so that according to the tenor of tho rules and
constitutions of the Redemptorists, which wore
approved on the 25th of February, 1749, by

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

39

tho brief ‘Ad pastoralis dignitatis fastigium’ of
Pope Benedict XIV., the said Francis de Paul may
bo able"to govern the houses and their members,
insteadrof him who was formerly tho superior-gen­
oral of the aforesaid Congregation, and who hav­
ing with his partisans adopted new regulations,
essentially different to those which have hitherto
been professed, has now ceased to form part
of tho Congregation and to enjoy the prero­
gatives and privileges which were granted to
them by tho Holy See. I inform your Eminence
of this, in order that you may have the good­
ness to command all the members of the said
Congregation who may be in your diocese, in
tho name1 of tho Sovereign Pontiff, faithfully
to observe " all tho rules and constitutions ap­
proved by Benedict XIV., and to recognise as
their chief superior Father Francis de Paul,
H
who is nominated
as president by his Iloliness.”
Λ similar letter was despatched to Mgr.
Giacobini. The procurator did not rest here ;
ho everywhere proclaimed his odious triumph ;
ho sent letters to all his friends in the king­
dom, and neglected no method of increasing Λ1phonso’s humiliation. Ho wont on with his
cunning devices, and obtained a rescript from
the sacred penitentiary, to the effect that tho
Congregation was abolished in tho kingdom of
Naples, and that no petition addressed by a
Rodomptorist missionary out of the Roman
States should be received. Ho caused a paper
to bo circulated among tho other congregations

40

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

of cardinals, in order to got a similar declara­
tion from each of them. These hypocritical
measures were taken as so many proofs of his
zeal, and several prelates, who were deceived by
the appearances, said in their admiration, “Soo
how ardently this good father maintains tho ho­
nour of God and tho rights of the Holy Soo ! ”
As Alphonso did not know how far things had
gone, he sent me to Romo with Father Don
Salvadoro Gallo ; wo arrived there on tho 25th
of September ; it was a Sunday, and on the
preceding Friday everything had boon decided.
Tho procurator on seeing mo, said with feigned
sorrow, “ I have done everything I could to
undeceive the holy father, and to prove tho in­
nocence of Mgr. Liguori to every one ; but tho
Popo detests him, and cannot bear even to hear
him named : God knows all that I have done
in tho congregation of bishops and in that of
regulars, but nothing has been of any uso in dis­
abusing these cardinals, or in making them un­
derstand that Mgr. Liguori has been deceived.”
He appeared quito devoted to our cause, but in
secret ho thwarted all our plans. Ho accom­
panied me to tho house of Mgr. Carafa and to
that of the pro-secretary Abbé Zuccari. As
soon as they saw mo they said to me, “Mgr.
Liguori has been cut off from tho instituto.” I
could do nothing ; the Sacred Congregation was
closed, and tho cardinals had gone to their coun­
try houses. Tho procurator however continued
to testify sentiments of love and tenderness for
Alphonso, but in tho end ho pulled off tho mask,

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

41

and then ho showered forth torrents of abuse
against Alphonso. “ Ho has been disappointed
of his canonization,” ho one day said to me with
a triumphant air, as if he wished to dishonour
his saintly founder even beyond tho tomb.
When wo returned to Nocera it was late, so
wo thought it right to wait until the following
morning, in giving Alphonso an account of our
II ission.
Just as he was preparing for communion
and to hear mass, Father Villani informed him
of tho decision adopted against him : this fatal
bloïv quito disconcerted him at first, but ho soon
rallied, and adoring tho Divino Will as manifest­
ed in that of his Pontiff, ho said with a profound
inclination of his head, “ I wish for God alone ;
it is enough for me to havo His grace. Tho Popo
wills it to bo thus. May God bo praised!” Ho
said nothing more, but ho quietly went on with
II
his preparation, heard mass,
and strengthened
himself with tho eucharistie food.
After he had made his thanksgiving, he went
out in tho carriage, according to custom, when
tho devil assailed him with a horrible tei II ptation :
ho set before him tho ruin of tho congregation as
his own doing, and as a punishment for his sins ;
he tried to persuade him that God had aban­
doned him, and that ho had no further hope
of salvation : during this painful conflict ho
humbled and abased himself ; ho repelled tho
temptation and strove to open his heart to con­
fidence ; but his humility seemed to him as if
it were false, and his hopes as presumption.
Notwithstanding all his efforts, ho saw nothing

42

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORT.

before him but despair. In this pitiable state
he hastened to return to the house, and no sooner
had ho reached tho threshold of tho door than
ho burst into tears, and ho exclaimed in a heart­
rending tone of voice, “Aid me, tho devil wants
to make me despair ; aid mo, for I do not wish
to offend God.” At these cries Fathers Villani
and Mazzini hurried to him, but his Lordship
did nothing but repeat, “Aid mo, tho devil
tempts me to despair.” Tho whole community
soon surrounded tho saintly old man, who ad­
dressing them all, saying, “My sins have caused
God to abandon tho congregation ; aid me, for
I do not wish to offend God. Tho devil wants
to lead mo to despair.” Fathers Villani and
Mazzini succeeded in calming him by showing
him the snare of the devil, and assuring him that
God would not abandon Ilis work ; after being
thus encouraged, his mind regained strength,
but his weakened body remained in a state of
entire prostration.
When the temptation was
dissipated, ho turned towards tho crucifix and
a figure of Mary, and repeated several times over,
in a joyous tone, “My mother, I thank you ; you
have aided me now ; aid me at all times, my
dear mother. My Jesus, my hope ; I shall novor
bo confounded.”
We went to him after supper, and found that
ho had quito recovered all his usual serenity.
“ The devil has been tempting mo to despair all
day,” ho said to us; “but the Blessed Virgin
aided me, and by the grace of God I have never
really lost confidence.” This same temptation

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

43

returned to him from time to time. “The devil
does not let me alone,” he one day said to Father
Villani; “but I do not wish to displease God,
and so Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin will
come to my assistance.”
However great were the troubles which he
could not avoid, he never uttered the slightest
complaint. Whenever we began to speak of the
injustice of which he had been tho object, Al­
phonso silenced us, and said, “The Pope has
thus decreed it. God be praised ! The will of
the Pope is the will of God.” On the following
Saturday, he went to the church, though he
was so ill, in order that he might magnify the
Blessed Virgin according to custo: If “ Pray to
Jesus Christ and Mary for our poor congregation,” said he to the people, “for it is under
great tribulation. Pray that we may do their
holy will, and that we may never displease
them.”
When Mgr. Bergamo heard of the distress of
his venerable friend, ho instantly went from
Naples to Nocera to see him ; he had all the
tenderness of a son towards Alphonso. His
Lordship told him of the temptation he experi­
enced while I was present. “Tho devil,” said
ho, with tears in his eyes, “ wished to throw
mo into a state of despair ; but my good Mother
has assisted me, and I have not made a single act
of distrust, no, not one ; my good Mother has
aided me.” But tho air of triumph with which
he pronounced these words was not without
some mixture of remaining fear.

44

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Full of compassion for tho saintly old man,
Mgr. Bergamo resolved to go to Benevento to
see Cardinal Banditti, and to consult with him
as to how tho work of tho missions was to be
maintained in tho kingdom of Naples. I was ap­
pointed to accompany him. Tho cardinal was not
a little distressed on hearing tho sad state of
things. lie grieved over it ; but he thought
that it was not then expedient to take any
steps at Rome in tho matter.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Correspondence with divine grace has tho
property of redoubling tho strength of tho faith­
ful soul. It was thus that Alphonso’s victories
over hell prepared him for still more glorious
triumphs. Not satisfied with having submitted
his will to that of tho Pope, ho also wished to
put himself under obedience to tho new supe­
rior, tho President do Paul, and ho made up
his mind to go and live as a simple subject
in our house at Benevento. This heroic deter­
mination was, however, more admirable than
possible ; for his infirmities were an evident
barrier to his so doiug. This was stated to him,
but in vaiu, for ho persisted in his design. Upon
this, Father Villani, in order to got him to give
it up, told him that as the rule had not been
abandoned, the congregation would always con-

i

:

*

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

45

timio to exist in the kingdom. Alphonso’s an­
swer was, “Whatever be tho state of things,
tho Popo no longer recognises these houses as
forming part of tho institute.” One reason alone
caused him to desist from his project, and that
was the disturbance which such a step would
cause at Naples at a time when the king was
not on good terms with tho court of Rome ;
but though tho mere fear of causing some an­
noyance to tho Pope was alone sufficient to stop
him, ho lost no time in writing to tho new
president, to assure him of his entire obedience
and of his readiness to repair to whichever of
tho houses in the States he liked to point out
to him. In fact, ho did not regain his tran­
quillity until after Father do Paul had command­
ed him to remain at Nocora, with the assurance
that he should always form part of the con­
gregation. This is a fitting time to reeal to
mind the prophecy which ho twice made, once
was in 1774, tho other time was in 177G, con­
cerning this deposition, which the event alone
could 4 render credible.
Tho measures adopted by the Pope were as
a thunder-bolt to tho houses of tho kingdom.
Wo have already said that several members of
these houses passed into those of Benevento
and of St. Angelo ; but when this terrible blow
was inflicted, ono may almost say that tho
whole congregation retired into tho Papal States.
Those who had tho most respect for Alphonso
wont to ask his advice, and received no other
answer than this, “ Obey the Popo.” Tho others,

46

ST. ALPHONSO LIGÜ0RT.

without regard to his Lordship, abandoned him
without even previously warning him of it, and
there were others who made shipwreck in tho
storm and who returned to the world again.
Tho justice of God never fails to punish tho
guilty. Ono of them who had been brought
up in the congregation, and whom Alphonso
had loved with tenderness, had tho courage to
distress him by taking tho part of Father Majono and that of his colleague. Ho returned
to the world, and became canon of tho cathedral,
and as he had the advantage of possessing the
favour of tho bishop, he obtained tho most hon­
ourable offices. I know not how his conscience
stood with God, for he was suddenly summoned
to appear before the supremo tribunal. Ho was
still in tho flower of his age, when one morning
ho was found dead in his bed. I pass oyer other
instances of similar chastisements in silence, for
they would bo too painful for me to repeat.
As Alphonso did not wish for tho death of
Father Maj one, but rather that he should ac­
knowledge his fault and humble himself for it
before God, he did all he could in order to win
him over to Jesus Christ ; but on seeing all
tho evil he had done to the congregation, and
the sorrows Alphonso had to enduro in conse­
quence, ho had not courage to return amongst
us. After having recalled him several times
without success, Alphonso on seeing him thus
deaf to his paternal entreaties, signified to him
by a public notary, that if ho did not return
within a given space of time, ho would be look-

m \

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORÎ.

VI

cd upon as excluded from the congregation.
Tho unhappy man, in his blindness, preferred
to devote himself to the service of a baron of
rank as his secretary. It was there he termi­
nated his days by a premature end; but as he
shed tears before bo died over the ills he had
caused, and over his own unhappy fate, we may
hope that he has obtained pardon through tho
merciful loving-kindness of the Lord.
Alphonso was insensible to his own humiliation, and only thought of tho desolation of his
disunited children ; what distressed him the
most, was tho displeasure which this afflicting
separation caused to the Sovereign Pontiff, and
tho cruel thought that he himself had fallen
into disgrace with him. “ Tho Pope is much
irritated against us,” he wrote to tho father
president on tho 8th of October ; “ if ho knew
that wo have been in danger of losing every­
thing, ho would not assuredly have condemned
mo. I hope to inform him of all in time, and
to regain his good opinion, for I have never
forgotten tho affection he has always shown to­
wards mo, miserable being as I am, and I hope
that I shall always live and die as a most de­
voted servant of himself personally and of holy
Church.”
In his distress Alphonso again had recourse
to the protection of Cardinal Banditti : he bog­
ged him to represent to tho Popo tho serious
difficulties of his position, as well as that of so
many of his subjects who were deprived of his
favour. Ho himself composed an abridged his-

48

ST, ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

tory of tho vexatious vicissitudes which had
agitated tho poor Congregation from its rise up
to these latter days, and lie sent this me­
morial to Cardinal Banditti that ho might con­
firm it and remit it to tho Pope. To this re­
cital he added a statement of all tho good
that his missionaries had done in tho two king­
doms of Naples and of Sicily, where labourers
in the Church’s service wore so rare, that every
year six or seven companies of his fathers gave
upwards of fifty missions there within tho space
of eight months.
Such wore some amongst tho representations
ho made to the Pope. “ I have been toiling for
three days,” he wrote to Father Cajono at Ben­
evento on tho 10th of November, “in preparing
this letter which is to be remitted to tho Pope,
and I hope it will bo previously confirmed by
the cardinal. It is through tho assistance of
the cardinal that we must hope to recover the
favour of tho Popo.” I have caused a novena,
consisting of nino Paters and Avcs, to bo com­
menced this evening at Nocera by all tho com­
munity for the good success of this letter. On
Friday I will send to Naples to have a novena
begun by the Capuchins of St. Francis. I bless
you all, and beg you to recommend this mat­
ter to God ; all our hopes are in prayer. I
have caused a mass to be sung in every house
in tho kingdom for tho success of this mea­
sure.”
The cardinal signed this letter and sent it
as if it camo of his own accord : but as truth

49

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

approached the pontifical throne, so calumny
strove to repel it. When tho procurator heard
that tho letter had been handed to the Sacred
Congregation, he was filled with fresh fury
against Alphonso, pleaded for the separation, and
invented a thousand falsehoods to render Al­
it
phonso more
and more odious. Meanwhile, as
Alphonso did not hear from the cardinal, he
wrote to him on the 15th of January, 1781: “I
wish to know,” said he, “from your Eminence,
if an answer has been received which leaves
us oven one ray of hope.” The silence of tho
cardinal caused him to suspect some fresh dis­
appointment. “I wish I could myself speak to
tho Pope,” ho went on to say, “to learn from
him what wo can do to regain his favour.
There is another petition which is now pending
against us, which has been devised by the pro­
curator Leon. It asserts that the king ought to
suppress us, because our rule was approved by
Benedict XIV. As this is tho state of things,
what can wo do to satisfy the Popo ? The fa­
culties wo possessed through the Penitentiary
have also been taken from us, and we aro
hardly sure of retaining those which are granted
by tho bishops. We aro punished, without being
guilty. I repeat again, what must wo do
to regain tho favour of the Pope ? Tho con­
gregation is still divided, and this division pre­
vents as much good being done as formerly was
the case. I entreat your Eminence to give mo
courage and counsel.” The cardinal wrote to
4

VOL. V.

50

ST.

ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

exhort him to bo resigned, without giving him
any satisfactory answer.
Tho sorrowful old man was in a state of
extremo desolation, and did not hesitate to ap­
ply to tho President do Paul. “ The Pope is
irritated with us,” ho wrote to him, “aud I
should like to know what to do ; he wishes us
to reject the new regulations, but what fruit
would that have except that of causing us to
lose tho friendship of the king, and that would
lead to our being expelled from the four houses
in tho kingdom? I would have written direct
to the Popo a long time ago, but how could
it be done when tho king forbids us to write
before having previously obtained tho authori­
sation of the chamber and that of his majesty?
Tho Pope is well awaro of all tho prohibitions
of this sort which embarrass us so much ; and
yet tho Popo continues to treat us with dis­
pleasure, although he knows that we have no
means of extricating ourselves. I entreat you
to write to me, and to give me some light on
tho subject ; for I do not know what to re­
solve on. I have not however lost confidence
in tho assistance of tho Blessed Virgin in re­
storing our poor and much shattered little bark
to good condition.”
During all these vexatious circumstances, Al­
phonso always behaved admirably, in never put­
ting his own interpretations on tho will of tho
Pope. Several of us who maintained that wo had
not forfeited tho favour of the Holy See, said to
him, “ If the Popo speaks of those who have aban­

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI,

51

doned the rule, how can wo who have always
observed it bo of tho number of those whom
he has condemned?” Tho argument was plausi­
ble, and it was assented to by Mgr. Onorati,
the Bishop of Troy, and by Mgr. San Severino,
tho king’s confessor, to whom our innocence
was well known ; but Alphonso wished for un­
questioning submission without the use of any
interpretation of our own. “ It is not for us
to judge,” he several times said ; “ we cannot
judge tho Pope in our own cause ; let us hum­
bly bow our heads in submission. If the Pope
has cast us down by one decree, he can raise
us up by another ; we must obey, and not
put interpretations of our own on what ho
does.”
Tho following is a striking instance of his
blind submission to the will of the Sovereign
Pontiff. Whilst I complained to Mgr. Carafa
at Romo of our having been so unjustly de­
prived of tho favour of tho Holy See, his Lord­
ship several times said to me, “ But what has
ho done against you ? The Popo did not and
could not have had you in view.” When our
Fathers D. Matthias Corrado, and D. Francis
Xavier do Leon went to see him, he also said
to them, “ You are theologians ; how could that
touch you ?” But the matter was not so clear
as his Lordship maintained, as tho Popo had
absolutely comdemned tho houses in the king­
dom. Relying upon this answer, several of us
tried to take advantage of it ; but Alphonso
never would listen to them. “Mgr. Carafa’s

52

ST. ALPHONSO LIGÜOKI.

words prove nothing,” said ho, “those of tho
Popo alono aro those which we ought to attend
to.”
Mgr. Afflitto, tho bishop of Letter©, was touch­
ed with compassion for us, and addressed a pe­
tition to tho Popo to represent our desolation to
him, and to obtain some explanation of these
doubts. Mgr. Carafa said to him, in his answer
in tho name of tho Pope, “ As the Holy See
did not bestow its favours, induits, and privileges
on any congregation of tho Rcdomptorists, ex­
cept that which was instituted by Benedict XIV.,
according
o to tho rule inserted in tho bull of
approbation, with tho clause that it must bo
inviolably observed, it follows that all those who
do not follow this rule in its integrity, but
who obey another, require, even were it ana­
logous, (much more so if it bo essentially differ­
ent,) that they, I say, no longer belong to tho
Congregation of tho Rcdomptorists, and have
no part in the favours, induits, and privileges
granted to it ; but that all they do, trusting
to these privileges, is against tho canonical
laws and is unlawful, as is also tho case in
regard to all those who cannot take advantage
of these pretexts.”
This letter was a fresh source of discourage­
ment to us. When Alphonso heard that tho
will of tho Pope was so definite on tho subject,
he embraced it as tho will of God, and did not
utter one word of complaint.
Alphonso was chiefly distressed at tho way
in which this privation of pontifical favours, in

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

53

regard to the exercises of the missions, acted
to the injury of souls: "At Rome,” he wrote
to the President de Paul, “they endeavour to
make me hope that tho Pope thinks of restor­
ing tho office of superior-general to me ; but
tho blow which has struck mo is not that ; it
is tho loss of faculties for the missions, of those
faculties without which wo can bo of but little
assistance to souls. I wish that we could regain
them, that wo might bo of mutual aid to each
other, as wo have been until now.” He then
went on to commission him to use his interest
for that purpose, and ho also begged Father
Cajono to have tho kindness to go to Romo to
discuss this affair. “I am not able to travel,”
he said to him ; “ wore I not reduced to the
state in which you sco me, I should have set out
cro now. Your Reverence must go there, and
try to got the Popo to restore theso faculties to
us. If wo obtain them wo shall havo obtained
everything. I had a hundred and seventy du­
cats ; but I havo been obliged to pay so many
expenses that I cannot promise you any money ;
for I do not oven know if I havo anything left.
Let us each do all we can for tho good of tho
cougrcgration. ”
Though things wore in such a stato of con­
fusion, Alphonso did not forget tho missions :
as a valiant captain rallies his soldiers after a
great defeat, and then resists tho enemy, so ho
assembled together tho few subjects who remain­
ed with him, and made them fight against sin,
by encamping thorn in tho principal intrcnchments.

54

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOBI.

“We have not ceased to labour for the good
of souls in the kingdom,” ho wrote to Cardinal
Banditti, in a letter of tho 15th of January,
1781; “we have given a great many missions.
That of Foggia may bo counted for four, as it
will last for a month and a half; that of Nola
will soon take place, and will continue for a
month ; similar ones will also bo given at
Nocera and elsewhere ; but we are obliged to
labour without extraordinary faculties, which is
a great loss to many souls. I entreat you to
write mo a few words ; for I am in tho greatest
affliction on account of this unexpected storm.”
•I
Whilst the servant of God thus manifested
such courageous solicitude for the work of the
missions, tho affairs of the congregation grew
daily worse and worse, thanks to the calumnies
of the procurator. We were now only looked
upon as a reproach among men, and as loaded
with the indignation and censures of the Holy
Seo. Several bishops took us for schismatics,
and refused our missions, and if the people
asked to have us, their requests were rejected,
and we were slandered. This caused acute pain
to Alphonso and to us. Mgr. Zuccaro, tho bish­
op of Capaccio, on receiving a request from
the authorities of Pisciota for a mission, replied,
“ I grant it to you, provided it is given by the
missionaries of the Pontifical States, for they
alone are acknowledged by the Popo as true
children of our Holy Church and of the con­
gregation of the Redemptorists. The Cioranists
in the kingdom have rebelled against the head

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORT.

of tho Church, and have been deprived of their
privileges. May God enlighten the II and cause
them to understand the miserable state of him
who has sought to withdraw from obedience to
the chief pastor whom Jesus Christ authorised
to feed His sheep and lambs.” They would
no longer make use of us for novenas and
other such exercises, and candidates for orders
were no longer sent to our houses.
Some looked upon our houses in the kingdo H
as illegal in the eyes of the Church through
II alice, others did so through respect for the
Holy See. “Yesterday evening,” a person of
distinction at Naples wrote to us, “ I was in a
company of Neapolitan missionaries, amongst
whom there was one in authority, who said that
ho would not dare to advise a young man to
enter into one of the houses in the kin ffdo]
'I know not,’ added another, ‘how the members
of these houses can remain there with any con­
science.’ ”
Alphonso was so cast down by these humilia­
tions, that his only consolation consisted in
meditating on the Passion of Jesus Christ, or
on the truths of eternity, and in reading over
and over again the Life of tho Blessed Joseph
*
Calasanctius,
whoso old ago had also been af­
* St. Joseph Calasanctius was born in 1536 of a noble family in
Arragon. After he had aided in the re-establishment of discipline
among the clergy, as vicar-general of Urgel, he went to Rome,
where he founded the Congregation of Clerks Regular of the Pious
Schools for the instruction of youth. He was horribly persecuted
by three members of his Congregation when he was upwards of

I

5G

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

flicted by a cruel persecution. Excepting when
ho was occupied in speaking to us what it was
necessary to say, ho maintained constant si­
lence, and kept himself closely united to God.
His sight was much weakened, and ho was to
bo seen for hours together with bis book almost
resting on his forehead. Ho adored tho will of
tho Pope, ho did all he could to prevent the
smallest complaint being uttered against it, and
was still more anxious that nothing should be
done to cause him the slightest displeasure. On
hearing that several of us thought of soliciting
the king’s protection, Alphonso was afraid that
that would occasion altercations between the
courts of Romo and of Naples. “ I cannot acquit
him of sin,’' he wrote on the 3rd of January,
1781, to the vicar-general, Father Corrado, “who
wishes to have recourse to the king now. I
entreat your Reverence expressly to forbid it.”

CHAPTER XXIX.
Amidst this thick gloom a ray of hope appeared
to console Alphonso and his children. The king,
as wo have already seen, had munificently promiseighty years of age. lie was arrested and brought before the
tribunal of the holy office, when he was deprived of his oflice of
superior-general, and obliged to submit to the yoke of his chief
persecutor. His congregation was suppressed by a papal brief,
but this brief was revoked after his death, as he had himself
predicted. lie died in disgrace at the age of ninety-two. Clement
XIII. placed him amongst the saints.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

57

cd on the 22nd of October, 1779, to recompense
the services of our missionaries, whom he had
appointed to publish tho jubilee. As God had
blessed this work throughout the kingdom, Al­
phonso. in order to profit by the clemency of
the prince, asked that it might
II
bo made lawful
for the subjects of his congregation to strip
themselves of all property, to make an oath to
God to lead a life in entire community in holy
poverty, and to remain in the congregation until
If
death. Ho determined on asking to make
these
II
oaths to God, because the grand-almoner
would
not allow of vows. Having become assured
that Innocent IL, in 1G64, had commuted the
vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience of tho
priests and clerics of St. Joseph into so many
oaths, he thought that his conduct would
bo approved by Popo Pius VI., especially as a
promise to God by oath is even more binding
than a vow itself.
He therefore wrote to Father Cajone of Benevento on tho 2nd of January, 1781, saying,
“ I entreat you to pray to God about this favour
which we have asked for from the king ; if
wo obtain it, the congregation will present quite
a different aspect. When they hear at Romo
that the king has granted us these favours, I
expect that tho Sacred Congregation and tho
Γορο will no longer object to consenting to our
reunion. Wo are praying for it here, I hope
you will do so also.”
When the President do Paul, who was at Frosinone, heard of what was being done in tho king­

58

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

dom, ho candidly replied, on the 14th of the
same month, “ Father Tannoja has written to
Mgr. tho secretary, to get all proceedings of
every sort suspended for two months, and this
has been consented to. If the king listens to
you, the cause is ended, and the reunion will
be brought about.”
As tho discussion of our cause was still ponding
in the royal council, and one of the grievances
alleged against us was that wo were mendi­
cants, Alphonso demanded the privilege of being
allowed to beg for some assistance from the
friends and benefactors of the congregation du­
ring tho wheat and olivo harvest. The petition
was laid before tho king, and Alphonso in ad­
dressing it to the Marquis of Marco implored
his protection : “ My very dear and much ho­
noured Marquis,” he wrote to him, “your Ex­
cellency has always had the kindness to wish
me well, unworthy though I be. I should have
come to lay my petition before you in person,
but I am eighty-four years of age, and cannot
move from my arm-chair. Not knowing to
whom to apply, I have recourse to your Excel­
lency, who so much wishes for the glory of
the Lord, to beg you to read this petition to
his Majesty, and to try and console me by ob­
taining its success.”
Whilst ho made use of human measures,
Alphonso grounded all his hopes in prayer.
Amongst other things, he ordered that the
Blessed Sacrament should be exposed in each
house for the adoration of tho community du-

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

59

ring every evening for nine days, and that
divers prayers, which he appointed, should then
be recited. All of us adopted a spirit of pe­
nance ; many masses were celebrated with this
intention, and large alms were distributed amongst
the poor.
“Let us do all we can to obtain reunion,”
Alphonso wrote to the President de Paul. “ If
God wills that we be divided, I can only say,
‘Fiat voluntas sua.’ For myself, I am already
on the brink of the grave ; if there are two
superior-generals after my death, the congrega­
tion will come to an end. To speak plainly,
if wo do not succeed in obtaining a reunion,
the place in which we shall gain most souls
will not be Rome, but the kingdom of Naples,
where our missions are so necessary and so
much desired ; if we remain divided, the con­
gregation cannot do as much good as it has
done. In conclusion, my only prayer to God
is that His good pleasure may be accomplished.”
Tho king had the kindness to grant Alphonso
all that he had asked. “His Majesty,” the
Marquis of Marco replied on the 24th of Fe­
bruary, 1781, “is full of gratitude for the in­
defatigable labours of your missionaries, and the
success they have obtained in the publication
of tho jubilee, and so ho has deigned to grant
you all tho favours you have asked for. He
therefore permits tho missionaries of your insti­
tuto to make, 1st, tho oaths of a life in com­
munity and of poverty, without prejudice to their
claims on their patrimonial possessions and usn-

1

60

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

H
fructs : 2nd, that the said missionaries
may take
tho oath of perseverance in tho congregation,
which oath may bo dispensed with by the su­
perior-general for lawful reasons : 3rd, ho also
consents that the missionaries may ask for some
assistance from their friends and benefactors in
the time of tho wheat and olive harvest.”
These tidings filled Alphonso with joy, and
ho fancied that everything was now put to
rights ; so ho wrote as follows to Father Cor­
rado, in expression of his thankfulness to God:
“ The Lord has consoled me, Blessed be His
name for ever! I did not expect to obtain this
favour, but God has granted it to us through
tho intercession of the Blessed Virgin and St.
He notified it to all tho houses in
Joseph.
tho same manner, and wished that they should
all offer up their fervent thanksgivings for this
blessing to Almighty God and to tho Blessed
Virgin before tho Blessed Sacrament during its
exposition. Ho exhorted each of them to ob­
serve the rule more rigorously than ever, and to
redouble their vigilance in tho service of God.
“I send you the decree which we have so hap­
pily obtained,” he wrote on the 24th of Febru­
ary, 1781, to Father Don Celestino do Robcrtis,
tho superior of the house at Caposele ; “ go to
the choir and return thanks for it to tho adorabio Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Wo despaired of ever receiving such a favour,
we must therefore attribute it to a miracle of
tho Blessed Virgin. Yes ! it is a great miracle. Thcrefore let us manifest our gratitude to

ST, ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

61

Jesus Christ and His divino Mother, in order
that they may restore tho exact observance of
rule. We must now begin again to observe the
rule carefully, which has been so much neg­
lected until now. I bless your Reverence, and
embrace you one by one and all. I wish,”
ho added at the end of the letter, “ that you
would all let mo know that you are contented
and thankful.”
Joy was felt throughout all tho houses. The
following was the reply sent by tho rector of
Iliceto : “ Our consolation has exceeded our sor­
row ; wo were dead, and now wo aro restored
to life again. Tho inhabitants around us have
made bonfires in rejoicing. These people shared
in our desolation, and now they share in our
gladness. Tho chapter of tho cathedral have
sent us their treasurer to congratulato us, and
the agent of tho prince and some other gen­
tlemen have dined with us. Let us pray to
God, that after He has thus consoled us, Ho
may also causo poaco to be ro-established
amongst us. A great many masses have been
said to obtain this favour, and they aro said
now in thanksgiving to God.”
As soon as the decree was published, Alpbonso sent a copy of it to Cardinal Zclada, who
presided over tho Sacred Congregation as pre­
fect through the death of Cardinal Caracciolo.
He again explained to him how ho had been
deceived, and showed him that tho wound was
healed through tho oaths sanctioned by tho
king ; ho also told him of tho spiritual wants

62

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

of tho kingdom, and tho great injury which
would bo done if all tho members of his congre­
gation did not participate in the favours of tho
Holy Seo. “I will not fail,” ho replied on the
2nd March, “to hand over your letter and tho
annexed document to the congregation, that it
may bo added to tho report, and that the whole
may bo presented to Mgr. Ghilini, who is tho
reporter, and whoso office it is to examino all
which relates to this case ; as regards tho slight
share that I can take in the matter, rest assured
that I will only have in view tho true interests of
religion and of the faithful. I thank your Lord­
ship for the pious office you render me in always
remembering mo in your prayers, of which I
confess I stand in great need, and whilst offer­
ing you the disposition of my poor services, I
kiss your hand in all sincerity.”
Whilst the whole congregation in the king­
dom and in the Pontifical States impatiently” sigh­
ed after the reunion, tho implacable procurator
did all he could to hinder it. Alphonso on the
contrary was full of generous confidence, and
wrote to him thus, on the 26th of March : “ My
father, in speaking to Father Paul about our re­
union, I wrote to him, that wo hoped that the
king would grant what wo asked in regard to
tho life in community, poverty, and perseverance ;
ho has replied to me, that if the king grants us
these favours, all will be set to rights between
us. By God’s grace, we have obtained every
thing from the king. In consequence of this,
I entreat your Reverence to cooperate in this

ST. ALPHONSO LIGÜOEL

G3

reunion, which is so much wished for on both
sides. I trust that Jesus Christ will· give us
the consolation of being united together as we
were before, and I do not believe that your
Reverence wishes to oppose this.......I pray your
Reverence to remember, that if you persevere
in wishing for tho separation, and obtain what
you wish, you will, as I believe, spend the re­
mainder of your days in sorrow, especially when
you see that it is too late to remedy it. I en­
treat you, by the love of God, to consider this
point at tho foot of tho crucifix. I embrace you,
and pray God to enable you to do His Iloly Will.
My constant and only prayer is, ‘ My God !
grant that I may never in any measure deviate
from Thy Holy Will in any degree.’ My death
is near at hand, and that makes me pray.”
Whilst these matters were being transacted
at Rome, Alphonso begged tho Archbishop of
Benevento onco more to speak favourably for
hi 11 to tho Holy Father. Everything seemed to
foretell a happy termination of affairs, but the
iniquity of the procurator triumphed once more.
“Mgr. Liguori’s pretensions are too numerous,”
ho said on presenting himself to tho Sacred Con­
gregation; “ho wants to act as Pope, or at least
not to take any notice of the Pope. The oaths
are another alteration ho wishes to make in the
rule. The Popo is not to receive tho law, but
to give it. But besides this, tho rule is altered
from ono end to tho other. Wo wish to have
the rule of Benedict XIV., and not tho reform
of Mgr. Liguori.” Ho then reproduced under

04

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUO1H.

fresh colours all that could make his passion
appear as zeal, and render Alphonso inexcusable
in the eyes of tho cardinals ; and as ho also took
special care to take advantage of the misunder­
standing between tho two courts, which prevented
Alphonso from pleading his cause before the Sa­
cred Congregation, ho had no difficulty in gaining
attention, and in dissuading the cardinals from
all measures of conciliation. Yet Cardinal Zolada, who had an extreme veneration for Mgr. Lig­
II
uori, and who know his inviolable attachment
to
tho Iloly Sec, could not put faith in tho declama­
tions of tho procurator. He knew that his ad­
vanced ago obliged him to leave things to others,
and he was convinced that ho was innocent, and
a victim to his own generous confidence. This
wise cardinal was sensibly affected at his humilia­
tion and trials, and proposed to the Sacred Con­
gregation that they should respect his person,
and make some arrangement in favour of reunion;
but he was alone in this opinion, and all tho other
cardinals, and especially Cardinal Ghilini, tho re­
porter of the cause, were of a contrary opinion.
The Popo was misinformed by his secretary, and
beset by tho procurator, and far from granting
him anything, he confirmed all tho previous deci­
sions. When Alphonso heard of it, ho said, “I
wish for what God wills. Tho will of God makes
all things straight.”

65

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI,

CHAPTER XXX.
Whilst the powers of hell were thus let loose
against tho congregation, Alphonso, whose cour­
age was indefatigable and whose faith was in­
vincible, was unceasingly labouring to rebuild
the ruined towers of Jerusalem ; but to his
great sorrow, he found what he repaired in the
evening thrown down in the morning ; yet al­
though his affliction on hearing of his fresh de­
feat at Rome was very great, he did not despair
of regaining the favour of tho Pope. As the
Father President do Paul had to go to Bene­
vento, Alphonso on tho Gth of March wrote to
Father Corrado, who was then at Naples, to beg
him to go there also, in order that they might
consult together as to the measures to be adopted
to effect tho reunion. “In tho houses of Bene­
vento,” ho said to him, “ a groat fête has been
held, on account of the favour which the king
o
has granted us, in allowing us to take tho oath
of perseverance, and the cardinal is much rejoiced
at it ; but if we do not succeed in bringing mat­
ters to a happy issue, all that has been hitherto
gained will bo lost. I am a poor paralytic, and
I can scarcely move. But God will aid us, so
let us take courage.”
In the morning of Friday, tho 3rd of April, tho
Fathers Corrado and Constance of Nocora, Father
Augustin, the rector of Caposèlo, Father Carmin
Picome, the rector of St. Angelo, and I, of Ilico5

VOL. V.

GG

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

to, arrived nearly at the very .same hour at Bene­
vento.
Our meeting was truly providential,
for wo had not preconcerted it. λVe were all of
one mind, and settled on tho measures to bo
adopted for tho reunion with tho father-presi­
dent ; amongst other things, it was decided that
two provinces should bo established, and that of
the states should bo under his direction ; we
also determined on immediately sending two fa­
thers to Rome, to settle this matter with the
Popo. The Father President gave proof of entire
sincerity, especially by asking the others, when I
was absent, to send mo to Rome, as I should
bo welcome to Mgr. Carafa and tho advocate
Zuccaro, who was tho pro-secretary of the Sacred
Congregation.
Tho father-procurator was irritated at this
pacific interview, and dissatisfied with the fa­
ther-president, so he threatened to upset every­
thing in tho kingdom and in tho states, Tho
hatred which ho had conceived against Alphonsb increased day by day. He swore that
he would never permit a reunion to take
place. “This is a satisfaction,” said ho,
“ which Mgr. Liguori and his adherents will
never obtain from me.” Ho did not wish for
peace, because ho feared some mischance there­
by happening to himself. “ If Mgr. Liguori had
me in his power,” he one day said to mo in
Rome, “he would ruin mo outright.” There­
fore, the unhappy man, whoso malice was
thus openly evinced, acted as if ho were quite
desperate.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

G7

As tho Sovereign Pontiff had to go to tho
Pontine Marshes after Easter, Alphonso on tho
Gtli of April begged Cardinal Banditti to take the
trouble to go thither in person, in order that
ho might see his Holiness there, and inform
him of the real state of things.
“ I know,’ ’
said he, “that your Reverence has written se­
veral times in favour of tho reunion, but I
expect much more success from a private
interview than from all tho letters in tho
world.” He made the same request to Mgr.
Bergamo, bishop of Gaeta, who was well acquainted with tho Pope. Pius VI. was then
at Terracino, but his mind was quite prejudiced against Alphonso and his houses ; Mgr.
Bergamo said all ho could in order to dispel
the prejudices which had been instilled into
him against the innocent old man, and he also
dwelt on tho good which the congregation did
in the provinces of Naples, where it was nearly
alone in devoting itself to apostolical labours.
“Let them then state all that has been
done,” said tho Popo, “for it is not well to
change the rule of a religious congregation with­
out the sanction of the Holy See.” Mgr. Bergame insisted on tho attachment which Mgr.
Liguori had unceasingly testified towards tho Holy
See. “I know,” replied tho Popo, “that ho
is a saint, and that ho has hitherto been at­
tached to the Holy See ; but on this occasion
he has not adopted tho same course.” Tho
cardinal finally represented tho stato to which
he was reduced, and the unfaithfulness of the two

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

consultors ; but tho Popo would give no other
answer than this, “ Let him send some one to
Romo to inform mo about it all.” Mgr. Ber­
gamo then begged him to give Alphonso his
blessing. “Yes,” replied tho Popo, “I bless
him with all my heart, and I also bless all tho
members of his congregation.”
Mgr. Bergamo, who took the greatest in­
terest in Alphonso’s peace of mind and in
the welfare of the congregation, was not sa­
tisfied with what he had done, and when he
took leave of the Pope, he entreated him to
show clemency towards Alphonso and towards
his houses. “ Let them come,” replied tho
Pope, “ and tell mo of all that has been done
with sincerity.” “They will come,” his Lord­
ship answered, “to tho feet of your Holiness,
and they will give you a faithful statement of
everything,”
At the end of May, Alphonso, at the advice
of Mgr. Bergame and Cardinal Banditti, sent
tho Fathers D. Bartholomew Corrado, and D.
Francis Xavier of Leon to Rome. The sorrow­
ful old man counted each moment from his great
desire to regain tho favour of the Pope. For
this end, he ordered prayers and masses to bo
said, and he exhorted the houses of St. Angelo
and of Benevento to cooperate together equally
in furthering the success of this matter. In
the midst of these embarrassing circumstances,
Alphonso had one source of distress which wo
did not understand. Through his love for holy
poverty, he had made a vow to depend on the

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

69

local superior, just like any other subject, when
he felt in any doubt regarding property, but as
the rectors in the kingdom were not at this
time lawful superiors of the houses, as the Tope
did not acknowledge them as such, he did not
know to whom to apply, and was continually
afraid of sinning. lie therefore charged Father
Corrado to speak about it to his Holiness for
him: “Your Reverence must know,” he said
to him, “that as I am obliged by the rule to
keep the vow of poverty, I wish to observe it
as I am bound to do ; but in order to observe
it thus, I require to depend on the dispensation
of tho local superior in my particular doubts ;
now at present there is not any superior in the
congregation on whom I can depend, which caus­
es me to bo in a state of terrible agitation, and
the devil tempts me to despair. I do not wish
to offend God in the smallest degree. I there­
fore entreat your Reverence to speak to tho
Pope and to inform him of my uneasiness, which
causes me to be in a stato of continual death.
Entreat him then, to cause me to submit to
the will of tho superior or of my confessor in
all my doubts. Oh, entreat his Holiness to
grant mo this favour, and remind him that there
was once a time when he looked upon me with
an eye of favour.”
Father Corrado did not apply to tho Pope,
but to tho cardinal who was tho grand peni­
tentiary, who was filled with admiration at Λ1phonso’s delicacy, and at the vow which ho
had made in regard to poverty, which was so

fl
j

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

new a thing in a superior: “Acquiescat suo
confossario,” was the answer which tho cardinal
gave.
Our proceedings at Romo had not such for­
tunate results as wo had hoped. It is the fato
of divisions, to be as hard to repair as they
aro easy to make. As tho procurator did not
care about the rule, but only about casting off
tho yoke of submission to Alphonso, he man­
aged so that all that had been done at Bene­
vento and at Terracino came to nought.
The answer to Alphonso’s petition was present­
ed to tho Pope and remitted to the Sacred Con­
gregation ; the following answer was sent on the
22nd of June : “ Audiatur procurator generalis
congregationis præsens in curia.” Our fathers
stated all the reasons which were in our favour.
The procurator also presented his statement on
the 9th of July. “I never knew,” he ironically
said, “ that any decree was issued depriving the
plaintiff and his partisans of the favours of the
Holy See ; but if the question is to decide 'whe­
ther absolution is needed for having deserted
the institute in which one has been professed,
and for having adopted a new rule, the answer
will depend on the clemency of your Eminen­
ces ; however, in order that absolution may not
be nullified by perseverance in desertion, dis­
pensation will also have to be obtained as re­
gards the vows of religion.”
Such was tho beginning of this discourse, I
cannot bring myself to relate the rest. He had
the boldness to reproach the houses in the king-

ST. ALPHONSO LiGUOKl.

71

dora for having banished evangelical poverty,
tho solo support of life in community, He said
that the rulo required that the revenues derived
from patrimonial property should bo adminis­
tered by the superiors, while the regulations
left them at the disposal of tho subjects. Ho
was answered by saying that as tho rule was am­
biguous, Mgr. Liguori, in order to prevent an­
noyance to parents, had from the first wished
that these revenues should bo abandoned to them,
and that the procurator’s own practice, as well
as that of all tho houses in the states, was in
conformity to this custom. He also objected,
that in the concession of the oath of perseve­
rance, nothing was said about the Pope, and
the rector-major alono is spoken of as regards
dispensations from its observance, as if the rule
did not grant this power to the one as well as
to the other. His words had little in them
calculated to produce conviction, but there was
such a prejudice in his favour, that he once
more gained his cause ; in tho report which was
addressed to tho holy father, quite tho contrary
was asserted to that which he had heard at
Terracino from Cardinal Banditti and Mgr. Ber­
gamo, and his dissatisfaction against us was
converted into indignation ; he therefore sent
us an answer on tho 24th of August, 1781, to
this effect: “Standum in decisis per sanctissi­
mum sub die 13 Septembris, 1780
and as a
double victory for tho procurator, these words
were also added, “Et amplius non admittantur
preces.

72

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOKI.

This confirmation of tho preceding decision
of tho Sovereign Pontiff was a final triumph to
tho procurator. In his fury ho unceasingly pur­
sued his project of humbling and grieving Al­
phonso, by calumniating him personally and de­
stroying his work. Whilst on a mission at Narni he related to the bishop what had taken
place at Romo and in tho kingdom, and kept
repeating in ridiculo of Alphonso, “ Ho has fail­
ed as to his canonization.” His Lordship was
so scandalized at this language, that although
he had until then never omitted daily to assist
at the instructions which this father gave in
tho church, ho from that time ceased to repair
thither, and only put up with him afterwards
with regret.
Tho Fathers returned to Romo in November ;
when Alphonso heard of the decision which
had been adopted, he exclaimed, with all the
calmness of perfect resignation, "For six months
I have asked for nothing from God but that
His will might be accomplished : Lord ! I only
will what Thou will’st.”
Thus did Mgr. Liguori make a perfect holo­
caust to God of that work which he had main­
tained for forty years, amidst numberloss diffi­
culties, and for which he had sacrificed his re­
pose, his honour, and his reputation.
Tho judgments of God, although unfathomable,
are ever adorable. Alphonso, who had in so
many ways always manifested his submission
and respect towards the Head of tho Church,
was nevertheless looked on with an eye of sever-

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

ity, and treated with rigour ; but the most
glorious amongst tho sons of mon also felt the
rod of tho Lord, who saw Him clothed in the
mantle of our iniquities.
From this however it must not bo thought that
tho Sovereign Pontiff continued to look on Al­
phonso as guilty after his death. When they pro­
ceeded to tho examination of his virtues in tho
Congregation of Rites, with that scrupulous ex­
actness always practised there, tho calumnies
against him were discovered, and his innocence
was brought to light by means of that balance
of tho sanctuary which never deceives. When
tho Holy Father was undeceived, he wept at hav­
ing grieved a saint, and did not hesitate to de­
clare in a solemn decree which ho issued on the
29th of April, 1796, that Alphonso had always
been most submissive towards the Holy See :
“Memoria tenemus pietatem singularem et ob­
servantiam servi Dei erga hanc sanctam apostolicam sedem, voce sæpo, rebus gestis et scriptis
ab ipso testatam.”*
He even imposed perpetual silence on the
subject, so that during tho course of the process
of the canonization no further allusions to tho
faults of which he had been supposed to bo
guilty should bo made: “ Sicque....por quoscumque judices, ordinarios et delegatos etiani
causarum palatii apostolici, auditores, S.
• ·* We cherish the remembrance of the pious and singular obe­
dience of this servant of God towards the holy and apostolic See.
and his tvords, his actions, and his writings, have often testified it."

■ ■

ST. ALPHONSO LlGUOllI.

cardinales ctiam de latere legatos, et apostolicæ
sedis nuntios, sublata eis, et eorum cuilibet
quavis aliter judicandi, et interpretandi facultate,
et auctoritate judicari et do finiri debere, ad
irritum et inane, si secus super his a quocumque
quavis auctoritate scienter, vel ignoranter con­
tigerit attentari, non obstantibus constitutionibus,
et ordinationibus apostolicis, cæterisquc contrariis
quibuscumque.”

CHAPTER XXXI.

God, who sometimes seems to abandon His
works, only for tho purpose of afterwards raising
them up more gloriously than before, gave a fresh
addition to the congregation, at the very time
when it was threatened with entire ruin. Popo
Pius VI., from knowing how advantageous it would
bo to his states, and how useful for tho Church,
established a house of our missionaries at Rome,
in the church of St. Julian, not far from that
of St. Mary Major. This favour on the part of
the Pope was immediately made known through­
out the kingdom. A friend of Alphonso’s inter­
rogated him as to whether he knew anything
about this new house at Rome. He replied, “ I
am quite ignorant, and I no longer occupy my­
self about these matters ; I should be wrong
were I still to wish to enter into fresh négoci­
ations. God wills it thus, ‘ Gloria Patria
I
will however write to tell them how they ought

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

to act, and that they must not place themselves
under the Roman police.”
As he wished to be satisfied as to the truth
of what he heard, he wrote as follows to the
President de Paul, on the 29th of January, 1781 :
“There is a report current here, that you who
belong to Romagna, are going to have a foun­
dation at Rome. Inform me if this is true.
Wo must continue to treat one another as
brothers and friends : I do not think you have
cause to suspect that I wish to spoil your af­
fairs.”
Not satisfied with granting us this favour,
Pius VI. gave us fresh proofs of his protection
by founding two houses at Gubbio and at Spello, in the diocese of Foligno, in order to supply
the necessities of his states. Father Francis de
Paul, tho president of the houses of tho states,
and specially those of Rome, informed Alphonso
of this ; so far from remembering his own con­
sequent humiliations, he experienced the greatest
joy at the tidings ; and although he had before
been opposed to our establishment at Rome, now
that tho will of the Popo was plainly expressed
on the subject, ho testified as much satisfaction
as if it had been bis own work, and as if he
had been recognised as superior.
“Yesterday the 22nd instant,” he replied to
Father de Paul, on tho 23rd of November, 1781,
“I received your much-esteemed letter, which
tells mo of tho double foundation at Foligno
and at Gubbio, as well as of that at Rome.
It has given mo great consolation, for not only

I

76

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

will this bo a means whereby you can be of
mutual assistance to one another, but it will
also give you a new field in which you can
give many missions so much needed in these
days when corruption everywhere exists. Do
not forget tho truths of eternity—death, judg­
ment, heaven, and hell, must be constantly
preached.”
Father do Paul also informed him of the flou­
rishing state of his noviciate. “ I am much re­
joiced,” said he, “at tho fifteen novices whom
you have received, because you will now require
a greater number of subjects on account of these
new missions.”
Whilst our fathers at Rome were rejoicing
at tho opening of tho two new houses, they
wrote word that they were also demanded at
Ravennes, just as if the foundation were already
made. “Our brothers in the states,” said Al­
phonso, “ are well pleased, because they have
acquired a new field of action. I am glad that
they are to have one at Ravennes ; may they
do that which God wills ; but you will see that
Ravennes will not take root. To concludo, I
shall find pleasure at seeing the progress of
the affair.” That which he predicted came true:
all the négociations as to obtaining Ravennes
were fruitless.
Father do Paul wrote to Alphonso that it was
through him that all tho good which was done
had been commenced.
“ I thank our good
God,” he replied to him, “that he has made
use of me to commence all tho good that has

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

since been effected through you, and princi­
pally by tho Pope, whom God has deigned to
console in so many ways. I rejoice that you
aro shortly going to give missions at Foligno
and at Gubbio. I hope that God will make
uso of you to increase His glory, and I will
not cease to pray to Him for this end. Thank
you for tho Ave Maria which you recite every
evening for mo ; apply it specially for a happy
death. I feel bound to tell you several very
useful things, and I entreat you to suggest
them to your companions. Recommend them
to preach on what a great means of grace
prayer is, it is a subject on which I have
written a whole work. God wishes to diffuse
grace, but He wishes to bo solicited for it ;
he who does not pray, does not obtain. Con­
stantly recommend devotion to Mary to all wdio
wish to bo saved. Arrange so that the ser­
mon on tho Blessed Virgin be delivered every Sa­
turday, and that it is never omitted in mission
time, to show how all stand in need of recom­
mending themselves to her by reciting the Ave
Maria, especially during temptations. These
things seem to some people as only fit for
devout women, but they may save many souls.
Several congregations have introduced tho cus­
tom of giving a sermon on the Blessed Virgin
during
; never omit it in tho exercises
O missions
J
which aro given to nuns or priests. I embrace
you, and pray God to grant that you and your
companions may bo wholly His.”
Father Villani also wrote to the president to

■U

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ί !

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

*

u
assure him
what great joy and satisfaction Al­
phonse felt at tho success of the congregation
in the Papal States, “ Thank you for the good
news you give us ; I assure you that wo all
share in your joy, but especially his Lordship
our father, who they have filled with gladness;
ho praises God for these tidings, and is un­
ceasingly speaking about them ; the inclosed
letter is all his own dictation.”
If ago, infirmities, and domestic misfortunes
did not deprive his Lordship of life, they at
least abridged tho number of his days ; but
his solicitude for his children was not thereby
rendered the least less lively or less universal.
As his head was no longer strong enough to en­
able him to dictate his letters, he communicated
his sentiments to Father Francis Anthony.
“Mgr. our Father,” the latter wrote to the
President de Paul, in a letter dated 9th of May,
“ has twice told me to write to your Reverence
as from him ; he wishes you to know that ho
feels affection for you all, and wishes you to
pray to God for him with your companions.
He says that he feels ill, and begs you not to
forget the time when you dwelt together. These
are the words he ordered me to use in writing
to you.”
Tho president informed Alphonso that the
congregation had made great progress under
his administration, that they prayed for him in
common, and that the masses prescribed by
the constitutions should be offered up for him
at his death ; he was greatly comforted by this

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

last piece of information, and thanked him for
it in the tenderest manner. This letter arrived
on tho 21st of June, 1782, and notwithstanding
his sufferings, he sent his answer the same day.
“ I thank your Reverence and your compan­
ions,” said he, “for your remembrance of me;
I assure you I do not cither forget you. I thank
you and your companions with all my heart,
for your intention of applying tho masses to me
after my death. Write me a few lines when
you can, because your letters comfort me. I
am also comforted by the noviciate at Scifelli,
which contains twenty-two young men.
May
God render you more and more fervent in His
love. 1 thank Him for having caused your
houses to prosper, and permitted that I shall die
in humiliation, as it is a sign that He wishes to
pardon my sins. I do not cease to recommend
you to Jesus Christ, and to pray that He may
fill you with his holy love ; I also entreat you
to ask Jesus and Mary for this love for me,
and to pray God to enable me to die full of con­
fidence in His passion. Once more let mo beg
you to recommend me to Jesus and Mary, and
I will not cease to pray to them for you all,
that they may fill you with love to them. And
now I embrace you and all your companions, and
bid you farewell.”
This letter Brother Francis Anthony assured
the president, was entirely his Lordship’s dic­
tation. As he acknowledged the father-presi­
dent as his superior, he did not conclude it any
more than the others by giving him his bless

80

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUO11T.

ing, but said, “I pray Jesus Christ to bless
all your houses aud all your companions,” and
ho signed it with the formula made use of
in addressing the superior major, viz., “your
very affectionate and very grateful brother,
Alphonso Maria of tho Most Holy Redeemer.”
There is no need of saying bow much his
heart was afflicted at seeing tho other houses
deprived of tho grace conferred by the Holy See.
This was especially manifested when a vomiting
of blood camo on, which reduced him to the
last extremities ; during the delirium of the
fever, he said, “ What ! are we not of the Con­
gregation of tho Most Holy Redeemer ? Do
we not acknowledge the rule of Popo Benedict
XIV.? If wo submit to tho rule of tho Pope,
why are we out of the congregation ?” And
at other times he said, “Wo have tho rule of
the Popo, wo have taken the vows and wo keep
to them ; therefore why aro wo not belonging
to the congregation?” On another occasion
he said, “Perhaps they doubt that λνο do ob­
serve this rule, and this is why we are now
rejected ; God wills it to be thus ; lot us have
patience.” As his state excited great compas­
sion, he was told, in order to calm him, that wo
were really Redemptorists ; ho then became
silent and tranquil. It was observed that during
these deliriums ho never uttered a word indica­
tive of tho slightest dissatisfaction against tho
Popo or any one whatsoever.
During his recovery, several of our fathers,
on their return from a mission at Somma, went

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

81

to him to got his blessing ; Alphonso, who al­
ways had this same idea before his mind, said
on seeing them, “ I cannot make out how it
can bo said that wo do not belong to the con­
gregation of tho Redemptori sts, since we receiv­
ed tho rule of Benedict XIV. and this rule has
been always observed by us, and is so still.”
"There can bo no doubt on the subject,” respond­
ed Father D. Alexander do Meo, “both the Pope
and the king designate your Lordship as its
founder.” “I do not wish to bo spoken of
any more in this world,” his Lordship replied,
“ but I wish it to be known that the rule which
is observed by us is the very one which wo
received from tho Pope, and from which wo
have never departed.” “Yes, my Lord,” the
father answered, “ it is so ; it will always be
acknowledged that the congregation exists here,
and that tho rule which Mgr. Liguori received
On another
from the Popo is here observed,
occasion, when ho again received tho same anWhat does
swer, ho replied with agitation,
my name signify ? What I caro about is that
it should bo known that we are subject to tho
Pope. Lot us bless God for all that He has
done.”
However deplorable was his situation, Al­
phonso always roso above his misfortunes, and
never ceased to hope for happier days for the
congregation. Onco when they tried to per­
suade him that it would never bo re-established
again as before, he answered, “I assure you
that God has willed and still wills that tho conθ
YOU V.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOHI.

gregation shall subsist in tho kingdom; I found­
ed it for tho kingdom, and it is for that God
has given mo tho vocation.”
ί
However much ho might bo cast down, ho
unceasingly inspired us with frosh courage by
* the assurance that we should one day bo re­
united again, and that the Popo would restore
Do not lose courage,” said
his favours to US.
he, “ Lazarus arose on tho fourth day : bo faith­
ful towards God, who can do all things ; let us
pray and be resigned.”

CHAPTER XXXII.

When the houses of tho kingdom were de­
prived of tho favour of tho Popo, tho bishops
shared in our sorrow. They were alarmed at
seeing themselves deprived of a congregation of
workmen who took such part in their solicitudes,
and so most of them felt it a duty to repre­
sent Alphonso’s innocence to tho Pope, to Car­
dinal Zclada, or to Mgr. Carafta, and to tell
them of tho sad consequences which would re­
sult to their dioceses if Pius VI. had not tho
clemency to restore his favours to tho mission­
aries of tho kingdom as before.
Amongst them all, those who wero most con­
spicuous for their solicitations to tho Holy Fa­
ther, were the Archbishops of Capua, of Amalfi,
of Matera, of Conza, and of Salerno, Mgr. San-

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

83

felice, bishop of Nocora, Mgr. Lopez of Nole,
Mgr. Amato, of Lacedogna, Mgr. Nicodèma,
of St. Angelo, Mgr. Buonaventure, of Musco.
I cannot refrain from citing some of these let­
ters, as a proof of, their sorrow and Alphonso’s
innocence.
Mgr. Amato, a prelate who was so full of
zeal and so celebrated for his probity and pru­
dence, added, after having previously shown
that he spoke with full knowledge of the cause
in question, “ The fault, most Holy Father,
was only committed by two individuals, as is
well known. All the others, as I have ascer­
tained, are quite innocent, and especially Mgr.
Liguori, who has always deserved much from
the Holy Seo by his words, his writings, and
by all his actions. Tho poor old man is eightyII ­
five years of age ; ho can no longer act for him
self, but was deceived without there being any
fault of his own. If any one in the kingdom
ought to suffer, it should bo tho two offenders,
and not tho whole congregation, and above all
not poor Mgr. Liguori, who only has survived so
many sorrows through a miracle.”
After having thus made an apology for Al­
phonso and for us, ho exposed tho great injury
which this stato of things would inflict on
souls. “This kingdom,” continued ho, “experi­
ences great want of spiritual assistance, and is
now destitute of evangelical labourers. It is
true that there arc some in tho capital ; but
they do not leave Naples, and tho missions
which they give are not numerous. It may

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hl

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

be safely said then, that all the rest of the
kingdom depends on the Redemptorist Fathers.
It is only they who toil during eight whole
months in giving missions throughout all the
dioceses. Some of them go into the Calabria,
others into the territory of Labour, into the
Abruzzes, the province of Lecce, and through­
out all the kingdom. They specially devote
themselves to the assistance of a great number
of poor abandoned country people living in the
little hamlets and tho abandoned country of la
Fouille. There is not a diocese which does not
profit by their labours, and if in mine and in
those which surround it, morality and tho fear
of God are seen to reign, it must all be attri­
buted, Most Holy Father, to tho labours of
these workmen, and to tho indefatigable zeal of
Mgr. Liguori. If they are deprived of the be­
nediction of the Holy See, this kingdom will
sustain such a serious injury, that it will bo
left almost destitute of spiritual assistance. The
wound however, is not incurable ; Mgr. Liguori,
with the aid of your Holiness, will bo well ablo
to heal this, as he has before done in regard
to many others.”
Mgr. Sambiasi, the Archbishop of Conza, wrote
to Cardinal Zelada, as follows : “ I cannot tell
you what spiritual benefit the greater number
of the inhabitants of my diocese derived from
tho labours of these apostolical labourers. I may
truly say that if I had not had tho assistance
of these fathers, I should have had no one to
whom to confide tho great work of tho missions,

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

85

and of tho spiritual exercises, both as regards
the seminary, and also all the other parts of
my diocese. I have been just informed that
they no longer enjoy the protection of the Holy
Father. If that bo true, and that it be tho
result of some wicked reports, I humbly venture
to entreat your Eminence to bo their defender,
and I assure you of their constant devotion and
respectful attachment to the Holy See.”
Mgr. tho Archbishop expresses himself in a
similar manner in his letter to Mgr. Caraffa :
“You may imagine how much I must be inter­
ested in this congregation ; I have one of their
houses in my diocese ; I feel a special degree of
esteem and affection for them, and I make use
of them for the missions and all the other exer­
cises. I have this day heard that the congre­
gation is out of favour with the Holy Father,
and that he intends to deprive it of his favours ;
I can assure you that the subjects of this house
lead an exemplary life, and that they profess
such great devotion to the Holy See, that they
do not deserve to be neglected, and still less to
be thought ill of. I earnestly entreat you to
take the most efficacious measures to cause the
Holy Father to deign to restore his favour to
them, if they have lost it, or to continue to be­
stow it on them, if they still enjoy it.”
The worthy and zealous Mgr. Tortora, who
is now Bishop of Fondi, and who was then vicar
capitular of Bovino, wrote to the Pope as fol­
lows : “ Most Holy Father, the reasons which
lead me to apply to your Holiness, have no other

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

end in view than tho salvation of souls, tho good
of tho Church, and the welfare of this diocese.
I look upon these missionaries as faithful labourers in the Lord’s vineyard ; I may truly
say, that they alone preach Jesus crucified;
they show us how to sacrifice one’s life for
tho salvation of souls, and if they cease to
exist, or if they aro deprived of tho protection
of your Holiness, not only this diocese, but also
all tho other adjacent ones, and all la Pouillo,
will bo abandoned. They alone labour contin­
ually for the good of the clergy and tho monas­
teries. They aro engaged in mission work from
the month of October until the end of June.”
“ Most Holy Father, tho steps taken by the
two consultors aro condemned by all tho other
subjects of tho congregation ; but they have not
the power to remedy them. I am however con­
vinced that they neglect nothing in order to show
their great attachment and submission to your
will. They aro all worthy of mercy, because they
aro innocent and victims ; but much more so Mgr.
Liguori, who has been deceived in extreme old ago
and when suffering under grave infirmities.”
Tho canons of Foggia, who had experienced
tho happy fruits of our labours in tho preceding
month, did not fail to address a petition to the
Popo: “Most Holy Father,” said they, “we
humbly represent to your Holiness how useful
tho fathers of this congregation aro to souls ;
wo daily have sensible proofs of tho spiritual
advantages which this town reaps from tho la­
bours of those among these missionaries, who

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

87

arc established in the neighbourhood of the dio­
cese of Bovino. If their labours are diminished
through lack of workmen, or by the privation
of the protection of tho Holy Sec, the result
will assuredly bo of very serious injury to souls,
aud specially to those of this town who derive
so much profit from their exertions.”
D. Vincent of Sangro, Prince of San Severo,
who had recently appreciated the fruits of our
labours, in regard to tho vassals belonging to
his territories, did not hesitate also to represent
to the Holy Father how prejudical the loss of
this congregation would be to the kingdom. Af­
ter having enumerated the works to which we
devote ourselves, he went on as follows: “Your
Holiness can see how well this congregation
merits your apostolical benediction, by means
of which this wound will in time be healed,
which was made without any fault of Mgr.
Liguori’s, or of the greatest part, or I may even
say, of any of his sons.”
Mgr. the pronuncio, was very slow in acquitting
himself of his office, through an excess of pru­
dence ; he did not present his report to the car­
dinals of the Sacred Congregation until the 17th
of October, 1782. After having represented tho
painful position of the congregation, which was in
imminent risk of being suppressed, he manifest­
ed tho deceit of which Alphonso had been the
victim, and clearly exposed his consternation and
his innocence. Ho said, that when he received
the new regulations, accompanied by an official
letter from tho grand-almonor, ho immediately

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ST. ALPHONSO LIG l'Oll I.

withdrew tho office of procurator from Father
Majone, and transferred it to another father who
was at Naples, and that ho had also convoked
a meeting in order to consult as to tho methods
of obtaining what they stood in need of from tho
king.
After having related what had taken place in
tho assembly, and the sentiments of Mgr. Liguori,
he said, “ I believe that he acted so that his con­
duct cannot be censured, as the plaintiffs belong­
ing to the houses of the states have attempted
to do ; it must therefore be worthy of approba­
tion.”
After that, Mgr. the pronuncio examined the
four demands made to the Holy Father by tho
subjects of the states : to convoke a chapter to
elect a president, to annul the decisions of tho
assembly, as well as the elections which had been
there made, and to prevent the subjects of the
states from passing into tho kingdom ; ho also
added, that that would lead to an open separation
and an entire withdrawal of authority from Mgr.
Liguori, who was venerated in the kingdom and
looked upon as rector-major by tho minister and
the court, and that this could not bo done with­
out open contradiction to tho Neapolitan govern­
ment. Ho finally represented that the preserva­
tion of the missionaries was indispensable to the
kingdom and to the welfare of its population ;
and that several bishops and other respectable
persons had assured him of the zeal and utility
of this congregation. " I think it my duty,” con­
cluded he, "to beg and implore the kind interest

ALPHONSO LIGUOKT.

89

of their Eminences the cardinals, in favour of
tho re-establishment of union and harmony in
this congregation, that it may continue to do
the good for which it was instituted by Mgr.
Liguori, and which lias caused it to merit tho
protection of tho sovereign.”
For more than a year and a half Alphonso
had deplored his disgrace, without daring as it
were to raise his eyes to Heaven, nor to address
tho Holy Father, and this was especially the
case after he saw that he was abandoned by so
many cardinals who had until then felt such
great veneration for him. In this state the poor
old man’s greatest suffering arose from seeing the
work of the missions paralysed by the loss of the
favours conferred by tho Holy See. Strong in
his innocence, and confiding in the clemency
of the Pope, he addressed a petition to him in
March, 1783, but he couched it in very incom­
plete terms, and so it was like the prayer of ono
who knows not how to express his wants :

“Most Holy Father,
“Mgr. Alphonso Maria Liguori prostrates him­
self at the foot of your Holiness, and humbly en­
treats you to grant to his missionaries all the
graces, faculties, and privileges conceded by the
Holy See to tho venerable Congregation of the
Redemptorists in tho Pontifical States”.......&c.
The report of Mgr. the pronuncio, and tho pe­
titions of so many bishops, could not fail to make
an impression on tho heart of Pius VI.

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Tho Holy Father, however, did not yet feel
it right to acknowledge the congregation in the
kingdom as forming an ecclesiastical body ; ho
however restored a sufficient portion of his
favours to Alphonso and all his children,
to enable them to continue the work of tho
missions. Ho therefore granted to Alphonso
and to all the present and futuro members of
his congregation all tho indulgences and spiri­
tual favours which the Redemptorist mission­
aries in his States enjoyed during mission time,
and in all other exercises of their ministry.
“Sanctissimus ex speciali gratia,” wrote Car­
dinal Zelada on tho 4th of April, 1783, “conce­
dit oratori quoad vixerit et singulis missionariis
qui idem exercitium assumpserunt, vel in pos­
terum assumpserint, usque quo quilibet eorum
in suscepto exercitio perseveraverit, indulgen­
tias et gratias spirituales tantum, ad instar il­
larum, quibus ex apostolico Indultu gaudent
in missionibus peragendis aliisquc ecclesias tuis
functionibus presbyteri Congregationis Sanctiss­
imi Redemptoris qui existit in statu ecclesias­
tico.”
This rescript wounded tho very heart of the
procurator. Not knowing how else to thwart
this favourable decision, be forged a petition
under my name, addressed it to the Pope, and
presented it to him himself ; it contained several
questions, and a prayer that the graces conferred
should bo specified. By this means lie hoped
to reduce our powers to that of blessing ro­
saries and medals ; but his intrigue failed, and

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91

ho was told that the matter did not admit of
explanation.
At this time God granted Alphonso the
consolation of seeing himself exculpated before
tho royal council, and justified from all the
criminal accusations with which the procurator­
advocate had loaded him. On the day which
was fixed on for pronouncing the sentence of
II
pardon or condemnation,
a group of advocates
sat on tho side of our adversaries, according
to custom, and they seemed to congratulate
themselves as to their victory before-hand ; but
God blessed the decision.
Tho wiso senators of this tribunal separated
tho public cause from tho private one, as the
procurator had done. They dwelt upon the royal
decree of tho 21st of August, 1779, to justify
us from tho offence of living as a congregation
with a rule, constitutions, and superiors. They
also entered into tho spirit of tho law which
tho Catholic King had issued in our favour, in
1752, and represented to tho Sovereign, that by
this law tho king whilst declaring that he did
not recognise the houses of the missionaries as
religious communities, had not forbidden them
to live under a rule and superiors, as was done
not only in seminaries, but even in prisons.
“If the Cioranists,” said they, “live in union,
they do not do it by virtue of a tacit consent,
but by tho express permission of his Catholic
Majesty.” They then contradicted the calumny
in regard to our indépendance of bishops, both
by the attestations of these prelates, and by the

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ST. ALPirONSO LIGUOKI.

very rule itself which the procurator-advocate
had produced. They did not enter into tho
question of tho doctrine and conduct of tho
missionaries, as the king had approved them,
in another decree of the 22nd of October, 1778.
They passed over the complaint on the subject
of our asking alms in silence, as it was rendered
null by the last decree of his Majesty.
They
concluded by saying that we could not be accused
of being a burthen to tho state, of not being
lawfully established, nor of professing erroneous
doctrines. From this they went on to the pri­
vate suit.
The end tho baron had in view in accusing
us of such serious crimes, was only, as we
have said, that he might bo able to recover his
vineyard : as soon as wo were justified before
the king, the cause fell of itself. “ When this
cause was spoken of formerly,” Alphonso wrote
to his sons, on the 1st of January, 1783, “we
were accused of contraventions of rule, which
made us all afraid, but now that wo enjoy the
king’s favour, it will not be easy to overthrow
us, because that takes away all the force of
the grievances on which the baron dwelt so
strongly. “I rejoice,” said he in another letter,
“because it seems to me that the Blessed Vir­
gin will assuredly save us from this tempest.”
And so it was. After the senators had repeat­
edly heard the respective advocates, as well as
the king’s procurator, they all with one accord
represented to his Majesty that they did not
see any right nor reason for the contested

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORT.

93

property being claimed by Sarnelli, since the
proprietorship of tho vineyard had been given
to tho Archbishop of Salerno, by virtue of a
royal decision, and by the will of the former pro­
prietor, tho late Don Andrew his brother, and the
fruits appropriated to the maintenance of the
fathers at Ciorani, with a certain stipend for each
of them, the surplus being given in alms to
the poor ; and that besides the opposition which
the Baron Sarnelli must meet w’ith in the will
of tho donor, his deceased brother, which
had been implicitly approved of by the sove­
reign power and by a special decree of his Ca­
tholic Majesty, he had also his own will against
him, as declared in favour of the fathers of Ci­
orani by the act of agreement which took place
between him and the Archbishop of Salerno, on
the 16th of September, 1755.
Such was the report which the royal council
addressed to the king on the 4th of February,
1784, by which they acquitted us of all the
charges against us, and in consequence of which
his Majesty decreed, through the ministry of tho
Marquis della Sambuca, on the 10th of April,
that there was no ground for admitting the pre­
tensions of the Baron Sarnelli ; and that tho
declaration of his Catholic Majesty on the 19th
of December, 1752, must bo executed.
This favour on tho part of tho king, which
coincided so well with that of tho Pope, filled Alphonso’s heart with unspeakable joy, and raised
up the dejected courage of his desolate children.
He desired that special thanksgivings should bo

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

offered up to God and to tho Blessed Virgin
in all the houses for what ho called a great
miracle, and a miracle in truth it was, but it
was the fruit of tho prayers and penances of
this great servant of God, and of his unlimited
confidence in tho protection of Mary.
The tribunals at Naples wore occupied about
these affairs for no less than nineteen years,
and I am bound to say, that, after God and
the Blessed Virgin, tho congregation had no
other stay than tho clemency of the king and
tho impartial justice of the Marquis of Marco.
Tho latter especially broke tho arms of our
adversaries in their own hands. IIo knew tho
passionate temper of tho lord of Iliceto, he re­
presented our innocence to tho king, and jus­
tified us on all occasions.
When matters were thus tranquillised, divers
things happened which were calculated to di­
vide the houses of the kingdom from those of
Sicily, and these latter again from those of
the states. The father-procurator only thought
of tho houses in tho states, and ho neglected
nothing in order to attain his end. A chap­
ter was convoked on tho 15th of October,
1783, in the house of Scifclli, with tho consent
of the Pope, and tho Father - President de
Paul was re-elected rector-major. Our fathers
in Sicily declared against us, and Father D.
Peter Blasucci was nominated rector-major by
this party. We thus lost all hope of recon­
ciliation. Our fathers, on tho other hand, fear­
ing that they would lose their principal sup-

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

95

port by tho death of Mgr. Liguori, also hold a
chapter in tho samo month at the house of Ciorani, with tho permission of tho king, and
they elected Father D. Andrew Villani as the
coadjutor and future successor of Alphonso.
I will not enter into further particulars with
regard to these affairs. I leave them to any one
who may wish to retrace their history. I will
only add that in tho midst of all these dif­
ficulties, Alphonso never lost tho hope of
seeing tho congregation re-established under one
head ; ho often repeated on different occasions,
“Act uprightly towards God, and God will
not abandon tho congregation ; matters will be
settled after my death.” One day, amongst
others, he said to Father Cardone, “I should
like to have seen things settled before my
death ; I have asked for it, and continue to
ask for it, of the Blessed Virgin ; but it is not
tho will of God. Things will bo arranged, but
that will bo after my death.”
And what he had predicted camo to pass
four years after his death, and even through
the very orders of Pius VI. in consort with
Ferdinand IV., our august sovereign. The latter
decreed an edict of tho 29th of October, 1790,
that wo should observo tho rule of Benedict
XIV., and consented that our houses in his
kingdom should be reunited to those of tho
states. Pius VI. on his side (I went to Romo
for this purpose) restored all his favours to us
on tho 5th of August, 1791, and wished that
after the reunion one single rector-major should

1

96

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI,

bo elected by common consent in a general
chapter, and that tho whole congregation should
for the future contain but ono fold under one
shepherd, We cannot doubt that such a happy
termination as this was obtained by tho pow­
erful intercession of our blessed father, and we
confidently trust that ho will continuo to pro­
tect us more and more, for our welfare and the
good of tho Church.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

If it bo true that tho mouth speaks out of
the abundance of tho heart, Alphonso’s words
in tho midst of his greatest tribulations are an
undeniable proof of his perfect union to the
Divine will.
Father de Paul was touched with compassion
in thinking of the sorrow which Alphonso must
feel in seeing tho congregation divided and
placed under another head, and did not fail to
represent to him, when ho was elected pre­
sident, that ho felt constrained to displease him
thus through the mandate of tho Popo. When
Alphonso heard him speak of displeasure in regard
to a thing which was ordered by tho Pope, whose
most trifling wishes he revered, ho replied to
Father de Paul as follows : “ By God’s grace
I have never lost my judgment, I rejoice that
your Reverence is appointed superior ; all is

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

97

right, and you must accept everything, be­
cause it is the Pope’s will.”
He was so
indifferent as to his deposition, that when Fa­
ther Emmanuel Caldarera, of the Oratory, came
to visit him to console him for tho division
which had taken place, and testified his great
displeasure in regard to the election of the pre­
sident, Alphonso heard him in silence, and mado
no other answer than this, “I care little about
my dignity of rector- II ajor being taken from
me; it is enough for me that they have not
taken Jesus, my Saviour, and my Mother Mary
away from me.”
When some persons called tho subjects of tho
states ungrateful in his presence, Alphonso
did all he could to exculpate them. A religious
asked him if a schism had really been made,
ho replied, “ Yes, there has been some misun­
derstanding between us, because several havo
wished to separate themselves from us. We
pray to God for them, and they also pray for
us, so that I hope that both we and they are
agreeable to God, and that we shall all be­
come saints.”
One day when our fathers were quite incon­
solable, Alphonso said to them in a tone of
entire resignation, “ The Pope has willed it to
be thus, and it is thus God wills it also ;
they will do good who are in tho states, and
you will do it here ; this is the way things
go on in the world.” And on another occa­
sion, ho said, “ They go as God wills. God
guides them, and he who says otherwise, says
7

VOL. V.

98

ST. ALPHONSO LTGUOILI.

what is wrong ; we ought to say, God has willed
it thus.”
The local rector accused Father Maj one of hav­
ingO been the author of all these evils,
' at which
Alphonso was dissatisfied. “ Leave it to God to
judge him,” ho said to tho others; “for us,
wo should say, God has willed it thus. God
has willed it, that wo may also have tho houses
of Foligno and of Gubbio. If this disagreement
had not taken place, wo should not have had
these houses. God has permitted a cloud to
cover tho houses in tho kingdom, in order to
extend and establish tho congregation in the
states. May God be ever glorified ! The will
H
of God sets all wills and all things to rights.
Tho unhappiness of Father Majono and of
his companions were also spoken of ; Alphonso
replied, “May God make them both happy, and
cause them to become saints ; they are worse
spoken of by tho Popo than we are. Ho has
been told that they are tho authors of all tho
mischief: I am sad at their unhappiness, for the
storm has destroyed them ; may God make
saints of them. If they had acted as God w’illcd,
they would not have brought down all these sor­
rows on themselves, nor caused us so much pain.
But God has willed it to be thus, praised bo His
name for it for ever.”
Throughout all those vicissitudes, he was
always most desirous that the bond of charity
should not be broken between tho subjects of
the kingdom and those of the states, though
causes of resentment were not wanting ; there

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99

wero some who were dissatisfied that the fathers
of tho states enjoyed the favours of tho Pope,
and who never spoke of these houses but with
contempt: “I strive to instil a spirit of charity
into all my brothers,” ho wrote to Father do
Paul; “your Reverence must do the same thing
on your side, for God loves those who love char­
ity.” lie was deeply wounded at the least word
which militated against tho union of hearts ; he
interrupted tho conversation, and took tho part
of those who wero attacked. “ What would you
have them to do?” ho one day said, “the Pope
has obliged them to stay, and they remain in
these houses and labour there by his will
and
at other times, ho said, “All have not wished
to leave us ; how many there are who grieve
over tho division ! It is tho will of God, for
them as well as for us.”
As tho father-procurator and his party per­
sisted in disunion, Alphonso said to Father Villani, “ I have confidence, and I predict that even
those who oppose the reunion will ono day ask
to be readmitted amongst us ; but tho will of
God must bo done.” In fact, when things wero
pacified there were a great many who detested
their former conduct, and addressed repeated
petitions to us to bo allowed to return into tho
kingdom ; and two of them in particular, who
had been tho most obstinato in maintaining tho
separation, protested that they wished to return,
and wero content to take the lowest place. In
a word, they met with so many imitators, that
tho president, on seeing that his houses were

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

becoming depopulated, asked the Popo if lie
could in conscience permit these transmigra­
tions, and ho received a negative answer. “ Sanc­
titas, Sua,” said Cardinal Zelada in his rescript,
If
“ declaravit non licere transitum ad domos
regni
Neapolis, in quibus Congregatio S.S. Redempt.
legitimo non subsistit.” This last verdict was
as the dregs of that bitter chalice which Alphon­
se had to drain. “ If the Popo thinks so,” said
he, “ I also wish it. The holy will of God
turns all that is bitter into sweetness ; the will
of the Pope is the will of God.”
He loved the president, as if he had been
elected by him himself, and congratulated him
on all his good success. “I hoar,” he wrote to
Father de Paul, “ of tho favours the Popo has
conferred on you at Villetri and in other places,
and I pray God to continue to bo favourable
to you. I participato in your joy ; I advise you
to profit by tho favours of tho Pope to pro­
cure the glory of God in all places. I have
heard of the missions of Sabina ; establish
them there and wherever else you can. All
your success consoles me, because I hope that
it will only serve to extend the glory of God.
When you make any further progress, let mo
know, that I may thank God for it, as I will
always do when good befalls you. Pray to God
for me and for our brothers, in order that all
may bo employed in serving Jesus Christ. Pray
for my good end, I shall not live much longer;
and I pray that God will make you continually
increase in His love, and that He will send you

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101

frosh foundations as well as subjects. Λ great
many come to us hero at Naples, and in Sicily:
let all be for the glory of God. I beseech Jesus
Christ to bless you all and all your houses.
Send mo some accounts of your progress, that I
may thank God for it. May Jesus and Mary
bless you all.”
In another letter to the same Father de Paul,
he said, “None of you all who belong to the
states must forget to recommend mo at mass
in regard to my death, which is at hand. I have
loved you very much each and all. God has
permitted this division. Ilis will be ever praised !
If you could sometimes write and tell me of your
success, you would give me great pleasure. May
Jesus and Mary bless you all. Pray for me.”
Father Don Gaspard Cajone informed Alphon­
so of tho happy success of a house at Villetri,
and of the satisfaction which Cardinal Albani
felt at it ; ho was extremely consoled at hear­
ing of tho conversions which were made there,
and felt so much joy at them, that he had the
letter read over and over to him. “My Jesus,”
he exclaimed in a transport of joy, “mayest
Thou be glorified by all.” Ho also rejoiced at
the mission given at Frosinone, and at the de­
mand for five new missions which tho president
received from the Abbé of Monte Cassino.
Two distinguished subjects of Germany, John
Clement Holbaur and Francis Hubei, who came
from Vienna, belonged to our Congregation at
Rome as novices ; what made them settle to
join us, was the edifying lives of our mission-

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ST. alphonso liguori.

aries, and above all, because our founder was
Mgr. Liguori, well known in Germany for his
holiness and for his learning. These good Gor­
mans burned with a holy zeal, and ardently
wished to see one of our houses established at
Vienna. Tho ardour of their zeal was so great
that they could perceive no difficulties, and look­
ed upon it as if already founded. This German
house was laughed at amongst us ; but when Al­
phonso heard of tho pious project of these Ger­
mans ho thought differently, and it caused him
extreme joy: “God,” said he “will not fail
to spread His glory into this country by their
means.
Tho suppression of the Jesuits has
caused this population to bo nearly abandoned.
Tho missions however ought not to bo like ours ;
instructions are more useful there than sermons,
as the people are living amidst Lutherans and
Calvinists. At tho commoncement they should
bo made to say tho Credo, and then tho faithful
should bo prepared to abandon sin ; these good
priests will do good, but they will require greater
lights than they have. I would write to them,
but God docs not will that I should have to do
with it. My Jesus ! humble me more and more,
and reap therefrom Thy glory.” The founda­
tion took place, as wo shall relate bye-and-bye,
not at Vienna, but at Varsovia.
In proportion as tho houses in the states be­
came more flourishing, those in the kingdom
seemed to decay, and whilst Alphonso was con­
soled at seeing the prosperity of the first, he
could not see the others languishing and in lack

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103

of subjects without sorrow. Father Villani re­
presented to him that tho house at Iliceto was
no more capable of maintaining the students,
and that tho father-rector at Ciorani being in
poverty and distress, was unwilling to give any
assistance. “Now,” at last said Alphonso sigh­
ing, “all our houses are falling into ruin: Ah!
Lord, Thy will be done, let the consequences be
what they may.”
Alphouso’s humiliation and that of his houses
was not enough to satisfy the hatred of the pro­
curator. Alphouso’s kind way of acting towards
him was not enough to soften his heart : in order
to abase him still more, ho asked the Holy Fa­
ther to specify in a brief tho number and the
names of tho true houses of the Redemptorists.
Ho succeeded, and in a special brief, “Datum
Romæ apud Sanctum Petrum sub annulo pisciatoris, die decima septima Decembris 1784,’
the Pope plainly declared that tho only houses
of the Congregation of tho Most Holy Redeemer
were those of Benevento and of St. Angelo,
of Scifelli and of Frosinonc, of Spello and of
Gubbio, and also tho hospital which was opened
at Romo in the Church of St. Julian. At tho
solicitations of tho said procurator, his Holiness
also declared that tho house of St. Julian should
be regarded as tho general and principal house
of the whole congregation. “Nos igitur ejusdem
procuratoris votis hac in parte, quantum cum
Domino possumus, favorabiliter annuero domum
Sancti Juliani do urbe in caput Congregationis
constituimus ac declaramus.

► i

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI,

The procurator had something still further in
view in this petition. lie was pained at seeing
the number of graces and privileges which tho
Pope had restored to Alphonso, lie was always
ruminating on how to disturb this peaceful
state of things. He determined on taking the
cardinal whoso office it was to draw up the
brief, by surprise, and as he presented to him
the decrees which had been previously issued
against us to him, he caused him to insert all
that they contained to our disadvantage in this
last one, that is to say, that the houses in the
states were confirmed in possession of tho fa­
vours of the Holy See, and those of the kingdom
were deprived of them as refractory. “ Nee esse
membra ejusdem Congregationis, et uti ac frui
omnibus privilegiis, gratiis et induitis ab hac
sancta sede eidem Congregationi concessis.”
The procurator intended that this pontifical
declaration should cause fresh sorrow to the
houses in the kingdom ; he therefore immediate­
ly wrote and informed a great number of per­
sons of it, and represented us to them as having
become objects of the abomination and anathe­
mas of the Holy See ; but on reflection ho got
afraid of being compromised, and gave up this
piece of deceit. Nevertheless he tried to make
people believe that Alphonso was imbecile, and
even that ho was out of his mind. Mgr. Buffo,
now a cardinal, went to St. Julian’s one day,
and asked the procurator how Alphonso was,
being ignorant of his sentiments. “Poor old
man,” he answered, “he is in a pitiable state;

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

ΙθΟ

his mind is so impaired that he is no longer a
man, but a child ; and what is worse, he falls
into extravagances. When lie is spoken to about
tho Pope and the affairs of the Church, he replies
with emphasis, that the Pope is the Pope, and
the Church is the Church ; in a word, he has
so lost his senses, that he has become quite a
child.” Who could have believed it? he went
so far as to try to.deprive him of the glory of
founder. A young Theatine, who was Alphonso’s
grand-nephew, had made a panegyric with great
success, and a prelate, who had heard him, went
to St. Julian’s, and began to praise the young
religious, and to congratulate our fathers on his
being related to their founder. “ When was
Mgr. Liguori ever our founder?” replied tho
procurator with emphasis; “Mgr. Falioja is our
founder, and not him.” The prelate could
scarcely control his indignation at hearing this
contempt. “ It would bo no such slight glory
for you, however,” ho said to the procurator, “to
have a chevalier of as much holiness and learn­
ing as Mgr. Liguori for your founder.” In order
to show that Mgr. Falioja was our founder, and
not Alphonso, he tried to introduce tho cause
of that servant of God into the Congregation of
Rites. He wrote to Castellamare on the subject,
but he did not receive any favourable docu­
ments.
He was full of vanity on account of the two
houses opened at Gubbio and at Spello, and
adopted a new tone of speaking in consequence.
“ Mgr. Liguori founded the congregation, it is

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

•I
true,” said ho, “but he has himself
destroyed
it ; I am the one who deserves to bo called the
founder, for if tho congregation still exists, it is
to mo, and not to Mgr. Liguori, that all obli­
gation is duo ; I have maintained it, and I
maintain it still.” Such wore some of tho opinions of Alphonso’s persecutor, and ho did not
change them whilst the servant of God lived,
What do I say? his fury followed him even be­
yond tho tomb : at the very time when God
glorified Alphonso’s sanctity by miracles, the
implacable persecutor wanted to prevent his can­
onization ; but his odious conduct excited the
indignation of tho whole court of Romo against
him. Pius VI. perceived, but too late, the hy­
pocrisy of this impostor, who went so far as to
seek to divide tho cardinals and disquiet tho
Popo ; however, ho was at length unmasked
and seen through ; he was forbidden to approach
the Vatican any more, or to enter tho congrega­
tion of the bishops and regulars. This unhappy
man’s change of fortune did not produce a
change of conduct, and ho always continued to
act as an enemy and persecutor of virtue. Al­
phonso had predicted on seeing the prosperity
of this impious man, that he would one day re­
ceive a great chastisement from tho hands of
God. This unhappy being fell ill in tho year
1801, and death overtook him suddenly, on the
very day when wo celebrate tho solemn cere­
monies in honour of our Most Holy Redeemer
in our congregation. lie would not have any
advice, for in his madness ho fancied ho was

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107

quite well, and when the Viaticum was proposed
to him, he answered that it was not necessary ;
there was scarcely time to administer Extreme
Unction to him ; the agonies of death soon came
upon him, and ho died striking his hand violently
against the bed, a prey to all tho torments of
despair, and without uttering a single word
which could give reason for hope as to his eter­
nal salvation.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Some time before the fatal catastrophe of
1780, Alphonso was reduced to a state of ex­
tremo weakness, and seemed to have arrived
at his last moments ; but after the fatal blow
which separated him from the greatest part of
his, children, wo may say that his life was
nothing but a prolonged death. Until this
time ho had never ceased to preach to the
people every Saturday on the virtues of Blessed
Mary. Crowds hastened to hear him, and to
gather, as they said, the last precious pearls
which fell from tho lips of the pious bishop.
Tho same thing took place when ho gave tho
novenas, preparatory to the feast of tho Blessed
Virgin. Ho recalled tho passion of Jesus Christ
to tho people every year on tho evening of Holy
Thursday in a most touching manner. In order
to put a stop to this admirable zeal, which was
shortening his days, the express orders of tho

I

Il

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

doctors and those of his director, Father Villani,
were necessary.
Charity perfects itself in tho midst of suffer­
ings. Alphonso had always been a model of
perfection in his zeal for tho salvation of souls;
but his solicitude appeared to redouble itself in
proportion to the increase of his afflictions.
When the companies of our missionaries set
out for the missions in the month of October,
he was as much interested in all concerning
them as it was possible to be ; he wished to
know the places to which they went, and what
bishops had asked for them ; and encouraged
them to have tho glory of God and the salvation of souls at heart, When they came back
again, he received them with open arms, and
was delighted at hearing them give the recital
of any extraordinary conversions. Ho one day
asked Father Pappacena where our fathers were ;
he replied, that wherever they were most pro­
digious conversions were related ; Alphonso was
quite consoled at hearing this, and burst into
tears. “And I!” he exclaimed, “what do I?
I am useless, nay, I am even a burthen to the
congregation.” “The others labour,” replied the
father, “and as you are their founder, you take
part in their labours.” “Founder, founder,”
replied the old man with vivacity, “ what am
I but a poor miserable creature ! I can only
do evil ; it is God who has founded the con­
gregation. God alone is its Founder, and I
have only been a worthless instrument in Ilis
hands.”

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109

Ho took a similar interest in the welfare of
tho Church, When any one camo to see him
from Naples or elsewhere, he forgot all his
pains to inquire into the state of religious af­
fairs in all Catholic countries, and as to what
sort of footing subsisted between sovereigns
and tho Pope ; if he heard any bad news on
this subject, he said, “Let us beseech God to
restore harmony and concord between the court
of Rome and the Catholic powers.
Poor
Pope!” exclaimed he, with emotion, “how he
is afflicted and grieved by his own children!”
lie was inconsolable when he heard that mo­
rals were corrupt and religion despised. One
day when he was deploring the disorders of the
capital, he said, “Unhappy Naples, the Lord
whom thou hast offended will not forget to punnish thee. God will not bear for ever, and if
His mercy is disdained, it is changed into mal­
ediction.” He often offered himself up in sac­
rifice to stay the anger of the Lord. lie felt
such keen sorrow when the misfortunes of the
day were spoken of, that Father Villani was
obliged to forbid our fathers to speak to him
of such, especially of the disagreements between
the Popo and tho states.
As ho had no longer strength to avenge the
cause of religion by his writings, he took plea­
sure in reading those authors who undertook its
defence, such as Father Valsecchi, and Father
Bennetti. Once when I went to see him after
supper, I found him with Valsecchi’s book in his
hands. Ho shut it on my arrival, and said,

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

“Wo must thank God for having caused us to be
born in tho faith, and in tho pale of the Church,
Tho Gospel has boon spread, but a thousand
heresies have opposed it ; for us, we aro not
only in Europe, but in that part of Europo
which is tho centre of the faith. How miserable
aro those who aro without Jesus Christ! Jesus
Christ is our only hope, and Ho is not known ;
Dolores nostros ipso portavit. At tho day of
judgment, Ah ! how few there will bo who will
hear him say, ‘Come on my right hand.’” He
read tho works of the Abbé Nonnottc and others
against tho errors of Voltaire, and of Jean
Jacques Rousseau. He also thanked God when
ho heard that the ministers of the Gospel wore
aided by bishops and sovereigns. He did not
cease to offer up thanksgivings to God on hear­
ing that tho Jesuits were established in Russia
and Prussia, and to magnify tho hospitality of
tho august Catherine.
“ People assert that
they are schismatics,” said he, “but they talk
nonsense. I know that the Popo recognises
them as members of tho Church, and protects
them. Let us pray to God for these holy
religious, because their institute is a work which
is calculated to promote the good of souls and
that of the Church also. Schismatics ! what
docs that mean ? Popo Ganganclli was God’s
instrument to humble them, and Pius VI. is
also God’s instrument to raise them up. It is
God who kills and brings to life again ; lot us
pray to Him, and lie will not fail to bless them.”
lie was deeply grieved when he heard of any

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

1 11

who were disposed to become infidels, and his
distress at hearing of the triumph of the zealous
Jansenists, as ho called them, was still greater.
“Poor blood of Jesus Christ, despised and trod­
den underfoot!” ho used to say, “and what is
worse, despised by those who say they are called
on to restore tho doctrines and fervour of the
primitive Christians. It was by a kiss that
Judas betrayed Jesus Christ ; and it is also by
a kiss that they betray Jesus Christ and souls.”
At other times he said, “ It is a hidden poison,
which causes death before it is discovered.”
He had established tho custom of the fréquen­
tation of tho sacraments at Amalfi, from the
commencement of his residence at Scala, and
now ho heard that a religious of a strict order,
who was imbued with tho spirit of Anthony
Arnauld, instead of animating tho faithful to
approach holy communion, was in tho habit of
keeping them at a distance from it, and that
during the space of several years, on the specious
pretext of want of sufficient advancement in per­
fection. This news made Alphonso shed tears
of sorrow : “ That which has taken place at
Bourg-Fontaine,” said he, “has not happened
in a congress of Jansenists, but in an assembly
of demons. Anthony Arnauld could not have
chosen a botter method of rendering this great
sacrament inaccessible, and of exaggerating the
dispositions which St. Paul requires in order to
receive it worthily. I know,” ho went on to
say, “that tho angols aro not worthy, but Jesus
Christ has deigned to grant it to man to solace

ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

him under liis miseries. All that wo have of
good comes to us from this sacrament, and if
this assistance bo wanting to us, all will be de­
stroyed.” Ho was doubly afflicted on hearing
that this religious taught his doctrine publicly,
and that ho was supported by others, and had
won several priests and confessors to his side. As
he was unable to do anything to remedy this
H
himself,
he did all in his power to get our fathers
to disabuse those who had boon thus deceived,
and especially tho confessors ; ho even wished
that Mgr. Puoti, Archbishop of Amalfi, should
bo warned on tho subject in his name.
He was always filled with indignation against
those confessors who repulse sinners. “Jesus
Christ,” said he, “always received them with
kindness ; do not then repel them by too pro­
tracted delays, as is the fashion now-a-days;
that is not tho way to aid them, but to destroy
them ; when tho sinner acknowledges the evil
of his stato, and detests it, he must not be aban­
doned to his weakness ; ho must be assisted, and
the greatest assistance is that of the sacraments.
They supply that which wo cannot do of our­
selves. To defer absolution for whole months,
is tho doctrine of the Jansenists ; they have it
not at heart to inspire tho faithful with lovo for
tho sacraments, but to render thorn useless to
them. Many sinners certainly do present them­
selves who aro not well disposed ; but the way
to inspire them with sentiments of repentance
is to set before them tho grievousness of sin,
and the insult it is to God, the loss of Para-

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ST. 'ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

disc, and holl opened beneath their feet ; therein
is manifested the true charity of a confessor.
There are some who wish to place sinners on
the funeral pile, when they should hold out a
helping hand to assist them.”
Although Alphonso’s zeal was hindered by his
numerous infirmities, yet he did not remain en­
tirely idle : when tho spiritual exercises were
given to the people at our house, he was in the
habit of being carried to the church on the last
day, that he might encourage the faithful to per­
severe in tho grace of God : on one occasion
amongst others, ho determined to give his accus­
tomed counsels, although ho had been bled in
the morning. Ho expatiated on tho love we
should feel towards Jesus and Mary, and on their
love for us; ho commenced his exordium thus:
“The reward of love is love,” and ho preached
quite a sermon which lasted for a whole hour.
At the end, when he wished to give tho bene­
diction to tho people with tho largo crucifix,
the effort ho made reopened the wound, and
tho blood flowed in abundance whilst he gave
the blessing.
While returning homo again,
ho did not perceive tho accident, nor was it
observed by those who were supporting him,
so that all tho way ho went along to his own
room was covered with blood. Tho faithful has­
tened to collect it with religious respect, striving
to steep their handkerchiefs in it. There were
some free-thinkers there, and two in particular,
who were the sons of a notorious infidel, re­
pented of their evil thoughts, and imitated the
VOL. V.

3

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

eager crowd, and carried home even the very
earth which was reddened by tho blood of our
saint.
He was also in the habit of sending for tho
seculars or ecclesiastics who M ight be in re­
treat in the monastery, and going through some
spiritual reading with them on the triumphs of
tho martyrs, the passion of Jesus Christ, or the
glories of Mary. Ho profited by these oppor­
tunities to inspire them with piety and to con­
firm them in goodness, and ho specially excited
them to devotion towards the Blessed Sacra­
ment, and advised them to visit it daily; he
also tried to lead them to love tho most holy
Virgin Mary: “If all those who come here,”
said he, “ only carry away a devotion to the
Madonna when they leave us, that will suffice
to save them.” Ho then entered into a holy
rapture; “My Queen!” he often exclaimed, “I
wish to remain at your feet, because on you
I have founded all my hopes.”
H
He also yielded sometimes
to the wishes
of tho nuns, who were always most eager to
hear him. He went to tho Convent of Purity
for tho last time in the month of June, 1781.
He spoke to them of tho detachment we should
havo in regard to earthly things, of tho lovo
we owe to Jesus Christ, and tho filial trust wo
ought to havo in the most holy Virgin. His
sermon lasted for nearly two hours ; but it
seemed to these pious nuns as if but for a mo­
ment. They gave him a nosegay of flowers at
tho end, which he instantly refused, but when

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115

ho was told that lio could offer it to the Bless­
ed Virgin, he consented to accept it.
During the indulgences of the Porziuncula in
the convent of the Poor Clares, he went there
in order to gain them. The religious asked
him to give them an exhortation, and he spoke
to them at length and with great fervour on
love towards the Blessed Sacrament and the
Blessed Virgin Mary. He especially extolled
tho religious vocation, and tho strict observance
of rule.
Ho was always anxious to maintain fervour
amongst his sons ; he therefore urged them to
pray much, and to prepare for it before com­
mencing: “This is enjoined by the Holy Spi­
rit,” he said: “Ante orationem, præpara ani­
mam tuam.” Ho one day sent for the brother
whose office it was to ring for the exercises,
and enjoined him to sound the bell about half
a quarter of an hour before tho meditation, in
order that each one might repair to the choir
to recollect themselves. He was not satisfied
when he was told of tho books which were
read out at meals, and wished that tho Lives
of the Saints should be substituted, “for scien­
tific reading,” said ho, “ only occupies tho mind,
without exciting tho will.”
lie wished tho prayers in common to bo said
with tho greatest devotion. Ono morning when
he returned from taking his accustomed walk,
he entered tho choir just when tho particular
examination was being made ; as tho hobdomadary recited the litanies too quickly, ho said

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOin.

with severity, “ What a way of addressing tho
Blessed Virgin ! that is not to honour lier, but
to treat her with contempt.”
Ono day when ho assisted at tho mass of a
young father who celebrated with rapidity on ac­
count of his scruples, ho was quito scandalised, as
ho did not know this priest’s state of mind. He
therefore went to tho choir, where tho commu­
nity wero still assembled for tho particular exam­
ination, and spoke very forcibly on tho necessity
of observing tho rubrics and of giving duo time
for the proper celebration of mass. “ Do not
let us complain any more about persecutions,”
said he ; “ what makes me tremble is to seo the
custom of saying hurried masses introduced into
tho congregation ; what causes mo pain, is the
contempt which is shown to Jesus Christ. Poor
Josus Christ!” At these words he burst into
tears.
Tho students wero always dear to him. Ho
was one day told during dinner, that the studies
had been resumed at Iliceto : he was filled with
joy at tho tidings, and not knowing how to con­
tain himself, ho several times exclaimed, “ Gloria
Patri,” &c. He asked what author was followed
there, and was satisfied on hearing that it was
Father do Brescia ; ho inquired who was the
lecturer, and on hearing that it was Father Constanzo, ho wrote to him, saying, “Yon have com­
forted me by having accepted the office of instruct­
ing tho young mon. I do not know how those
who have refused to do so can bo at peace before
God, as they were well aware that it was His will.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORl.

I bless you and thank you, and pray God to give
you much consolation for this act of obedience.”
“I hope,” ho wrote to tho same father, “that
tho prefect causes the students to observe their
ancient constitution ; but as there is some reason
to doubt whether he observes it or not, 1 beg
you to let him know that it is my desire that
it should bo observed fully and punctually.”
Our young clerks wont from Iliceto to Nocera
to receive his blessing. It gave him pleasure
to see them around him, and they felt as if they
could never bo tired of listening to him. One
day during dinner ho gave them this bit of ad­
vice : “ St. Francis of Sales said to Mother de
Chantal, ‘You wish then to give yourself up
wholly to God without reserve, to renounce the
world entirely, and to please God alone.’ I say
the same thing to you, and I hope that you are
all resolved to become saints. Yes ! be filled
with love to Jesus Christ, now whilst you are
young. In time of temptation call on Jesus
and Mary, who always go together, Always
meditate on the passion of Jesus Christ. Seek
God alone. 0 what a lovely thing it is to see
a young religious united to Jesus Christ !” After
some little time, ho went on to say, “ It is ccrtain that God wishes you to bo saints. I recommend two things to you : 1st, obedience, were
it even to tho cook ; obedience is that which pre­
serves us ; he who wants obedience is wanting
as regards his duty to God, and God will drive
him out of the congregation. 2nd, I also recom­
mend poverty to you, for it is that which unites

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

us to God. 1 regard faults against obedience and
poverty as capital offences.”
His infirm state did not prevent his holding
tho ordinary conference with us every Saturday.
The last ho gave was in tho November of 1780.
Ho enlarged upon the efficacy of prayer, on its
necessity and its advantages, and ho did so with
so much fervour and emotion, that every one
was filled with astonishment.
Tho corporal wants of his children did not
call forth less of his solicitude. He inquired
from time to time as to how tho community was
treated with regard to food ; on hearing that
they made some few complaints about it, he
was quite disturbed, and sent for Father Villani.
“I do not know,” said ho, “who is rector nor
who is minister ; I hear that they go to the re­
fectory fasting, and como out again as hungry
as when they entered it. It is but fair that the
community as well as strangers should receive
proper nourishment ; as for mo, I know nothing
of what happens, but you are present in the re­
fectory, and ought to know. Tell tho rector and
tho minister to bo careful not to give any subject
cause for complaint, if they do not want to make
mo have recourse to penances.”
Whilst ho had tho holiness of others so much
at heart, his special labour was to sanctify
himself. When he became incapable of cele­
brating mass, he did not therefore dispense
himself from assisting at tho Divine mysteries.
Every morning after ho had heard mass in his
oratory, received holy communion, and made his

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119

thanksgiving, bo wont down to the church, w’ith
the assistance of his servant and of Brother Fran­
cis Anthony, and was placed at the side of the
high altar : he staid there without moving fro ··
his chair for several hours, and heard as many as
five or six masses. During the course of the
day, ho was again conducted to the church, that
ho might pray for several hours before the Bless­
ed Sacrament. Brother Francis Anthony declar­
ed that his Lordship remained before the sacred
altars for at least from five to six hours every
day. It is impossible to describe what pain he
felt at not being able to celebrate mass.
A young Chinese of the college of the Holy
Family once camo to visit him, when Alphonso
asked him how Father Fatigati was ; ho replied
that he was well, and added, without much
thought, that the Popo had granted him leave
to say tho mass of tho Blessed Virgin. “How
happy ho is,” his Lordship exclaimed, “to be
able to celebrato this beautiful mass, which I
can no longer say !” Ho then turned to us
and said, “ Pray for this college, tho object of
which is tho conversion of tho unbelieving and
the spread of tho Gospel.” Father D. Francis
Garzilli celebrated mass in his oratory every day,
although ho too was aged, for ho was ninety years
old, but he was always agile and at ease in his
movements.
Ono day Alphonso said to him,
with holy envy, “Jesus Christ does not will
that I should celebrato any longer. God’s will
bo done now and ever!”
His love for tho Blessed Virgin increased with

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOKI.

his years ; ho seemed as if ho conversed with
her face to face ; and ho never omitted
any act of homage in her honour. There is a
miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin at Pa­
gani, which is called the Madonna of the Fowls.
It is carried in procession during tho octave of
Easter and on tho last Sunday of July, and it is
tho custom to offer fowls to her on that occasion,
and to deposit them at tho feet of the statue.
During tho procession tho clergy never failed
to enter our church, in order to gratify the
tender devotion of Alphonso. As long as his
Lordship was able to go there, he never omit­
ted to make an offering of two fowls to the
Blessed Virgin on each occasion. Ho was some­
times at dinner when the statue arrived, but
ho immediately got up and hastened to perform
his act of devotion. He was jealously anxious
to turn every moment of time to profit, and
ho therefore never lost one minute ; he was
constantly engaged in meditation and in read­
ing, and he was especially occupied by the Lifo
of his advocate St. Theresa, and by tho actions
of tho first heroes of tho reform of this saint,
and when ho camo to any passage which he
thought particularly worthy of attention, ho
communicated it to those who went to sit with
him after supper.
That which was most admirable in Mgr. Liguori, was his constancy in performing tho ex­
ercises of the community and his own private
devotions. lie was most punctual at tho morn­
ing and evening examen, attentive as regards

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121

tho spiritual reading and meditation after din­
ner, besides all tho other rules which ho could
observe. Ho even performed tho AVay of the
Cross every day. This perseverance was a
distinctive characteristic of his Lordship.
do not want great things,” he often said to us ;
“ lot them bo but little, provided they bo but
constant.”
His greatest trial under his infirmities was
tho anxiety they caused to others. If he asked
any ono to do him some service, ho made his
request in the humblest terms. As ho fancied
that it was an inconvenience to tho community
for him to take liis meals in his own room, he
determined to take them with tho others in the
refectory, This design amused us greatly ; he
would not however yield to the reasons that
were alleged against his so doing ; ho could
only bo got to yield by being told that his
slow way of eating would bo inconvenient to
tho community.
His Lordship went out in the carriage up to
the year 1784, as tho doctors, and still more
the community, were most anxious to prolong
his life, On the 19th of September of this year,
he was then eighty-eight years old, an internal
rupture took place, which got worse by tho
shaking of the carriage, and suddenly placed
him in tho most perplexing predicament, lie
was obliged to bo taken out of tho carriage,
and to have recourse to the charity of a poor
woman, who received him into her house ; he
was placed on a bed, and remained there as

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

if he wore quite dead. On hearing these tidings all our fathers ran off to sec him ; some
were in slippers, and others with bare feet,
followed by a crowd of people, Tho surgeons
succeeded in replacing tho intestines ; but ho
was brought back to tho house in a most
alarming state. The doctors were convinced
that ho required some exercise, they therefore
ordered that he should go out in a sedan chair.
As soon as ho heard of this, his Lordship found
a thousand pretexts for dispensing with it; but
as tho rector told him that it was the doctor’s
order, ho consented. The day after the first
essay, he opposed a second trial so much that
tho rector and tho fathers united together in
endeavouring to persuade him to use it again
in vain. “What!” he said to them with tears,
“must I be carried on tho shoulders of these
unhappy men ! Tho thought of this made
the going out yesterday more painful than
salutary.” Our fathers replied that these sort
of people were used to such labours, and that
they gained their bread by it ; but he testified
so much repugnance on tho subject, that the
doctors, in order not to distress him, made him
get a wheel-chair to go up and down tho cor­
ridors.
When ho was freed from tho necessity of go­
ing out in the carriage, ho sent the horses to
Naples to be sold, and on tho 24th of Septem­
ber he wrote as follows to Father Hilary: “As
for the horses I send you, I do not want to
have any scruples about them : mention therefore

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123

that one of them suffers in tho jaws, and can­
not cat either hay or oats ; tho other, that is
to say, tho oldest of tho two, suffers from gid­
diness, and throws itself on the ground from
time to time, and its cars must be pulled in
order to raise it again. Explain all this, as I
wish to bo free from scruples.” His horses
therefore were not, as wo may see, over expen­
sive ones. Ono of them was sold for four du­
cats and the other for twenty-one carlins. Such
was the end of Mgr. Liguori’s pompous and
superb equipage !
God deprived Alphonso of his greatest conso­
lation during this same year, that is to say, he
was no longer able to go on saying mass. The
celebration of the holy mysteries had been II ost
painful to him, especially as he would observe
the rubrics minutely, and make the genuflex­
ions to the ground. As Father Villani perceived
that ho became daily more and more infirm,
and that he had several times been nearly un­
able to go on, ho told him that it was the will
of God that he should abstain from celebrating
the holy sacrifice any more. As soon as he
heard that it was the will of God and that of
his director, Alphonso bowed his head in submis­
sion, and on Friday the 25th of November, 1784,
ho celebrated mass for the last time.

ST. ALPHONSO LIQUO11I.

CHAPTER XXXV.
It might scorn that Alphonso, exhausted as
ho was by so many combats, was no longer
in a state to bear arms any longer ; he had
already abandoned all tho interests of tho con­
gregation into tho hands of Providence, that
he might only think of his soul ; but fresh
torments were reserved for him, and God, who
wished to prove this gold in tho crucible, gave
him up, as He had done holy Job, to all the
malice of tho enemy of our salvation.
Twenty-two years of the most painful infir­
mities, and twenty-four of the most furious perse­
cutions, had borno witness to the heroism of the
saintly old man, when tho most excruciating
trial of all camo which brought it forth to the
utmost. I alludo to distress of mind, to scru­
ples, terrors, and perplexities, tho martyrdom of
privileged souls.
Thick gloom overspread his mind, and a
torrent of iniquities camo to alarm his heart.
He saw nothing but sin and offences against
God ; ho who had directed thousands of souls,
who had comforted them in their distresses,
enlightened them in their doubts, and reas­
sured them in their fears, was himself tho sport
of temptations and of the illusions of the devil,
to such an extent that he thereby lost all his

i
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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

!

peace and serenity. To the fear of being at
enmity with God, was soon added a distrust as
to his salvation. “ Who knows,” said he weepingly, “who knows if I am in a state of grace,
and if I shall be saved!” During these vio­
lent anxieties, he turned his eyes to the cru­
cifix, and exclaimed, “Ah, Jesus, do not let
me be damned ! 0 Lord, do not send me to
hell, because in hell I cannot love Thee.” One
day when he was asked how he was, he replied,
“ I am under the scourge of the justice of
God.” Then turning towards the crucifix, he
exclaimed, “ Ah, Lord, punish mo as I deserve ;
but do not cast me out from before Thy face.”
His only support during all this anguish, was
the voice of his confessor ; but tho tempter was
continually putting into his mind all sorts of
doubts and reasons to the contrary. “ My head
will not obey,” said he. It was beautiful then
to sec him triumph over himself, and submit
to tho decisions of his director. Ho was often
heard to exclaim, “ My Jesus, enable mo to
overcome myself, and to submit. I do not wish
to give way to myself, and I do not want to
cavil.”
Scruples were not the only causes of his suf­
ferings. He had to enduro everything ; he had
to endure tho rebellion of his senses, and con­
tinual thoughts of vanity, presumption, and in­
credulity. “There is not one of our holy mys­
teries,” Father Mazzini said to me, “against
which ho had not temptations. At one time tho
devil would attack him on one point, at another

125

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ST. ALPIIOXSO LIGUORI.

on something olso ; but that which most excited
my compassion was, to sco him attacked on several
points at tho same time.” “I have been ter­
rified at his temptations,” said the same Father
Mazzini to me, “and delighted at his courage
in surmounting them.” When ho was attacked
against the faith, ho repeated with fervour, “I
believe, 0 Lord, and I wish to live and die
as a child of Thy Holy Church.” His confi­
dence in Jesus and Mary caused him to invoke
their names unceasingly, when ho was tempted
by distrust. His temptations against purity
were especially overpowering to him. “I am
eighty-eight years of age,” ho one day said to
Father Criscuoli in tears ; “ and tho fire of my
youth is not yet extinct.” Father Mazzini told
mo that his temptations on this point were
horrible, and he often recommended him to our
prayers. lie was sometimes heard to exclaim
during tho night, “My Jesus, grant that I may
die rather than offend Thee ! 0 Mary, if you
do not assist me, I may sin more than even
Judas!” Concupiscence became at timos so
enkindled within him, that ho was no longer
ablo to distinguish the feeling from consent,
and ho then used to break forth into loud
groans and strike his feet against the ground.
During this time a priest -went ono day to seo
him. “My Lord,” said ho to Alphonso, “you
seem to mo to bo melancholy, you -who used
always to bo so cheerful.” “Alas!” replied Al­
phonso, “I enduro tho torments of hell.”
As he was often unable to resist so many as-

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127

saults, and was afraid of sending for Fathers
Villani and Mazzini too often, he was often to
bo seen dragging himself to their rooms in
search of some relief, and descending from the
upper corridor to tho lower one, to our great
regret ; and when ho could not find either of
these two confessors, like a hart thirsting for
some spring whereat to refresh itself, he went to
tho first father ho happened to meet with. He
got to such a low opinion of himself, that he
forgot his episcopal character and his theological
knowledge. \rory often in the middle of the
night, when ho was unable to sleep through
his temptations, ho awoko tho servant or the
brother who assisted him, that he might aid
him in dissipating his terrors, and sometimes
they were so very violent, that ho went to
speak to Father Villani. His only relief was in
prayer ; but ho often found no support even
in that. “I go to God,” said ho one day to
Father Villani, “ and at every word I say, lie
seems to reject me. A frosh storm assailed mo
this morning. I said, ‘ My Jesus, I love Theo,’
and I heard a voice which answered, ‘ That is
not true.’” Ho was sometimes in a state of
such mental darkness, that he believed that
Paradiso was closed against him. “Alas, then,
my Jesus,” said he, while gazing on tho cruci­
fix, “ shall I not have tho happiness of loving
Theo eternally ?” Then turning to tho Blessed
Virgin, ho said, “ My good Mother, why must I
not lovo you in eternity ?” His chief reason for
thinking himself lost was because ho could not

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

remember having ever done any one good work.
Father D. Joseph Henry overheard him once
conversing with Father Villani, and repeating
these words in a voice of terror : “ I have trod­
den underfoot all my obligations ; I no longer
say mass, I no longer say office, I do not do
any good works ; my senses are rebellious, and
I cat like a wolf; I cannot tell how God can
bear with mo any more.”
All kind of nourishment was a torment to
him, and he never ate anything without regret.
“In tho circumstances in which I am,” said
ho to Father Villani, “ I ought to be vigilant
in mortifying my senses and my appetite.”
Many times the fear of sinning made him sud­
denly put his knife and fork down and stop
eating. At other times ho could not make up
his mind to take anything. One day when he
was at tho height of desolation, Father Villani
hastened to seo him and spoke to him in
terms of consolation. “ I hear a voice which
says to me,” replied Alphonso, “ ‘ Thou hast
abandoned thy God, and thy God has abandon­
ed thee.’ ” Father Villani then magnified the
goodness of God, and in order to excite confi­
dence within him, he cited the following passage
from Ezechiel to him, “Nolo mortem impii sed
ut convertatur et vivat.” That succeeded in
taking away his fears. “0 my God!” ho ex­
claimed, “ how many times have I said those
words to sinners for their encouragement, and
seo how I have forgotten them myself!” Many
times a single text of scripture opportunely

7

1

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129

quoted, dispersed all his fears. His inquietudo
was especially great just as he was going to
communicate. His love for Jesus Christ mado
him long to bo united to Him, and the fear
of being in an unfit state to do so, made him
draw back. Sometimes even the celebrant him­
self was obliged to interrupt his mass to tran­
quillise him. Father Garzilli, who generally
said it for him, was several times obliged to
wait until his Lordship recovered his co: I· posure.
One morning after ho had said Ecce Agnus
Dei, and when ho was at the word Corpus, &c.
Alphonso was still hesitating. In order to make
him decide, Father Garzilli said to him, “My
Lord, do not keep Jesus Christ any longer waiting
in the ante-chamber.” lie several times could
not have communicated if Father Villani had
not just arrived in time to make him do so.
We twice had tho pain of hearing him lament
not having communicated. One day when he
was greatly disturbed, ho remained irresolute
until it was twelve o’clock ; but when the cloud
was at length dispersed, he exclaimed weeping,
“Give me Jesus Christ.” But as all had said
mass, it was necessary to carry him to the
church in an arm-chair, to enable him to have
tho happiness of communicating. Another day
when his extreme agitation had prevented his
communicating, Father Villani at last succeeded
in tranquillising him, when his fear of sinning
changed into such an ardent desire of receiving
his God, that in order to console him it was
necessary to take the Blessed Sacrament to him
g
vol. V.

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

»

: i

to his room. Ho was so inflamed with the desiro to communicate, that moments appeared as
ages to him. “ When will you como,” ho kept
exclaiming, “when will you come, my dear Je­
sus?” Although rejected by God, as ho said,
he was only therefore tho more eager to converse with Him in tho Blessed Sacrament. “I
wish to satiate my love,” said he, “and I hope
to lovo my God eternally, although I have de­
served hell through my sins.” When ho was
the most assailed by his ordinary temptations,
ho redoubled his entreaties to bo carried to
the church. “He testified a great desire to be
before tho Blessed Sacrament at such times,”
said Brother Francis Anthony, and ho told me
that tho devil left him in peace when there.
Whilst in this stato of desolation, ho did not
leave off welcoming people who camo to see
him from without, and consoling them in their
troubles. Ono of his cousins, who was a reli­
gious at Naples, was tormented by scruples and
temptations at this same time, and he wrote
to ask his advice, and Alphonso said in reply,
“Your Reverence tells me that there are times
when you believe that you are lost ; let us
console one another and be of good courage,
for I am under a similar trial. Although I am
so near death, temptations do not leave me,
and like yourself, my only resource is to gaze
on the crucifix. Let us then embrace tho cross,
and remember always to keep our eyes fixed on
Jesus Christ dying. In this way we have ground
to hope that He will not send us to hell, where

ST, ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

131

II
wo should be separated from
Him, and unable
II
to love Him any more, which would make
the
hell of our hell. Let us therefore continually
II
say to him,
‘ Lord, cause me to love Thee, and
then send me where Thou wilt. I deserve all
II
sorts of trials through my
sins ; chastise me
as Thou wilt, but do not deprive me of the
II
happiness of loving Thee ; deprive me
of all,
II
but do not deprive mo
of Thyself.’ I hope you
will recommend me to Jesus Christ, especially
after holy communion. I will do the same for
your Reverence ; when I am nearer death I
II
will let you know, that you may
give me spe­
cial aid in my passage to eternity. Although
you are amid all these disquietudes, do not
forget always to recommend poor sinners to Je­
sus Christ at the end of your meditations.”
Alphonso continued for upwards of a year
in this deplorable state, during which time,
according to tho testimony of Father Villani,
his blind obedience and self-abandonment in
tho hands of God never once quitted him. He
had such faith in obedience, that as ho could
not always have Father Villani in person to
speak to when he wanted advice, ho used often
to send his servant or the brother to tell him
of the object of his uneasiness ; but they did
not always feel it necessary to go to him. Al­
phonso perceived this, and complained of it,
with tears in his eyes, that he was not attended
to. What consoled him the most was to aban­
don himself to tho goodness of God. Ono day
when ho was tempted as severely as possible,

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Father Criscuoli was touched with compassion
and said to him, “ My Lord, look at tho crucifix,
and say with mo, In to Domine, speravi.” Al­
phonso had no sooner done so than ho regained
his peace of mind, and he went on repeating,
“Non confundar in æternum.”
Ho himself
said to Father Villani, “My only resource amid
my distresses is to cast myself into tho hands
of God ; Ho alone can give me peace ; I do trust
that Jesus Christ, through a pure effect of His
mercy, will not send me to hell.”
It is true that Alphonso recovered his serenity
at certain intervals ; but these moments were
very fleeting, and resembled those meteor lights
which gleam for an instant amid the darkness
of night, and are then immediately extinguished.
However, this interior desolation never caused
II to omit his devotional exercises ; his whole
him
time was consecrated to prayer and spiritual
reading. He took particular pleasure in the
Life of St. Gregory Nazianzcn and in that of
St. Francis of Sales, as they had both gone
through the same trials.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
As the devil had not succeeded in shaking
Alphonso’s faith and virtue by all tho tempta­
tions of which wo have spoken, he tried to over­
throw him by tho only weapons still untried by
him ; he strove, therefore, to cause him to fall

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ALI’IIONSO LIGÜOKI.

into his power by presenting himself before him
H
under tho form of strange phantoms.
Father Corrado told mo that one day when
Alphonso had violent temptations against faith,
ho sent for him with tho greatest haste, and
said to him in extreme alarm, “ An enemy
has been hero who has thrown mo into a state
of great distress ; he says that I have no faith,
and that I shall bo damned.” “Do you believe,”
said the Father, “what God has revealed to
Holy Church, and what she teaches?” “Cer­
tainly,” his Lordship answered, “and I am ready
to give my life for the faith.” “Do you hope,”
tho father went on to say, “ for eternal life
through tho merits of Jesus Christ!” “I hope
for it,” replied Alphonso in an animated tone
of voice. “I hope for all through the blood of
Jesus Christ, who died for me.” He became
calm after this ; but soon afterwards his trouble
returned, his brow contracted, and he asked who
he was. When Father Corrado had told hi H
his name, ho recovered serenity, and said, “I
have not attached any faith to all that he wished
to make mo believe, and I have not really doubted. I believe all that Holy Church teaches,
and I hope to bo saved through tho merits of
Jesus Christ and those of the Most Holy Virgin
Mary.” Father Corrado repeated all this to
Father Mazzini, who told him, without manifest­
ing any surprise, that his Lordship had for some
time been tormented by similar apparitions,
sometimes
under one form, and sometimes under
H
another.
•F

134

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Alphonse’s humility was what displeased tho
devil the most ; for this reason ho did all he
could to cause him to feel complacency in regard
to his good works. One day he appeared to him
as a Neapolitan missionary. He began to con­
verse with him on his numerous works, and told
him that every one was always praising his writ­
ings, and full of admiration at the good they
everywhere effected in all directions. At these
words Alphonso humbled and abased himself:
“I have done what I could,” said ho, “but ail
the good is the result of the assistance of God.”
“That is true,” replied the pretended missionary;
“but it will always be said that they are your
works, and that you are the author of all this
good.” Alphonso upon this felt some temptation
to gratify self-love, and humbled himself still
more ; ho recurred to God by prayer and made
the sign of the cross, which caused tho phantom
instantly to vanish.
The devil went to him on another day under
the form of a priest, and spoke to him about
the spread of his books : “ After all your labour
in composing so many works, what have you
gained? All that you have said and written is
useless as regards yourself; you will be damned
just tho same, for there is now no hope of your
salvation.
Something besides books and mis­
sions is necessary for salvation.” His Lordship
humbled himself interiorly and replied, “I have
done and could do nothing good of myself ; I
have no merit before God, save tho merits of
Jesus Christ and the Most Holy Virgin Mary.”

ST, ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

135

And upon this tho phantom immediately van­
ished.
One day when ho was tormented by the thorn
of the flesh, the devil camo before him under the
appearance of one of our fathers : Alphonso was
deceived, and humbly confided his temptation
to him. “0 that is nothing,” replied the impure
spirit; “those are natural feelings, to which one
need not attend.” Alphonso was seized with hor­
ror, and invoked Jesus and Mary with so much
agitation that ho nearly fell from his chair, and
put tho tempter to flight.
Another time tho devil appeared to him under
tho likeness of a gentleman who had been in Al­
phonso’s confidence, and for whom he had great
esteem.
While speaking to him of different
things ho endeavoured to lead him to despair.
His Lordship, who felt no reason to distrust him,
assented to what he said, acknowledged his
faults, but nevertheless said that ho trusted in
tho merits of Jesus Christ. “But what can you
hope for,” said the supposed gentleman, “or
what have I to hope for myself, if wo are among
tho number of those unhappy beings who are
destined for hell?” “Even in hell I will love
Jesus Christ,” replied Alphonso: “I do not put
II
my trust iu my
works, but in tho merits and
passion of Jesus Christ.” This put tho devil to
confusion ; he was obliged to manifest who ho
was and to disappear.
This generous soldier of Josus Christ did not
fail to receive tho consolations of the Lord from
time to time even in tho midst of all these alarms.

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

As our Blessed Saviour received the visit of tho
angels in tho desert after He had triumphed over
tho devil, so Alphonso had tho joy of finding
celestial favours succeed tho assaults of hell. His
ecstasies and ravishments were, in fact, more
frequent than over. As I was at Nocera in tho
October of 1784, I had several times the op­
portunity of observing his Lordship before tho
Blessed Sacrament, and I can testify that he
sometimes fell into such raptures of love that
he made the most animated gestures, in spite
of tho weakness of his body. At other times
our fathers have perceived a ray of light which
issued from his forehead, and shone upon the
book he held in his hands.
Father Volpicelli was once passing along tho
corridor before his Lordship’s room, when ho
heard him utter a loud cry. Ho went in to
know what was the matter, and saw him in an
ecstasy, with his arms extended and his eyes
fixed on tho crucifix, and instead of the ordinary
paleness of his face, it then appeared inflamed
as that of a seraphim.
Alphonso had a supernatural instinct, which
plainly told him of the presence of Jesus Christ
in his heart after holy communion. Father Gar·
zilli, who was ninety years old, as we have al­
ready said, had communicated his Lordship one
day as usual, but as soon as Alphonso commenced
his thanksgiving, he said to Brother Francis
Anthony, “ Father Garzilli has not consecrated
this morning.” The brother was astonished at
this, and hastened to inquire about it from Alexis

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ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

137

the servant who had served tho mass, and he
found that Father Garzilla had inadvertently
passed from the Memento of the living to that
of tho dead.
On the evening of Holy Wednesday, his Lord­
ship was in bed and alone, when the servant who
was outside his room heard him exclaim ten
times over in a sort of transport of joy, “To­
morrow is the feast, to-morrow is the feast of
tho blood of Jesus Christ.” On finding that he
did not stop, ho called Brother Francis Anthony.
“Listen to what his Lordship says,” he said to
him. Tho brother went in, and found Alphonso
continually repeating in his joy, “ To-morrow is
the feast of tho blood of Jesus Christ.” “That
is true,” tho brother said to him, “to-morrow
is Holy Thursday, when commemoration is made
of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.” His
Lordship did not say another word, finding that
ho had been overheard.
It must here be mentioned, that his Lordship
had for some time been unable to distinguish
any of tho months of tho year, and much less
the weeks and days.
Ono day he seemed
quite joyous, and sending for tho students after
dinner, ho asked them for an explanation of a
stanza of a hymn by St. John of tho Cross. No
one was able to understand the mystery, when
his Lordship explained it to them with so much
unction and such knowledge, that all tho fathers
and clerics who were present were filled with
admiration at it.
Another day when Alphonso was sitting in

«8
cI

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ST. ALPHONSO LTGUORI.

silence on his chair, Brother Joseph, who was in a
corner, observed that his Lordship in an ecstasy
darted forwards towards the altar as if ho want­
ed to take or to embrace something, and that
ho did so several times. Brother Francis An­
thony then came in, and perceived that his eyes
were turned towards tho figure of the Blessed
Virgin, which was on the altar ; he immediate­
ly took it up and presented it to him. His Lord­
ship seized it with holy impetuosity, he kissed
it with a thousand acts of love. After some
time he exclaimed in a sort of rapture, “ I can­
not, I cannot separate myself from the love of
Jesus Christ.”
Whilst ho was being taken round the corri­
dors, ho was unceasingly reproaching himself,
fancying that ho did not satisfy his obliga­
tions. Father Volpicelli felt compassion for the
state he was in, and went up to him once to tell
him that his age and infirmities dispensed him
from all, and that he could supply every want
by one act of love. “By an act of love !” his
Lordship repeated with emotion. “Yes,” re­
plied tho father, “ you can do all by ono
act of love.”
“Teach mo then how to
make this act of love,” his Lordship said.
As Alphonso was rather deaf, tho father went
close to him, and said in a loud voice, “My
God! I love Theo with all my heart.” And
Alphonso immediately repeated, “ My God ! I
love Theo,” but with such a sudden motion of
his head, that it struck against the father’s chin,
which was inclined towards him.

ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI.

139

Don John Mauro, one of the royal architects,
wont to Nocera to examine our church, and also
went to pay his respects to his Lordship. Al­
phonso hastened to ask him if the theatres wore
frequented at Naples, and if his nephew Don
Joseph attended them. “My Lord, they are a
good deal in fashion at present,” replied Don
Mauro. Alphonso was silent for some minutes,
and then he added with still more interest, “ Are
the chapels much frequented?” “Yes,” answer­
ed Don Mauro ; “ and you cannot imagine what
good results from this ; a crowd of people of all
classes go to the: II now, and wo have saints even
among the coachmen.”
At these words his
Lordship, who was lying in bed, jumped up sud­
denly and exclaimed, “ Saintly coachmen at
Naples! Gloria Patri!” &c., and ho repeated
this three times. The joy which these tidings
gave him prevented him from sleeping tho fol­
lowing night, and calling sometimes for the ser­
vant, sometimes for tho lay-brother, ho kept con­
stantly repeating, “ Saintly coachmen at Naples !
What do you think of that? You heard what
Don Mauro said : Gloria Patri ! There are saint­
ly coachmen at Naples.”
In spite of tho pains which his Lordship took
to spend his last days in obscurity, his charity
sometimes caused him to abandon his seclusion,
and God, who never leaves a light under a bushel,
was pleased to manifest at such times tho holi­
ness of His servant.
During an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, tho
mountain of Somma, which is close to Pagam,

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!

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

threatened some fresh disaster, to tho great in.
jury of the Tower. Wo saw it emitting torrents
of fire from our house. Our fathers were alarm­
ed at this sight, and hastened to inform Alphonso
of it ; tho poor old man immediately dragged
himself to the window and appeared filled with
sorrow. They begged him to bless the mountain,
but ho resisted ; however, on our reiterated en­
treaties he raised his hands, and said, “I bless
thee in tho name of tho Father, and of tho Son,
and of tho Holy Ghost.” Ho had scarcely done
speaking ere the danger ceased ; tho fire went
in another direction, and the volcano emitted
its eruptions and its stones into tho gorge of a
valloy near Ottojano.
Theresa Desiderio of Nocera had a child of
about eight years of ago, who had suffered from
divers very serious maladies for several years.
She took it to his Lordship to ask him to bless
it. Don Thomas Desiderio, who was related to
tho child, met it near tho door, and took tho
child himself to his Lordship, and told him how
much it suffered. Ilis Lordship blessed it, and
told him daily to recite throe Aves in honour of
Mary. Tho child was cured that very instant;
lie continued to have good health, and afterwards
became a priest. This was attested to mo by
D. D, Gaétan and Thomas Desiderio.
A gentleman of tho dioceso of Nolo, had a
son who was deaf. Ho ono day took him to his
Lordship to beg him to bless him ; Alphonso
did so, and tho child returned home entirely
cured. Tho gentleman was filled with gratitude,

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

141

and sometime afterwards he returned to Noccra
with his son to thank his Lordship and to re­
ceive his blessing again.
Alphonso had a very special tenderness for
little children, on account of tho innocence de­
picted in them. When ho used to go out in
tho carriage, mothers used to press forward on
tho road to meet him, and to present their sick
children to him, praying him to bless them.
Alphonso’s great charity caused him to stop
tho carriage, and while the servant held tho lit­
tle children, ho laid his hands on them and
said some prayers, after which ho restored them
to their mothers safe and sound, and said to
them, “Recommend them to Mary.” When
these drives ceased they used to bring the lit­
tle children to us ; tho servant then took them
to his Lordship, who imposed his hands on them
as before, which healed them instantly. Alexis
the servant, and Brother Francis Anthony, de­
clare that he effected thousands of such cures.
Ho often prophesied during his later years ;
and amongst other things, ho ono day predicted
tho death of our Father Don Alexander Meo.
“Our congregation will sustain a great loss
soon,” ho said to our fathers, and about this
time our Father Alexander was seized with apo­
plexy in tho pulpit, whilst preaching at Nole,
and he died in tho church itself.
A young Neapolitan had been sent to Nocera
for the recovery of his health by Counsellor Colano. Ho went to see his Lordship ono day,
and begged him to recommend him to God,

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

that ho might obtain a perfect cure ; but his
Lordship only said these few words to him,
“ Pray to the Blessed Virgin to assist you to
die well.” Tho poor young man understood tho
meaning of these words but too well ; ho re­
turned to Naples, and in a few days ho had
ceased to exist.
Alphonso also foretold tho entrance of the
French army into Naples, and the misfortunes
which ensued. One day, as our Fathers Bar­
tholomew Corrado and D. John Maria of St.
Augustine, who were present, have related to
me, his Lordship suddenly aroused himself from
a profound meditation and exclaimed, “ A great
calamity will befall Naples in the year ’99, and
I thank God for sparing mo from witnessing
it.” Now, it is well known what a sad year this
was for Italy.
A gentleman camo to Nocera one day, ac­
companied by one of his sisters, who said she
had been possessed for some time. She would
have liked his Lordship to come down to bless
her and to recommend her to God. When ho
was asked to go and comfort her, ho several
times cast his eyes on tho crucifix and the
figure of Mary ; and then with a sigh he said
to the father who had come to speak to him
about her, “ Possession ! possession ! Toll her to
make a good confession.” The young lady ap­
proached tho sacrament of penance, and the
evil spirit which tormented her remained in tho
confessional.
One day ho said to us, as if he were awa-

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

143

king out of a deep sleep, “There is a wicked
intercourse being carried on near this,” and he
repeated this several times with signs of the
greatest uneasiness ; but no one understood what
Il
lie meant.
Ho immediately sent for tho priest
and complained to him of what was taking place
in his parish with impunity. Tho priest was
confounded. “That is true,” said ho, “it is
a hidden disorder which I have not yet been
able to do away with.” No one knew any­
thing about it in all the neighbourhood.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

As Alphonso’s body became visibly weaker
day by day, his soul only became thereby
stronger and his fervour more admirable. The
more closely he approached tho end of his
course, tho more did ho redouble his efforts to
become pleasing to God, to bo enriched with
merits, and to embellish his eternal crown. He
was always submissive to tho will of God, suf­
fered all his ailments without over murmuring,
and tho crosses which were inseparable from tho
stato ho was in, never caused him to commit
the slightest act of impatience.
Ono day when ho asked Father Villani some
question, he was not able to catch his answer:
“What can I do,” said ho, “if God has also
visited mo with deafness? Blessed bo His name

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGÜOHI.

for over!” Ono evening when ho could not
read a passage of scripture, he said in a cheer­
ful tone, “ When one onco gets old, one loses
one’s sight and one’s hearing : if this bo the will
of God, our best remedy is patience. Onco when
some iced water was given to him to drink,
ho exclaimed, “How good Thou art, my God!
how much Thou hast done for us!”
His humility seemed to increase as ho ap­
proached his end. It seemed as if his sole de­
sire wero that of concealing and abasing himself.
Some sick persons presented themselves before
him one day to bog him to heal them. “If
I were a Saint,” ho said to them, “ and if I
know how to work miracles, I should cure
myself, who am so crippled and worthless.”
During his last years ho sometimes used to
go to tho door of tho convent to get a little
air ; several persons used to take advantage of
this opportunity to ask his blessing : this alarm­
ed his humility, and ho consulted Fathers Villani and Mazzini to know if ho ought to givo
it. They replied that as it is a bishop’s office
to bless, it would not bo proper for him to
refuse. Ono day a number of young children
camo and ranged themselves before him. “ Look
at these young sparrows around an old owl,”
said Alphonso cheerfully. Canon D. Gabriel
Gonga, tho superior of tho Propaganda at Na­
ples, went to seo Alphonso, at which ho was
quite delighted, but when tho canon asked for
his blessing, he said, “ It is you who ought
to bless me, for I am your subject, and you

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOKI.

arc my superior,” The contest was quite a
serious ono ; tho canon made urgent solicita
tions and his Lordship also ; at length tho
canon yielded, but only on ono condition, which
was that ho would bless Alphonso as superior,
and that Alphonso should bless him as bishop.
Λ spirit of obedience naturally springs from
such humility. Although a superior and a bi­
shop, ho always depended on tho local rector
as regarded all his actions. When tormented
by thirst and in need of a little water, if the
rector were absent, he sent tho servant or the
lay-brother to ask tho permission of the father­
minister. Ho always had his drink blessed
during his illnesses, and ho was in tho habit
of saying Benedicite to all tho fathers who camo
to seo him.
He did not like even to move, I may say, with­
out tho permission of tho rector, or of him who
presided in tho house. Father Mazzini when
ho was rector, had exhorted him not to un­
dertake vocal prayers, but without commanding
him not to do so. After this, Alphonso onco
felt disposed to recite some prayers for tho
souls in purgatory. It was on tho 31st of
July, 1785; “Go,” said ho to Alexis the ser­
vant, “and toll Don John to bless as many
Pater Nostors as 1 want to apply to tho souls
in purgatory ; but toll him that I want to recito
a great many, and ask him to bless them all.”
Ho did not begin to pray until after ho had re­
ceived tho answer.
Alphonso, who always preferred obedience to
]θ
VOL. V.

L*

146

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

sacrifico, even sought out for opportunities of
submitting to tho will of others, and even when ho
was badly served ho still returned thanks with
H

the servant Alexis really mado him do all they
wished.
His respect for tho commandments of tho
Church was tho same to tho last. Ono Friday,
it was tho 14th of October, 1785, a little hashed
meat was served up to him with some vegetables,
and then a little fish. His Lordship began to
reflect whilst eating, and asked what day it was ;
and he was told that it was a Friday, and that
tho feast of St. Theresa was celebrated that day.
“It is a Friday,” his Lordship replied, “and I
have eaten meat and fish.” Father Corsano
told him that ho had only eaten fish. “ I assure
you,” his Lordship answered, “that I have eaten
both meat and fish.” Tho fact was, that ho
was right, and tho father was mistaken. His
Lordship continued to bo uneasy through the
fear of having transgressed tho precept of tho
Church, until Father Mazzini assured him on his
conscience that ho had not sinned.
As ho had taken holy poverty as his spouso,
anything like property mado him tremble. Ono
day when going round tho house in his wheel­
chair, ho was taken into tho library, where ho
saw a harpsichord, and asked Father Pappaccna
what it was. “It is your harpsichord,” replied
tho father. “It is tho ono which your brother
gave to you.” At those words, Alphonso re­
plied in great alarm, “Your harpsichord! I

— ·

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

147

have nothing of my own ; it was not given to
me, but to tho community.” In consideration
of his episcopal character, tho rector of tho house
had allotted a silver fork for his use ; but
Alphonso only used it with regret. As ho did
II
uot want to make
a profession of sanctity, ho
employed some little address in order to get rid
of it, and tried to prove that tho fork was not
sharp enough. “I do not like this fork,” said
he, “give me a steel one, such as the commu­
nity have ; they are sharp and good.” Ho com­
plained of it so often that it was at last felt
11
necessary to give him
one. Alphonso was quite
pleased at this, and mado use of it for some days ;
but as Father Villani did not think it suitable
for a bishop, and especially before strangers,
he forbade him to go on with it. His Lordship
did not say a word in remonstrance, but it was
perceptible how painful it was to him to make
use of a silver fork.
If tho food was not quite plain, his Lordship
became uneasy, and even refused to eat. He
would have no other fish than sardines at Nocora
as at Arienzo, because they are of little value.
“I am poor,” said he, “and I ought to eat as
tho poor do.” Two mullets were served up to
him one day, but ho would not even taste
them. “What is tho good of getting these mul­
lets,” said ho, quite agitatedly, “buy sardines;
they are just as good.” Ho became tranquil
however on being told that they w’ero a present
from D. Lucius Tortora ; but ho only cat them
to please that gentleman.

*k

* ·

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Ouo day when a rare fruit was served up to
him, which he had heard λvas sold at a very
high price in Naples, ho took it in his hand and
looked at it, but nothing tho servant could do
would persuade him to cat it.
He was so scrupulous on this point, that tho
servant and the lay-brother did not know what
device to have recourse to in order to deceive
him. One day, it was tho 23rd of October, 1786,
his Lordship eat nothing at all ; as it had been
observed that ho had had no relish for any
kind of nourishment for some time, a mullet
was prepared for him ; when he saw it he asked
what it was. The servant was afraid of the con­
sequences of telling him, so ho replied, “It is
some fish.” His Lordship did not venture to
touch it in such an uncertainty. “Tell him it
is a mullet,” said one of our fathers, “and
then ho will eat it.” It was just tho contrary;
at tho very name of mullet Alphonso exclaim­
ed excitedly, “Take away this dish—take it
away; it is not fit for the poor.” Tho servant
bethought him that ho would cut it up into pieces
and put vinegar with it, and then serve it up to
him as another dish ; but Alphonso discovered
it and sent it away. lie was then given some
blanc-mange. “Hero is some semilino,” was
said to him, “tasto it; it is a dish which the
poor use.” His Lordship tasted it, but finding
what it really was, he also sent that away, and
as it was AVcdncsday he would not oat any fruit
either, and so ho remained fasting.
Another time, as it was observed that ho had

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

149

scarcely eaten anything, a little bit of Spanish
bread was presented to him ; his Lordship looked
at it, but would not take it ; and as the servant
urged him to eat it Alphonso replied excitedly,
“ I never eat it even in tho world, and do you
wish mo to cat it in a monastery?”
Alphonso was so far from ever making any
complaints, that ho forgot his own sufferings to
sympathise in the pains of those who waited on
him. As he fancied it was a trouble to the
brother and servant who had to draw him about
in his wheel-chair, he never entered it without
regret. Ho wanted to dispense with this relief,
but the orders of the doctors and of Father
Villani prevented his so doing.
lie also thought that tho noise of the wheels
3·
of his chair might incommode
the others during
the time of silence and study, and this was a
fresh source of disquiet to him. In order not to
hinder the observance of the rule, ho made so
many entreaties, that they consented to have
the wheels of tho chair covered with leather.
lie was so particular in all that concerned
modesty, that he would not even allow his nails
to be cut, aud it often required tho express orders
of the doctors and of his director to make him
consent to have his wounds dressed.
This sense of delicacy made him watchful over
others also, and gave him a holy horror of all
sorts of rough play. Ono day when ho saw a
father playing with a stranger at tho door, ho
reproved him for it with severity: “Laugh if
you will,” said he, “but I cannot put up with
romping.”

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Ho was so jealously anxious about the preserration of the angelic virtue of purity, that
tho more shadow of danger alarmed him, On
one day seeing a little child, who was the
son of the joiner of the house, coming out of
one of the fathers’ rooms, ho was greatly trou­
bled, and repeatedly exclaimed in a loud voice,
“ Children in tho rooms of the fathers ! I can­
not allow it.” In order to quiet him, Father
Villani himself went to him to do away with
his scruples.
Together with tho love of poverty, Alphonso
always cherished that of mortification, which is
inseparable from it. One day ho had unthink­
ingly manifested a wish to have some little cakes,
and the brother had at once procured them for
II
him,
but nothing would make him eat them
when they were brought to him. They were
again put before him on the following day, but
Alphonso exclaimed, as ho had done the even­
ing before, “No, no,” these delicacies are not
befitting tho poor.”
Another time, Brother
Francis Anthony cooked three fishes for him,
but only put two before him, and left the bones
in the other. After ho had eaten them, his
Lordship being still hungry, was just going to
cut tho third. “Leave that,” said the brother,
“for it is full of bones.” His Lordship made
no answer. Upon this, Father Henry, who was
present, made tho lay-brother a sign to prepare
it for him, but his Lordship felt as if ho had
been guilty of a want of mortification, and re­
fused to cat it, as if it had been a sin.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

151

Tho doctors ordered raisins to be put in his
soup; as Alphonso liked them, ho carefully put
them aside when he found them ; he even for­
bade them to be served up to him again, but
Father Villani commanded him to take them.
On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, he
did all ho could in order to abstain from meat,
although ho had a dispensation to eat it from
the doctors. One day, some livers of fowls were
served up to him ; as ho fancied it to be Wed­
nesday, he wanted to send them away, pretend­
ing he had no relish for them. “ Meat does not
suit my stomach.” The brother did all he could
to persuade him to take them ; but Alphonso
said to him, “It is Wednesday to-day, and
I keep it, because I wear tho scapular.” “You
are mistaken,” said tho brother, “it is Tues­
day, and not Wednesday.” He began to eat
them, and his stomach felt no further repug­
nance.
Ho also made it a rule, and indeed ho per­
haps had made a vow, not to eat fruit when it
first camo in season, and ho never touched it
even when a nonagenarian. Some cherries just
ripe were one day put before him ; but as it was
on a Saturday, ho had a double reason for ab­
li
staining from them ; ho examined
them, and
II down again, saying, “I will not eat
put them
them, they are noé ripe.” And when efforts
were made to get him to do so, ho repeated, “ I
will not, they might disagree with mo.”
Grapes were not yet fully in season, when
ono day when he had oaten little or nothing,

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

some early grapes and some figs wore offered
to him. “Take those grapes,” said tho servant
to him, “ they are excellent ; tho Abbé Tortora sent them to you.” Ilis Lordship eat tho
figs, but no entreaties could prevail on him to
take tho grapes. lie got out of doing so by
saying ho really could cat no more.
All dishes were insipid to him if they were
not seasoned by tho salt of mortification. His
pocket was always filled with bitter herbs, which
wore dried, and often reduced to powder, and
it was with these aromatics that ho seasoned all
his food ; ho even put tho fruit ho took in salt
in order to mortify his palate. For some years
ho had been in the habit of taking two small
glasses of wino every night before going to bed
in order to obtain some rest ; but latterly lie
did without it, and in order to conceal his mor­
tification, ho said, “A little water is better
than all tho cordials in the world.”
lie had such an avidity for mortification, that
he was constantly complaining to his director
and others, and saying that ho led an easy life,
and did no penance. “ It is not thus the saints
lived,” he often said with sorrow.
As he could not crucify his flesh by instru­
ments of penance as ho would have liked to do,
he found an expedient which he could always
practise. There was one tiling which was noticed
in regard to his Lordship which appeared incredi­
ble ; it was the motionless position in which ho
remained in his chair from morning till night.
The servant on one day seeing him placed in an

I -:

-

ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

uncomfortable manner, said to him, “ Move a
little, my Lord, for you are in an awkward posi­
tion.” But Alphonso replied, “ What is tho
II always crooked?”
use of my moving, I am
His apparent insensibility caused him to appear
more like a block of marble, than a living being ;
and lie practised this heroic act of penance dur­
ing the twenty years which his illness lasted.
The grand-vicar Rubini witnessed it at Arieuzo,
and I who never left him afterwards still feel
wonder and admiration when I remember it.

r

CHAPTER XXXVIII,
that noblo bond which unites all
virtues together, was also in Alphonso both the
foundation and the summit of his perfection, and
in all his actions he only had union with God
in view. “By the mercy of Jesus Christ,” said
ho one day to Father Villani, “I do not feel at­
tached to anything.”
His transports of lovo
towards God were so frequent, especially in his
last years, that it seemed as if he formed but
one single act of lovo from morning till night.
Notwithstanding all tho weakness produced
by his maladies, he still always performed oven
tho smallest practices of religion : ho never took
tho least nourishment without blessing it and
reciting an Avo to Mary. When ho hoard tho
clock strike ho was always faithful in doing
homage to tho Blessed Virgin by an Avo Maria.
Charity,

· I

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154

ST. ALPIIONSO LIGUORI.

His respect for the holy sacrifice always pre­
vented his omitting to cast himself, or rather
to throw himself, on his knees at tho consecra­
tion, until Father Villani forbade him to do it.
After ho had communicated he lost all control
over himself ; ho entered into a sweet ecstasy,
and often repeated in an audible tone, “ My Love,
my God! 0 my mother, love Him for mo!”
From tho time ho retired to Nocera until ho
reached his eighty-eighth year, his great delight
was to remain all day before the Blessed Sacra­
ment. In October, 1784, on the last day of the
novena of St. Theresa, which he had followed
with the people, ho entered into a long ecstasy,
and continually repeated, “ Eternal Love, I love
Thee.” As Father Villani saw with regret that
these transports of love attracted general atten­
tion, he tried to persuade his Lordship that his
health no longer permitted him to go to tho
church. His Lordship obeyed ; but this privation
was tho greatest he had to endure. When tho
time when ho had been in the habit of being ta­
ken there arrived, ho testified tho most incredible
ardour to go there ; ho dragged himself to tho
staircase, and tried to descend it, and not being
able to do so went away again quite in affliction.
One day when ho was alone, and had succeeded,
though with much difficulty, in nearly reaching
tho staircase, the brother hastened thither, and
Alphonso immediately begged him to conduct
him to tho church. “You can make your visit
here,” said tho brother. “But Jesus Christ is
not here,” answered his Lordship weeping. Bro-

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORT.

155

tlier Francis Anthony thon tried to change his
purpose by saying, “ Let us go to tho chapel
where there is Jesus crucified.” But Alphonso
replied, “The Blessed Sacrament is not in the
chapel.” Another day when he persisted in wish­
ing to go to tho church, he was told that he
would have to descend upwards of fifty steps,
and that ho was too weak to do so. “Not so,”
his Lordship replied ; and then as he would
not yield the point, ho made the attempt to go
thither leaning on the brother and the servant,
and ho did not give it up until ho was nearly
ready to fall through exhaustion. When ho made
his visit in his own room, it was with solemnity
and lighted candles on the altar ; his heart then
supplied him with sentiments of adoration, love,
and confidence, which he expressed in a loud
voice for tho benefit of all who were present.
Ono day ho was taken down into the court
to breathe tho air. When there ho heard tho
church bell, and asked what it was for ; on
being told that there was benediction of tho
Blessed Sacrament, ho eagerly asked to be
taken there. Tho brother replied, that the
church was too hot for him. “Jesus Christ,”
answered his Lordship, “ doos not seek for
coolness.” And ho at tho same time prepared
to get up to go there, but ho was told that
Father Villani would not like it.
up and down
When tho servant wheeled
tho corridors, his Lordship only thought about
Jesus in tho Blessed Sacrament. “ Let us go
to tho church for a little,” said ho; “let us

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOHI.

visit Jesus Christ.” “How can you wish to go
there?” said tho servant. “You cannot do it.”
“Who told you that?” quickly replied Alplion·
so ; “ do you know that it is months since 1
went to church to visit Jesus Christ?” Ho
sometimes got so agitated on this subject, that
Father Mazzini was obliged to bo sent for to
calm him.
Even in his sleep he only dreamt about the
Blessed Sacrament and the Most Holy Virgin
Mary, and made tho most affecting aspirations.
Tho cleric D. Pascal Volpicolli once entered his
room whilst he slept, and found him dreaming
and saying, “How lovely art thou, 0 Mary!
How beautiful thou art, 0 Mary ! how beautiful
art Thou, my Jesus !” Another time he heard
him repeat, “ I wish to please God, even if tho
whole world were to bo overthrown ; I ever wish
to please my God.”
His affection for Jesus crucified was no less
ardent ; His imago was always before his eyes,
and his acts of love never ceased. lie loved it,
and looked at it with tenderness ; his medita­
tion never had any other object, he himself
asserted, than tho Passion of Jesus Christ. He
would have liked to give his blood for a God
who had shed His blood for him. Ho per­
formed the Way of the Cross daily in a largo
corridor up to tho age of eighty-eight, when ho
was forbidden to continue it, and after that ho
never omitted to perform it in spirit in his room
before a large crucifix.
His love towards the Most Holy Virgin Mary

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOHI.

157

becamo more ardent than over in his latter
years. Ho never passed by an opportunity of
rendering homage to her. As ho was deaf, he
wished to be told when the Angelus bell rung,
and as this generally happened during his din­
ner, his Lordship immediately stopped ; after
having prayed ho remained some time longer
absorbed in tho contemplation of the grand
mystery. If it were on a Saturday evening or
Sunday, and ho always required to bo informed
of this beforehand, ho took care to recite it
standing ; and when it was tried to persuade
him to remain seated, ho answered, “ One does
not gain tho indulgences if one docs not stand.”
Tho same thing took place in the evening when
the bell rung for the De profundis for tho
dead. lie continued to say this until tho
eighty-ninth year of his age, when Father Vil­
lani, in consideration of tho great difficulty he
had in making these acts, ordered that he
should no longer bo informed when they took
place.
As tho rosary had always been his special de­
votion, ho recited it several times a-day with
tho servant or with Brother Francis Anthony,
whilst they took him up and down tho corridors ;
ho never omitted to meditato on the mysteries
which were latterly pointed out to him by tho
brother. It once so happened, that tho latter
mistook ono for tho other. “You tell mo tho
mysteries as they como into your head,” said
his Lordship upon this, “whether you under­
stand them or not ; you should say them ac-

158

ST. ALPHONSO LTGÜOHI.

cording to tho day of the wook, and not at
rando II n Another time when the brother had
again been found fault with, ho replied that
meditation on the mysteries is not essential:
“Then there is no longer any rosary,” answer­
ed Alphonso, “for if we wish to gain tho in­
dulgences, the rosary includes tho consideration
of tho mysteries.”
There was not even a sigh which he did not
consecrate to God by solemnly offering it up
to Him. In order to relieve him from all un­
easiness, Father Villani commuted all his vows
into the recitation of tho rosary ; after which
he was to bo seen with his rosary in his hand
from morning to night. It was beautiful to
hear tho altercations ho daily had with tho
brother or the servant, sometimes because he
had not II ado the intention properly, sometimes
because he fancied he had not carefully distin­
guished tho mysteries, and then he would re­
commence afresh. Ono day when his dinner
was ready, ho fancied ho had not finished his
rosary, and ho resisted going to it, saying, “ An
Avo Maria is worth all tho dinners in tho world.”
Another day when ho did not remember having
recited it, the brother told him ho had done so.
“But,” said he, “you forget that my salvation
depends upon this devotion.”
In 1784, as he was in a profound lethargy
ono day, Brother Francis Anthony said to him,
by tho advice of Father Villani, in order to
arouse him, “My Lord, wo have still to recite
tho rosary.” At tho simple word rosary, his

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOKI.

159

Lordship moved, opened his eyes, and began,
II
Deus in adjutorium
meum intende, &c. Ile
continued to perform this devotion up to the
time of his last illness.
Ono Wednesday a little boiled meat was serv­
ed up to him, but he remembered that it was
one of his abstinence days: “You know quite
well,” said he, “that I keep Wednesday in hon­
our of our Lady.”
From the time he entered into religion he
never drank anything on Saturdays, either at
meals or throughout the whole course of the
day. And he kept this practice up until he
was eighty-eight years of age.
At this period tho doctors ordered that he
should daily have a cup of cold chocolate. Al­
phonso would not take it on Saturdays however ;
but as ho was unable to distinguish the days
of tho week, ho often asked if it were not a
II
Saturday ; and in order that he might
not be
deprived of this remedy, it was often necessary
to have recourse to Father Villani.
Ho was always careful to recommend devotion
to the Blessed Virgin to all who camo to see
him. “Be devout to the Blessed Virgin,” said
ho to them ; “ ho who is devoted to her will be
saved.” lie recommended every one to visit
her images, to recite tho rosary, and to fast in
her honour on Saturday and on the vigils of
her feasts.
Ho recommended three things to our young
men,
and especially to those who entered the
II
noviciate, viz. Obedience to superiors, manifes-

IGO

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

tation of conscience, and devotion to Mary.
“Love the Blessed Virgin much,” said he, “for
she is tho Mother of perseverance, and he who
loves Jesus Christ and tho Holy Virgin Mary,
will become a saint.” Ono day when ho was
animating us to confidence in the protection of
Mary, ho said, “ In my youth I also did wild
things, but tho Blessed Virgin called mo to re­
ligion ; I am wholly indebted for it to my mother
Mary, for she called mo, and she has supported
mo until now.”
Λ young cleric, on setting out for tho no­
viciate, in tho year 1784, went to him three
times to ask for his blessing, not being sat­
isfied with tho first, and three times did this
saintly old man welcome him with lovo and
give him these counsels : “ My son,” said he
the first time, “if you wish to persevere, com­
municate several times a week, and be devout
to the Blessed Virgin and to tho Blessed Sa­
crament.” The second time ho said to him,
“ My son, I recommend holy obedience to you.
By your obedience you will please God, and
you will be liked by tho congregation, but I
especially recommend you to be devout towards
the most holy Virgin Mary and to Jesus in the
Blessed Sacrament.” And at tho third time,
“ If the enemy of God,” said he, “ tempts you
to quit tho congregation, immediately havo re­
course to Jesus and Mary, and do not cease to
invoke them until the temptation has passed.”
The following are some devotional practices
which Alphonso never omitted before going to

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

1 GL

slcep ; they would have remained unknown, had
ho not caused Brother Francis Anthony to write
them down one day in the year 1784, for fear
of forgetting them. Here they are :
Ten acts of love ; ten acts of confidence ; ten
acts of sorrow; ten acts of conformity to the
will of God ; ten acts of love towards Jesus
Christ ; ten acts of love to the Blessed Vir­
gin ; ten acts of love towards the Blessed Sa­
crament ; ten acts of confidence in Jesus Christ ;
ten acts of confidence in the Blessed Virgin ;
ten acts of resignation
o o 7 to suffering ; ten acts
of abandonment to God ; ten acts of abandon­
ment to Jesus Christ ; ten acts of abandonment
to Mary ; and ten prayers to do the will of God.
Alphonso’s confidence in Jesus and Mary in­
creased in proportion to his love. One even­
ing when he was in a fever, he exclaimed in
his delirium, “ I cast myself into the arms of
Jesus Christ, I die without uneasiness, and I
believe that I shall be saved by the merits of
Jesus Christ and of my Mother Mary ; yes, I
hope to go and thank them in Paradise.” To
his love of God was united that for his neighbour
also ; when he heard that any ono of his broth­
ers was ill, ho was sensibly distressed ; ho im­
mediately caused himself to bo conducted to
him in his chair ; as it could not bo taken
into tho room, ho caused himself to be carried
there, and he conversed with the sick person
for some time. He inquired into his maladies,
exhorted him to patience, but above all to con­
formity and union with God. He manifested
11

VOL. V.

λ—

1Û2

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

this solicitude for all, and as much in regard
to the lay-brothers as to the fathers.
lie was far more interested when the good of
souls was concerned. lie constantly prayed for
tho perseverance of tho just and tho conversion
of sinners ; ho was scon to burst into tears
for the latter, and to offer himself as a victim
to God for them. In order to see him look
young again, it sufficed to tell him of somo
extraordinary conversion. lie started ou hear­
ing of it, and tho satisfaction of his heart was
then depicted on his countenance.
When Father Falcone went to kiss his hand
on his return from Romagna, tho first thing his
Lordship did on seeing him was to inquire about
tho success of our missionaries in tho Ponti­
fical States, and on receiving a satisfactory
reply from tho father, he did not ceaso to tes­
tify his joy, and to repeat in tho gladness of
his soul, “ God be praised for ever ! God be
praised for ever !”
On the other hand, ho was distressed on
hearing of scandals and offences against God.
The lack of bishops afflicted him most of all.
“When shepherds aro wanting,” said he one day,
“ tho sheep aro dispersed, and the wolf comes
and devours them.”
Ono day ho heard that there was some hope
of a reconciliation between tho courts of Romo
and Naples, which caused him much joy. “I
am anxious,” said he, “ that the bishoprics
should be provided with saintly bishops. When
there are no bishops, things go wrong, and souls

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163

are lost. Do you know what results from the
absence of bishops ? the loss of souls, without
any one taking any notice of it. This has
caused mo to weep before God for six months
or whatever time it is. The lack of bishops is
the ruin of dioceses.”
Mgr. Bergame, the bishop of Gaeta, and Mgr.
Rosa, the bishop of Avellino, went to see Al­
phonso one day whilst he was at dinner, and
when they inquired as to the state of his health,
he replied, “ How do you wish me to be ? I
am as one who must soon appear before the
tribunal of Jesus Christ.” He burst into tears
while saying these words. When Mgr. Bergame
was just going to set out, Alphonso said to
him, “Now that you arc going to Naples, I en­
treat you to send for Father N., and to tell him
from mo not to ill-treat souls which have
been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.”
This Jansenist zealot, of whom wo have al­
ready spoken, caused him the greatest uneasi­
ness. In a word, the good of souls and the
glory of Jesus Christ were to Alphonso as two
loadstones which attracted his heart. One day
during these last years, ho was heard to ex­
claim, “ Lord ! Thou knowest well that all that
I have thought, said, done, and written has
been for souls and for Thee.” It sufficed to
say tho words, “the glory of God and tho salvation of our neighbour,” to reanimate and
give him fresh strength. It was also during
these last years that God caused him to acknowledge the innocence of his life. Whilst

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

conversing one day with Father Villani, ho let
these words escape, “ I am a blishop, and I
ought to toll the truth ; I do not remember
having ever uttered a deliberate story even when
’ I was a child.”

CHAPTER XXXIX.
We have now reached tho ninetieth year of
Alphonso’s life, and the eighty-sixth of his
century. In proportion to the nearness of his
approach to the end of his days, did ho put
off more and more all affection to earthly things,
and purify himself from all that was not of
God. Visits of mere civility had become insup­
portable to him ; however, he continued to receive
them from persons of distinction ; but whatever
might be the rank or tho merits of these per­
sons, he knew how to get rid of them speedily;
either by affecting an air of puerile simplicity,
by manifesting weariness, or by making his
deafness an excuse for keeping silence ; thus
most people imagined that he was imbecile, or
in a state of second childhood, and speedily
took their leave. He acted very differently with
regard to religious people who conversed with
him about things which merited his attention.
Father Pascal do Robertis once went from St.
Agatha to visit him, accompanied by Father
Carotenuto. Whilst they spoke to him about in­
different things, his Lordship did not say a word,

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165

and did not even appear to recognise them ; but
when Father Carotcnuto went up to him, Al­
phonse, on hearing that he was a religious, asked
if ho were a priest also, upon which the latter
stated all his necessities to him, and received full
satisfaction. Two other conventual fathers also
visited him in these his latter days. He was told
that one of them, who had recently been ordain­
ed priest, wished to kiss his hand. At the word
priest his Lordship exclaimed, “A great dignity!
a great dignity is the sacerdotal dignity!” The
priest then recommended himself to his prayers.
“I am a miserable creature,” said Alphonso,
“you must pray to God for me, who am on
the eve of taking the great journey from time
to eternity, and of presenting myself before the
tribunal of God.” He said these words with
such an expression of fear, that tho two reli­
gious retired in terror, saying, “If his Lord­
ship trembles, what will become of us ?”
Ho had such a high idea of the priesthood
that ho could not think of it without rapture.
Our young fathers Pappacena and Pizzo, on
being raised to the priesthood, went to his Lord­
ship to thank him and to kiss his hand ; but
Alphonso through respect for the dignity with
which they had just been invested, kissed their
hands, and while ho did so ho exclaimed, “Oh
what a groat dignity ! Oh -what a great dignity
it is to bo a priest ! You are now exalted above
sovereigns, kings, and emperors!” Counsellor
D. Gaétan Celano came to see us in tho October
of 1786, with his wife and the Marquis of St.

* * 'W

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ST.

UPIIONSO LIGUORI.

Lucia. It is well known what obligations his
Lordship and all tho congregation wero under
to this great benefactor, who had always sup­
ported us at Naples under the most embarrassing
circumstances. Before they took leave of us,
they wished to kiss his Lordship’s hand, lie
was at dinner at tho time ; but as soon as lie
hoard that Counsellor Celano was there he stop­
ped eating and had tho things j-emoved. lie
received these distinguished guests as well as
ho could. He turned the conversation upon the
duties of tho marriage state, and strongly oxhorted thorn to have but one will, assuring them
that their happiness depended upon it.
Tho rectitude of his judgment and his pre­
sence of mind wero no less to bo appreciated
in more important and more difficult affairs.
In a consultation which was held, our fathers
decided on tho expulsion of a subject, and they
asked for his Lordship’s consent, according to
rule. After Alphonso had reflected for some
time, he asked if all tho consultors were of one
accord; “If there is but one,” said ho, “of a
different opinion, I wish to know his reasons,
and what is said in answer to them, and if the
subject has been previously punished for his mis­
conduct.” Not satisfied with that, he asked if
the consultors met together to vote in concert,
or if they had each done so in private and by
letter. “When they meet together,” added he,
“the matter is then examined with more matu­
rity, tho truth appears and is manifested much
more clearly.” It was not until after ho was

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

167

satisfied on all these points that he took up his
pen and ratified the decision of the consultors.
Father Villani told him that a certain employ­
ment was destined for a father, rather to inform
him of it than to consult him. “Do you not
know,” said his Lordship, “that this subject
acted in such a manner on such an occasion?”
Ilis reflections made such an impression that
the project was abandoned.
Father Folgori, of the Congregation of Pious
Workmen, camo from Naples to consult hi • I
When his Lordship heard of this, he ordered
him to be admitted, and conversed with hi II for
about a quarter of an hour. When he left him,
this father said to us, in admiration of his wis­
dom, “Before I camo here they tried to per­
suade mo that his Lordship’s head was deranged ;
but I am thoroughly convinced of the contrary ;
he has understood all that I have said to him,
and he replied to everything in the most satis­
factory manner possible.
The goodness of his memory was no less to
bo admired. A long time before this, Don Lu­
cius Tortora had bogged hi H through Fathcr
Leonard to recommend his brother D. Thomas
to God ; he camo himself to visit him after this,
(on the 8th of November, 1786,) with D. Michael
Tortora. Ilis Lordship remembored tho request
which had been made to him, and asked D.
Lucius how his brother D. Thomas was, which
greatly astonished tho two gentlemen.
Tho superioress of tho convent of St. Marcelli
nus, where his niocc was, wrote to tell him that

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

she injured her health by excessive abstinence.
There was some trouble in causing him to com­
prehend this. He remained undecided for a
H
moment,
and then asked who was tho superioress ;
he was told that it was D. Brianna Caraffa;
upon that he reflected on the character of this
person, with whom he was well acquainted, and
wished his niece to be written to, and told
to obey her. Ho was then reminded that ho
had also received a letter from D. Theresa, who
told him that she did not do so through morti­
fication, but because her stomach did not require
more food. Upon this his Lordship changed
his opinion. “AVo must now have a third,” said
he. He therefore caused tho reverend mother
to bo told to apply to tho confessor, and his
niece to obey tho superioress. This took place
some months before his Lordship’s death.
On tho 27th of September, 1786, which was
tho anniversary of his birthday, Father Villani,
after celebrating a solemn mass, at which tho
community assisted in thanksgiving for tho pre­
servation of their common father, wont to his
Lordship accompanied by our fathers, to an­
nounce to him that ho had happily entered into
his ninetieth year. At those tidings Alphonso
was confounded. “ I do not deserve such atten­
tion,” said ho, “ all is tho result of God’s mercy.”
In saying these words ho shed sweet tears of
joy. Father Villani then told him that tho mass
had been sung in thanksgiving. “I thank all
tho fathers,” he replied, “ God will reward them
for their charity.”

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

169

On tho 10th of November of the same year,
Father D. Francis Garzilli, who was still more
aged than his Lordship, preceded him into
eternity. Alphonso was informed of this, that
ho might recommend his soul to God. When
ho received tho tidings of his death, his Lord­
ship made an act of resignation, and after hav­
ing recited a De profundis, he said, “And I
too, I am one of these young men.”
In December, 1786, his Lordship’s physician,
D. Francis Tortora, was taken ill, and sent
Brother Leonard to beg him to recommend him
to God. “ Let us say an Ave Maria to the
Madonna,” said Alphonso ; after which he also
said tho litanies. When tho brother retired, he
recommended his Lordship to continue to pray
for tho sick man ; but Alphonso at once, with­
out any hesitation, replied, “He will die.”
Tho next day Brother Leonard again recalled
the doctor to his remembrance, but his Lord­
ship mado no answer. Tho illness did not ap­
pear to bo mortal, but two days afterwards, on
the 27th of the same month, D. Francis Tortora,
though contrary to all expectation, had passed
into eternity.
The Father-Master Caputo, ho who had lived
with Alphonso at St. Agatha, as president of
the seminary, was taken ill at the monastery
of St. Peter tho Martyr, at Naples, and when
tho Dominicanesses at Nocera, of whom he had
been prior, heard of it, they informed his Lord­
ship that he might recommend him to God.
Some days afterwards, that is to say, on tho

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

8th of October, 178G, at about four o’clock
in the afternoon, his Lordship suddenly turned
round towards Brother Francis Anthony, and
said, “The Father-Master is dying;” and on his
assuring him that ho was alive, and that the
religious begged him to recommend him to God ;
“Believe me,” his Lordship replied, “he is on
the brink of death.” And so it was : this same
day at about eight o’clock in the evening, the
Father-Master passed into eternity after four
hours’ agony.
I will now give another and a no loss sur­
prising instance. Wo kept a debauched and
incorrigible Neapolitan in our house by the
king’s order at the commencement of the year
1787. One evening ho had had the audacity
to introduce a female into his room disguised
as a soldier. About seven o’clock that even­
ing his Lordship began to exclaim, “ There is a
woman in tho house ; send her away instantly.”
Tho brother and tho servant thought that his
head was wandering, and said to him in order
to tranquillise him, “ The house is shut up, and
there is no female in it.” As the same thing
took place again the next evening at tho same
hour, his Lordship was again agitated, and ex­
claimed, “ I have already told you, and I re­
peat it now, there is a woman in tho house ; let
no time bo lost in turning her out.” It was
still believed that tho thing was impossible ;
however, when tho brother went to supper with
tho servant, at the second table, they laughingly
related this supposed proof of Alphonso’s being in

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

171

his dotage to tho others. The young man, who
was also at the table, on hearing what was said,
was seized with a mortal terror, ran to his room,
and sent tho woman out of it with all possible
speed, and ho himself, from the fear of having
been discovered, set out secretly next morning,
and withdrew to Naples. He confided this to
a young man of la Cava, whose conduct at that
time was no better than his own.

CHAPTER XL.

God, who has always revealed the approach
of their deliverance to His saints, made known
tho time of his death to Alphonso also. Ho had
predicted it in the month of September, in the
preceding year of 178G ; the Carmelite father,
D. Joseph Imperato, came to seo him then, as
he was in tho habit of doing every year, when
Alphonso said to him, “ Father Joseph, wo shall
not see each other again next year.” He was
sitting motionless in his chair, and seemed quite
absorbed in God. At a later period, that is to
say, on the IGth of July, 1787, he turned to
Brother Francis Anthony, and said to him in
quite a joyful tone, “Brother, I have a new
function to perform.’’ Ho spoke of his funeral.
Tho mystery was understood when ho was at­
tacked by a violent dysentery during tho night
of the 18th.

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

On the morning of the 19th, he was attacked
by fever, after he had assisted at mass, and re­
ceived holy communion ; 011 the morning of the
20th, he got up to hear mass and to commu­
nicate, although the fever had not left him.
In the after part of tho day, ho fell into such a
stato of weakness and prostration, that he seem­
ed as if ho were just going to expire. He took
some nourishment, and after having recovered
some strength ho slept during a part of the fol­
lowing night.
As soon as his death drew near all his scru.
pies vanished, and serenity never again left him
throughout tho whole of his painful illness. As
I was at Nocera at the time, I was constantly
by his bed-side, and not tho gentlest sigh of
him who had so loved me passed mo unheeded.
When his Lordship’s extreme danger became
known in tho town and neighbouring villages,
gentlemen of high rank, religious, and priests
hastened to visit him daily. Mgr. Sanfelice
especially never once omitted to come. When
tho nuns heard of it, there was not a mon­
astery in which they did not pray in common
for tho recovery of his health ; and the faithful
were everywhere excited by their pastors to be
as concerned as they were for tho preservation
of his days.
As the fever had not loft him on the 21st of
July, and as his weakness was extreme, an altar
was prepared in his room ; mass was said there
for him, and the holy communion was adminis­
tered to him. In the course of the day he said

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI,

173

that he was hungry, and ho ate as if he were
better, but ho sunk back into a state of great
weakness afterwards. Ho slept very well on the
following night, and required no assistance ; it
was a Saturday ; when benediction of the Blessed
Sacrament was given, the state his Lordship was
in was announced to the people, which caused
general affliction.
Towards eight o’clock on the morning of the
22nd, as he was still in full possession of his
intellectual faculties, he was asked if he would
like to hear mass and to communicate. “ Make
haste,” replied his Lordship with much agitation.
When ho was told that mass had commenced,
he made the sign of the cross as usual, and re­
peated, “Make haste.” At the reception of the
holy Blood ho was no longer quite himself, but
he was told that he must then communicate ;
upon this ho recovered his senses, communicated,
and continued to make acts of love towards Jesus
in the Blessed Eucharist. Later on the father­
rector inquired how ho was, and he replied,
“Recommend mo to Jesus Christ.” As tho
doctor ordered him to take some lemonade, ho
obeyed, and then fell back into a state of re­
collection.
After dinner our fathers went to see him, which
II
seemed
to please and comfort him. Father Vil­
lani was confined to his room by indisposition,
so he sent him a very beautiful little picture of
tho Blessed Virgin, which had belonged to Mgr.
Falioja. Alphonso was pleased to receive it ; ho
kissed it with tenderness, and then kept it in

Π
<

♦

IK

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

his hand looking at it for a few moments. One
of tho fathers who was going to give a novena
went to take leave of him, and he was told that
this father and all tho others wished to have his
blessing, lie manifested satisfaction at this, and
raising his hand a little, ho made the sign of
benediction.
About four o’clock he was asked how he
felt, when ho replied, “ Thanks be to God.”
Brother Francis Anthony then suggested to him
that he should bless all the fathers and brothers
of tho house as their superior. “ And you
also,” replied Alphonso, and he repeated it
several times, “ you must pray to God and tho
Blessed Virgin for me.” And ho blessed them
while saying these words. Like another Jacob
surrounded by his children, Alphonso looked
upon us with complacency, and was constantly
prophesying to us all sorts of blessings.
His Lordship was quite calm and serene un­
til the evening, but fever then seized him, and
he became delirious. “ Give mo Jesus Christ,”
ho said, extending his arms...... “What lady is
that there?.......Bo quick, let us say mass. 1
wish to communicate.”
Ho became worse on tho night of tho 23rd.
As soon as it was day-light, Brother Francis
Anthony told him that it was time to hear mass
and to communicate. “ Let them make haste,”
replied his Lordship in a state of great pros­
tration of strength. On seeing that there was
a delay, he repeated several times over, “Will
you not then give me communion?” But when

S’f. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

the time arrived for giving it to him, ho had lost
his senses. The doctor was summoned, who
gave him over. He was told to prepare to
receive Extreme Unction, and this was repeated
several times to him ; but ho answered, “ I do
not understand.” At length, as ho saw that
he did not receive communion, he said, “ I wish
to have His body
he was again told to
prepare to receive Extreme Unction, and ho
once more said, “ Give mo His body.” His
wishes were not satisfied, for wo feared that
ho was not sufficiently conscious for it. After
u
Extreme Unction had been administered to him»
Father Villani told him to bless the whole
congregation ; but although he repeated it over
to him, ho could not tho least understand what
was said. As Father Villani was anxious that
ho should understand, ho bethought him of
telling him that ho must bless tho congrega­
tion as bishop and as superior in obedience to
the names of Jesus Christ and the Blessed
Virgin ; on hearing tho word obedience, Alphon­
so became quite collected, ho raised his hand
and gave the wishod-for benediction.
When his Lordship’s life was despaired of,
Father Villani lost no time in sending tho ti­
dings of it to all tho houses, lt caused general
lamentation ; for tho more remembrance that
Alphonso was alive, was a source of encouragment and consolation to all ; on receiving tho
sad news, there was not a subject who did not
wish to fly to Nocera to assist at his death,
and to receive his last blessing. All tho rec-

1.1

bC>

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

tors set out to see him, accompanied by all
the subjects who were not wanted in their
houses. They all arrived within three days, even
those from Benevento and St. Angelo. As soon
as the saintly old man perceived them, although
he was dying, ho manifested pleasure, and blessed
them with the sign of the cross.
Towards seven o’clock on the morning of the
23rd, ho appeared a little relieved after the ap­
plication of blisters, and in order to anticipate
his wish to communicate, a second mass was at
once celebrated ; when he heard that mass was
being celebrated, and that ho was going to re­
ceive Jesus Christ, ho testified extreme joy ; as
doubts were entertained as to his being in a
fit state to communicate, an unconsecrated par­
ticle was first given to him ; and it was per­
ceived that all his physical strength had aban­
doned him. After some time, his Lordship
himself asked for his rosary, and he felt about
with his hand here and there as if to find it.
It was given to him, and although ho had lost
bis senses, he went through it in a stammer­
ing way, but what he said was unintelligible.
As he continued in the same state, the doc­
tors wished him to swallow some bark with the
lemonade ; after he had taken three or four
spoonsful, he did not want to have any more ;
but he was told that tho doctor required it and
that he must take more under obedience. At the
words doctor and obedience he instantly opened
his mouth ; he then held out his pulse to the
doctor, who had asked to feel it, saying, “ Here

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alphonso liguori.

I am, 0 my God.” He also wished to feel his
feet, to ascertain if they were still warm, but
as soon as he perceived this, Alphonso ex­
claimed, “Do not touch me!” and drew back
H
his legs. As he felt tormented
through th©
blisters on his legs, the mustard poultices at
his feet, and compresses on his stomach, he
said in a dying tone, “ I feel torn to pieces from
top to bottom.”
Although he was burning through the extreme
heat of the weather, his love for modesty never
allowed him to be at all uncovered : one day when
tho sheet was a little displaced in order to
wash him, ho exclaimed in a tone of com­
plaint to the servant Alexis, “ They have un­
covered me, is not that sinful?”
As his Lordship was everywhere held in very
great veneration, when it became generally known
that he was dying, it would be difficult to be­
lieve how many demands for relics of him were
made even from distant countries. The linen
which was sent to the wash at this time was
either not sent back to the house, or was only
returned in fragments. Handkerchiefs full of
rosaries and other objects of devotion were con­
stantly being brought with the request that they
might touch his body. A number of ecclesiastics,
of regulars and of seculars, vied with each other
in coming
gaze on him and ino seeking for
o to o
his relics. Mgr. Sanfelice, who considered him
as a saint, never lost sight of him. His Lord­
ship’s state underwent little change during tho
23rd. As it was observed that his mind seemed
12

VOL. v.

178

ST. .ALPHONSO LIGUOHI.

oro alivo at about three in tho afternoon, ho
was asked if ho wished for communion. At this
proposition tho saintly old man started for joy,
and when ho was told that the time was come,
II
ho joyously exclaimed
several times, “ Come, my
dear Jesus.” Ho also made many acts of desire,
and manifested a saintly eagerness by his ges­
tures. After he had communicated he said,
turning towards Father Magaldi, “ Now, what
ought I to do?” Ho wanted tho acts of thanks­
giving to bo suggested to him ; this was done,
and his Lordship listened and stammered them
out, but without our being able to make out
the words. Amongst other things it was said
to him, “Thank Jesus Christ, whom you have
in your heart, and pray to the Blessed Virgin
to thank Him for you.” “But you must also
pray to tho Madonna for mo,” said Alphonso.
The father went on, and told him to bless all
who were present in tho name of Jesus Christ.
His Lordship then raised his hand rather high,
and blessed them all in a perfectly collected
manner. When 1 hoard that his Lordship was
better, I and some others also hastened to go
and receive his blessing.
Ilis penitent, D. Salvatore Tramontane, had
hastened from Naples to bo present at the last
scene ; he was not satisfied with being blessed
amongst tho others, and presented himself alone
before his bed. His Lordship recognised him,
appeared much pleased to see him, and blessed
him, saying, “ Pray to the Madonna for me.”
“Yes,” replied Father Magaldi, “wo will pray
Il

ALPHONSO LIGUOHI.

179

to Jesus Christ and to tho Madonna for you—
to that beautiful Madonna which is at St. Clare ;
do you remember it?” “Where?” replied his
Lordship ; and the father repeated, “ The Ma­
donna at St. Clare; do you not remember it?”
“Yes,” ho replied quite joyously. J Io became
delirious again some time afterwards, and said,
“Celebrate mass.” Ho was told that it was
night, and that every one was asleep. “ Do not
let mo miss communion,” added ho. When the
night was further advanced Father Neri told
him to make acts of love and to have recourse
to Jesus crucified. Alphonso understood him,
recalled his senses, and repeated what the father
suggested to him as well as ho could. Amongst
other things ho distinctly said, “ My Jesus cru­
cified, I love Theo with all my heart, for Thou
didst die for me.”
Several votive masses were said in his room
on tho morning of tho 24th. He had received
Holy Communion at about six o’clock on the
preceding evening, but he appeared to have for­
gotten this. When it was about four o’clock
his Lordship repeated with great urgency, “Give
me Jesus Christ.” The acts of desire which ho
made, and his impatience to bo soon consoled,
drew tears from all our eyes ; he was satisfied,
and after having communicated he remained in
a state of recollection, and made acts of love
and of thanksgiving,
o
o
As fever camo on again, his Lordship’s strength
was once more prostrated and ho lost tho use
of his faculties ; but when Father Magaldi sug-

WH

I

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

gostod to him to recito tho Ave Maria and to
have recourse to the Blessed Virgin, he moved
his lips and repeated tho Angelic Salutation.
Brother Francis Anthony on seeing him in this
state, put his largo rosary round his arm ; AL
phonso feeling something, and not knowing what
it was, said, almost weeping, “ They have bound
me.” It was then taken off his arm, and
placed in his hands ; ho immediately recited
the Ave Maria all by himself, and turned to
Father Magaldi to know if he had said it pro­
perly ; he then continued to stammer through
the rosary.
As his Lordship’s nephews had received tidings
of the illness of their uncle, D. Joseph left Na­
ples and camo to see him towards evening, ac­
companied by his wife and her uncle, tho Prince
of Polleca. They asked for his blessing, but
there was much difficulty in making him un­
derstand what they wanted ; however, ho raised
his hand and blessed them. I). Joseph told
him that he had come expressly to see him :
“ I thank you,” said Alphonso, “ I bless you.”
He afterwards asked him to give him some good
advice ; his Lordship then answered in a col­
lected manner, “ Save your soul.” D. Gusmana
afterwards camo into tho room with the prince:
his Lordship after having comprehended who
they were, but with some difficulty, blessed them
also. D. Joseph then came closer to him, took
his hand and told him ho was his nephew ; his
Lordship pressed his hand, and held it for
some time ; after which he a£ain blessed him.

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181

On seeing that they did not go, he said to
them, “ Bo satisfied ; it is finished. You can
go now.” Tho devil could not continue to leave
him in peace. On the morning of the 25th, he
said, while Father Neri was celebrating H ass
"Ho who sins is the enemy of God.” As the
father saw that ho was tempted, ho interrupted
tho mass and exhorted him to confido in tho
merits of Jesus Christ, and to havo recourse to
tho most holy Virgin Mary ; his Lordship then
breathed freely again and regained his serenity,
but fever came on again at tho same time, and
H
as his mind was perturbed, he could not communicato. He was thus tempted afresh about
four o’clock, and said, “ Do you wish to make
me despair?” The same father immediately
reminded him of the passion of Jesus Christ
and tho merits of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
When he heard of tho merits of Jesus Christ
and of tho most holy Virgin Mary, his Lordship
opened his eyes and listened attentively. It
was suggested to him to offer up his sufferings
to Jesus Christ, and he replied in a distinct
tone of voice, “ I offer all to the passion of my
Jesus.” Some minutes after ho exclaimed, “ I
believe and I wish to believe all that holy Church
teaches me
and then ho added, “ and there­
fore I havo hope.” As tho father continued
to suggest other acts of faith and of confidence
to him, his Lordship repeated them interiorly
and moved his lips. Some time afterwards, he
said in broken accents, “ What can I do in
order to merit?” and ho received for answer,

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ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI.

“ Do tho will of God.” Ilo remained silent,
and at intervals ho was seen to fix his eyes
on tho picturo of our Lady of Sorrows. During
this timo masses were constantly being cele­
brated in his presence.
Such great faintness came on about seven
o’clock, that it was believed that tho hour of
his agony was approaching. Tho prayers for
tho dying were commenced, and ho received
tho absolution. Whilst this took placo he re­
covered his senses, and the doctor asked him
which of his knees was in front ; as soon as ho
heard that he replied, “I am dying.” Tho
doctor then asked for his blessing, and his Lord­
ship said in a distinct voice, “ Dominus noster
Jesus Christus te benedicat!” Tho brother and
the servant also knelt down, and asked him to
bless them. Brother Francis Anthony suggest­
ed to him to bless all the houses of tho congre­
gation and all tho subjects. “Yes,” replied
his Lordship, and ho raised his hand and blessed
them. We all molted into tears and camo and
kissed it, which soomod to give him pleasure.
In this extremity his Lordship had not yet
boon reminded of tho houses in the states, but
Brother Francis Anthony now begged him to
bless them also, saying that they laboured to
procure tho glory of Jesus Christ, and tho good
of souls. After the brother had taken great
pains to make himself intelligible to him, bis
Lordship raised his hand twice and blessed
them. As tho devil is skilful in seizing oppor­
tunities, ho did not lose this ono of representing

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183

to him tho sorrow ho had previously endured
from those houses. At the end of half an hour,
Alphonso, undoubtedly to surmount the tempta­
tion, opened his eyes and said in a loud voice,
“I bless tho houses in the states
and he pro­
nounced these words so distinctly that I heard
them in an adjoining room. After an interval
he was asked to bless tho diocese and the nuns
of St. Agatha and of Scala ; his Lordship then
moved his hand to signify that ho blessed them ;
and afterwards ho said in a loud and intelligi­
ble tone of voice of his own accord, “ I bless
tho king, all tho generals, tho princes, and the
II
ministers, and all tho magistrates
who admin­
ister justice.”
The rector of tho house then asked him if he
wished to receive Jesus Christ. Full of joy at
this, ho replied, “ Give me communion ; yes,
give mo communion.” lie said this with so
much ardour, that ono of us lost no time in
going to the church to gratify him ; but as it
was not quick enough to satisfy his ardent de­
sires, ho several times repeated, “ Is communion
coming?” On hearing a sound ho opened his
eyes, and on seeing tho priest with tho holy ci­
borium, ho appeared as if in an ecstasy, and began
to make a number of acts of love. Ho seemed
as if changed into something divine, and he ex­
claimed in tho transports of his love, “ My Jesus,
do not leave mo.” Some time afterwards a pic­
ture of our Venerable Brother Gerard was given
to him, and he was told to recommend himself
to him. His Lordship had a special devotion to

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOKI.

this holy brother ; he looked at it for a moment,
and asked who it was, and on being told, “Bro­
ther Gerard,” ho replied, “ God does not will
that he should cure me.”
He was asked if ho wished to hear mass, and
ho moved his head affirmatively. When it was
commenced, ho made the sign of tho cross three
times according to his custom, and distinctly pro­
nounced tho words tho third time. When the
doctor inquired how ho felt, he replied, “I am
ill.” The doctor then again asked for his bless­
ing, and ho gave it. Afterwards Fatlwr Neri
presented to him a picture of tho crucifix with­
out saying anything : his Lordship made a
sign with his trembling hand that he wished to
have it ; when it was given to him, he put
his lips to it, and kissed it, and held it thus
for somo time, after which tho delirium return­
ed again.
When it became known that his Lordship was
dying, vows and prayers for his happy passage
II
wore addressed to heaven from
all quarters.
Naples was plunged into grief. All tho nuns
interested themselves about his stato, and many
religious followed their example ; amongst others,
tho Fathers of tho Oratory, of the Pious Works,
and of the Holy Family. Canon D. Gabriel
Genga, tho superior of tho Congregation of Apos­
tolical Missions, in concert with the superior
of that of tho Conference, hastened to inform all
their subjects. Tho town and the dioceso of
St. Agatha also displayed their attachment to
their former bishop. “ As soon as I received tho

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185

sad tidings,” wrote tho archdeacon and vicar­
capitular, D. Nicholas Robertis, “ I communicated
it to tho nuns, to tho chapter, and to all tho
clergy, that all might address their prayers for
him to tho Most High. And as the intelligence
reached us at tho cathedral just as wo were
finishing the offices of tho choir, the Litany of
tho Blessed Virgin was instantly sung, and it
was decided that tho Blessed Sacrament should
bo exposed next morning at mass ; finally, the
collect, pro infirmo, was ordered to bo said
throughout the dioceso.” A great number of
priests and bishops who were his Lordship’s
friends, acted in a similar manner on this occa­
sion. As soon as Mgr. Puoti, the archbishop
of Amalfi, and tho bishops of Cava and of Lettere,
heard of it, they offered up tho holy sacrifico
for Alphonso, and got their flocks to pray for
him.
Donatus Cafullo, a gentleman of Caposele,
who was at Naples at tho time, was speaking
about Alphonso in Father Carotcnuto’s room, in
tho monastery of St. Laurence ; two gentlemen
of St. Agatha who were present, and who had
not before heard anything at all about his ill­
ness, were so surprised on hearing that ho was
dying, that ono of them could not restrain his
tears, "You cannot imagine,” said they, “what
great good Mgr. Liguori did in tho diocese of
St. Agatha
: the otidings of his death will cause
o
sorrow to every ono there.”

18G

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

CHAPTER XLI.
Λ serious misfortune happened, which added
more to tho sufferings of tho servant of God.
Tho largo wound near his throat, from which
he had suffered so much at Arienzo, was re­
opened, and rendered his condition au intensely
painful one ; but through his patience and re­
signation this accession of suffering only served
to increase tho splendour of his crown. Whilst
in this painful state, he consoled us by a mi­
racle. Canon D. Dominic Villani went to visit
him towards tho evening of tho 24th. He had
boon suffering from a complaint in the knee
for throe years, which had prevented his being
able to walk without crutches, but ho had
scarcely taken leave of his Lordship, than ho
felt that ho was completely cured ; and ho said
in a most joyous tone to the priest D. Gaétan
Fusco, and D. Andrew Calabrèse, two priests
whom he met at tho door, “ I camo here a
cripple, and I go away perfectly healed ; I
secretly applied his Lordship’s scapular, which
was on his bolster, to my leg, and now I am
cured.” Yot up to this time tho canon had
tried several remedies, such as the baths of
Isca and mercurial rubbing, but ■without any
success. Five days afterwards, tho prince of
Polleca asked him how he was. “ I am quito
well,” replied the canon, “ and 1 am ready to

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187

give all the judicial attestations of my miracu­
lous cure.”
The feeble ray of hope wo still had of being
able to keep his Lordship amongst us, made
us determine to call in two doctors from the
capital; they arrived about ten o’clock at night,
and found the invalid much better, and this
continued until tho morning of the 25th. Ho
heard mass and communicated at day-break,
after which two more masses were said for him ;
but in the middle of tho second ho got perturb­
ed, and said, “ What aro you doing ? You aro
putting me in danger of committing a mortal
sin.” Some acts of love and confidence in Jesus
Christ wore suggested to him, and ho became
calm again. Six of our students arrived from
the house at Ciorani at this time. His Lordship
recognised them, testified pleasure at seeing them,
and blessed them twice.
lie appeared to bo so faint between ten and
eleven o’clock in tho evening, that he was
thought to bo dead : our fathers hastened to
aid him in his passage by their prayers and tho
holy sacrifice, and so they began to say masses
on tho 26th, at about two o’clock in tho morn­
ing. The holy communion was proposed to him,
but ho did not answer. When the Sanctus bell
rung during tho first mass, his Lordship opened
his eyes and looked at tho celebrant; as ho did
not see tho elevation, ho closed them again ; he
aroused himself again at tho elevation, he looked
towards tho altar and moved his lips. Ho had
a fresh attack at three o’clock, absolution was

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

given to him, and tho prayers for the dying
wore commenced; but his Lordship regained his
senses at the end of tho litanies.
At a later period, after another mass was
commenced, wo tried to find out if ho wished
for communion, and ho manifested an ardent de­
sire for it. Ho communicated, and during the
following mass ho continued to make his thanks­
giving although extremely faint. Ho stammered
out tho words, but wo could only catch tho
following: “It is thus I hope.” Some time
afterwards, he distinctly asked for his rosary.
When ho received it, his lips were seen to
II ove, and ho went.through the beads.
During this time his room was always full
of gentlemen and ecclesiastics. Father Samuel
of Naples, tho ex-provincial of tho Capuchins
at Arienzo, and a great friend of Alphonso’s,
was not behind hand. As his efforts to obtain
his Lordship’s benediction had been in vain,
ho took his hand, and raised it to his head
making tho sign of tho cross with it, and ho
also touched one of his cars which was dis­
eased with it, which was immediately healed.
Our Father Buonapano had suffered from an
abscess in tho throat for two days, and much
apprehension was felt as to tho consequences ;
in the evening ho applied a little piece of linen
which had been used in bandaging his Lord­
ship’s wound, and tho next morning tho father
was cured.
The 27th was a day of suffering to Alphonso.
About seven o’clock in tho morning ho was sud-

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189

denly seized with such a severe colic, that he
could not find any rest, and exclaimed, “Aid
mo....unbind mo....put me on the ground.”
During the violence of these attacks, he several
times fixed his eyes on the picture of the Most
Holy Virgin Mary, and said in a faint voice, “ My
Jesus.” Λ small picture of Immaculate Mary
was presented to him in a little water, but he
could not swallow it. When his sufferings were a
little alleviated, he himself asked for the little
picture, and swallowed it ; but mortification had
commenced. As his sufferings continued, his
bandage was taken off, and a poultice was ap­
plied instead ; when he felt that he was touched,
lie turned towards Father Criscuoli, and said
iu broken accents, and with tears in his eyes,
“They have touched me.” When he was told it
was the aged Father Leonard, his confidant, who
had done so, he became tranquillised. On the
28th, at about two o’clock in tho morning, he
was asked how he was; he replied, “ I am dying.”
After that, on seeing the eagerness of our fa­
thers and that of the medical men, he said, “ All
is over.” On being interrogated as to whether
ho wished to hear mass and to communicate,
ho seemed quite joyous, and made a sign in the
affirmative. He made the sign of the cross
before communicating, and also made his pre­
paration. lie heard two masses during his
thanksgiving. When preparations wero made
to rub him, he said quickly, “ Do not touch me.”
But he afterwards submitted through obedience ;
the doctor again asked him how he felt, mid

Bhttiir.

K·
•t-

190

ST.

\LPII0N80 LIGUORI

ho onco more replied, “I am dying.” Upon
this, tho former asked him to bless a picture of
tho Blessed Virgin Mary, and ho did so.
As his mind was weakened and ho was ex­
hausted, his Lordship wished to bo aided in
having recourse to God, and in suffering with
courage ; ho took pleasure in tho holy affections
which were suggested to him from time to time,
and repeated them in a faint tone. I often
feared that he would bo oppressed by those as­
pirations ; but ho signified that this was not so.
Afortification went on increasing, and as his
sufferings became greater, they caused him fre­
quent spasms. On seeing how much ho endured,
without its being possible to relievo him, we
looked at him in silence ; but Alphonso was
dissatisfied that tho aspirations were not suggest­
ed to him as before, and asked with a remnant
of strength which his lovo gave him, “Have
you no more holy thoughts to suggest to me?”
His weakness went on increasing, and wo believ­
ed he was just going to expire ; tho blessed
candle was lighted, and the prayers of the Church
for the recommendation of liis soul were com­
menced. When it was perceived that he re­
covered his senses, a picturo of tho Most Holy
Virgin was given to him ; his Lordship opened
liis eyes, moved his lips, and joined his hands
together in a prayerful attitude ; after that he
kissed the picture, and recited an Ave Maria
in a distinct voice. After that he seemed to bo
agitated, and putting his hand to his forehead,
he said, “My thoughts .... will you not let me

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191

rest?” Two of our fathers arrived from Castcllamaro at this time, and when they asked for
his blessing, Alphonso gave it to them. At
seven o’clock in tho morning, his Lordship seem­
ed again dejected : tho crucifix was offered to
him; ho took it, raised it to his lips, and held
it in his hands, often opening and reopening his
eyes to contemplate it. A picturo of the Bless­
ed Virgin was also given to him, and ho was
told to place his life and his soul in her hands ;
his Lordship understood this, extended his arms
to signify that he mado the offering, and ho turn­
ed his eyes towards tlio holy picture, murmur­
ing some words which wo could not catch. The
night was better than before, and he slept quietly.
Although ho was bettor on the morning of
tho 29th, ho was not in a state to communicate.
Whilst mass was being said before him, he ex­
claimed, “What a number of foreign enemies!”
Several masses wore said in his room ; the death
of Jesus Christ was recalled to his mind, and
it was suggested to him to make an offering to
Him of his own death. liis Lordship listened
attentively, raised his hands, clasped them to­
gether, and moved his lips for some time ; ho
then turned his eyes to an image of tho Blessed
Virgin ; at this movement, it was suggested to
him to have recourse to tho Blessed Virgin, and
ho recited an Avo Maria in a distinct voice.
A picture of St. Joseph was given to him to
kiss ; he took it into his hands, looked at it
for some time, and then turned to tho brother
and said, “Is this St. Joseph?” Ho was told

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

that it was so, and that lie should recommend
himself to him ; and ho then began to mur­
mur something whilst keeping his eyes fixed on
the picture of the holy spouse of Mary.
Tho servant Alexis asked if ho wanted any­
thing, and he replied in a faint tone, “It is
finished!” Father Magaldi began to suggest
holy thoughts to hint, when his Lordship said
of his own accord, “ Give me tho Madonna.”
When he had it in his hands, he began to
pray to her. Tho death-rattle then commenced,
and never quitted him again. Our fathers were
anxious to oxcito him to confidence in tho Most
Holy Virgin, and placed a picturo of her in his
hands ; ho kissed it, and slowly and with diffi­
culty also pronounced the words of the Avo
Maria.
His beard had become very long, and wo were
distressed at tho great discomfort which this
must cause during such great heat, to a person
dying. Brother Raphael cut it off as well as he
could, and his Lordship seemed relieved. When
tho operation was over, these few hairs were
much sought for, especially by the students, and
they afterwards became precious relics, and were
eagerly sought after.
He was extremely ill during the whole of the
29th, and nearly unconscious ; about nine o’clock
in the evening it was believed that his agony had
commenced. Tho whole community surrounded
his bed, and the prayers for the agonising were
commenced ; but he camo to himself again. Ho
was again asked to bless all the congregation,

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ST. ALPHONSO LTGUORT.

and as ho could no longer raise his hand, he
moved his head in acquiescence. On tho morn­
ing of tho 30th several masses woro celebrated,
and it seemed to us that he wished for commu­
nion. Father Villani would not however allow
it to bo given to him, as ho feared that ho was
unable to swallow tho sacred Host. Λ little ice
was put into his mouth by the doctor’s orders ;
upon which ho said, but so indistinctly that we
could hardly understand him, “What am I ta­
king?” Father Grossi arrived from St. Angelo,
and asked to have his blessing. His Lordship
understood him, manifested his pleasure, and
raised his hand and blessed him.
Mgr. Tafuri, the bishop of la Cava, came to
receive the blessing of the dying saint ; but as
ho could not recognise him tho bishop kissed
his hand and placed it on his forehead. A
Carniclito father camo about this time to give
him the last indulgence of tho scapular. It suf­
ficed to remind him of tho sacred names of Jesus
and Mary, or to give him a picturo of his holy
patrons, to make him quito collected. Father
Crisuoli suggested some pious reflections to him,
and offered him tho picturo of St. Michael the
Archangel, which ho generally had at tho head
of his bed ; ho took it into his hands and kissed
it, and opened his eyes to gazo on it ; ho then
moved his lips and recommended himself to tho
archangel. Ho also was seen to open his eyes
and to murmur whilst tho acts of faith, hope,
and charity woro suggested to him. When a
brass crucifix was held out to him, ho showed a
13

VOL. v.

194

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

wish to have it in his hands ; ho pressed it with
love, and three times endeavoured to raise it to
his mouth ; but as ho was unable to do it, Fa­
ther Capriola assisted him to kiss it, and lie
moved his lips to do so. As he still suffered
much internal pain, ho moved his hands about
as if in search of ease ; but after having raised
them with difficulty, ho joined and crossed them
as a sign of conformity to tho will of God.
Ho took some spoonfuls of milk with relish
at about eleven o’clock ; after that ho refused
all that was offered to him. Ho preserved tho
use of his faculties during all that day and tho
following night, although so very weak, and wo
saw that he assented to tho holy affections which
were suggested to him, either by opening his
eyes or moving his lips.
At about two o’clock in tho morning of the
30th, as his agony was near at hand, masses
were begun to bo said in his room, in the church,
and in his oratory ; a crucifix was offered to him,
lie opened his eyes, looked at it, and took it in
his hands. A picturo of tho Most Holy Vir­
gin was also presented to him, and ho looked at
it with devotion. At about seven o’clock tho
crucifix was again presented to him, and he was
exhorted to have confidence, and ho kissed it
with tenderness. At about twelve o’clock ho
took a picturo of tho Blessed Virgin which ho
had at his breast into his hands ; he kissed it and
pressed it to his heart; lio took it up again
at about two, and held it for nearly a quarter of
an hour; a fresh attack camo on at three ; it

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195

was believed to bo the commencement of tho
agonies of death, but ho again camo to him­
self.
The Blessed Virgin did not fail to assist and
to consolo him in his last moments, and it was
a favour which ho ardently desired during life,
and had unceasingly prayed to her to grant him.
The following is tho prayer he wrote on this
subject in one of his works :* “ 0 Consoler of
II [icted, do not abandon me at the hour
of death...... Obtain for mo the grace of invo­
king you often, that I may expire with your
sweet name and that of your divine Son on my
lips. Pardon my boldness, 0 my Queen, and
come yourself to consolo mo with your pre­
sence before I expire. I am a sinner, it is true,
and I do not deserve it ; but I am your servant,
I love you, and I have great confidence in you.
0 Mary ! I hope in you, do not then refuse me
this consolation.” And elsewhere he said in
addressing tho Blessed Virgin, + “ When I am
in the last struggles of death, 0 Mary my hope,
do not abandon me ; then above all assist and
strengthen me, that I may not despair at the sight
of my sins, which the devil will then place before
my eyes. 0 my Queen ! pardon my temerity ;
come yourself then and console mo by your pre­
sence ; you have conferred this favour on many
others, and I also long for it ; if my boldness
is great, your goodness is still greater, and seeks
• Visits to the Blessed Sacrament,
t The Glories of Mary.

//
196

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

out thoso who aro tho most unworthy, in order
to consolo them. ”
Ilis prayer was hoard, llo became worse et
every instant, but his peace and serenity were
unalterable. At about six o’clock, when lie was
being attended to by two of our fathers, and held
a picture of tho Blessed Virgin in his hand, his
face suddenly became inflamed and resplendent,
and a sweet smile also overspread his lips.
Tho same thing happened again before seven.
The rector and Father Buonapane were then
at each side of his bed, and Father Fiore was
at the foot. Father Buonapane put a picture
of tho Most Holy Virgin before him, and suggest­
ed to him to invoke her that lie might have a
good death ; as soon as his Lordship heard the
sweet name of Mary, ho opened his eyes and
looked at tho picture, and seemed again to
have a mysterious interview with tho Queen of
Heaven.
Ho was in a stato of most completo prostra­
tion of strength, throughout tho wdiolo of tho
following night, but ho was always tranquil aud
serene. Ho was quite recollected, and listened
with pleasure to tho holy affections which wore
suggested to him. When tho crucifix was pre­
sented to him, ho endeavoured to kiss it. On
tho morning of tho 1st of August, when some
compresses were applied to him, ho caught hold
of tho sheets in order to cover himself.
Masses were unceasingly celebrated in his
room, in tho church, and in tho oratory from
ono o’clock in tho morning. His children tried

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197

to do a holy violence to heaven to obtain
special assistance from Almighty God for the
last moments of their common father. lie grew
worse at half-past nine. From tho early part
of tho evening his Lordship clasped tho crucifix, and as every ono wished to have a crucifix which had been for some time in tho
dying hands of his Lordship, a fresh one was
constantly being substituted. Alphonso had al­
ways wished to die amongst his dear children.
" 0 my God !” ho exclaimed in one of his works,
*
“0 my God, I thank Thee now for the favour
Thou wilt grant me of dying surrounded by my
dear brothers, who will then have no other
anxiety than that of my eternal salvation, and
who will all aid me to die well.” God did
not deprive him of this consolation : our fathers
continued to arrive from all the houses, and Al­
phonso, like another Jacob, entered into his last
agony surrounded by his numerous children,
who were his joy and his crown. He seemed
not so much to bo struggling with death as to
bo conversing with God in a prolonged ecstasy.
No change was observed in his body, no op­
pression of breathing, no painful sigh, but whilst
holding a picture of tho Blessed Virgin in his
hands, and amidst our prayers and tears, Alphon­
so gently and sweetly expired, or rather he tran­
quilly fell asleep in tho arms of the Lord and
of the most Holy Virgin Mary, at the very
moment when the bell was rung for the Angelus.

I

»

• Preparation for Death.

198

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Alphonso Maria do Liguori died on the 1st
of August, 1787, at about eleven o’clock, a.m,,
and at the ago of ninety years, ten mouths,
and five days. Pius VI. then occupied tho
pontifical See ; tho Emperor Joseph was on
the throne, and tho kingdom of Naples was
happily governed by Ferdinand IV., tbo au­
gust son of Charles HL, king of Spain. The
congregation had then reached the fifty-fifth
year of its existence. Alphonso was of mid­
dle size, with rather a largo head and of a
fresh complexion.
He had a full forehead,
pleasing azure blue eyes, an aquiline nose, a
small mouth, and smiling lips. His beard was
thick and his hair black ; he kept them short,
and often cut them himself ; ho was short­
sighted and made use of glasses ; but ho al­
ways took them off in tho pulpit or when he
spoko to women. His voice was clear and so­
norous ; however spacious tho church might be,
and however long a mission might last, it never
failed him, and it continued thus until his last
infirmities. Ho had an imposing mien, his
manners were grave and gracious at the same
time, in fact, all combined to make him most
winning.
Ilis natural qualities were admirable. As his
judgment was subtle and penetrating, his me­
mory was prompt and tenacious, and his mind
precise and methodical ; his success in all sci­
entific branches is easily accounted for.
Ilis whole life was one continued application ;
ho was never occupied about indifferent things,

’ΊΜιίΓ

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

199

nor even about matters which were more curi­
ous than useful.
He was enterprising, but not rash, and he
weighed all his thoughts. He succeeded in
everything by his self-distrust and his confi­
dence in God. He was always tho same ; ad­
versity did not cast him down, and prosperity
did not puff him up. lie was averse to all im­
periousness of manner, and entreated rather than
commanded ; but if ho was obliged to do so,
ho would bo obeyed, and did not allow resis­
tance to go unpunished. He was energetic in
his reprimands, but ho knew how to soften their
bitterness by gentleness. Ho made himself all
to all. All was justice in him ; ho only punnished with regret, and returned thanks when
himself reproved. Ho was of a passionate tem­
per, but through virtue ho became a model
of sweetness. Ho was always master of himself,
so that no passion could take him by surprise ;
he opened or closed tho avenues of his heart at
will ; ho was unpitying towards himself, yet all
charity to others, and thus ho practised all
which constitutes the double character of the
saints.

hi!

200

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

CHAPTER XLII.
The funeral of Mgr. Liguori was extremely
solemn, not through tho pomp and magnifi­
cence of tho preparations, but through the
tears and veneration of all who assisted at it.
Xo sooner had his Lordship rendered up his
pure soul to God, than our fathers, foreseeing
tho enthusiasm of tho people, applied to D.
Gualenga, tho commander of tho royal cavalry,
before ringing tho knell, to have a detachment
of horso to keep order at tho door of the house.
When the body was properly placed on a bier,
which was surrounded by a great many lights,
and in that part of tho church which was
destined for the confraternity of gentlemen,
wo announced his death by our little bell, to
which all those in tho other churches echoed,
as Mgr. Sanfolice of Nocera had ordered.
Tho whole town was immediately thrown into
a stato of agitation, and crowds of people
flocked to our house ; tho door was opened,
but wo did not allow them to enter, and every
ono was obliged to bo satisfied with having the
saintly body touched with rosaries, scapulars,
and other objects of devotion. Several persons
brought baskets of flowers which they had strewed
on tho body, and then carried away with them
to distribute them as so many relics.
When our fathers had paid their last homage

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towards their common father by tho recitation
of the whole office of tho dead, the fathers of
(I
father
St. Francis of Paul and tho Carmelite
sung tho Libera together. Tho missionary priests
of the town also rendered their homage to the
deceased, and united together to chant the whole
office in their turn, which was followed by the
Libera. Daring this time, a great number of
gentlemen from the high town of Nocera ar­
rived accompanied by Don Gualenga and all the
staff. It was seven o’clock in the evening, yet
they had tho greatest difficulty in shutting the
door.
Mgr. Sanfelico had already made arrangements
to have tho funeral conducted in the most so­
lemn manner possible. In consideration of the
saint’s virtues and tho veneration of tho people,
lie had settled, that besides the chapter of tho
cathedral, tho seminarists and the clergy of
Pagani, all tho religious and all tho confra­
ternities should bo invited to accompany the
sacred remains in procession through the town,
with military escort, to tho convent of the Poor
Clares, which is very near the high town of
Nocera ; and that after having consoled these
religious, as well as those of tho Purity, by
chanting tho Libera in their respective churches,
tho funeral procession should return to our house
by the same streets and with tho same pomp.
This would have been a triumph for Alphonso,
which would have been without parallel ; but
tho inhabitants of Pagani or of tho low town,
and especially tho gentlemen, suspected that

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOKI.

his Lordship had somo pious stratagem to trans­
port Alphonso’s remains to his cathedral, and
strongly opposed the execution of this design.
When his Lordship was returning to his palace
in the evening, they stopped his carriage, and
all protested that they would not allow such a
translation. The bishop solemnly asserted that
they were wrong in their suspicions ; but they
did not believe him, and at eight o’clock iu
tho evening tho crowd were still assembled and
in a state of great disturbance ; their minds
became tranquillised however when we ourselves
went to them and assured them no such project
was in contemplation ; but as his Lordship fear­
ed somo tumult in which tho venerated body
might suffer, he altered tho arrangements he had
before made, and determined that no invitations
should be issued, and that tho funeral should
be celebrated in tho simplest manner possible.
On the morning of tho 2nd of August we
could not open tho door until after the arrival
of a detachment of twenty soldiers. After that,
an immense concourse of people of all classes
flocked from tho villages of Nocera, San Seve­
rino, la Cava, and other places ; they all ranged
themselves before our house, protesting that they
wished to render homage to the saintly bishop
and to have somo of his relics.
Mgr. Nocera remained with us for a long
time, and although no ono had been invited,
the chapter of the cathedral, tho seminarists,
the clergy of Pagani, tho priests amongst the
regulars, the fathers of St. Francis of Paul.

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203

and tho Carmelites, arrived of their own ac­
cord to honour the memory of Alphonso.
The ceremony was commenced by the clergy
of Pagani, who sung the Libera, in which the
canons of the cathedral and the regulars joined
them. During this time, as a number of altars
had been erected on the preceding evening, a
great many secular and regular priests offered
up the holy sacrifice of the mass.
When all was ready, Mgr. Sanfelice arranged
the procession ; it was decided that it should
not enter the town, but that it should go out
by tho door of our house, make a semicircle
before the monastery, and then return to our
church. Tho fathers of St. Francis of Paul
went first ; after them came tho Carmelites,
our fathers, our students, and our lay-brothers ;
they were followed by tho clergy of Pagani, the
rector of tho mother church, and the four
priests. Tho cathedral chapter camo last.
Six gentlemen wished to bear the bier, and
it was almost necessary to use force in order
to prevent their doing so ; the precious burthen
was placed on the shoulders of tho four rectors
of our houses ; canons held the four corners of
the pall, and six gentlemen with lighted torch­
es surrounded the coffin. Mgr. of Nocera fol­
lowed with a candle, and behind him were the
troops of tho town, and a great number of gen­
tlemen.
When tho body was deposited in tho church,
the canons chanted all tho office, Mgr. of No­
cera assisting, and mass was celebrated by D.

P”
a

204

ST. ALPIIOXSO LIGUORI.

»·.

I
t

Baptist Villani, who was canon and vicar-general. I). Fortunatus Pinto, who was then a canon
and patrician of Salerno, and who is now tho
very excellent bishop of Tricarico, pronounced
the funeral sermon. As the church was too
small to contain tho crowd, care had been taken
to place the pulpit near the door.
The catafalque was not very high, as tho
church was too low to admit of it ; tho body was
raised about six palms from tho ground, and
this was providentially ordered, for if it had been
otherwise, the people would not have been able
to satisfy their wish to kiss it, to touch it with
their rosaries, and to strew it with flowers. Bro­
ther Francis Anthony and tho servant Alexis
stood at each side of Alphonso’s body, and many
mothers presented their little children to them
that they might touch the lips of the saint’s
body ; as they could not seize on any relics of it,
as it was surrounded by soldiers, every one en­
riched themselves by carrying away some flow­
ers or rosaries which had touched it.
At this time a celebrated painter from Na­
ples camo to take his likeness, without our
having sent for him. It was about eleven o’clock
when ho wished to form tho cast, and there was
tho greatest difficulty in shutting the church.
Tho body had preserved its bloom and appeared
quite animated. When tho cast was taken off,
a part of tho skin of the loft nostril adhered to
it, and a quantity of bright blood issued from
it, which was eagerly collected in handkerchiefs.
When the operation was over the church was

Ί

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

205

reopened, and a multitude of gentlemen then
arrived from Salerno, Vietri, la Cava, San
Severino, Nolo, Sarno, la Tour, Lettcre, and other
places, so that all the ground in front of our
house was crowded with carriages. There were
whole communities of regulars who also formed
part of the concourse. Besides those of Pagani,
there were the fathers of Mount Olivet, of No­
cera, those of Montovagine, as well as many
Conventuals, Augustinians, and Observantines.
Several Benedictines also camo from la Cava, as
well as the Camaldoles of Angri and other places,
and an abbot of the order of St. Basil from tho
monastery of Mater Domini, with all his com­
munity. Every one at Pagani showed the great­
est enthusiasm, and our fathers were insufficient
to distribute to all these devout persons pieces
of linen which Alphonso had made use of ; it
is said that more than ten thousand people came
to do honour to the ceremonies of his funeral.
At about seven o’clock in tho evening, as
Mgr. Sanfclico saw what a multitude of people
there were, and feared some disagreement be­
tween them and tho military, ho ordered tho
holy body to be interred, but it was not without
much difficulty that tho soldiers succeeded in
emptying tho church. Several gentlemen soli­
cited tho honour of taking tho body down from
tho catafalque. It had remained there for thirtythree hours ; and yet notwithstanding tho heat
of tho weather, and tho mortification which
had reached the flesh, tho limbs remained flex­
ible, and emitted no unpleasant smell.

iilih

r

lb
i:
r

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II
I

206

ALPHONSO LIGUOHI.

Mgr. do Noccra, who was staying with us,
wished that it should be tried to bleed him. It
was done first at tho right arm, then at tlio
hand, and at tho jugular vein, but all was in
vain. This disappointment discouraged those
wdio were present, as it was not known that Al­
phonso had foretold this long before. When
ho was at Noccra, our fathers were one day re­
lating what had happened at St. Angelo after
tho death of our father D. John Rizzi, that is
to say, that it was attempted to draw blood from
his body, but as none would come, tho rector
commanded it to do so, upon which tho blood
at ouco flowed, which was reiterated some days
afterwards by virtue of holy obedience ; his
Lordship smiled at this recital and said, “When
I am dead, such wonders need not be attempted ;
for I will yield no blood.”
The holy remains were deposited in a leaden
chest. It was sealed with six seals of the chap­
ter of the congregation, four of tho town of Pa­
gani, and two of tho congregation. It was shut
with three different keys ; one was given to the
Prince of Polleca, D. Joseph Capano Orsini, who
assisted in tho name of the nephews of Alphon­
so ; the second, to tlio regents of the town ;
and tho third remained in the hands of the rec­
tor of the house. After those precautionary
measures, the chest was deposited at the left
side of the high altar.
The sepulchre was no less simple than tho
funeral. For some time there had been an idea
of raising a magnificient mausoleum in marble

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

207

to Alphonso ; it was to have been made by the
famous royal architect D. Joseph Mauro ; the de­
sign ho drew was very beautiful ; it was surmount­
ed by a bust of Alphonso, and at the bottom were
tho arms of the house of Liguori and those of
our congregation, together with some little che­
rubs, whoso features betokened sadness.
The
celebrated father of the Pious Schools, D. Joseph
Cavallo, had composed tho following epitaph,
which was to have been placed in the middle
of the monument :
“Alphonsi sum effigies
Neapolitanus
Patriciorum, Caussidicorum, Sacricolarum
Ordo
Ob Ligoriorum gentem
ob advocati præmia
ob sacerdotis labores
suum illum vocat
parentem suum
Sanctissimi Redemptoris Congregatio
ortu institutis forma
ab ipso indesinenter accepta
sponsum suum
perditorum ccsiccata colluvie
ovibusque Christi
ad opima pascua actis
Sanctæ Agathæ Gothorum ecclesia
voce manu calamo
instructus terrarum orbis
suum doctorem prædicat
at ego
illum annis XC. mensibus X. diebus V.
peregrinum terris egisse
cælis nunc eidem
Perpetuo regnaturum
doceo.”

208

sr

ALPHONSO LIGUORI,

Tho celebrated Emmanuel Compolongo com­
posed another which was to havo boon placed at
tho end of tho monument ; it was as follows :
“ Locus requietis
Alphonsi de Liguori patricii Napolitain
S. Agathæ Gothorum pontificis
vigilantissiini
cujus irreprehensa vita lucida perpetim
omnifariam tuita oves est
collustravit ovilia
sodalium 8. S Redemptoris
Ab eo institutum auctum amplificatum
lacrymis inexhaustis
conditori patrono vindici
monimentum vivax ponendum curavit,”

This project was several times attempted to
bo realised, but from divers reasons its execu­
tion was always suspended ; so that at his Lord­
ship’s death wo were obliged to content ourselves
with closing tho door of his vault by a simple
slab of marble, bearing tho following inscription:
“ Hic jacet corpus
illustrissimi ct reverendissimi domini
D. Alphonsi de Liguorio
episcopi S. Agatbæ Gothorum
et fundatoris Congregationis
Sanctissimi Redemptoris.”

Who cannot see tho dispositions of Providence
in this, who wished to satisfy Alphonso’s humi­
lity, even after his death ? On tho following
evening, a fresh concourse of people and of per­
sons of distinction arrived from Nolo, from Sa­
lerno, and from other distant places. They
oven arrived from tho town of Ariano, which

V·

ST. ALPHONSO LIQUO1U.

209

was two days’ journey from Noccra ; as they
found that Alphonso’s body was already placed
in tho vault, they collected together some re­
mains of tho mortar which had been used in
fastening tho stono, as if it wore a precious re­
lic. Others wont away satisfied at having been
able to touch it with their scapulars or their
rosaries. A great number of little children did
homage to Alphonso’s sanctity, by kneeling down
on tho sepulchral stono, which they kissed with
humility and devotion.
God was not long in glorifying His servant:
signal favours wore obtained through his in­
tercession on tho very day of his funoral. D.
Angola Tortora had suffered violent and fre­
quent toothache for a great number of years ;
when sho hoard that Alphonso was exposed on
tho catafalque, sho applied a little piece of his
vestment to her mouth, and sho was instantly
cured. Another woman had been nearly blind
for some months ; sho had specks on her eyes
and a great many pimples on tho eyelids ; sho
invoked Alphonso while his funeral rites were
being celebrated, and was instantly cured. There
was a woman who had suffered a groat pain in
her side three days ; sho had recourse to his
Lordship, and after having applied a morsel of
his raiment to it sho was healed. Tho Father
Abbot of Montoverginé had a diseased liver ;
ho applied a piece of tho saint’s clothes to it
and was also relieved. A lay-sister in tho convent of la Fureté had a soro in her log, which
had begun to mortify ; she made use of a relic

210

ST. alphonso liguorl

of Alphonso, and was immediately in a stato
to wait on tho community. In the village of
Cartoli there was a lady who had for several
years been afflicted by a tertian fever, attended
by pains all over the body, and obstinate vomitings ; and she too was cured by the mere touch
of a relic of Alphonso.
Angela Oliviero, a nun at Naples, who was a
former penitent of Alphonso’s, and sister of D.
Oliviero, the celebrated sinner, who, as wo have
seen, was converted by Alphonso, had great de­
votion for him, and was inconsolable when she
heard of his death. But whilst she was thus
sorrowing, Alphonso appeared to her in glory to
console her.
When his death became known at St. Agatha
the inhabitants of this town also resolved to fly
to his patronage. A woman who was there had
boon tormented by pain in tho side for three
days ; she had recourse to his Lordship, and was
instantly cured. Another woman, who suffered
most acutely from toothache, applied a thread
of tho saint’s vesture, and became perfectly free
from pain. Canon Lucca, who had suffered from
violent colics, had no sooner made use of a letter
of Alphonso’s than his pains disappeared. For
some days tho brother of a poor woman had been
confined to bed by a high fever, and in order
to allay it he was ordered to take quinine, which
would have cost six or seven carlins, but as she
could not command such a sum she did not
know what to do ; in her distress she had re­
course to Alphonso, and casting herself down on

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

211

her knees, she exclaimed, “ My blessed Lord,
come to my aid, for I cannot aid myself.” Ani­
mated with confidence, she took some threads of
linen which his Lordship had used, and caused
her brother to swallow them. The fever instantly
ceased, and two days afterwards he was labour­
ing in tho fields.
I pass over many other similar prodigies in
silence, but I cannot refrain from relating one
striking miracle, which took place in the church
during the celebration of tho funeral rites. For
ten days Joseph Maria Fusco, a little child of
rather more than a year old, and who was tho
son of D. Thomas Fusco, had been suffering from
a high fever accompanied with dysentery. He
got worse on the 19th of July, and on the 2nd
of August all hope of saving him was abandoned.
As his aunt, Ursula Fusco, had heard what was
said of Alphonso, she resolved to take the baby
to the church, and she did so iu spite of the
opposition of her brother, of another relation, and
of the mother, who feared that tho sick child
would die on the way. At first tho saintly body
was touched with a rosary, which was afterwards
placed on tho dying child, and then tho mother,
who had followed it, suddenly became filled with
great confidence, and begged Brother Francis
Anthony to lot her son’s face touch the body of
his Lordship, which was scarcely done ero tho
child was cured.
On tho evening of Friday, the 3rd of August,
his uncle, D. Gaétan Fusco, who was a priest,
camo to our house and informed us of the mi­

212

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

raculous euro of his nephew. Wo had just then
received some pictures of Alphonso from Naples,
which D. Salvadoro Tramontana tho priest had
had engraved, and wo gave ono of them to D.
Gaétan. Ho carried it homo with him. Ho then
sent for his nephew and held it out to him, as
if ho would say, Behold him who has saved you.
After tho little child had looked at it with at­
tention ho seemed to bo raised out of himself,
and suddenly exclaimed, “ Alphonso ! Alphonso !”
and pointing with his finger to tho picture ho
raised his little hands and said, lifting up his
eyes to heaven, “Alphonso is in heaven!” His
parents were filled with admiration ; tho little
child became more animated and joyous, and
repeated, “ Alphonso ! Alphonso ! tho saint ! tho
saint!” while pointing to tho picturo ; then after
again raising his hands and eyes to heaven, ho
exclaimed, “The saint is in heaven! tho saint
is in heaven!” This unanswerable testimony
from the mouth of a child who had never before
spoken, and who was not old enough to do so,
contributed greatly to spread Alphonso’s renown
every where ; and as God daily glorified His ser­
vant by fresh prodigies, crowds were soon seen
coining to his tomb to implore his powerful in­
tercession, or to make offerings to him in token
of their gratitude.
Tho clergy of Pagani were not satisfied with
tho homages which had been rendered to Al­
phonso in the celebration of his obsequies al­
ready made, and desired to honour his memory
in our church by a fresh funeral service. The

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

213

concourse of people was immense, and our Fa­
ther D. Vitus Papa delivered the panegyric on
tho deceased saint.

CHAPTER XLIII.

As Mgr. Sanfolice thought that tho obsequies
of a saint could not be celebrated with too
great magnificence, he decided, in concert with
Father Villani, that tho ceremony should be
repeated with the greatest pomp on the seventh
day in the cathedral at Noccra. His Lordship
previously invited all tho religious, tho nobility,
and all tho authorities both civil and military
to be present. The catafalque was magnificent.
Wo all took part in tho ceremony, his Lord­
H
ship only assisted at mass,
being unable to
celebrate himself on account of his infirmities;
and Canon D. Francis Xavier Calenda, who
was a prodigy of eloquence, set before his
audience tho merits of Alphonso before God,
and tho rare virtues ho had practised. Although
tho cathedral is very spacious, it was crowded
to excess : every one invoked Alphonso as a
saint, and all shed tears of consolation and
tenderness.
Whilst the obsequies were being solemnized
in tho cathedral, a great concourse of gentleII on from la Cava, and Amalfi, and oven from
Naples and la Tour arrived at our house, do-

214

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOHI.

siring to visit Alphonso’s tomb and to take
away with them some precious relic of him.
The obsequies were also celebrated on this same
day in tho house at Ciorani. The rector D.
Pascal Maria Capriola spared no expense to
render tho ceremony as imposing as possible.
Tho catafalque was magnificent, and worthy to
bo compared to tho II .ost splendid of those in
in the capital.
All things contributed to enhance tho solem­
nity ; Alphonso’s high renown itself acted as an
invitation ; an immenso crowd of the faithful,
including even tho nobility, hastened from San
Severino, Siano, from tho barony of St. George’s
and tho hamlets of Bracigliano ; and as if it
woro not the celebration of funeral ceremonies
that was in question, but as if it were the
fête of some great saint, they established
themselves opposite to the church as if at
a fair. Mgr. Nicodemus, tho bishop of Mar­
sico, happened to be at la Penta, which was
his native place, at this time, and accepted
tho invitation to celebrate the office pontifically
with great pleasure. There were a great num­
ber of priests present, and tho Obscrvantine
Fathers came from Bracigliano to chant tho
office. Although tho church was large it could
not contain every one. Our father D. Francis
Xavier de Leon was chosen to pronounce tho
funeral eulogium, and Mgr. de Marsico was so
affected at tho recital of so many heroic actions
that ho evinced his emotion by his tears and
sobs. A lady, who had suffered from a cataract

t

ST, ALPHONSO LIGÜORL

215

for ton years and had entirely lost her sight,
caused herself to bo led into tho church from
the desire to obtain her cure. She was full of
confidence, and raising her voice before all pre­
sent, she exclaimed, “ D. Alphonso, I will not
believe that you are a saint and in heaven if
you do not obtain this favour for me!” Iler
prayer was heard, and she returned homo glori­
fying him who had restored her sight. It was
believed that tho funeral ceremonies could not
bo celebrated at Iliceto with much eclat or
with any pomp, because this house is so soli­
tary and isolated. However, the father-rector, D.
Balthasar Apicella, being anxious to honour Al­
phonso’s memory with as much magnificence as
possible, obtained a mitre and a cross from
the canons of Troy, as well as all tho orna­
ments and draperies which were necessary. He
selected D. Theodore Calvino, a canon of tho
cathedral at Venosa, for the funeral sermon,
who was a man who had always been devoted
to tho congregation and to Alphonso ; the
archdeacon of Ascoli, D. Michael Angelo Cirillio, who was also our benefactor, sang mass.
When it became known in the neighbourhood
that wo were engaged in arranging a catafalque
in our church for tho funeral rites of Mgr. Liguori, a great number of priests, religious, and
gentlemen hastened to come from Troy, Ascoli,
Venosa, Candela, St. Agatha, la Rochette, Bovino, Monteleone, the territory of Accadia, of
Foggia and Lucera. The chapter of Iliceto
also assisted in their choir dross, and tho con-

f>·
•Λ J.

216

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

course of people was so great, that it was
spoken of throughout all the province.
Our Father I). Gaspard Cajono honoured the
memory of Alphonso in a signal manner at Bene­
vento. Ho himself gave tho following recital of
what was done to Father Villani : “Thanks bo to
God,” said ho, “the funoral rites of our blessed
father have boon celebrated hero with all possible
pomp. Tho cardinal, tho magistrates, tho secu­
lar and regular clergy, tho nobility and a mul­
titude of persons of all conditions, assisted at
them. Tho father-rector of St. Angelo camo
with all tho fathers and tho students ; his Emi­
nence published an indulgence of three hundred
days, and the church was as full as possible.
“The office commenced at about half-past seven,
and ended at a quarter after ten. Tcrragnoli,
the archpriest, celebrated mass, and tho cardinal
assisted in his pontifical vestments, and wo had
tho chaplains and tho best voices in tho town
for our singers.
Tho funeral sermon, which
lasted for more than an hour, and yet appeared
to bo too short, was delivered by D. John Capo·
biancho, tho chaplain. Tho cardinal listened to
him with excessive satisfaction. The catafalque
was very beautiful: there were two portraits of
our saintly bishop on it ; one was turned towards
tho door, and tho other towards tho high altar;
there were about two hundred lighted tapers, and
sixteen wax candles, each of three pounds’ weight,
surrounding tho monument ; four inscriptions
which I myself composed decorated tho four
u
sides, and there was another which ornamented

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

217

tho front of tho church outside,
*
which was ac­
companied by tho arms of the congregation. Tho
episcopal insignia wore supported by tho emblems
of death, which were very well executed. There
were five solemn absolutions, of which the car­
dinal chanted tho first. From six to seven hun­
dred portraits of Alphonso wore distributed ; but
wo could have given away thousands, for persons
* The following were the inscriptions, and are the more worthy
oi being here cited, as they are a sincere expression of the feelings
of a father who had been intimate with Alphonso for a long time.

For the front of the church :
·' Alphonso Mariæ de Ligorio
patricio Neapolitano
S. Agathæ Gothorum episcopo
Congregationis Sanctissimi Kedemptoris
institutori
patri benemerentissimo
optimo incomparabili
filii tanto praesidio orbati
mærentea justa persolvant.”
For the front of the catafalque :

Alphonso Mariæ de Ligorio
Neapoli summo loco nato
numcli triumphatori eximio
ecclesiastici ordinis
catholicæ Ûdei
lumini decori ornamento
Congregationis Sanctissimi Kedemptoris
Patri Institutori
civitatis S. Agathæ Gothorum
episcopo vigilantissime
viro vere apostolico vere magno
heu nuper e vivis
non sine ingenti bonorum luctu
erepto
semptiternam requiem
adprecator.’’

-18

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

of all classes even still continue to ask us for
them as well as for his relics.”
His eminence also wrote to Father Villani.
“ The office was celebrated here on Friday with
great solemnity. I was present and assisted poutifically.”
At St. Angelo of Cupoli our fathers wore no

For the three sides of the catafalque:
“ Viri innocentissimi
Alphonsi Mariæ de Ligorio
in quo absolutissimum omnium virtutum
perpetuo effulsit exemplar
memoriam immortalitate dignissimum
Deus cui unice studuit
pietas quam semper promovit
ecclesia cui tantopere laboravit
ab interitu vindicabunt.

2
“Alphonsi Mariæ de Ligorio
Viro ad quæque grandia nati
cujus pro Dei gloria animarumque salute
qua prædicatione qua scriptis
ad miraculum exantlatos labores
Neapolis, Italia, Europa,
vidit celebravit obstupuit
Nunquam satis deflendam jacturam
ecquæ unquam tempora
instaurabant.

3

“ Admirabilem
erga sanctissimæ Eucharistiæ mysterium
singularem in beatam Dei Matrem
pietatem religionem obsequium
Alphonsi Mariæ de Ligorio
viri nostrorum temporum
doctrina et vitæ sanctimonia
præclarissimi
nulla secula conticescent."

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

219

loss zealous.
Tho father-rector, D. Nicholas
Grossi, was not satisfied with having celebrated
the obsequies as soon as he heard of his Lord­
ship’s death, so he again celebrated them with
much pomp on tho 13th of August, after hav­
ing invited tho regulars and all tho priests
of tho neighbourhood to be present. A great
number of clerics who were going to bo pro­
moted to holy orders, some of whom belonged
to that diocese, and others to those of Cerreto,
Benevento, and Ternoli, were at this house at
tho time, to go through tho spiritual exercises,
and delivered divers discourses in praise of Al­
phonso.
The father-rector, D. Michael Tozzoli at Caposele, was not behind the rest. In order that
tho memory of our common father might be
honoured with as much magnificence as possi­
ble, ho sent for draperies and hangings from la
Cava, without sparing any expense ; all tho
priests of tho diocese, tho nobles, and tho
most respectable people were invited, and
tho canons of tho cathedral of Conza also felt
a pleasure in assisting at tho ceremony. A
superb catafalque was erected, and Father D. Jo­
seph de Meo, a nephew of the celebrated Father
1). Alexander, delighted all the audience by his
funeral discourse. It was more like a triumph
than funeral rites. There wcro stalls of all
sorts in front of tho church, and in fact, all
which attend a groat fete. Several discourses
on Alphonso’s virtues wcro also composed, of
which copies were solicited in tho adjacent dio­
ceses.

220

ST, ALPHONSO LIGUORI,

Tho funeral pomp was no less solemn at Gubbio. Although ïYlphonso was only known there
by his works, as soon as they heard of his death,
tho bishop and all tho clergy and people evinced
tho most tendor devotion towards him. A mag­
nificent catafalque, composed of three pieces, was
erected in the church of the archpriest of St.
John. On tho four sides of tho first, tho arms
of tho family of the Liguori were united with
those of our congregation ; tho second was adorn­
ed with divers emblems to point out the virtues
of his Lordship, and his likeness was placed on
the third, which was venerated by every one as
that of a saint. All the clergy assisted at the
ceremony, which was accompanied with music.
Mgr. Angeletti, who is now the bishop of Gubbio,
sang mass. Besides a great concourse of poor
people, of ladies, and of chevaliers, all the reli­
gious communities hastened to take part in tho
ceremony. An affecting discourse was pronounc­
ed by our Father Don Joseph Maria Martorelli,
who was a very distinguished ex-Jesuit, and no­
thing was wanting in order to perpetuate tho
memory of Mgr. Liguori in this town.
Scifelli did not forget to celebrato the obse­
quies of our common father ; but nothing very
remarkable happened there, on account of its
being so isolated.
At Frosinone, Father Francis do Paul, tho su­
perior-general of the houses in the states, see H ed
to try to surpass all tho rest ; wo received the
following account of what was done there from
Father D. Michael of that house : “ The obse-

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

221

quies of our saintly founder have been solemnly
celebrated here,” said he. “All tho canons as­
sisted at them, and the chief dignitary of the
chapter celebrated mass. A tolerably large cat­
afalque was set up in the church. The funeral
sermon was much liked ; it was composed by
Father de Paul, and delivered by our Father
D. Quatrini. Tho concourse of priests, religious,
and magistrates was considerable. Alphonso’s
portrait was placed in the middle of the chapel,
and all present eagerly went to kiss it. Every
one appeared animated with tho greatest devo­
tion towards our blessed father, and eagerly so­
licited to have his relics and pictures of him.”
Our fathers at Girgcnti in Sicily, were no less
zealous. They honoured Alphonso’s memory with
extraordinary pomp on the 5th of October, be­
sides the office of tho dead and tho holy sacri­
fice of the mass which they had previously cele­
brated for his memory. The ceremony was cele­
brated in tho cathedral, according to the wishes
of its excellent chapter. All tho religious as­
sisted at it, as well as tho nobility, and an im­
mense crowd of people from tho neighbourhood.
The catafalque was embellished with a picture
of Alphonso, and a great many emblems. Canon
D. Dominic Spota, a vicar-capitular, and tho ·
chief dignitary of tho cathedral, celebrated mass,
and Father D. Peter Blasucci, tho rector of tho
house, attracted general admiration by tho recital
which ho made of Alphonso’s virtues. All con­
curred in heightening tho grandeur of this cere­
mony ; and God also caused it to contribute to

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

tho glory of Ilis servant. There was a man
who had boon suffering from a great many in­
firmities for a long time, who having heard that
tho obsequies of tho saintly bishop were being
celebrated, caused himself to bo conveyed to the
church, as he could not go on foot ; when there,
he recommended himself to Alphonso, and ho
obtained a complete cure on tho spot, which was
visible to all present.
I pass over tho obsequies which wore cele­
brated at St. Agatha in silence. The vener­
able chapter of this cathedral, aud especially
tho vicar-capitular, Archdeacon D. Nicholas do
Robertis, manifested on this occasion how sin­
cere their attachment was to their former bi­
shop. Canon D. Pascal of Naples delivered tho
funeral sermon. The example of tho cathedral
was followed throughout tho diocese. Tho con­
solation which was felt from tho certain assu­
rance of having gained a tender father and pow­
erful protector in heaven, caused the tears which
were shed at Alphonse’s loss to be turned into
joy·

CHAPTER XLIV.
If it be true that tho just must be glorified
on earth in proportion to the humiliations they
have received there, Alphonso had a right to
extraordinary testimonies of veneration from that
world, from which ho only desired to receive
contempt.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Tho thirtieth day after his death was a day
of triumph for him, and ceremonies and fu­
neral services in his honour were everywhere
to be met with. All tho first orators vied with
each other in exalting his virtues, and Naples
was the first to honour his memory. Two
magnificent catafalques were erected in the
church of the Congregation of the Missionaries
of the Conference, on the 30th of August ; and
another on the 12th of September in that of
tho Apostolical Missions. On tho first day D.
Joseph d’ Onofrio pronounced the funeral ser­
mon, and on the second d’ Onofrio Scoppa, who
were both considered to be amongst the first ora­
tors of the capital. Cardinal Capece Zurlo, tho
archbishop of Naples, added to tho splendour of
those ceremonies by his presence. Our Father
(Γ Augustine, who was there, wrote to us about
it as follows: “A funeral service for his Lord­
ship has been celebrated by the Congregation
of the Conference. Mgr. Jorio sang mass. Be­
sides the cardinal, there were several bishops
and grand-vicars present, amongst others, Mgr.
Brancaccio, vicar of Ari ano and of Capua, and
now of Cosenza ; D. Janvier Tortora, who is
now the grand-vicar of Salerno ; all tho fathers
of the Oratory assisted at it, and the whole
church was filled with advocates and chevaliers;
tho funeral sermon was long ; it might well bo
called tho panegyric of a saint ; Alphonso’s doc­
trine was spoken of in it ; tho rigorists were
greatly combated, and many prelates received a
lesson from it. The Congregation of the Apos­

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

tolical Missions liavo also celebrated his obse­
quies with the assistance of Mgr, Zurlo, of seve­
ral bishops and vicars-general, as well as of a
groat number of religious and of persons of the
first rank.”
The funeral ceremonies were celebrated with
no less splendour in tho Congregation of Doctors
at Naples, and in that of the White Monks,
who both recognised Alphonso as their brother,
as well as tho preceding ones. Tho same so­
lemnities took place in tho college of tho Holy
Family, where Alphonso had formerly lived. Wo
will now quote somo lines which were composed
by Father D. Felix Cappclli of this congregation,
who was ono of tho most literary men of Naples,
II
a member of the royal academy,
and a great
admirer of Alphonso’s :
“Carmen Funebre

Alphonsi, o tu lætitia, at post funera mœror,
Discipulis nam lux mæsta, et nox anxia perstat,
Nunc prorsus quum crederis ætherca astra tenere,
Jugiter exulta, et pro cunctis Numen adora.
Tu in terris jam clara dedisti prodigia olim,
Nunc potiora dabis, spectans cælestia regna,
Huic semper duris rebus succurre tuorum ;
Adsis tu Sinicæ Jcsu Christi domui, in qua
Dudum vixisti magno devinctus amore.
Tu mihi denum faveas, qui carmine laudo,
Carporc te exutum, jam nunc cæloque receptum,
Jamque tibi hoc donum ponam, ceu pignus honoris,
Cappellus cognomine dictus, nomine felix,
Presbyter æternæ, qui sperat præmia vitae;
At prius exstiteram juris, legumque peritus;
Tu quoque jura dedisti non suie laude clientum
Sed fora tristia liquimus ambo, et plena tumultus,
Translati ad sacram Petri suie turbine caulam.
Nunc tu sanctus, non ego; tu mihi porrige dextram.”

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

At Noles, Mgr. Lopez and the excellent chap­
ter, who had had such great veneration for Λ1plionso during his life, also rendered their hom­
age to him after his death. The funeral rites
were magnificent, and rivalled those at the
cathedral. The canons of the celebrated col­
lege of Ottajano also distinguished themselves
by the way in which they honoured Alphonso’s
memory by masses and funeral rites : “ When
the tidings of his Lordship’s death reached this,”
Canon D. Xavier Rodino wrote to Father Villani
from Somma, “ our chapter hastened to celebrate
his obsequies. They were but feeble testi H onies
of the great respect with which we glory in vene­
rating the soul of the Blessed Alphonso and his
congregation, and we do not think that any of
the clergy in the kingdom ought to exceed us
in this.” At Rosco, where the clergy were all
quite devoted to his Lordship, funeral rites in
his honour were also celebrated.
At Amalfi, which was in the diocese of Mgr.
Puoti, all tho cathedral was hung with brown
hangings, which covered even the outer door.
The catafalque was magnificent, the invitations
were numerous, and the worthy nephew of Mgr.
of Amalfi, I). Joachim Puoti, was generally ap­
plauded for his discourse on tho virtues of Al­
II
phonso. The expenses of this ceremony
amount­
ed to more than a hundred crowns. Scala and
Ravclla, where Alphonso had laid the first foun­
dation of his congregation, and which had also
enjoyed the first-fruits of his labours, would not
15
vol. v.

226

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

be out-done in tho honours which were every­
where rendered to tho holy bishop.
Mgr. Amato do Lacedogna, who was so attached to Alphonso, wished to be tho first to
celebrato his obsequies. “ On tho Saturday of
tho first wook when I received tho authentic
tidings of tho sad loss of our benefactor, Mgr.
Liguori,” ho wrote to Father Villani on the 8th
of August, “ I felt it a duty to cause his solemn
obsequies to bo celebrated in my cathedral.
Mass was sung then, and tho office for tho
dead, accompanied by tho other ceremonies. I
will continuo to say mass for him for some
time, although I am firmly persuaded that
his blessed soul stands not in need of this as·
sistance, but that in the heavenly country
where he is, he is now praying for me, a poor
sinner.”
The canons of tho celebrated college of Iliceto
also hastened to celebrato his memory in grati­
tude for the great benefits they had received
from him. They were not satisfied with assist­
ing at his funeral rites in our church, but also
celebrated them in their own.
Mgr. Nicodemus, the bishop of Marsico Nuovo,
was no less zealous in honouring Alphonso’s
memory in the most solemn manner ; as well
as Mgr. Rossetti of Rojano, and Mgr. Rosa in
his cathedral of Policastro. It may be said
that these three distinguished prelates vied with
each other in making known the virtue, zeal,
and labours of tho servant of God by their elo­
quent discourses.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

227

Tho archpriest D. Joseph de Lucia, who de­
sired to render tho most solemn homage to
Alphonso in tho territory of Sanfelicc, in tho
diocese of Muro ; and caused magnificent fu­
neral preparations to bo prepared in his church,
and D. Sebastian de Jacobis, the priest, and our
pupil, delivered a discourse which caused his
numerous audience to melt into tears. Through
tho zealous efforts of this archpriest, there was
also an academy where divers pieces of poetry
in Tuscan, Greek, and Latin, were recited in
honour of Alphonso.
Mgr. Zunica, tho archbishop of Acerenza and
of Matora, who had venerated Alphonso so much
during his life, also paid the homage of his re­
spect to him after his death, but less as to one
deceased than as to a saint in possession of eter­
nal glory.
Splendid funeral rites were also held in tlio
cathedral of Matera ; the magistrates, tlio secular and regular clergy, and tho first ffentlomen of this town, tho principal one of the pro­
vince, were invited to attend.
The clergy of tho town of Pagani were not
satisfied with having assisted at all the offices
which had been celebrated in our church and
in the cathedral, but determined to repeat tho
funeral pomp in the mother church. The four
priests, in concert with the dean of this church,
D. Vincent Criscuoli, performed this solemnity
with special magnificence on the 27th of Sep­
tember.
The catafalque was handsome, and
amongst those who assisted at it were to bo

<·■

ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI.

numbered a great many religious aud gentle­
men. Alphonso’s eulogium was pronounced by
D. Joseph Messina, a learned priest of the town.
Tho clergy of tho territory of Angri also honour­
ed Alphonso in a no less remarkable manner.
H
The gentlemen
of tho territory of Arienzo,
also resolved to testify their especial gratitude
towards him who had been their bishop aud
their father, and as they were not satisfied with
tho funeral rites celebrated by tho canons of
tho distinguished collegiato of this territory, they
H
honoured his memory
on tho 13th of October,
by a funeral service in tho royal church of tho
Annunziata. The preparations were at tho pub­
lic expense, and were quito magnificent. Tho
whole church was hung with black, and Mgr.
Rosseti, a citizen of Arienzo and tho bishop of
Boiano, officiated pontifically ; Mgr. Puoti also a
nativo of this town, and tho Archbishop of
Amalfi was ono of those who assisted at it. The
funeral sermon was confided to D. Nicholas Val­
letta the orator, who was so celebrated at Na­
ples, and who was also born at Arienzo. When
it became known that this great function was
to take place, and that D. Valletta was to adorn
it by a panegyric of the saintly bishop, crowds
of priests, religious, gentlemen, and persons of
rank, hastened to it in crowds from divers parts
of the diocese, as well as from Montesarchio,
and other neighbouring places.
Tho Capuchin Fathers of Arienzo, in gratitude
towards their distinguished benefactor, also hon­
oured his memory fifteen days afterwards in their

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

229

church. Father Michael Angelo of Ottajano, the
most celebrated Capuchin amongst those in tho
province, made the funeral sermon.
Finally, a great number of convents of nuns
at Nocera, Naples, of the diocese of St. Agatha,
and of divers other places followed these good
examples. Thousands of priests from all parts
of the kingdom, hastened to recite the office
for tho late venerable bishop. Cardinal Banditti
of Benevento, after having assisted at the so­
lemn funeral rites for Alphonso in our church
of Jesus, also resolved to celebrate the holy sa­
crifice of the mass for him for several days.
He sorrowed for the loss of a friend whom he
honoured as a father ; but he rejoiced still more
at obtaining him as an intercessor in heaven.

CHAPTER XLV.
Scarcely were the tidings of Alphonso’s death
spread, ore a great number of illustrious per­
sonages, so far from addressing letters of condo­
lence to us, hastened to congratulate us on hav­
ing such a powerful protector in heaven.
*
AVhen Mgr. D. Francis San Severino, the arch­
bishop of Palermo and of Morreale, heard of
♦ As it would be tedious to go through all these testimonials,
the greater part of which are couched in the same terms, we
have thought it best only to preserve the whole of those which
are the most interesting.

230

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Alphonso’s death through tho letter by which
Father Villani recommended him to his pray­
ers, “Lot us speak more truly,” he replied,
“and fearlessly assert that wo stand in need
of tho prayers of tho saintly bishop ; yes, as­
suredly, he has now received tho reward due
to his labours, his combats, and his virtues. He
is now in tho enjoyment of God’s presence, and
is a powerful intercessor for us with Him. As
for mo, I expect to obtain groat assistance from
him, because ho always loved mo during his
mortal life. I have confidence that he will ob­
tain from God that I may be made wholly His,
and lead a bettor lifo from henceforth.” When
ho heard of tho miracles wrought through his in­
tercession, ho wrote again thus : “ I thank you
more and more for the particulars you continue
to give mo with regard to tho saintly bishop.
I trust that God will cause him to bo canonized.
Keep something for me which once belonged to
him. I have caused your letter to bo circula­
ted throughout all tho monasteries and through­
out tho whole town, where he has always had
tho reputation of being a saint.”
The following was tho answer sent by Car­
dinal Banditti, tho archbishop of Benevento, to
the letter informing him of tho death of tho
servant of God :
“ Tho loss of the late Mgr. Liguori, worthy
of immortal renown for his learning and for his
holiness, has been keenly felt by me, in propor­
tion to my great love for him. I hope that
the Lord has placed him amongst tho number

• I

ST. ALPHONSO MGUOin.

231

of those most dear to Him, and that He will
cause us all to feel his happy influence in
heaven.” After ho had received more detailed
accounts of his death, ho replied, “ Tho parti­
culars of the death of Mgr. Liguori have affected
me to tears. Tho miracles he has wrought in
all directions aro a proof that God wills
that ho shall bo numbered amongst those saints
whom tho Church delights to honour. Persons
of all classes go about extolling him every­
where. At Naples he is never spoken of but
with praise, and tho funeral solemnities which
have taken placo hero were attended by a crowd
of people.”
When Mgr. Puoti, tho archbishop of Amalfi,
was informed that Alphonso was dying, he wrote
as follows on the 31st of July: “Tho tidings
of the stato to which our venerable Mgr. de
Liguori is reduced, have on tho ono hand filled mo
with great affliction on account of the loss which
the Church militant will sustain in that of so
worthy a bishop, but on tho other, I have been
consoled at hearing that his resignation is
preparing him soon to reap tho fruit of his
labours. If the difficulty of travelling at this
time of the year did not prevent it I should
have come to assist at his death, in order to
witness with my own eyes how tho just die,
and to excite myself to imitate him ; but I
hope that when he has gone to enjoy the
Divino Beauty, ho will, through tho great kind­
ness ho has over shown me, remember me, and
obtain a double portion of his spirit for me,

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232

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

so that 1 may both acquit myself well as re­
gards my laborious and difficult ministry, and
also terminato my days in tho peace of tho
Lord.”
Mgr. Lopez, the bishop of Nolo, who was
afterwards archbishop of Palermo, and vice-roy
of Sicily, wrote to Father Villani on the same
occasion: “My soul,” said he, “has been filled
with tho most lively sorrow at the sad tidings
of tho death of Mgr. Liguori. I regret his loss
as much as his venerable congregation do ; if
they weep for a father and a founder, I weep
for a man worthy of tho greatest respect for
his holiness and for his learning. Tho bitter­
ness of this my sorrow is tempered however
by tho firm confidence I feel that God has
crowned him with tho glory of tho saints in
heaven, and that in him wo havo a most chari­
table intercessor.”
When Mgr. Amato, tho bishop of Laccdogna,
was thanked for the solemn funeral rites he
celebrated in his cathedral, ho replied on the
22nd of September, 1787: “In what I have
dono I feel that I havo only performed a duty;
I desired to honour tho memory of our saintly
prolate, tho admirable Mgr. Liguori, on tho se­
venth day after his happy passage into another
life ; and although I am persuaded that ho is
not in want of our suffrages, yet I feel bound
to add the offering up of many masses to tho
celebration of this office, in order to satisfy a
portion of the very great obligations that 1
havo been and always shall be under towards
him.”

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

233

Mgr. Bonaventure, tho bishop of Nusco, was
H
so full of admiration
for Alphonso’s sanctity,
II
that ho was tempted
to place him on tho al­
tars at once. When ho heard tho recital of the
striking miracles by which tho Lord had been
II
pleased to glorify him,
ho wrote to us, saying,
“I have felt my confidence increase in his
powerful intercession, and I am more than ever
led to invoke him in my spiritual wants. From
tho time I received his picturo I havo worn it
round my neck, and I long above all things for
the relic you havo promised me. You can send
it to mo in a letter. ‘Mirabilis Deus in sanctis
suis.’ ”
On tho IGth of August ho expressed himself
in tho following manner : “ Such then was his
edifying life, and such was also his blessed
death. His pains, and labours, and sufferings,
arc now at an end. He has reaped in eternity
what ho sowed in this mortal life. Notwith­
standing tho corruption of tho present age, God
has always had somo faithful adorers. I should
feel it a great favour to receive a relic of him
for the consolation of my poor soul.” When
his desire was gratified, ho wrote again as follows:
“ I give you a thousand thanks for tho little
piece of his garment that you had tho charity
to send me. I always wear it next my heart
with very great devotion, and I hope, amid my
extreme misery, to obtain everything through tho
intercession of him whom wo unito in deploring,
but whoso death ought rather to cause us to
rejoice than to afflict us.”

> ».

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234

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI,

Father D. Anthony of Augustine, the ex-su­
perior general of tho Congregation of Pious
Labourers, who was unquestionably worthy to
bo raised to tho purple, only considered Alphonso after his death in tho light of his advocato
and protector. “ I have always looked upon
him as a saint,” he wrote to Father Villani,
“and all my congregation coincide with mo in
this view. You tell mo to recommend him to
God and to got prayers for him ; but you should
much rather induce mo to recommend myself
to him with all my congregation, that thus ho
who has loved us on earth may continuo to
protect us in heaven. I will not therefore ceaso
to have recourse to him in all my necessities,
with tho firm confidence that ho will through
his merits obtain all that we shall ask for from
tho Lord.”
A multitude of other persons who were dis­
tinguished for their knowledge and piety, testi­
fied the same sentiment regarding Alphonso in
writing to us about him immediately after his
death. Amongst those deserving special mention
wore Mgr. Sambiase, archbishop of Conza ; Mgr.
Lunica, archbishop of Matera ; Mgr. Sanfelico,
bishop of Nocera: Mgr. San Severino, confessor
to the king ; Mgr. Aprilo, bishop of Melfi ; Mgr.
Cervone, bishop of Aquila ; Mgr. Coppola, bishop
of Cassano ; Mgr. Santoro, bishop of Palignano ;
D. Xavier Saggeso, who was then archpriest of
Foggia, and who is now a bishop of Monte-Peloso ; 1). Nicholas Robertis, archpriest of St.
Agatha and vicar-capitular ; Canon D. Dominic

*

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

235

Spoto, of Girgenti in Sicily; and D. Francis
Massei, superior of tho College of tho Holy
Family at Naples. I will close this chapter by
mentioning the sentiments expressed on this
occasion by tho foundress of the excellent con­
vent of tho Most Holy Redeemer at St. Agatha,
Sister Mary Raphael of Charity. It is well
known what a high reputation this religious had
for sanctity, and tho supernatural gifts with
which she was favoured. When she heard that
Alphonso was dying, she wrote to us, saying,
“Such a misfortune must cause universal sor­
row, because in him the world will lose a true
saint, who has preserved us by the power of his
prayers. Yes, it is, thanks to his prayers, I doubt
not, that Almighty God has suspended the exe­
cution of His vengeance against us. However,
what consoles mo is, that although we have him
no longer here below, we shall have him as our
protector in heaven, where he will have much
more love for us than ho had upon earth,
and where he will bo our advocato in all our
wants.” When she was informed of tho death of
Alphonso sho again wrote to us, “The sad tidings
of our common father’s passage into eternity,”
said she, “has produced conflicting feelings in my
soul ; sorrow, on account of the great loss he
will bo to tho world ; and joy, from the pious
and firm conviction I feel that ho is in the
mansions of glory, and that ho will there fulfil
tho office of our intercessor.”

K
V

236

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI,

CHAPTER XLVI.

We have scon in tho course of this narration
tho singular esteem which tho king, his ministers, tho bishops, tho princes, and the most dis­
tinguished personages manifested towards Al­
phonso. Although his only aim was to hide his
virtues and talents, perhaps no one in modern
days has ever been surrounded with so much
respect and veneration. Some called him a true
apostle, others a St. Francis Xavier ; some spoke
of him as a St. Philip Nori, and others again as a
St. Charles Borroraoo. D. Mariano Arcieri, who
was a great servant of God, and a zealous labourer
in His service, tho process of whose canoniza­
tion is now being arranged, never called him
anything but the modern St. Francis of Sales.
When ho heard that his death was followed
by many miracles, far from being astonished at
it, he said, “ I have always considered him as
a saint, and as such I have recommended myself
to him even during his life.”
Charles III., king of Spain, had such great ven­
eration for Alphonso, that he frequently recom­
mended himself to his prayers through tho Mar­
quis of Brancone, and he never failed to bestow
favours on him when opportunity offered. If
divers reasons prevented his sometimes being
able to satisfy him fully, ho always testified
regret. Ho constantly felt a particular affection

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

237

for the four houses in the kingdom, although tho
II
ministry opposed their cstablisment.
What es­
pecially consoled him was the immense good
his subjects derived from them, and ho there­
fore several times desired us to give missions
in his dominions at his expense. The august
princess on tho throne, Mary Amelia, often
recommended herself to tho prayers of Alphonso,
and sho had such great veneration towards him
that sho always considered him as a saint.
II
The Marquis of Brancone, tho king’s minis
­
ter, also entertained such a profound respect
and high esteem for him, that ho acted accord­
ing to his advice in everything, and never camo
11
to any decision of moment
without its being
previously recommended to his prayers. When
he for tho first time thought of resigning
by reason of his infirmities, Alphonso dissuaded him from it, and ho obeyed him.
adore tho will of Divino Providence,” was his
reply, “ which thus disposes of me. I will
strive to continuo to bear tho weight of
office with more diligence and courage, hoping
that God will mercifully deign to bless me. I
have never flinched from work, nor will I do
so now ; but as I have lost my health, I can­
not help sometimes feeling my courage abated ;
for this cause I earnestly entreat your prayers
and those of your chosen souls, in order to ob­
tain from God better health to enable me to
perform my duties cheerfully and properly.”
We have also one of his letters dated tho
3rd of April, 1745, wherein he said to him, “I

238

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

entreat you to continue to remember mo in your
prayers, to which I recommend myself with all
my soul.” And in another, which he wrote to
him on the 13th of June, 1751, to thank him
for his book of tho “Visits to tho Blessed Sa­
crament,” he said to him, “ When you are in
presence of this Divine Saviour, then remember
me in a special manner ; recommend me also
to your holy community, for which I shall bo
duly grateful, and I will not fail to manifest
on all occasions that I am your most devoted
servant and friend.” Amongst all tho services
which this worthy minister rendered to Alphonso,
the greatest was undoubtedly that of gaining for
him tho favour of King Charles and of the au­
gust Amelia. Seo how he wrote to him in a
letter dated tho 10th of February, 1753: “Last
week I spoke to tho king about you and your
subjects, with the praise which is due to you...”
And when Alphonso thanked him for the pro­
tection ho had granted to his rising congrega­
tion, tho Marquis replied, “I ask for nothing
in return except that you will kindly when you
come to Naples recite tho Gospel of St. John
on my head.”
Tho excellent Marquis of Marco, another of
the king’s ministers, showed equal honour to­
wards Alphonso, and always lent him the aid
of his support amidst the contradictions wo had
to endure from our enemies. Ho had such a
high opinion of his sanctity, that before his
episcopate ho generally called him a truly apos­
tolical man, and tho ornament of the priesthood,

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

239

and afterwards he never spoke of him but as
tho glory of the episcopate. He often recom­
mended himself to his prayers, and never let
any opportunity of befriending him pass by
unheeded. Tho Marquis Tanucci, who was so
distinguished for his learning and mental powers,
also regarded him as a saint, of which wo have
already given proofs.
He was also held in great veneration, both
as a learned man and as a saint, by the regents
of the Infant D. Ferdinand, who is now our au­
gust king, and the fourth of his name. The prin­
ces, Ardore and Cendola, also honoured him in
a most special manner, as well as the prince of
St. Nicandro, who was tutor of the Infant, who
granted to him, as we have already mentioned,
tho life of the three soldiers who were justly
condemned to death. Tho Duke of Sora also al­
ways felt the same amount of esteem for him.
Ho evinced tho greatest veneration for him at
Rome. In a wrord, all who were raised above
others for their merit or by their rank, bestow­
ed their homage and their affection upon him.
Don Hector Carafa, tho Duke of Andria, and
a chevalier of the order of St. Januarius, very
frequently came to Nocera to obtain his advice,
and ho never failed when he left him to kueel
down and ask for his blessing, praying him to
make the sign of the cross on his forehead. D.
Ascagno Filomarini, the Prince of la Rocca,
D. Philip Carafa, Count of Cerrcto, and D. Diego
d’ Avolos, the Marquis of Vasto, thought no less
i.îrriJv nf him. Once when the latter came to

240

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Arienzo to consult him about tho vocation of
his daughter who accompanied him, he was so
edified by his Lordship’s poverty and humility,
that when he returned, ho said to several gen­
tlemen, “ He is undoubtedly a great saint.”
The same esteem was entertained for him by
a great number of chevaliers who went to Nocera
or to Arienzo on purpose to consult him about
their consciences, and to recommend themselves
to his prayers. Several excellent ladies, such as
tho Duchess of Bovino, tho Princesses Malaspina,
de Caracciola, and others, felt that they could
not find so good a director at Naples, and also
wont to Nocera or Arienzo to consult him.
To bo esteemed by Alphonso was a passport to
obtaining general esteem. D. Lucius do Sancro,
Duke of Casacalcnda, was in search of an advo­
cate of unblemished character, to whom ho could
safely entrust tho business of his house. On
hearing that Mgr. Liguori employed D. Charles
Melchionni, ho immediately and without any
further information regarding him, let him know
that ho was to consider himself as his man of
business. When D. Charles went to thank him
for tho honour ho had conferred on him, tho
Duke replied, “It is no small merit to you to
possess the confidence of Mgr. Liguori.”
In a word, numbers of gentlemen, of distin­
guished advocates and influential magistrates,
felt it a happiness to depend upon him for di­
rection and to confess to him. The Marquis of
Avena, amongst others, never failed to go to him
several times each year, to consult him on tho

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

241

wants of bis soul and tho methods of fulfilling
his office properly.
As to the cardinals who were at Naples during
his time, it may be said that they all held him
in singular consideration. Cardinal Pignatelli
applied to him for advice in tho most difficult
cases. Cardinal Spinelli looked upon him as an
apostle, and entrusted tho care of his diocese to
him with delight. Ho was a just appreciator of
his merit, and traced a faithful picture of it in
a letter which ho wrote to the Sacred Congre­
gation of tho Index on tho 9th of August, 1748:
“Wo can truly assert that D. Alphonso Liguori,
a Neapolitan chevalier, professor of theology and
an indefatigable missionary, merits, as much
through his rare piety as for his learning, espe­
cially in ecclesiastical matters, to receive from
the Holy See tho power to read and to retain
the works of all the prohibited authors.” Car­
dinal Scrsalo had no loss esteem for Alphonso,
and all Naples can testify to tho honourable man­
ner in which he treated him on all occasions,
both as a missionary and as a bishop. Cardinal
Orsini, who only knew him by reputation, having
once come to visit his property, went in person
to Nocera to recommend himself to his prayers.
“I have come expressly to become acquainted
with you,” said he in embracing him. It is well
known what esteem he testified towards him at
Rome when he repaired thither for his conse­
cration.
It was the same with tho most distinguished
archbishops. Mgr. Pacca and Mgr. Columbine,
16
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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

the archbishops of Benevento, often recommend­
ed themselves to his prayers ; and Mgr. Pacca,
who wished to found a house for our fathers at
St. Angelo de Cupoli, camo expressly to Nocera
and to Ciorani to make his acquaintance and to
consult him on his own affairs. Mgr. Nicolai,
the archbishop of Conza, was full of admiration
for Alphonso and his disciples, and desired to
have one of our houses in his diocese. Mgr.
Zunica would not accept the bishopric of Acerenza and of Matera without first asking his
opinion. Mgr. Gaëte, tho archbishop of Bari;
Mgr. Ganini, tho archbishop of San Severino;
Mgr. Puoti, archbishop of Amalfi ; Mgr. Pignatelli, archbishop of Capua, and many others, al­
ways professed tho most profound veneration for
Alphonso. When Mgr. Rossi was nominated
archbishop of Salerno, and had arrived in his
diocese, Alphonso hastened to go and pay his
respects to him. Whilst he was waiting to see
him ho remained in a corner of the ante-chamber,
being abashed at the crowd of great lords who
were there also. Tho archbishop happened to
come out to accompany some one to the door;
no sooner did he see him than ho ran to em­
brace him, and then by an admirable quickness
ho seized his hand and kissed it. “ I). Alphonso,”
he then said to him, “you have divined it; as
for me, I cannot toll why God sent it to me.”
Tho next day the archbishop met three of our
fathers when ho was out ; ho immediately stopped
his carriage and said to them in a joyous tone,

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

243

“I want to tell you something: I kissed Father
D. Alphonso’s hand yesterday ! ”
This excellent prelate had such respect and
veneration for him, that it was out of regard
to him that he accepted the archbishopric of
Salerno. Alphonso once asked him for a cer­
tificate for some one, and ho replied, “I assure
you I would not have granted it to any one else,
I have done all for your sake, being well assured
that my conscience can repose on your word in
security.” The same archbishop in speaking
to Pope Benedict XIV. of Alphonso’s sanctity,
designated him always as a man of learning,
of indisputable uprightness, of consummate pru­
dence, and of angelical life.
The same high reputation accompanied him
everywhere, and in whatever place ho went
bishops were seen to cast themselves at his feet
to tell him of their wants, to recommend them­
selves to his prayers, and to take advantage
of his counsels. Mgr. Volpe, tho bishop of
Nocera ; Mgr. Coppola, bishop of Castellamare ;
Mgr. Borgia, bishop of la Cava, and afterwards
of Averse ; and Mgr. Giannini, bishop of Letter©,
very frequently camo to visit him, and always
acted under his direction. Although Mgr. Gi­
annini was advanced in age, be ono day said to
him, “ I have told you that I am your son, and
I wish you to treat mo as such.” Mgr. Alber­
tini, bishop of Casertc, also very often camo
to solicit his counsels, and to edify himself by
his virtues. “I console myself,” ho said to
those around him, “by going in spirit to St.

L

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ST, ALPHONSO LIGUORI,

see Mgr. Liguori, who is a perfect
•honso gave the mission at Nole, he
. Caracciolo to receive his blessing,
from his throne, and said, “ I wish
mo
and as Alphonso was pre­
ss his hand, his Lordship, who was
ivc of tho two, seized his and kissed

of priests, tho members of whole
1 religious of all orders, felt it a
be able to confess to him. When
the bishop of Policastre, was still
Nocera, ho one day went to Arienzo
Iphonso on some scruples which he
ho returned ho exclaimed full of
“ We have now a true saint upon
r. Pozzuoli, the bishop of St. Agatha,
) thing while ho was canon penitenua, and ho too returned in ecstat. Tho following incident will give
? the respect ho felt for Alphonso.
,s made bishop of St. Agatha, and
wn of Arienzo for tho first time, he
room which Alphonso had occupied,
ering the spot where he had seen
wn with tho weight of infirmity, and
lad often received him, ho was filled
id veneration, threw himself with
he floor, and kissed tho spot where
rested a thousand times, and only
troso at the reiterated entreaties of

ST. alphonso liguori.

245

Canon I). John Fusari, the present canon of this
cathedral.
“For many years,” said Canon Barba, a dis­
tinguished member of the collegiate of Avella,
“his Lordship sent for me to preach in his dio­
cese, and I also went there several times a year
of my own accord : and in all the varied inter­
course I had with him, I became satisfied that
his life was truly like that of tho saints, whom
the church honours upon her altars. He always
reminds mo of a St. Francis of Sales, or a St.
Philip Neri, through his learning and virtue.”
That famous missionary D. Joseph Jorio, being
prevented going to tho territory of Monteforte to
give a mission, wrote to those who had asked for
it as follows : “ I entreat, exhort, and earnestly
pray you to engage Father D. Alphonso and his
missionaries to perform this work ; and if needs
be, get your bishop to persuade him to under­
take it, for he is tho first missionary in the king­
dom for his learning and for his sanctity.” He
has transmitted his esteem for Alphonso to pos­
terity in the praises he gave him in his “Cate­
chism for the Country.”
All tho learned mon in Naples lavished tho
same praises on him ; and Mgr. Lupoti, before
his elevation to tho episcopate, had spoken of
him to tho Abbé Nonnotte in the highest terms.
To add one more testimony to those we have
already related, wo will quote what was said by
D. Fabius Mazza, canon of the cathedral and
royal professor at Naples, in regard to several
works which Alphonso had published : “ They

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

are,” said lie, “worthy fruits of the fervent spirit
of their author, who instructs tho faithful by
his writings while ho edifies and inflames them
with Divine love, so that he unites the twofold
and true characteristics of Christian literature.”
I cannot, ore I conclude, refrain from relating
what was thought of him by Mgr. Alexander
Kalifati, the bishop of Osia,
In speaking of
him in his learned Commentary on the Life of
Jules Selvaggi, ho designates him as very cele­
brated in tho Church of God and in tho republic
of literature, for his prudence, zeal, piety, for the
extent of his learning, and for his excellent
works, to which advantages ho added a humili­
ty which rendered him worthy of unbounded
praise.
His reputation for holiness was general ; there
was not an ecclesiastic, secular, or regular, a
gentleman, tradesman, or simple rustic, who did
not desire to have something of his, -were it but
tho bread from his table, or tho clothes ho had
ceased to wear. During the mission at Amalfi,
his old cloak was torn into pieces and another
■was substituted in its stead, and all his shirts
were also changed : Alphonso perceived it, and
said with a smile to Sister Dorothy of St. Ste­
phen, “It is very good of you to send mo away
with everything now.” When ho passed through
the crowd, they all strove to reach him to cut
oil tho borders of his garments. “ I do not
know, he one day said from tho pulpit on this
subject, “ what is meant by these absurdities.”
I he Benedictine Nuns of the Holy Trinity wore

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

217

in fact obliged to get him a new cassock. The
same thing happened again with regard to his
cloak at la Cava ; when ho was on his way back,
and perceived it, ho said, “ How good they are
to take my old cloak and to give me a new one
instead ; I suppose they fancy that I can work
miracles.” At Morcianisi, in the dioceso of
Capua, ho also lost his cloak and his hat ; and
such like substitutions happened very often.
Tho room ho had occupied, and the bed in
which ho had slept, were religiously preserved
as having been made use of by a saint. When
he was at Nole, he lived in the house of the
family of Zambarelli during tho novena he gave
there in honour of the Most Holy Virgin Mary.
Now as he would not use a mattress, a paillasse
was got ready for him, and from that time, ac­
cording to tho testimony of Canon D. Felix,
this paillasso was preserved with respect, and
is venerated up to this day as a relic. “ In tho
year 1760,” said Father D. Anthony of Augus­
tino, tho ex-superior general of the Pious Work­
men, “ ho honoured us with his presence w’hilo
giving tho holy exorcises at St. Marcellinus, and
he lodged in our house of St. Nicholas. I gave
my own room up to him out of devotion, and
from that time I have always felt a religious re­
spect for it.” So true is it, that tho memory of
tho just is eternal, while that of sinners perishes
with the vain renown they seek for while on
earth.

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ST. ALPHONSO L1GUOKI.

CHAPTER XLVII.

Τπε reputation for piety and knowledge which
Mgr. Liguori so justly enjoyed, was not circum­
scribed by tho limits of tho kingdom of Naples,
but extended to the most distant countries. Tho
sweet savour of his virtues spread to distant
lands, and his numerous works loudly proclaimed
his erudition. Persons of tho greatest sanctity
as well as men of tho greatest learning, esteem­
ed it an honour to be acquainted with him, and
vied with each other in proclaiming either his
talents, or his virtues, or rather the happy re­
union of all good qualities to be found in him.
The authors of the Historical Dictionary of Il­
lustrious Men, printed at Venice in 1796, pass­
ed tho following culogium on him : “ Mgr. Lig­
uori was a truly apostolical man, a perfect ec­
clesiastic, an accomplished model for bishops,
and ono of tho most powerful defenders of Chris­
tian morals. He has done a great deal for his
own sanctification and for that of his brethren.
As he was deeply imbued with tho lovo of God,
his zeal knew no bounds, and merely to see him
was sufficient to act as an incentive to lovo
virtue. He composed a great number of works
for tho learned as well as for tho ignorant, for
seculars and religious of both sexes, for semi­
naries and for bishops, for the unbelieving and

ST. alphonso liguori.

249

also for kings. Although in his writings one
H
doos not always meet
with pleasing metaphors,
flowery descriptions, vivid imagery, and har­
monious cadences, to make up for this we find
in them tho truths of the Gospel set forth
in the most instructive, and in tho most
attractive maimer. In a word, Mgr. Liguori
had an ardent mind, the lovo of God inflam­
ed him, and his works, which comprise the
most solid Christian morality, are all filled
with those sentiments with which his own heart
H
was animated. Religion is manifested
in his
writings under those pleasing characteristics she
acquires when depicted by an eloquent heart,
thoroughly penetrated by her grandeur and
beauties, Nothing ever issued from his pen
which did not first proceed from the depths of
his heart. Tho piety, or rather the divine uncII
II
tion which flows from it, forms
its most
pecu­
liar characteristic, and is also the most just
proof of tho innoceucy of his life, of his inde­
fatigable zeal, and of his rare virtues. The
memory of such a great man, who by his pro­
digious learning, apostolical zeal, and virtuous
example, has been of so much use to his coun­
try, his diocese, to Italy, to the Church, and to
the whole of tho learned world, will survive for
ever in every mind and in every heart.”
II
Alphonso’s memory
was no loss revered in
If
Sicily. Amongst
the innumerable proofs that
II ight give of this, I will select the testimony
of a celebrated missionary of this country, D.
Mercury Maria Teresi, who is now tho very

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250

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

excellent archbishop of Morreale. Tho follow­
ing is a grand culogium which ho passed on our
blessed father in his work called Vera Sposa:
“Mgr. Liguori,”· said he, “has been tho hero
of our ago. He was a priest after God’s own
heart ; ho was a man of truly apostolical char­
acter, a blameless orator, an excellent superior,
a tender father, a bishop like those of primitive
times ; the Holy Spirit has ever been his guide;
ho was endowed with a spirit of prayer and
compunction, a spirit of labour and of zeal, a
spirit of knowledge and of piety. His soul was
inflamed with love for Jesus Christ, and it was
a firm, a generous, and a constant love. His
writings, which are full of unctiou, are plain
proofs of this ; but the most touching of all was
his imitation of that Divine Model from which
he never swerved. All who knew him concur
in saying that he was a lively imago and faith­
ful copy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Not satisfied with these praises, Mgr. Terosi
in another of his works on the employment and
use of ecclesiastical benefices, designates him as
a man of the greatest piety, a most useful wri­
ter, a judicious and irreproachable theologian,
a celebrated founder, a truly great bishop, and
tho apostle of our age. “ Study then,” continued
he, addressing young confessors, “this bishop,
who was so much raised above others by his
nobleness, his faith, his charity, and his learn­
ing. His room was like that which the Shunamito prepared for the prophet Elias. A bed,
a table, a chair, and a lamp, comprised all its

ST. alphonso liguori.

251

furniture. Ilis food was poor and frugal, ra­
ther to prevent death than to preserve life ;
ho retrenched all that was superfluous in order
to give it in alms. He always conformed to
tho rules of his congregation, and led the poor­
est as well as the most austere and most mor­
tified life ; his greatest glory and his chief de­
light consisted in retrenching and doing with
as little as possible, that he might bestow the
more on tho poor of Jesus Christ, who were his
only riches and the joy of his heart.”
Emmanuel Maria d’ Ituriage, a learned Span­
iard, and a theologian of Mgr. Comitibus, bish­
op of Fano, called Alphonso in his Moral Dis­
sertations, “ A man who was very celebrated
and very remarkable through his piety and his
knowledge.”
Father Anthony Oriotti, of the Oratory of
Lodi, in the Milanese territory, called him
“the honour of the Neapolitan people,” and
“ a prodigy of learning and sanctity.”
Alphonso was yet alivo when Louis Anthony
Locatelli, provost of the celebrated college of
St. Mary Major at Bologna, published his book
on tho Ages of the Church, and specially on
tho affairs of tho eighteenth century. “ I will
crown what 1 have said on tho writers of this
age,” said he at tho end of this work, “by
citing tho name of tho evcr-memorablo Mgr.
Liguori, bishop of St. Agatha of tho Goths.
Tho pen of this excellent prelate has been im­
mortalised by a great number of works on sa­
cred subjects, which arc chiefly intended to form

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

the library of tho priest. His marvellous zeal
for tho glory of God and the salvation of souls
shines forth in them all. May God preserve
him yet a long while, for the well-being and
the consolation of Holy Church.”
But now I will give a singular instance, which,
while it is rather amusing, is not tho loss appli­
cable to our subject. D. Hercules having lost
one of his twin sons named Alphonso, caused
such magnificent rites to bo celebrated for him in
tho church of Mount Calvary, that this pompous
funeral was talked of all over Naples. Through
•Tl istake it was inserted in a newspaper that Mgr.
de Liguori was dead. This news was thus con­
veyed to Luca, where the good canons of the
cathedral hastened to testify their profound ven­
eration for Alphonso by tho most solemn fune­
ral service ; it was not because they were under
II
any peculiar obligations to him,
but because as
they then stated, that they wished to satisfy
their love towards a man who had done so
much for all Europe and for tho Church. When
Alphonso heard it, he was more abashed at this
II
almost
unprecedented honour than surprised at
II
the amusing mistake,
but he did not fail to
thank this very worthy chapter for their great
kindness towards him.
Evon at Rome, which is always full of tho
II
most
distinguished and influential persons, tho
very name of Alphonso was of more weight than
that of all the rest put together. Our Father
Cajono onco entreated D. Mark Anthony Amati to
use his interest to obtain certain privileges for us,

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

253

and ho received the following answer : “It would
bo better for Mgr. Liguori to write to Mgr. Ma­
cedonio, as the eminent services he has render­
II
ed to the Church cause him to have much
more
influence with him than I have. He can obtain
all that I can, and with infinitely more facility.”
A name held so high in the capital of the
Christian world must of course necessarily have
been well-known in the most extreme parts of
Italy, and tho death of one so highly esteemed
must have caused a profound sensation even
in distant regions. As soon as it became known
to D. Flora Petra, sister of C4eneral Petra,
who is now in the service of our sovereign, she
hastened to write to me from Pavia, on the
12th of February, 1788, to express the sadness
which she felt at a loss which sho said was such
a great one to tho whole Catholic world. “I
should be inconsolable,’’ sho added, “were I
not persuaded that I have gained more than I
have lost by this memorable event.”
Some years afterwards, the famous apostolical
missionary, Joseph Louis of St. Catherine, ex­
pressed the same sentiments to us, but in still
more energetical terms. “ I have always be­
lieved,” ho wrote to Losi to our father rector
major on tho 25th of December, 1796, “and I
still believe, that the heroic virtues of tho vene­
Hill
rable Mgr. Liguori will immediately
cause him
to bo canonized. I have always advised tho sick
II and they have
to recommend themselves to him,
always been cured through his intercession.”
Such an extraordinary reputation for science

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

and for virtu© could not even be inclosed with­
in tho limits of Italy. It naturally spread be­
yond tho mountains, and extended throughout
all the countries of Europe. Wo therefore may
say without exaggeration, that even during Al­
phonso’s lifetime his reputation had become a
truly European ono, since there was not any
considerable country in this favoured portion of
tho globe, where his writings were not spread,
as well as tho lustro of his knowledge and of
his sanctity. Wo havo cited a number of facts
in these Memoirs which may havo served to
support this assertion, but wo will hero give
further proofs of it which are no loss persua­
sive and interesting than tho first.
Peter Obladcn, who is very celebrated amongst
tho Germans, was as it were quite tho panegyrist
of Mgr. Liguori. He never tired in lavishing
eulogiums on him. “ Tho works of this venera­
ble prelate,” said he, “are much known in Ger­
many, and aro eagerly sought after by reason
of tho unction of tho Holy Spirit with which
they arc filled. The renowned bishop knows how
to make himself all to all according to the ex­
ample of tho apostle St. Paul. His numerous
writings, which are so solid and so substantial,
aro unanswerable proofs that he is both a pro­
found theologian, an excellent director, and a
most zealous pastor. There is no condition, nor
ago, nor sex, of which ho docs not trace tho
duties and tho obligations, and to whom ho does
not assign the most proper methods for arriving
at Christian perfection.”

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

And besides this, when he addressed the most
serene Princess Cunegonde, daughter of the au­
gust queen of Poland, and dedicated his trans­
lation of two volumes of Alphonso’s Meditations
to her, ho designates him as ono of the most
learned bishops of Italy : “ Unum ex doctissimis
episcopum Italiæ,” and does not hesitate to say
that his pen distilled the unction of grace while
spreading abroad the treasures of knowledge ;
“ Calamum Liguorii esse æquo spiritu et doc­
trina plenum.”
Ignatius Ncndawcr, a distinguished Jesuit and
professor at tho university of Wessenbourg, men­
tions in his book called, “ Vera religione vin­
dicata,” the Truths of tho Faith composed by
Alphonso, and does not hesitate to place him
amongst tho number of tho most celebrated wri­
ters who havo defended our holy religion.
A young Pole, who retired to our house at
Romo, wrote to his father to obtain a sum of
money which was necessary to enable him to
enter the noviciate ; tho latter replied to him
that he was ready to send him all he asked for,
provided he would go into tho kingdom of Naples
to Mgr. Liguori, and recommend himself and
all his family to his prayers.
A celebrated Benedictine, priest of tho parish
church of All Saints, called in German, Allo
Ileiligen, which is not far from tho Lake of
Zurich, on the road which leads to Lindau, was
also one of tho first in speaking of the science
and sanctity of Alphonso in Germany, lie had
an opportunity of becoming personally acquaint-

256

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

cd with him at Naples, and ho ever afterwards
was unwearied in magnifying him wherever he
went as a saint, and in proclaiming the virtues
ho had admired with his own eyes in Mgr.
Liguori.
Joseph Albert Disbach, an ex-Jesuit and pa­
trician of tho canton of Berne, and who was
extremely celebrated for his knowledge and his
virtue, but still more so for his numerous apos­
tolical labours in Franco, Switzerland, Bavaria,
Austria, and in tho Milanese Territory, also con­
tributed much to render Alphouso’s name famous
in the countries of the north. On this subject
D. Louis Virginio, who was, as we have already
said, rector of the Italian Church at Vienna,
wrote to me as follows: “Mgr. Liguori is known
on this side of tho mountains and in divers other
parts of this kingdom, through tho works and
tho zeal of Joseph Albert Disbach, the distintinguished cx-Jesuit. lie looked upon him as
the most illustrious writer of these times, and
was never wearied in admiring the courage bo
had in standing up alone to oppose the preju­
dices of the age, and to maintain tho cause of
evangelical morality against tho shameless mul­
titude of Jansenists. Ho contributed greatly to
spread his Moral Theology, especially in Swit­
zerland, Franco, Bavaria, and in many parts of
Germany. Father Disbach,” continues tho same
V irginio, “ also entertained a peculiar esteem for
his ascctical works, and thought that they were
full of the Spirit of God ; ho spread them
II every­
ii to be translated, and wished
where, caused them

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

257

them to bo recommended to the people, that
they might be instructed in Christian piety.
Even whilst Mgr. Liguori was still alive he had
begun to honour him as a saint, and his chief
pleasure consisted in hearing particulars of the
innocency of his life. After Alphouso’s death a
funeral sermon in his praise happened to fall
into his hands, and ho was so afraid that it
would be lost by lending it about, that ho took
several manuscript copies of it, which he care­
fully preserved. He hoped that he should one
day see him canonized, and ho longed for it the
more ardently, as he considered that if this hon­
our were decreed to the servant of God, it would
be a most glorious triumph for the truth, of
which he had been the defender.” These are the
very words of Virginio.
This same Disbach made Alphonso’s name
known even in Poland, and caused him to obtain
the veneration of a number of admirers there ;
wo have a proof of this, and ono which we value
much, in the following account, which our Father
Holbaur sent us from Varsovia: “D. Disbach,”
ho wrote to us on the 19th of August, 1802,
“know our venerable Father Alphonso very well
indeed, and he professed the most profound ven­
eration for him. He several times has assured
mo, both in private and before others, that God
expressly raised him up and opposed him to tho
enemies of tho Church as an impregnable wall,
for tho defence of tho faith and of tho holy and
apostolic see.”
From what is hero said there is every reason
17

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

to believe that I). Disbach lived at Naples, and
that he became personally acquainted with Al­
phonso.
A Swiss priest one day mot our Father
Francis Xavier do Leon at Rome ; as he per­
ceived that ho was a member of tho Congre­
gation of tho Most Holy Redeemer, ho said to
him, “ Mgr. Liguori is considered as an apostle
among us. As I once had to go to Naples, I
took care to go also to Noccra, that I might
myself gaze on such a holy and learned man,
and one who enjoyed such great celebrity amongst
all my nation.”
At Liege in Belgium, tho “ Fidelity of Sub­
jects towards their God and their Sovereign,”
was translated into French as being the language
of all countries. The zealous Belgian transla­
tor was so anxious about Alphonso’s glory, that
ho felt it a duty to extol him as highly as
possible in his preface. “This work,” said ho,
“is tho voice of a sensible soul, whoso only
breath is that of love for religion and morality,
whoso only desire is the happiness of kings and
their subjects, and whose only ambition is to
lead mankind to all virtue. The author is Mgr.
Liguori, who enjoys such a high reputation in
Italy and especially in tho kingdom of Naples.
This prelate, whose name cannot bo pronounced
without respect, has illustrated tho episcopal
dignity by his enlightened piety, his distin­
guished talents, and all those rare qualities
which characterise a great man. Mgr. Liguori,”
he added, “is justly regarded as a brilliant light,

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259

and as one of tho greatest ornaments of this
ago. His writings are rendered all tho more
beautiful from his never making uso of any ex­
pressions but those which proceed from his
heart, His soul was penetrated by the objects
which interested it, and ho knows how to animate thoso who read him by the fire with
which ho exposes his sentiments. This inco H
parable prelate,” continues tho translator, never makes any parade of his virtucs or of his
talents ; ho seeks much more to edify than to
please : his theological works and his works of
piety are well fitted to servo as models. All
that ho has written betokens a solid and ju­
dicious mind, but especially that Divine lovo
with which his own heart is penetrated. Souls
which are truly religious will never neglect any
method of procuring all the productions of this
illustrious Italian. Such of his works as have
been translated and continue to bo so, are so
many proofs of the author’s merits and of tho
suffrages of a virtuous public.
“This illustrious prolate,” he said in conclu­
sion, “while exalting tho work of the missions,
has not boon satisfied with honouring religion
by his writings alone. As ho is inflamed with
zeal for tho salvation of souls, ho has occupied
himself in fulfilling tho functions of tho apos­
tles, and by increasing tho number of worship­
pers of tho one true God by his missions,
by converting those who have been seduced by
the pernicious maxims of impiety, and by re­
viving tho fervour of tho faithful who have been

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

living in a profound lethargy with regard to
what concerns their eternal salvation.”
Alphonso’s memory was equally glorified in
France. An officer, by name Francis Frederick,
has often assured mo that at Paris and other
parts of France where ho lived, Mgr. Liguori
was only spoken of as a prodigy of science and
sanctity. Father D. Bartholomew Genovese, a
religious of tho Carthusians of Valvona, in Lan­
guedoc, was in tho habit of saying, that it was
impossible to express tho high idea which was
entertained of Mgr. Liguori’s virtue and know­
ledge in France.
The Abbe Claude Nonnotto, of whom we have
already spoken, that intrepid warrior against tho
unbelieving in tho eighteenth century, felt it a
pleasure to translate tho “Visits to tho Blessed
Sacrament and to tho most Holy Virgin Mary”
into French with his own hand. He expresses
himself thus about Alphonso in tho preface to
his translation : “ Tho book of which wo here
offer tho translation is by a most worthy pro­
late, who is celebrated throughout all Italy by
his excellent works on theology and piety. Tho
very name of Liguori is a sufficient eulogium of
the book. In him wo find an enlightened, a just,
and solid spirit, but still more a heart full of
that tender and affectionate devotion which lives
in God alone. This is tho special characteristic
of this little book entitled, ‘ Visits to the Blessed
Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin : ’ the words
seem to flow from tho fulness of a heart which
is filled with divine love. Wo do not, it is true,

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

2G1

hero find a studied and methodical style, but
tho language of feeling, and perhaps therefore
it may not be relished by those who wish for
ingenuity and elegance ; but they who only seek
to love Jesus Christ and his Holy Mother, will
assuredly there meet with what will satisfy their
pious desires. We cannot find any one to whom
we can better compare the author of this work,”
continued ho, “than M. Boudon, whoso writings
are still generally esteemed and relished in
France on account of tho unction they contain,
notwithstanding their simplicity and unstudied
stylo. Almost the same thing may bo said of
Mgr. Liguori in regard to Italy, if wo can judge
by the great popularity of his works there. More
than fifteen editions of this work have been pub­
lished under the author’s own superintendanco
which alike proves its merit and tho general
satisfaction it has given.”
In his letters to Mgr. Lupoli, bishop of Ccrreto, the Abbé Nonnotte ever manifested his great
admiration for Alphonso : “ Since you have tho
advantage of being very closely connected with
this venerable prolate,” he once wrote to him,
“I entreat you to present my compliments to
him, and to inform him that my respect for his
dignity, my veneration for his piety, and my
admiration for his knowledge, aro at their height.
Tell him also that I most ardently pray that
God may shower down tho fulness of His grace
and blessing on him, and that I earnestly com­
mend myself to his prayers.”
Another time ho said to him, “I cannot toll

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

you how much joy I felt at the sight of tho littlo
note from tho saintly bishop which was inclosed
in your letter ; I have kissed it with much affec­
tion. It is, I think, very much easier to feel
and appreciate interiorly the love which this
venerable prelate has for religion, and for those
who act as its zealous defenders, than to express
it in words.”
All tho other letters of this abbé breathe
forth tho same sentiments with regard to Alphouso. He was not however the only foreigner
who corresponded with him, for no sooner had
his works rendered him renowned throughout
all Europe, than a multitude of distinguished
persons wrote to consult him from all coun­
tries. He received letters from all parts, and
especially from Sicily, Lombardy, tho Pontifical
States, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and France.
Alphonso replied to all with excessive charity,
and ho made no profession of sanctity, but al­
ways preserved that truly apostolical simplicity
which formed tho basis of his character.
Although Alphonso during his long life had
never been to Romo except to receive episcopal
consecration, ho was still considered as a most
learned man by tho whole of the members of tho
sacred college, and above all, as an extraordi­
nary saint; from this arose the singular esteem
and profound respect which tho cardinals of the
Roman court testified towards him on all occa­
sions, especially Cardinal Orsini, tho two Rozzonicos, and his Eminence Cardinal Castelli.
One day when several of our fathers visited Car­

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

263

dinal Rezzonico in passing through Rome, he
said on seeing them, “ How is Mgr. Liguori, that
saintly prolate ? I assure you that I pray more
for his health than for my own life. I even en­
treat God to abridge my days, to prolong those
of this saintly old man, so precious and inesti­
mable do I believe his existence to be.”
This cardinal used to glory in saying pub­
licly that Alphonso was his director in all that
concerned his conscience, as well as in the af­
fairs of his diocese.
Cardinal Banditi was
of the same opinion. Once when our Father
Gaspard Cajone was taking leave of him when
going to Nocera, the cardinal said to him, “ Give
my respectful salutations to Mgr. Liguori, and
recommend mo to his prayers. For my part I
continually pray God to shorten my days and
to lengthen his, as I believe his life to be of in­
finitely more value to the whole Church.”
We will not repeat the striking testimonies
H
of high esteem which Alphonso received from
the three Sovereign Pontiffs, Benedict XIV.,
Clement XIII., and Clement XIV. We have
already shown how honourable the firmness with
which the two latter refused to allow him to
resign his bishopric was to this servant of God.
Wo will hero only add a frosh proof of tho es­
teem which was entertained for him by tho
Holy Father Pius VL, of immortal memory.
In tho year 1798, tho advocato, Vincent Piccrni,
dedicated to him his Defence of Alphonso’s
System of Morals. Tho Holy Father was much
rejoiced at such an apology, and at tho plea-

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ST. zVLl’IIONSO LIGUORI.

sure it would assuredly give us, thus mingling
his joy with ours. “ De argumento a te selecto,”
said ho in his brief to tho author, “lætitiam
maximam habebunt Ligorii alumni, nobis quoquo
investigatio tua non injuucunda accidit.” Ho
then testified tho satisfaction he felt at our hav­
ing introduced tho causo of tho canonization of
our venerable founder. “ Amoro erga parentem
optimum ducti, acta haud defuerunt ut cjus
memoria in veneratione sit causaque a S. R.
Congregatione, ut in more est positum jam ad­
missa et recepta fuit.”
The Holy Father, who knew him from having
seen him at Rome, and who most probably had
also seen him at Naples when ho was treasurer of
tho apostolical chamber, protests in conclusion,
that ho always loved him during his life, and
that he could never cease to admire his lively
faith, and the truly sincere piety with which
ho was animated. “ Amavimus enim ac suspecimus, dum mortales agebat dies, Ligorii relig­
ionem pietatemque vere singularem.” The brief
was dated from Romo “sub annulo piscatoris
apud sanctum Petrum,” on the 13th of the
calends of January, 1798, in tho twenty-third
year of his pontificate.
And now we have said quito enough to show
that Alphonso was famous for his words and
works ; that besides the private mission he filled
so well, he had a universal mission to instruct
and to edify tho faithful, and that ho has well
deserved to bo set on tho mountain of the Lord
as a burning light to enlighten all generations
past and to come.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

2G5

CHAPTER XLVIII.
The general veneration of which Alphonso was
the object during his life was only increased
by his death. No sooner did it become general­
ly known, than persons of all classes and from
all parts, eagerly sought to possess something or
other of which ho had made use. As soon as
ho expired his room was completely pillaged :
gentlemen and persons of the highest rank did
not scruple to carry off divers things which their
II to covet.
piety caused them
Mgr. Cappola, the
bishop of Cassano, obtained a little piece of Al­
phonso’s cassock by dint of his entreaties, and
did not know how to thank Father Villani suffi­
ciently for it. He told him that he had such
great devotion towards Alphonso that he could
not pronounce his name without emotion.
Mgr. Puoti, Archbishop of Amalfi, preserved
a simple girdle which was quite worn out, but
which Alphonso had worn when celebrifting
mass, as a valuable treasure ; and as St. An­
thony made use of the dress of palm leaves of
St. Paul tho hermit on solemn festivals, so Mgr.
tho Archbishop only made uso of this girdle when
ho officiated pontifically.
The fathers of tho Congregation of Pious
Works, also made the most earnest entreaties
to obtain some relics of Alphonso, through tho
medium of D. Maria Concetta Longobardi, a

26G

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

religious of St. Clare ; in consequence of this
she wrote to Father Villani as follows : “Those
good religious have expressed to mo tho most
ardent desire to have some relic of our saint,
Mgr. Liguori ; I therefore entreat you to send
mo some portion of his clothes which may be
divided amongst these good fathers.”
Canon Genga of Naples obtained one of Al­
phonso’s shirts ; ho kept it as a very precious
relic, and his house was from that time fre­
quented by such a great concourse of tho faith­
ful, that the relic was soon divided into a thou­
sand pieces, as each one wanted to have some
portion. Amongst others, the Prince of Scilla
carried off the collar as a precious treasure.
Every one, in fact, wanted a portion, up to the
superior of the Congregation of tho Conference,
who entreated to have some part of this article
of clothing for tho members of his congregation.
Mgr. Grippa, the bishop of Amorio and judge
of tho mixed tribunal at Naples, was anxious to
have a relic of Alphonso, and so ho wrote as
follows to his nephew, Father Anthony do Luca,
on ^ho 4th of August : “ I have heard of tho
blessed death of tho most pious Mgr. Liguori,
who has died in the odour of sanctity; as I
cannot go in person to venerato the remains of
this saintly prelate, I entreat you to procure mo
a good relic of some part of his clothes, which
I will always keep about me. Ask tho Rev.
Father Villani for it in my name.”
Sylvester Novi of Grume, secretary of tho Tri­
bunal of tho Country, also made earnest entrea-

2G7

tics to obtain some relics of the saintly bishop,
both to satisfy his own devotion and that of a
great number of persons who asked for them
from all quarters ; so wo sent him an old shirt
which had belonged to the servant of God.
“This relic,” ho wrote to Father Villani, “has
given mo unspeakable joy, and I hope that by
the intercession of Mgr. Liguori, God will deign
to be merciful to me, and supply all that is lack­
ing in me.”
At Lorrcnto Alphonso was universally proclaim­
ed as a saint immediately after his death, and
every one wanted to have a relic of him. Sister
Mary Michael Grimaldi, a Dominicaness and one
of Alphonso’s penitents, wrote us the following
lines from this town : “ All those who aro ill
beg for some threads of his soutane, as tho
famished poor entreat for a morsel of bread,
and miraculous cures are everywhere effected by
them.”
When tho tidings of his death reached Pavia,
D. Flora Petra, of whom we have spoken above,
wrote to me, “ For my consolation and that of
many others, said she, “ I entreat you to send
inc something which once belonged to Mgr. Lig­
uori. The very high idea that is hero entertain­
ed of his sanctity, and the love which is gen­
erally felt towards him, lead mo to make this
request. If you can satisfy my wishes, please to
address what you send to my brother, ]). Joseph
Petra, resident at Naples, in his Majesty’s serVICO,

The town of St. Agatha was inconsolable at

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

not possessing the mortal remains of its holy
bishop. By way of amends a mitre of which
Alphonso had made use was given to tho cathe­
dral chapter." When tho people saw it being
taken there they all knelt down with uncovered
heads ; then they hurried to tho church to kiss
it, being full of veneration for this precious rolic.
All tho clerks and tho canons received it with
tho same respect. “The whole chapter,” wrote
the vicar-capitular, D. Nicholas do Robertis, to
Father Villani, “ return you the most grateful
thanks for this inestimable treasure. We shall
always preserve it with the greatest care, in
memory of our saintly prelate, and in tho cer­
tain hope that it will one day become the relic
of a canonized saint, who will deign to be tho
special advocate of this town, this chapter, and
this diocese before God.”
In the year 1778 Father Romauld Maria
Robertis, priest of tho mission, on hearing that
Alphonso was dead, wrote to Rome to our Fa­
ther D. Matthew Corrado, as follows : “I have
no doubt that ho immediately went to heaven
to receive the rich crown he has gained by his
merits. I should much like to have a little bit
of some of his clothes or some of his hair, for
the signatures J had tho happiness to possess
have been taken from mo against my will by
pious persons who cherish them as precious
relics.”
All that recalled tho remembrance of Alphon­
so to mind, was sought after with a holy avid­
ity. It would bo almost impossible to believe

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

269

how rapidly pictures of him were to be met with
in all directions ; as soon as lie was dead they
were asked for in all parts of tho kingdom mid
even beyond it. The shopkeepers of Naples
told me that more than sixty thousand were
sold. On tho 25th of August our Father D.
John Maria of Augustine wrote to Father Villani
as follows : “ Ono dares not appear in this cap­
ital, one is so overwhelmed with demands for
relics and pictures of his Lordship ; the engra­
ving which Tramontana made is entirely worn
out.” In another letter of the 28th of the same
month, ho said, “There is a holy rage here for
pictures of our blessed father. Mgr. Jorio has
asked for a great many, as well as Counsellor
Secondo, tho rector of Constantinople, Canon
Vinaccia, Father Villaroso of tho Oratory, &c. ;
but it is impossible to satisfy every one.”
“Thoughout all this town and its environs,”
our Father D. John Anthony Corrado wrote from
Benevento on tho 12th of August,
*
“ this devo­
tion is universal, and tho people do nothing but
ask for relics and pictures of Mgr. de Liguori.
His Eminence is so moved by it, that he has
determined to come in person to assist at tho
funeral rites which will bo celebrated in our
church.”
Our advocato D. Vincent do Angelis wrote to
me, on tho 25th of August of the same year,
1787, from Foggia, saying, “In consequence of
• It will be observed that all these dates refer to the year and
even to the month in which the servant of God died.

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

tho death of Mgr. Liguori, and on account of
the numerous miracles ho works in all direc­
tions, I am not allowed to have a moment’s
rest, as people aro continually asking me for his
likeness ; Canon Filiasi, and I, as well as many
others, would much like to have some relic of
him.”
“ Throughout all the Roman States,” wrote
tho ox-president D. Francis do Paul, “as soon
as tho death of our blessed father became
known, every one eagerly applied to mo for re­
lics and pictures of him.”
As soon as his death was heard of at Gubbio
and at Spello, where our fathers were, although
ho was only known there by name, they never­
theless testified tho same eagerness, especially
the ecclesiastics, the gentlemen, and tho bishops
of these two dioceses. Father Anthony Orietti»
in writing from Lodi in Lombardy, to Father
Francis Colangelo, not only asked him to send
him some pictures of his Lordship, but that he
would make inquiries about all those which had
been engraved hero from different drawings, and
earnestly begged that they should all bo forward­
ed to him to satisfy his devotion, and that of a
great number of other persons. D. Flora Petra
of Pavia received several different pictures of his
Lordship from me, and she informed me of the
great veneration of which they were the ob­
ject: “They aro so much thought of hero,” she
wrote to mo, “that tho same honours aro ren­
dered to them in private as to those of tho
canonized saints.”

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

271

Father llolbaur of Varsovia, and D. Virginio
of Vienna, made similar requests to us, and I
sent them some myself ; as our fathers at Var­
sovia wished to satisfy a number of persons
who wanted to have these pictures, they got
several new plates engraved after the original at
Naples. Tho same thing was done at Venice,
where every one wished to possess a likeness
of this servant of God.
Mgr. Galloppi, who is now the nuncio in Por­
tugal, had been accustomed to hear Alphonso
spoken of at Naples ; on receiving some pictures
of him from Father Peter d’ Onofrio of the
Oratory, ho wrote to thank him for them : “ I
have felt great satisfaction in receiving the pic­
tures of this servant of God,” said ho; “they
will afford great consolation to a great many
people who aro very anxious for them. I shall
not cease to recommend the affairs of Naples
to him, in order that wo may through him ob­
tain graco to do what is for tho greater glory
of God.”
Father Mamachi, superior of tho Fathers of
the Mission at Rome, received several of these
pictures from a Neapolitan priest, at which he
evinced tho greatest joy and satisfaction : “ j
still remember the time when ho camo hero to
bo consecrated,” said he. “All who knew him
then predicted that ho would one day be num­
bered amongst tho saints, and tho greatest ven­
eration has been generally entertained towards
him.”
At Romo also several cardinals were eager

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI,

r

to procuro prints of him, which they honoured
as those of a saint. Cardinal Zurlo and Mgr.
Banditi at Benevento were as eager as the rest,
and placed his picture at tho head of their beds,
as that of a powerful protector. Mgr. Minutoli,
the bishop of Milot, placed a picture of Alphonso
in his room beside that of St. Philip Neri.
Not to speak of other distinguished person­
ages, tho holy Father Pius VI. also testified
II uch
veneration for him. Mgr. Galeppi was
commissioned by D. Salvadore Tramontana tho
priest, to send him tho funeral sermon com­
posed by Father Joseph Cavallo of the Congre­
gation of Pious Workmen. His Holiness show­
ed great satisfaction when Cardinal Buoncompagno presented it to him. When he saw the
picture which accompanied it, he kissed it with
devotion, and held it to his forehead for some
time with the greatest respect : “ He is a saint,”
said ho, “ and I doubt not that he is now in
the enjoyment of the glories of heaven ; ho
then thanked tho cardinal : “ I will read it,”
he added, “with much pleasure.”
It was marvellous to see how as soon as one
plate was worn out, another was instantly en­
graved in a different style. Tramontana tho
priest alone had a dozen of these portraits done
at his own expense, each one more beautiful
than the other ; and those who wero devoted to
Alphonso, not satisfied at having had tho first,
also wished to possess those which followed. He
had a picture made representing his Lordship
dying, and Canon Gabriel Genga asked to have

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

27?>

a hundred copies of it. The noble brothers of
the Congregation of the White Monks were equal­
ly exacting in their demands.
A print-seller, by name Nunzio Petrini, foresaw
the great sale of likenesses of Alphonso which
would take place at his death ; for this reason
he had taken pains to procure one of his por­
traits before-hand ; so that immediately after
the decease of the servant of God, the town of
Naples and all tho kingdom were full of prints
of him. There were also many persons who
wished to have his portrait painted on linen.
This devotion was so far from becoming lessened
by time, that it only served to increase it. Every
day at this very time, (1802,) persons of distinc­
tion of the kingdom, and even beyond it, are con­
stantly applying to our fathers for pictures and
relics of Alphonso. Not long since, our princess
royal, the Archduchess of Austria, Mary Cle­
mentina, wished before she died to have the con­
solation of honouring his likeness and applying
his relics ; but God, who destined her to reign
in heaven, has not permitted her to continue to
reign on a fragile and perishable throne on earth.

CHAPTER XLIX.
The first miracles which Alphonso wrought
during his obsequies, wore but tho beginning of
prodigies without number; scarcely wero they
known ere people from all parts had recourse to
VOL. V.

iri

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

him for protection, and God, in recompense for
the charity he had exercised upon earth, deigned
to glorify him by bestowing innumerable bless­
ings through his intercession.
Father Francis d' Ottajano, of tho reformed
order of St. Francis, at Palermo, had been
suffering from tho month of November, 1786,
from a burning fever and a painful cough. In
spite of all remedies the fever got worse and
worse, and the sick man had already begun to
spit blood and matter. Four of tho first phy­
sicians of Naples were consulted, and they agreed
in saying that tho patient was in an incurable
consumption. On seeing that no hope of his
recovery was entertained, and that every one
was afraid of coming near him in tho monastery
on account of the contagious naturo of his mal­
ady, he went to Palermo to the houso of an
old aunt of eighty years of age. Ho placed
himself under tho care of two other doctors, who
declared in tho month of July, 1787, that ho
was in the last stage of consumption ; his death
was expected from day to day, and each time
tho knell was heard it was believed that he
was no more. To this most serious malady was
added a retention of urine. When reduced to
this extremity, tho dying man being animated
by tho numerous miracles related of Alphonso,
thought of having recourse to his intercession.
“My Lord,” said ho to him, “if you are really
dear to God, and if you enjoy beatitude in Para­
dise, obtain for mo that I may not die of this
malady, which renders me an object of horror.”

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

275

When he said that, ho promised to offer up to
him a pound of wax every year, and to carry
it himself to his tomb. Ho had scarcely finished
his prayer, when ho felt a sudden change ; and
whereas all food had before caused him to feel
nausea, ho now eat with relish. After this he
had a peaceful sleep, and on awaking he was
perfectly cured.
This was judicially deposed
at Noccra at the time tho process was arranged.
This religious still continues to enjoy good health,
(1802,) and every year in all weather is he to
be seen bringing his offering to the tomb of his
benefactor.
My intention is not to relate here all the mir­
acles which Alphonso has effected, and which
have been judicially confirmed ; but for his
glory and the consolation of those who havo de­
votion towards him, I will ouly ci to those I have
collected myself, and which were not inserted in
tho process of his canonization. They have all
been carefully examined and furnished with all
tho proofs of authenticity which can bo desired.
The miracle effected on the person of Father
Francis d’ Ottajano was tho cause of another,
which was no less remarkable. In his monastery
there was a religious who laughed at tho confi­
dence which Father Francis had in his Lordship,
and often teased him on this subject, going so
far as to ask him how much the wax cost, and
what use was made of it by his saintly advocate.
Alphonso was displeased at his conduct ; he ap­
peared to him ono night, and said to him in an
indignant tone, “ Audacious man .’ when will jou

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ST. ALPHONSO LÏGÜORL

cease to laugh at my servant ?” Tho religious
was seized with terror, and replied, that ho had
not done it with a bad intention, and that what
he had said were nothing but josts. “People
do not jest in that manner,” answered Alphonso;
and in a threatening tone of voice ho added,
“Go to confession, and never have the boldness
to speak in that way again.” The brother was
terrified; ho instantly jumped out of bod, and
Π
ran and cast himself
at tho feet of his confessor ;
the next morning ho informed all tho community
of what had befallen him, and took good caro
never to turn religion into ridicule for tho future.
In the year 1787, Vincent Cocca, a joiner at
Foggia, was wounded in tho chest by a knife.
The injured part was cut away, but the wound
remained incurable. He suffered for more than
a year, and there was no further hope of his
cure, as the doctors said that he was in a con­
sumption. Our Father D. Joseph Stella, who was
at Foggia, was informed of this accident. lie
wont to see tho sick man, and gave him some
threads of his Lordship’s cassock, and assured
him that if he had confidence in him he would
be cured. The mother of the joiner was anima­
ted by a lively faith ; she took off all tho ban­
dages of tho wound, and applied to them some
threads of tho holy garment. It was again un­
covered a short time afterwards, when it was
found to be healed, and that the skin had grown
over tho holy relic. The sick man was quito
cured, and recovered his former health.
A lay-sister in the asylum at Frasso, who had

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

boon given over by the physicians, recommended
herself with confidence to his Lordship. Alphonso
appeared to her and said, “ Bo comforted ; you
will recover.” Scarcely had tho vision disappear­
ed ere tho sick person got better and was out
of all danger.
D. Frances Palumbo, tho wife of D. Laurence
Granata, had a fistula in her right eyo, from
whence a foul humour was continually exuding,
and which no remedy had been able to cure.
As it became worse, one day when she was suf­
fering from erysipelas sho invoked the aid of
his Lordship, and immediately felt her eye re­
lieved, tho pain soon ceased entirely, the ery­
II all
sipelas disappeared, and she was freed from
suffering.
D. Peter Julian do Bosco Trecaso was attack­
ed during tho Christmas novena by a tertian
fever, which never left him, and which was al­
ways accompanied by great internal pain. When
reduced to this state of suffering, ho observed
a picture of his Lordship which was hung up
against tho wall of his room ; ho placed it on
his chest, and no sooner did he do so than ho
fell asleep. On awaking, he found that ho was
perfectly cured ; and shedding tears of tender­
ness, ho sent for all his friends, to impart to
them the favour which ho had received from
Alphonso.
Donna Catherine Biscotti, a Benedictine nun
in tho town of Diana in the province of Salerno,
was attacked by a bloody flux, which caused her
to suffer severely. After fourteen months’ suf-

Stil

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

foring, the malady got so much worse that she
had no rest day or night, and the doctor D.
Joseph Anthony Frezza was much afraid that
mortification had commenced. While in this
state, sho remembered tho favours which God
had bestowed through the intercession of Al­
phonso, and invoked him, saying, “Alphonso
Liguori, show me that you aro really a saint,
as is everywhere proclaimed. You must deliver
mo from this malady ; and as the process of your
canonization will have to be drawn up, I promise
you to bear witness to my cure judicially, and
to have a mass and a To Deum sung in thanks­
giving.” After this prayer the nun fell asleep,
and on awaking she found that she was perfectly
cured. Sho attested this to me herself, and so
did Gertrude Carrada, and Alary Antoinette
Morrone, who nursed her during her illness.
On tho 14th of September, 1787, there was
a little girl of nine years of ago at Cerignola,
who received tho contents of a gun filled with
powder in her face, which injured it so that tho
skin fell off at the slightest touch. Iler right
eye was shrivelled, and the cornea was much
inflamed. The child suffered such pain that sho
could find no rest. All remedies having failed,
Don Xavier Caradonua, being touched with com­
passion, gave the mother a picture of his Lord­
ship, and exhorted her to invoke him with con­
fidence. This happened on the fourth day after
tho accident : the picture was placed on tho
forehead of the suffering child, and she at once
opened her eyes, which were quite healed, as

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279

well as the rest of her face. This cure was such
a striking one, that every one in the neighbour­
hood talked of it as a miracle, and the phy­
sician himself, D. Isidore Degni, hastened to in­
form the archpriest of tho place of it.
At Ascole Vitus Dominic Capozzi was a prey
to tho persecutions of a powerful person who
unjustly demanded of him the sum of four
hundred and thirty-two ducats. lie was sum­
moned before tho tribunals of justice at Naples,
aud eight advocates pleaded against him. D.
Capozzi recommended himself to his Lordship,
he abandoned his innocence into his hands, and
placed a picture of him amongst the law-papers
which had to bo examined by the council. Ho
was especially grieved at being unable to find
any one who would give any testimony in his
favour, which arose from tho high reputa­
tion enjoyed by his adversary. In order to
console him Alphonso appeared to him in a
dream, and said to him, “ Fear nothing, you
will gain your cause.” And so it was, that, con­
trary to all expectation, the judges of tho royal
council decided in his favour.
At Foggia, in October, 1787, D. Michael Totta
was attacked by a most violent colic on getting
out of bed one morning. At two o’clock in the
afternoon his malady still continued ; in this
extremity ho thought of having recourse to Mgr.
Liguori, and ho exclaimed, “ My Lord ! relieve
mo!” Ho had no sooner said these words than
ho felt a sort of concussion in his side, after
which ho was immediately freed from all pain.

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

He has assured me that this malady used to
attack him about every twenty days, and that
it sometimes confined him to bed for months at
a time ; that ho even sometimes passed small
stones, but that after his sudden cure he had
no recurrence of it.
There was a lay-sister in tho convent of St.
Marcellinus at Naples who swallowed a bone,
which stuck in her throat. On seeing that her
case was a desperate one, she exclaimed with
faith, “My Lord, come to my aid.’” At these
words tho bone was dislodged, although it was
a considerable one.
At Buccino, the nephew of D. Gerard Mélé
of St. Gregory, who is now tho bishop of Troy,
suffered fro Π spitting of blood. A morsel of a
relic of Alphonso was given to him to drink
in some water, and from the moment ho had
taken it ho was entirely cured, according to the
deposition of tho archpriest of the place.
For fourteen days D. Julian Jourdain, pro­
curator advocate at tho tribunal of Lucero, had
suffered from a malignant fever, and from tho
ninth day ho had been unceasingly tormented
by hiccough, and his death was expected at
every instant. His disconsolate sister entered
her chamber, and there before a picturo of
his Lordship sho began to pray, saying with
faith, “My holy countryman,” (tho family of
Jourdain camo from Noccra,) “I, a pool’ stran­
ger, have recourse to you. You must spare my
brother to me. I desire to obtain this favour.”
After that with greater confidence still, sho

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281

took the picture of Alphonso to her brother,
and showed it to him, saying, “Do you know
this person?” “It is Mgr. Liguori,” replied
the sick man. At the same time he took tho
picture and placed it on his forehead. “My
Lord!” he exclaimed, “succour me.” At the
same instant the fever ceased, and a crisis took
place which was succeeded by a complete re­
covery.
At Foggia, D. Louisa Palatella, the wife of
tho lawyer D. Francis Xavier Massari, had been
pregnant for eight months, when her child died
in her womb, which greatly endangered her life.
On hearing of the sad state sho was in, I exhort­
ed her to have recourse to his Lordship with
confidence. She did so, and on applying a pic­
ture of him to herself, sho promised to offer him
a pound of wax, and to support an abandoned
girl, provided ho would heal her. Her confine­
ment was pronounced to be, humanly speaking,
impossible, and symptoms of death appeared
after three days, but she did not lose confidence,
and continued to hold tho picture of his Lord­
ship close to her. I encouraged her more and
more, and at length wo had tho consolation of
seeing her delivered without tho least accident.
At Gubbio in Ombria, D. Maria Veronica de
Contiguidi Montegranelli, a young nun in tho
convent of tho Carmelites, had been suffering
II
for about nine years from
a rupture which sho
had concealed through delicacy : but tho ma­
lady then made such great progress that sho
was obliged to mention it. Tho surgeon docla-

2S2
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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

red that it was impossible to replace the intestines, as all the membranes were broken. In
fact, no remedy could relievo her. While in
this state, she asked our Father Falcone to re­
commend her to the saintly bishop. This fa­
ther sent her a relic of a portion of one of his
Lordship’s garments. She made use of it in
the evening, and promised that if she obtained
her cure she would make a public attestation
of it. During tho night she awoke, felt free
from all uneasiness, took off tho bandages, and
was in fact completely cured. Tho nuns and
the surgeon declared that tho cure was a mira­
culous one.
At Benevento a woman of sixty years of
ago had suffered for nearly two years from such
severe pain in the side that she was unable to
walk alone. She had recourse to his Lordship’s
intercession, and applied one of his relics, when
she was instantly freed from her complaint, and
could walk quite nimbly and without any sup­
port.
At Benevento there was also a poor woman
who was very often afflicted by violent convul­
sions. Ono night they were so severo that she
fell out of bed, and as she was alone in the
house she was unable to rise again. She had
a picture of Alphonso at tho head of hcr bed,
and she invoked him with confidence, as well
as tho most Holy Virgin Mary. At the same
moment she saw his Lordship enter her room
accompanied by a most beautiful Lady, who lift­
ed her from the floor and laid her in bed again

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283

with the greatest compassion. His Lordship then
sat down beside her and said, “ See, we have
come to assist you, but you must go to confes­
sion to-morrow ; your pains will be redoubled
until then ; but when tho confession is finished,
they will cease.” At these words the Lady and
his Lordship disappeared. When the morning
had arrived tho poor woman sent for our Fa­
ther D. John Anthony Corrado, who found her
in a very suffering state ; but when the confession was finished, she was entirely free from
pain.
At Benevento, on tho day before the eve of
tho anniversary of his Lordship, a little child
of six months old was on the point of expiring,
as four of his brothers had done, who had all
died within a few months. The mother was
in a stato of despair, for ho was her only re­
maining son, and the father had fainted through
excess of sorrow. During this time a gentle­
man who had some relics of his Lordship has­
tened to go to tho house. AVhen he beheld
this sad spectacle, he exhorted tho parents to
trust in Alphonse’s protection. He then hur­
ried to his own house, brought the relics, and
placed them on the body of the dying child.
As he did so, tho little child was saved, ho
opened his eyes, looked at his father and mo­
ther, and consoled them by a sweet smile.
There were a great many witnesses present to
testify to tho truth of this miracle.
At Ascolo Vitus Dominic Lapozzi, of whom
we have already spoken, bought two thousand

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

measures of barley. On his return from Salerno
in November he found them in such a state of
fermentation, that lie feared that ho should lose
them all. On seeing tho loss ho was likely to sus­
tain, ho had recourse with great confidence to his
Lordship. This happened in tho evening, and
next morning he found tho barley as cool as ice,
and in perfect preservation.
Xavier Sessa, a print-seller of about eighteen
years of ago, had been at Fisciano for several
days, on account of spitting of blood. On the
8th of August, 1792, his complaint was still
more aggravated by a high fever and a convul­
sive cough.
Our Father Tajano happened to
bo at this village at the same time for the no­
vena of tho Assumption, and tho young man’s
parents at once sent for him to come and hear
his confession. When he asked the sick man
how ho was, he replied that be was suffering
much.
“Have confidence,” answered the fa­
ther, “I will give you a remedy; swallow this
thread of the shirt of Mgr. Liguori in some
water with faith, and promise mo to come to con­
fession to our house of St. Michael, and you will
obtain your cure.” After having recited three
Paters and three Aves in honour of the Bless­
ed Trinity with those present, and having prayed
that by the toils and labours of his Lordship this
favour might bo granted, three threads of his
shirt were given to tho sick man in a little water.
The fever instantly left him, ho had no more
pain nor spitting of blood, and ho went out hunt­
ing three days afterwards.

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285

D. Vincent Massaro, a priest at Foggia, had
an attack of apoplexy at six o’clock one evening,
through which he lost the use of his right side,
and all his members were so affected that it
was impossible to undress him. Several attempts
were made to bleed him, but they were in vain.
Ho was soon afterwards seized by violent con­
vulsions ; blood issued from his mouth, and he
no longer gave any signs of life. While in this
state no time was lost in administering Extreme
Unction to him. At about half-past nine, as no
further remedy seemed possible, Rose Guadagno
urged D. Felix Inzalata and D. Gaétan Mêle,
two priests who were with the sick man, to
apply a picture of his Lordship to his body.
The thing was scarcely done ere tho dying man
recovered his senses, and took a quantity of
sherbet. His cure was so complete that the
next morning ho was quite well and able to
go out.
Mary Joseph Mclillo, tho superioress of tho
asylum of Frasso, once lost her confessor, tho
archpriest do Filippis, which gave her extreme
pain.
Ono evening on going to bed, she
recommended herself to Alphonso, and during
tho night ho appeared to her. “How do you
feel?” ho said to her, addressing her by name.
Tho religious exposed all her uneasiness to
him.
“Well,” replied his Lordship, “calm
yourself and bo resigned to the will of God,”
and on awaking she found that she had re­
gained the peace of her soul.
Father Dominic Daffina, a Capuchin of Calabria.

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

who was in tho monastery at Nocera, was one day
conversing with tho other fathers immediately
before dinner ; while sitting on one of tho benches
in tho refectory, ho was seized with such a vio­
lent attack of gout that there was much diffi­
culty in taking him to his cell. While in this
condition ho had recourse to Alphonso with
faith, and said to him, “My Lord, seo what a
difficult position I am placed in, and what trou­
ble I shall have in procuring tho necessary reme­
dies, Obtain my curo, I entreat you, and I
will give a judicial testimony to that effect.”
At these words he applied a picture of Alphonso
to the suffering part, and ho was instantly re­
lieved from all pain. When the fathers had
finished dinner, and believed him to bo a prey
to tho most acute suffering, they were quite as­
tonished to seo him coming to meet them, full
of joy at tho blessing he had just received.
At Conversano, D. Aurelia Mary Martucci,
tho daughter of the doctor D. Gaétan Martucci,
and of D. Mary Renzi, who was a young lady
of thirteen years of age, was suffering from fever
and a convulsive cough, accompanied by pain­
ful cramps of the stomach. Ono day when her
maladies were redoubled, fears were entertained
for her life ; her aunt, Mary Theresa Martucci,
placed a picture of Alphonso upon her, and the
sick child recommended herself to him with fer­
vour ; after which sho was instantly cured, and
began to play with her sisters.
A sister of D. Vincent do Sanctis of la Cava,
who was married to Portici, had a little girl of

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287

a year old. The servant in taking her into the
garden sometimes gave her some vino leaves
to amuse her, without observing that tho child
always put them into her mouth. For two or
three days she could not suck at all, and seemed
ou tho point of death. When her mother saw
her in this state she placed a picture of Al­
phonso on her breast, which was no sooner done
than tho child threw up a quantity of small
pieces of vine leaves, after which she took the
breast, and was perfectly well.
For thirty-four years Leopold Marino Rous­
seau of Foggia was tormented by a dysentery,
which had reduced him to a mere skeleton.
The malady grew worse and worse, and tho
doctors declared that he could not live, and or­
dered Extreme Unction to bo administered to him.
When. D. Paul Rousseau was informed of tho
state his brother was in, he sent him two pic­
tures, one of the Blessed Joseph of tho Cross,
and the other of his Lordship. At about five
o’clock in tho evening the people of tho house
lit a lamp before tho two pictures, and recom­
mended the dying man to his Lordship and to
tho Blessed Joseph. At midnight a bishop ap­
peared before him clad in a rochet and an
almuce, he was little and bent ; he inquired
what was the matter with him. “My Lord,”
the sick man replied, “ I have no strength, and
I entreat tho saints to pray to God to grant mo
deliverance from my wretched state.” The bish­
op then assumed quite a joyous manner, and
answered, “Have confidence;” and as tho sick

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

man’s entrails were supported by bandages, he
went on to say, “Take off this handkerchief,
and you will feel bettor.” “How can I do so,”
said the sick man, “ I have not strength for it
but as his Lordship again told him to undo tho
bandage, ho tried to do it, and perceived that
it was already done : as ho felt instant relief ho
called his daughter, and asked for a light, but
ho saw the bishop no more. The next morning
ho cast his eyes on his Lordship’s picture, and
said, “It is that which has cured mo.” When
tho physicians camo they found him quite recov­
ered and free from fever.
I will now mention a miracle of another kind
which happened to Father Louis of St. Cath­
erine, apostolical missionary in the Roman
States. Ho wrote to our superior-general, say­
ing, “I tried in vain to convert a great number
of sinners who were living most obstinately
in vice, and who told mo they could not bo
separated from tho object of their passion ; I
persuaded them to recito an Ave to Mary Im­
maculate, praying her to extinguish these impure
flames in them through tho merits of Mgr.
Liguori, who had exalted her so highly. After
that they all camo to mo again, giving extra­
ordinary proofs of conversion ; they aro now
reformed and have led exemplary lives from that
time. I also had tho consolation of seeing
this same method succeed with other sinners
who nourished inveterato hatreds.
“Nay more,” added this missionary, “I have
myself known his power with God through my

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289

own experience. One day in tho pulpit, when
I felt that my strength was failing through my
numerous labours and advanced age, and when I
saw tho slight impression which I made on my
audience, I interiorly invoked tho servant of
God, and immediately felt my strength re­
turn; I spoke forcibly, I affected all my au­
dience, both learned and unlearned, aud all
hastened to approach the tribunal of, penance
with deep contrition.”
Let us leave the publication of an almost
innumerable number of other miracles
*
by
which God has continued to glorify His ser­
vant. I will hero close tho history of the life
and tho congregation of our blessed father.
Whatever may be tho reception which my la­
bours may receive, I offer them with confi­
dence, not indeed as forming a finished work,
but as being
o a faithful memoir which some
ono else may make use of in order to give a
worthy portrait of tho greatest apostle of these
latter days. I believe that I have attained my
end by relating nothing that did not pass un­
der my own observation, br that I did not hear
of through eye-witnesses on whoso veracity I
could rely; so that I can truly say, with all
duo respect for the words of holy writ : “ Qui
testimonium perhibet de his, et scripsit hæc...
• In the process of the beatification alone, more than a hundred
miracles which St. Alphonso wrought during his life are confirmed,
not to speak of those which are not specified in the acts of this
process, but which after the inquiries which were made at this
time, may be numbered by thousands.
vol. v.
19

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

verum est testimonium ejus.” Joan, xxi. 24
“ This is that disciple who giveth testimony of
these things, and hath written these things : and
we know that his testimony is true.”

THE END OF THE MEMOIRS.

291

SUPPLEMENT.

NOTICE TO THE READER.

Although tho memoirs of the author are ter­
minated, the translators have thought that the
addition of the following chapters would enhance
tbeir value, and bo agreeable to the reader.

CHAPTER L.

No sooner had our blessed father gone to
receive his immortal crown, than wo had his
heroic virtues and the miracles wrought through
his intercession confirmed by the ordinary judges.
Two verbal processes wore drawn up on this
subject, the one at St. Agatha, where he had
been bishop, and the other at Nocera, where
his precious remains wore interred. Eightychosen from
seven witnesses, who were all
■
among those who were the most distinguishcd for their piety, knowledge, and position in
society, attested the heroic actions and miraclos of tho saintly bishop on oath. Tho acts
of this process were then sent to Romo to ob-

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f.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

tain tho introduction of tho causo of tho bea­
tification and canonization. About this time
many cardinals, archbishops, bishops, vicars-capitular, chapters of cathedrals and of collegiato
establishments, religious bodies, magistrates of
tho highest rank, and a multitude of distin­
guished persons in tho kingdom of tho two Sici­
lies addressed earnest entreaties to the Holy Seo
for tho commencement of tho process. Several
of these petitions arrived too lato to bo taken
notice of ; however, those which were re­
gistered amounted to four hundred and eight.
Amongst those specially deserving of notice, arc
tho letters of King Ferdinand IV., who like his
father was a great admirer of tho virtues of Al­
phonso, and who supported all tho proceedings
then entered into by all tho influence appertain­
ing to so august a personage.
Our Father Don Gaétan Cardone was consti­
tuted by our congregation of tho Most Holy
Redeemer as the postulator of tho cause before
the Holy Soo ; tho advocate, Hyacinth Amici,
was nominated as tho defender, and by a decree
of tho 9th July, 1794, tho Sovereign Pontiff se­
lected Cardinal Archinto as the reporter. In
consequence of tho proceedings connected with
the examination of tho virtues of tho servant of
God, Mgr. Joromo Napoleon, promoter of tho
faith, asked whether tho momentary change
which was undergone by tho rule of the institute
which had been approved by Benedict XIV.
had happened through tho fault of tho vener­
able founder. Tho Sovereign Pontiff on the

ALPHONSO LIGUORI,

2nd of December, 1795, referred the examina­
tion of this incident to a private congregation,
consisting of Cardinals Archinto, Livizani, and
Binuccini, of Mgr. Coppola, secretary of the
Congregation of Rites, and of Jerome Napoleon,
promoter of tho faith. After consulting together
this congregation declared on the 8th of March,
1796, that they confirmed the innocence of the
servant of God, and that it was forbidden to
speak further regarding this modification during
the rest of the proceedings of tho process. This
decision was confirmed by a decree of the Sove­
reign Pontiff, of the 9th of March, 1796, as well
as by an apostolical brief, declaring that the
servant of God had always had the most reli­
gious attachment towards tho Holy See.
This preliminary question having been settled
on the relation of Cardinal Archinto, the prefect
of the Congregation of Rites, a decree was put
forth on tho 30th of April, 1796, in order that
tho cause of our saint might bo introduced.
Popo Pius VI. approved this decree on the 4th
of tho following May, and signed tho commis­
sion for tho cause with his own hand. Another
decree was then immediately issued by which
Mgr. Alphonso Maria do Liguori was declared
venerable, and remissorial letters were despatch­
ed to tho towns of Nocera and of St. Agatha
of tho Goths, to tho judges appointed for tho
apostolical inquiries as to tho virtues and mir­
acles of tho servant of God.
In conformity to tho decrees of Urban VIII.
it was declared in a decree of tho 16th of Sep-

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ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

tomber, 1797, that no unlawful worship had been
paid to Alphonso, and the Popo approved this
verdict on tho 20th of tho same month. After
this, tho calamities of the times and tho cxilo
of the Holy Father Pius VI. thou interrupted
tho cause so happily commenced, but tho wise
Pontiff did not lose sight of it during tho mis­
fortunes of exile, and by a rescript ho signed
at Florence on tho 7th of December, 1791, ho
granted faculties to tho appointed judges at
Nocera and at St. Agatha of tho Goths, to con­
tinue to collect tho depositions of witnesses
of all ages, to examine the body of tho servant
of God, to consult all tho documents, and, finally,
ho permitted them to draw up tho process with­
in the space of three years, and to seal it up
and preserve it in tho archives of their bishop­
rics. As tho bishop of St. Agatha was dead,
Popo Pius VIL, on tho 7th of March, 1801, sub­
stituted tho vicar-capitular in his place, whom
ho furnished with tho requisite faculties, and on
tho Gth of March ho did tho same with regard to
the vicars-capitular of the other deceased bishops
to whom tho search through tho documents had
been confided. As Cardinal Archinto died, Popo
Pius VIL, on the Gth of March, 1802, substituted
Cardinal Caraccioli in his stead as reporter of tho
cause. On tho 27th of tho same month, this pre­
late issued a decree in favour of the validity of the
apostolical process on tho reputation for sanctity
enjoyed by tho servant of God. On the 3rd
of April this judgment was confirmed by tho
Sovereign Pontiff.

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295

Before proceeding to the examination of the
virtues, it was necessary to commence with that
of the works and manuscripts. On the 5th of
May, 1797, the Congregation of Rites entrusted
this examination to the Cardinal Archbishop of
Naples, the Archbishops of Benevento and of Pa­
lermo, the Bishops of St. Agatha of the Goths,
of Nocera, of Scala, of Melfi, and of Nusco. On
the report of Cardinal Saluces, who took the
place of Cardinal Caraccioli, the Sacred Con­
gregation of Rites decided on the 14th of May,
1803, after a theological examination, that no­
thing was to bo found in the printed or in the
manuscript works of the venerable Alphonso
Liguori, which was worthy of censure,
*
“Nihil
• The following is the decree which was pronounced by the
Congregation of Rites, and which was confirmed by Fius VII.:
"Facta ad Congregationem ordinariam..plena relatione tum oper­
um (B. Alphonsi,)..impressorum quam aliorum manuscriptorum
omnium, cum nihil in iis censura dignum repertum fuerit, sacra
eadem Congregatio rescribendum censuit, procedi ad ulteriora. Die
14 Maj. 1803.
“ Quibus Sanctitas Sua benigne annuit die 18 Maj.”
Although this decision was in general terms, I will here remark,
that the examiners of the Sovereign Pontiff are obliged, 1st, scru­
pulously to weigh each and all the propositions relating to the rule
of morals or the truths of religion, and to notice them according to
their merits; 2nd, they are always obliged to take the most rigid
decision; thus,"an opinion which is but little in accordance with
the purity of the evangelical precepts, and which is capable of
doing injury to morality; a system rendered suspicious through
novelty, and specially if it be so in regard to frivolous questions,
or a sentiment which is contrary to that of the fathers and to the
common consent of Christians, are indelible stains which cause
an eternal silence to be imposed iu regard to any proposed process
for canonization.”
The works of St. Alphonso not only do not therefore contain
any proposition whatever which can be called schismatical or
scandalous, but also none which are either erroneous, pernicious,

Μ

296

ii!

st. ALPHONSO LIGUOHI.

censura dignum fuisse repertum,” and that there• fore tho proceedings might bo continued. This
decision was approved by the Pope on tho 18th
of tho samo month.
But as other writings
were then produced which had not been examined, a frosh examination became necessary, of
which tho result was tho samo as tho first. This
favourable decision of tho Congregation of Rites
was given on tho 17th of September, and ap­
proved on tho 24th of tho samo month. On tho
25th of Juno, 1803, tho Popo granted a dispen­
sation from tho decree of Urban VIII. to tho
effect, that no proceedings with regard to tho
special examination of tho virtues of a servant
of God could bo entered upon until fifty years
after his death. Now only sixteen had elapsed
since that of Mgr. Liguori.
This examination of virtues commenced on
the 10th of June, 1806, in an extraordinary con­
gregation, called anti-preparatory ; it was con­
tinued in another and a preparatory congregation
on the 17th of February, 1807, at tho Quirinal
palace, and terminated in a general congregation
on tho 28th of April, which was hold on tho
18th of April in tho presence of Popo Pius VII.
in his palaeo of tho Quirinal, when tho car­
dinals and the consultors unanimously declar­
ed that tho virtues of the venerable iVlphonso
or rash ·, the morals therefore of this saintly bishop cannot be
censured without setting up as a censor of authority itself, without,
in hne, censuring the decision of the Holy See, which has declared
it to be orthodox, by declaring that it contains nothing repre­
hensible whatsoever.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

297

Maria Liguori wore of a heroic degree. But
before the Sovereign Pontiff gave his decision,
ho waited for some days to implore still further
illumination from the Holy Ghost. It was on tho
7th of May, tho feast of the Ascension of our
Lord, after having celebrated mass in his domes­
tic chapel, and after having assisted with the car­
dinals at tho solemn mass which was sung in tho
Basilica of St. John Lateran, that the Holy Fa­
ther published in tho winter choir of this basilica
his solemn decree on the virtues of the servant
of God. His Holiness proclaimed that he could
assert, “ that the venerable servant of God, Al­
phonso Maria Liguori, had possessed the theolo­
gical and cardinal virtues in a heroic degree :
‘ Constare de venerabilis servi Dei Alphonsi Mariæ
do Liguorio virtutibus theologalibus et cardinali­
bus, carumque adnexis in gradu heroico.’”
Tho only thing which was now necessary for
obtaining tho solemn beatification was tho ex­
amination of tho miracles. Amongst the groat
number of those which were wrought by tho
intercession of the servant of God, three were
selected as those to bo proposed in the extraor­
dinary anti-preparatory congregation. This as­
sembly was to have taken placo on tho 25th of
September, 1809, but circumstances did not ad­
mit of its so doing. Tho captivity of tho Popo,
the dispersion of tho cardinals, and tho invasion
of tho Roman States suspended the proceedings.
All that was therefore then possible to bo done
was, that each of them remitted his opinion in
regard to tho question of tho miracles to Cardinal

298

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Pieto, who was then tho apostolic delegate at
Romo. After the persecution the affair of the
beatification of the servant of God was resumed
on tho 28th of February, 1815, that is to say,
at tho end of about six years of interruption, the
preparatory congregation regarding tho miracles
took place in tho Quirinal palace ; and on the
5th of September, in presence of tho Popo and
in the said palace, tho third general congregation
was held, according to custom, on the same ques­
tion. Two miracles were all that wero requisite,
and therefore the congregation only approved two.
The Pope wished to take still more time, in order
to implore the guidance of tho Holy Ghost still
further, but on tho 17th of September, the day
on which the feast of our Lady of Sorrows was
celebrated throughout the whole Catholic Church
for the first time, the Holy Father decided that
the decree in favour of tho miracles should bo
promulgated, and ho selected this day because
of the great devotion of tho servant of God for
tho sufferings of tho Blessed Virgin. After hav­
ing offered tho holy sacrifice in his domestic
chapel of the Quirinal on that morning, his Holi­
ness published his decree, by which he recognised
the two miracles of tho second class which had
been effected through tho intercession of tho
venerable Alphonso Maria Liguori, namely, “The
sudden and perfect cure of tho breast of Magda­
leno de Murzio, of which tho greater part had
been cut off the evening before, on account of a
mortifying ulcer, with tho restoration of the flesh
which had been taken away ; as well as tho in-

st. alphonso liguori.

299

Btantaneous and entire cure and recovery of the
strength of Father Francis d’ Ottajano, of the
order of tho Reformed Minors of St. Francis,
who was attacked by a pulmonary consumption
and complete prostration of strength.”
Tho only thing then remaining to be done
was to take the opinion of all tho fathers of the
Sacred Congregation, to enable the name of the
venerable Alphonso Maria Liguori to bo inscrib­
ed amongst tho glorious names of the Blessed
whom tho Church has recognised among lier
saints. A general congregation was therefore
held in the Quirinal palace, on tho 10th of De­
cember, 1815, in presence of the Sovereign Pon­
tiff Pius VII. A unanimous vote was given in
the affirmativo, and on the 21st of the same
month, being the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle,
Cardinal della Somaglia, the prefect of the Con­
gregation of Rites, Cardinal Alexander Mattei,
who acted as a substitute for Cardinal Caraccioli,
who was absent, as well as Mgrs. John Anthony
Sala, the secretary of tho Congregation of Rites,
and Andrew Cavalli, tho promoter of tho faith,
were summoned to tho Quirinal by the Pope.
After he had celebrated mass, ho published tho
decree which permitted the proceedings regard­
ing tho solemn beatification of tho venerable
servant of God, Alphonso Maria Liguori, to bo
continued. “ Tuto procedi posso ad beatificationem venerabilis servi Dei, Alphonsi Mariæ
de Liguorio.”
In consequence of these decrees, tho holy
father signed the brief of the beatification on

300

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

the 26th of September, 1816, which conferred
tho title of Blessed on tho illustrious bishop, and
declared that he is most assuredly in possession
of celestial glory, and that his relics and images
might be exposed to the veneration of the faith­
ful. Tho brief authorised tho dioceses of St.
Agatha and of Nocora, as well as tho Congrega­
tion of the Most Holy Redeemer, to celebrate
yearly tho mass for which tho Pope proscribed
tho proper prayers
*
in honour of the beatified.
Tho ceremony of tho beatification took place
nine days afterwards in tho Basilica of St. Peter.
Tho whole was conducted with splendour. On
tho front of the church, above tho grand gallery,
a magnificent standard floated, representing tho
blessed Alphonso in glory, with the following
inscription at the bottom :
“ Bcato Alphonso Mariæ de Liguorio
Neapolitano
Congregationis S. S. Redemptoris
fon datori ac olim
episcopo. Agathcnsi,
vitre innocentia et virtutibus admirando
charitatc in Deum et Deiparam flagrantissime
æternre proximorum salutis curatori indefesso
saecularibus cænobitis presbyteris antistibus
exemplo absolutissimo
decreto Pii P. Ο. M.
honorum caelestium ct Dei festi
dedicatio.”!
' The whole of this brief as well as of the other decrees, are to
be found in an excellent work entitled, " Refiessioni sulla santita
e dottrina de santo Alphonso Marire de Liguori.” (Torino per
Giacento Marietti, 1839.)
f I o Alphonso Maria Liguori of Naples, founder of the Con­
gregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, and formerly bishop of St.
Agatha, a man rendered worthy of admiration through his vir-

III

301

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

A most beautiful picture of the miracle of
Foggia was also placed over the principal en­
trance of the majestic portico of St, Peter’s, re­
presenting tho moment when tho rays of light
issued from an image of tho Blessed Virgin, and
were reflected on the forehead of the holy
preacher while ho was in an ecstasy. There were
also divers inscriptions referring to incidents
in tho life of the beatified, as well as to tho
two miracles which had been recognised by the
pontifical decree. This immense church was all
decorated with rich hangings in damask embroi­
dered with gold, and in fact, all was of the
most magnificent description. At tho bottom of
tho church, above tho chair of St. Peter, and
amidst a dazzling light, was placed a largo oval­
shaped picture representing tho Blessed Alphonso
Maria Liguori. A prodigious number of candles
of all sizes surrounded it like a sort of celestial
glory. At ten o’clock in the morning, tho postula­
tor of tho cause, D. Vincent Giattini, who was a
member of, and tho procurator-general to our
Congregation of tho Most Holy Redeemer, camo
forward before tho whole Congregation of Rites,
accompanied by the prolato who was secretary
to this Sacred Congregation, and in a Latin
discourse addressed to Cardinal do la Somaglia,
tho bishop of Frascati, vicar-general of the holy

j

U.

tues and the innocency of liis life, who burned W’ith love for God,
and with devotion tor the Blessed Virgin, who was an indefati­
gable labourer for the eternal salvation of his neighbour, and u
perfect model for men of the world, for religious, for priests, and
for prelates, tho honours due to saints, and a feast day have been
solemnly allotted by a decree of the Sovereign Ponti/Γ l’ius VH.

I—Mil hllL^

•4M

302

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

303

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

father and prefect of the Congregation of Rites,
ho asked for permission to publish the brief for
tho solemn beatification of tho venerable Al­
phonso Maria Liguori. After this discourse and
tho reading of tho brief, Mgr. Guerricri, the
archbishop of Athens entoned tho Te Deum ;
at tho same instant tho curtain was undrawn
and disclosed to view tho picturo of tho newly
beatified, while amid the sound of all tho bells,
and tho noise of numerous volleys of artillery,
all present fell on their knees and offered him
this first act of religious and public homage in
testimony of their veneration. The hymn of
thanksgiving
ο
CJ was then sung, with a harmonious
and brilliant accompaniment. After this, tho
archbishop who was tho celebrant, said tho new
prayer approved by tho Sovereign Pontiff, which
was followed by a solemn mass sung by a nu­
merous choir, which consisted of tho first sing­
ers in Rome. At about six o’clock in tho
evening, Pope Pius VII. repaired to the Basilica
of St. Peter with his ordinary retinue : ho was
there received by all tho Sacred College : after
having adored the Blessed Sacrament, the holy
father went and prostrated himself before tho
picture of the Blessed Alphonso, attended by
all the cardinals ; when his prayer was ended,
the postulator of tho cause presented him with
a Life of tho beatified, as well as all tho mem­
bers of the Sacred College and of tho ponti­
fical household. Thus terminated this glorious
ceremony, which was only as a proludo to those
still greater honours which were in store for
this servant of God.

CHAPTER LI.

Gon, who willed that Ilis servant should be
still more highly exalted, was not long in man­
ifesting Ilis will both through the fresh mira­
cles worked through Alphonso, and also by the
numerous and illustrious solicitations which were
addressed to tho court of Rome. Tho aim of
these requests was the continuation of the pro­
cess of the canonization of the servant of God ;
they were assented to by tho Sacred Congre­
gation of Rites, and on the 28th of February,
1818, the Holy Father Pius VII. signed tho de­
cree which introduced tho cause of the beatified
for canonization.
During this time his Holiness Leo XII. suc­
ceeded to Pius VII. of glorious memory, and
our most Reverend Father D. Joseph Maria
Mantone, tho procurator-general of our Congre­
gation of tho Most Holy Redeemer, who had
become postulator of tho cause, in the room
of our deceased Father do Vincent Andrew Giattini, obtained from the Sovereign Pontiff on
the Gth of December, 1825, the needful letters
to cause tho requisito apostolic inquiries to bo
made on tho new miracles ; after they were fin­
ished and sent to Rome, his Holiness in a de­
cree dated tho 16th of June, 1827, substituted
Cardinal Odescalchi as reporter of tho cause, in

304

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

tho room of the deceased Cardinal Caraccioli.
*
On tho 22nd of September of tho same year,
the Congregation of Rites declared that they
verified the validity of this process, and tho Popo
confirmed this judgment on tho 26th of tho
same month.
They then passed on to tho triple examina­
tion of the two miracles which had been se­
lected for that purpose amongst a great many
others, and for this end the first anti-prepara­
tory congregation was held on tho 19th of Au­
gust, 1828, in tho palace of Cardinal Odescalchi,
tho reporter of tho cause.
The second congregation called the prepara­
tory one, took place on the 7th of July, 1829,
in tho Quirinal palace under tho pontificate of
Pius VIII., and on the 23rd of September, 1829,
tho new miracles were approved in the general

* This pious prelate, who was a model of humility and abne­
gation, was born at Rome, on the 5th of March, 17SG, of that
princely family which gave the now venerable Innocent XI. to
the Church. From the year 1814, when the Holy Father Fius VII.
re-established, the Company of Jesus, Mgr. Odescalchi, although
then a prelate, took steps to obtain permission to retire into the
noviciate of this order. lie was raised to the dignity of cardinal
in 1823, and after that to the archbishopric of Ferrara. lie was
recalled to Rome by Leo XII., who honoured him with his con­
fidence. He was invested with all the highest dignities when his
Holiness Gregory XVI. yielded to bis pressing solicitations, and
allowed him to resign his cardinalship and his ecclesiastical du­
ties, and to enter into the Society of Jesus. Cardinal Odescalchi
then left Rome for Modena, and went to the college of the Je­
suits, where he laid aside the purple as soon as he heard the
result of the consistory of the 30th of November, 1838. On the
following night he set out for Verona, and after he had gone
through his noviciate he returned to Modena, where he died on
the 17th of August, 1841.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

I

305

congregation of cardinals, prelates, and consul­
tors. His Holiness confirmed this judicial do­
claration by his solemn decree of th e 3rd of
December, 1829, which was published on the
feast of St. Francis Xavier, in the church of
the Jesuit fathers. The following are the two
miracles which were approved.
Twenty days after the solemn beatification,
Peter Canuti, a lay-brother of the Order of
Camuldoles, obtained tho instantaneous cure of
a deep and mortal wound, through touching a
picture of the Blessed Alphonso.
A year after this, Antonia Furzia de Cantazaro fell from the top of a flight of stairs, under
the weight of a sack of corn, and fractured her
leg. Tho violence of the fall gave her whole
body such a shock that she could no longer take
nourishment, and suffered from frequent vomit­
ings.
Shortly afterwards inflammation came
on, so that her death seemed inevitable, when
St. Alphonso appeared to her in resplendent
glory, and clad in his pontifical attire ; he bless­
ed her, and at the same instant she was cured,
gave suck to her little girl, and ate with good
appetite.
Tho only thing remaining to be done was to
examine whether tho proceedings in regard to
the canonization of the beatified could bo safely
continued after this approbation.
A general
assembly was held to this effect on tho 20th of
April, 1830, and tho advocate D. Hyacinth Amici,
who had commenced tho cause of our blessed
father, having been hoard, it was unanimously
on

vol. V.

306

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

declared, “ that tho canonization could bo ef­
fected,”
Finally, on tho 16th of May, 1830, tho Sove­
reign Pontiff Pius VIII. of happy memory, pub­
lished tho following decree :

“ Amongst tho labourers whom our heavenly
Father ceases not to send to cultivate His vine­
yard, was the Blessed Alphonso Maria Liguori,
He laboured much for tho instruction of tho
pooplo by his writings and by his discourses,
lie quitted tho tumult of tho world at an early
ago, and founded tho Congregation of tho Holy
Redeemer ; after this time ho became a bishop
and an excellent pastor, and practised virtue in
a heroic degree. Those virtues and tho mira­
cles which woro added to them aftor his death,
and which woro as a testimony from God, have
caused him to bo placed on tho altars.
“But since his beatification frosh miracles have
taken place through his intercession, whereby
tho Sovereign Dispenser of all good has shown
that the glorious Pontiff ought to bo exalted
still higher, and that ho ought to receive tho
name and tho honours of a saint. Amongst
these fresh miracles, two in particular have boon
examined with special care, and our most Holy
Father, Pius VIII., has approved thorn by a
decree of tho 3rd of tho nones of December,
1829.
“However, as it is an ancient custom that there
should bo a general meeting of the Congregation
of Rites, to examino whether after tho appro-

ALPHONSO LIGUORI,

307

bation of tho two miracles which have taken
place since tho beatification, tho solemn canoni­
zation can bo proceeded with in safety ; tho car­
dinals and other members of the congregation
met together, on the 12th of tho calends of
May in this year, in the Quirinal, in tho presence
of his Holiness, and there they all declared unani­
mously ‘ that tho canonization might bo pro­
ceeded Avith in safety.’
“Tho Holy Father was of tho samo opinion,
but before ho confirmed tho wishes of tho consuitors, his Holiness exhorted them all to address
their prayers to heaven in order that ho might
bo enlightened by God in this sentence ho was
to pronounce. He resolved to express his opinion
at that season when our Redeemer after having
vanquished death and hell appeared to His dis­
ciples and ordered thorn to teach all nations,
for this was a precept which tho Blessed Alphon­
so had fulfilled throughout his life. On tho fifth
Sunday after blaster, therefore, after having
celebrated tho holy sacrifice and summoned
Cardinals Joseph Albani, tho secretary of tho
state, and pro-prefect of tho Congregation of
Rites ; Charles Odescalchi, reporter of tho cause ;
and Virgil Poscotolli, tho promoter of tho faith,
and tho undersigned secretary to tho Quirinal,
his Holiness pronouncod, ‘that tho solemn can­
onization of tho Blessed Alphonso Maria do Lig­
uori could bo safely effected. ’
“His Holiness ordered this decree to bo pub­
lished and preserved among tho acts of tho Con­
gregation of Rites, and that tho apostolical let-

.1

308

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

tors should bo prepared for tho canonization,
which will bo celebrated in its duo time in the
basilica of the Vatican.
“Tho 17th of the calends of June, (IGth May,)
1830.
“ Signed : J. Card. Albani,
“J. C. Fatati,
“ Secretary of the Congregation of Rites.”*

It was whilst proposing fresh intercessors
with God for the worship of tho faithful, that
Pius VIII. obtained a relief from tho sorrows
which tho enemies of tho Church brought upon
him. Tho storm which ho had predicted in his
encyclical soon burst forth throughout all Eu­
rope, and as it was some time ero peace was
restored after thisj calamity, a stop was put to
tho solemnisation of tho feast which was so ar­
dently desired. The Pontiff died some months
afterwards, when his Holiness Gregory XVI. suc­
ceeded him on tho 2nd of February of tho follow­
ing year of 1831. It was under his glorious pon­
tificate that the favourable decree received its
entire fulfilment. To the political reasons which
still subsisted and acted as hindrances to tho
canonization was added tho outlay which is en­
tailed by the magnificent ceremonies which must
always accompany the canonization of tho saints,
but divers subscriptions were set on foot to meet
tho expenses of the fete of tho blessed who wcro
* I he original of this document and of the other decrees will be
found in the work cited in the preceding chapter.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

309

to bo canonized together, and at length the 22nd
of May, 1839, was selected as tho day for the
canonization of those servants of God, Alphonso
Maria do Liguori, Francis of Jerome, of the
Company of Jesus, John Joseph of the Cross,
of the reform of St. Peter of Alcantara, Pacificus
of San Severino, a Reformed Minor, and Ver­
onica Juliana, a Capuchiness.
Romo was filled with strangers who wished
to assist at this great fête for several weeks
before tho solemnity. Tho Holy Father invited
all tho bishops of Italy to be present, and
about a hundred members of tho Congregation
of tho Most Holy Redeemer repaired to Rome
from Italy, Germany, and Belgium, to bo pre­
sent at the triumph of their father. The de­
corations for tho church of St. Peter, where
the solemnity was to tako place, occupied se­
veral thousands of people. At length, on the
25th of May, tho evo of the canonization of
Alphonso, tho cannons of tho castle of St. An­
gelo, and tho peal of all tho bells in Rome
announced tho approach of the much-longed-for
day. At midnight tho trumpets of tho guards
and of tho sonato resounded through tho town,
music was heard in all directions, and at four
o’clock in the morning a hundred cannons wore
fired in honour of this great festal day.
The innumerable crowd which had assembled
in Romo from all parts of Christendom, then
wended their way towards tho magnificent square
before tho church ot St. Petor.
Tho columns of the gallery which surrounds

14 a

310

ο

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

it wore ornamented with rich hangings, with
draperies and flowers, and the grenadiers and
all the guards of Rome wore ranged all around
in full uniform.
At six o’clock tho most imposing procession
which can bo imagined commenced towards the
Vatican. Tho orphans went first, followed by
the schools of tho Noblo Children, then camo
tho mendicant orders, tho Franciscan, the Ca­
puchins, &c., with their respective banners:
they wore followed by tho other religious or­
ders, by the Augustinos, tho Servitos, and many
others, and after them were tho seminarists,
tho vicars and priests of Romo with their
white stoles on. They were followed by tho
chapters, tho numerous collegiate establishments
with their crosses and banners, by several civil
officers, and by tho members of the Congrega­
tion of Rites, which is composed of both secular
and regular priests.
Then were to bo seen a multitudo of people
with lighted torches in their hands, and who
were folio wed by tho banners of tho five now
saints. Tho cords of those banners wore held
by tho surviving relatives of tho saints, and
by tho members of their respective orders. At
St. Alphonso’s banner were to bo seen one of
his nephews and several of his grand-nephews,
tho first a general and tho others officers in the
service of tho king of Naples.
lhe members of the procession wore then
divided into two parts, and were ranged on
each side of the placo of St. Peter; after

ST. ALPHONSO LIGI Olli.

which the Holy Father entoned the hymn Ave
Maris Stella in the Sixtino Chapel to implore
the assistance of the Blessed Virgin in this
solemn action, lie then ascended his throne,
When his Holiness quitted the palace, all the
bells resounded, the roll of drums was heard,
and the most magnificent harmony was echoed
on all sides.
Those who accompanied the Sovereign Pontiff from tho Sixtine Chapel to St. Peter’s went
in the following order : the Pope’s heralds went
first, then camo tho Sovereign Pontiff’s court,
accompanied by the singers of the Papal chapel,
who were followed by tho assembly of those
connected with the pontifical office, the dea­
cons, sub-deacons, and acolytes, and by the con­
fessors established at St. Peter’s for all nations,
all vested in white. They were followed by an
imposing assembly of more than a hundred
bishops, abbots, and cardinals, who were at
Romo at tho time. The mitred abbots walked
first, then came the bishops and the cardi­
nals vested in their pontifical attire. Tho pre­
fect of Rome, and the principal civil officers
followed tho cardinals, and immediately before
tho Holy Father walked tho three most ancient
cardinals who were to assist at tho pontifical
office, vested as deacons, followed by the bril­
liant suito of the throno. At length appeared
the throno of tho Holy Father, whoso profound
recollection during this great solemnity, (as in
all others,) forcibly struck all who behold him.
lie had on a white cope, with a cross at his

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st. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

breast. Ho wore a niitro ; in his left-hand ho
held a lighted candle, and with his right ho bless­
ed tho crowd who knelt before him. A canopy
of cloth of gold was held above him, and tho
Holy Father was surrounded by tho principal
personages of his court. Tho generals of tho
different orders walked behind him.
But before describing the canonization as it
took place at St. Peter’s, wo will say a few words
as to tho decorations of this vast basilica, in
order that some idea, although it can bo but a
very imperfect one, may bo formed of tho mag­
nificence of the decorations of this the most
beautiful temple of the universe on this occa­
sion.
Above the principal door was a superb pic·
turc representing the five now saints, St. Alphouso Maria Liguori, St. Francis Jerome, St.
John Joseph of tho Cross, St. Pacificus of San
Severino, and St. Veronica of Juliana, trans­
ported into heaven by angels, and above this pic­
ture there was a Latin inscription relating to tho
feast. Similar inscriptions wore to bo seen over
each of tho doors of the vestibule at the entrance
of tho church. It is impossible to describe tho
beauty of the decorations of the interior of the
church. Tho walls were hung with rod silk
enriched with gold. Between tho naves were
canopies of different colours.
Tho throne of the Holy Father was raised on
eight columns behind the altar, and covered with
red velvet, between each of which were placed
pictures representing divers incidents in the lives

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

313

of the new saints. The throne was surrounded
by a tribune, which was also covered with red vel­
vet, in which were tho kings of Naples and of
Bavaria, Don Miguel of Portugal, and the queen
of Sardinia, as well as tho foreign ambassadors.
The hangings prevented the light of day from
penetrating through the windows of the church,
so that the effect of tho illumination might not
bo interfered with, A hundred and ton golden
lustres were suspended in the side naves, and
forty magnificent chandeliers were suspended
from tho roof ; thirty candolabras were placed
before the pictures, and a hundred more lustres
were distributed through the church, so that
more than four thousand candles were lighted in
this august temple.
As soon as the Holy Father arrived at the
church, he went into the chapel where the Bless­
II
ed Sacrament
was, that ho might adore it. He
was then carried to the throno behind tho altar,
where he received tho homage of tho principal
clergy. After tho cardinals, bishops, and abbots had taken their respective places, the
master of the ceremonies conducted to tlio
throne of the Pope the cardinal who was to GU­
treat him to grant the canonization in tho name
of all Christendom. The cardinal made a rever­
ence, while his advocate who accompanied him
made tho following petition to tho Sovereign
Pontiff on his knoes : “Most Holy Father! the
most eminent cardinal here present, earnestly
beseeches your Holiness to permit the Blessed
Alphonso, &c. to be numbered amonsrst the

h

314

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

saints of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to deign
to declaro that they shall be honoured as such
by all faithful Christians.”
Tho Popo’s secretary replied in his name, that
his Holiness wished fervent prayers to be ad­
dressed to God in a case of such importance,
and that tho intercession of the Most Holy Mo­
ther of God, that of tho holy Apostles Peter
and Paul, and all tho other saints, should be im­
plored, in order that all might be done accord
*
ing to the holy will of God.
After this reply tho cardinal returned to his
place. The Popo descended from his throne,
and knelt whilst the two cantors entoned tho
litanies of tho saints, which were responded to
by all.
After tho litany the Sovereign Pontiff return­
ed to his throne, and tho cardinal came a second
time to tho foot of the throne, when the advocate
repeated his request, adding to tho former these
words, “ The most eminent cardinal here pre­
sent earnestly entreats, and more earnestly than
before, that your Holiness,” &c. Tho Sovereign
Pontiff’s secretary replied to this request, that
his Holiness desired that the inspirations of the
Holy Ghost should be invoked by fresh suppli­
cations to that effect. Tho cardinal and his
advocato once more resumed their places, when
the Popo laid aside his mitre and knelt down,
while the cardinal who was seated on his left
hand exhorted all present to prayer, saying,
“Orate.” Everyone prayed in silence for some
time, after which the Γορο arose, and the cardi-

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

315

nai seated at his right-hand said to all the as­
sistants, “Levato.” Two bishops then advanced
with books and candles, and the Holy Father
knelt down and entoned the Veni Creator, and
ho remained kneeling during tho first stanza,
lie then arose, and stood until tho hymn ended ;
upon which two acolytes approached the throne,
and tho Popo chanted the prayer to tho Holy
Ghost.
After the Sovereign Pontiff resumed his seat
on tho throne, the cardinal and his advocate
came again to his feet to renew their petition a
third time, saying, “ Most Holy Father, the
very eminent cardinal most earnestly entreats
your
Holiness to deign
·/
ο to inscribe among
o tho
saints,” &c. Tho secretary replied, that tho
Holy Father was going to pronounce the defi­
nitive sentence, The whole of the imposing
assemblage then arose while the Holy Father
remained seated with his mitre on, and as
doctor and head of the Catholic Church, pro­
nounced the grand and supremo judgment in
these terms: “In honour of tho Most Holy and
indivisible Trinity, for tho exaltation of tho Ca­
tholic faith and the augmentation of tho piety
of Christians, by the authority of our Lord
Jesus Christ, of the blessed apostles Peter and
Paul, and by our own, wo, after mature reflec­
tion, and tho reiterated invocation of the aid
of God, and after having consulted our venera­
ble brothers the cardinals of tho Roman Church,
tho patriarchs, tho archbishops, and bishops of
this capital, decide and pronounce that the bloss-

31G

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

cd Alphonso, <fcc. aro saints, wo number them
amongst tho saints, and order that their memo­
ry shall bo annually honoured by tho worship
of tho Church on tho day of their birth,
*
name­
ly, that of tho blessed Alphonso, on tho 2nd of
August, <fcc. In the name of tho Father, and
of the Son, and of tho Holy Ghost. Amen.”
After the Holy Father had thus recommended
tho new saints to tho venoration of the whole
Church, he entonod tho Te Dcum, and at tho
same instant was heard tho roar of tho cannons
of tho castle of St. Angelo, all tho bolls of
Home pealed forth, the drums beat, the trum­
pets sounded, and strains of magnificent har­
mony re-echoed throughout the church. All
these marks of triumph which make such a
feeble impression in profane ceremonies, produ­
ced such deep emotion on an occasion like this,
that it required to be felt to be understood.
After tho sentence has been pronounced by tho
Vicar of Jesus Christ, who pronounces those
who have overcome tho world for tho love of
God to bo worthy of glory, ono feels that these
signs of joy and triumph aro not an idle show,
but tho commencement of a worship of praise
and thanksgiving which will last until the con­
summation of ages ; ono even feels that they
aro but faint echoes of tho harmony in heaven,
where Jesus Christ the eternal Pontiff Himself
crowns His saints in another sanctuary which is
not made by the hand of man.
• The Church epeaks thus of the day of their death, which is
in truth that on which their new and blessed life commenced.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

317

After tho hymn of thanksgiving the Sovereign
Pontiff invoked tho newly canonized saints in
tho name of the Church militant, by chanting
the prayer of their office and the Confiteor, in
which their names is added after those of tho
apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, when the Holy
Father gave the benediction.
Thus ended the solemnity of the canonization,
which was immediately followed by a solemn
mass celebrated by tho Holy Father himself.
At tho offertory offerings of candles, bread and
wino, of turtle-doves and other birds, were pre­
sented to the Holy Father according to tho
established usage at canonizations. On seeing
this latter offering presented by tho religious of
tho respective orders of the newly canonized
saints, it was impossible to refrain from think­
ing of tho dove from tho ark which they have
so well imitated, for they have returned to
heaven, and have passed over the earth without
ever attaching themselves to it.
After high mass, tho immense multitudo as­
sembled in tho Piazza before St. Peter’s, to
receive tho pontifical benediction, (urbi et orbi,)
that is to say, to the town and to the world,
which the Holy Father bestows on rare occa­
sions from tho tribuno of the church of St.
Peter. It is well known how touching, how
Catholic, that is to say, how divine a sight it
is to see this innumerable mass of people fall
on their knees as ono man, before the successors
of St. Peter, and how it verifies those words
which were pronounced by the Son of God nine-

318

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

toon centuries ago, “ Thou art Potcr, and on
this rock I will build My Church, and tho
gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Tho
most profound silonco reigned everywhere, so
that tho words of benediction of tho Sovereign
Pontiff were distinctly heard when ho raised his
hands to bless all Christendom, and specially
all tho Christians who wore then assembled to­
gether from all parts of tho world at the feet
of tho common father of tho faithful.
Such was the end of this brilliant ceremony,
which after all was a most feeble representation
of tho triumph of tho saints in heaven. Wero
it possible to add anything to it, or rather,
were it allowable to form any further desire
regarding tho glories of St. Alphonso, it would
be that of seeing him declared doctor by the
head of tho Church. Wo allude to this hope,
as it is not only well-founded by what has been
done by a great number of bishops and prelates
of divers countries, but also because tho holy
founder appears to have fulfilled the necessary
conditions for that purpose. The following are
tho conditions which, according to Benedict XIV.,
tho Church requires for this honourable distinc­
tion, eminent knowledge, groat sanctity, and tho
declaration of the Church. Now who can fail
to perceive that Alphonso had all those quali­
fications necessary for obtaining tho honour of
tho degree of doctor ? Boniface VIII. says,
that eminent learning is proved by combating
heretics victoriously, by clearing up obscure and
doubtful questions, and by setting forth Holy

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

319

Scripturo with clearness. Have not the works
of the servant of God on heresies and against
heretics, all tho pages of his Moral Theology
and his Commentary on tho Psalms, perfectly
fulfilled these conditions? and have not tho So­
vereign Pontiffs themselves several times de­
clared that tho learning and sanctity of this
servant of God wero carried to an eminent
degree ? It only therefore rests with tho vicar
of Jesus Christ to add this now glory to tho
crown of the new Bishop and Confessor Pontiff.

CHAPTER LIL
BULL OF THE CANONIZATION OF ST. ALPHONSO.
GREGORIUS EPISCOPUS,
SERVUS SERVORUM DEI, AD PERPETUAM REI MEMORIAM.

Preface.
§ 1. Sanctity and knowledge, according to
the apostle of tho Gentiles, ought to be the
ornament of bishops, for to them tho salva­
tion of souls is confided, and they ought to
possess both, so that they may set an example
of a perfect life, be sure guides to their flocks
in tho way of salvation, and bo able both to
exhort them according to sound doctrine, and
to convince those who oppose it. M e know that
tho Church has iu all ages possessed excellent
bishops endowed with this double ornament of

320

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

knowledge and sanctity who have been lively
images of the Good Shepherd, who have watched
over their flocks, to whom they were models
of all virtue, with wisdom and anxiety, and who
as burning lights set on a candlestick, were the
glory of the Church of God by their spotless
lives, and the excellency of their doctrine.

On Alphonso's Virtues and Merits in general.

§ 2. In order to revive the admirable exam­
ple which is given by tho life of a holy pre­
late, God granted St. Alphonso Maria de Li­
guori to His Church in the last century. From
his having given himself up from his tenderost
youth to the practice of all Christian virtues,
and especially from his possessing sacred know­
ledge in an eminent degree, ho was called on to
fill tho most important of all charges, viz., that
of tho episcopate, in order that his labours in
tho field of tho Lord, whore he had always
proved a vigilant labourer from tho time ho en­
tered the priesthood, might be from henceforth
still more extended and more productive of tho
fruits of salvation. His zeal for tho glory of
God was too ardent to allow him to confine
its effects within the narrow limits of his life ;
ho therefore left descendants to follow him to
the most distant ages, by instituting a congre­
gation of priests, who by being inflamed with tho
same charity, should consecrato all their labours
and caro to procuring tho salvation of souls. As
the examination of the admirable virtues of Al­
phonso, which has been performed with the

321

usual severity, has clearly shown that they
reached the highest degree of perfection, and as
tho miracles by which God, who is the Author
of all good, has manifested the sanctity of His
servant have been duly recognised and verified ;
by virtue of the apostolical authority which has
been confided to us, notwithstanding our unwor­
thincss, and on the advice of our venerable bro­
thers the cardinals of the holy Roman Church,
and of the patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops
who were present at Romo at that time in great
number, we declare by the present letters and
ordain, that tho honours paid to saints bo ren­
dered to tho Blessed Alphonso de Liguori by the
whole Church, and his intercession with God
be implored for.
On the Birth and Education of the Blessed
Alphonso.

I 3. Alphonso was born at Naples of noble
parents, on tho 5th day of October, 1696. Ho
was endowed with an extraordinary vivacity of
mind, and had scarcely coasod to bo a child cro
ho applied first to tho classics, and then to mat­
ters of science and to tho study of tho law, in
which he had such success that ho was hardly
sixteen ere ho was promoted to tho rank of doc­
tor of canon and civil law, with tho greatest
distinction, and after having gone through tho
usual examinations. Ho entered into tho profes­
sion of a lawyer in deforcnco to tho wishes of
his father, and performed its duties with the
most perfect integrity ; but after having found
21

VOL. V.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

that it was full of troubles and dangers, he felt
it right to loavo it for tho service of tho Church.
For this reason ho despised a very splendid ma­
trimonial alliance, as well as tho fortune which
belonged to him as an eldest son. lie renounc­
ed it of his own free-will and with joy in fa­
vour of his brother, and entirely detached himself
from all care about earthly things.
lie becomes a priest; his love for chastity and his
ardent love for God and charity to his neigh­
bour.

§ 4. Being admitted into holy orders, and in­
vested with the sacerdotal character, he exerted
all his strength in extending the kingdom of God
everywhere, in sowing the seeds of virtue in the
hearts of men, and in uprooting their vices. But
as ho was convinced that no one will ever reap
great fruit from his apostolical labours, if ho
does not commence by perfectly accomplishing
what he teaches, tho principal object of his ex­
ercises was to exhibit in himself all those virtues
which are becoming in a minister of God and
tho dispenser of Ilis mysteries. Ho very faithful­
ly guarded that chastity which ho had for some
time vowed to God, and his thoughts and actions
were all calculated to preserve it from tho slight­
est taint, and in order to succeed in this aim ho
placed it with unbounded confidence under tho
protection of tho Mother of God. Ilis lovo for
God was so ardent that his mind was always
fixed upon Him, and his only delight seemed
to bo in thinking or in speaking of Him. It

ST. ALPHONSO LIQUORI.

323

is easy to understand with what charity a heart
so filled with lovo to God must have been in­
flamed for all mankind. And so it was, he never
declined any fatigue or labour when tho bringing
back to the bosom of God sinners plunged in
vice and laden with crimes were in question.
Ho often visited the hospitals, where ho care­
fully attended tho sick and especially tho dying ;
ho listened with extremo patience to tho con­
fessions of tho greatest sinners during almost
tho whole day, and even during the greatest
part of tho night ; he very often preached tho
word of God to eager crowds of auditors, and
that with so much force and ardour that ho
triumphed over the obstinacy of tho most cor­
rupt. Ho brought to light so clearly tho turpi­
tudo of tho vices in which they had become har­
dened, and excited such lively repentance in the
hearts of those who heard him, that ho affected
them to tears, so that sometimes nothing but
groans and sobs wore to bo hoard in the churches
in which ho preached. As ho exerted all tho
powers of his body and mind, both night and day,
in labouring for tho salvation of his neighbour, ho
became at length weakened and worn out by the
continuity and tho violence of his efforts, and
was seized by a dangerous illness, but as health
was restored to him by a signal favour from
heaven, ho immediately resumed his works of
charity, and with more ardour than ever.

324

I

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

He establishes the Congregation of the Most
Holy Redeemer.
§ 5. As soon as ho know that God had called
him to be tho founder of a now religious con­
gregation, he longed to see workmen multi­
plied for tho groat harvest, and from that time
ho was neither daunted by tho greatness of the
obstacles which were in tho way, nor turned
aside from tho pursuit and tho accomplishment
of an undertaking which was destined to bo of
such use to the Church. Being strong through
the assistance of God, ho heartily undertook the
work, and happily succeeded in frustrating all
the designs of hell, which strove to overthrow
tho now edifice. Ho united with hi self twelve
apostolic men of eminent piety, and laid tho
foundation of tho religious congregation which
received tho name of tho Most Holy Redeemer.
Tie wished that tho chief aim of its members
should bo to labour especially to recall to vir­
tue those whose morals are corrupted and whoso
souls seemed in a lost condition, as well as those
who are the most destituto of spiritual assis­
tance, such as tho poor who aro dispersed about
in country places. As tho congregation spread
through different parts of Italy in a very short
space of time, and in a wonderful manner, he
obtained from our predecessor, Benedict XIV.,
its confirmation by virtue of his apostolical au­
thority, and ho was constituted rector-major by
tho same Pontiff, and tho example of holiness
which he then gave to his subjects led them
also to practise all virtue with zeal and ardour.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

325

JUs humility, his penance, and his ardent love
towards the Blessed Sacrament and the Mo­
ther of God.
g G. Humility was a virtue in which he espe­
cially excelled, and so, although every one had
the highest opinion of his sanctity, and he was
venerated by tho most eminent and exalted men,
yet ho always preserved such a lowly opinion
of himself, that he believed himself to be un­
worthy of all honour and of all consideration.
He had the most tender piety towards tho Bless­
ed Virgin, tho Mother of God, and he loved her
with a truly filial love. liis ardent love and
veneration for tho Blessed Sacrament was such,
that ho passed whole hours in adoration before
it ; whilst his soul was filled with ineffable sweet­
ness, ho desired to bring his body into subjec­
tion to the spirit, after the example of the apos­
tle, and ho constantly treated it as a domestic
enemy, and crucified it by all sorts of torments.
The slender measure of food and drink he took
in order to keep up his strength, appeared scarce­
ly sufficient to preserve life, yet besides this, ho
was in tho habit of seasoning tho coarse food
of which ho partook by very bitter herbs, in
order to deny himself tho slightest sensual gra­
tification. Ho always wore very painful hairshirts, and constantly afflicted his body by iron
chains ; his disciplines were furnished with points,
and he used them with such force that the blood
which they caused him to shod, covered tho
floor and tho walls of his cell, and after their
use ho was obliged to efface tho stains, to pcrvent his self-macerations from being discovered.

32G

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Notwithstanding the fatigues of his apostolical
labours he continues to apply assiduously to
sacred knowledge, and publishes a great many
works for the good of the Church.
$ 7. But what is especially worthy of admi­
ration is, that notwithstanding his constant la­
bours in the apostolical ministry, and tho vigour
with which he chastised and macerated his body,
ho was ablo to apply with so much activity to
sacred studies, to devoto so much time to them,
and to enrich the Church with so many learned
and laborious productions. But in order to con­
secrate himself and his whole life to tho service
of God, ho made tho very difficult, and till then
almost unheard-of vow, never to allow tho least
instant to pass uselessly, and to employ them
all in tho service of God. It was thus that he
wrote so many works, of which some are conse­
crated to tho support of morality ; others to
instruct and perfect tho ministers of the sanc­
tuary ; others to defend the truth of the Catholic
religion and tho rights of the Holy Seo ; and
others, in fine, to awaken piety in tho hearts
of Christians. In them is to be admired the
richness and variety of his attainments, the rare
force with which he puts it forth, and tho strik­
ing proofs of his ardent zeal for religion ; but
what is especially worthy of remark is, that
although he wrote such a vast number of works,
it is nevertheless certain, after the severe scru­
tiny which has been made, that the faithful may
read them all without the least fear of meeting
with the smallest error in them.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

He is raised to the episcopate, and appointed to
the See of St. Agatha by Clement XIIT.

g 8. Whilst Alphonso had thus distinguished
himself by his sanctity and by his learning, ho
was raised to the episcopal see of St. Agatha
of tho Goths by Clement XIII. Tho holy priest
feared the weight of the burthen which it was
wished to impose on him, and made every effort
to bo dispensed from undertaking it; but as
tho Sovereign Pontiff persisted in his design,
Alphonso recognised in his will that of God
Himself; he submitted to it unreservedly, and
full of confidence in the divine assistance, ho
resolved to accept tho charge which his humil­
ity made him feel was beyond his strength.
His eminent virtues in the exercise of his episcopal
functions.
g 9. It is difficult to express how zealously
and solicitously he strove to fulfil all the duties
of tho episcopate, and how ho assiduously watch­
ed over tho flock which had been committed to
him, and did all he could, so that not one of tho
sheep entrusted to his caro should perish, His
new dignity did not cause him in the least to
lessen the austerity of his mode of life ,* he did
not permit anything in his clothes or food that
partook of sumptuousness. There was nothing
superfluous or luxurious in his episcopal palace
or in its furniture. Ilis love for the poor was
extreme ; he distributed provisions, clothes, and
alms to them with profusion, and ho even sold his

328

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

cross and his episcopal ring to have something
to give them to relievo their distress. lie was
in tho habit of giving dowries to young persons
who had not enough to settle upon, and of pay­
ing the expenses of tho education of young clerics
who had no fortune. lie opened convents for
virgins who desired to consecrate themselves to
God, and also other houses of refuge which were
a shelter for women in danger of losing their
innocence. In his pastoral visitations he never
was held back by difficulties as to roads, nor
by the inclemency of the weather. He anx­
iously visited tho little towns situated on tho
top of the mountains, as well as tho people who
were dispersed through the country, and by his
words, which burned with charity, he incited
them to love virtue, and turned them aside from
vice, of which ho led them to feel horror. But
he took special pains with priests and young
men preparing for tho sacred ministry. What
efforts did ho not make in leading them to grow
in piety from their early youth, and that they
might also render themselves, (especially through
the acquisition of sacred knowledge,) fit instru­
ments for the ministry of the altar, and for the
guidance of souls. But in truth their greatest
incentivo to virtue was derived from tho life of
their saintly pastor, which presented to them
such striking instances of continency, of religion,
of piety, and of all those virtues which should
adorn and shine forth in a priest, if he would
bo of use to the Church of God.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

329

lie resigns his bishopric, and retires into his con­
gregation, and amongst his brothers.
I 10. After having for thirteen years given
an example of solicitude and pastoral vigilance
in tho government of tho church which had been
confided to his care, as he was laden with
years and infirmities, he several times solicited
Pius VI., our predecessor, to allow him to re­
sign tho heavy burthen of the episcopate, and
at length he obtained permission so to do. But
he did not retire into tho bosom of his brothers
and congregation to enjoy repose, but to devote
himself to fresh cares and fresh labours, and ho
continued to do this until ho reached a most
advanced age. He also was continually com­
posing works which ho foresaw would bo useful
to tho faithful, and in preaching the word of
God so as to reform tho morals of men, as far
as lay in his power, and to lead them to vir­
tue.
Being laden with years and merits, he dies in the
peace of Christ.
J 11. When lie had reached his ninety-first
year, and when laden with the weight of age
and ready to finish his course, ho fell grievously
ill. Ho suffered all tho excruciating pains of his
last and most severo illness with incredible pa­
tience, and after having most forcibly exhorted
tho members of tho religious congregation of
which ho was tho father, to strive after zeal
and perfection in all virtue, ho received tho Holy
Viaticum and Extreme Unction with the most

H

i

·* * "* ’ * * w T

330

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

lively piety, after which his soul, which was filled
with joy and gladness, whoso greatest desire had
ever been to bo delivered from tho prison of tho
body, in order to bo with Christ, loft tho taber­
nacle of tho body, and in perfect peace fled into
tho bosom of its God.
His reputation for sanctity is increased by the
miracles he wrought. An account of his virtues
and of his miracles.
J 12. As soon as it became generally known
that Alphonso was dead, an immense concourse
of the faithful, who were grieved at tho loss of
one so dear to them, and for whom they had so
much veneration and devotion, flocked to seo his
remains, and each of them strove to possess them­
selves of something which had been used by him
during his life ; and tho almighty and good God
manifested tho exceeding sanctity of His servant
to them all by tho greatness of his miracles.
As their famo spread abroad tho high reputa­
tion his virtues had won for him for a long timo
became extraordinarily increased, and several
princes and other persons of high dignity, as
well as a considerable number of religious orders,
earnestly besought tho Sovereign Pontiff Pius VI.
to decree that judicial proceedings should bo
commenced regarding the saintly life of Alphonso.
Tho process was gone through with tho usual
severity, and after the most detailed and most
careful examination of tho works he had pub­
lished, our predecessor, Pius VII., after hearing
the opinion of tho Sacred Congregation of Rites,

ST, ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

331

stated in a decree of tho nones of May, 1807,
that it was certain that the venerable Alphonso
Maria Liguori had practised in a heroic degree
tho theological and cardinal virtues, together
with all which depend on and spring from them.

Two miracles amongst others which were recog­
nised by the Holy See for his Beatification.

§ 13. After this they proceeded in the said
Sacred Congregation to tho examination of the
miracles which were said to have been wrought
by the power of Almighty God at the interces­
sion of tho venerable Alphonso. Amongst this
number, there wore two in particular of the
second class, which were recognised as very
certain and incontestible : tho first was the in­
stantaneous cure of Magdaleno of Nuncio, who
was at tho point of death through an ulcer
which had begun to mortify, and which had re­
quired tho amputation of a great part of her
breast, but she implored the assistance of Alphon­
so, and to the great astonishment of all she not
only arose perfectly healed, but her breast be­
came quito whole again. Tho other was tho
equally instantaneous cure of Francis d’ Octajano, of the order of tho Reformed Minors of St.
Francis, who was in the last stage of consump­
tion and weakness, and for whoso recovery there
seemed therefore no cause for hope. After ho
had prayed to tho venerable Alphonso for several
days, ho was at onco cured, and not a trace of
his former malady remained behind. However,
our predecessor, Pius VII. of holy memory, still

332

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

abstained from pronouncing any decision in such
it
a serious matter
in order to obtain more abun­
dant lights from God, by ardent and continued
prayer. At length, that is to say, on the 16th
of tho calends of October, 1815, the day of our
Lady of Dolours, for whom Alphonso had always
had so much piety and love during life, the same
Pontiff gave his judgment, and issued tho decree
wherein he recognised tho authenticity of tho
two miracles just related. After having once
more heard tho opinion of tho Sacred Congre­
gation, ho on tho 12th of tho calends of January,
1815, issued tho decree wherein ho ordained tho
beatification of tho venerable Alphonso, which
was celebrated with the greatest splendour in
tho church of the Vatican on tho 16th of tho
calends of September, 1816.
Miracles declared authentic hy the Holy See and
approved for the canonization of Alphonso.
§ 14. But after the beatification, many amongst
the faithful experienced the miraculous effects
which were granted to his prayers, and it was
clearly soon that the Divine Goodness desired
to confer still greater glory on the saintly bishop,
who on his part had embraced so many labours
and pains to increase tho glory of God. Being
struck with tho greatness of these now miracles,
Ferdinand I. King of tho two Sicilies, several
other princes, and many cardinals, archbishops,
bishops, and other religious, and especially tho
Congregation of tho Most Holy Redeemer, which
justly glories in having Alphonso as its founder,

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUOIU.

333

earnestly entreated Pius VII. to order that the
Sacred Congregation of Rites should commence
tho process of the canonization of the Blessed
Alphonso. These entreaties were most kindly
received by tho Sovereign Pontiff our predeces­
sor. Tho authenticity of tho new miracles was
most carefully inquired into, and after a long
deliberation, two were recognised, of whose truth
there could bo no doubt, namely, the sudden
and perfect cure of Antoinette Tarsia, who was
mortally injured by a fall from a very eleva­
ted place under the weight of a very heavy bur­
then, and who was afflicted with such serious
internal injuries and bruises in consequence, that
she was at tho point of death, but after having
earnestly invoked tho aid of tho Blessed Alphon­
so, she suddenly got up, and was restored to
health, to the extremo astonishment of all pre­
sent. The other was tho equally sudden cure
of a professed lay-brother, Peter Canalis, of tho
Congregation of the Camaldolcs : ho suffered
most severely from a deep hard and mortified
ulcer, and as all remedies only irritated it more
and more, ho had lost all hope of recovery, and
expected death at every instant ; but after hav­
ing implored tho Blessed Alphonso for several
days, to deliver him from tho inevitable death
which seemed to menace him, his desires were
accomplished, and ho instantly recovered his
health without there being tho least trace of
the ulcer remaining.

’334

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

The secret, public, and semi-public consistories
which took place before his canonization.

i 15. The truly wonderful cures wo have just
cited having been judicially confirmed, our prede­
cessor Pius VIII. acknowledged their truth by his
decree of tho 3rd of the nones of December, 1829.
It was afterwards discussed according to the cus­
tom of tho Sacred Congregation of Rites, whe­
ther the solemn canonization of tho blessed Al­
phonso could be proceeded with in safety, and
if none of tho conditions that the holy and apos­
tolical See requires were absent, and tho same
Sovereign Pontiff Pius VIII. on tho fifth Sun­
day after Easter, after having celebrated the
holy sacrifice in the chapel of tho palace of tho
Quirinal, declared on tho 17th of tho calends
of Juno, 1830, that tho canonization of the bless­
ed Alphonso might bo proceeded with in safety.
Being desirous to put this decree into execution,
and willingly responding to tho wishes of tho
Congregation of tho Most Holy Redeemer, we
previously conferred with our venerable bro­
thers tho cardinals of the holy Roman Church,
who in the secret consistory of the 4th of tho
Ides of December, 1830, were unanimously of
opinion, that tho honours paid to the saints
should bo conferred on tho Blessed Alphonso
Maria Liguori. We afterwards laid this impor­
tant question before a great number of our ven­
erable brothers, the archbishops and bishops,
submitted to their united judgment tho acts,
the virtues, and tho miracles of the blessed Al­
phonso, which we did by word of mouth, in the

ST. ALPHONSO LIGÜORT.

335

public consistory in tho first place, when our
dear son, Anthony Maria Cagiano d’Azevedo, tho
advocate of our consistorial court, defended tho
cause of the beatified, and afterwards we in wri­
ting communicated a copy of the authentic
acts of tho Sacred Congregation. After that
■wo covoked before us at the semi-public consis­
tory, on the 8th of the Ides of May, not only
our venerable brothers the cardinals of the holy
Roman Church, but also our venerable brothers
tho patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops who
were then in Rome, and demanded if they were
of opinion that the honours of the saints should
bo conferred on Alphonso ? As they with one
voice replied in the affirmative, and even mani­
fested tho most lively wish to see these honours
rendered to the Blessed Alphonso, wo ordered
that our dear sons, the notaries of tho holy apos­
tolical Sec, should make a public instrument of
this their verdict, and that the suffrages of our
venerable brothers, after being put in writing,
and signed by themselves, should bo preserved
in tho archives of the Roman Church. How­
ever, we thought it right still to defer pronounc­
ing tho definitivo sentence, and wo fixed on
days for solemn fasts, and pointed out several
churches where tho faithful might offer up their
prayers to God, in order to obtain from the
Father of light tho abundance of tho assistance
of Ilis heavenly grace.

F

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336

ST. ALPHONSO LIQUOHI.

/fis Canonization is solemnly celebrated on the
Feast of the Most Holy Trinity in the Basilica
of the Vatican.

16. Tho 7 th day of tho calends of June hav­
ing been at length fixed on for that of tho so­
lemn canonization of tho Blessed Alphonso, and
also for that of tho Blessed Francis Jerome,
of tho Society of Jesus, John Joseph of tho
Cross, of tho order of the Discalceatod Minims
of St. Peter of Alcantara, Pacificus of St.
Severino, of the order of tho Brothers of tho
Reformed Minors of the Observance, and Vero­
nica Juliana, abbess of the Capuchinesses, wo
repaired to the Basilica of tho Vatican with so­
lemnity, accompanied by all the regular and
secular clergy, by the dignitaries and officers of
our palace and of our court, and by our venerable
brothers tho cardinals of tho Roman Church, the
patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops. Before as­
cending the altar to celebrato the holy mys­
teries, we again received from our dear son
Aloysius Lambruschini, cardinal-priest of the titlo
of St. Callistus, by tho advocato of our consis­
torial court, the prayers of the Christian prin­
ces, bishops, and people, that tho Blessed Al­
phonso should be placed in tho number of tho
saints, and wo prostrated ourselves in order
to pray tho choirs of angels and all tho court
of heaven to aid us by their suffrages ; wo af­
terwards repeated those prayers with still more
earnestness, and ardently invoked tho aid of
the Holy Spirit to strengthen us by Ilis Divine
power, when we should bo called on to pro-

337

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

nounco the final decision.
Finally, as the
same petition having been presented to us for the
third time, and with still greater earnestness by
tho postulator of tho cause, and in considera­
tion of tho desires of tho universal Church, of
tho very rigid examination which had been
made use of in such an important matter, and
of the suffrages given by so many holy pre­
lates who had been aided by God, wo by
virtue of tho apostolical authority, which, not­
withstanding our unworthiness, has been given
to us as a successor of St. Peter, tho prince
of the apostles as regards the supreme govern­
ment of the Church, to the honour of tho holy
and indivisible Trinity, for the exaltation of tho
Catholic faith and for the glory of religion, have
delivered our solemn and definitive sentence, and
placed tho Blessed Alphonso Maria Liguori, so
distinguished for tho lustre of his Christian
virtues and tho splendour of his miracles, among
the number of the holy confessors and bishops ;
and wo havo ordered that his memory bo cele­
brated on tho 4th of tho nones of August by
tho universal Church. Wo afterwards granted
an indulgence of seven years and seven quaran­
tines to those who shall visit tho tomb of St.
Alphonso on this day, and on tho days allotted
for visiting the bodies of tho other saints.

Public Indulgences granted on occasion of his
Canonization.

g 17. Wo then offered up to God tho Imma­
culate Lamb, on the altar of tho basilica of
22

vol· v.

.r»

338

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

tho Vatican. Finally, from the height of the
upper balcony of this same basilica, we affection­
ately gave tho assembled multitude our solemn
benediction, granting in tho name of God a ple­
nary indulgence to tho faithful who had been
present, as well as to those who had assisted
at tho ceremony of the canonization.
*
Λ

The faithful are excited to virtue by the great
example given by St. Alphonso.

§ 18. It therefore befits us well to give up our
hearts to sentiments of rejoicing, and that wo
render worthy thanksgivings to Almighty God,
who does not cease to give His Church fresh
* Besides this special indulgence for the canonization, the holy
father granted the following in perpetuity:
“Amongst those bright lights which have been the ornaments
of the Catholic Church, St. Alphonso Maria Liguori shines forth
pre-eminently. He was always most distinguished for his doc­
trine and for his sanctity, for the ardent zeal which inflamed him,
for the manner in which he practised all virtue to an admirable
degree, as well as for his numerous writings, which are so full
of the greatest knowledge and the greatest piety, and whose only
effort through life was to procure the glory of God and the sal­
vation of his brethren, and who is now, after having led a most
holy life, in the enjoyment of the crown and palm of immortal
glory, and triumphing with God in heaven. In order therefore
to increase the piety and devotion of the faithful towards this
great saint more and more, we have most willingly consented to
unlock the divine treasures of Holy Church. For this cause, we
have yielded to the request of our dear son John Camillus Ripoli,
the rector-major, as we are assured, of the Congregation of
the Most Holy Redeemer founded by this saint, and trusting
in the mercy of Almighty God, and in reliance on the power
of His holy apostles, Peter and Paul, we grant to each and all
the faithful of Jesus Christ, of both sexes, who being truly contrite,
shall, after having confessed and communicated, devoutly visit
one ot the churches of tho said Congregation of the Most Holy
Redeemer, on the feast of the said St. Alphonso Maria Liguori,

339

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

instances of virtue, to excite us to walk with
more ardour in tho way of salvation. There"
fore, encompassed as we are by so many perils,
and assailed by our infuriated enemies on all
sides, let us pray St. Alphonso to bo our inter­
cessor with God, in order that wo may by the
divine assistance ono day obtain tho palm of
victory prepared for those who conquer, and that
crown of heavenly glory which fadeth not
away.

Authorisation of the copies.
g 19. In order that time may never obliterate
tho memory of so happy an event, wo have con­
signed it to perpetuity by this present, and con­
firmed it by these apostolical letters, ordaining
that copies shall be taken, bearing the signa­
ture of a public notary, and the seal of some
from the time of the first vespers, or on any one of the seven
days following, (the day being at the choice of each person,) a
plenary indulgence and remission of all sin once every year, which
shall be applicable to the souls in purgatory; provided they pray
for unity amongst Christian princes, for the extirpation of heresy,
and the exaltation of their Mother the Holy Church. The pre­
sent concession is made in perpetuity, notwithstanding all obsta­
cles.
“ Given at St. Peter’s at Rome, under the seal of the fisherman,
on the 10th of January, 1810, in the ninth year of our pontificate.
“ A. Lambrcsciiini.

“ This is a faithful copy of the original.
“John Camillus Ripoli,

“ Rector-major of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
“ We have seen it, and allow it to be published.
Liege, on the 7th of April, 1840.

Given at

“ Cornelius,

“ Bishop of Liege.
By the order of E. Breman, Secretary.”

340

341

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

dignitary in tho Church, and that such copies
shall bo of equal authority as these present let­
ters themselves.

tho faith, raised up to make the cause of God
triumph against the attacks of the most eloquent
impiety, by the simplicity of the evangelical
word ; and not content with his own success in
order that he might oppose a vigilant legion of
sacred militia to the proselytes of error, he in­
stituted the congregation of priests of the Most
Sacred Redeemer, who were destined to preach
with tho samo simplicity as ho himself did, and
by this means to lead those who were wander­
ing in error, and whoso hearts were evil, to
tread in the neglected paths of truth and of
grace. His great zeal, tho noble sacrifice he
made of all human greatness, his numerous la­
bours, the charitable solicitude he showed to­
wards his flock at St. Agatha, and tho works
he published for the good of souls and tho glory
of God, caused him to merit from tho Supreme
Giver of all good that rare gift of miracles, of
which he made such frequent use in providing
for tho necessities of the Neapolitans, and for
those of his fellow-citizens.
Is there therefore cause for astonishment that
tho decree which issued from tho Vatican, so­
lemnly declaring and publishing the sanctity of
tho servant of God, was gratefully welcome to
tho hearts of tho inhabitants of this kingdom,
and specially to those of this capital, which was
his natal place and tho scene of his charity?
From hence therefore arose tho lively desire
which tho inhabitants of Naples entertained of
testifying their deep satisfaction on this occa­
sion, and of numbering this new hero, who had

Penal Sanction.

% 20. Let no ono therefore have tho temerity
to contradict nor to gainsay tho judgment hero
notified, and should any ono have tho presump­
tion to endeavour to do so, let him know that
he will incur the indignation of Almighty God,
and that of the Blessed Apostles, St. Peter and
St. Paul.
Given at St. Peter’s at Romo, in tho year of
tho Incarnation of our Lord, 1839, on tho 7th
of tho calends of June, in tho ninth year of our
pontificate.

CHAPTER LIU.
Eternal Providence orders all things in a
wonderful manner, so as to confound tho pride
of man, and always provides a remedy for every
disease ; and when error and vice have become
excessive, God is able to cast them down by
methods which appear to bo powerless. It was
to tho sling of tho Irumblo David, that tho over­
throw of the proud Goliah was reserved. And
so in like manner that humble servant of God,
Alphonso Maria Liguori, appeared in tho eigh­
teenth century as an invincible champion of

342

st. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

arisen from amongst them, as ono of their saintly
patrons.
This two-fold wish coincided completely with
that of tho reverend fathers of his congregation,
and they were most laudably solicitous to do
II
all they could to facilitate its accomplishment.
They wero seconded by tho pious liberality of
his Majesty tho king of tho Two Sicilies, and by
tho zeal of his confessor, Mgr. Celestine Coda,
tho archbishop of Patras, and tho superior-gen­
eral of tho same congregation, whoso elevation
has not prevented his always remaining with
his brothers, and who spared nothing which could
contributo to tho glory of their common father
and founder’ in this conjuncture. Tho most in­
teresting of tho works which ho undertook in
order to honour tho feast of tho saint, was tho
assistance ho afforded to tho orphans of tho vic­
II
tims
of the cholera, whom ho collected together
in throo different asylums by tho assistance of
Divino Providence.
Tho Congregation of tho Most Holy Redeemer
presented a request to tho municipal body of this
town on tho 25th of June, 1839, to solicit that
St. Alphonso do Liguori might be declared patron
of tho said city, grounding tho petition on the
miracles wrought through his intercession in fa­
vour of tho inhabitants, and offering a silver
statuo containing a relic of tho saint. On tho
4th of tho following month the authorities ac­
cepted tho offer, and granted what had boon
asked for, in conformity to tho deliberations
which had previously taken place. Tho matter

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

313

received the sanction of the sovereign with the
consent of tho ecclesiastical authorities, and tho
syndic was authorised to make the needful ar­
rangements.
In consequence of this the artist of Crescence
made the model of the promised statue, first in
clay and then in plaster, according to the de­
sign of Anthony Niccolini ; and then the famous
Januarius Rossi modelled and chiselled with his
own hands that remarkable production, which
may bo shown with pride, and of which it may
bo said without exaggeration, that although the
material is so costly, it is inferior to tho value
of tho workmanship. After that, according to
tho decrees of tho Sacred Congregation of Rites,
it was decided that a fête should take place in
tho church of tho Congregation of St. Anthony,
(at Tarsia,) as well as a solemn procession in
honour of the saint and of his image. It was
decreed that tho first ceremonies should bo gone
through on tho 15th instant of tho month of Au­
gust, that tho fete of tho saint was to commence
on tho following day, that it should last for eight
days and finish on tho 23rd, and that on tho
ninth day tho statue should bo carried in pro­
cession to the Dome, where the three last public
acts should bo solemnly drawn up. All this was
published beforehand by a programme, and few
announcements were over received by our popu­
lation with equal enthusiasm. Tho solemnities
fully answered tho general expectations. Faustus
Niccolini, tho son of the above-mentioned artist,
was commissioned to embellish tho church. The

344

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

walls of the interior were agreeably ornamented
with stuffs of divers colours tastefully arranged
in the Egyptian stylo. Tho magnificence, ele­
gance, and simplicity of these decorations were
much to bo admired, as well as the art and ori­
ginality which wore also displayed in them. Tho
cupola excited general attention ; it was adorned
with draperies tastefully blended together, and
largo festoons of flowers were gracefully suspend­
ed from it so as to cover tho altar and tho tri­
bune. Behind this beautiful decoration a very
well executed transparency was placed, repre­
senting tho saint in glory. Ton other pictures
ornamented tho interior of tho church, repre­
senting tho memorable actions of tho Neapolitan
hero, or the miracles which ho wrought.
At the exterior a superb vestibule was arrang­
ed, adorned with beautiful hangings ; and there
were three transparencies there, in one of which
our Thaumaturgus was represented as ascending
from earth to heaven surrounded by tho spirits
of the blest ; in another ho was to be seen stretch­
ed out on the bed of death; and in tho last he
was depicted as giving that touching benedic­
tion to his country of which mention is made
in his Life. It was a beautiful sight by day,
but it was far more so when lighted up at night,
and if anything could add to the brilliant effect
of the number of candles lighted on this occa­
sion, it was the elegant way in which they
were arranged. Torches were placed along tho
whole of the passage called Kartia, to show
tho eager multitude who assembled from all

345

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

parts tho spot where the fête was being held.
On the 15th the first contra
town of Naples received the patronage of tho
saint was solemnly entered into between tbo
municipal body of tho city, and the fathers of
the Congregation of the Most Iloly Redeemer
whilst vespers were sung in this church ; tho
fathers on their part gave tho capital the silver
statue to bo added to the forty-one others of the
saintly patrons of the town which are kept in
tho chapel-royal of tho treasury of St. Januarius,
where tho syndic engaged to have that of Alphonso also preserved. This deed was signed
by the syndic, the duke of Bagnuolo, and by
the rector-major of tho Congregation, John Cami 11 us Rupoli.
The fete of tho saint commenced on the following morning, and its solemnity was greatly increased by tho pontifical masses which were
celebrated by divers prelates in tho following
order, viz. his Eminence, the cardinal archbishop
of Naples ; his Lordship, the bishop of Ascalon
and vicar of Naples ; Mgr. Pascal Justi, tho
archbishop of Amida ; Mgr. Gaétan Guinta,
the bishop of Jonopolis ; Mgr. Ferdinand Corbi,
the dean of tho chapel-royal of tho palatine ;
tho archbishop of Soleucia ; Mgr. Joseph Marretti, consulter of tho kingdom, and president
of public instruction ; his Eminence, tho most
reverend archbishop of Leocaria ; Mgr. Peter
Nasclli, prince of Arragon, and his Majesty’s
head chaplain ; the bishop of Carianopolis ; Mgr.
Raphael Serena, canon of tho cathedral ; his
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34G

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Eminence tho right révérend archbishop of
Boritus ; and Mgr. Camillus of Peter, apostol­
ical nuncio at Naples.
Distinguished orators
also pronounced panegyrics on the glorious St.
Alphonso in tho following order: tho Reverend
Fathers Peter Desnoyers, clerk-regular, Theatino,
and lecturer to the pupils of his order, deliver­
ed tho first ; and tho rest were pronounced by
Charles Maria Curci of tho Company of Jesus ;
Agelo Gillo, a Benedictine ; Michael Salsan,
doctor of theology, professor of tho same, and
prior of tho monastery of St. Dominic Major;
Joseph Anthony Borgho, a Minor Conventual,
and apostolical missionary ; Gaétan of Naples,
ex-provincial of tho Minors of tho Observance
and ex-lecturer in theology ; Hilary of tho Cross,
a discalceated Carmelite, prior of tho monastery
of St. Theresa ; and Mgr. Angelo Anthony Scotti.
Vespers and benediction of tho Blessed Sa­
crament were sung by tho following persons,
namely, by Vincent Apicollo, of tho Order of
Preachers, and ono of tho canons of tho Ca­
thedral ; by Mgr. Nicholas Landisius, of tho Most
Holy Redeemer, and bishop of Policastro ; Joshua
Celestino Capo, canon of tho cathedral of tho
Order of Priests; Mgr. Ignatius Marolda, tho
bishop of Puzzolo, and also of tho Most Iloly
Redeemer; Joseph Dentico, a canon of tho ca­
thedral, chief of tho Order of Deacons ; his Em­
inence Mgr. Coclo; Francis Xavier Gargiulo,
canon of tho cathedral, head of tho Order of
Subdeacons, and by his Eminence Mgr. do
Pierro.

347

ST. ALPHONSO

A select orchestra, composed of the best mu­
sicians in the town, was in perfect keeping
with the other parts of this pompous ceremony.
Tho music was partly composed by their leader,
Jules Sarment, master of the chapel royal, and
partly by James Cordelia, the master-assistant of
the same chapel and of tho Grand Society, as
well as by Vincent Fodo and Augustine Fontane,
who alternately presided over their labours.
On the last day, after vespers, a solemn
Te Deum, which merited general approbation,
was sung in stylo by a choir of eight young
men, who were all pupils of tho Royal Hospital
of the Poor, under the direction of Alexander
Campieri, master of the chapel. Tho concourse
of tho faithful was truly prodigious, and tho
body of tho church was literally too small to
contain the immense crowd who desired to enter
it. Every religious heart and lover of the placo
of his birth, felt a sort of irresistible desire to
contribute by his homage to tho glory of a
saint who belonged wholly to us, who was born
amongst us, who lived amongst us, and who has
left us such striking proofs of his great affec­
tion for us, A precedent was given for tho
zeal which was manifested on this occasion by
his majesty himself. His eminently religious
and national spirit led him to tho foot of tho
altar of St. Alphonso : ho went privately thither
on tho first day of tho feast, accompanied by
his august spouse, who shared in his sentiments,
and ho hoard two masses there to tho great
edification of all present ; ho returned again on
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348

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

tho last evening, accompanied by tho queen and
his royal highness the Count of Aquila, and
he even had the extreme kindness to deign
twice to visit the neighbouring college of the
reverend fathers, who were tho children of the
saintly founder. Her majesty tho queen’s mo­
ther also visited tho church to honour in per­
son the hero whose triumph was being cele­
brated : sho went there on tho 17th, 19th, and
22nd, and on tho last occasion sho was accom­
panied by tho princess royal. On tho same day
their royal highnesses the Prince and Princess
of Salerno and their august daughter camo
to crown this religious homage with their pre­
sence.
Tho grandest day of all was tho 24th, when
tho fete was terminated by a solemn procession ;
it issued out of the church at about three o’clock
in the afternoon, and repaired to tho Dome,
passing by tho piazza of the Little Market, by
that of Toledo, and of tho palace, as well as by
that of tho castle, and by tho streets of Medina,
Mont Olives, Trinity Major, St. Clare, St. Se­
bastian, St. Pierro do Majella, as well as by tho
tribunals and tho archbishop’s palace.
Tho
huzzars and tho royal guards went first in full
uniform, then camo tho standard of tho nobility,
a groat number of whoso members contributed
greatly to the glory of their saintly fellow-citi­
zen, who, like them, belonged to one of the most
ancient Neapolitan families. Tho numerous re­
lations of the saint were ranged beneath his
standard, amongst whom was included tho son

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

319

of his own brother ; then camo the standard of
tho army, at tho head of tho generals and offi­
cers of tho garrison, followed by the excellent
military band of tho horso patrols, which preceded
tho congregation erected under the name of the
saint for tho Redemption of Captives. It was fol­
lowed by the Reverend Fathers of the Congrega­
tion of tho Most Holy Redeemer, the most ancient
of whom boro the standard of tho canonization ;
after these fathers came the military band of the
royal guard, accompanied by a choir of seventy
little children in uniform, who sang the praises
of tho saint. They walked before the beautiful
statuo, which was placed on the summit of a
rich pyramid under a magnificent canopy which
was supported by four generals of the royal army,
and carried by eight officers of the body-guard.
Thirteen prelates and tho rector-major of the
congregation surrounded this much venerated
imago. Amongst these latter were to be noticed
their eminences tho apostolical nuncio, the head
chaplain, and his majesty’s confessor, two bish­
ops of tho same congregation, and tho president
of public instruction. Tho most respected mu­
nicipal body of tho town closed tho procession,
followed by a detachment of infantry.
When tho statuo of tho saint reached tho
square before tho archbishop’s palace, it was
thcnco taken to tho spot which contains tho
sacred head of St. Januarius, who is tho princi­
pal patron of tho town. This statuo was placed
under a canopy supported by tho chaplains of
tho royal treasury, and followed by two canons,

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ST. ALPITONSO LTGUOni.

by his Eminenco tho cardinal archbishop, and
by a deputation from tho treasury ; tho imago
of St. Alphonso was then put under tho same
canopy, on tho right of that of St. Januarius ;
the first was followed by tho municipal officers,
tho second by tho deputies of tho king ; his
Lordship was accompanied by his canons, and
walked betwoon tho two colleges.
The statuo of St. Alphonso being thus sur­
rounded, it was taken to the Dome, where it
was first placed on tho Gospel sido, and that
of St. Januarius was deposited on tho other ;
his Eminenco thon ascended his archiépiscopal
throne, tho municipal authorities entered into
a tribuno which had boon prepared for them.
After this, tho second public act concerning the
acknowledgement of tho patronage of tho saint
was passed between his Lordship and tho syndic
of tho capital with tho requisito formalities.
Tho two statues were then carried in proces­
sion and placed on tho altar of tho chapel of tho
treasury, and tho treasurer cntoned tho hymns
of tho two saints successively. After tho prayers
woro terminated, tho municipal authorities and
tho members of tho deputation signed tho two
last contracts in tho sacristy, by which tho sta­
tuo was consigned to tho caro of the deputation,
who on their sido authorised tho Rev. Father
of tho Congregation of tho Most Holy Redeemer,
to como in procession for tho statue of tho saint­
ly founder on his feast day, after obtaining an
assurance that they would bring it back again
in tho same manner. These last formalities

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

351

terminated the ceremonies of this memorable
*
day.
All tho population of this vast metropolis strove
to witness this religious pomp, and we know not
in what words to describe tho concourse of peo­
ple who were assembled together on this occasion ;
they filled tho streets, tho public squares, all
tho balconies, and even the roofs of tho houses.
Our august monarch and his spouse, the queen
mother and all tho royal family, saw the progress
of tho procession from tho heights of the balco­
nies of tho royal palaeo with most religious atten­
tion. Nothing occurred to disturb this touching
ceremony ; the hearts of all wcro affected at so
moving a sight, and the perfect recollection which
was to bo soon on all sides gontly led tho spirits
of all present to prayer.
It was thus that tho monarch and tho subjccts unanimously concurred in honouring a
fellow citizen whoso glory sheds brightness on
that of tho church of his country, and gives tho
catholic world a most edifying lesson of true
piety.
• Λ still greater honour was in store for the founder of the
Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. It is well known that
the statues of all the founders of orders receive a distinguished
place in the church of St. Peter’s after their canonization. There
was one niche there remaining unoccupied, and the Redemptoris!
Fathers lost no time in erecting there a gigantic white marble
statue of their saintly founder. The workmanship was perfect,
and by the hand of one of the first artists. It is so colossal that a
man of seven feet can scarcely reach the knees. It is a perfect
likeness of the saintly bishop, whose cross and mitre are held by
a cherub.

352

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

CHAPTER LIV.
LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL WORKS OF ST. ALPHONSO, AND

THE DATES OF THE YEARS WHEN THEY WERE PUB­
LISHED.

ASCETICAL WORKS.

1747.
Visits to tho Blessed Sacrament.
Aspirations of Love towards Jesus in the Bless­
ed Sacrament, &c.
1750.
The Glories of Mary. 1st part. On the Salvo
Regina.
The Glories of Mary. 2nd part. On her
feasts, her sorrows, her virtues.
Tho Glories of Mary. 3rd part. Examples,
discourses, prayers, meditations, and divers de­
votions. Discourse on St. Joseph. Reply to
tho anonymous Lamindo Brittanico (Muratori.)
Reply to tho Abbé Rolli.
Advice on a Religious Vocation.
Necessary Counsels to all classes of persons.
Advice to a Young Man on tho choice of a
State of Life.
Advice to a Young Lady on the choice of a
State of Life.
1758.
Preparation for Death, or Meditations on Eter­
nal Truths.

353

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

1759.
On Prayer, that great means of grace. 1st
part.
Sermons for all the Sundays in the year,
two vols.
Nine Discourses for Times of Cala
Nino Discourses on the Birth of our Blessed
Lord.
1760.
Reflections and Affections, Meditations, and
several practical Devotions on the Passion of
Jesus Christ ; two vols., of which the first is
divided into three, and the second into four
parts.
Selva, or a Collection of Passages for the aid
of those who give the Exercises to Priests ; two
parts.
Practical Instructions for the Exercises of the
Missions. Instructions to Priests ; or, tho True
manner of preaching with Gospel simplicity ; two
Apologetical Letters on tho great Utility of Mis­
sions.
Treatise on Meditation and Contemplation.

1768.
Practice of tho Love of Jesus Christ.
Rulo of Life for a Christian. Rulo for a
Father of a Family, &c.
Maxims on Eternal Truths.
Meditations for a Private Retreat of Eight
Days.
On Mass and Office ill said.
On tho Sacrifice of the Mass.
23

vol. v.

351

ST. ALPIIOXSO LIGUORI.

Preparations for Mass, and Thanksgivings for
tho uso of Priests.
Rulo of Lifo for a Priest. Advice to a Priest
who aims at Perfection.
Tho True Spouse of Jesus Christ; two vols.
Darts of Fire ; or, Reasons for Loving Jesus
Christ.
Seven Treatises concerning Nuns ; two vols.
Discourse for a Clothing.
Several Novenas and Meditations on tho Mys­
teries of the Infancy of Jesus.
Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Novena to the Holy Ghost,
Novena preparatory to tho Feasts of the Blessed
Virgin ; or, an Explanation of her Litanies.
Octavo of Corpus Christi.
Novena to St. Joseph.
Novena to St. Theresa.
Way of the Cross—Divers Prayers.

1772.
Reflections on Divers Spiritual Subjects, in
four parts.
Manner of Conversing continually with God.
Treatise on Conformity to tho Will of God.
Advice to Scrupulous Souls—Encouragement
to a Soul in Desolation.
1774.
A Translation of tho Psalms and Hymns con­
tained in tho Divine Office ; two vols.
1775.
Triumphs of tho Martyrs, or a History of the
most Celebrated Martyrs ; two parts.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Account of a great Miracle in regard to the
Blessed Sacrament·.
Life of Reverend Father Paul Cafaro, of the
Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
Life of tho Reverend Father Januarius Sarnclli,
of tho Congregation of tho Most Holy Redeemer.
Lifo of the Brother Vitus Curzius, of the Con­
gregation of tlio Most Holy Redeemer.
Lifo of Sister Mary Theresa do Liguori.
Letters and Regulations for tho Government
of his Bishopric.
Letters on Divers Subjects, especially on Spi­
rituality.
Spiritual Letters to Nuns and Postulants.
Letters and Instructions to tho Rodemptorists.

1777.
Tho Fidelity of Subjects towards God is a
sure Guarantee for their Fidelity to their Sove­
reigns.
Useful Reflections for Bishops.
Rules for Seminaries.
Advice to young Students.
Seven Treatises on tho Religious State.
On tho great Utility of the Spiritual Exorcises.
Advice on Religious Vocation. Meditations
on tho same Subject.
Advice to Novices to encourage them to Ter­
severance.
On Divine Love,
Octavo for tho Dead.
Instructions to Priests as to how to assist the
Dying properly.

>

35G

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Instructions to Priests as to how to assist
those who are Condemned to Death.
Rules of the Congregation of tho Rodemptorists.
Rules of the Nuns of tho Most Holy Redeemer.
WORKS ON MORALITY.

1755 and 1758.
Theologia Moralis, dedicated to Benedict XIV.
twelve vols.
Dissertatio do usu decretorum S.S. Pontificum
in Theologia morali.
Dissertatio de usu moderato opinionis probabilis.
------ do potestate summi Pontificis.
------ de justa prohibitione librorum, &c.
------ do absolutione neganda clerico habituato.
Epitomo doctrinæ moralis et canonicæ ex
operibus Benedicti XIV.
1756.
Homo Apostolicus ; or, Abridgement of the
Large Theology. Published in Latin and in
Italian ; three vols.
Dissertatio de maledictione Mortuorum.
Of the Way to Direct Souls.
Elenchus quæstionum quas Auctor Reformavit.
Praxis Confessario. Aid for Confessors, in
Latin and in Italian.
Examen Ordinandorum breviter concinnatum.
Dissertationes quatuor pro usu Moderato opin­
ionis Probabilis.
Short Dissertation on tho Moderate Uso of Probablism.

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

357

Apology in Defence of the Dissertation on the
H against the objec­
Moderato Use of Probablism
tions of the Rev. Father Adelphus Darithee
(Patuzzi.)
Four Apologies for tho Moral Theology.
Answer to an Anonymous Censor of the Moral
Theology.
Practical Instructions for Confessors, four vols.
“In this work,” said the author, “is to be
found all that is contained in the largo book
on Morals, although in an abridged form, as
well as a great many other useful things. To
instance some of them : a method of treating
souls in regard to prayer, mortification, and the
fréquentation of tho sacraments, as well as ad­
vice to confessors and priests on mental prayer.”
1761.
Tho Confessor of Country People, ono small
vol., (wherein is to bo found an admirable
abridgment of tho Morals.)
Advice to young Confessors.

1767.
Instructions for tho People on tho Precepts
of tho Decalogue and on tho Sacraments, in
Latin and in Italian.

1768.
Dissertation on Fees for Masses.
Appendix to his Apology.
Another Apology in Italian.
Explanation of his System in regard to tho
Rules of Morality.

358

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

Abridgment of Christian Doctrine.
Guido for Souls ; or, Instructions for Confes­
sors.
DOGMATIC AND POLEMICAL WORKS.

1759.

On the Groat Means of Prayer : second part,
wherein ho proves that God wills tho Salvation
of all men, and gives to all tho grace of prayer.
Immunity of tho Church.
1762.
Tho Truths of the Faith made manifest by
tho Motives of Credibility.
(We hero find the refutation of tho work en­
titled, “ Of the Spirit,” and of another entitled,
“On Preaching,” by tho author of tho Philoso­
phical Dictionary.)
Short Dissertations against tho Errors of Ma­
terialists and Deists.
Apology for Frequent Communion, (written
at Rome.)

1767.

Tho Truths of tho Faith against Materialists,
Deists, and Sectarians, two volumes.
Dogmatic Works against Heretics, dedicated to
Clement XIV. ; two volumes.
(Tho author hero treats, 1st, of tho justifica­
tion of tho Sinner ; 2nd, of tho obedience duo
to the decisions of the Church.)

ST. ALPHONSO LIGUORI.

359

1772.
History of Heresies ; or, The Triumph of tho
II
Church ; four volumes.
We here find the refu­
tation of Baius, Janscnius, Molinos, and Berruycr.
Dissertations on Points of Moral Theology, (viz.,
On tho Particular Judgment, Purgatory, Anti­
christ, The Signs of the End of tho AVorld, Tho
Resurrection, Tho Universal Judgment, Tho
Stato of the World after the Judgment, Tho
Stato of the Damned and that of tho Blessed.)
Dissertation on the Immaculate Conception
of the Most Holy Virgin Mary.
Vindiciæ pro suprema Pontificis potestate
adversus Justinum Fobronium. Reflections on
tho Declarations of the Clergy of Franco on tho
Infallibility of tho Pope.

RICHARDSON AND SON, DERBY