emrnarg Option.

THE COMPLETE ASCETICAL WORKS
OF

ST. ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI.
24 vols., Price, per vol., ?ief, $1.25.
Each book it complete hi itself, and any volume will be
sold separately.

Preparation for Death ; or, Considerations on the Eter­
nal Truths. Maxims of Eternity - Rule of Life.
“
II. Way of Salvation and of Perfectïon : Meditations.
Pious Reflections. Spiritual Treatises.
“
III. Great Means of Salvation and of Perfection:
Prayer. Mental Prayer. The Exercises of a Retreat.
Choice of a State of Life, and the Vocation to the
Religious State and to the Priesthood.
“
IV. The Incarnation, Birth and Infancy of Jesus
Christ ; or, The Mysteries of Faith.
"
V. The Passion and the Death of Jesus Christ.
’* VI. The Holy Eucharist. The Sacrifice, the Sacrament,
and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. Practice of Love
of Jesus Christ. Novena to the Holy Ghost.
4< VIL, VIII. Glories of Marts i. Explanation of the Salve
Regina, or Hail, Holy Queen. Discourses on the Feasts
of Mary. 2. Iler Dolors. Her Virtues. Practices.
Examples. Answers to Critics.—Devotion to the Holy
Angels. Devotion to St. Joseph. Novena to St. Teresa.
Novena for the Repose of the Souls in Purgatory.
“
IX. Victories of the Martyrs; or, the Lives of the Most
Celebrated Martyrs of the Church.
“
X., XL The True Spouse of Jesus Christ : i. The first
sixteen Chapters. 2. The last eight Chapters. Appendix
and various small Works. Spiritual Letters.
“ XII. Dignity and Duties of the Priest; or, Selva, a
collection of Material for Ecclesiastical Retreats. Rule
of Life and Spiritual Rules.
·' XIII. The Holy Mass : Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Ceremonies
of the Mass. Preparation and Thanksgiving. The Mass
and the Office that are hurriedly said.
“ XIV. The Divine Office: Explanation of the Psalms and
Canticles.
“
XV. Preaching: The Exercises of the Missions. Various
Counsels.
Instructions on the Commandments and
Sacraments.
“ XVI. Sermons for Sundays.
” XVII. Miscellany. Historical Sketch of the Congregation of the
Most Holy Redeemer. Rules and Constitutions of the
Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. Instructions
about the Religious State. Lives of two Fathers and of a
Lay Brother, C.SS.R. Discourses on Calamities. Re­
flections useful for Bishops. Rules for Seminaries.
“ XVIII., XIX., XX., XXI. Letters.
“ XXII. Letters and General Alphabetical Index.
“ XXIIL, XXIV. Life of St. Alphonsus de Liguori.

Volume I.

Benziger Brothers, New York, Cincinnati, and Chicago.

She (Centenary edition.
THE COMPLETE WORKS
OF

Saint Alphonsus de Liguori.
Doctor of the Church,

Bishop of Saint Agatha^ and Founder of the Congregation of the Most
Holy Redeemer.
TRANSLATED FROM THE ITALIAN.
EDITED BY

REV. EUGENE

GRIMM,

Priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.

THE ASCETICAL WORKS.
Volume XVIII.

Letters.
Volume I.
PART I.

©encrai Corrcsponôcncc.

A*

Μ

THE APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION.

RIMDE PATER:
Memoriam gloriosi Congregationis SS. Redemptoris Fundatoris, centesimo,
Ab ejus obitu, adventante anno, pio et admodum opportuno consilio recolere
aggressus es, dum omnia ipsius opera anglice vertenda, et typis edenda curasti.
Summus itaque Pontifex, cui tum S. Doctoris exaltatio, tum fidelium utilitas
summopere cordi est libentissime excepit 9 volumina huc usque edita, quæ Ei
offerre voluisti. Ac dum meritas Tibi laudes de hac perutili tua cura præbet,
et gratias de filiali oblatione agit, Benedictionem, quam tuis obsequentissimis
litteris petiisti, Emi quoque archiepiscopi Baltimorensis commendationi
obsecundans, ex intimo corde impertiit.
Hæc ad Te deferens fausta cuncta ac felicia a Domino Tibi adprecor.
Paternitatis Tuæ,
Addictissimus,
M. CARD. RAMPOLLA.
Romae, die 4 Junii, 1888.

ι

TRANSLATION.
Reverend Father:
As the centenary of the death of the illustrious Founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer drew near, you conceived the pious and
appropriate plan of shedding a new lustre on his memory by translating all
his works into English and publishing them. The Holy Father, therefore.
who has at heart the spiritual advancement of the faithful, as well as tin
exaltation of the holy Doctor, has most graciously accepted the nine volumes
thus far published, which you wished to present to him. While bestowing
upon you well-deserved praise for your useful labor, and thanking you for
the gift inspired by your filial love, he gives you from his heart the blessing
which you humbly asked for in your letter, complying also with the reques.
of the Most Rev. Archbishop of Baltimore.
As th bearer of this, I wish you all happiness in the Lord. 1 am, Reverend Sir,
Your obedientservant,
M. CARD. RAMPOLLA.

Rome,

June4. 1888

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II

X’he (Centenary ÎTditwn.

Letters of St. Alphonsus
Maria de Liguori,
Doctor

of the

Church,

Bishop of Saint Agatha, and Founder of the Congregation
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
TRANSLATED FROM THE ITALIAN.
EDITED

BY

REV. EUGENE GRIMM,
Priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.

PART I.

05 e n e r n I Correspondence.

NEWYORK, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO.

Printers to the Holy Apostolic See.
R. WASH BOURNE,
18

Paternoster Row, London.

Μ. H. GILL & SON,

50 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin
1891.

APPROBATION.
By virtue of the authority granted me by the Most Rev. Nicholas

Mauron, Superior-General of the Congregation of the Most Holy
Redeemer, I hereby sanction the publication of the work entitled

“ Letters,” which is Vol. XVIII. of the new and complete edition in

English of the works of Saint Alphonsus de Liguori, called “ The
Centenary Edition.”

Ferdinand A. Litz,
Sup. Prov. Baltimorensis.
Baltimore, Md., August 5, 1890.

Copyright, 1S91. by Ferdinand A. Litz.

βΧί·?Ο

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Approbation,
Fac-similé of

IV

λ

Letter of St. Alphonsus,

.

xxxn

.

LETTERS OF ST. ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORL
__________________

»

PART I.
GENERA L CORR ESP ONDEA ’CE.

Preface

of

the

Italian Editor...................................................... 3

A. D. 1730.
LETTER

1. To Mother Angiola del Cielo and to the Nuns
AT Scala. — The saint gives them various counsels
and recommends to their prayers one of his penitents.
— Naples, October 29,.............................................................. 13

A. D. 1731.

2. To a Community of Nuns. — Books sent. — \’arious
counsels.—Exhortation to love Jesus and Mary,--------- . 22
A. D. 1732.

3. To the Benedictine Nuns of Polignano. — He
exhorts them to show themselves grateful to the Blessed
Virgin.— [Naples, September 19J,
.
.
.
.25
4. To Mgr. Tommaso Falcoia, Bishop of CastelLAMMARE. — He asks his permission to leave Naples
to begin at Scala the Institute of the Most Holy
Saviour. — [October],.............................................................. 27

6 To Sister Maria Celeste Crostarosa. — Sorrow
which he feels at seeing her so attached to her own
opinion.—Reason of his severity towards her.— [Month
of March],........................................................
.
. 31
7 To the Same. — He explains to her the conditions on
which the Institute of the Most Holy Saviour can
prosper, and he reproves her for withdrawing from the
direction of Mgr. Falcoia. — [End of March], .
. 35
g To the Nuns of the Monastery of Pocara. —
He informs them of his intended visit,--------.
. 49
ç To the Priest Don Giuseppe Cerchia. — He ex­
horts him to leave the world and to consecrate himself
entirely to God. — Scala, July 3,.................................. 50
10. To THE Same. — The same subject. — Scala, July 13, . 51
11. To THE Same. — He renews his request, briefly re­
peating to him the same reasons.— Scala, July 21, .52
12. To THE Same.— Renewed invitation to repair to Scala.
— Scala, August 11,...............................................
«53
To THE Same.— He refutes one of his objections.—
Scala, August 18, .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.54
14. To THE Same. — He invites him to assist him at least
in the missions as an auxiliary priest. — Scala, August
30,.................................................................................................. 55
A. D. 1734.
15. To the Priest Don Francesco di Viva. — He
exhorts him to detach himself from all human affection.
— Villa, June 7,....................................................................... 56
16. To THE Same. — Great works should rest only on the
spirit of faith and on confidence in God. — Villa, July

......................................................................................................57
17. To Father Tommaso Pagano, Oratorian. — Ex­
amination of the question: Is a priest obliged to go
to preach the Gospel in heathen countries? In which
case is he bound to do so? — [July], .
.
.
.

Contents.

VII
page

LETTER

To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce. — He
writes out for her a rule of life and exhorts her to give
herself up entirely to God. — Villa, August 26, .
,
19. To THE Same. — Exhortation to fervor. — Project of a
journey to Camigliano. — Villa, November 19, .
.
îS,

62
65

A. I). 1735.
20. To Mgr. Pietro Agostino Scorza, Archbishop
OF Amalfi. — Request to determine the time of the
ecclesiastical retreat. — Difficulty as to the foundation
of a house at Positano. — [End of February],
.
. 66
21. To Mgr. Constantino Vigilante, Bishop of CaiAZZO. — Petition. — [June],.................................................... 67
22. To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce. — He
exhorts her to persevere in prayer. — Villa, Decem­
ber 31,.......................................................................................... 6S
A. D. 1736.

23. To the Priest Francesco di Viva. — He invites
him to come to him. — Recale, January 25, .
.
.69
24. To Marquis Giuseppe Gioacchino Montallegre.
— Abridgement of the Rule of the Institute of the
Most Holy Saviour. — [January], .
.
.
.
.70
25. To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce. — Ex­
hortation to practise renunciation. — Ciorani,
.
. 72
26. To the Same. — Different counsels of perfection. —
[Villa, February], ........ 73
27. To THE Same. — He asks her prayers for himself and
the Institute. — Exhortation to persevere in prayer.—
Ciorani, April iS, ........ 75
28. To the Same. — Counsels in regard to perfection. —
Ciorani, May 23, ........ 77
29. To His Father Don Giuseppe de Liguori. — He
begs him to help on the work of the Venerable Gen­
naro Sarnclli. — Ciorani, July 16,
.
.
.
. 79
30. To THE Same. — He begs him to speak to him no
more about the episcopate. — Ciorani, /Yugust 5,
. So
31. To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce. — He
marks out a rule of conduct for her interior and exterior
life. — Ciorani, September 26,........................................... Si

Contents.

VIII
BETTER

PAGE

32 To THE SAME. — How she should behave under existing
circumstances. — Ciorani, October 26, .
.
.
.84
A. D. 1737.
33. To the Same. — Various counsels. — Ciorani, April 4, 85
34. To THE Same. — He reproaches her for her repugnance
to suffer. — [Middle of April],............................................ 86
35. To THE SAME. — Exhortation to detachment. — What
her conduct should be towards her sister. — Ciorani,
April 22, ....
.
.
.
.
.
.88
36. To Mgr. Falcoia, His Director. — Reflections as
to the abandoning of Villa degli Schiavi. — Ciorani,
July 12,............................................................................
.90
37. To Father Cesare Sportelli.-------------------- Ciorani,
August 7,...........................................................................93
38. To His Father Don Giuseppe de Liguori. — He
begs him to treat charitably his son Don Ercole. —
[End of October],..............................................
94
A. D. 1738.

39. To Father Giulio Marocco. — He complains of his
silence and tells him some news. — Ciorani, March 9,

95

A. D. 1739.
40. To A Priest. — It is impossible to give the mission for
which he asks. — Great desire of seeing him enter the
Institute. — Calvanico, April 27, ....
-97
41. To Father Giulio Marocco. — He writes to him to
prolong his stay at Caiazzo. — Ciorani, [June], .
. 99
42. To THE Same. — Expression of hope of soon seeing
him at Caiazzo. — Various recommendations. — Ciorani,
[End of July],...................................................................... 99
43. To Most Reverend Casimiro Rossi, Archbishop
of Salerno. — Petition for faculties to exercise the
apostolic ministry. — [Ciorani, December 26], .
. 101

A. D. 1740.
44. To a Nun at Fisciano. — He exhorts her never to
omit Communion, notwithstanding all her temptations.
— Castellammare, January'6,
.

jq2

Contents.

IX
page

letter

45. To the Venerable Gennaro Sarnelll —Counsels
relative to the composition of works of piety.—Ciorani,
April 3,..................................................................................... 104
46. To the Foundress of a Monastery of Nuns. —
Necessity of establishing perfect observance from the
beginning, especially in regard to poverty. — Ciorani,
July 12, .
.
.
.
. ·...................................... 106
47. To Father Giulio Marocco. — Joy that he feels in
knowing that he is resolved to persevere in his voca­
tion. — Ciorani, July 12,............................................... 109
48. To His Director Mgr. Falcoia.-------------------- Cio­
rani, July 24............................................................................... in
49. To Father Giulio Marocco.— He tenderly exhorts
him to return to Ciorani, as he is certain about his
vocation. — Ciorani, August 2,
....
Ill

A. D. 1741.
50. To Father C. Sportelll—He requests him to favor a
religious vocation. — S. Aniello, July 12,
.
.
. 113
51. To the Priest Don Giuseppe Sparano. — He asks
him to come to him for a moment's interview.—S. Ani­
ello, July 2g,............................................................................ 114
A. D. 1742.

52. To Father C. Sportf.lli. -— He expresses to him his
desire of promptly returning to Ciorani. — S. Aniello,
June 22.......................................................................................... 115
53. To the Same. — Various requests to be forwarded to
Mgr. Falcoia.— [Ciorani, October 26],
.
.
. 116
54. To Don Matteo Greco. — Method of making mental
prayer. — [Ciorani], December 10,
...
. 117
55. To the King of Naples.—Petition for the foundation
of a house at Pagani. — [Towards end of the year], . iiq

A. D. 1743.
56. To His Father Don Giuseppe de Liguoki. — He in­
forms him of the state of his health. — Various
counsels. — Ciorani, March 28, ..... 120
A. D. 1744.

57. To Father C. Sportelll — Arguments furnished him
against the adversaries of the Community of Pagani.—
[Ciorani] ....................................................................................... 120

Contents.
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letter

58. To Nicola Μ. Celestino de Robertis.—Exhortation
to correspond at once to God’s call. — Ciorani,
March 15,...............................................................................125
59. To the Same. — He invites him to an interview. —
Means that he should use not to lose his vocation. —
Ciorani, April 7, .......
. 128
60. To Canon Giuseppe Sparano.—He sends him a sketch
of the Life of the Venerable Gennaro Maria Sarnelli
to have it printed. — Ciorani, July 17, .
.
.
. 131
61. To the Same. — He sends him the manuscript of the
Visits to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin,
and asks him to revise it. — Ciorani, August 10, .
. 132
62. To a Minister of the King. — A petition asking for
his protection in favor of the house at Nocera
(Pagani).— [Ciorani],............................................................ 133
63. To a Gentleman of Influence. — The same sub­
ject. — [Ciorani],..................................................................... 135
64. To Canon Casati. — He announces to him his ap­
proaching arrival. — Naples, November 28,
.
.136
6e. To Father Saverio Rossi. — Details in regard to the
new foundation at Iliceto. — [S. Maria] , Decem­
ber 19,............................................................................ 137
66. To Father C. Sportelli. — Project of abandoning the
foundation at Pagani. — Service asked for Iliceto. —
Iliceto, December 28........................................
. 140

A. D. 1745.
67. To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce. — He ex­
horts her to give to prayer all the time that she can
snatch from her occupations. — Iliceto, April 14,
. 144
68. To the Sovereign Pontiff Benedict XIV.—Petition
to obtain the confirmation of the establishment of
missionaries at Iliceto. — [May 3],
145
gç, To Father Giovanni Mazzini. — He begs him to put
in force regular observance. — S. Maria, Septem­
ber 23,
........................................................................ 147
7o, To Cardinal Spinelli, Archbishop of Naples. —
Petition to obtain faculties for the missions.—[Decem­
ber] ....................................................................................148

Contents.

xi
page

letter

Λ. D. 1746.

71. To the Mother Abbess and the Nuns of the
Monastery of the SSma Annunziata at Foggia.—
Explanations relative to the use of figured music and
and to the expenses contrary to poverty.— [Beginning
of the year], .·...................................................................151
72. To His Brother Don Ercole de Liguori. — He
complains to him about his conduct, which was any­
thing but brotherly, in regard to certain temporal
interests. — [February],................................................ 154
73. To the Same. — He exhorts him to make the spiritual
exercises. — Iliceto, February 22, ..... 157
74. Holograph Testament of the Saint. — [March 5]. 158
75. To D. Francesco A. Ricciardi. — Nature and ad­
vantages of renewals of missions.—S. Maria, March 30, 159
76. To Father Andrea Villani.— Gravity of the decision
of a General Chapter. — Precautions that should
necessarily be taken. — [Iliceto, October], .
.
. 161
77. To Father C. Sportelli. — The same subject. —
Iliceto, [October],................................................................... 164
78. To the King of Naples. — Petition for founding a
•house at Caposele,....................................................................166
79. To Father G. Mazzini.—Various regulations in regard
to studies. [Troia], November 27,...................................... 167

A. D. 1747.
80. To Sister Maria Celeste Poppa. — What should be
done in order to abolish the figured chant. — S. Maria,
January 30,
......... 168
81. To Sister Maria Crocifissa Petitto. — The same
subject. — S. Maria, [January 30],
.... 170
82. To Sister Maria Celeste Poppa.—The same subject.
— Utility of persecutions. — S. Maria, [March 10], . 171
83. To Father G. Mazzini? — Confidence of the saint in
the Blessed Virgin. — Naples, June 25,
172
84. To the Novice Girolamo Ferrara. — Vocation and
family affairs. — Examination of a particular case. —
[Naples], July . ......................................................................... 172
85. To a Father of the Congregation.—Course of action
in order to save the vocation of D. Ferrara. — Naples,
July . ..............................................................................................176

XII

Contents.
PAGE

LETTER

86. To Father G. Mazzini. — Solicitude of the saint to
obtain the royal approbation of the Institute.—[Naples],
July 4...................................................................................... 177
87. To Λ CONSULTOR-General. — Difficulties which his
project meets of obtaining the royal approbation. —
[Naples], July 4, .
.
........................................ 178
88. To Father G. Mazzini. — Request for counsel in a
difficult affair. — Naples, July 22,....................................... 180
89. To Mgr. Celestino Galiano, Grand Almoner. —
Considerations in view of the memorial to be presented
for obtaining the royal approbation of the Institute. —
[July],..................................................................................... 182
90. To Father Paul Cafaro. — Repugnance of the saint
to the episcopate. — [End of July],
.
184
91. To Father G. Mazzini. — Difficulties relative to the
approbation of the Institute. — [Naples], August I, . 1S4
92. To A Consultor-General. — Trials and annoyances
that the saint has to endure at Naples. — [August], . 1S6
93. To Father C. Sportelli. — A power of attorney to
found a house at Caposele. — [Ciorani, November 27], 186
94. To the Priest Francesco Margotta. — He admits
him into the Congregation. — Ciorani, December 7, . 1S8
A. D. 1748.

95. To Father A. Villani. — New agreement to be made
with D. Andrea Sarnelli. — Naples, February 4, .
. 191
96. To the Priest Don Francesco Margotta. — Solici­
tude of the saint in regard to the observance of the
Rule. — Naples, February 7, .
.
.
.
.
. 194
97. To the Priest Don Andrea Sarnelli. — Conditions
on which he consents to a new contract. — Naples,
February 10,........................................................................... 196
98. To the King of Naples. — He solicits the legal
récognition of the four houses of the Institute. —
[February],........................................................................... 197
99. To the Sovereign Pontiff Benedict XIV. — The
saint asks for the apostolic approbation of his Congregation. — [March 30],............................................... 199
too. To A Priest. — He gives him some salutary advice. —
Ciorani, April 26, .......
. 202

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Contents.

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letter

page

ιοί. To a Father of the Society of Jesus. — Affection
and veneration of the saint for the Society. — Nocera,
May 31, .
.
.
......................................................... 203
102. To Mgr. Felice Leoni, Bishop of Avellino. — Re­
quest for a favor relative to ordinations. — Ciorani,
August 25,
.
................................................................... 204
103. To Cardinal Spinelli, Archbishop of Naples. —
Remarks intended to form the basis of a report con­
cerning the approbation of the Institute by the Holy
See. — [September],...........................................................205
104. To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce.—Obligation
of à religious to sustain observance, especially in
regard to the admission of novices. — Ciorani, Septem­
ber 15, .
.
.
.
.
.
.... 209
105. To a Superior of His Congregation. — Two im­
portant regulations: one in regard to the health of the
subjects; the other about the protection of their
vocation. — Ciorani, December 26,
.
.
.
.211

A. D. 1749.

106. To Don POMPEO Scibelli. — Request for a service. —
Ciorani, February 15,........................................................... 213
107. To D. Giuseppe Muscari. — Various communications
relative to the affair of the approbation and of privi­
leges. — Ciorani, March 20,..................................................214
108. To the Same.—He accepts his religious profession,--------- 216
109. To the Same. — He charges him with a commission. —
Ciorani, May 28,
........ 217
no. To Father F. Margotta. — Deference of the saint for
the Archbishop of Conza. — Various affairs. — Carifi,
November 13, .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.218
in. To the SAME.— He congratulates him on the success
• of certain apostolic labors. — Cava, November 19,
. 220
A. D. 1750.

112. To the Same. — Orders in regard to the sale of the
saint’s books, and various other subjects. — [End of
January],............................................................................... 222
113. To the Same. — A Rector should remain habitually at
home. — Details relative to novices. — [Ciorani],
January 23....................................................................................
B

xiv

Contents.

letter

pagk

114. To the Same. — Grave exhortations. — Duties of a
Rector. — Necessity of dying to one’s self. — Ciorani,
February r,................................................................. ......... 227
115. To THE Same. — Joy at seeing him humble and re­
signed. — Different details. — Ciorani, February 7, . 230
116. To Father C. Sportelli. — He rejoices to hear that
he is in better health. — Ciorani, March 11,
.
, 232
117. To Father F. Margotta and to His Consultors. —
Orders left after the canonical Visitation made in the
house at Caposele. — Caposele, May 16,
.
.
. 233
u8. To Canon D. Giacomo Fontana.— He sends him the
“ Glories of Mary.”— Ciorani, October 12, .’
.
. 234
119. To A Gentleman of Vitolano. — Arrangement about
a mission. — Naples, November 7,
.
. 235
120. To Sister Maria di Gesu, a Carmelite. — Answer
to a difficulty in regard to holy Communion.— Nocera,
December 30,................................................................. ......... 236
9

A. D. 1751.
121. To Canon G. Fontana. — He asks him for information
in regard to the studies at the seminary. — Nocera,
January 28,................................................................. ......... 238
122. To Father F. Margotta. — He complains of a laybrother and of Father Margotta himself. — Nocera,
March 7,.................................................................................... 239
123. To a Nun of the Most Holy Redeemer. — She
should allow herself to be guided by obedience. —
Advantages of spiritual desolation. — Ciorani, May
3°............................................................................................. 240
124. To Father G. Muscari. — Immense wrong that he has
done to the Congregation. — Entreaty that he should
no more bring the Institute into disfavor. — [Ciorani,
October 16],...................................................................... . 243
125. To the Vicar-General of Benevento. — He asks him
to do a service. — Nocera, November 4,
247
126. To the Fathers and Brothers of the Congregation
of the Most Holy Redeemer. — Means of pre­
venting the loss of vocation. — Various ordinances
regarding the missions. — [November],
.
.
. 248
127. To Mother Maria di Gesu.—The interest taken by the
saint in the Community at Ripacandida.—[December], 251

Contents.

XV
PAGE

1 -ETTER

A. D. 1752.
128. To Father Pietro Petrella.—Obedience to Superiors
is the most essential thing in the Congregation. —
Nocera de’ Pagani, January 5............................................. 252
129. To Father Carmine Picone. — Request to sound the
disposition of the Archbishop of Conza on one point.—
Nocera, January 15,........................................................253
130. To Mother Maria di GEsu. — How she should behave
in the absence of her director. — Various counsels. —
Nocera, January 27,........................................................ 254
IS*· To Father Saverio Rossi. — Penance to be imposed
upon a lay-brother. — Nocera, 10, [May], . .
. 257
I32. To Father F. Margotta.— He begs him to regard the
poverty of a house of the Institute. — Nocera, June 2, 259
ISS· To Father P. Petrella. — He grants him various
permissions. — Nocera, June 7,.................................... 259
I34· To Mgr. Borgia, Bishop of Cava. — Details relative
to the vocation of a young priest. — Nocera, June 7, . 260
ISS- To Father A. Villani. — Various details concerning
the novitiate and the house at Ciorani. — Nocera,
June 14,..................................................................................... 202
I36. To the Same. — Various affairs. — [Nocera, June 19], . 264
IS?· To the Same. — Solicitude of the saint about the health
of his subjects. — Naples, July 22,
...
. 265
I38. To the Fathers and Brothers of His Congregation.
— Humility, but profound humility, is the true safe­
guard of perseverance. — [July 27],
.... 266
I39· To Father Francesco Buonamano.—He congratulates
him on the detachment that he showed in regard to
his relatives. — Nocera, September 16, .
.
. 26?
I4O. To A Father of the Congregation. — A great trial
to which the Congregation is exposed.—Naples, Satur­
day 23, [September],
....... 269
MI. To THE King of Naples. — He solicits the exequatur
for the Apostolic Brief of 1749. — [September], .
. 27O
M2. To Mother Maria di Gesu. — The saint recommends
to her prayers Marquis Brancone. — Personal advice.
— Nocera, December 12,................................................... 272
HS· To a Friend. — He thanks him for the interest that he
takes in the Institute. — Nocera, December 25, . . 27?

Contents.
LETTER

PAGE

144. To Father Bernardo Apice. — He refuses him a
change of abode. [1752 or 1753], . .
.
.
,274

A. D. 1753.
145- To Mgr. Basta, Bishop of Melfi.—Confidential letter
in regard to the ordination of a subject. — Nocera,

275

146. To Mother Maria di Gesu. — He refuses to allow a
Father of the Congregation to be extraordinary con­
fessor. — He exhorts her to maintain observance. —
Nocera, February 23,
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 276
147. To the Same. — Signs of illusion. — How to act in
reference to extraordinary graces.—Nocera, March 28, 279
148. To Father Carmine Fiocchi. — Xrarious missions that
are to be given. — Nocera, April 2,
282
149. To the Novice Pietro Angelo Picone. — He consoles
him and admits him to religious profession. — [Be­
ginning of June],................................................ · .
284
150. Το λ Superior of the Congregation. — Change of
abode of two subjects. — June 25,
.... 286
151. To Mother Angiola del Divino Amore.—She should
use her influence with the Queen of Naples to obtain
the approbation of the Institute. — Nocera, July 4,
2S6
152. To’Sister Anna Camilla de’ Leoni. — He exhorts her
to bear her interior trials courageously, and writes out
for her a rule of conduct. — Nocera, July 5, .
288
153. To the Master of Novices. — He should employ
kindness and discretion towards the novices,--------- . 291
154. To Father A. Villani. — He announces to him the
illness of Father Paolo Cafaro. — Nocera, August 5, . 292
155. To Father Francesco Giovenale. — He prescribes
prayers for the recovery of Father Cafaro. — Triple
obedience imposed on the sick man. — Nocera, Au­
gust 6...........................................................................................
2 93
156. To Father F. Margotta. — He informs him of Father
Cafaro’s illness. — Nocera, August 6, .
295
157. To Father F. Giovenale. — Recommendation in regard
to Father Cafaro. — [Nocera], August 9,
296
158. To THE Same. — Sentiments of resignation inspired by
the death of Father Cafaro. — Nocera, August 14,
. 297

Contents.

χνκ

rTER
PAGE
159. l o T,iE Same. — Recommendations relative to the
government of the house at Caposele. — Nocera,
August 21,
2%
160. 1° I'ATHER I*. Margotta. — Solicitude of the saint in
regard to the health of the subjects. — Details as to
temporal affairs. — Nocera, 31, [August],
301
161. I 0 '· ηε Same. — Details relative to temporal affairs, to
the mission at Calabria, and to various subjects. —
Nocera, September 2,......................................................... .302
162. To Mother Maria Angiola del Divino Amore. —
He begs her to obtain through the Queen the royal
approbation of the Institute of the Most Holy Re­
deemer. — Nocera, September 8,...................................... SOS
163. To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce.—She should
not refuse any charge. — Avoid dissipation.— Nocera,
September 30,
........
164. To Mother Maria Angiola del Divino Amore. —
He sends her some books. — Hopes in regard to the
extension of the Reform of Carmel. — Naples, Octo­
ber 6,
....................................................................................... 307
165. To Signora Filippa Farao. — He briefly explains to
her the Rules of the Nuns of the Most Holy Redeemer
at Scala. — Nocera, 29, [October],
.... 30S
166. To Don Luigi Sagliano.—He begs him to recommend to
the Queen through Mother Maria Angiola the affair of
the approbation of his Institute.—Nocera, October 30, 309
167. To Mother Angiola del Divino Amore. — He again
recommends to her the affair of the legal recognition
of the Institute. — Nocera, November 1,
312
Letter of the Sovereign Pontiff Benedict XIV. to
St. Alphonsus.--------------------- [Rome, November 2], . 314
16S. To Father A. Villani. — Solution of a difficulty. —
[The year 1753 ?L
.......................................................... 315
169. To Sister Maria di Gesu. — He recommends to her
prayers the Institute and himself. — Nocera, Decem­
ber 4,
......... 316
170. To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce. — One must
perform the duties of the offices imposed by obedience.
— [Nocera], December 4,................................................... 317
171. To THE Same. — Prohibition to change her convent.—
Counsels in regard to patience.—Nocera, December 12, 31s
B*

I

I

XVIII

i

Contents,

LETTER

PAGE

xix
pace

letter

172. To Don Luigi SaGLIANO. — Exhortation to love Jesus
Christ. — He sends him various little works.—Nocera,
December 19,.................................................................. 319

187. To Father S. Rossi.—Exemplary chastisement inflicted
on a disobedient subject. — [Nocera], October 18,
. 349
188. To Father G. Caione, — Various recommendations
relative to the house at Caposele, to private retreats,
and to the students. — Nocera, December 12,
.
. 350
189. To THE Same. — Answer to be given to his bishop if the
latter should wish to recall him to his diocese. —
Nocera, December 14,........................................................... 352

τ“

A. D. 1754.

173. To the Same. — He exhorts him to make a retreat. —
Nocera, March 4,...................................................................... 320
174. To Mother Maria di Gesu.—Exhortation to obedience
and to confidence in God. — Nocera, March 24, .
.321
175. To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce.—She should
not desire to change her convent. — Various counsels
in regard to perfection. — Nocera, April, .
.
. 322
176. To Mgr. Francesco Bonaventura, Bishop of Nusco.
— He excuses himself for having retained two priests
for the mission at Amalfi. — Nocera, May 18,
.
. 324
177. To Father Pasquale Caprioli. — Solicitude of the
saint for the restoration to health of Father Rossi. —
[About May 20],........................................................
325
178. To Cardinal Antonino Sersale, Archbishop of Nap­
les.— He humbly exposes to him his views in regard
to the state of the diocese of Naples and to the proper
measures to be taken to remove certain disorders. —
Nocera, June 18,................................................................. 327
179. To Father Antonio Tannoia. — He regulates the
studies of some novices,--------..... 329
180. To the Fathers and Brothers of His Congregation.
— Recommendations relative to observance, to study,
and to different points of discipline. — Nocera, Au­
gust 8,....................................................................................... 331
181. To Father G. Caione. — He reproaches him for his
excess of condescension. — Nocera, August 31, .
. 342
182. To the Same. — Various recommendations. — Nocera,
September 8,..............................................................................344
183. To the Same.—Various commissions.—Nocera, Septem­
ber 21,...................................................................................... 345
184. To THE Same. — Measures to be taken in regard to a
student. — Nocera, September 28,
...
346
1S5. To the Same. — Approbation of conduct in regard to
the student Manfredonia. — Nocera, October 2, .
. 347
186. To THE Same. — Sentiments of the saint in regard to the
dispensation from the vows. — [Nocera, October],
. 348

Contents.

A. D. 1755.

190. To Sister Maria Vincenza Giannastasio.— Behavior
amid contradictions. — Spiritual advice. — Nocera,
January 8,
................................................................... 354
191. To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce.—He exhorts
her to love contempt and to love the Sisters that
oppose her. — Nocera, January 14,
...
. 356
192. To Father G. Caione. — He presses him to make
application to the Archbishop of Conza. — Various
details. — Pagani, January 27,
.
.... 357
193. To the Same. — He gives instructions how a Father is
to be treated who is destined to teach. — Nocera,
March 23,
...
...................................... 359
194. To Sister Maria Anna di Gesu. — Counsels in regard
to prayer and the practice of religious virtues. — [The
year 1755 ?],............................................................................... 359
195. To the Superiors of Missions. — Regulations relative
to confessions. — [The year 1755?],
.
.
.
.361
196. To Sister Maria di Gesu. — Answer in regard to some
difficulties. — The sending of two little works. —
Nocera, April 2,
................................................ 362
197. To Father G. Caione. — Discretion of the saint in
regard to a vocation and to the foundation of a new
house. — Naples, May 19,
.....
. 363
19S. To the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regu­
lars.— Petition for the confirmation of the foundation
of the new house at S. Angelo a Cupolo. — [May],
. 364
199. To Father G. Caione. — Various recommendations. —
Nocera, June 1,
.......
36b
200. To Father Emanuele Caldarera, Oratorian. — He
sends him two of his works. — Nocera, June 4, .
. 366

|

Contents.
LETTER

PAGE

201. To THE Pope Benedict XIV. — He sends to the
Sovereign Pontiff the second volume of his Theology,
and asks him for some spiritual favors for his Institute.
— [Nocera, June 8],..........................................................
202. To Father G. CaionE. — Orders and counsels con­
cerning the house at Caposele. — Nocera, June io,
370
203. To Sister Maria Vincenza Giannastasio. — Counsels
regarding the acceptance of employments and the use
of mortifications. — [The year 1755 ?], .
372
204. To Father C. Picone. — He tells him to invest certain
postulants with the habit. — [About June 12],
• 373
205. To the Same. — Λ recommendation,--------- .
• 373
206. To the Same. — Qualities that novices should
have,................................................................................................374
207. To the Same? — Encouragement to be given to a
postulant, --------- ........ 374
208. To Father G. Caione. — Various recommendations
relative to the works of the saint and to the interests
of the Institute. — Nocera, June 22,
.
.
.
. 375
209. To Sister Μ. V. Giannastasio. — Behavior that she
should adopt in the state of desolation in which she
finds herself. — Nocera, June 22,........................................ 377
210. To Father G. Caione. — Recommendations in regard
to various works of the saint. — Nocera, June 28,
. 37S
21T. To the Same. — Recommendation about different sub­
jects.— Nocera, June 30,..................................... 379
212. To the Same. — He enjoins upon him obedience to the
physician. — Nocera, 6, [July],.........................................381
213. To the Novice Luigi Capuano. — His behavior under
certain difficulties relative to his vocation. — Saragnano, July 16,.............................................................................. 382
214. To Sister Μ. V. Giannastasio. — He exhorts her to
persevere in her exercises of piety.—Saragnano, July 21, 384
215. To the Novice Luigi Capuano. — Additional advice
as to the trial to which he is subjected. — Nocera,
July 22,....................................................................................... 385
216. To Father G. Caione. — He charitably excuses the
defects of a subject. — Various matters. — Ciorani,
August 3,.............................................................................. 386
217. To the Novice Luigi Capuano. — Behavior during
temptations. — Nocera, August 4,........................................ 387

Contents.

XXI
PAG!·

020.
221.

222.

223.
224.

225.

226.

227.

228.

229.

f. Caione. — He counsels holy revenge. —
gust 5,................................................................... 39°
i/fviCE Luigi Capuano. — Happiness that one
enjyys in the Institute.—Answer to several objections.
— Salerno, August 7, ......
391
To Sister Maria Nicoletta Leoni.— He recommends
resignation to God’s will. — Salerno, August 11, .
. 392
To Sister Μ. V. Giannastasio. — He encourages her
to suffer contradictions in a Christian manner.—Scala,
September 14,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 393
To the Same. — She should accept a charge without
objection. — Nocera, October 16, ..... 396
To the Same. — He exhorts her to tend to perfection
courageously. — Nocera, November 2, .
.
.
. 396
To Father G. Caione. — He reproaches him for in­
curring a superfluous expense. — [Nocera], November
16....................................................................................................... 398
To Father A. Tannoia. — He forbids him to incur a
superfluous expense. — Benevento, November 17,
. 399
To His Brother Don Ercole de Liguori. — He begs
him to ask for him the blessing of his dying mother.—
Benevento, November 23,
...... 400
To Father Pasquale Amendolara. — Various recom­
mendations. — Details in regaid to the mission at
Benevento. — Benevento, November 23,
.
.
. 402
To Father G. Caione. — The measure in which neces­
sary sciences should be studied. — Nocera, December
15»·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
· 4°4
To Father A. Tannoia. — Advice in regard to the
health of the subjects, and useless expenses.—Nocera,
December 31,.
.
.......................................................... 4°4
A. D. 1756.

230. To the Student Mauro Murante. — He permits him
to return to Pagani. — Pagani, January 7, .
.
. 407
231. To Father G. Caione. — The sending of points about
Venerable Brother Gerardo. — Seditious pretensions
of the lay-brothers at Iliceto. — Nocera, January it, . 40S
232. To Father A. Tannoia. — Punishment to be inflicted
upon the lay-brothers at Iliceto. — Other matters. —
Nocera, January 13,
......
410

XXII

Contents.

LETTER

233· To the Lay-brothers of the House at Iliceto. __
He complains of their conduct and threatens them
with punishment.— Nocera, 13, [January], .
413
234· To Father G. Caione.—Measures to be taken in regard
to the lay-brothers. — Nocera, January 16, .
•*l5
235. To Father Girolama Ferrara. — Same subject. —
Pagani, January 18,.....................
416
236. To Father G. Caione. — Disapprobation in regard to a
mission. — Conditions on which important missions
may be accepted. — Nocera, 19, [January], .
417
237· To Father A. Tannoia. — The case of a lay-brother.—
Nocera, January 20,
.......
238. To the Same.—He asks him to assist a brother tempted
against his vocation. — Nocera, January 21,
.
. 422
239· To the Same. — He refuses to dismiss a subject. —
[Nocera, end of January],
................................................ 423
240. To Father G. Ferrara. — Conditions required for
dismissing a subject. — [Nocera, end of January],
. 42^
241. To Father G. Caione. — He forbids the sending away
of any one without his permission. — Nocera, January
3°».................................................................................................. 424
242. To Father Francesco Pentlmalli. — He exhorts him
to perfect obedience. — Nocera, February 11,
.
- 426
243. To Father A. Tannoia.—He sends him different kinds
of help.— [February]............................................................. ....
244. To the Same. — Measures to be taken in regard to
various subjects. — [February], .
.
.
.
· 427
245. To the Same. — Project of a foundation at Matera. —
Naples, March 6, .......
- 429
246. To Sister M. N. Leoni. — He recommends to her
conformity to the will of God. — Naples, March 9,
· 43*
247. To Father G. Caione. — Solicitude of the saint for the
health of the subjects. — Naples, March 20,
.
. 432
248. To Sister Maria di Gesu. — Counsels regarding ob­
servance and resignation. — Pagani, April 22, .
. 433
249. To Father A. Tannoia. — Confirmation of an order
already given. — Nocera, May 2, .
.
.
.
. 434
250. To the Same. — Request that he should work at the
Constitutions. — Nocera, May 11........................................... 435
251. To Father G. Caione.—Various matters.—The sending
of a little work composed by the saint.—Nocera, .May 16, 437

Contents.

XXIII

252. To Sister Μ. N. Leoni. — He exhorts her to patience.
— Nocera, May 19,
....··· 439
253. To Father A. Tannoia. — He blames indiscreet zeal.
— Various counsels. — Pagani, May 25,
.
.
♦ 441
254. To Sister Maria di Gesu. — Explanations regarding
spiritual direction. — Pagani, June [25],
.
.
. 443
255. To a Father oe the House at Ciorani.—The sending
of pecuniary aid to Iliceto. — [June 3],
... 445
256. To Father A. Tannoia. — How he was to act in regard
to an imprudent subject. — June 3,
445
257. To the Same. — Advice relative to the novices. —
Poverty of the house at Iliceto. — Nocera, June 24, . 446
25S. To the Same. — He complains of useless expenses. —
[End of June],
........ 447
259. To the Same. — New complaints in regard to useless
expenses. — July 4,.......................................................... 44^
260. To Father G. Caione. — Advice relative to the health
of the subjects. — Ordination titulo patrimonii. —
[Beginning of July],..........................................................449
261. To the Council of Ecclesiastical Affairs. — The
saint solicits the legal approbation of his Institute. —
Refutation of objections. — Naples, July, .
.
. 451
262. To Sister Maria Angela Rosa Graziano. — He an­
nounces to her his early departure from Naples. —
Naples, [end of July],.......................................................... 455
263. To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce.—He exhorts
her to fervor. — Nocera, August 3,
456
264. To Father G. Caione. — Zeal of the saint for regular
observance. — Nocera, August 6, .
.
.
,
. 457
26^. To Mother Maria di Gesu. — Duties of a Prioress. —
Various recommendations. — Nocera, August 17,
. 458
266. To I* ather G. Caione. — Exhortation to practise
patience. — [Nocera, month of August],
.
.
. 459
267. To the Fathers and Brothers of His Institute. —
He exhorts a rigorous observance of a point of the
Rule. — [Nocera, August iS],
..... 461
268. To Father F. Margotta. — Recommendation. — No­
cera, September 1, .
.
.
.
,
.
.
. 462
269. 1° Mother Maria di Gesu. — He explains to her
the conduct of Father Fiocchi. — Nocera, September
24«
463

XXIV

Contents.

I.ETTER

PAGE

270. To Father /\. Villani.— Recommendations relative to
the interests of the Institute. — Nocera, October 1, . 464
271. To the Fathers and Brothers of His Institute.—
Prohibition to go out without his permission.—Nocera,
October 2,................................................................................ 466
272. To Sister Μ. N. Leoni. — He reproaches her for her
impatience and exhorts her to resignation. — Nocera,
October 6,
........
. 467
273. To Father G. Caione. — He begs him to watch over
the health of the students. — Nocera, October 27,
. 468
274. To the Same. — Various recommendations. — Ex­
planation regarding some points of the Rule of the
students. — Nocera, 29, [November], .... 469
275. To Mother Maria di Gesu.—He exhorts her to correct
abuses with prudence.—Nola, December 4, .
.
. 471
276. To Canon G. Fontana. — He speaks to him about one
of his little works: “Rule for Seminaries.” — Nola,
December 9, ......... 471
277. To Sister M. A. Rosa Graziano. — Advice as to
spiritual life. — Nocera, December 12,
.
.
. 473

A. D. 1757.
27S. To Father E. Caldarera. — Thanksgiving. — Asking
for a service. — Nocera, 17, [January],
.
.
.
279. To Sister M. A. Rosa Graziano. — lie exhorts her to
a perfect love of Jesus Christ.—Nocera, 23, [January],
280. To Father E. Caldarera. — Thanks for services
“rendered. — Nocera, January 28, .....
281. To Sister M. A. Rosa Graziano. — She should ask her
dire'etor for a rule of conduct. — [March 1757?], .
282. To the Same. — He exhorts her to persevere in prayer.
— Nocera, April 8,
......................................
283. To Father G. Caione. — He speaks to him of a
mission that is to be given and of other subjects. —
Nocera, April 17,.................................................................
284. To Don Giuseppe Caselle. — He recommends to him
to regulate the affairs of his family.—Nocera, April 18,
285. To a Father of the Congregation. — Hints as to the
composition of a theological treatise.—[Nocera], June
3 [year uncertain]..................................................... 48O

474

475

476
477

477

478
480

Contents.

xxv
PÂGh

letter

2S6. To Father Celestino de Robertis. — He begs him to .
change his place of abode. — [Nocera], June 4, .
. 481
287. To Mgr. Vito Moio, Bishop of Muro. — Promise made
to a prelate, who was ill-disposed towards the Institute.
— [Nocera, June 8],.......................................................... 4&2
288. To Father G. Caione. — He requests him to watch
over the observance of the Rule and the preservation
of the health of the subjects. — Rules as to the
teaching of theology. — Nocera, 15, [July],
483
289. To Sister Maria di Gesu. — He exhorts her to patience
and gives her other advice. — Nocera, July 22, .
486
290. To the Same. — Unfavorable dispositions of the king
towards the Institute. — Nocera, October 2,
48s
291. To the Fathers of the Congregation.—Explanations
as to the vow of poverty. — Various recommendations.
— Nocera, October 3,.......................................................... 4S9
292. To Sister M. A. Rosa Graziano. — He recommends to
her obedience and perfect detachment. — [Nocera],
October 16, ........
.
494
293. To the Same.—Recommendations in regard to obedience.
— Nocera, 28, [October],
...... 495
294. To Mother Maria Cherubina Dei Sette Dolori,
Carmelite. — He exhorts her zealously to maintain
regular observance. — Nocera, October 29, .
495
295· To Father G. Caione. — Manner of treating a student
who is templed against his vocation. — [Nocera],
November 3, ........ .
496
296. To Father A. Tannoia.—He reproaches him for having
revealed to him too late the unworthiness of a novice.
— Nocera, November 25 [year uncertain], .
49 S
297. To Father Pietro Blasucci. — How he should act in
regard to an indocile student. — Nocera, December 20, 498

A. I). 1758.
298. To Father A. Tannoia. — He earnestly recommends
to him a postulant. — Nocera, April 5,
500
299. To the Priest Angelo Maione. — Fears in regard to
the health of this novice. — Nocera, April 9,
.
. 501
300. To Father A. Tannoia. — Various counsels relative
to the Master of novices and to the novitiate.—Nocera,
April 10, .......... 502

XXVI

Contents.

LETTER

PAGE

301. To the Same. — Some arrangements to be made in the
novitiate and the house at Iliceto. — Nocera, April

I

29,.................................................................................................. 503
302. To Father G. Caione.—One cannot without the gravest
inconveniences absolve a subject who has '“left the
Institute without having received his dispensation. —
[Nocera], May 30,...................................................................... 504
303. To Father E. Caldarera.— He testifies his friendship
for him and recommends himself to his prayers. —
Nocera, June 9,
.......
. 506
304. To the Fathers and Students of the Congregation.
— The Propaganda had requested missionaries for
Asia; an appeal is made to the zeal of the subjects of
the Institute. — Nocera, July iS, .
305. To Father Pietro Paolo Blasucci. — He answers the
students and gives them important advice. — Nocera,
July 27,......................................................................................
306. To Father G. Caione. — Another answer to the letters
of the students. — Nocera, August 11, .
307. To the Novices at Iliceto.— He urges them to render
themselves worthy of one day going among the
heathen. — [Nocera, August],
·
.
.
.
.
308. To the Fathers and Brothers of the Congregation.
— He inculcates upon them the observance of various
points of the Rule. — Nocera, August 13, .
309. To Father G. Caione. — He exhorts him to moderate
his labors, and gives him advice in regard to an im­
portant matter. — Nocera, September 24,
310. To the Rectors, Ministers, Prefects and Superiors
of the Missions. — Various recommendations. — No­
cera, September 30,
....... 51
311. To Father G. Caione. — Details relative to pecuniary
matters and to the purchase of books. — [November],
52^
312. To the Same. — Utility of having critical spirits in the
Community.— Pecuniary embarrassments of the saint.
— Nocera, November 22,................................................
52S
313. To the Same. — Various recommendations to the Com­
munity at Caposele. — Nocera, December 12,
5^7
314. To the Student Giovanni B. Gargano. — Various
points in regard to spiritual direction. — Nocera,
December 13, .

Con toits.

XXVII
PAC,E

LETTER

A. D. 1759.
jig. To AN ECCLESIASTIC. — He congratulates him on his
promotion to a dignity. — Nocera, January 9,
.
. 529
316. To Father A. TANNOIA. — Various communications. —
Nocera, January 9, ..
.......................................................... 530
317. To Signor Pietro de Robertis.— He announces a visit
and thanks him for an important service. — Nocera,
February 23, ......... 533
31S. To a Father of the Congregation.—Recommendation
of a person. — He blames him for entertaining an
opinion contrary to the infallibility of the Pope. —
Nocera, February 27,
....... 534
319. To Father G. Caione. — He asks his aid to oblige a
bishop. — Nocera, March 19, .
.
.
.
.
535
320. To Father A. Tannoia. — He speaks of the date to be
fixed for an important mission. — Nocera, April 12, . 536
321. To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce. — Reasons
for which the foundation at Villa degli. Schiavi cannot
be resumed. — Nocera, May 25, ..... 53S
322. To Father Celestino de Robertis. — He asks him to
go to the mission at Agerola. — Nocera, May 29,
. 539
323. To Sister Carlotta Fraggianni. — He accedes to her
request. — Nocera, June 9, .....
. 540
324. To Father A. Tannoia. — Earnest request for prayers.
— Nocera, June 14,
......
. 540
325. To Canon Giuseppe Sparano. — He declares himself
ready to grant the requests of the Archbishop of Naples.
— Nocera, September 7,
...... 541
326. To Mgr. 1. Sanchez de Luna, Archbishop of Salerno.
— Request for faculties for all the missionaries of the
Institute. — [Nocera, November 3],
.
.
. 542
327. To Sister Maria Giovanna Sparano. — Practical rule
of conduct in a particular ease. — Nocera, November
26, ........... 544
328. q'o Father Pasquale de Matteis, S. J. — Grief of the
saint on learning the trials of the Society. — Nocera,
December 3,................................................................................ 54b
329. Γο Father A. Tannoia.—He consents to the profession
of several novices. — Various counsels. — Padani
December 6, .......
.
e iS

XXVIII

Contents.
1 ’age

LETTER

330. To the Same. — He announces the arrival of two
novices. — Nocera, December 9, .
331. To Father M. Murante. — He forbids him to go
to his family to be cured. — Nocera, December 14,
332. To Frater Andrea Morza. — He refuses to grant him
certain dispensations. — [End of the year],
333· To the Same. — Encouragement to fervor. — [End of
the year],......................................................
.

548

550
551
552

A. D. 1760.
334. To Mgr. Sanchez de Luna, Archbishop of Salerno.—
Petition for faculties for reserved cases. — [January
22],.........................................................................
335· To A Nun. — What one must do in order to love God.—
Nocera, January 27,..................................
.
336. To Father A. Tannoia. — Zeal of the saint for obe­
dience. — Nocera, February 22, .....
337· To the Same. — He re-assures him on the subject of the
preceding letter. — Naples, March 4, .
338. To Father G. Caione. — He asks him to obtain in­
formation about two postulants. — Nocera, April 2,
339. To Sister M. G. Della Croce. — Devotion to the
Blessed Virgin a guarantee of a good death.— Nocera,
April 30,............................................................................
340. To Father Giuseppe Melchionna. — The saint re­
proves him very gently for his indiscreet request. —
Nocera, April 30, ........
341. To Father G. Caione. — Various counsels. — Nocera,
May 2, .
342. To a Father on the Mission. — He gives him an order.
— Nocera, May 12,
343. To Father C. de Robertis. — He names him Superior
of a mission. — [About May 16], .....
344. To Father E. Caldarera. — He declares his opinion
about a foundation in Sicily. — Nocera, June 30, .
345. To Father A. Tannoia. — Recommendations relative
to various subjects and to studies in particular. —
Nocera, July 18,
........................................................
346. To Father P. de Matteis, S. J. — Sentiments of the
saint in regard to the persecutions of the Society of
Jesus. — Nocera, August 17,
.....

553
554

555
556

557

558

559

561

562
562
563

565

567

Contents.
LETTER

XXIX
PAGE

347. To Most Rev. Father Ricci, General of the Society
of Jesus. — He asks him to have some one to refute
the calumnies spread against the Society of Jesus.—
[The year 1760?],................................................... 568
348. To Father G. Caione. — Recommendations regarding
certain members of the Institute and various apostolic
labors. — [November], .
....................................... 570
349. To Father P. de Matteis, S. J. — Zeal of the saint in
defence of the persecuted Society. — Nocera, No­
vember 21,
............................................................................. 572
350. To Father A. Tannoia. — He speaks to him of an
important affair. — Nocera, December 12, .
.
. 573
351. To Sister Maria Arcangela Lippo. — He complies
with one of her wishes, but reproves her for insisting.
— Nocera, December 22,................................................ 574
352. To the Bishops of the Kingdom. — Letter announcing
the forwarding to them of a little work entitled “The
Mass and Office Hurriedly Said.” — December 27, . 576

A. D. 1761.

»

353. To Father G. Caione. — Various commissions. —
Nocera, 9, [January],.......................................................... 577
354. To Sister Chiara Gai ano. — He prescribes for her a
rule of life. — Nocera, January 11,
.... 577
355. To Father A. Tannoia. — He is astonished at not
having received certain news. — Nocera, January 22, . 579
356. To Father Giovanni Rizzi. — He approves of one of
his decisions. — Nocera, April 10,
...
. 5S0
357. To D. Francesco Pansa. — He asks a favor of him. —
Nocera, May 6,
,
................................................ 5S2
35S. To a Friend. — He asks him to do a favor. — [The year
1761 ?],
.
. .......................................................... 582
359· To TIIE Bishops of the Kingdom. — He sends them his
Letter to a religious on the manner of preaching. —
[Nocera], May 10, ........ 5S3
360. To A Priest of Bisaquino.— He recommends to him to
practise filial piety. — Nocera de' Pagani, May 19,
. 584
361. To Father G. Rizzi. — He asks him to aid a Father in
his studies. — Nocera, May 21,
..... 585
362. To His Brother Don Ercole. — He asks him for the
payment of interest on his life-annuity. — Nocera, May
, 24,................................................................................................. 5S7

XXX

Contents.

LETTER

364.

365.
366.
367.

368.

369.
370.

PAGE

To Sister Chiara («λιανό. — Rules of conduct amidst
trials. — Nocera, May 28,.................
588
To Father G. Rizzi. — He combats his scruples of con­
science. — Nocera, July 5,................................................. 589
To a Superior of the Congregation. — Acceptance of
a house in Sicily. — Nocera, August 3,
590
To the Students of the House at Ciorani. — Regulations made at the canonical Visitation,--------- .
590
To Father G. Rizzi. — He exhorts him to despise his
scruples and charges him with making an inquiry. —
[November 1761 ?],
....... 592
To D. NicolÔ Pentimalli. — Sentiments of condolence
for the death of Father Pentimalli. — Nocera, November 28,..................................................................
.
.
594
To Father A. Tannoia. — Announcement of the arrival
of a novice. — Nocera, November 28, .
.
.
.
595
To Father Olympio Pavone. — He congratulates the
author on the subject of his works. — Nocera, Decem­
ber 27,...........................................................................
.
596

A. D. 1762.
371. To Father A. Tannoia. — He sends a letter addressed
to the novices. — Nocera, January 28, .
.
.
. 597
372. To the Novices in the House at Iliceto.—Inestimable
value of the religious vocation. — Means of preserving
it. — Nocera, January 28,
...
.
597
373- To the Novice, Don Vlncenzo Buonopane. — He ex­
horts the novice to unite himself more and more to
Jesus Christ. — Nocera, 28, [January],
• 601

Fac-similé of a letter of St. Alphonsus addressed to
Father Mazzini, Rector of the House

at

Pagani.

(See translation, page 147·)

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(General Corrcsponùciuc.
i.
BEFORE THE ET ISCO P A TE.

(1730— 1762.)

1

PREFACE OF THE ITALIAN EDITOR.

The lives of the saints and everything that refers to them,
no matter how unimportant and common-place they may be.
excite in a wonderful manner the pious curiosity of the faith­
ful who derive great spiritual advantage from their perusal.
This fact, attested by daily experience, is very beautifully ex­
pressed by St. John Chrysostom when speaking of the apostles
he says : “ Oh, would that we might meet with a man who could
give us the history of the apostles! Not a history, however,
containing only what they wrote and spoke, but one portray­
ing for us the whole tenor of their lives, what and when they
ate, when they remained at home, when they went forth into
the world, what they did every day, what places they visited,
what houses they frequented, what journeys they undertook
by sea and by land, and all narrated with the greatest exact­
ness, for every detail is of the greatest utility to us.” (Zw ep.
ad Philem.) And what is here said of the apostles by’ St.
John Chrysostom, may be applied equally’ well to all the
great servants of God, the slightest details of whose lives
have always formed the object as well of constant research as
of religious veneration. Nor is it only the faithful who take
an interest in such matters, but all sensible men who admire
genius, because the heroism of Christian sanctity shines with
such lustre that no thinking man can fail to recognize in the
saints the heroes of humanity.
It is not wonderful then that so great honor has been paid
at all times and by all men to their writings, and especially to
their letters or familiar epistles in which are displayed before
our eyes the excellence of character and the eminent virtues

4

Preface of the Italian editor.

that made them the benefactors of religion, of society, and of
the individual.
Keeling* the full force of these considerations and confident
that we should be doing a pleasing and useful work, we have
undertaken to collect and to give to the public in one complete
work as many letters of our holy Father St. Alphonsus as we
have been able to find, many of which have never as *vet
appeared in print.
We have chosen the present time for
their publication on account of its peculiar appropriateness,
for we celebrate this year the centenarv of our Founder’s
happy death.
H
I'he letters of St. Alphonsus regarded in their complex fall
natural!' into four classes : i. Letters to the religious of his own
Congregation; 2. Letters of spiritual guidance; 3. Episcopal
letters and ordonances; 4. Letters bearing on the publication
of his works and referring to other special affairs of the saint.
Taking them as a whole, we do not hesitate to say that they
give us a most faithful and perfect picture of this illustrious
I Joctor.
Nowhere does the saint show more fully than in this
correspondence, which extends over the space of a halfcentury, the secrets of that soul, naturally noble but so
perfected by grace, as to render him like unto his divine
Master. Founder of a religious Congregation, a missionary
powerful in word and deed, a director experienced and en­
lightened, an exemplary bishop, an author of wonderful
fecundity, St. Alphonsus came in contact with persons of the
most diverse character, found himself face to face with great
difficulties, and had to treat affairs and questions of every
kind.
His long career is, so to speak, mirrored in his
correspondence. At one time the holy Doctor turns to his
own sons. spurs them on , directs them ; at another he
points out to souls hungering after perfection the simplest
and safest road ; now as a bishop he addresses his clergy,
the civil authorities and the princes of the Church ; then
as a theologian he treats numberless questions in the field of
controversy, w hich are nevertheless very useful ; then Hnall\
we see him as an author superintending the editions of |qs
J

Preface of the Italian editor.

i

I

Μ·

I
'

numerous works. It is evident that a correspondence of this
character cannot but be pleasing and interesting; for con­
sidering the abilities of the author, we expect it to contain
many excellent qualities. A style simple, natural, free from
all obscurity, and a moderate use of ornament, joined to a
great fund of topics (or displayed in a great range of topics),
show us the author confident of his strength, master of
thought, as well as of expression. Then that practical wisdom,
that holy, singular and characteristic gift of the saint, reveals
itself on every page. Finally, what crowns the work and
excites our unbounded admiration is the continual insight
into the apostolic soul that dictated these letters. That burn­
ing love of souls which ever characterized the saint and
which made of him a true apostle, is the formal element, is,
so to speak, the very soul that vivifies the whole correspond­
ence and all its parts. No matter whether the saint writes to
his own sons or to strangers ; whether he gives to persons
favored by our Lord safe and gentle rules or spurs on tepid
and unfaithful souls to the practice of the virtues proper to
their state; whether he gently instils into the souls of the
faint-hearted a filial confidence in God or shows to the
scrupulous that their only means of salvation lies in obedience ;
no matter whether he demands justice against the guilty or
implores pardon for the unfortunate; whether engaged in
missions or in other works of the ministry, superintending
the publication and sale of his works or praising the zeal of
the publisher, everywhere and in everything we are forced to
admire the apostle inflamed with zeal, animarum zelo succensus, the apostle who lives no longer for himself, but for
Jesus Christ, the love of whom was his only aim and his
glory. From this source arose that forgetfulness of self, that
absence of all pretension, that true simplicity with its accompaniments, true zeal with its attendants, and which stand
out in this correspondence in bolder relief than in any other
work.
It must not, however, be supposed that the correspondence
will on that account be monotonous and consequently less
delightful reading; on the contrary, on every page we meet

Preface of the Italian editor.
with the most pleasing variety. Take for example the letters
which are intended for spiritual guidance. What a richness
and variety of delightful subjects! Here we find the practical
solution of questions relating to prayer and to its different
species, to frequent Communion, to the line of conduct to
be followed in time of spiritual consolation or in time of
desolation, to a choice of a state of life, to the selection of a
spiritual director, etc. These and a hundred more questions
are treated here, we venture to say, niOTe clearly and more
concisely than in the other works of the holy Doctor, since
he had to adapt himself to a variety of persons, to their
different intellectual capacity, and to their progress in the
spiritual life. The director of souls and the simple child of
the Church, the dweller in the cloister, and the secular, will
without great study, be enabled to admire that wisdom of
St. Alphonsus in guiding along the heavenly path the souls
committed to his care. What a knowledge of divine things'
What sweet and prudent slowness! What watchfulness in
i emoving all obstacles to grace! What energy in urging on
the negligent! What constant charity in comforting desolate
souls and in aiding sufferers of all classes, by showing them
the great value of tribulations!
The historical notices of so great importance in our day are
as abundant as they are valuable. Not to speak of what
relates to the author, whose life is here outlined in great pari,
or of his Institute, the different phases of which are here
described, or of his diocese and its government, the great
event of the eighteenth century, the furious onslaught ot
infidelity, the tyrannical and hypocritical measures of the
Neapolitan government, especially that regalism, the sworn
enemy of the holiest rights of the Church, the suppression of
the Society of Jesus, the persistent and malignant assaults of
Jansenism on sound Catholic doctrine, all these great events,
the importance of which has not been dimmed by time, gain not
a little light from remarks scattered here and there throughout
the correspondence. The saint’s judgment on men and
things expressed in his own peculiar style — [my com ise sfyte,
lie said to his publisher, Giuseppe Reinondini, in a letter dated

Preface oJ the Italian editor.
April 8, 1770) — will often tell the reader more than he
would gain from the pages of history. Moreover, the reader
will find here historical matter hitherto unknown which will
serve to remove more than one difficulty and solve more than
one historical problem. Church history itself cannot fail to
be benefited by this work. Finally, no matter how great a
man’s esteem for the saint may be, he cannot gain a true
knowledge of his ceaseless activity, of his services to the
Church, not to mention his patience in supporting the vex­
ations of the ci\ il authority and the bitter attacks of enemies
banded together for the ruin of the Congregation, if he
remains unacquainted with the saint’s correspondence.
We confidently think that the reader will share our con­
viction and will not accuse us of exaggeration, if he will take
the trouble to verify for himself, all that we have said ; this
he may easily do by taking the general index as a guide.
It will not be out of place to say a few words about the
authenticity of the letters. In the editions printed at Rome,
1815, at 1 urin, 1831, and at Naples, 1848, the whole of the
correspondence is not to be found ; leaving room for im­
provement. We need not wonder at this. The works of
the saints, and especially their letters, do not all become known
at the same time. We may say of their letters what the Holy
Scripture says of their virtues : Justorum semita, quasi lux
splendens procedit et crescit usque ad perfectum dicm. — But
the path of the just as a shining light goeth forward and
increaseth even to perfect day. (Prov. iv. 18.) Such was the
case with St. Ignatius of Loyola, with St. Teresa, with St.
Jane Frances Chantal, with St. Vincent of Paul and others ;
these letters, truly treasures, scattered and hidden, were
found and collected at the time marked out by Providence
for the edification of the faithful . The same happened
to the letters of our saint. Having been scattered here and
there during his life on account of his wide-spread correspond­
ence, it was impossible to collect them all at one time; long
and persistent research was needed to bring them to light.
Some were hidden beneath the dust of libraries whence they
were providentially rescued some ten years ago; a great

8

Preface of the Italian editor.

number had found their way into the hands of antiquaries
and collectors of the autographs of celebrated men; others,
finally, more than a thousand in number, having been ex­
amined by the Church in the process of the saint’s beatification
had been given to his numerous clients as precious relics,
and had in this manner been scattered broadcast over the
world. To obtain possession of these treasures, we resorted
to all practices ; we even called in the aid of the Catholic
press to work upon the benevolence of those who either
possessed such letters, or at least knew where any were to
be found, in order that we might obtain at least a true copy.
Our labor was not in vain; God deigned to bless it. Eccles­
iastics and seculars and religious Communities responded
courteously to our wishes. And here we feel it incumbent on
us to thank them for their kindness, and we pray our holy
Founder, to whose glory they have contributed, to grant them
his choicest blessings. Nor have we neglected to write at
the end of each letter the names of those who so kindly lent
them, to show in this way our gratitude. We regret that we
are not able to do this in every instance ; for some of the
letters though scrupulously authenticated by ecclesiastical
authority reached our hands without any indication as to the
names of their holders.
The number of the letters thus far collected convinces us
that our edition surpasses by far the others in point of
number, although we confess it is not so complete as we had
wished to make it. The catalogue of letters drawn up for the
beatification shows us that more than three hundred letters
are still missing. Our wishes will some day be fulfilled, and
God knows how earnestly we desire this. Again we entreat
our courteous readers most earnestly and warmly to help us
to fill out this void and to enable us to publish an edition in
which nothing shall be wanting.
It will be scarcely necessary for us to remark that we have
followed the text most scrupulously, going even so far as to
leave unaltered those careless expressions which flow at times
from the pen of every writer; as an excuse for this negligence
we can say that St. Alphonsus never thought of their future

Preface of Ihe Italian editor.
publication; he wrote and dictated them while overwhelmed
with business affairs, concerning himself only about the sub­
stance of the letter. We thought it advisable to enclose in
brackets the common Italian term for some of the word.·*
belonging to the Neapolitan dialect which might have pre­
sented some difficulty to the reader.
For the sake of
uniformity the dates have been placed at the beginning of the
letters. As however the date is missing in more than one
letter, we have endeavored with all possible care to glean the
date from the matter treated ; we have marked with a special
sign all such letters. With the exception of these slight
modifications, we may say that the letters remain exactly as
they were written or dictated by the saint; we say, dictated,
for from the year 1758 he required the services of an amanuensis
on account of a malady contracted at that time.
“ 1 am not answering with my own hand (thus he wrote
from Nocera, August 3, of the same year), as since my
last sickness my hand gives me too much trouble........... If
there be a real necessity, I force myself to write what is
necessary little by little........... ” To this source we may
ascribe the occasional omission of a name in these formulas
so frequently used by him, Live Jesus, etc., careless ex­
pressions, and especially needless repetitions, for we know
that when he was bishop, he was often obliged to summon to
his aid a simple lay-brother, the good Brother Francesco An­
tonio Romito.
It would have afforded us the highest satisfaction, to have
been able to reproduce the whole correspondence with the
original letters before our eyes, though we can say that we
have a great many which we have marked : After the original.
Although, in spite of our labors, we have not been able to
obtain all the originals, we do not think that the authenticity
of the letters will be affected thereby. We have found some
excellent copies in the general archives, the preservation
of which we owe chiefly to the immortal biographer of the
holv Doctor, Father Antonio Maria Tannoia; these are
marked: After an old copy. As for the others, with the
exception of a few letters taken from the Neapolitan edition.
»

ΙΟ

Preface of the Italian editor.

we have closely followed the Roman edition, as the reader
will easily perceive. 'This latter edition, the work of the
Postulator of the cause of the saint’s canonization, Rev.
Vincenzo Giattini, is authentic in every respect, as we have
been able to compare it with a great number of the original
letters. It may not be amiss to add here that though the
printed text of the Roman edition is the text of St. Alphonsus,
it is not, unfortunately, always the entire text ; having had
occasion to compare some letters with the originals, which
we bad at hand, we found more than one omission which the .
editor saw lit to make, perhaps because he did not consider
the parts omitted directly conducive to the edification, profit
and spiritual advantage of the reader, the end that he had in
view in editing the letters.
We must now say a few words about the order which we
have followed in the arrangement of the letters.
On account of the diversity of matter and of persons it
would be difficult, not to say impossible, to give an exact
classification of the letters.
Seeing, however, the great
utility oi some such arrangement, we have endeavored to
meet it by dividing the whole work into two parts, under the
heading of general correspondence and special correspondence.
In the first division we place all the letters of whatever
import addressed by the saint to his own Sons, and to extents
of every class and condition, to ecclesiastical and civil author­
ities, to nobles, plebeians, relatives, friends, etc., but es­
pecially to cloistered persons striving for perfection.
In the second part we shall place, first, the letters re­
ferring to the works of the holy Doctor, their publication,
the reasons that induced him to write them, his method
of writing, the exposition and development of his moral
system, etc.; these we shall call scientific letters; then follow
the letters written during his episcopate, under the form
either of notifications, decrees, instructions to his clergy and
through them to the people, or of reports of his Visitation
sent to the Sacred Congregation of the Council ; added to
these are letters wherein he treats e.v professo of the rnv^rn.
ment of his diocese, of giving missions or exercises to
9

Preface oj the Italian editor.

i i

ecclesiastics, etc.; these we shall call generically Pastoral
letters.
As far as possible we have held to the chronological order,
which, in our opinion, is the clearest and most natural, as it
removes ambiguity, avoids repetition, and causes one to see
the activity of the saint developing, as it were, before our
eyes.
Finally, in order to place everything in the clearest light,
we have thought it advisable to insert here and there notes
throwing light upon persons and matters spoken of in the
letters; the notes have been taken from most trustwortin
sources.
If the reader should at times find them superfluous, es­
pecially those relating to members of our Congregation, we
ask him to bear with us, as we were anxious to avail
ourselves of the occasion to make honorable mention of
those who, in our eyes, most deserved it.
True it is that the value of such a correspondence cannot
be heightened by our poor labor, but the year in which
it sees the light, adds to it a new and well-merited lustre; the
year eighteen hundred and eighty-seven is the first centenary
of the death of the saintly author ! During the past century the
spirit of St. Alphonsus has been working in the Church, and
She has not forgotten to crown his name with honor. It is
therefore with most joyful hearts that we bring our humble
flowers to adorn the beautiful garland that decks the brow
of our holy Father; we lay our poor offering, the pledge
of our filial love, at the'foot of his glorious tomb, imploring
at the same time for ourselves, our gentle readers, and for
all the devout clients of St. Alphonsus. his paternal blessipg.
Rome, June 19. 1887, Feast of our Lady of Perpetual Help.

LETTERS Ο E

ST. ALPHONSUS MARIA DE LIGUORI.

PART I.
©encrai (Torrcsponùcncc.

I.ETTER I.

To Mother Angiola del Cielo 1 and to the Nuns of Scala.

The saint gives various exhortations, general as well as
particular, and recommends to the prayers of the nuns one of
his penitents, who was greatly troubled in spirit.

Praised be Jesus, Joseph. Mary, and Teresa !
Naples, October 29, 1730.

May Jesus and Mary always possess our hearts! Finish
Thy work, O Lord ! and take entire possession of our
1 Mother Angiola del Cielo, called in the world Maria de \ ito.
\ as born at Naples in the year 1700. At the age of 19, burning with
the desire to consecrate herself to the Spouse of virgins, she in
company w ith her sister entered a conservatory which had recently
been founded in the little town of Scala. Her great piety and the
soundness of her judgment were such that, though still very young,
she was considered worthy to till the responsible position of mistress
of novices, and in the year 1729 she w*as elected Superior of the
Community. Understanding, however, from certain supernatural
revelations that another Rule, the principle aim of which should be
the continual imitation of our Saviour Jesus Christ, was to be
substituted for the Rule hitherto observed, Mother Angiola employed
all her energv to bring about llin change, since the above-mentioned

’4

(τ en era l Correspon den ce.

[PART I.

hearts; we are willing to lose them, and may we find them
no more, if only they are in Thy hands, for then they are
in good hands.
I received your first letters on the feast of my patroness
St. Teresa: it was a consolation for me only to see the
envelope, for it told me who had written those letters.
I did not write before, because I have been very much
occupied, especially with the mission which is being held at
Naples, and which is still to be concluded ; added to this,
I have, as you see, many correspondents to answer.
Now I am writing, and I wish to tell you that though
some time has elapsed since my stay at Scala, my re­
membrance of you is as vivid as if I had departed only
yesterday. If this should appear to you to be saying too
much, ask our Lord to make me forget you ; because, as
far as I am concerned, I hope that memory will ever be the
same; since, far from drawing me away from God, it serves
to unite me more closely to him. I wish you also to know
for your common consolation that the words of your letters
are like so many arrows that wound me with the love of
revelations had received the approval of St. Alphonsus during the
spiritual exercises given by him in September, 1730. The following
year, in the month of May, the conservatory of Scala adopted the
new Rule, taking al the same time the name of the Most Holy
Saviour. Thus was most solemnly begun the Institute known to-day
by the name of the nuns of the Most Holy Redeemer or Redemptoristines, whose Rule received the approbation of the Holy See
in 1750.
Mother Angiola was frequently re-elected Superior, so that we
might almost say she always presided over that fervent Community.
She enjoyed the good fortune of having for upwards of ten years the
Venerable Gennaro Sarnelli as her spiritual director, and the
numerous letters addressed to her, which are now in our possession,
show us clearly the height of sanctity to which she attained.
This hol\ religious, whose memory is blessed among the children
of St. Alphonsus, died a holy death, in the year 1782.

1730. j

Letter i.

id

God. Courage then, Sisters! let us give our hearts entirely
to Him who is knocking for admittance, and let us banish
from them everything that is not for God. In order to give
ourselves to him without reserve, let us endeavor to go out
of ourselves, so that God may find no obstacle when be­
comes to take possession of our hearts.
Up to the present time, as I have already told you, I
have been paying up for the agreeable time that I spent at
Scala; I am as well as one can expect during the storm; I
am in such a state that at times 1 can see neither heaven
nor earth, and I find within myself a dark abyss, ubi nuttus
ordo, sed terribilis horror inhabitat, — where no order,
but everlasting horror dwelleth. [Job, x. 22.] May the
will of God be ever done ! and if it be for the greater glory
of God that I should be damned, may the will of God be
done! This I say in all sincerity. Pray to God for me,
that I may not offend him, since it would not be for his
greater glory that I should offend him. O Lord ! here I
am ; hell would be little for me.
Mgr. Falcoia1 has written to me in terms so affectionate,
that he has entirely captivated me; he did not mention
when he would return, but I understood it was to be about
the 20th of November.
My dear Mother, 1 beg you most earnestly to pray and
to have prayers said for my poor penitent Maria ; I know
no longer what to do or what to say to her. She does not
hear me, she does not understand me. The more I say,
the more troubled she becomes ; hence she is also tempted
to leave me. I have told her that she may go to whom
she wishes, but I see that it is only a temptation. She is
tempted almost continually to commit suicide. It appears
to her that there is no God, and that if there be a God, he
1 Toijunaso Falcoia, a member of the Order of the Pious Workers,
was the spiritual director of the nuns of Scala. He was at that time
at Rome, where during the same month he was consecrated bishop.

16

6 eneral Correspondence,

[I’AR'l 1.

hates her and she hates him ; moreover, it seems to her
that this hatred which she bears towards God does not
afflict her, and this thought only increases her misery.
Her anguish, the reason and source of which she cannot ex­
plain, is so great that she has almost gone out of her mind.
Only yesterday, while she was kneeling in the confessional,
her pain was so excessive that it brought on a kind of
swoon, which rendered her speechless. I tell you all this
in order to excite your compassion for this poor desolate
soul, who, I must say, consoles me by her prompt obedience
even in things the most difficult which I have imposed upon
her in order to try her. I ask you to pray for her for at
least three days, and to recommend her to the prayers of the
Community at holy Communion; moreover, have the Litany
ol our Lady said, that God may give me light and her
strength to obey and to suffer this great affliction. If she
does not throw off the yoke of obedience, I hope that
she will give great glory to God; but there is need of much
prayer and assistance. Pray then for her, as God has
perhaps made me acquainted with you in order to obtain
your prayers in behalf of this soul. And she in her turn
will pray for you as well as she can.
Now, my dear Sisters, do not grow negligent in praying
lor me. I, who am a priest, called to save souls, should
be filled with zeal for the glory of God : pray that I may
give him pleasure, and then if he wishes to send me to hell,
may his will be done ! I shall appear importunate by
repeating so often, Pray for me; because I fear that as time
goes on you may grow cold. You must know that the
very thought that you are praying for me gives me courage,
and spurs me on to give pleasure to God, as it seems to me
almost impossible that God can refuse to hear you when
you pray earnestly for some soul, and say to him as St.
Teresa was accustomed to say: Lord, we wish to obtain
this for our friend. How discouraged I should feel if you

Letter /.

1730.]

should cease to pray for me! I beg you, if that should
ever happen, to leave me in ignorance of the fact, that I
may flatter myself with the thought that you are still praying
for me. It would be a very great trial for me to find that
you had forgotten me in your prayers. I for my part never
forget you in my prayers, poor as they may be: to tell the
truth, you share in a great part of my unworthy prayers.
It seems to me that I pray more for you than for myself:
for, as regards myself, I endeavor to be resigned if God
wishes me to remain in the lowest grade of sanctity ;
but as for you, I will not rest until I see you all like
Seraphim.
From time to time I turn towards your home and ex­
claim: O ye enamoured souls! love Jesus. Love him,
then ; do not lose a moment of time ; you can give him
the greatest pleasure. Remember that he loves you without
ceasing ; he loses no time. Speak to him often, especially
when you find yourselves before him in the Blessed Sacrament ;
speak to him of love rather than of anything else: for he
enjoys the conversation about love more than any other
subject. Love Jesus: love above all his Sacred Heart and
his divine will. Do not trouble yourselves as to whether
you are among the predestined or the reprobate, among
the abandoned or among the favorites of God. Unite your
will with the will of God, and then say: O Lord! Thy
pleasure and Thy glory are sufficient for me. Let this be
our only aim to glorify God in ourselves; alter that let
disgrace and abandonment, crosses and trials, storms and
darkness, desolation and despondency, come upon us : lei
them come as often as it pleases God to send them. He
remains the same good God, worthy of all our love; may he
then be blessed and loved forever !
Let us always speak in this manner, and then place all
our confidence in God, for this is what he earnestly desires.
I beseech our Lord to cause your hearts to burn in that
o

ι8

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

furnace of love, of which St. Teresa speaks, and in which
love is the torture of hearts.
My heart, confide and hope:
The tempest too is able oft
To bring; the bark to port. 1

Do me the favor to omit henceforward in your letters the
title Most Illustrious, as I am not a bishop.
Don Giovanni 2 recommends himself to the prayers of all.
You may read the foregoing in public; but the following
lines you will please read yourself, and then read to those
particular Sisters to whom I am writing privately.
My penitent is writing to Sister Maria Colomba.
In the first place I address you not as Mother, but as
Maria Angiola, and I wish to say to you : My daughter (I
call you so because you call me Father), I am deeply
grateful to you for whatever you do for me. I know that
you not only pray for me yourself, but that you also
recommend me very often to the prayers of the Community.
To judge from your manner of acting, I should say that
you are a woman of deeds rather than of words. You cannot
imagine what great pleasure your conduct affords me.
Do not forget to pray for me; I never forget you nor
will I ever do so, I assure you. I am no friend of twaddle,
but I speak as I really feel. I recommend you to God in a
special manner not only at Mass, but also in all my humble
prayers ; the grace which I ask from God for myself I seek
to obtain for you also.
You are a guiding light to me, as I am certain that God
reposes in your heart and wishes never more to leave it.
1 Cor mio, confida e spera:
Che la tempesta ancor,
Condune sa talor
I.a nave in porto.

2 Giovanni Mazzini was one of the first companions of the saint.

>730. J

Letter /.

19

Gratitude, as you well know, even towards our neighbor,
is not displeasing to God. Your soul is very, very dear to
God. It rests with you to inflame me with the love of
God: it will be sufficient if you speak only one tender word
to him when you recline upon his bosom after holy Com­
munion.
The fears you express with regard to Maria Colomba fill
me with great consolation : it encourages me to tell her
that she must surrender her whole will to God, for he
desires this. I conclude by blessing all your affections,
thoughts, words, deeds, and in fact everything that is
yours.
I forgot to send you that souvenir. I send you in this
letter the verse : Dio mio, ecc. — My God, etc.1
I send to Maria Cherubina her prayer: Gesù mio, ecc. —
My Spouse, etc. Tell her from me that sorrow for sin is
not necessary for one who has been already pardoned by
God. I wish her to become inflamed with love, to become
foolish for love, and finally to die of love for him who
became a fool and died for love of us. Let her do this,
and I, on my part, will take upon myself the responsibility
of rendering an account of her soul ; tell her that I bless her.
To Sister Maria Felice: Please tell her, I shall continue
to offer her will to God, and that she must continue to do
the same in my regard. 1 send her also the little prayer :
My Jesus, etc., which she has asked for.
To Sister Maria Rosa: Our dear Lord wishes her to
become a saint, but without any delay. St. Rose became a
saint and died the death of a saint while still very young.
Tell good Sister Maria Raffaella12 that I send her the
1 These little remembrances were written on separate small slips
of paper; they have all been lost.
2 Sister Maria Raffaella was the sister of Mother Angiola del Cielo,
and she it was who in the year 1767 founded the monastery of the
nuns of the Most Holy Redeemer, at St. Agatha of the Goths.

20

General Correspondence,

[parti.

following message: My dear Sister, 1 rejoice to hearthat
you have become blind and deaf; I would that you were as
I desire to see you. I am delighted to hear again : Amo, e
pure non so chc ne sento amore. — I love, and yet I know
not what I love. Whether you are far or near, united or
separated, love, love the adorable will of God ; do not
trouble yourself to find out whether you love or do not
love, whether you belong to God or not. Seek neither
consolation nor light; do not strive to come forth out of
your darkness and misery; everything happens according
to the sweet will of God. For example, it is the will of
God that you pray for me; abstain then from doing so it
you can! Do not give yourself any further thought as to
whether your prayer helps me or not. It is certain that ii
you make a saint of me, I shall be better able to assist
you, as you well observe. I shall send the message for
you to Mamma,1 through my other Mamma, St. Teresa;
I know that Mamma will listen to it with the greatest
pleasure. May Jesus and Mary bless you !
To Sister Maria Michele: Tell her that if my impre­
cations'- were realized, she would have to be pitied ; and
let her know that I shall not cease to pray for her until I
learn that she is fairly burning alive with the love of God.
I wish she would obtain from her Spouse, who I know
loves her dearly, the same imprecation for me. I send her
my blessing.
To Sister Maria Eletta: Ask her to keep her word, as
I always recommend her to God.
To Sister Maria Emmanuele: I wish her to belong
entirely to God before she dies.
To Sister Maria Giuseppa : I do not know whether you12
1 Our saint was accustomed to employ this tender epithet when
speaking of the most holy Mother of God.
2 The word imprecations is here used ironically.

1/30· J

Letter /.

delivered my message to her, and whether she has promised
to pray for me. Remember me again to her.
To Sister Maria Cristina : She ought to thank our dear
Lord for all the lights that he has vouchsafed her ; let her
be careful to follow them.
I thank her for her kind
remembrance of me, and ask her to continue to pray for
me, as I never forget her in my prayers.
To Sister Maria Evangelista : Tell her that in accordance
with the promise that I made her, I recommend her very
often to God : I hope that she, on her part, will keep her
word. Let her .also know that her Spouse is a jealous
Spouse ; he wishes to have her all his own.
To Sister Battista: I shall beseech our Lord to imprison
her in his divine Heart.
You may tell all in particular, if they should ask,
that I always remember them in my prayers, since I pray
for all ; tell them not to forget me.
If it should happen that you have to write to me before
Christmas, especially if you wish to speak to me about
Mgr. Ealcoia, or about your own affairs, please write before
the middle of December : for I believe about that time we
shall have to set out for a distant mission, a journey ot some
eight days from Naples.
May God be our all ! Praised be Jesus and Mary
Mamma has begun to finish her work in my regard ; this
has induced me to compose a little canticle in her honor,
which I now send you. You may read it to the others.
I am, your mo *
‘ 1
11
’ 1 servant,
Al
wretched sinner.
After an old CO]

22

General Correspondence.

[parti.

LETTER 2.

To a Community of Nuns.
Books sent. — \ arious counsels. — Exhortations to love
Jesus and Mary.
[The year 1731.]

My beloved Sisters in Jesus and Mary, praised and blessed
forever be Jesus, Joseph, Mary, and Teresa!
Chains cilicinius ! I send you a good supply of books,
which will do more to make you holy than chains and
ciliciums. I have sent you eight books for meditation.
You will please make three divisions of all the books that
you receive : one for meditation, one for private reading in
your cell, and one for the reading at table.
With regard to meditation, you may make use of one
book in the morning and of another during the day.
Choose any one that pleases you : they are all excellent.
After you have finished that meditation book on the
presence of God, 1 wish you to begin the book called
“Motives for Loving God.”1 It would please me very
much were you to make your morning meditation, for the
most part, on the Passion of our Saviour, using for that
purpose the little book, “ Meditations on the Passion,” by
Da Ponte, or one by Spinola. On the feasts of our Lady
or of the saints, take Spinola.
When you make your meditations from the book “ Mo­
tives for Loving God," divide a point into three parts ; do
the same with the meditation on the Passion.
For private spiritual reading I send you eleven books,
which Mother Superior will distribute among you ; let them
1 “ Motives for Loving God,” explained in meditations taken from
the works of several authors of the Society of Jesus, work published
by P. Jacopo Sanvilale, S. J.

173’·]

Le 11er 2.

23

be circulated among all the Sisters in such a manner that
each one will have the pleasure of reading them all.
I have sent you six lives of saints for the reading in the
refectory ; they will last a long time, and when you have
finished them, begin to read them anew. I do not wish
you by any means to give up reading at table in the
morning
o P. Marchese’s 1 little work on the Madonna, which
I understand you have. As for the rest, you may read
any life.
Pay attention to what I am now going to say (I have
already called the attention of the nuns of Scala to this
point and they have obeyed me ; I forgot to tell it to you
before): in the reading at table, be extremely careful to
read slowly and to observe the necessary pauses ; for
otherwise the reading cannot be understood and the listen­
ers grow weary : let it be loud enough for all to hear.
Remember this, for if when I arrive I find that you have
not obeyed me, I shall scold you without fail. I have
spoken with P. Sparano; he has conceded you the privilege
of receiving holy Communion every Saturday in honor of
our Lady.
Well now, do you want anything else? You see now
that 1 have not forgotten you, and that I have been
thinking of your welfare; try to forget me, if you have the
heart to do so. Do not omit to recommend my poor
penitent Maria2 every day to the Blessed Virgin; she is at
present plunged in the very depths of misery. Ask Jesus
to give her strength to endure this awful visitation, and
pray to him for me.
I wish to make another remark with regard to the
reading, and that is, that you are free to use for private
spiritual reading the books destined for table reading, and
1 A sacred diary for devout clients of Mary, for every day in the
year, by P. Francesco Marchese, of the Oratory at Rome.
2 Mention is made of her in the preceding letter.

24

General Correspondence.

[parti.

those marked for private spiritual reading may be read in
the refectory ; do as you see Ht.
Love Jesus and Mary, love them with all your heart, for
they reveal themselves to those that strive to know them.
Love and be happy; he who loves so good a God
should never allow dark and gloomy thoughts to enter his
heart. Hence I do not wish to see you omit the recreation
for any reason whatever; and if anything should ever
happen to disturb the joy and harmony of recreation (which
I hope will never be the case), let each do her utmost to
restore cheerfulness and peace.
Ah! my dear daughters, if you only knew how Jesus
loves you, how he always thinks of you and of your welfare,
you could no longer live, no, you would die through the
intensity of your love. If, then, you do not die of love,
live for love; become fools for the love of Jesus, sigh after
and desire that adorable Spouse who is so worthy of all our
love. You have chosen him from among all for your
Spouse; but he had already chosen you from all eternity to
be his beloved spouses. Of whom then will you dare to
think, if not of Jesus? whom can you love, if not Jesus?
Oh, give all your thoughts and affections to Jesus! give
them to him without reserve, and he will become entirely
yours.
&
Always have a great devotion to Mamma Mary: in order
to induce her to favor you ; love her, praise her, honor
her; let her sweet name be ever on your lips. Believe me,
she loves you most tenderly. Show yourselves grateful by
corresponding to her love. Devotion to Mary is a sure
pledge of Paradise.
And now do not forget me; I assure you I do notask
you as a mere matter oi form to pray for me to Jesus and
Mary : I speak from my heart and mean what I say. Yes,
pray for me, as you have promised, especially after holy
Communion that I may always do the will of God ; and

.

Letter 3.

25

when you pray for me, do not forget my poor penitent, to
whom I have already promised your prayers. We shall
remember you in our prayers.
Assist me in this storm, where I am in continual danger
of losing my God.
But you will never lose him, no, never, whilst you arc
his and he is yours. Do you wish for more? I believe
that God can be sufficient for you.
May Jesus, Joseph, and Mary be praised and blessed for
all eternity !
Alfonso de Liguori, a vile sinner.
After the original which is in the possession of Mgr. Raffavle
Carbone, at Naples.
I. ETTER

To the Benedictine Nuns of Polignano.
(In Puglia.)

He congratulates them on having been freed, through the
assistance of the Blessed Virgin, from the molestations of the
demons, and exhorts them to show their gratitude.
[Napi.es, September 19, 1732.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
My beloved daughters
in
[esus
and
Mary:
Our
Lord
*
I
knows the consolation that your affectionate letter, informing
me of the favor received from Mary, afforded me. I read
it to the Superior of the Congregation,1 Canon Torni, and
he has retained it in order to read it before the assembled
Congregation.
Beginning with to-day, you must love
Mary with new fervor, in a new manner. On Saturdays let
each one do something more than usual — one by increasing
the number of her vocal prayers and her acts of love, and
1 This Congregation referred to was an association of diocesan
missionaries, called the association of apostolic missions, of which St.
Alphonsus was always a member.

20

( i en era I Carrespondeuce.

I PART I.

another by seeking out new mortifications and sufferings.
In order to commemorate this grace and to prevent all new
attacks of the demons, have some devotion performed every
day — either one in honor of the sorrows of Jesus or some
other suitable devotion ; for if you show yourselves un­
grateful, the demons may return. And let a common fast
on bread and water for those who are able to observe it be
strictly kept on the anniversary of that memorable day, the
13th of August. But the greatest pleasure you can give to
Mary is to love Jesus devotedly, who has granted this
favor in order to be more loved by you. Think that Jesus,
that Prisoner of love, has passed so many lonely nights
without being visited by you, prevented as you were by
your fear of the beast. Now that you are free you must
make up for lost time. I ask the abbess to be kind enough
to grant permission to all those Sisters who may wish to
pray at night before their Spouse in the Blessed Sacrament.
I beg her also to promote frequent Communion iii order
that the poor panting hinds may quench their thirst at the
fountain of that dear Saviour who is the only love of our
hearts. 11 any one should desire to communicate daily, I
beg the abbess to offer no opposition ; let her not scruple
to give permission as often as the confessor gives his consent.
One Communion is at times worth more than a year of
prayer. If any one should remain imperfect, and should
show no signs of wishing to amend, it would be well to
deprive her of holy Communion.
Now I wish you to recommend me to Jesus and Mary
with the greatest fervor every day, for that important
matter,1 tending to the greater glory of God, of which I
have already spoken to you, is about to be settled. As
1 Reference is here made to the foundation of the Congregation
of the Most Holy Saviour, which in the year 174g received the
approbation of Benedict XIV., under .the title of the Congregation
of the Most Holy Redeemer.

1732·]

Leiter /.

soon as it has been decided I shall let you know, for you
have assisted me greatly by your prayers; but you must
still continue to aid me. Offer up a holy Communion at
least every week for the success of this project, in order
that all may be done for the greater glory of God.
I never forget you; 1 recommend you to Jesus Christ
very often during the day. Greet Monsignor for me (for I
congratulate him also on the favor received), and your
Father Confessor ; ask him to pray for me. Live Jesus,
Joseph, Mary, and Teresa! The feast of my dear St.
Teresa is at hand ; celebrate a novena or at least a triduum.
Tell Sister Maria Francesca not to forget her agreement, as
I do not forget it; please say the same to Sister Maria
Agnes,
o
A miserable sinner and most tender Father.
Alfonso de Liguori.
After the original preserved in the monastery of the Bene­
dictine Nuns at Polignano.
LETTER 4.

To Tommaso Falcoia, Bishop of Castellammare, his
Spiritual Director.
He entreats Falcoia to give him permission to leave Naples
in order that he mav found the Institute of the Most Holv
Saviour at Scala.
[October, 1732.]

My dear Father, for charity's sake, make haste, for 1 am
dying with the desire to set out; send for me immediately,
withdraw the command that binds me to Naples. Don
Giovanni Battista1 [di Donato] is also energetic and zealous.
See what obstacles the devil is throwing up to prevent the
speedy beginning of our work ! Let us begin immediately,
for they amount to nothing: all will succeed admirably.
1 This priest was one of the first companions of St. Alphonsus.

General Correspondence.

(PARI I.

This is the second last day of the spiritual exercises, and I
am to speak on our Mamma Mary. Pray for me constantly,
yes, constantly; again, make haste, make haste, for the
glory and praise of Jesus and Mary.1
Quoted by Tannoia, “ Life of St. Alphonsus,” Book i.
Chapter xx.
1 Our readers will thank us for giving here a sketch of the life
of Mgr. Falcoia, the holy prelate and zealous apostle, whose name
occurs so often in the following letters. He was born on the i6th
of May, 1663. Having spent his youth happily in the acquisition
of virtue, and in the study of the humanities, he felt himself drawn
to a life of perfection. Following the advice of that venerable and
saintly man, Antonio Torres, he at the age of twenty turned his
hack upon the world, and dedicated himself entirely to God and to
the salvation of souls in the zealous Congregation of the Pious
Workers.
Scarcely ordained priest, he was considered worthy to be sent to
Rome in company with that great servant of God, Ludovico Sabba­
tini, in order to found there the first house of the Institute. He
spent there twenty years, carrying out many works conducive to the
glory of God, and to the salvation of souls. After his return to
Naples, he was called upon to fill the highest and most difficult
offices of the Congregation which he did with the greatest care ami
diligence, working, however, at the same time as a fervent ami
untiring missionary. Here too, as in Rome, and wherever he
appeared, he drew all hearts to himself by the odor of his virtues.
His spirit of prayer, of mortification, his zeal for the salvation
of souls, and, above all, his earnest desire to copy as closely as
possible the example of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, endeared him
to all who knew him.
God now wished to place this great light upon the candlestick, to
illumine the Church; he was accordingly selected to rule the diocese
of Castellammare, which position he retained up to the day of his
death ; all his thoughts were concentrated upon the discharge of his
duties by word and deed, God aiding and confirming his works by­
signs and wonders as frequent as they were extraordinary.
But the greatest glory of Falcoia was to have been chosen by God
to form and guide the illustrious Apostle and Doctor of modern
times, St. Alphonsus. In fact, the saint had him as director from
the 24th of August 1732 to the end of Falcoia’s life, and he

I733J

LETTER 5.

To the Same.
He relates to him his troubles, and conjures him not to
abandon him.
[At the beginning of March, 1733·]

Canon Torni has written to me that the Con­
gregation has decided to take from me the chaplaincy, and
surrendered himself so entirely into his hands that he bound himself
by vow to obey him. He depended on him in everything, especially
in the foundation of the Institute, and in the manifold contradictions
to which the work gave rise. The fatherly solicitude of the loving
and prudent director was equal to the filial confidence of his disciple.
He consoled St. Alphonsus in all his afflictions, and inspired him
with courage, telling him that though the Congregation was as yet
as small as a grain of mustard seed, yet the time would come when
it would be spread throughout the world.
We shall select only a few among many beautiful instances of
this. On the 31st of July, 1733, be wrote to St. Alphonsus “ Happy
we who have been selected, for we by our humiliations, fatigue and
suffering have to bear the triumphal chariot of divine glory through
the whole world. Great courage then, my dear Alphonsus!

Scalpri salubris ictibus
Et tunsione plurima,
Fabri polita malleo
Hanc saxa molem construunt."

[Many a blow and biting sculpture
Polished well those stones elect.
In their places now compacted
By the heavenly architect.]
On the 28th ol July, of the following year, he wrote the following
words:
Do not trouble yourself about anything else, neither about
the work, not about yourself who have been chosen by the divine
Majesty as the principal instrument for the erection of the new
edifice, and loi carrying his name among the peoples and king­
doms.
He expressed the very same sentiments on his deathbed
when in a spirit of prophecy he said of the new Congregation : This
Tcomes from God, and it will spread like the /lowers of the Jield.

(7eneral Correspondence.

(PART I.

to deprive me of membership;1 but the Cardinal has or­
dained that nothing should be done in this matter without
his command.2 I have written to his Eminence expressing
to him my thanks, and also to the Canon ; the latter tells
me that he could not do anything more in my behalf.........
O my Father ! how painful it is for me to associate with
1). Vincenzo [Mannarini].8 I have experienced this these
past days, and it is only the love of Jesus Christ that can
render such a situation possible.........
I thank (Sod for the strength that he gives me to endure
these storms (and what is worse my domestic storms), so
that I may resist and may not lose courage. This is what
I have gained for myself after having, as every one knows,
renounced so much, incurring thereby the displeasure of my
family, of my friends, and of the archbishop, upon whom I
have turned my back to please (Sod. Still you encourage
me to put my confidence in God, even though all my
companions should desert me. Ah, my Father, do not
abandon me! for without you what could I do? Command,
and I will obey..........
I send you a plan of the Rules, which we have agreed
upon. Have pity on me...........
Quoted by Tannoia, Book ii. Chapters iii. and iv.
Shortly after he departed this life with every mark of sanctity, and
predestination on the 20th of April, 1743.
W e possess more than one hundred letters written by Falcoia to
St. Alphonsus, but very few of those written by the saint to his
director. 1 here is good reason to believe that when these letters
passed into the hands of St. Alphonsus after the death of Falcoia, he
destroyed them in a spirit of humility.
1 The saint was a member of the Congregation of the Apostolic
Missions, which, as a reward for his indefatigable labors, had given
him a chaplaincy.
« The Congregation disapproving of the saint’s undertaking had
decided upon his expulsion.
3 One of his first companions, who opposed his Rule and his work
in order to embrace a new Institute.

1733·]

Letter 6.

LETTER 6,

To Sister Maria Celeste Crostarosa,1 Nun of the Congregation
of the Most Holy Saviour at Scala.

Sorrow which he feels at seeing her so deficient in humility.
He excuses himself for having reprimanded her rather harshly.
[The month of March. 1733.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Celeste, I am answering your last letter, which I received
at the same time as that of Mgr. Ealcoia, and I tell you
that if you are right I am not wrong ; for I have not been
able to banish from my mind the message of Don Vincenzo
[Mannarini], and what was said by Don Silvestro [Tosquez].
When they arrive you may ask them. Still 1 believe that
the Lord has permitted all this to happen for our greater
good; judging from what Monsignor writes to me and from
what I hear of Don Silvestro, affairs are now in the very
best condition. The latter continues to remain on in­
timate terms as formerly. There is, however, one thorn
1 Maria Celeste Crostarosa was born at Naples, October 11, 1697.
It was she who, in consequence of a revelation, suggested to St.
Alphonsus the plan for the foundation of the Congregation of the
Most Holy Saviour. Falling under the influence of Don Vincenzo
Mannarini, and especially of Don Silvestro Tosquez, after the
foundation of the Institute, she began to withdraw from the spiritual
guidance of Mgr. Falcoia. She, moreover, began to entertain certain
ideas with regard to the establishment of a Rule entirely at variance
with those held by St. Alphonsus and by Mgr. Falcoia himself.
In conseqence of this, Providence permitted her to be dismissed
from the convent. After leaving Scala, she reformed a conservatory
of maidens at Nocera. Having been called to Foggia, she founded
there another conservatory for the daughters of the nobility, which
is at present, under the title of the Most Holy Saviour, a source
of great edification for that town. She died with the reputation
of heroic virtue, September 14, I755> and her body remained in a
wonderful state of preservation for many years.

32

General Correspondence,

[parti.

that pierces my heart and causes me great anguish: it
deprives me too oi my night s sleep, and it is, my dear
Celeste, the thought of you. I see that during this trouble
between us you have not uttered one sentiment breathing
humility.
Especially in your last letter I noticed how you address
me and how you sign yourself; I perceived, too, how little
you care whether I believe you or not ; now, do not tell me
that you are praying to God for me, as if I were already a
reprobate, and that you end your letter: I remain in the
Heart of Jesus. My dear Celeste, could the most imperfect
soul write in a different tone? I know that you bear me no
ill-will; but judging from the altered style of your letter, it
appears to me that you do retain some ill-feeling towards
me. I do not say that I deserve to see you humble
yourself before me; 1 confess that I am not worthy even to
sit at your feet, for I know your life and I know my own.
But I do not on this account despair of loving Jesus as you
do; He will grant me this in his infinite mercy. What I
wish to say is that I should like to see in a soul so united
with God and so favored by him, as is your soul, the
profoundest humility ; for the greater our humility is, the
more intimate is our union with God : the one is ever in
proportion to the other. Humility, however, does not
consist at all in saying: / am a wretch, I deserve much
worse than this; no, it consists in having a low opinion
of one's self, and in knowing how to humble one’s self most
before him who most despises us. 1 would have desired
this humility for you, even though I should have had
reason to ask for other things; but up to the present time
1 have not seen it in you, and this is the thorn that torments
me. Understand now that this is the secret cause of my
affliction and the reason why 1 could not approve of your
conduct, as I wrote to the Mother Superior before receiving
your letter.

Letter 6.

1733J

33

It is true I may have written harshly, and perhaps too
harshly, but I did so relying on past experience; for
whenever, heretofore, I addressed you in that manner, it
resulted in great profit for your soul. For it is always
salutary for a soul favored by God to meet with humili­
ations; and the more you experience from me, the more
nearly you approach that which Christ has marked out for
you. You may rest assured I have done everything for a
good purpose ; I feel no remorse for what I have done, for
I really believed that your naturally high spirit, relying on
its own judgment, deserved to be treated in this manner for
its own good, and to cause it to be submissive in all things.
I do not speak here of your will (for, as I have already
written to you, I have not· condemned you on account
of your will, but rather for having followed your own
judgment). Besides, it appeared to me that I had hitherto
effected nothing with kind words. Understand now that
in matters that relate to the welfare of the Institute I
can quickly rid myself of your intrigues by laying the
whole matter before Falcoia ; however, I have not done so,
as it appears to me to be a species of treachery to reveal
the situation to Falcoia, when I myself, though troubled
and disgusted, can apply the remedy by writing to you.
You cannot imagine what great pain it causes me to treat
any one harshly, especially as I believe that more may be
done by gentleness than by harshness.
If, perchance, through want of reflection and through
indiscreet zeal, I have gone beyond the bounds of moder­
ation, and you consequently feel yourself offended, I beg
your pardon now and always, and beseech you to pardon
me expressly. If I were allowed, I would kiss your feet a
thousand times for having so treated a beloved spouse of
Jesus Christ; if Mgr. Falcoia gives me permission, I will
beg your pardon publicly, before all. But still I want to
see you as humble as I wish you to be.
3

34

General Correspondence.

[PARTI.

dud is my soid then, of so much importance to you? x
Ah, my dear Celeste, do not speak in that strain to me,
for it sounds like great ingratitude : the union of our souls
in Jesus Christ is too intimate for that. Do you not know
that the interests of your soul have become mine? And
this is not my work, but God’s work ; I must desire the
same perfection for you that I wish to obtain for myself.
I am seeking for reasons to excuse you, and to calm my
alarm at seeing your want of humility, and I am trying to
flatter myself that you have not considered this matter
sufficiently. Perhaps you have a very good end in view in
treating me thus ; but the thorn still continues to torment
me. If during this time you have had a good end in view,
I beg you to let me know it as quickly as possible, and
thus to allay my fears.
On my part, I promise to make a special memento for
you every day at Mass until I become calm ; I began this
morning, and I prayed very hard to our Lord that he
might grant you perfect humility. And you must ask the
same for me from Jesus Christ, that I may no longer resist
the allurements of God, who wishes to have me entirely
his. 1 have resisted only too often in the past ; that time is
gone; I wish with all my heart to give myself entirely, yes
entirely, to Jesus Christ, and 1 desire the same for you ; but
without humility neither you nor I shall attain anything.
Henceforward, study to mortify me in every possible way,
and this you should do the more readily in order not
to allow me to suspect that you are disgusted. Don
Silvestro Tosquez is coming ; 1 hope that all will redound
to the glory of God. 1 do not call you daughter that
you may not think 1 am arrogating to myself what is not
mine.
Praised be Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
My dear Celeste, it is not true that 1 said that Don
1 The Sister had written to the saint these cutting remarks.

Letter' y.

I733-J

Silvestro is deceived ;
spoken those words.

35

I do not remember ever having

After an old copy.
LETTER 7.

To the same Sister.
He explains the conditions under which the new Institute
can prosper; he reproves her for withdrawing from the spirit­
ual guidance of Mgr. Falcoia, and points out the dangers that
threaten her on this account.
[Encl of March, 1733J

Praised be Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Celeste, my beloved Sister in Jesus Christ and our Mother
Mary, I had asked you not to answer me; but since you
have thought fit to honor me with an answer, I beg you to
read this letter and then follow the inspiration of God. But
read it with resignation, without seeking for a reply to what
you read ; for if you read with an inclination to contradict,
you will find an abundance of reasons for replying, but you
will never discover the truth. Heretics have found reasons
for opposing the Church, even against holy Scripture.
Read then, I pray you, this letter, and spend three days in
prayer entirely resigned and with the most perfect indiffer­
ence, without writing to me or without so much as noting
down anything for an answer ; then do as you please.
And now, since you require fidelity from me, I ask the
same of you ; I do not allow you to show this letter
of mine or to mention its contents to any
- one — neither to
Don Silvestro nor to others, λ’ou already believe that 1
know all; and so if you really desire not to be defended
and praised before men, but to please God by investigating
the truth in order to embrace it, allow me, mv dear Sister
Celeste, to speak frankly and to place the truth before you.
I seek nothing but the glory of God and the welfare of your
J

General Coi'respondence.

[PART I.

soul, which I so ardently desire. Let us separate the inter­
ests of your soul from those of the Institute.
And now' let us speak of the affairs of your soul. Tell
me, Celeste, why have you left Mgr. Falcoia, who is so
saintly and so enlightened, as you yourself have often told
me? λζοη know’ that God himself has given him to you as
your director; he has guided you so admirably for many
years, that, prostrate on the ground, you ought unceasingly
to return thanks to God and to him. What defect have
you now’ perceived in him? Has he perhaps cast you into
an abyss? Have you left him because he disturbed you by
humbling and thwarting you? But, my dear Sister, do
you not see that this course is absolutely necessary to con­
quer your high spirit, and to prevent you from becoming
attached to your own judgment? This is a fault that was
perceived in you not only by Mgr. Falcoia, but also by
Don Bartolomeo Carace,1 and by others who were acquainted
with you. It is a fault, of which St. Philip Neri has said
that there can be nothing more dangerous in the spiritual
Lie; and St. John Chrysostom assures us that there is more
danger for a saint in following such a course than for any
other person. Another saint tells us that he who confides
in himself has no need of demons to tempt him. Who has
approved of the step you have taken in leaving Falcoia?
Have you perhaps received lights from God ? Are the
effects, that joyous calmness, etc., sufficient signs of the
correctness of your step? And who has approved of these
lights and of this sense of security and peace? Is it that
penitent who for eight years labored under a delusion
w hich, judged by its good effects, seemed to her confessor
to be from God, and which was afterwards discovered by
Father Collelis, as we read in his life, to be nothing else but
a delusion ?
1 Don Bartolomeo Carace had been the first spiritual director
of the nun.

•733·]

Letter γ.

The most experienced and cautious masters of the spiritual
life can be deceived on this point, and you wish to have
certainty in the matter by taking counsel with yourself?
But has perhaps Don Silvestro [Tosquez] given his ap­
probation? If you suspect Falcoia because he has humbled
you, you have greater reason to mistrust the judgment
of Don-Silvestro, who, as you know, places you above St.
Teresa, and sings your praises everywhere, even at Vienna. 1
He approves of everything, even of his entire dependence
on you — a thing, which above all others, a spiritual director
should guard against, if he wishes to guide a soul properly
and to keep it humble.
O my dear Celeste! how Don Silvestro has caused you
to lose the spirit of humility ! how he has aided you in
wedding yourself, so to speak, to your own judgment !
See to what lengths you have gone, asserting openly in
your convent that one is not obliged to obey a command
of the Superior given sub mortali — under pain of mortal
sin ! My Celeste, what Doctor ever taught such nonsense
— that it is not a mortal sin for one who has made the vow
of obedience to disobey the command of a Superior in a
grave matter? By a grave matter we are to understand
either a great evil or something that may have evil con­
sequences ; we must always suppose this, for the Superior
before giving a command examines the matter carefully·
It savors too much of arrogance when a woman who has
made no studies wishes to contradict in this matter those
whom the Church has placed over us as teachers.
Ah! where is that Celeste whom I knew of old? How
has this ruin been effected ? Oh ! I feel the pangs of death
whenever I think of this. Who has so fascinated you?
Where is that former prompt and edifying obedience to
Superiors? Where is that beautiful spirit of humility which
1 Don Silvestro Tosquez had a brother who filled a very high
position at the Imperial Court of Vienna.

General CCorrespondence.

(PA RTL

caused you to desire to be trodden under foot and despised
by all ?
Now, however, having abandoned, as it were, the practice
of obedience, you are endeavoring to gain the esteem and
approval of all. under the vain pretence of seeking the
glory of God. God stands in no need of your self-defence to
promote his glory. When he sees you truly humble, and
the more he sees you humbled, the more readily will he
undertake to defend you and your work. You already
understand what I mean.
Let me tell you that Don Silvestro, whose fine teaching
on obedience perhaps it is which you have followed, in
matters of doctrine is wrong-headed, and very much so. I
have heard him say that on the fasting days of the Church
people are not allowed to eat until about three o’clock, and
that the customary collation in the evening cannot be taken
— thus presuming to condemn so many religious Orders
and so many saintly men who practised the contrary. He
has given utterance to other false doctrines in points of
Moral Theology which 1 shall not mention here. It is
sufficient to know that he had the boldness to assert, as you
perhaps have already heard, that all who were under the
spiritual direction of Falcoia were damned. Hence it is
certain that the vision that induced you to leave Falcoia
was a delusion, and if you consulted a thousand unbiassed
theologians they would all tell you the very same thing,
although it should have sufficed for you when Falcoia, who
was at that time your spiritual director, pronounced it to be
such. Tell me, Celeste, was it possible that your vision
could be an illusion? At least you ought to have a reason­
able doubt about it when a St. Teresa, in the account that
she gives us of her visions, writes of herself that she never
believed so firmly that it was God who had spoken that she
could have sworn to it, even though it were asserted by
others. And for this reason, as she says in the same place,

>733-I

Letter γ.

she never did anything in consequence of light received in
prayer, but always consulted her confessors ; if at times they
told her the contrary of that which she had heard from our
Lord, she obeyed instantly and executed it.
She acted in this manner especially at the time of the
foundation of a house at Malagone;1 for God had at first
revealed to her that the monasteries were to be founded
without revenues, but her confessor told her the contrary.
She obeyed, and our Lord afterwards showed his approval
of her obedience.
And now let us suppose a reasonable doubt which you
have concerning the vision, and which you ought to have,
if you wish to walk securely: in whose judgment should
you place more reliance than in that of your spiritual director,
unless you really wish to disregard that beautiful order
of obedience which Jesus Christ has left in his Church to
make known to us his holy will ? You reveal the vision to
your director; he tells you it is a delusion, and you do the
contrary! Tell me, would , St. Teresa have acted in that
manner? And you do a very great wrong to Father Falcoia,
who was at one time so dear to you, if you say that this
saintly man, through partiality, advised you to act against
the will of God, and thus betrayed his conscience. When
it is not clear and evident that our spiritual director speaks
through passion, we must obey him. Falcoia is partial, and
Don Silvestro is not so? Celeste, give this great pleasure
to God — leave Don Silvestro. I know that vou will have
to do great violence to yourself, but the greater the violence,
the greater will also be the stride towards perfection. Tell
me, if God wishes you to leave Don Silvestro, are you
willing to make the sacrifice? But God docs not wts/i it,
you say. Ah! my beloved Celeste in Jesus Christ, who
does clearly not see that you are deluded, and what is by
far worse, voluntarily so! I know not what excuse you will
1 Chap. x. Foundations.

40

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

have for Jesus Christ on the day of judgment, after hearing
the truth from so many persons. To this you will perhaps
reply: That is my affair. Well, then, let us pass to the
other point — the affairs of the Institute.
It is certain that the rules 1 noted down by you need a
thousand and one explanations. Do you not yourself re­
member telling me when I first went to the convent that
Falcoia acted wisely in sifting the divine elements from the
human, as there were many things in the rules which owed
their origin to self-will ? Arou moreover agreed to this with
regard to the Institute for men, when before the opening
of the foundation I went to Scala to call upon you ; we
canvassed the matter and came to an agreement. Besides
the numerous explanations of the rules, there are many
other points and constitutions which are to be treated se­
parately, as, for example, the schools,2 the missions, the
houses of studies, the different exercises to be givgn by us,
the occupations which are permitted or prohibited, the
academies, the meetings, etc. The missions and schools
alone require two separate little books to establish the order
which is henceforward to be followed, so that the same
observance may ever flourish in the Congregation.
Now, who is to give these explanations and constitutions?
Don Vincenzo [M annari ni] and I have no practical ex­
perience of Community life; I am moreover an ignoramus.
Don Silvestro [Tosquez] is less practical than we. Don
Giovanni Bîttista3 [di Donato] still retains an affection for
1 The Sister had written various rules, which she said were
revealed to her by Jesus Christ.
2 At this period St. Alphonsus and Mgr. Falcoia intended to com­
bine the work of the missions with that of the schools.
3 Don Giovanni Battista di Donato, before joining St. Alphonsus,
had been a member of a recently founded Congregation at Teano
which he afterwards, in company with Don Vincenzo Mannarini and
Silvestro Tosquez, again entered. The Congregation then took the
name of the Most Holy Sacrament.

>733·]

/.citer γ.

4i

his old Rule ; hence, as you know, he is resolutely opposed
to the recitation of Office in choir — a point which is so
essential. In short, he would like to introduce among us
his old Rule, furthermore, if we should leave falcoia in
order to agree among ourselves upon the rules, Don Sil­
vestro would most certainly wish to play the rôle of director
and of infallible interpreter of your revelations, not only
of the past, but also of your future visions. He has been
accustomed hitherto to play the teacher and not the disciple,
and woe to the man who should dare to contradict him in
this matter, as experience has shown me that he wishes to
rule in everything. And if, scarcely having entered the
monastery, he undertook as a secular the guidance of several
Sisters who now, according
o to their own confession, behold
themselves emerging from a pit after leaving lus spiritual
direction; if, I say, having but entered, he wished that
permission should be obtained from him when a letter was
to be written to Falcoia — what breach would he not effect
between us, if we should forsake Falcoia? What happened
to those Sisters, my dear Celeste, ought to be a lesson tor
you. I already believe that it would be your aim after we
should have left Falcoia to induce us all to follow Don
Silvestro blindly as an oracle, and to depend on him entirely,
as you do. If it were God’s will I would do so, but at
present I do not feel that inspiration. Let us return to the
conversation about ourselves.
The only way to establish anything on a scriid basis is to
place ourselves entirely in the hands of one man, and
having communicated to him our ideas, to follow blindly his
counsels and directions. He must be a man of experience,
with a practical knowledge of Community life, missions, and
other spiritual exercises; he must be well versed in the
sciences necessary for a missionary, a man of enlightened
spirit, and finally, one who will solve all doubts and quest­
ions without appeal. In this manner charity and unity will

42

(rciteraI Correspondence.

[PART l.

be the better preserved among us, for they are, as you
yourself say, and as I have so often repeated, in fact ad
nauseam, necessary for us to guide our little bark aright.
And tell me, what Rule of religious Order or Congregation
was not established in this way, that is, by depending
entirely on one director ? I had at first a doubt whether
this was the case in the Reform of St. Teresa, when doubts
arose concerning the Rule of St. Albert which had been
adopted by the saint. Afterwards, however, I discovered
that although the first companions of St. Teresa were holy
men, experienced in Community life, the Reform was on
the verge of destruction because they did not follow one
director; so great a diversity of observances was introduced
in consequence of this that the saint feared that the Reform
would suffer shipwreck. At last, Father Graziano having
visited the houses of the Reform, and having found a differ­
ent observance in each one, drew up the constitutions him­
self, as we find them to-day in the chronicles ; these con­
stitutions were then adopted by all.
Thus, I say, to establish the Rule and Institute firmly, it
is necessary for us to place ourselves entirely in the hands
of one experienced guide, as well because we ourselves are
not fit, as because this way is easy and safe — one which is
followed by all religious Orders. Again, such a course will
serve to maintain unity among us. Otherwise there will
never be that perfect harmony among us; for, on the one
hand, we should have unceasingly to discuss our mutual
pretensions, and on the other hand, the formation of the
rules would go on indefinitely, amid continual jarring and
wrangling.
But. you say, to obviate all this. one should yield to the
other. My dear Celeste, this is impossible. It would be
possible and all very well, if there were question here
of honors, of comforts, in short, of indifferent things; but
when there is question of matters pertaining to the glory

‘733-1

Letter γ.

43

of God, no one, unless bound by obedience and by the
promise to abide by the decisions of one director, is ready
to yield in points which he believes to be for the greater
glory of God. And this experience itself would teach you,
as it has taught me up to the present moment, for we have
not been able to agree even in unimportant things. Hence,
we must always — yes, always — have one to whom we
can refer our doubts for solution ; every man who has the
use of his reason and who is not crack-brained will recognize
the truth of this. Why, your Don Vincenzo only lately
told me the very same thing himself.
You will say : Place yourself at the disposal of your
present Superior) I venerate Father Superior, and know
that I have to obey him in the rules already established ;
but I never have had the intention to follow any rules which
Don Giovanni Battista might make. I will obey only in
that which Mgr. Falcoia ordains, for he is my director and
the director of the whole work. My Sister, let me tell you
once for all that I have not entered the Institute to become
its head and director, or to take precedence in anything, as
you seem to insinuate, or to please men. You yourself can
remember that when Falcoia begged me to use my influence
with Guerriero2 to obtain the approbation of your rules. I
told him plainly and frankly that he would have to excuse
me, as it was against the obedience which was due to my
director at that time. I tell you that I have come here
solely to obey God, and I hope never to leave, no matter
how great the solicitations and importunities of men may
be. I have just been implored to return to Naples. I beg
you to understand that in so acting I am not following your
revelations, as I told you in the very beginning. I am
travelling only the well-beaten and secure road of obedience
1 By the advice of Alphonsus Don Giovanni Battista di Donato
had become Superior of the new Community of Scala.
2 Nicola Gucrtiero was Bishop of Scala.

44

General Correspondence.

[part i.

to my spiritual guides, where, as Jesus Christ has promised
us, we are sure to ascertain the will of God, and this, as
the masters of the spiritual life tell us, he has not attached
to all the revelations in the world. St. Teresa in particular
says in chapter io of the Foimdations, that we ought in this
life to place ourselves unreservedly in the hands of a guide,
be he Superior or Confessor, relying entirely on the truth
of these words: Qui vos audit, me audit—he who hears you,
hears me. For, as she adds, our Lord esteems this submission
so highly that although what is commanded appears to be
utterly absurd, by overcoming ourselves and obeying our
Superiors we succeed in fulfilling the will of God most
perfectly.
Now you know that I have surrendered myself entirely
into the hands of Falcoia, and so I hope to live and die
under the yoke of obedience. If you choose to follow
another route, good-bye till we meet again, at the place for
which you are striving. If I follow the beck of obedience,
I shall certainly sanctify myself; but as you have left your
guide, I do not know whether you will become a saint. I
tell you that I have no intention of deserting Falcoia, even
though all — if such a thing were possible — should place
themselves entirely in my hands. Do you not see that it is
far better to give up one’s vocation, than to give up the
practice of obedience — that is, if a true vocation could
exist without obedience. To conclude, I am content to
leave the Institute and to practise obedience rather than
remain in the Institute and give up obedience. I am aware
that St. Philip Neri thought more of a soul that walked the
ordinary way of obedience than of another who, following its
own will, did great things for the glory of God. Let me also
tell you that when doubts caused by what I now know
of you arise in my mind whether your former lights were
not also delusions (for it is certain that all the lights and
visions confirming you in your obstinacy, which you say

1733-1

Letter

45

you enjoy, are illusions, as Falcoia wrote you, and as every
one can see), I encourage myself with the thought that in
this matter I am not following your revelations, but I am
practising obedience to my spiritual director. And thus,
even if all your visions were delusions, I am walking secure­
ly in holy obedience, and I cannot take a wrong step in my
vocation.
But to return to ourselves. Let us suppose, then, that a
man must be selected to settle all doubts and present dif­
ficulties. Don Vincenzo says that we should choose some
one else, not Falcoia! But, I ask, why must we choose
some other person and not Falcoia, unless we wish to make
the choice under the influence of passion? As for Falcoia,
we have received only too many signs from God, showing
that he is the mangiest ned to regulate the work. Ί he fact
that he was your confessor would be sufficient of itself to
show this ; for as your confessor, it was his duty, and no
one else’s, to explain and approve of your lights and visions,
just as the confessor of St. Teresa who guided her in the
matter of the revelation with regard to the Reform, directed
the whole work of the Reform. Besides, we have the
testimony of Sister Maria Colomba 1 who wrote to me in the
beginning (I have just re-read her letter): “I understood
that the divine Majesty wishes to have you as head of the
Institute, dependent, however, on his beloved son, Tommaso
[Falcoia] ; for the divine Majesty has chosen him as the
principal head to regulate this great work.” Colomba,
then, wrote to me that she had heard this from our Lord
on several occasions. But then Colomba may be under a
delusion? And Celeste, 1 maintain, can be in the same
state. To tell the truth, I look upon you both as saints:
but as there is question here of delusions under which our
Lord at times permits holy souls to labor, as we know from
1 She was a nun at Scala, and had received many supernatural
favors.

(iencrai Correspondence,

46

(PART i.

the life of Sister Maria Serafina of Capri and of others, why
should 1 believe Colomba, and not you, to be deluded,
especially when 1 behold her travelling the safe road of
obedience, presenting in this respect so great a contrast to
vou? You yourself wrote to me several times that we must
depend on Falcoia in this work. In a letter which, if you
wish 1 shall send to you, — for our Lord, not without good
reason, inspired me to preserve it, — you express yourself
in the following terms: “Give yourself no more trouble;
leave everything to the judgment of our Father whom ( iod
has placed over the work, and on whom all should depend.”
What follows is only a confirmation of the above-quoted
passage. Now you will say, / have received contrary
directions. And who, pray, approves of these blessed
lights? Have I perhaps to believe what you tell me now,
and not what you have told me in the past? Lastly, you
must remember, my dear Celeste, that Falcoia, as far as
the Institute is concerned, has not followed exclusively your
revelations, but has consulted the lights and revelations
of others, and in the first place those which he himself
received from God, before he made your acquaintance.
For this reason he has fur many years been endeavoring to
establish an Institute of this kind, both at Naples and at
Rome, following above all the light of the Gospel, which is
worth more than your combined lights — yours and Falcoia’s.
But setting aside those supernatural elements, we should
adopt the course I propose, since we see at least that it is
the shortest and safest way to establish the rules and to
preserve union and harmony ; now if this be the case, why
not select Falcoia? Before Don Silvestro appeared upon
the scene, we had in fact already chosen Falcoia: for his
name was ever in our mouths; to him we always had
recourse in our difficulties; he is a man of many years’
experience, of an enlightened spirit, learned, with a practical
knowledge of Community life, of missions, and finally
J

J

1733·]

Letter 7.

47

of secular matters; in short, it would be difficult to find
many who possess in so high a degree as he all those
qualities that are necessary for the regulation of this great
work. Or is there perhaps an express revelation that God
wishes us to depend upon any one but Falcoia?
Ah! my God, what a terrible hallucination you have
been laboring under, Celeste! This happens when an
enlightened soul through some fault of her own falls into a
delusion; this 1 make bold to say of you, and I add that a
miracle on the part of God is necessary to open your eyes
to the light. See how disunited we are, and know that you
are the cause of this disunion. Celeste, — I am speaking
to you in the name of God, — consider well that you by
your obstinacy are devoting to destruction a work that is
not yours, but God’s. True it is that neither you nor all
the men in the world can ruin the work of God if he wills to
prevent it; 1 am inclined to think that if you remain stiff­
necked, our Lord will aid us only the more, for when there
shall be no longer any talk about lights and revelations, we
shall the more easily obtain the approbation of Rome. But
as for you, if you appear before Jesus Christ burdened with
the charge of having tried to ruin his work, what will
become of your poor soul ? 1 f I be excluded from the I nstitute,
as you keep repeating, I confess that I deserve to be ex­
cluded and am content, provided I am allowed to practise
obedience; but I beg you at the same time to understand
that neither you nor Don Silvestro can expel me from the
Institute: that is God’s affair, and he needs neither you nor
Don Silvestro. 1 regard myself unmistakably called to the
Institute, for obedience has told me so.
As for you, Celeste, I see you on the brink of an awful
precipice, and I shall bitterly regret your loss if you do not
turn back. 1 behold you living without practising obedience
to Falcoia whom von are obliged to obey, at least as
spiritual director of your Community. It may already be

48

General Correspondence.

(parti.

said that you have lost the sense of obedience to your true
Superiors and have lost your peace of soul. See that you
do not suffer the shipwreck of your soul, for you are on the
way. I have had novenas said for you in several places;
but I see you are too hard-hearted. I fear that God is
already abandoning you.
My dear Sister, I have spoken to you for the glory
of God and for the welfare of your soul ; do not bgcome
angry. It will do no good now to trouble yourself to write
to me. I know well that that brain of yours will be able to
find replies and counter-replies, but what I do not know is
that these will be of any service to you when you stand
before the tribunal of Jesus Christ, especially as I see that
you are growing only more obstinate in your opinions, and
are bent entirely on finding answers, and not on sanctifying
yourself.
My dear Celeste, do listen to me: humble yourself; the
Lord will certainly enlighten you if you humble yourself;
obey your Superiors, and you will fall into no error:
Falcoia is holy and meek; do not for a moment imagine
that he wishes you ill. If you humble yourself before him,
you will be dearer to him than at first ; be resigned to the
will of (Sod, and pray; otherwise your prayer will be of no
service to you, all your reasons will be passions, and your
revelations will be imagination and delusion. If you do not
care to listen to me and Falcoia, consult other unprejudiced
men. Seek other assistance; do not walk blindly on the
road of perdition; seek the advice of others, not to find
matter for reply, but to discover and embrace the truth
with your whole heart.
Believe me, dear Celeste, all that I have written, I have
written because I love you in Jesus Christ; if you wish me
evil you do me a great wrong. May Jesus and Mary induce
you to do the will of God '.
My letter is finished; but I feel myself necessitated to say

Letter 8.

I733-J

49

a few more words. My dear Celeste, pardon me if I
conclude by speaking too frankly. Do you not recognize
the fact that you are attached to Don Silvestro, and that he
returns this feeling? You say: It is an affection in God,
becaitsc I seek nothing but God. I do not say that you are
sinning thereby ; but, am I not right in saying that there is
a great deal of this earth in such an affection? You do not
seek God alone in Don Silvestro, but look also for something else, which is not God. You are in the mire ; take
care lest by following Don Silvestro you voluntarily place
yourself in danger of losing God. Again you say: I rely
on God. No. I tell you, Celeste, you do not place your
reliance on God in this matter; for God does not assist,
nay, he abandons those who of their own free will expose
themselves to danger. To sum up: So much is certain,
if you follow Falcoia, you will surely become a saint ;
if you follow Don Silvestro, you will certainly not sanctify
yourself, and only God knows whether you will be saved.
Live Jesus and Mary !
Alfonso de Liguori, a poor sinner.
After an old copy.

LETTER 8.

To the Nuns of the Monastery of Pocara.1
The saint informs them of his intended visit.

[1733-1

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
My dear daughters, 1 remember that in the letter I sent
you yesterday I told you I would come Thursday a week ;
but this is a mistake, because the letter was written before
yesterday. I will come on Thursday of this week, and will
1 Our saint had given the spiritual exercises to these nuns in the
month of March of the same year, 1733.

4

50

Genera I Con 'espoil den ce.

[PART I.

preach on the same day. Piaised be Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
When I arrive, do not force me to listen to useless
complaints; let me find you entirely divested of yourselves,
so that you no longer have anything of your own.
After the original in the possession of Father Alfonso
Fusco, C. SS. R.
LETTER 9.

To the Priest Giuseppe Cerchia at Castellammare.i

He exhorts him to leave the world, and to gi,ve himself
entirely to God.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Scala, July 3, 1733.

See, now, to what a fine conclusion you have come:
Spiritus promptus est, caro autem infirma ! [The spirit
is willing, but the flesh is weak. — Matt. xxvi. 41.] This
is the way in which you correspond to the graces received
from our good Mother Mary! Such is the generous re­
solution that you have formed of giving yourself entirely to
God ! Spiritus promptus est, caro autem infirma !
I beg you, for pity's sake, come quickly, quickly, quickly.
Why speak of your family, of your mother, of your brothers,
of your relatives! Audi, filia . . . . obliviscere populum
tuum, et concupiscet te Rex. [Hearken, O daughter ....
forget thy people and thy father’s house, and the King
shall greatly desire thy beauty.— Rs. xliv. 11, 12.] He
that does not leave all for God, will not find God entirely.
Make haste! there are many missions to be given, and we
wish to have you with us. Your mother is well now ; come
then to Scala without delay; fix your own time for your
1 Although St. Alphonsus wrote many letters to this priest, the
latter could not be induced to enter our Institute, for which he
however, always entertained the greatest affection.

>733-1

Letter

jo.

51

departure, and profit by the convenience that I now offer
you, for I do not wish to expose you to the unpleasantness
of another journey. Come speedily, speedily! Let the
desire that we cherish of seeing you, urge you to come
without delay ; and be convinced that you can work here
even better than at Castellammare. 3V quis .... non odit
patrem suum, et matrem .... non potest meus esse discipu­
lus. [If any man .... hate not his father, and mother . .. .
he cannot be my disciple. — Luke, xv. 26.]
Pray to our Mother Mary for me. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER IO.

To the Same.
He continues the same exhortation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Scala, July 13, 1733.

At the beginning of next month we shall begin a mission
at Agerola ; but we expect to see you at Scala before we set
out for the mission. You have resolved not only to assist
us in our missions as an auxiliary priest, but also to give
yourself entirely to Jesus Christ by sacrificing to him your
family, your relatives, and your country. If you do not do
this, you will never arrive at sanctity ; — never, never ! Si
quis .... non odit patrem suum, et matron .... non potest
meus esse discipulus. [If any man .... hate not his father,
and mother .... he cannot be my disciple. — Luke, xv.
26.] Up to the present, you acted the brave man; all was
for God ; and now, what is the matter with you ?
Come, now ! set out at once ; you see that the Lord has
consoled you by restoring health to your mother; come
quickly ; obtain an exeat from the bishop, and come. We
do not wish that you bring with you any baggage or

Gt no al Correspondcncc.

[PARTI.

money; food and clothing will not be wanting. There is
no question among us of family, of relatives, of strangers :
we think only of loving God, and of doing perfectly his
holy will. Come without delay; I shall take no excuse.
God does not wish you to be a curate in a parish; he
wishes you to be in the Institute of the Most Holy Saviour.
Make haste ! for you should prepare yourself little by
little for the exercises of the missions, in order that dis­
engaged from all care you may be able to give yourself
entirely to the service of God and of souls. The souls that
belong to God are not only those of Castellammare ; those
of other places have also been purchased by the blood
of Jesus Christ, and have perhaps more need of succor.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Quickly, quickly, quickly! I wish no answer; you must
answer this letter by coming yourself.
After the Roman edition.

LETTER II.

To the Same.
He renews his request, briefly repeating to him the same
reasons.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Scala, July 21, 1733.

My dear Don Giuseppe: When will you come, when?
You seem to wish that we should purchase dearly your
arrival! Come at once; what are you waiting for? We
wish to have you; Jesus Christ is calling for you; our
Mother Mary is waiting for you: and you remain where
you are and say: Spiritus promptus est, caro autem in­
firma ! [The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is
weak. — Matt. xxvi. 41.] But I answer: Qui non odit
matrem, fratrem, etc., non potest meus esse discipulus.

Letter 12.

1733·J

53

[Who does not hate mother, brother, etc., cannot be my
disciple.]
Please hurry; I wish that you should prepare for the
Instructions that are to be given during the next missions.
Come and seek solitude; come to seek God: Audifilia....
obliviscere populum tuum, et domum patris tui; et con­
cupiscet Rex decorem tuum. [Hearken, O daughter . . . .
forget thy people and thy father's house ; and the King
shall greatly desire thy beauty. — Ps. xliv. 11.] If you do
not do so, you will never become a saint ; — no ; never 1
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 12.

To the Same.
He assures him of his prayers and again invites him to
proceed to Scala.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Scala, August n, 1733.

My dear Don Giuseppe: Send me some news about your
health. I do not doubt that you will give me good news;
for on hearing that you are not very well I recommended
you earnestly to our Mother Mary. If you are not in bed,
come without delay ; you will become well at Scala. Our
dear Don Gennaro1 has arrived, and at the end of August
we shall set out for the missions. Come, therefore, in all
haste, as soon as you think that you will be able to bear
the journey. In the mean time, I shall not cease to re­
commend you and to have you recommended to our
Mother Mary, and I hope that we shall be heard.
But I beg you to drive out of your head all that keeps
you back, namely, your mother, your family, and your
relatives. I ask this as a favor, for without it I really
1 The Venerable Gennaro Sarnelli.
4*

Genera I Correspondenec.

[PART I.

believe that you cannot sanctify yourself: Audi filia, ci
vide, et inclina aurem tuam; et obliviscere populum tuum
et domum patris tui; et concupiscet (what a beautiful word!)
et concupiscet Rex decorem tuum. [Hearken, O daughter,
and see, and incline th y ear, and forget thy people and thy
father’s house; and the King shall greatly desire thy beauty.
— Ps. xliv. ii.] Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 13.

To the Same.
He refutes one of his objections.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Scala, August 18, 1733.

I very well see, my dear Giuseppe, that you feel a
repugnance to be one of our number, and that this re­
pugnance is growing from day to day. Has any one
ever heard it said that a son must renounce a more perfect
life in order to attend to his mother when she has with her
in the same place, where she is living, several secular sons?
Rut he should renounce it. Because his mother does not
wish to live with them! If she does not wish to live with
them, you are not obliged to give up the more perfect life
to which God has called you, and in which you would sen e
him, divested of everything, etc. In short, I do not wish
to say more, for I see that more words would undoubtedly
be lost upon you through your fault. Perhaps the foundation
at Caiazzo, which had already been decided upon, will not
take place, but enough : we do not wish to force any one.
At least speak to Don Gennaro Sarnelli to whom you have,
it is true, given your word; but such promises are not
binding. At all events, let us have you for the missions
which will soon take place; we are expecting a definite
answer, and when I receive it I will communicate it at once.

1733-1

Letter 14.

As for your illness, I have had you recommended to our
Mother Mary. Pray at least for us. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
You must also know that if you do not come, you will
displease the bishop ; however, do as you please.
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 14.

To the Same.
He invites him to assist him at least in the missions as an
auxiliary priest.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Scala, August 30, 1733.

When one cannot do a certain thing, one cannot do it.
Be it so ; and I say, When one is not willing to do it, one
is not willing. — But that is enough ; I have no intention to
annoy you any more. We do not wish to see you among
us if you do not come to remain with us with your whole
heart ; for we do not take people by force.
Give us the pleasure of accompanying us on the missions :
as soon as I receive notice of the time they begin I shall
let you know. Yet it may be that we shall not first go to
Agerola, because sickness appears to continue there; we
shall begin in other places. You would then have to come
to Scala; but this, you will say, would not be a trifling
thing for you to do, since Scala has become so odious to
you that you would not wish even to pass through it !
This is enough ; more words would be useless. I do not
believe that you will take offence at our desire to have you
as our confrère. During this novena pray to our dear
Mother Mary for me a poor miserable being. Live Jesus
and Mary!
After the Roman edition.

56

General Correspondence.

[PART 1

LETTER 15.

To the Priest D. Francesco de Viva.

He exhorts him to detach himself from all human affection.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Villa, June 7, 1734.

My dear Ciccio: We see in an evident manner that Jesus
Christ is blessing us, and that he wishes to make it known
in us that it is of him that it is said : De stercore erigens
pauperem. [Lifteth up the poor from the dunghill. —
I Kings, ii. 8.J
Continue to labor with Father Campanello for the “little
crown of the Infant Jesus.” Go in search of him, or write
to him, otherwise you will not succeed.
As for your retreat at Santa Maria del Vignanello,1 my
dear Ciccio, how can you doubt that I feel an extreme
pleasure of having you as a neighbor, since I have been
wishing to draw you still closer to me? I believed even
that it was perhaps already a settled matter when I saw you
so much inclined to a retired life, and so enamoured of the
charms of virtue. But human respect, or rather my sins,
have placed an obstacle thereto. How could I, after that,
not esteem myself very happy to have you at least for my
neighbor, and to enjoy, at least sometimes during the year,
during the holy missions, the beautiful examples of virtue
that you give? But listen to me, dear Ciccio: you will not
be perfectly happy, and perhaps even you will with difficulty
belong entirely to Jesus Christ if you do not really renounce
Campanello, and tread under foot the world with all its
considerations. Thomas à Kempis says: Dimitte omnia, et
invenies omnia. [Put aside all things, and you will find all
1 S. Maria del Vignanello was a hermitage not far from Villa
degli Schiavi, where the holy founder had opened the second house
of his Institute, and where he had been living for about a month

1734-1

Letter 16.

57

things.] But I must stop; I do not wish to carry my
boldness farther in the case of one that can give me lessons
both in science and in virtue.
Recommend me to Jesus and Mary, and recommend to
them your affair specially during this month. Who knows
what our dear Mother Mary will say to you? Live Jesus.
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Be so kind as to send to me four pictures of the Blessed
Virgin of Caravaggio ; send me also an answer. Live Jesus
and Mary!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 16.

To the Same.
Great works should rest only on the spirit of faith and
on confidence in God.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Villa, July 15, [1734].

You tell me that I should write to you often; here I am,
but what must I tell you ? You write to me that neither
Campanello nor human considerations are keeping you
from entering the Institute, but from what you say you
seem to think it impossible for the work of the Institute to
succeed. But I answer you in the words of Jesus Christ:
Apud homines hoc impedimentum est, apud Deum omnia
possibilia sunt. [With men this is impossible, with God
all things are possible. — Matt. xix. 26.]
Hut what support have you / We have God. And which
supernatural work of great importance has ever rested upon
human support? Tell me what human support had the
foundation of St. Francis, of St. John -of the Cross, of St.
Teresa ?
You tell me that this priest1 has better human resources
1 A priest that tried a work analogous to that of St. Alphonsus.

58
J.

[

I

J
H

;

*

General Correspondence.
,·

[parti.
|

than we; hence for this reason we should have more
confidence than he, since the more important the works are,
the more Jesus Christ causes them to rise out of nothing
and from the midst of contradictions, so as to make them
admired and venerated by all as God’s work, and not as
the work of men. And what work was more destitute
of human means than the preaching of the Gospel ? Ah !
my dear Don Ciccio, as long as you speak thus, it will
be evident that you are not called to the Institute; because
Jesus Christ wishes that there should be in our Institute
men who are dead to their own will and their own judg­
ment; men, moreover, who have put their confidence in
God, and not in human means.
You tell me that you would wait and see, and then
decide ; but take care that lest before finishing the reflection
life itself may not finish, because very likely in order to see
the affairs of our Institute settled many years will be re­
quired. For the reform of the Carmelites, fifty years, if I
mistake not, had to pass before everything was definitely
settled.
O my God ! if Jesus Christ should wish that the Institute is to
cease with us, what injury would be done if in the mean
time, as you see, we should give ourselves up less to
prayer and to the salvation of souls, redeemed by Jesus
Christ? And although the Institute should be dissolved
before the end of our life, would this be ever a great
disgrace to us, for having undertaken so holy a work the
end of which is certainly very grand? And if ever we
should earn thereby the contempt of men, shall we not
likely gain the good pleasure of Jesus Christ, since we have
been doing what contributes so much to his glory? But
you must know, my dear Ciccio, that we shall understand
these things better when all of us, we and those that discredit
the Institute, shall be in eternity; then we shall see which
was dearer to Jesus Christ: to have been a member of the

1734-J

Letter 16.

59

Institute, or to have thrown discredit upon it. Remember
that if we do not lose confidence, the Institute will surely
not be dissolved. Only if we are wanting in confidence in
God, and if we place our hopes in human aid, shall this
work be destroyed. This we know by experience, because
when we confided in human means the whole work was
nearly destroyed.1
God is omnipotent, et Protector est
omnium sperantium in sc [and the Protector of all those
that trust in Him—Ps. xvii. 31.] And I tell you the truth : my
hopes for the Institute are supported by the great confidence
that I notice in my companions, who astonish me when I
see them advance, and as it were flying, towards perfection.
I assure you, I feel ashamed to see myself among them.
Ah! my dear Don Ciccio, who could it have been that
has done what has hitherto been done? I or God? And
this God can also finish what he has begun.
If therefore Jesus Christ does not wish to afford me the
consolation of having you as my Brother, I must have
patience, for I do not deserve such a favor. Come soon to
Santa Maria del Vignanello;
we shall then be at least
<_5
brethren on the missions. But, my dear Don Ciccio, when
you speak of us be careful, because your words can do
more harm to us than the words of others, and because we
esteem you our friend ; therefore your words have greater
weight, and what you say will continually be repeated.
Continue to prepare with Father Campanello that little
crown; but labor is necessary; the Infant Jesus will how­
ever reward you for it.
I wish to have the pictures of Santa Maria di Carrevaggio
which you have promised me. 1 shall have prayers said
for you by our little Community.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa! Leave word at
J

1 He refers to the hope placed in D. Silvestro Tosquez of obtaining
the Imperial approbation through his brother who had great influence
at the court of Vienna.

όο

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

the house of Rendina that their Gennaro 1 is content, and
that I love him as iny own brother. Live Jesus and Mary!
\7our very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori.
After an old copy.
LETTER

17.

To Father Tommaso Pagano, Priest of the Oratory at Naples.
A brief dissertation on the question, whether and when a
priest is obliged to go to the country of the heathen, and to
preach to them the teachings of the Gospel.2

[July, 1734.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Don Mattheo Ripa8 said at Naples that before reaching
the Indies we come to the Cape of Good Hope where there
are many idolatrous people, and where no one goes to teach
the faith. It is asked whether he that knows this state
of things is obliged to go there.
The question is reduced to the general question, whether
in the spiritual necessities of our neighbor we are obliged to
help him at grave inconvenience to ourselves.
It is the common opinion according to the theologians
of Salamanca that in regard to the necessities of individuals,
1 Gennaro Rendina, born at Naples, September 28, 1707, entered
the new Institute where as a lay-brother he died after a holy life at an
advanced age.
2 The saint, as appears from his journal, before founding his
Congregation, had cherished the idea of consecrating himself to the
missions in heathen countries. Two years after the foundation he
wished to carry out his intention ; but Mgr. Falcoia in a letter dated
July 20, 1734, and Father Tommaso Pagano, his first director, in
another letter of August 4, the same year, forbade him to do so.
3 The founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family among the
members of which St. Alphonsus had lived for two years. The seat
of this Congregation at Naples was called the Chinese College, its
object being to train missionaries for China.

1/34]

Letter /7.

61

we are obliged to help them at the risk of our property,
reputation, and life, only in an extreme necessity, in respect
to which extreme necessity two things are required, namely:
i. Ut proximus sine tuo auxilio damnandus sit [that your
neighbor would be damned if you do not help him] ; 2. 11 non
habeat a quo sublevetur [that there is no one to help him].
The theologians of Salamanca therefore say that non debes
navigare ad Indos convertendos, cum sint qui subvenire
possunt, et alias est incertum illos esse per te convertendos
[you need not travel to the Indies to convert the inhabitants
when there are those that can assist them, and it is otherwise
uncertain whether they would be converted by you.] Tamburini says that when there is any uncertainty chiefly about
success we are excused from going among the heathen.
The theologians of Salamanca say that it is the common
opinion that in reference to the necessities of any Community
we are obliged to come to their assistance in a grave
necessity even at our grave inconvenience. They say for
example : That preachers are obliged at their grave peril to
denounce public sins of scandal : or if during an incursion
of enemies there is no administration of the sacraments, and
without it the faith of the people is endangered, you are
obliged to administer the sacraments at the peril of vour life.
This doctrine being supposed, it is asked why the theo­
logians of Salamanca put the case of travelling to the Indies
among the necessities of individuals, and not among the
necessities of Communities, since there is question of entire
kingdoms of idolaters; and Bonacina and Viva when
speaking of the heathen speak of a case of extreme ne­
cessity.
Hence it appears that to prove the obligation
of which we speak, it is sufficient to establish here a grave,
not an extreme necessity.
I hat these countries are in a grave necessity as regards
their spiritual condition appears to be certain, since few
• ·
·
missionaries go there. It is true, the theologians ol Salamanca

62

General Correspondence,

[parti.

siiy that theie is then this obligation of going' there when
alitée subveniri non potest [when otherwise they could re·
ceive no assistance] ; and Laymann says of this obligation
quando populus inpdelis sit omni sacerdote destitutus [when
the unbelieving people are without a priest]. Of these
people it could be said that they are altogether deprived
. of the Services of a priest, et aliter subveniri non potest [and
cannot be otherwise assisted].
However, speaking of the above-mentioned case of the
Cape of Good Hope, it might be said that at least at present
there is some one to go to the assistance of its people if this
has not been done in the past, or at least some one will be able
to do so in future; particularly since bishops are appointed
for such places, and they are obliged to provide for them,
etc. Thus at least aliter subveniri potest [they can be
helped otherwise] ; hence, individuals are excused from going
there. Or if any one of these Communities is altogether
destitute of help, it must be supposed that the many
missionaries sent to these forsaken places have abandoned
them, because there was no hope of being of any benefit to
its inhabitants. Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 18.

To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce in the Monastery
at Camigliano.1

He writes out for her a rule of life, and exhorts her to give
herself up entirely to God.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Villa, August 26, [1734·]

Beloved Sister and daughter in Jesus Christ, let us praise
together the goodness of Jesus, since he has vouchsafed
to give you through my letter a greater desire to love him.
1 Camigliano, a Lown in the diocese of Calvi.

I734-J

Letter 18.

63

As for mortifications, you may use the discipline four
times a week, but not to blood, and wear twice the cilicium
till dinner-time. Try to mortify yourself also in eating by
abstaining from fruit three times a week, and from something
more on Wednesdays and Fridays; on Saturdays only you
may fast on bread and water. In the evening be careful to
eat as little as possible, in order to be well disposed for your
devotions in the night and in the morning.
As for prayer, I should wish that besides the hour during
which it is made in common, you would devote another hour
in private, at the most convenient time, especially during
the night and during the hours of the greatest solitude
when Jesus speaks to the souls whom he loves. In re­
gard to silence, I wish that it be strictly observed : except
during the time of recreation, that is to say, after dinner
and after supper, do not speak without necessity, and speak
always in a low tone of voice; moreover, during the day.
devote two hours to a stricter silence. We never find a
soul given to prayer that speaks much. Whoever really
loves Jesus should never wish to speak to any other than to
Jesus, never to see nor to hear any one else than Jesus.
Every week, choose a day of retreat for the purpose
of spending it entirely in prayer, in spiritual reading, and in
other exercises of piety.
Make every day a half hour's spiritual reading on the
virtues; often read in St. John of the Cross that passage in
which he speaks of the seven deadly sins, of pride, etc.,
which one may find at the beginning of the Obscure Night.
In the novenas you may increase the foregoing morti­
fications by using the discipline every day, etc.
If you follow these rules, you may receive holy Commun­
ion, il it is permitted to you, three or four times a week,
and during the novenas every day.
Have great devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and every day
in visiting her, place yourself entirely in her hands.

64

General Correspondence,

[PART I.

Make at least three visits every day to the Blessed Sacra­
ment.
In prayer see to what you are most attracted, and meditate
upon it; then employ the time in making acts of love to
Jesus and Mary, and in asking them for graces. Outside
of the time of prayer you must always be sighing for this
divine Spouse, who loves you, and who only deserves all
your love. If you fall into any sin, rise again with courage by
making an act of love of Jesus Christ, and think no more
of the sin except to confess it.
In case of illness, omit all the mortifications that may
injure you.
This is all that I have to say to you for the present.
Strengthen yourself in the resolution to give yourself entirely
to God, since he wishes to give himself entirely to you.
The little girl is yet too much of a child to exact from her
the spiritual life; you may, however, promote the glory
of ( iod by letting her advance in his holy love, but without
too great a solicitude. If, nevertheless, she should be truly
an obstacle to your spiritual good, endeavor to find out a
means of getting rid of her; if not, Jesus Christ will assist
you.
I beg you to recommend me to Jesus and Mary in all
your prayers and Communions, and to make a novena to
Mary to obtain for me certain graces that I desire.
Though I am so wretched, yet this morning I prayed to
Jesus Christ for you in a special manner, in order that he
may dispose you to give yourself entirely to him by re­
nouncing for the love of him every consolation in this life
and the next. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant
Alfonso de Liguori.
After an old copy.

Letter i y.

1734·]

LETTER

65

19.

To the Same.
He exhorts her to fervor, and tells her what she is to do on
his visit to Camigliano.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Villa, September 19, [1734.]

I write in haste, because the porter is in a hurry to
depart. I received your letter at Caiazzo, where I was
engaged in giving a retreat to the religious. I learn with
what fervor you have resumed the service of Jesus Christ,
your Spouse; henceforth pray to him unceasingly to obtain
perseverance, and fear that you may relapse into tepidity
which would perhaps be succeeded by a great chastisement
on the part of our Lord who, when he calls, wishes that we
respond to his voice. Continue always to make your
meditation as you are doing, and do not omit it, however
great may be your coldness; be convinced that it is on
meditation that your progress in virtue depends.
If you desire my presence, send me the evening before a
conveyance with some one to accompany me, and I shall
devote a day to your service. At the same time ask for me
jurisdiction to hear confessions, and permission to address
a few words to the Community, if it be desirable. Do not,
however, speak to me about making a general confession ;
because for certain souls a general confession, after having
been once made, is more hurtful than useful. This visit
would be only for the purpose of giving the religious some
advice, though I have already given it by letter, and I do
not know what more important counsels I could communicate
by word of mouth. If, therefore, you could spare me this
journey, and defer it to another occasion when it would be
more urgent, you would afford me great pleasure. However,
if you send a conveyance, and obtain the needed permissions,
5

66

General Correspondence.

w

[parti.

I shall be at your service ; but this must not be on a feast­
day, nor on a Tuesday, nor a Thursday.
Recommend me always to Jesus and to Mary. It would
be better to induce the bishop to have a mission; then we
would give a regular retreat to the Community, and very
much good would result therefrom. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble and grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori.
After an old copy.
LETTER 20.

To Monsignor Pietro Agostino Scorza,1 Archbishop of Amalfi.

The saint asks him to fix the time for the spiritual exercises
to be given to the clergy of Amalfi, and points out the
difficulties that have arisen in regard to making a foundation
at Positano.
[End of February, 1735.]

Most Reverend and Dear Sir: Remembering the orders
that your Grace gave me in regard to the exercises to be
given to the clergy of Amalfi, I beg you to inform me
of the time that will best suit you. Rest assured that I will
do all I can to oblige you; and I feel myself under the
greatest obligation to you for all the kindness and affection
that your Grace has shown to poor me.
I should be pleased to have the exercises given during
Passion week, beginning on the preceding Saturday, and
ending on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, because after
Easter I should like to go at once to Caiazzo on account
of business connected with the Institute.
I say this, because your Grace already knows of the
1 Pietro Agosto Scorza, born at Torre Maggiore, July it, 1676,
was first bishop of Teramo: then from April 9, 1731, archbishop
of Amalfi, where he died in 1747, or at the beginning of 174S.

I735-J

67

Letter 21.

demands made by the gentlemen of Positano;1 they wish
that we should take charge of the school ; this demand I
have regarded as surprising, since from the beginning I
have repeated to them many times that I cannot agree to
such a proposal .... how annoying!
Having inconven­
ienced your Grace and me (God knows in what straits I
was in my endeavor to satisfy them) they have brought
forward the above-mentioned demand ... I imagine that
up to the present time they were not bold enough to speak
to me directly about this matter, knowing what has passed,
but I have knowledge of it from another source.
After an autograph sketch preserved at Rome in Father
General’s archives.

LETTER 21.

To Mgr. Constantino Vigilante, Bishop of Caiazzo.
Petition.
[June, 1735.]

Right Reverend Sir: Alphonsus de Liguori, Superior of
the Congregation of the Most Holy Saviour of the Villa
degli Schiavi has the honor of submitting the following fact :
Your Lordship enjoined upon the administrators of the
Santissima Annunziata di Majorano, to furnish the Fathers
of our Congregation with six ducats every year on account
of the school which the Fathers of said Congregation main­
tain in said city. Now the time for paying the said six
ducats having already matured, the said administrators do
1 In the month of January of this year, the saint with the
Venerable Gennaro Sarnelli, and others had given a mission at
Positano. On this occasion there was question of founding here a
house of the Congregation, but because the municipality wished that
the holy founder should assume the obligation of taking care of the
public schools, the project was not carried out.

68

General Correspondence.

[parti.

not intend to pay this debt ; hence the said suppliant1 has
recourse to your Lordship that satisfaction may be made to
him. He wishes you to accept now the assurance of his
very sincere thanks, etc.
After an old copy.
LETTER 22.

To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce.

He exhorts.her to persevere in prayer.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Villa, December 31, [1735.]

I remember, my dear daughter, to have received two
letters from you, and I know that I have answered the
second. I even kept for some time this answer, for the
reason that I had no one to whom I might intrust it; then I
sent it to you, if I mistake not, through some one from
Bellona.2
1 answer you now by way of Fondola,3 for to-morrow I
shall return to Naples. Yes, certainly, I wish you to write
to me, and when you do not receive any answer, offer this
sacrifice to Jesus Christ.
Begin your retreat as soon as you can, and always tell me
1 The mediation of the prelate proved useless; but the saint
continued nevertheless to take care of the school, as appears from
one of his letters addressed to his director, Mgr. Falcoia, dated
October 5, of this year, in which we read : “ The small income
of six ducats [25 fr.] for the school makes no impression upon me,
because we should not show the least shadow of being desirous
of money, just as we should in no way lose confidence in divine
Providence; and since Monsignor would feel displeased if the
school were abandoned, we shall not abandon it on any account;
the more so as it is not a little service, which is blessed by God, to
educate ten or twelve souls who, I hope, will receive less a literary
than a moral education.. . .”
2 A village in the diocese of Capua.
8 A village in the diocese of Capua.

Letter 2y.

I736·]

whether you persevere in prayer, for everything depends
on that. I bless you in the name of Jesus and of Mary.
Pray always for me in your prayers and Communions ; on
my part I will not forget you. When you hear that I am
no longer at Villa, continue nevertheless to address your
letters to me at the same place, for thence I shall receive
them, and thence you will also receive my answers. You
must, however, have the patience to wait.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori.
After an old copy.
LETTER 23.

To the Priest Francesco di Viva.
He invites him to come to him.

Live the Infant Jesus, and Mary Immaculate!
Recale, January 25, [1736.]

My dear Don Ciccio: I hope that your catarrh has
diminished. I beg you to come to-morrow morning to see
me. We shall order the conveyance for you and for D.
Gennaro [Sarnelli], and both of you may go together,
arranging this with the coachman who will call for you.
From this place your Reverence may travel to Villa, and
thence to Dragone; for which place I have also been
asked for two Fathers. You may then travel together.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori.
After an old copy.

General Correspondence,

[PART i.

LETTER 24.

To Marquis Giuseppe Gioacchino Montallegre.

Abridgment of the Rule of the Institute of the Most Holy
Saviour.
[Month of January 1736.]

Father Ludovico Fiorillo, a Dominican, wrote thus to the
saint, January 16, 1736: “This evening, the 16th of the
month, I called upon Signor Marchese Montallegre, and was
happy to be able to speak to him in detail about the affairs
of the new foundation. He promised to do all in his power
to obtain the needed approbation. Fie moreover told me to
procure for him an abridgment of the Rule which is observed,
so that he may know what to say when he has an audience with
the Pope. . . . Send me, therefore, an outline of the Rule.”
In compliance with this request, the saint gave the follow­
ing account : —

It is already four years since a certain number of priests
have been living together in Community at Scala ; at the
request of Monsignor Vigilante, Bishop of Caiazzo, they
afterwards founded a house at Villa degli Schiavi, and
finally they established one at Ciorani, in the diocese of
Salerno. They have been giving satisfaction as much to
the bishops and people of those places, as to those who
have been coming from the neighborhood where a notable
reformation has been wrought in the morals of the inhabit­
ants through the spiritual exercises that have been given.
The principal aim of these priests is to imitate as far as it
is possible, with the help of divine grace, the life and the
holy virtues of our Lord Jesus Christ, so as to procure
spiritual profit for themselves, for the people of the kingdom,
particularly of those destitute of help, and to be able to
assist the bishops and relieve the spiritual wants of the
dioceses.
They live in the above-mentioned houses a perfect Com-

1736.]

Letter 24.

71

inunity life, subject to their own Superior, engaged in
various labors for the people, some at the school, some in the
confessional, others in giving instructions, in preaching to
Confraternities, in oratories, and elsewhere.
In the dioceses where they are staying, they go about
giving missions; and afterwards, in order to preserve the
good that they do through the help of the divine Majesty, some
of them return from time♦ to time to hear confessions, to
confirm the people in the resolutions that they have made,
by instructions, sermons, spiritual directions, counsel, and
so forth.
Within and without their own houses they endeavor with
the divine grace to follow as closely as possible the footsteps
of our divine Redeemer and Master Jesus Christ Crucified,
so that they may serve as models to the people both by
word and by example.
Moreover, in order to attain this object their Constitutions
prescribe twelve virtues for them to practise ; these are : Faith,
hope, love of God, concord and charity among themselves,
poverty, purity of heart, obedience, meekness and humility of
heart, mortification, recollection, prayer, self-abnegation, and
the love of the cross.
Every week each one makes a day of retreat in order
that, while conversing only with the divine Majesty and
devoting himself to the care of his own soul, he may draw
thence more strength to labor in behalf of his neighbor.
Whenever they remain at home they spend the greater
part of the day in silence, in recollection, in the choir, in
the practice of mortification, in meditation, which they
make three times a day, namely, in the morning at the first
hour, during the day about the hour of Vespers, and in the
evening after Compline ; there are examinations of conscience
before dinner and before going to bed. They, moreover,
have domestic meetings during which they discuss the
ecclesiastical sciences, the mode of advancing more and

72

General Correspondence.

[parti.

more in a solid, true, and positive imitation of the sublime
virtues of the divine Majesty, the manner of more effect­
ively laboring for the spiritual welfare of souls, especially
of those that are mostly neglected, and that live in abandoned
places.
The houses of the subjects are not numerous, and in
regard to their maintenance they seek to be troublesome to
no one, but they support themselves by that which they
have brought from their own families, and which they place
at the feet of the Superior, and by that which is voluntarily
offered to them by the faithful for the love of Jesus Christ.
This is a brief sketch of the aim and purpose of the
Institute of the Most Holy Saviour.
After the original written by the hand of Father Cesare
Sportelli.
LETTER

25.

To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce, in the Monastery
at Camigliano.

Exhortation to practise renunciation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani [1736.]

Your letter, my dear daughter, is the first that I have
received from you for a long time, and I do not remember
to have received any letter from you without having answered
it.
My answer to-day will, however, be short, for you tell me
in your letter that you are painfully continuing in the practice
of prayer, and that you are always in desolation: two things
that afford me great pleasure.
Continue then, and do not even ask our Lord for con­
solation; make even every day a special visit of renunciation,
I wish to say a visit in which you should renounce for the
love of him all consolations and all creatures. Continue

1736.]

Letter 26.

73

also to pray to our Lord for me ; ask him in particular to
deprive me of my will, so that I may perfectly unite myself
to his.
I have not forgotten you, and I will not forget you in
compliance with our agreement. Write to me.
I am at Sanseverino. We shall hardly see each other
again in this life; but while doing the will of God, let us
hope that we may see each other both as saints in heaven.
I leave you with Jesus and Mary. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
Have your letters taken to Signor Giovanni Oliviero at
Naples, Porta di Capua and di San Onofrio. Live Jesus
and Mary!
Your very humble servant and Father,
Alfonso de Liguori.
After the original in possession of Signor Andrea d’Isa at
Camigliano.

LETTER

26.

To the Same.

Different counsels of perfection.

Live Infant Jesus, and Mary Immaculate!
[Villa, February 1736.]

Yesterday, my dear daughter, I received one of your
letters, and I answer it this morning. The name of the
bearer to whom I intrusted my letter is unknown to me;
if then it was lost, you must have patience.
I am quite confused on hearing that our Lord uses my
letters for the purpose of doing so much good to your soul.
But I must tell you that I am at present going to the
diocese of Salerno for a new foundation.1
Nevertheless I
1 'fhe foundation at Ciorani.

74

Gen era I Cotί όspoil den ce.

[PART I.

do not wish to omit rendering you all the services that are
in my power. Always write to me, and send your letters
here to Villa ; care will be taken for them to reach me.
Try, in future, not to allow yourself to be cast down by
the thought of your imperfections. The best, then, will be
to trust more in God, and to abandon yourself lovingly to
his paternal guidance. All our confidence, in fact, rests not
on our works, but on the infinite goodness which never
rejects those who sincerely seek it
It would be injurious to your health to sleep in the cell
of which you speak; if, however, you are able to have it
repaired, I would allow you to ask to have it done as an
alms. In the mean time, could you not go to the chapel
after supper? I give you permission for an hour. And do
not fear; he that loves Jesus, fears no one.
In regard to prayer, do not allow the distractions that
come to trouble you. When you perceive them, recall
your mind to God, but sweetly, without disquietude, and
never reflect upon what you have done in prayer. Seek
always to unite yourself to God by your will, but always by
sweet and unrestrained acts. Read a little; then leave off,
and content yourself with walking on this path of obscure
faith ; it is the sweet path for sanctifying yourself. Nor
should you ever try to seek God with the senses; it is
sufficient if you find him with pure love and with the will.
In prayer, especially when you are in desolation, always
recommend poor sinners without forgetting the souls in
purgatory, especially those that have been most devoted
to the Most Blessed Sacrament and to Mary.
You must not think for a moment that we shall see each
other at Camigliano, because I set out to-morrow. Submit
yourself on this point to the will of Jesus Christ. Besides, I
do not see that my visit to you is necessary. It would
undoubtedly cause you sensible consolation ; but you should
always sacrifice all consolations of this kind to the love

1/36.]

Letter 2γ.

/3

of Jesus, of this God who lived on this earth constantly
deprived of every consolation.
As mistress of novices, try to instruct more by deeds
than by words. Let your words be always full of sweetness.
Avoid, as a general thing, reproving the novices in public,
and always make your corrections by saying kind words.
As a matter of obedience to you, I say: Always remember
my poor soul, above all in the presence of the Blessed
Sacrament and in your Communions. I bless you in the
hearts of Jesus and Mary. Live Jesus and Mary!
Your very devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori.
After the original in possession of Father Vincenzo Venditti, C. SS. R.
LETTER 27.

To the Same.
He recommends his Institute to her prayers, and exhorts
her to persevere in prayer.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
ClORANi, April tS, [1736].

First of all I must tell you, my dearest daughter, that
when you write to me omit the title Your most illustrious
Lord; it is sufficient to say Your Reverence out of respect to
the priesthood with which I, though unworthy, am invested.
In the second place, I must tell you that you must not be
afraid; when we embrace the cross we also embrace Jesus
Christ who is united with the cross.
I thank you for recommending me to Jesus Christ; never
omit doing so, whether you receive letters from me or not ;
and with me always recommend our Institute to Jesus
Christ. You must know that we are in great trouble;
within a short time we have lost four, perhaps, five subjects :
and thus you see how much we need your prayers. Pray

76

General Correspondence.

[parti.

to Jesus Christ to send us subjects; I ask especially fora
novena to Mary Immaculate and to St. Joseph, that they
may obtain for us three subjects.
In regard to the state of your soul, content yourself with
having Jesus in your heart if you have him not before your
eyes, and offer up to him this pain — a pain that could not
be greater — for the soul that loves Jesus it is a pain that
drew complaints from Jesus himself on the cross. But what
does he know that knows not how to suffer for God ? Thus
spoke your St. John of the Cross; and St. Philip Neri said
that there is no greater tribulation in this world than to
have no tribulations. He added that he that desires to
suffer little has little love for God. When you are more
desolate than usual, raise up by a sigh your heart to Jesus
by saying to him : O my Spouse ! I ask not Thy consol­
ations; it is only Thee that I wish. Therefore, endeavor
also to feel the pain that was felt by St. Aloysius de Gon­
zaga; it was for him a martyrdom of love not to be able to
love God as much as he acknowledged him worthy of being
loved.
Pains or consolations, offer them all to Jesus.
How I love to see in you, dearest daughter, this wear­
iness in prayer, and this perseverance in spite of the weariness !
It suffices, then, that you always make acts of union of your
will with the will of God.
If you would see, dearest daughter, that all goes well
with you in regard to God, where would be your suffering?
To suffer, then, would be a paradise. When trouble takes
possession of you, try’ to recover at once peace of mind ;
persevere in prayer and in your other spiritual exercises,
notwithstanding every feeling of disgust, even though all
should seem to you to be lost; leave all to Jesus Christ.
Guard against all solicitude in relation to my letters, else
they will be for you an obstacle to your perfection.
I send my regards to Mother Superior, and I recommend

Letter 28.

1736.]

77

myself to the prayers of this afflicted soul, because afflicted
souls are dear to God ; on my part I have recommended
her to Jesus and to Mary. As regards yourself, I follow
the agreement that we have made. Live in the hearts
oi Jesus and Mary! Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble and very devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori.
After an old copy.
LETTER 28.

To the Same.

Counsels in regard to perfection.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani, May 23, 1736.

My dear daughter, I received two letters from you at the
same time.
Continue to practise meditation as you are doing; it is
good; and have in this no other contentment, no other
desire than to accomplish the will of the Lord.
Although you may be in desolation and in trouble, yet
endeavor always to practise meekness in your relations with
your Sisters, and for this end do violence to yourself.
Continue to say to them something about God when such a
thing is useful to them. Charity is more pleasing to God
than humility. Take care, however, on these occasions to
acknowledge yourself (but before God more than before
those to whom you speak) as miserable and despicable, as
you are ; and if a thought of vain-glory presents itself do not
heed it.
When even you should find yourself colder than snow,
do never omit to pray for poor sinners, for the souls in
purgatory, and especially for me, in order that I may gain
many souls for God.

/8

General Correspondence,

[parti.

It seems to me that I have already told you not to ask
me any more for the love of Mary to go to see you ; but I
see that you have repeated the request. If God wishes
this, I would obey him ; but it is difficult at present, for I
am going to make a long stay at Villa. Do not, therefore,
ask for this any more. Content yourself with what I can do
for you, and I repeat, do not be solicitous on the subject
of my letters. I have written to you more than once; but
either the letters are lost or they are delayed. Jesus will
then grant you this consolation according to his good pleas­
ure, and if he wishes that we should wait till we reach
Paradise to see each other, you should be resigned ; if not,
you would prove that you do not yet belong entirely to
God.
I now recommend to you three things: Silence, the
exercise of the presence of God, and a tender love for
Mary. Pray without ceasing to this good Mother for me,
for the Institute, and ask her for subjects; for so far no one
has come to replace those that have left us. The month
of July is consecrated to Mary; go then, every day of this
month, to pray to her to my intention and to that of the
Institute that she may send us subjects if it be to her glory.
I leave you in the heart of Jesus, and under the mantle
of Mary.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very devoted servant and Father in Jesus and Mary,
Alfonso de Liguori.
After the original in possession of I). Antonio Palmerano
at Pignataro Maggiore.

I/36·]

Letter 29.

79

LETTER 29.

To his Father Don Giuseppe de Liguori.
He asks him to help on the work of the Venerable Gennaro
Sarnelli.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani, July 16, [1736.]

My dear Father: I again recommend to you the affair 1
of D. Gennaro Sarnelli in reference to the removal of pro­
stitutes; it is truly an important work that is conducive to
the glory of God. This courageous missionary is the son
of the Baron of the barony of Ciorani who does us a
thousand favors. He has given us a beautiful piece of
property with buildings, and a garden for a house and
church. He has also furnished us with lime, wood, and
even money in order that we may begin to build. — Asking
1 This affair of the Ven. Gennaro Sarnelli our saint thus describes
in his sketch of Sarnelli’s life: “ As 1). Gennaro saw that these
unhappy woman by being scattered through the whole city did im­
mense harm and gave great scandal, he was convinced that the only
method of remedying so great an evil was to compel them to live
together outside of Naples. The whole city and God, above all,
know what labors and expense this project occasioned him, for
the furtherance of which he composed several books entitled the
“Abuses of Prostitution.” This undertaking drew down on him
the opposition and the reproaches of friends as well as of enemies,
for as they looked upon the thing as impossible, they were always
striving to make him abandon it, and were bitterly ridiculing it.
But his confidence in God was strong and unshaken, although he
was alone and devoid of the help of man. He managed so well with
the first ministers of the king, our protector, that he at last had the
satisfaction of seeing his desires fulfilled.” — We may read the
details of this great undertaking in the little work entitled : “ Le
venerable serviteur de Dieu, le P. Janvier-Marie Sarnelli.” — Paris,
Jules Vic., 1SS6.

8o

General Correspondence.

you for your blessing, I remain, etc.
Joseph, and Teresa!

[parti.

Live Jesus, Mary,

After the Roman edition.
LETTER 30.

To the Same.
He begs him to speak to him no more about the episcopate.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
CioRANi, August 5 [1736].

My dear Father: I have just heard what has been done
in regard to the affair of Father Sarnelli. I beg you to
co-operate with him as much as you can for the glory
of Jesus Christ.
In regard to the other affair, the episcopate, my dear
Father, do not mention it to me any more if you do not
wish to give me real pain. In case it were offered to me,
even if it were the archbishopric of Naples, I should not
fail to refuse it in order to continue this great work to
which Jesus Christ has deigned to call me; for if I abandon
this work, I would regard myself as almost one of the
damned, for having abandoned the vocation that God has
so evidently made known to me. I wish, therefore, that
you would no longer speak to me or to any one else about
this affair, the more so, since in our Institute we are obliged
o
by the Rule to renounce the episcopate and all dignities.
I do not cease to recommend you to Jesus Christ. May
you bless me always, so that I may remain faithful to God
to whom I owe everything. I conclude by most humbly
throwing myself at your feet and asking you for your
blessing. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.

8i

Leltcr j /.

1736.)

LETTER

31.

To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce.
He marks out a rule of conduct for her interior and her
exterior life.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
CiORANi, September 26 [1736].

I yesterday received your two letters. I learned with
great pleasure that you have become detached from that
person, and that afterwards you have been blamed. What
you have told the Superior is sufficient; there is no longer
any need of justifying yourself, unless some are really
scandalized at your breaking off in this way, supposing
that you are entertaining an aversion. To the other relig­
ious you must always show a smiling and friendly count­
enance.
Penances and mortifications should be performed only
when you are well.
In regard to the mission, assure the bishop that he did
well to call the missionaries of St. George -,1 for we cannot
go so far, and we have so much to do here that we cannot
possibly give the mission. Indeed, our number is small;
do not, therefore, cease, my dearest daughter, to pray to
Jesus and Mary that they may send us companions; always
pray, and especially now ; for I have been informed that
many wish to come. Although we are few in number, yet
we are giving missions continually.
I am displeased to learn of the great eagerness that you
manifest of seeing me again. A general confession is not
necessary, and God does not wish that you should think
of seeing me again. I do not go to see even my mother,
V

1 Neapolitan Missionaries. — So called from the Church of St.
George Major, the seat of their Congregation.
6

82

General Correspondence.

[parti.

nor any one else. As for Villa, it is not at all proper for
me to go there; besides, 1 could not go without permission,
and this permission my director [Mgr. Falcoia] would
surely never give me if I asked him. Be therefore un­
disturbed, and I beg you never more to speak to me about
this journey. Be calm ; God wishes you to be detached
from all creatures — from all without exception ; he desires
to be your only companion and your consolation.
Here is the advice that I give you:
Use the discipline every day, and wear the cilicium till
dinner-time; on Fridays you may do something more: but
when you are indisposed, especially when you have only
little fever, do nothing, absolutely nothing.
As for the fruit, if you can abstain from it, seeing that it
is not strictly necessary for your health, you will do well to
abstain from it; it is sufficient if you take it only on Sundays,
and then only a small quantity ; on other days you may
abstain from it when you have soup \rninestrd\ and there is
no other special reason.
Do not, my dear daughter, complain about my silence;
if 1 do not receive your letters, how can I answer them ?
Signor Giovanni Oliviero has changed his place of residence.
He now lives in the Forcella quarter, in the street called
Sopra Muro. Now let me know to which person I can
address my answers so that they may reach you.
As for past faults, think no more of them. Endeavor to
keep aloof from every one: go to the parlor as rarely as
possible ; if, with the permission of the Superior, you could
avoid going there altogether, it would be well ; but if this
cannot be, on account oi business connected with your life­
annuity, or other necessities, try at least to show yourself
there as rarely as possible. However, if it were possible
for you to let your relatives and others know that you
would no more go to the parlor, oh, how glad I would
be!

1736.]

Letter 3/.

8.3

Write to Luisa that I am very happy to see her con­
tinuing as she does; tell her that she should love Jesus and
Mary very much by resolving to sanctify herself earnestly
and cordially, and that she should pray for me. And as
for you, all the time that you may have, employ it in
prayer by always asking Jesus Christ for the grace of doing
perfectly his will, in order to belong entirely to him. Oh,
how beautiful is it to see a soul that belongs entirely to
God, a soul that wishes only God, that loves only God,
that thinks only of God, that seeks in all things only
God!
When obedience prescribes anything for you to do, espec­
ially when you are to attend the sick, leave all your de­
votions; then in your occupations and fatiguing labor sustain
yourself by ejaculatory prayers which yon should allow to
originate from all that you do or see ; render also assistance
to the sick every time that you can do so.
Always remember me and our Congregation ; you see
that on my part I do not forget you, and that I am deeply
interested in seeing you a saint. O my dearest daughter !
the God that we have is so amiable and so good to him
that seeks him with his whole heart. Courage, then ! Let
us seek God only, him only, and nothing more; and
let us always pray to Mary that she may help us to find
him.
Make a novena to Mary for the new subjects of whom I
have spoken, in order that she may send them to us and
confirm them in their good-will. May Mary be our hope,
and Jesus alone be our love!
Since you desire to give me a more distinct knowledge
of your past life, this is what you may do : When you have
a little time, write to me all that concerns your past life,
your faults, those at least that may be intrusted to a letter;
but on the other hand, note also the little attention that you
have given to prayer, etc., and the graces that you have

84

General Correspondence,

[PART I.

received from our Lord. I shall thus be better able to
direct you.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble and very affectionate Father,
Alfonso de Liguori.
After an old copy.

LETTER

32.

To the Same.
He prescribes for her the way she should behave under
existing circumstances.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
*

ClORANI, October 26 [ 1736].

My dear daughter: I returned home yesterday, and I
now answer your last letter. The expenses of the missions
are incurred by us. We call ourselves the Congregation
of the Most Holy Saviour. At present it is not possible for
us to give a mission at your place ; for we have so much to
do in this vast diocese of Salerno that we cannot go even to
Cava which is near us.
As regards the mortifications, I do not wish you to begin
them if you are not well. Eat fruit sometimes when you
see that it serves as a remedy either for the stomach or in
order that you may not eat something else that will disagree
with you.
I am much pleased that you have that companion ; I
counsel you to use all your influence with the Superiors
that she may not be taken from you. Be always friendly
to her, and always praise her before others. As for the
sen-ices that appear to you so lowly in regard to the sick,
you know that they have been highly prized and honored
by the saints ; if the senses loath such things, it does not
matter; let nature show repugnance and do your duty.

Letter 33.

1/37·]

As to the mission, it is impossible at present: the distance
is too great.
Finally, if yon wish to be consoled, hear this advice:
embrace in all things the will of God, and you will always
be content.
Pray always for me, who do not forget you. Pray to
Jesus and to Mary to send us subjects. I recommend to
you three visits every day to the Blessed Sacrament and to
the Blessed Virgin by offering for the love of them your
life and all things ; and in these visits give a sigh of love in
behalf of my soul, in order that Jesus and Mary may help
me to accomplish perfectly the will of God. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After an old copy,
LETTER

33.

To the Same.

Various counsels.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
ClORANI,

April 4 [1737]-

My dear daughter: I write you hurriedly these few lines
in answer to your last letter, as we are very much occupied
in the building [of a house at Ciorani] ; nearly fifty per­
sons have come through charity to assist us. For this
reason thank our Lord for us, and beg him to continue to
bless us.
Two good subjects have already come to join the Institute.
What you tell me about your severe carnival and the first
Friday of March, gives me pleasure.
As for the foundation, I do not yet say that it is either a
temptation or an inspiration. Pray to our Lord to enlighten
me, and in the mean time keep yourself entirely resigned,
6*

S6

General Correspondence.

[PARTI.

as if the thing could never succeed. Write, moreover, to
the duchess, and inform me of all.
I am pleased with your sister, and her letter delighted me
with the beautiful sentiments that she expresses. Cultivate
this soul with care, for I hope that she will produce great
fruit.
When, my daughter, shall I come to Caiazzo? I do
not know; perhaps this may be when we least imagine it.
In the mean time, let us love Jesus Christ with all our
power, for he is well worthy to be loved. Always pray for
me who will not forget you.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very affectionate Father in Jesus and Mary,
Alfonso de Liguori.
After an old copy.
LETTER

34.

To the Same.
He reproaches her for her great repugnance to suffering.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
[The middle of April, 1737.]

As for the journey to Villa, God knows, my dear daughter,
when I shall be able to make it, for I cannot leave this
place, and I have no occasion to go to Villa.
I rejoiced to hear of the persecutions of which you are
the object; but what you add, that you despair of being
able to remain longer in that monastery, gives me pain.
If our Lord wishes a new foundation, he will himself open
the way, and let us know when he wishes it. But perhaps
this is a great temptation to you ; I fear it when I see the
horrible repugnance that you feel to bear any longer the
persecutions of the monastery. You should , however,
desire these persecutions. Do you not see that you are
now treated as our Lord, and that in watching you so

1737·]

Leiter 34.

closely, in keeping you in humility, your Sisters are co­
operating in the work of your perfection? And you say
after this that you can no longer bear with them !
0 my God! what has then become of your desire to
suffer for your Spouse, to belong entirely to him? Sister
Giovanna, my daughter, nevermore use such language
when you speak to me ; otherwise you will make me lose
the hope of ever seeing you really a saint, and I shall no
longer regard you as my daughter.
God wishes you to be a saint, but by means of crosses.
In future, far from complaining of being persecuted, do not
omit to thank Jesus Christ on this account: even ask him,
in all your prayers, to make you live, unceasingly despised
by all creatures. Your present aridity is without doubt a
chastisement from his hand which is intended to punish
your great repugnance to sufferings.
When you are despised or accused, be silent until you
are commanded to speak ; and in this case, instead of ex­
cusing yourself, say that you deserve to be dismissed on
account of your imperfections.
Continue to pray for the Institute and for me, and ask
God to send us subjects.
To expiate your want of patience, impose upon yourself
some supererogatory mortification during eight days, in
eating, in taking the discipline, or in wearing the cilicium.
Pray to your divine Spouse to pardon you your want
of resignation, and recommend yourself to our Lady of Seven
Dolors ; she will solicit your pardon.
Write to me, and tell me how you are getting on. Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very devoted Father in Jesus and Mary,
Alfonso de Liguori.
After a copy sent by Mgr. Alfonso Giordano, Bishop of
Teano.

88

Genera I Correspon den ce.

[PARTI.

LETTER 35.

To the Same.
He exhorts her to detach herself from creatures, and offers
her advice how to behave towards her sister.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani, April 22, 1737.

I have just received your two letters, and I again answer
that for the present it is impossible for us to go to your
place to give a mission ; for our number is small, and we
have so much to do here that we can hardly finish. More­
over, it is our rule never to give missions so far away,
especially when we have to give them in places that are
near us.
I permit you to pray to Jesus Christ as St. Scholastica
did ; but I forbid you all eagerness to see and to hear me.
It may suffice for us to see each other in Paradise in order
never to be separated from the beautiful vision of God ;
while waiting, let us aid each other by prayer, and remain
in peace. God only is that good from which we must not
be separated. All creatures are creatures that chill in us
the love for the supreme good when we desire them with
solicitude. I wish, therefore, to help you to unite yourself
more and more to Jesus Christ, and not to separate you
from him ; hence, I desire that henceforth you be more
resigned.
What consoles me is that darkness and contempt continue
in you. Oh, would to God that in the midst of all the
darkness, abandoned and despised by every one, we may
have the happiness of loving and pleasing Jesus Christ! In
darkness I recommend to you to employ a great part
of your meditation in saying prayers to Jesus and to Mary.

*

I737-J

Letter

Oh, what an excellent meditation is that in which we do
not cease to ask of Jesus the love of Jesus!
I send yon certain little works of piety with some hymns
of my own composition.
As regards your sister, it is necessary that you should
neglect nothing to promote her eternal salvation. If there
were some means of obtaining a place for her it would not
much matter if something should be lost in selling the
property. In short, you must take care of this affair, and
find out whether the house of your aunt is frequented by a
relative or any one else; for in that case, you must cry out
against such a thing, create a noise about it and decide
upon measures. Do all that you can, but without losing
your peace of mind; what you cannot do place in the hands
of Jesus Christ.
Continue to recommend me very much to Jesus and to
Mary. We are few in number, and at the present time we
are nearly all sick. Make a novena to Mary Immaculate
that she may procure for us both health and subjects ; we
shall then go to give a mission at your place.
I also request you to make without intermission acts
of love to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. May Mary be
our hope, and may Jesus be our love! Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After an old copy.

90

General Correspondence.

[PART i.

LETTER 36.

To his Director Mgr. Tommaso Falcoia.
Reflections as to the abandonment of the foundation at
Villa degli Schiavi.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani, July 12, 1737.

Yesterday Brother Andrea arrived here, bringing good
news from Caiazzo, and telling us that Mgr. Vigilante,
being ill-disposed towards us, makes no further mention
of another foundation.1 Cheer up, my dear Father, may
Jesus Christ send us tribulations in every way; blessed be
his name forever! Meanwhile, I see that the devil is
endeavoring to cause us trouble from within. Don Giovanni
[Mazzini] and Don Andrea [Villani] have written to me in
confidence, and 1 confide it to you as a secret, my dear
Father, that it may serve as a guide for you ; but when
«
e
speaking to them, do not mention that they have written to
me. In short, I understand that Don Giovanni, judging
from the tenor of his letter, has heard that our people are
not to return to Caiazzo, and Don Andrea writes to me
that he has had many interior and exterior struggles. I
hope, nevertheless, that Jesus Christ will not abandon us.
My dear Father, let me get rid of a scruple concerning
the foundation at Villa which torments me very much : it is
caused by seeing the great abandonment of these poor
souls.
1 Constantino Vigilante, Bishop of Caiazzo, was very much pained
at the departure of the Fathers from Villa degli Schiavi, and did all
in his power to induce them to return. We cannot ascertain why
the bishop was at the time somewhat displeased with the Fathers;
at any rale, it is certain that this estrangement did not last very
long ; for we learn from numerous documents that he was ever very
friendly to St. Alphonsus and to the Congregation.

«737 J

Letter 36.

91

When we went to the prince/ he said in the beginning
that we could not expect more than the hundred and fifty
ducats which had been promised, and that we should go to
the delegate, as he did not understand the matter. I saw
then, that, though he did not show himself favorable to us,
he would not have been offended if the delegate had done
us justice. Judging now from what he has said, it seems
to me that I should have acknowleged that we could not
claim more than the hundred and fifty ducats. My memory
is, moreover, confused, and I know no longer whether or
not I would have finished by taking leave. But Don Cesare
[Sportelli] suddenly came out very boldly and said to the
prince: “We have come hither to take leave, and we want
nothing else.” The prince then dismissed us with bad grace.
I could then apply no remedy, since leave had already
been taken. But during our journey to Villa, the doubt
occurred to me whether I was not able to remedy matters,
and whether the leave-taking was according to the intention
of your Lordship. Yet I brightened up on the way when I
heard of the violence used, for we may safely infer the
consent of the prince, and furthermore we may conclude
that he was opposed to us. I desired to tell you this in
order to lighten my mind of a load. As for the rest. I am
satisfied with whatever God has been pleased to do through
your Lordship.
I also wish to tell you that we were offered three foun­
dations at Cava and at Vietri, but at the time I did not pay
much attention to these offers, as I knew that your Lordship
wished to see us united, rather than scattered in other
places. But if, my dear Father, you wish that when I have
to return to those places, I should select the best house as a
new foundation, I shall obey.
1 This was most probably Prince Francesco Carafa, lord of the
hamlet Villa degli Schiavi.

General Corresponditce.

[PART I.

But, my dear Father, allow me to express my sentiments
on this point.
In the first place, it is necessary henceforward to exercise
great caution in accepting foundations of this kind so miserable
and wretched ; for though it is true that we can relinquish them
at our pleasure, still such a proceeding reflects great dis­
credit upon our poor little Institute; for people will say, as
the talk now goes at Caiazzo, that we have been expelled.
Then I would ask your Lordship, since we are so few, to
keep us together; this consoles me when I think of Villa,
for Jesus Christ has allowed us to abandon it without
remorse, in order to make us more united. My dear
Father, where subjects are only too few (your Lordship
already know this, but I have had the experience) regular
observance and fervor languish, even perseverance is threat­
ened; to tell the truth, everything grows tepid: for let a
subject be absent from choir on account of some affair which
is always turning up, such as preaching or hearing con­
fessions, or some other business, of course there can be no
choir; this happens pretty often. Moreover, when the
choir is made up of so few, one can hardly make out what
is said, for the same one must be hebdomadary, antiphonarius, and must intone the psalms. Hence, we never learn
to say the Office in the proper manner. Retreats and
spiritual exercises are seldom made. For my own part,
since I am alone, I do not remember that I have ever been
able on a single occasion to make the exercises perfectly, as
we were so few, and it was necessary for me to occupy
myself with some affair or other. As for the domestic
conferences, which are such an assistance to us, one is
tempted to give them up ; one does not know what to say
when so few are to be addressed ; all that one can do is to
moralize a little, in order not to wound the small audience.
The faults of which it is customary for us to accuse our­
selves in the refectory, are also few on account of the
J

1737J

Letter 37.

93

paucity of members, and so the accusation on Friday is
often omitted. In the same manner the recreations, especially
when one is out of humor, are more tiresome than refreshing.
I he result of all this is relaxed observance on the part
of the subjects ; and we, my dear Father, have experienced
this. We know it from the divisions, from the dispersion
and ruin ol the subjects at Ciorani ; Don Xaverio [Rossi]
and Don Giulio [Marocco], to speak the truth, are not
what they were, and I have become colder than all the others.
It is good to speak of this, not only on our own account,
but also on account of the others, who can with difficulty
bring themselves to unite with us, because they see that we
are so few.
Only yesterday Father Fiorillo wrote me that there is
a good foundation at Grotta Goglierma, beyond Sessa. It
is a large village in the diocese of Aquino, where we would
have a church quite finished, a house with twenty cells,
and an abundance of comforts. Father Fiorillo asked me
to go thither to inspect the place, for the municipality, he
said, wishes to bestow it upon missionaries.
I answered that I had been informed of it............ [The
remainder is wanting.]
After the original in the possession of his Eminence Gugli­
elmo Sanfelice, Archbishop of Naples.
LETTER 37.

To Father Cesare SportelliJ at Scala.

Live Jesus and Mary!
Ciorani, August 7, 1737.

My dear Don Cesare: 1 have received your letter from
which I learn that you arc somewhat better, though the
1 Father Cesare Sportelli, a man of saintly life, was horn at Mola
di Bari in the year 1699. Having passed his course of studies very
successfully at Naples, he devoted himself to the study of law, in

94

Genera l Carrespo n den ce.

[PARTI.

fever still continues. Do not forget that favor which I
asked you through Father Fusco, in regard to the Teresian
Chronicles. Try to do this as soon as possible.
Live Jesus and Mary !
Alfonso.
After the original preserved in the archives of the convent
of the Redemptorists, at Pagani.
LETTER

38.

To his Father Don Giuseppe de Liguori.

He begs him to be more charitable to his son D. Ercole,
and gives him some advice about his own sanctification.
[The end of October, 1737?]

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
My dear Father: I beg you for pity’s sake to have a little
more charity for your son. This morning he came to see
me at Naples,1 and began in my presence to weep, because
he could not do otherwise on account of the grief that
afflicts him. My God! do you wish to make him desperate,
and cause him to throw himself into a well, or to do some
other rash act? For mercy’s sake, stop showing your
melancholy at table, give him some assistance, since your
poor son is now married, exiled from Naples, without any
which, thanks to his great talents, he made wonderful progress.
Having discovered that a Congregation under the title of the Most
Holy Saviour had been founded, he turned his back upon the world,
and became the first companion of St. Alphonsus. In the year 1742
he was chosen to be the first Superior of the house at Pagani, and in
the year 1747, of the house at Caposele. He rendered great services
on the missions, lie died on the 19th of April, 1750. Before he
breathed his last he began to sing In exitu Israel de Egyfito, and in
this joyous frame of mind he gave up his spirit to God. He
wrought many miracles after his death ; three years and six months
after his death the body was found beautiful, entire and flexible.
1 In the month of October 1737, the saint was giving a mission at
Naples, in the church of the Holy Ghost.

1738]

Letter 39.

95

comfort whatsoever. See that you do not make him do
any imprudent act; especially should you show charity
towards him now that he is sick. Think that he is your
son, and not a dog; hence, he should be dearer to you
than possessions, than money; and be assured that if charity
is practised towards your own family, God will help you in
some other way. What do you wish should be done?
What is done is done ; and has already been arranged ab
œterno [from all eternity] ; upon whom can you lay the
blame?
I beg you, dear Father, to be habitually a little more
united with God, to go to confession oftener, to prepare
your accounts, because when Jesus Christ comes there will
then be no time to attend to this matter. Think that you
are already advanced in age ; who knows within what space
of time you will no longer be in this world ? and it is certain
that this must be, whether you wish it or not. Every
morning I recommend you to God at my Mass, for I fear
much for your eternal salvation. I hope the Blessed Virgin
will assist you ; but the Blessed Virgin will not be able to
assist you without your co-operation.................
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 39.

To Father Giuglio Marocco,1 at Caiazzo.
The saint complains of his silence, and tells him some news.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa 1
ClORANI, March 9 [173S].

My dear Don Giuglio: What is the matter that I have
not seen any of your letters for so long a time ? The past
week we have been at home after two months spent in
1 Father Giuglio Marocco, after the forced departure of the
Fathers from Villa degli Schiavi, remained at (. aiazzo, his native
place, in order to treat of the affairs of their return to \ ilia.

g6

General Correspondence.

[part i.

giving missions. We wish to know how yon are, and
when we shall have the consolation of seeing you ; when
you come from the holy house of the Blessed Virgin, we
hope that you will come here directly.
We have learned that Columbano 1 has become re-united
to his wife; through this union Monsignor di Caiazzo was
hoping to obtain his consent for the foundation. I should
most sincerely wish you to inform yourself how things
stand, without, however, making your desire known.
Present my regards to Don Silvestro and also to Eliza­
beth; let the latter pray to Jesus and Mary for me; tell her
that I do not forget her. Remember me kindly to Mon­
signor, and recommend me to Jesus Christ and to Mary
every morning, especially at Mass.
Here they have begun to build the church.... We hope
to get a good Neapolitan subject; recommend him to Jesus
Christ. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your servant and brother in Jesus and Mary,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
P. S. I have already written to you that now there is no
more question of going to our Lady at Loreto. Live
Jesus and Mary !
After the original preserved at Francavilla Fontana in
possession of Mgr. Francesco de Fazio, domestic prelate of
His Holiness.
1 Prince Francesco Carafa, lord of Villa degli Schiavi, had declared
himself against the Fathers. The Princess, his wife, who was very
pious, made every effort to secure their return. See letter of May 25,
1759.

Lcllci 40.

1739-1

LETTER 40.

To a Priest.
It is impossible to give the mission for which he asks.
Great desire of seeing him enter the Institute.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
From the mission at CalvaniCO,1 April 27, [1739].

My dear Don Giovanni : I was greatly consoled to receive
your most esteemed note, because I thought that you no
longer remembered us. But your note proved to me that
this is not the case; it proved, on the contrary, that you
are thinking of us and of our Institute with real affection.
O God ! how much assistance you could have given us this
year by going with us on the missions, and I had so great
a desire to write this to you ! But I was told not to do so
on account of the disposition of your family and of the
bishop. The latter, I believe, will grow somewhat cool
towards us on account of what your relatives will have told
him ; the fact is he will not even send us the candidates for
ordination next Pentecost. If you have an occasion do not
omit, I beg you, to assure him that in regard to this point
we are altogether without fault.
Let us now speak of the mission at Dupino. Dear
Giovanni, I have received orders from our Father [Mgr.
Falcoia] to retire after the mission at Mercato di Giffoni
and to give no other, so that, though we had received a
most urgent application from Valle di Giffoni — an ex­
tensive and beautiful country — we had to leave the people
disconsolate, because no mission was given to them. It,
however, happened that for a special reason the archbishop
positively wished to have a mission given at Calvanico
where I am now; our Father has granted us permission
1 Calvanico was at that time a village in the diocese ot Salerno
containing 1568 souls.
•w
/

98

General Correspondence.

[parti.

to give this mission tantum [only], and no more, as
he does not wish us to labor any more during the month
of May. Now you ask me for a mission at Dupino; but
it is too late. The most that I can do to serve you is
to send a courier to Castel Montori to obtain permission to
go; but I must say to you that such a thing will be
impossible on account of the reasons given above. As
soon as I receive an answer, Don Cesare [Sportelli] will
send it to you. If we cannot go now', we shall wait till the
weather becomes cooler. You must thank those gentlemen
of the parish for the honor that they have done us. Had
they notified me before, I could have taken more suitable
measures to serve them.
To return to ourselves. Do not forget us or the In­
stitute. Whatever you may do, you may be sure a good
rewarder will pay you; I say no more. Ah, my dear
Giovanni, my dear Giovanni ! Let me at least know’ at
what time, w’ith the consent of your family and of your
bishop, you will be able to help us on the missions ; let me
know’ this, so that I may send you word when the missions
are to be given. Messis quidem multa [the harvest is
great] . . . especially for the coming year; oh, what a harvest
is awaiting us ! There is especially Eboli where there are
six thousand souls ; and our services have been asked for S.
Lorenzo della Padula where there are also six thousand
souls. Well then! pray to Jesus and Mary for us, and
particularly for me. Asking you to write to me, I remain,
etc.
Your very humble and very devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori.
After the original kept at Dragonea in the diocese of Cava.

1739J

Letter 42.

99

LETTER 41.

To Father Giulio Marocco.
He writes to him to prolong his stay at Caiazzo.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph!
Ciorani, [June 1739].

My dear Giulio : When you wrote to me I was absent on
a mission. Then Father Cesare [Sportelli] answered you
for me, and begged that you would write about the matter to
our Father [Mgr. Falcoia]. But now this is no longer
necessary, since I have spoken to Monsignor. He says
that you should stay at Caiazzo as long as the doctors
say that it is necessary for your health. Pray to Jesus and
Mary for me.
Salute for me Monsignor [Vigilante], and tell him that
we soon expect him and Don Silvestro; te cheerful; for
pity’s sake, be courageous, take exercise, and do not trouble
yourself about anything. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa!
Your devoted brother and servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
»
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After the original preserved at Naples in the Oratory of the
Archconfraternity of our Lady of Mercy.
LETTER 42.

To the Same.
He hopes to see him soon again at Ciorani, and begs him
to recommend to our Lady of Loreto himself and the Institute.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani, [End of July, 1739].

My dear Giulio : I was waiting a long time for news from
you, and at last I received it. We rejoice that your health

IOO

General Correspondence.

[parti.

is better. We should like to know when we shall have the
consolation of receiving you here.
'ihe priest in question wished to enter this summer; as,
however, by entering he would have to make the exercises,
our Father [Mgr. Falcoia] wished his entrance to be
postponed. He will come towards the second week of
September.
Know that on the 15th of October I shall begin a retreat
to the clergy at Naples, and after that I shall return home.
If during this time you would be able to arrange about
coming here, my consolation would be redoubled. If not,
may God’s will be done !
After having written this, I heard that our Father has
granted you permisson to go to our Lady of Loreto. I am
glad of this; pray to this good Mother for me, for our
companions and for our Institute, and go to her with great
confidence that she may give you either good health or
perfect resignation. I suppose that you will go by the
way of the Abruzzi in order to avoid the mountainous
countries.
I have nothing more to say. May we meet again
immediately after your trip.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your brother and servant,
Alfonso le Liguori.
After the original preserved in the diocese of Teano.

Letter 43.

1739·]

ιοί

LETTER 43.

To Most Reverend Casimiro Rossi, 1 Archbishop of Salerno.
He asks for faculties for the exercise of the apostolic
ministry.
[Ciorani, December 26, 1739.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Most Reverend and respected Sir: I write this letter to
ask your Grace for two favors in regard to the faculties.
The first is this: Your Grace will remember that for a priest
of the diocese whose faculties for hearing confessions, gran­
ted for six months, were shortly to expire, you granted
me an extension as long as the missions would last. Now
as the same thing will often happen, and will in fact happen
as I understand in the case of some confessors in the
missions that are about to be given, I beg your Grace to
concede to me also for the future, the same extension, in a
similar case, to approved confessors for the time only during
which they assist me on the mission.
The other favor is this: The evening that I spent at
Salerno it seems to me that your Grace allowed me the
faculty of employing any one whom I believe fit to help me
to hear confessions in the monasteries of nuns; but as on
that evening I was so much occupied at the moment that
afterwards I did not remember how I had formulated my
request on this point, I now beg your Grace for the peace
of my conscience to declare to me that you grant me the
faculty of heai ing confessions in said monasteries, and
of asking any one whom I think suitable also to hear
confessions, with the same faculties granted to me for the
missions when I happen to give the exercises or when I
preach in the said monasteries.
I Casimiro Rossi, born at Naples, March 11, 1685, was first bishop
of Taranto, then from May 5, 173S archbishop of Salerno, where
he died in 1759.

7*

102

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

For my greater tranquillity and for your convenience it
will be sufficient, and I beg you that below you inform me
that the aforesaid faculties are granted. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph! While humbly prostrating myself at your feet,
I have the honor to remain,
Most Reverend Sir,
Your very humble, very devoted,
and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
The archbishop answered in the same letter: “The two
faculties asked for, as expressed in this letter, are granted.
December 28, 1739.
Casimiro, Archbishop.”
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.

LETTER

44.

To a Nun at Fisciano, in the Diocese of Salerno.
He exhorts her never to omit Communion, notwithstanding
all
♦ her temptations.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
CastellammareJanuary 6, 1740.

How much am I pained that you have so little faith in
obedience, notwithstanding what I have told you and
repeated so often! One thing in your letter has, however,
consoled me, that in spite of all this you have not given up
Communion.
I beg you, and I command you, never to omit holy
1 The saint had given a mission at Fisciano in the month
of November, 1739. He gave another at Castellammare in the
parish of S. Salvatore at the beginning of 1740, and it is from this
town that he writes the present letter.

1740.]

Letter 44.

103

Communion, even when it should seem to you that you are
giving consent to every temptation in the world. For pity's
sake, do not treat your Spouse as a tyrant who wishes you
evil, and who wishes to punish the soul that is anxious to
seek him and not to displease him.
If you cannot swear at first sight to have deliberately
consented to the temptation, and consented to lose God,
always go blindly (I take it on my conscience) to Com­
munion, in spite of all disquietudes, and even if you believe
you are committing a sacrilege. Act thus; you will no
doubt suffer, but you will not on that account be less
pleasing to Jesus Christ, since it is only to please him and
to obey him that you communicate.
In your Communions and prayers, do not forget the
agreement that we have made with each other ; on my part,
I pray and will earnestly pray for you to this good Master,
for I see that you are very dear to him ; yes, very dear,
although you do not know this. Could you not convince
yourself of this? You would then become, miserable creature
that you are, grateful to this God your Creator who bears
towards you so tender a love.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori.
After the original in possession of the Carmelites of Fis­
ciano.

104
Se

HI

General Correspondence,

[parti.

f
letter

45.

To the Venerable Gennaro Sarnelli.1
He gives him advice in regard to the composition of spiritual
books.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani, April 3, 1740.

My dear Gennaro: We are distressed on account of Father
Xavier [Rossi] whose illness has grown much worse, causing
him to lose more blood than before. To-day, however, he
is a little better. May God spare him to us !
I have read what you have written to me. My dear
Gennaro, I have, however, very little time, and soon I
must go to Nocera to preach some sermons; besides I am
not very well·. It would, indeed, be a great work for me
to collect those small treatises about the Heart of Jesus and
the Passion. I shall do what I can.
I have told Brother Gennaro [Rendina] to copy the
canticles, because I have not time to do so myself; but I
shall revise them. In the canticle of the Desolate Soul it will
suffice that you change the strophe arranged by Fontana as
follows :
1 This great servant of God, born at Naples, September 12, 1702,
entered the rising Congregation in September 1733. He was a living
image of the holy founder, so that like him he lived only for God
and the good of souls, for the salvation of whom he always labored
with incomparable zeal and ardor, with the living voice of preaching,
and with the publication of many celebrated works. Finally, after
eleven years of apostolic labors, worn out by fatigue and austerities,
he rendered his beautiful soul toGod. Thecause of his Beatification
was introduced by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, December 3,
1874.

Letter 45.

1740]

iOS

E se per me non mai
Vi fosse, o Dio, perdono,
Sappi che tua pur sono
E sempre tua sard,1

As for the pious meditations on the Passion, the Blessed
Sacrament, etc., of which you speak, I wish you to fill
them with affections, rather than with citations, revelations
and reflections ; for in this kind of meditations one should
exercise the will more than the understanding ; and what
devout persons require more, are affections and not con­
siderations.
Particularly in the meditation on the Passion, when the
meditation is on Jesus bound by the executioners, let the
prayer be: O Jesus deign to bind us with the chains of Thy
love, etc. You will find a similar aspiration written in the
paper I send you.
To Jesus covered with wounds by the scourging, the
prayer may be as follows ; May he wound us with his love,
since all these wounds cry for and demand only love, as
our Lord himself one day said to Sister Vittoria Angelini.
To Jesus crowned with thorns: May he reign over our
hearts and our affections, etc.
To Jesus dying: May he make us die to all the affections
of the world.
To Jesus wounded in his heart by a lance: May he wound
us, etc.
Read the book entitled : “ Sufferings of Jesus;”2 you will
find in it very beautiful aspirations. See also the exercises
1 E’en though there be no hope for me,
My God, I’ll love Thee still;
Though lost, my love shall e’er be Thine,
For only Thou my heart canst fill.
2 This work, written in Portuguese by the Venerable servant
of God, Father Thomas of Jesus, of the Order of St. Augustine, was
translated into Italian by Father Louis Flori, S. J. [into French by

Father Alleaume, S. J.]

io6

General Correspondence,

[PART 1.

which the author gives after the reflections. I conclude.
When you have read them give them to Jorio for me.
I will send you later the other affections and the canticles
drawn from the “ Book of Canticles.” Recommend me to
Jesus and Mary.
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 46.

To the Foundress of a Monastery of Nuns at Saragnano.

Necessity of establishing perfect observance from the be­
ginning, especially in regard to poverty.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa !
Ciorani, July 12, 1740.

Reverend and honored Mother: I regret exceedingly not
to have been able to give you before your departure some
useful counsels for the good of the new foundation and for
the glory of Jesus Christ. I have therefore thought that I
would send you the counsels in writing.
I would say to you in the first place: Prepare yourself to
suffer much for Jesus Christ, if you wish that this foundation
should be made according to his design. You will have to
suffer poverty ; you will have to endure persecutions, not so
much from outsiders as from those that are within ; because
the latter are accustomed to live according to their own
fancy, and as soon as they see themselves restricted by the
Rule, there will be among them malcontents who will
murmur and create disturbance; there will also be some
who will take their departure. But let those go away with
full liberty who do not wish to observe the Rule punctually.
It will not matter if you remain alone; Jesus and Mary will
come to your aid.
Consider that you have to implant the spirit of fervor
which is always to endure in tuture. But if now you begin

ΐ74ο·]

Letter 46.

107

to relax, either through human respect, or through fear
that complaints will be macle, or that some will leave
you, remember that the foundation will go from bad to
worse.
In all other points, be full of charity towards all the
Sisters, especially the sick ; try to be the servant of all, and
make them understand that you bear great love towards
each one of them, because love, and not force, is an excellent
means of rendering them docile and obedient. But when
you see that any one obstinately resists obedience, and
especially the Rule, dismiss her resolutely, and implore the
help of the bishop, asking him to support you in this matter,
which is absolutely of the first importance.
Keep always before your eyes, Reverend Mother, the
beautiful reward that awaits you in heaven if you maintain
observance, and the severe chastisement that will, on the
contrary, be inflicted upon you if, in order to condescend
to the weakness of some Sister, you introduce inobservance
by scandalizing the others. And what is not done now,
you should despair of doing later, since fervor will always
diminish rather than increase.
Take care to instruct more by example than by words.
Be the first to observe all the Rules, and as to the ob­
servance, lay aside everything else. It is on the observance,
understand this well, that the sanctity of this foundation
depends.
Watch particularly over the observance of poverty, and
absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, permit no one to retain
anything as her own, not even a needle, if there is no real
necessity. Let everything be in common, as is required
by the Rule. Oo not allow anything to be kept in the
rooms that is not strictly necessary. Fruit, sweetmeats,
jewels ! Of what use will all this be, if not to make us suffer
years and years in purgatory? For a much greater reason
should you forbid the keeping of linen, of money, or of any

ιο8

General Correspondent ce.

[PART I.

other object, even if it has been received as a present. Let
all presents be for the benefit of the Community.
Be on your guard, for if now you do not establish good
customs, it will afterwards be impossible for you to remove
bad ones. Recall to mind what I preached at Fisciano
where some abuse had been introduced ; and you know
what it cost to remove it.
Endeavor also to suppress as much as can be done all
talking in the parlor, and see to it that the listeners be
always present. A monastery in which poverty is observed
and in which the grate is closed, is a holy monastery.
Consider, Reverend Mother, that there is now for you
question either of becoming a saint or of being damned.
Give as much time as possible to prayer, for you stand
very much in need of it, and exhort the others without
intermission to pray before the Blessed Sacrament and at
the feet of Mary, because on this everything depends. Tell
the Sisters that all those that begin a foundation usually
become saints when they strive to please Jesus Christ.
I already know that in order to execute what I have just
written, you will have much to suffer; but it cannot be
otherwise. If the members of the Community do not wish
to obey you, frankly declare to them and to the bishop
that you wish to return to Fisciano where you can have
more peace and where you will be in less danger of damning
your soul.
Have this letter read by the Sister who is your companion
in this undertaking. Your Rule forbids flesh-meat. If you
can settle this point, you will do well ; so it is practised in
the monastery of Tramonti.
1 rust in the Lord and fear nothing, even if you see the
whole world leagued against you on the question of ob­
servance. I hope that all that I have just said to you will
be for you at the hour of death a subject of consolation, and
not a subject of remorse. May you both recommend me to

Letter

1740·]

109

Jesus and to Mary; on my part, I will not forget you in my
prayers.
May Jesus be our love and Mary our hope!
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After an old copy.

LETTER

47.

To Father Giulio Marocco.
He expresses to him his satisfaction in knowing that he is
resolved to persevere in his vocation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
ClORANI, July 12, [1740].

My dear Giulio: I have received your letter which we
were longing to receive; and it has consoled us all. This is
enough to understand the rest.
Dear Giulio, what frightened us in your letter was not so
much the sentence: I wish first of all to see my health
restored, as the sentence: for God has clearly made known
to me that he wishes me to be in the Institute, not as a sick,
but as a healthy man It is this thought joined to one of your
old temptations already known, namely, that you are not
made for the Institute if you are sick, it was this thought, I say .
that frightened us. As for the words clearly made known.
they made us think that you had consulted some rabbi.
But let there be no more of this. We are all of us consoled,
and our fear has rendered more intense our desire of seeing
you very soon.
For the rest, as this consolation to see us must necessarily
be deferred, we as well as you must have patience. You
may freely attend to the care of your health, as our Father

I ΙΟ

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

[Mgr. Falcoia] has already expressed this to you, and has,
I believe, confirmed it in another letter.
In regard to the Masses, please to answer Don Giovanni
[Mazzini],1 so as to take away all scruples. In short, do
not give a thought as to whether or not you have celebrated
the Masses, whether or not you have incurred expenses ; and I
say again to you most sincerely that you may send me
word for anything that you may need, and Jesus Christ will
provide.
You tell me not to write to you as I have done; and I beg
Don Giulio, for pity’s sake, not to write to me as he has
done; that he should not frighten us again, saying that he
wished to leave us. Come now! no more of this. Let the
whole of what has been said be buried in the bottom of the
sea.
I shall read in recreation this evening your Maccaranica.
In the mean time recommend me to Jesus Christ and write
us where you are and how you are.
I conclude by embracing you in the hearts of Jesus and
of Mary. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble brother in Jesus and Mary,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After the original in possession of Don Pasquale Petrella,
Primicerius of the Metropolitan Chapter of Capua.
1 Father Giovanni Mazzini had the charge of applying the in­
tentions of the Masses.

1740· I

IrI

Letter 49.
LETTER 48.

To his Director Monsignor Tommaso Falcoia,1
Ciorani, July 24, 1740.

My dear Father: I am cold; please send me a little
of your fire; at least tell me what I have to do and bless
me. Live Jesus and Mary!
Your very humble son,
Alfonso.
After the original in the archives of Father General at Rome.
LETTER 49.

To Father Giulio Marocco.
He tenderly exhorts him to return to Ciorani, as he is
certain about his vocation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani, August 2, [1740].

My dear Don Giulio: I fear that the letters that I am
writing to you at present are becoming wearisome to you.
But what can I do ? The affection that I bear towards one
of the first and oldest companions of this little Congregation
impels me to write again.
We have been expecting to receive from Naples the
papers or the letters about which you wrote us, but nothing
has yet come.
What prompts me to write you to-day is a note of the
Bishop of Caiazzo in which, writing to his sister, the Prioress
of S. Giorgio, he says expressly of you : “ Neither I nor
any one else has put any obstacle in the way of Don
Giulio’s return to the Institute; on the contrary, I have
been the first to urge him to enter it. Although I regarded
1 This short note is the postcript to a letter of Don Cesare Sportelli,
in which he announces to the bishop that on the 21st of July all the
Fathers and Brothers of Ciorani had made their profession.

I 12

Genera I Correspondence.

[PART I.

him not only as useful, but necessary, yet I did not wish to
charge my conscience with scruples in regard to his
vocation.”
Since now the bishop has approved your vocation, there
is no longer any hindrance to your return.
Your vocation was afterwards approved by Father Fiorillo
to whom, as your director, you referred the matter.
Monsignor Falcoia has found one of your notes in which you
mention to him the resolution that you have made and the
approbation that you have received.
Not to weary you, what are you doing at Caiazzo?
What resolution did you make ?
For pity’s sake, do not take counsel at Naples, nor
elsewhere, because if Mgr. Falcoia heard of this he would
no more receive you. Arou were so detached from your
relatives, why allow yourself to be overcome by the devil
and the flesh ? Do you wish to act as Alteriis1 acted,
whose behavior you once condemned? Nevertheless he had
against him the archbishop, who obliged him to remain in
his diocese.
Do you perhaps believe that we shall not receive you
with the same affection that we received you before? Here
you
will find more than brothers, more than a mother,
•r
Here all are sighing for you, although you have almost
discarded us who are your companions.
For pity’s sake, do not give any more time to the
enemy to gain you over. What a fine excuse you make
about your family! Say to them that you wish to obtain
counsel at Naples. But you should consult Jesus Christ
and at once you would come to Ciorani.
I beg you for the love of the Blessed Virgin to return
immediately on receiving this letter. Who knows, if you
were perhaps no longer in Caiazzo, you would be cured
1 Michele de Alteriis, after having finished his novitiate, left the
Congregation at the instance of his father.

Letter 50.

1741.]

113

of your infirmities? We of course know that you will be
nearly useless, but here you will find us all charity. And
though you are useless, we receive and desire you, not
because you are useless, but because you are our companion,
and we do not wish you to be separated from us.
I have nothing more to say. After you have read this,
consult the crucifix and take a resolution at the foot of it,
but at once, and do not rise, I command you, before you have
decided. And come just as you are.1
Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very devoted father and brother in Jesus Christ,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After the original preserved in the diocese of Teano.
LETTER

50.

To Father Cesare Sportelli, at Ciorani.
He begs him to write to several monasteries in favor of a
religious vocation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
S. AniELLO,1
2 July 12, [1741].

Don C. has told me through D. G. that there is a good
priest named D. L. who would come here ; he is most anxious
to enter the Congregation ; but he has with him a sister
who is as pure as an angel. As she does not wish to marry,
he is in search of a convent where she may enter as a
lay-sister.
I am going to write to Cava, to Fisciano, and to the
1 This altogether paternal letter produced no effect upon Father
Marocco; after the lapse of one month he left definitely the Institute,
to which he was, however, not bound by any vow.
2 Sant’ Aniello, a village in the neighborhood of Naples, where
the saint remained for the mission to be given in the suburbs of the
city.

8

114

General Correspondence.

[PARTI.

convent of the Purità at Nocera.
Let Father Andrea
[Villani] be so kind as to write in my name to the Carmelites
at Pagani and to those at Penta. Let him also write to the
Carmelites at Solofra and ask Vigilante to engage the
services of the primicerius who has great influence.
I hope your Reverence will also do me the favor of writing
to these three places : to San Giorgio, to endeavor to gain
over Polichetti; to Solofra, to the Franciscan Sisters; to
Nocera; to the Convent of St. Clare at Nocera. Write also
to Tripaldi, and even, if you think it advisable, to Serino.
You must say that she is my penitent ; that she is truly an
angel from Paradise, but poor in this world’s goods; and
that it is I myself that urges her case most strongly.
Please write these letters very soon, and have them forwarded
at once.
1 embrace you all in Jesus and Mary. Let Father Xavier
not tire himself too much before he has fully regained
his health.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.

LETTER 51.
To the Priest Don Giuseppe Sparano,1 at Naples.

He asks him to come to him for a moment’s interview.

Live Jesus and Mary!
S. Aniello, July 29, [1741].

My dear Don Giuseppe: I should like to ask an important
favor of you. If you would be kind enough when you go
1 The priest D. Giuseppe Sparano, always a great friend of our
saint, was born at Naples, December 22, 1709. In 1743 on account
of his rare qualities he was chosen Canon of the Metropolitan
church, synodal examiner, and later Superior of the Congregation
of the Apostolic Missions, called Propaganda. In
he published
his “Historical Memoirs of the Church of Naples, and of that

Letter 52.
to S. Aniello on your way to S. Sebastiano to grant me a
moment’s interview, you would do me a great favor.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very devoted and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,

of the Most Holy Saviour.
After an old copy.
letter

52.

To Father Cesare Sportelli, at Ciorani.

He expresses to him his desire of promptly returning to
Ciorani.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
S. Aniello, June 22, [1742].

My dear Father Cesare: If you do not send me Brother
Gennaro [Rendina], I shall not be able to send you Brother
Leonardo [Cicchetti] ; for it is impossible for one Brother to
work in the kitchen, to make purchases, and to serve the
great number of Masses that are said here.
Nothing new has occurred here. Father Giovanni [Mazzini]
is better. About July 3, he will go first to Castellammare
and then to Ciorani.
Let all of you recommend me to Jesus Christ, and do so
especially during the holy sacrifice of the Mass. Tell all
that they should pray to our Lord that if it be conducive to
his glory, he may deliver me from Naples.1
The Cardinal has not yet returned ; when he returns, I
will speak to him. I am, however, afraid, that he will not
allow us to go away for good ; we shall likely have to come
of the Congregation of the Apostolic Missions (2 vols.) May 29,
1775, he was preconized Archbishop of Acerenza and Matera, and
died the following year.
1 Cardinal Spinelli refused to let St. Alphonsus depart, as he had
placed the direction of the diocesan missions in his charge.

i ιό

General Correspondence.

and go, as the saying is.
Joseph, and Teresa!

I remain, etc.

[part i.

Live Jesus, Mary,

After the Roman edition.
LETTER

53.

To the Same.
Various requests to be forwarded to Mgr. Falcoia.
[Ciorani, October 26, 1742.]

............ I wish to tell you that yesterday morning,
through the mercy of Jesus Christ, the Archbishop [of
Salerno] sent us twenty ducats 1 as an alms, and published
at the same time an order that all the candidates for
ordination and those in sacris [in Orders] are to make a
retreat of ten days, either at Ciorani or at the Vergini. 12
Now since it would seem strange and improper to counter­
mand the exercises in accordance with what our Father
[Mgr. Falcoia] has ordered, after they have been arranged,
what is to be done? This Don Xavier [Rossi] would like to
know, so as to prepare the house. He desires permission
to make the necessary arrangements, and see to the removal
of the prohibition to do the slightest work on the new
building.
As for the missions, there are three to be given at Mon­
tuoro, which I should like to give consecutively ; it would
please me very much if your Reverence were to come.
Write to our Father and send me as quickly as possible
his answer, whether he wishes us to begin on All Saints, or
at some other time appointed by him.........
Transcribed by Father Sportelli in a letter addressed by
him to Mgr. Falcoia, October 27, 1742.
1 About 85 francs.
2 This was the residence of the Lazarists, named from the quarter
where they lived.

Letter 54.

1742.]

LETTER 54.

To Don Matteo Greco.

Method of making mental prayer.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
December io, 1742.

Abridgment of a method of making mental prayer.
Mental prayer has three parts; namely: preparation,
meditation, and conclusion.
I. As to the preparation, it contains three acts: 1. Of
faith, in adoring God who is present; 2. Of humility, in
humbling ourselves before God and asking his pardon ; 3.
Of petition for light, in asking God for light for the love
of Jesus and Mary, so as to make the meditation well.
Having then said a Hail Mary to the Blessed Virgin, we
pass on to the meditation.
II. In regard to meditation, we must note several things:
First, it is well for us to read that point of the meditation
which makes us more recollected, and on which we are
more inclined to think ; but when we find ourselves moved
by some pious sentiment, we should then cease to read
and should occupy ourselves with gathering the fruits of the
meditation which are as follows:
There are three fruits of meditation; namely: (1) the
affections, (2) prayers, and (3) resolutions.
As for the 1., the will of the soul should occupy itself
sweetly, without violence in making affections towards Jesus
and Mary, etc., acts of confidence, humility, contrition,
love, resignation, or oblation, etc.; since the affections are
inflamed in meditation, the soul is also inflamed and unites
itself to God. This is the principal fruit of meditation.
As to the 2., the soul should try to obtain from Jesus and
Mary, etc., the graces that it needs, not only in general,
but in particular, as the conquering of some vice, the love
8*

ii8

General Correspondence.

[parti.

of God, holy perseverance, etc. And such a method
of making meditation is very useful, and even necessary,
especially during the time of aridity, or when our affections
are not moved. Then it is best for us to humble ourselves,
be resigned, and ask the divine Goodness for mercy ; other­
wise there is the danger that we either give up meditation
because it is tedious, or derive very little profit from it.
As to the 3., before finishing the meditation we should
always make or renew some particular resolution of over­
coming some more than ordinary defect or practise some
virtue that is more useful to us.
III. As regards the conclusion, it is made briefly by
these acts :
1. We should thank Jesus and Mary for the lights re­
ceived.
2. We should offer to God through Jesus and Mary the
acts and the resolutions that we have made.
We should pray to the Lord through the love of Jesus
and Mary to give us strength to keep our resolutions.
As to speaking more fully about meditation, and the
method of making it, we may read the “ Guida spirituale”
[Spiritual Guide], of [Ludovico] da Ponte, or the “ Mondo
santificato” [World Sanctified], of Sarnelli.1
Live Jesus and Mary!
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After the original preserved at Salerno,
of Signora D. Angiolina Gargano, née Greco.

in possession

1 A work written by Ven. Gennaro Sarnelli, 2 vols, in 121110
(Naples, Festa Brothers.)

Letter 55.

1742.J

ιι9

LETTER 55.

To the King of Naples.
Petition for a foundation of a house at Pagani.

[Towards the end of the year 1742.]

We the undersigned secular priests, Alfonso de Liguori,
Cesare Sportelli, Giovanni Mazzini, Andrea Villani, who
with other companions are united in the sentiments of mutual
charity and zeal for the salvation of souls, especially of the
most abandoned that live in the country and poor hamlets,
where the necessity is very great and the spiritual help is
very little, most humbly represent to your Majesty the
following facts :
Since the year 1732, we have been living together for the
before-mentioned end, in the city of Scala, in a church and
house, to the great profit of its people. But as we have
found out that the situation, owing to the rugged mountains,
is most inconvenient to the people who are desirous of being
benefited by our services, and is most injurious to the
health of the subjects who have become ill, because of the
great cold that exists there, we are anxious to build at
Nocera de’ Pagani, at some distance from the inhabited
places, a house and a chapel to which the people of the
surrounding country may easily come and find the spiritual
help necessary for their souls. We therefore supplicate the
clemency of your Majesty to deign to grant us permission
to erect for the end mentioned the aforesaid house and
chapel, being ready to
w leave them at the least sign of your
Majesty, of whose great piety and zeal for the salvation
of the souls of your beloved vassals we hope to obtain the
favor asked.
In the mean time, humbly prostrate before your royal
throne, we promise that we shall always pray to the divine
Majesty for the welfare of your kingdom.
After an old copy.

I 20

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

To his Father D. Giuseppe de Liguori.
He informs him ot the state of his health. — Various
counsels.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani, March 28, [1743?].

I received your esteemed letter, as also the chocolate,
lor which I thank you very much. Through the grace
of Jesus Christ I find myself in good health, and to-morrow
I shall go to Salerno to give the retreat to the clergy.
Affairs here are in the same state.
If you wish to buy some lives of the saints, buy the large
Life of St. Aloysius de Gonzaga, which has just been published ;
the Life of St. Philip Neri, and if you can find it, the Life
of St. Pascale or of St. Peter of Alcantara. Procure also a
little book called the “ Eternal Truths,” by Rossignoli, and
the “ Eternal Maxims,” by Cattaneo.
Ï conclude by prostrating myself at your feet and asking
you for your blessing. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
T eresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 57.

To Father Cesare Sportelli, Superior of the House at Pagani.

The saint furnishes him with arguments against the ad­
versaries of the Community of Pagani.1
[Ciorani, 1744.]

Live Jesus and Mary!
This morning I was in so great trouble and haste that
I forgot to send you the treatise on alms which I think
you would like to have.
1 To understand the reason for the citations given here, it is
necessary to consult what Ί annoia in his “ Life of St. Alphonsus”

ΐ/44·]

Letter ζγ.

12 i

Passeri ni says (Book vi. of the Decretals): We give
the name damage only ίο that which injures a right
acquired, and not to that which may injure a contingent
right. Consequently it matters little whether certain persons
should no longer receive the alms that they now receive, for
these depend on the free will of the donors) Resting on
this saying, he quotes a number of Doctors whose names I
have not set down, and brings forward decision 32 of the
Rota, n. 32 and 33, part 9, Recentiorum.
Speaking specially of the opposition made by the parish
priests, he says : Even should the parish see that the alms
are failing it, one should prefer the spiritual profit to the
profit proceeding from the alms; otherwise no religious
Order could be anywhere established? He cites in support
of this Pasqualigo and Frances.
In a word, he says that what should be well considered is
the spiritual good that is done to the places? And this point
having been once established, the bishop is not even obliged
to call together those that are interested) He says this at
has written of the opposition made to the Fathers of the Institute, in
order to crush the new foundation at Pagani: “To jealousy there
were added wrath and rancor; self-interest also came into play.
When the Regulars perceived the great veneration and deference
paid to our members, they began to persuade themselves that their
daily alms were on the point of ceasing; in the same manner the
priests feared that all legacies, not only Masses that might be said,
but donations, etc., would flow into the coffers of the missionaries.
Thus self-interest and jealousy took possession of the hearts of the
clergy. And in a short lime seculars were also infected with the
poison.......... ” — Book ii. chap. xvii.
1 “ Detrimentum consideramus in jure quæsito, et non quærendo’»
unde non est attendendum quod alii non recipiunt eleemosynas,
quas in præsenti recipiunt, quia hæ sunt in libertate clargientium.”
— Cap. un. De excess. Pralat. n. 49, torn. 3).
2 “Præferentes est profectus spiritualis lucro eleemosynarum;
aliter nulla Religio ullibi erigi posset.’’ — Λ uni. 55, <1, 1.
3 “Attendendum est utile locorum spirituale.’’ — Xum. 68.
Ί “ Ad vocandum interesse habentes.”

L1 ■ —-

122

Genera I C orrespondence.

[PART I.

n. 37. resting on decision 742 of the Rota, part 2, Recent.
And the bishop is not obliged to institute a process) —
Pignatelli is oi the same opinion as Cespedes, Donato,
Lezana, and Pasqualigo, who say It is not necessary to
institute a tribunal ij the place is rich enough that all
may find a means of living?
On this same subject of alms Rotario ( Thcol. Moral.
Regularium lib. 3, cap. 5, punct. 4, n. 3), cites a decision
oi harinaccio (tom. 2, part. 2, decis. 745) by which, not­
withstanding the opposition of the interested parties who
were besides mendicant religious, a new convent could be
established with the right of having Masses and burials.
The reason alleged was that things of this kind were left free
to every one.
Tamburini, Cespedes, Bordoni, cited by Pignatelli (d. 1.
n. 54), also say that no regard should be had to the di­
minution of alms; for these being naturally very uncertain,
there exists only an accidental damage? They adduce in
proof the decision 745, adding with Alexander: One should
not on account of an imaginary diminution of alms hinder
a public work of public utility?
Still, it is true, that Pignatelli is of a contrary opinion, as
he brings forward a decision of the Rota; but there was
question of building a new monastery with all its immunities
and privileges, especially the privilege of saying Mass
before the parochial Mass had been said.
The decision was given in this sense on account of the
proximity of the two churches; and Don Andrea was told
1 “ Nec tenere formare processum.”
2 “ Non est necessaria citatio, si opulentia loci satis est ad susten­
tationem omnium.” — Torn. 1, consuit. 179, num. 50.
3 “ Diminutio eleemosynarum, cum sint valde incerta, idcirco est
praejudicium accidentale.”
1 “ Ob imaginariam diminutionem eleemosynarum, non est im­
pediendum opus publicum in publicam utilitatem.”

9
1744·]

Letter $γ.

123

at Salerno that this practice obtained in F rance where affairs
are regulated in a different manner.
If you still desire texts, I will send them to you afterwards.
It is very necessary at this juncture to be as careful as
possible not to offend the bishop or the vicar. I say, as
careful as possible, for it would be folly to lose their favor
at present. Try then to obtain justice more by love than
by fear.
With regard to appeals, it is necessary to ponder that
point well, otherwise we should give offence to the bishop.
If there even be a contrary decree of Nihil innovare [no
innovation], one may have recourse to Contrario Imperio
[contrary judgment], Reclamazione [counter claims], etc.
Then in case of extreme necessity recourse may be had to the
power of appeal.
If I find a good opportunity, I will send you the authentic
Act.1
May Jesus and Mary bless us all. Live Jesus and Mary!
Try to collect as many proofs as you can, showing the
great number of Masses. You will see that our adversaries
will try to make capital out of the decrease in the number
of Masses and in the concourse of the people, basing their
arguments on Pignatelli, etc., as in the decision given
above.
Then you must come out boldly with Passerini, Rotario,
and the decision of Farinaccio, quoted by the latter.
You can reply in regard to the decision of Pionatelli
that
c>
there existed particular circumstances, and that, moreover,
there was question of a new monastery with its immunities
and privileges.
Moreover, Passerini says that the Bull of Pope Gregory
[XV.] without regard to the diminution of alms, requires
1 That is to say, the decree by which the Bishop of Nocera M"r
Nicolô di Dominicis, approved of the establishment of the house and
church at Pagani.

-- -

! 2λ

General Correspondence,

[part i.

only that no positive wrong should be done to those that
had established themselves before.
If it be in any way possible, do not mention Pignatelli.
Remember that a Nihil innovcturx [prohibition to do
anything new] would not at present prevent us from building,
as the request was to the effect that the blessing of the
church should be impeded.
I do not as yet send the report 12 of the blessing, because
the bearer is a mere boy. I shall wait for a better opportunity.
Live Jesus and Mary !
Do not forget the man who wished to give three hundred
ducats; he should begin to give something as soon as
possible. \rou have to work hard ; for it is necessary that
the work on the church be hastened ; Don Xavier [Rossi]
torments me, as he finds himself very much embarrassed;
he does not know where to borrow more money. Live
Jesus and Mary!
Your brother and servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After the original in the possession of Father Cosma
Lojodice, an Augustinian.
1 1 he adversaries of the Congregation, in fact, obtained from the
royal counsel a decision forbidding anything new to be done. __
Tannoia, book ii. chap. xxii.
2 In this Act the bishop speaks of the blessing of the first stone
of the church: “ The blessing,” says the prelate, “which we charged
our Vicar-general, Don Nicola Ferri, to give, was in fact solemnly
given in the month of last June, in the midst of a large number
of people whose transports of joy recalled those of l*)avid singing
and dancing before the Ark of the Lord. . . ‘
**

I744-J

Letter 58.
letter

58.

To Nicola Maria Celestino de Robertis.1

Exhortation to correspond at once to God’s call.

Praised be the Most Blessed Sacrament, and Mary Im­
maculate !2
ClORANI, March 15, 1744.

Having had knowledge of your good resolution or rather
inclination as to your vocation, I have been astonished that
you have communicated it to others and not to me whom as
the Superior it concerned principally. It has also been the
cause of no little regret that you have been advised to wait
a long time before you follow your vocation, as this would
expose you to the great danger of losing it. For in matters
of this kind when the devil is not able to divert one entirely
from carrying out a good design, he nevertheless aims at
inducing one to defer it. He has then succeeded many a
time in making one lose the best vocation.
After what I have heard, your vocation in view of the
circumstances appears to me as evidently to have come
1 The following notice may be read in the catalogue of the
Congregation about this holy subject: “July 10, 1745, there was
admitted into the novitiate Celestino de Robertis, born May 19,
1719, in the town of Sieti, district of Giffoni, in the diocese and
province of Salerno, not having yet received any of the Holy Orders.
He made his profession into the hands of our Father, July 9, 1746.
in our house of Santa Maria della Consolazione, at Iliceto. He died
in the odor of sanctity in our house at Caposele, April 20, 1807. lie
so loved the Blessed Virgin that with one of his little pictures he
worked prodigies, and when he desired to receive graces from her he
used to say: ‘ Do me this favor.’ He spent the greatest part of the
day in prayer.’’
2 The saint was then occupied in writing the little work “ The
Visits to the Most Holy Sacrament, and to the Blessed Virgin, for
Every Day in the Month.” He therefore changed his usual ex­
clamation “Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!” into this
“Praised be the Most Holy Sacrament, and Mary Immaculate'”

126

General Correspondence.

[parti.

from God. It is, therefore, certain that your salvation
depends on your fidelity in following it. Hence I wish you
to come as soon as possible to have an interview with me, as
I hope to be able to shorten your road considerably,
provided you persevere in the good sentiments you now
exhibit. As soon as you have decided on the course you
wish to pursue, there will not be wanting to you such
facilities as will aid you to come to me by visiting some
place in the neighborhood, by offering as pretext that you
wish to speak about some scruple of conscience, or by
saying that you wish to make a day’s retreat. You are old
enough and you possess common sense; you will surely
find some way of coming to see me. You also know that
in such cases when there is question of obeying the voice
of God one must be courageous and do violence to one’s self,
and that it does not matter whether or not we displease our
relatives, provided only we please God and secure the
salvation of our souls.
I fear that my letter may be of no benefit to you, since
having been advised to put oft' for a long time the step you
intended to take, you have either changed your mind or
you have allowed your fervor to cool. This will not matter,
as my letter will at least recall to your mind the voice which
Jesus Christ has made you hear, telling you that you
should belong entirely to him, or these lines will enable
you to perceive the desire I have to confirm you in your
resolution. Moreover, if you cannot come at once, please
send an answer to me in the same way that I shall employ
in forwarding this letter to you, in order that I may learn
whether you still persevere in your sentiments and whether
I may not assist you according to my power. In the mean
time I beg you again to recommend yourself in this matter
to Jesus Christ in your holy Communions and in your daily
prayers ; for I have confidence that you have not given up
the practice of prayer. If you have, however, omitted

1744·]

Letter 58.

127

prayer you must again devote yourself to it with renewed
fervor, especially in order that you may succeed in carrying
out your design. Begin, besides, a novena in honor of the
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin that she may
inspire you to do what will be conducive, to your eternal
salvation, and what will console you most at the hour
of death.
I do not doubt that you will favorably receive this letter
which gives testimony of the esteem in which I hold you
personally, and of the great desire I have of seeing you
belong entirely to God. I earnestly recommend to you to
keep secret this letter and your vocation from every’ one,
whoever he may be ; because when such things are once
manifested, the devil always finds means of opposing you
or at least of cooling your ardor by beginning himself to
talk by the mouth of others. O how many have lost their
vocation in this way ! God grant that you may’ not also
relax in your fervor!
What I have written must suffice for the present. I
depend upon receiving an answer from you as soon as
possible. Should you be at Naples or at Sieti, you
will please inform me which is the surest way to write to
you and to answer you, and in which place at Naples I may’
address an answer to you when you write to me. Yet I
would rather have you come yourself. Let this be enough!
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa! I remain
Your very devoted and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour,
Rector Major,
After an old copy.

I J

Genera l Correspondait ce.

[PART I.

LETTER 59.

To the Same.
Fie invites him to an interview. — Means that he should
use not to lose his vocation.

Praised be the Most Holy Sacrament, and Mary Im­
maculate !
Ciorani, April 7, 1744.

Just this morning I received your esteemed favor, and I
am happy to hear that up to the present time you have
preserved the good sentiments with which you were inspired
during the retreat. Had you spoken to me at that time,
you would now perhaps have already left Egypt. It would
be useless for me to say more; for in order to use the
shortest way in this matter, we must have absolutely a
personal interview.
We expect that by Saturday the passage of the Span­
iards 1 will be over. I therefore expect you here without
fail during the following week. Come on some pretext or
other by way of Salerno.
I see that your resolution is as firm as ever ; it is, there­
fore, evident to me that your vocation comes from God.
For this reason if you do not now follow it, you will have
to fear a great chastisement ; for the Lord punishes severely
those that despise these extraordinary graces, — graces that
are too precious to be given to every one.
When therefore you receive this letter, you must again
give yourself entirely to God, putting yourself wholly into
his hands, and showing your readiness to do all that I may
counsel you. Then you must come with the firm resolution
of entirely submitting your will to mine, as well in re­
gard to the substance of your vocation, as also in regard
1 At this time there were many warlike movements of the Spanish
troops in consequence of the death of Charles VI., as the Austrians
were menacing the Neapolitan territory.

Letter 59.

1744·]

129

to the manner and the time of carrying it out. This de­
termination is necessary for you in order to realize so
important a resolution ; otherwise you would furnish the
devil with the means either to disquiet you for the future or
to make you delay so long till you lose your vocation, as
has happened to so many others. Come, therefore, as
soon as possible ; do not lose a moment. λΛοη will not be
the first that has been admitted here as a secular without
having yet received any of the Holy Orders, provided only
the requisite conditions are at hand, together with the firm
will of belonging entirely to God. A few days ago there
were received among us several young persons who left
their homes without saying anything to their parents of
what they intended to do. We are by no means obliged to
manifest to them such a vocation, because by such a
communication we run the risk of losing our vocation, and
without the special assistance of God our eternal salvation.
Tread, therefore, under-foot all tender affections for your
parents, and become courageous. God calls you not to
some earthly dignity, but he calls you to the great dignity
of being a saint. You must know how to respond to this
appeal, and you will soon see how the Lord, who is so
generous and so faithful, will favor you with new graces,
which he has already prepared for you. Courage, then !
consider that for this God who is so worthy of being loved,
and who has done so much for our souls, all that we can
do, even the sacrifice of our lives, is indeed very little.
Endeavor to take generously this step on which depend
both your predestination and the plenitude of the favors
that God has reserved for you in time and in eternity.
Here are a few things that I wish you to observe during
the days that will elapse before you come : Do not cease to
recommend this matter to God either before the Blessed
Sacrament or before the crucifix in your room. Endeavor
to avoid all conversation, and spend as much as possible all
9

L3°

General Correspondence,

[parti.

your time in spiritual reading and in prayer. Receive as
often as possible holy Communion, for you need special
strength in order to remove the obstacles that hell will put
in your way. God only can give you this strength. If it
happens that your resolution should grow a little- weak,
have recourse at once to the Blessed Virgin, and say to
her: O Mary Immaculate! do not abandon me; obtain for
me the grace to remain faithful to God. — Then address
the following words to God : O Lord ! I no longer belong
to myself; I have given myself entirely to Thee; give me
the needed strength. — If you act thus you will always
surely gain the victory.
I hope that you will with pleasure learn from this letter
the desire that I have of seeing you a saint and belonging
entirely to God; and on your part, you must pray to Jesus
Christ to make me what I wish you to be. I close this
letter by informing you that my companions as well as
myself are impatiently waiting for you. I am, etc. — Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Recommend yourself to St. Stanislas Kostka that he
may obtain for you the strength to correspond to your
vocation as he did. Live Jesus and Mary!
In order that this letter may arrive without delay I shall
send it to Sieti. If you have not time to answer it, it will
not matter. I shall be satisfied if you only receive my
letter, and if you come to us with the same sentiments that
you have expressed in your letter. Live Jesus and Mary!
Your very devoted and very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
Rector Major.
After an old copy.

1744·]

Letter 6o.

131

LETTER 60.
To Canon Giuseppe Sparano, at S. Restituta at Naples.

He sends him a sketch of the life of the Venerable Gennaro
Maria Sarnelli to have it printed.

Praised be the Most Blessed Sacrament and Mary Im­
maculate !
CioRANi, July 17, 1744.

Very Reverend and Dear Sir: Canon Sersale1 has re­
quested me to write the biography of Don Gennaro of happy
memory, and mentioned to me that the Congregation2
wished to have it printed together with the biography
of Carace.3 I have already written it, and have sent it to
Canon Rosa, the Father Superior. Sersale told me that
you would take care of the rest; I therefore beg you to
make corrections in the manuscript as appears best to you,
and especially to correct the mistakes that may be found
therein; for I had one of our lay-brothers to copy it, and
the time for the courier to start is at hand and I cannot
revise it. What I ask of you particularly is to urge the
gentlemen of the Congregation to have the work printed.
Phis is properly our duty, but God knows how poor
we are and if Don Gennaro has left us his books, it is
at the price of many legal incumbrances and expenses to
us. I know that your Reverence has great influence; I
earnestly entreat you to do whatever you can. This
publication will not only serve to increase the honor of the
Congregation, but it will be of great profit to many readers.
Your Reverence loved Sarnelli when he was living; you
1 Giuseppe Sersale, at that time Canon of the metropolitan church
at Naples and later Archbishop of Sorrento, was a great friend
of St. Alphonsus and of the Venerable Sarnelli.
2 The Congregation of the apostolic missions to which the Venerable
Father Sarnelli belonged.
3 Tommaso Carace, a member of the same Congregation.

General Correspon den ce.

[PART i.

should love him more after his death, since he died a saint.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa! Wishing you to
send me an answer and to recommend me to Jesus Christ,
I remain with profound respect,
Your very grateful and very devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After an old copy.
LETTER 6l.

To the Same.
He sends him the manuscript of the little book entitled
Visits to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin,
and asks him to revise it.

Praised be the Most Holy Sacrament and Mary Im­
maculate !
Ciorani, August io, 1744.

My dear Canon: I have requested Canon Torni to intrust
the revision of this little book on the Blessed Sacrament and
the Blessed Virgin to none but yourself, being confident
that you would soon attend to this matter. I therefore beg
you to lay aside everything else so as to finish the task,
because a pious layman has promised to pay for the printing
and I fear that if there is a delay the money destined for
this purpose will be spent; and then there will be no more
question of having the book printed. I believe that the
little book will be very useful for those that wish to make a
visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed
Virgin, and I must say that I have seen nothing like it, and
this was the reason why I composed it.
I, moreover, intrusted it to your Reverence because it
was badly copied, and I was so hurried that I could not
have it again copied. You will have the patience to read it
as it is. I shall say no more, and I hope that you will

1744·]

Leiter 62.

133

render me this service promptly. As for the visits that are
still wanting, I will send them afterwards, because I am
anxious that the printing of the book should soon begin :
because that pious layman is so much interested in the
matter. As to yourself, you will have to receive your pay
from Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and from the Blessed
Virgin. I have written it in a very simple style. Your
Reverence will please make the corrections that shall appear
to you to be necessary, but do not trouble yourself about
too much elegance.
I have sent you the biography of Sarnelli [Venerable
Gennaro]. Recommend me to Jesus Christ; and tell the
bearer of my letter on what day he may return to deliver the
manuscript to be printed. Perhaps the royal approbation is
not needed for this little book; but if it should be required,
tell the printer to see that it be procured.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa! Believe me,
Your very devoted, very humble,
and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After the original in possession of Father Francis Xavier
Pecorelli, C. SS. R.
LETTER 62.

To a Minister of the King.
A petition asking for his protection in favor of the house at
Nocera (Pagani).
[1744·]

\7our Excellency : Alfonso de Liguori and Cesare Sportelli, who with other priests are united in mutual charity,
humbly represent to your Excellency the following facts:
Monsignor de Dominicis, Bishop of Nocera, having
represented to his Majesty (may God preserve him !) that

134

General Correspon den ce.

[PART I.

he had succeeded in introducing into his diocese the suppli­
ants to labor for the salvation of souls, supplicated his
Majesty to grant to the same priests the power of building
a house and a public chapel, near Pagani at some distance
from the city. His royal piety agreed to this project, and was
moved to give his consent by issuing the subjoined copy
of a royal decree. In the execution of the most revered
orders of his Majesty those priests began in the past year, to
build and have at present finished the said chapel and
house, having in view the good of the diocese, and con­
forming themselves in everything to the instructions given.
But evil-disposed persons are trying, we are told, to molest
and to disturb them in their holy exercises, exhortations,
sermons, and other spiritual works; they act against the
orders given by his Majesty, as appears from the subjoined
copy of the royal ordinance directed to the governor
of Nocera.
The undersigned therefore, have recourse to your Ex­
cellency, and beg you to give orders that we may be no
longer molested nor disquieted in regard to the before­
mentioned house. Their request is so well-founded that the
neighboring hamlets, containing about twenty-five thousand
souls, are anxious to receive spiritual help, as may be seen
from the annexed testimony of all the municipalities of
Nocera united.1 And for this favor which you will grant them
they will pray that God may reward you.
After the original, sketched partly by the hand of the saint
and preserved in the archives of Father General at Rome.
1 They were seven in all.

' If*

,

'

1744·]

Letter 6

*35

LETTER 63.

To a Gentleman of Influence.
Another petition in favor of the same house at Nocera
(Pagani).

[1744·]

In the year 1732, Alfonso de Liguori, a priest and
Neapolitan patrician, and other secular priests began to
live together in Community in the diocese of Scala by the
authority of the bishop and under the direction of Monsignor
Falcoia, Bishop of Castellammare (of happy memory). Their
principal aim was by missions and by preaching in their
own church to devote themselves to the spiritual good
of the people in the country, who usually are the most
needy and mostly deprived of spiritual help. In the
year 1736 they proceeded to the diocese of Salerno where,
in a place called Ciorani, by the authority of Monsignor
Fabrizio di Capua, at that time archbishop of Salerno, they
built a house and a church whence the above-mentioned
priests constantly went forth to give missions, not only in
the said diocese but in many other dioceses, and whither to
make the spiritual exercises the Ordinary always sends his
clergy and those that are to be ordained either at the time
of an ordination, or at other times during the year. For
this reason the present Bishop of Nocera called the said
priests into his diocese, assigning to them a small house
and church in a place called Pagani. Here with the royal
consent as well as with that of the citizens, they built a little
church and a residence for their own use. In this city and
diocese they consecrate themselves to the service of souls
by preaching, by hearing confessions, by giving missions
and other spiritual exercises, as may be learned from the
above-mentioned bishop. Now some sons of iniquity, moved
by various pretexts, are trying to hinder the aforesaid

136

General Correspondence.

[parti,

exercises, so necessary for the salvation of souls, and are
striving by cunning and violence to drive away those priests
from the above-mentioned place. This being against all
reason and against natural and divine right, the petitioners
have recourse to your eminent piety, zeal and protection, so
that you may defend not only the cause of the said priests,
but the honor of God and the salvation of souls.
After an original draft preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER

64.

To Canon Casati,1 at Iliceto.
He announces to him his approaching arrival.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph!
Naples, November 28, 1744.

Very Reverend and Dear Sir: Through Signor Andrea
Calvini I have been informed of the very pious desire
entertained by your Reverence. I am going to give a
mission at Iliceto about the 11 th or 12th of next month by
request of the prince.1
2 I therefore do not say more,
because we shall speak of everything when we meet. In
the mean time, I devote myself entirely to your service, and
and beg you to recommend me to Jesus Christ! Live Jesus,
Mary, and Joseph! I remain,
Your very devoted and very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After the original in possession of Sister Alfonsa Maria de
Gesù, discalced Carmelite at Palermo.
1 Giacomo Casati was Canon of the collegiate church at Iliceto, in
the diocese of Bovino.
2 The Prince of Castellaneta, I). Mattia Miroballo d’ Aragona, had
asked St. Alphonsus to give a mission at Iliceto.

1744·]

Letter 6ζ.

137

LETTER
To Father Xavier Rossi,1 at Ciorani.
Details in regard to the new foundation at Iliceto.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
[Santa Maria della Consolazione] December 19, 1744.

Let us thank Jesus and Mary for having deigned to
conclude the founding of the new house, Santa Maria
della Consolazione, within a space of eight days. Canon
Casati made out this morning the donation inter vivos
[among the living] putting us also in possession of the
property that he gives us. The Bishop [of Bovino, the
Venerable Antonio Lucci], has already ceded the place to
us; and the Chapter, which here represents the parish
priest, has given its consent together with the municipality.
The revenues from the donations given us amount to
about three'hundred ducats, in return for which we must say
two Masses daily. We have also a fine apartment, suitable
for a library, and the faculty of employing the revenues
of this donation to establish two patrimonies for the members
of our Institute.
I he property that we have received consists of more than
seven hundred acres of arable land, of a vineyard, and
of some houses together with a grove of olive trees.
Moreover, Canon Maffei has promised us a free benefice
with an annual income of twenty-two ducats.
I hus the house of our Lady has an income of about
1 Father Xavier Rossi was born in the year 1706; he entered the
Congregation a year after its foundation. He applied himself from
the beginning to a perfect imitation of Jesus Christ, our Lord. He
passed almost his whole life at Ciorani; confiding only in divine
Providence, he began the building of the house into which he
afterwards introduced the great work of the spiritual exercises.
This great servant ofzGod died in 175S while looking fixedly at the
images of Jesus and Mary.

138

General Correspondence.

[parti.

thirty ducats, and if at least a part of the soil be worked
under the superintendence of a Brother, it might yield six
hundred ducats. This would moreover not be inconvenient,
as the property lies close to the house.
We were received here by all, by the bishop, by priests
and by laymen as angels from Paradise; they continually
thank Jesus Christ for, our arrival. Canon Maffei in par­
ticular is overjoyed. There is therefore every hope that the
Prince [of Castellaneta] on his arrival will assure us an
annual income. I do not speak of a well-founded hope
of having a fine revenue of three hundred ducats a year
furnished by the inhabitants of the Abbruzzi.
The people here are very affectionate and docile; there
are few houses of middle rank; nearly all are country
people; they are inclined to be pious; few sins are com­
mitted.
The country is fertile and produces everything: wood,
wheat, grain, vegetables, good wines, excellent cheese, and
an abundance of good fruit. Here are cows, sheep, and
goats, and a kind of cheese, the like of which I have never
before tasted. The air is very good and very mild. In
our place there is water that might be called water from
Paradise, together with a fountain of the Madonna; sur­
rounding the latter is a little fish-pond, by which we can
always water our garden and keep it clad in bright verdure.
[Here a part is missing.]
The founder has reserved to himself the usufruct of the
property, but he has promised us fifty-six ducats a year on
condition that we say a Mass daily. Then there are the
benefice of Maffei and the profits accruing from the land
of the Madonna. It is certain that you will have to live in
the mean time on slender means. But God is ever near to
assist us. Go on cheerfully. We shall always be beggars
in this life.
Before the mission of Modugno, I shall go to Foggia to

ΓΒ-Μ

1744·]

Letter 65.

*39

speak to the President and to the Bishop1 of Foggia to
obtain permission to give a course of missions to the in­
habitants of the Abbruzzi, for I have this very much at
heart. I have been informed that the President expects us.
As for the missions at Mirabella, about which I wrote to
you, I have learned that it will not be necessary to go there
as the bishop is sending the Pious Workers who are at
present giving a mission at Buellino. Don Andrea [Villani]
and Don Cesare [Sportelli] can then devote themselves
entirely to the missions that are given in this place.
Send thither Don Bernardo [Tortora], Don Ignazio2 and
Brother Romoaldo with two measures of chestnuts and one
measure of walnuts. They may take the mules of Bracigliano.
I am thinking of taking up my residence then in the
house of the Madonna, at least for some time, until affairs
are in order. Don Andrea is to be for the present Rector
and Master of novices at Ciorani, and your Reverence,
Minister and Econome. Have a little patience while there,
for in a short time you have to be at Iliceto. As soon as
matters are settled at Nocera — if God wishes to have them
settled — Don Cesare, in compliance with the letter which
I have written to him, will go as Minister to Iliceto, and
Don Giovanni [Mazzini] will remain at Pagani as Rector;
Don Carmine [Fiocchi] and Don Paolino [Scibelli] will also
proceed thither.
Don Lorenzo [d’ Antonio] with Don
Paolo [Cafaro] will go to Ciorani. It will be necessary for
Don Paolo to remain here for some months ; for he has won
a great name here.
All with the exception of Don Lorenzo and Don Paolo
will begin on the 1st of January to apply the intentions
1 The Bishop of Foggia, to whose diocese the town of Foggia then
belonged and where he resided several months of the year, was at
that time Mgr. Giovanni Pietro Faccolli.
2 Don Ignazio was a secular priest who accompanied the Fathers

on missions.

140

Gen era l Carresponden ce.

[PART I.

of the Masses for this house. This new foundation is
beginning under the beautiful standard of holy poverty.
All of us have already said a Mass for the house.
Let the secretary at Nocera preserve this letter. Tell
Don Gaetano di Caro,1 that if he will be so kind as to assist
us this Lent during the missions to be given to the people
of the Abbruzzi, he will do us a very great favor.
Don Cesare writes me that Don Paolo will send him as
soon as you ask for him.
May Jesus Christ bless us all! Pray for me constantly.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Send the plans also to Nocera. Live Jesus!
According to what the courier says, the Fathers can set
out Saturday morning and arrive there Sunday evening.
Please send at once to the hamlets the enclosed letter
of Signor Calvini.
Your humble servant and brother,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After the original, part of which is in the possession
of Don Giuseppe de Aquila, apostolic abbreviatore, and the
remainder is to be found in the archives of Father General at
Rome.
LETTER 66.

To Father Cesare Sportelli, Rector of the House at Pagani.

Project of abandoning the foundation at Pagani. — Service
asked for Iliceto.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Iliceto, December 28, 1744.

I have received your very kind favor as well as the
expression of your devoted attachment. At the beginning
1 1 his secular priest accompanied the Fathers on the missions.
He is the same of whom mention is afterwards made.

I744-J

Letter 66.

141

you write to me about making peace, etc., and the
obstinacy of Don Francesco;1 but you say nothing of the
last letter that I sent you in which I wrote you about
giving up Pagani. We could, I said to you, abandon
this house on the two following conditions: that Don
Francesco becomes responsible for all the debts, and that
before renouncing the donation the permission of the king
and of the bishop of the city should be asked ; in this way
we should always be able to excuse ourselves if we do not
relinquish our right. On the other hand, this negotiation
appears to me to be necessary in order that we may free
ourselves from the many disquietudes and come to a
definite conclusion ; for if things do not become quiet in
some way, I should hardly think that God wishes any
longer this foundation, which has become so troublesome
and inconvenient to the Congregation. It is true, God has
made us see wonderful things ; but has perhaps had designs
other than ours. I also write you that if in this matter you
should meet with any difficulties you should propose them to
me, and that we were not pressed to hurry the matter. Again, I
beg you to write to me about your difficulties if you have
any, or to carry out wholly or in part what I have expressed
in my letter, since the same thought never leaves me.
I have, moreover, written to you that if the foundation is
to be abandoned, it will be necessary that you should
continue to assist me at least until affairs have become more
quiet.
Here things continue to prosper; but as to the missions
among the people of the Abbruzzi, the devil has begun to
make efforts to hinder them. There are so far ninety thousand
abandoned souls, but O God, how abandoned are they 1
If I had been able without detriment to the missions to free
1 I). Francesco Cantaldi, the founder of the house at Pagani, was
afterwards as active in destroying the foundation as he had been
before in securing it.

—*

142

Genera I Cor'respoil den ce.

[PART I.

myself from the missions at Modugno,1 I would have ar­
ranged for the harvesting of this great crop, that is, the
missions among the inhabitants of the Abbruzzi. But it did
not seem to me to be proper to omit that mission at present
after having made an arrangement in regard to it with the
Archbishop [of Bari], the archpriest and the clergy. But
on the other hand, by going to Modugno I cannot for a
greater reason neglect the missions begun in the Abbruzzi,
and therefore I have sent for Father Andrea [Villani] and
Gaetano [di Caro] or Father Paolino [Scibelli] if Don
Gaetano cannot come; because afterwards Father Andrea
and another, with Father Lorenzo [d’ Antonio], I think,
will return here after we come back from Modugno.
I have not resolved to remain permanently in this house.
When God wills, I shall return to Ciorani. But it appears
to me to be necessary that I should not depart from this
place for a considerable time, because there are very many
weighty things to be adjusted.
I continue to write by another hand, because I am sick in
bed with bronchial catarrh and fever. Here the good that
can be done under the present· circumstances is immense;
more so than at Nocera and Ciorani. I omit writing to you
everything. But when you come here, God willing, you
will obtain every information. There is question of an
extreme necessity.
I had hoped that the Prince of Castellaneta would come
here to arrange about the annual support of this house ; but
our Lord has not wished that he should come. Hence it
became necessary for me to write to him the enclosed letter
telling him how things stood. Your Reverence may read it
and then seal it. But it will also be necessary for you to go
to Naples to speak to him and to give him my letter,
because more can always be done by word of mouth, and
1 Modugno, situated in the diocese of Bari, had afterwards a
mission in the month of February, 1745.

«744-1

Letter 66.

M3

the prince will always have less courage to refuse when he
is face to face with you than when he writes you a letter.
There is no remedy : we must strike, the iron when it is hot;
because if we allow the matter to grow cold it may perhaps
become afterwards a difficult thing to obtain anything from
the prince. But now it would be well to procure from the
prince a hundred and fifty or a hundred scudi annually, to be
derived from the income of the estate. Hence your Reverence
should try to speak a few words with the prince ; you will
know how to do so. It will be necessary that on account
of this matter you should lay aside everything else, because
if a mistake is made now, nothing more can be done.
Your Reverence, therefore, will please promptly finish the little
mission, which is perhaps now on your hands, and go at once
to Naples to speak to Castellaneta ; because I am in hopes
that after you have spoken to him he will I think write at
once to Iliceto. Here the agent and Canon Maffei will give
relief to our little vessel, and some good may be accomplished
before the prince sets out with his regiment; this may
easily happen in the midst of the political turmoil that now
exists.
Depart then, dear Father ; perpetual works should have
the preference before those that are temporal. May your
Reverence have patience, and may you take upon yourself
this inconvenience for the love of the Most Blessed Virgin.
I embrace all in Jesus Christ. I have written to Ciorani
that they should send to you the letters that I have written
to this house. Read them and have them read.
Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Don Bernardo [Tortora] and Don Ignazio arrived here
on Monday afternoon about three o’clock, covered with
snow from head to foot.
Your servant and brother,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.

144

General Correspondence,

(parti.

[P. S.] I inform your Reverence that after receiving
this letter you should wait another week and then go to
Castellaneta ; because within this time I am anxious that he
should receive a letter of mine which I sent him beforehand
through Oliviero.1 Castellaneta’s address is: Quarter of
anime del Purgatorio, at the palace of the Duchess of
Pesche.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER 67.

To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce.
He exhorts her to give to prayer all the time that she can
snatch from her occupations.

Praised be the Most Blessed Sacrament, and Mary Im­
maculate !
Iliceto, S. Maria

della

Consolazione, April 14, [1745].

My dear daughter: I am at present at Iliceto, in a new house
that we have just established, and that is two days’ journey
from Ciorani. I have received here no other letter than the
one that was probably the last that you addressed to me.
I know not the answer that Mgr. di Caiazzo has given to
you ; but I can well imagine it ; I beg you therefore to be
undisturbed.
That ray that has enlightened you in your jubilee con­
fession I truly regard as a ray of light sent by God
himself in order to give you a little strength to endure
storms.
Since you have to give yourself up to the occupations
of your employment, do so, and snatch all the time that
you can for prayer, which is an occupation that will always
1 D. Giovanni Oliviero was a penitent of the saint and lived at
Naples.

Letter 68.

J745·]

H5

be profitable to you. Recoininend me without ceasing
to Jesus and to Mary. Live Jesus and Mary. I remain,
Your very affectionate Father,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
[A. 5.] To conclude quieting you, you might answer
Mgr. di Caiazzo that the five thousand ducats are destined
for the good work ; then think no more about it.
As to the widow, I have recommended her to Jesus.
Tell her that Jesus wishes to have her entirely for himself;
this is the reason why he has taken her son from her. Let
her never omit to oifer up to God this sacrifice, and give
herself entirely to Jesus. Live Jesus and Mary!
As for the letters, send them to Ciorani. Live Jesus and
Mary !
After an old copy.
LETTER 68.

To the Sovereign Pontiff Benedict XIV.
Petition to obtain the confirmation of the establishment
of missionaries at Iliceto.
[May 3, 1745.]

Most Holy Father: Alfonso de Liguori, united with
many other priests in the bond of mutual and fraternal
charity, and prostrate at the feet of your Holiness expresses
the following facts :
I he undersigned having, in 1744, proceeded to the village
of Puglia, that is to a place called Iliceto, in the diocese
of Bovino, to give a mission there, the people and the
venerable Chapter of this place requested him to labor
among them in behalf ol the many abandoned souls. To
accomplish this they wished him and his companions to
take up their abode in the convent of Santa Maria della
Consolazione, situated upon a mountain, and at one time
10

146

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

inhabited by Count Ω. Giovanni Appiani. He most willing­
ly accepted the offer, since thereby there was opened tu
him a more convenient road to extend his labors through
the Puglia, and to give assistance with the divine word and
the administration of the sacraments to so many poor
abandoned people, and among them to fifty or sixty thousand
shepherds, who were absolutely deprived of all spiritual
help. The acceptance of this foundation, moreover, makes
it convenient for him to go about in the neighboring dioceses,
as he has done and is doing at present in so many other
dioceses, where the missions produce the most salutary
fruits for the reform of morals, to the greatest satisfaction
of the inhabitants.
This state of things being known to our most zealous
Bishop of Bovino, Mgr. Lucci, he deigned by an ordinance
issued in the said year 1744, to grant to the petitioner the
permission to reside in said place to the great delight as
well as with the express consent of all the people and of the
venerable Chapter of Iliceto. And since now the petitioner
desires from your Holiness, who is so great a lover and
promoter of this work which gives so much glory to Jesus
Christ, a confirmation of said place of Santa Maria della
Consolazione, he therefore most humbly supplicates your
Holiness for this favor, being satisfied that your Holiness
will be rewarded by Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin,
for the love of whom he asks it, and promising to pray
and have the people to pray always more and more for the
exaltation of the Church and for the welfare of the govern­
ment of your Holiness.
After an old copy.

Letter 6 y.

1745·]

H/

LETTER 69.

To Father Giovanni Mazzini, the new Rector at PaganiJ
He begs him to put in force regular observance.

Live Jesus and Mary!
S. Maria [della Consolazione], September 23, [1745].

I beg your Reverence, who are now in charge of this
house, to introduce into it the faithful observance of the
Rule. This regular observance has been hitherto very
difficult on account of the condition of the place in which
you live and on account of the law-suits that had to be
carried on. Now, however, everything should be set in
order, for otherwise the non-observance of the Rule will
grow into a custom, and then it will be very difficult to
bring the subjects back to a sense of their duty. I therefore
charge your conscience with the care of this matter, since
being at a distance I can not see nor know everything that
is going on. Before God the Congregation will prosper so
long as the Rule is observed and the subjects are solicitous
about their own sanctification; for when inobservance is
once introduced, all will end in smoke. We have now,
1 Father Mazzini was born at Naples, December iS, 1704. Having
spent his youth in wonderful innocence, he afterwards devoted
himself to the ecclesiastical state. Since the year 1723 he had beeu
one of the most intimate friends of our saint. The Congregation
having been established, it was not permitted him by his confessor
to enter the Institute at once as he had wished to do; but after
«three years spent in earnest entreaties, he obtained the so much
desired permission. An entire volume would not suffice to contain
a narration of the virtues practised by this fervent servant of God,
It suffices to say that he was worthy of being in every respect one
of the dearest friends of St. Alphonsus. He survived the saint a few
years, and so had the good fortune of giving his testimony in the
process of Beatification. He died in the peace of the Lord, December

3. 1792.

148

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

thanks be to God ! three houses and a sufficient number
of subjects to attend to the work of the Institute. All that we
have to do now is to do the will of God, and to labor earnestly
at our own perfection ; for then the Congregation will
prosper, the number of subjects will increase, and much
will be accomplished for the glory of God. If we do not
effect this, God will abandon us and everything will go
to ruin. Communicate, I beg you, these lines to all
the Fathers. I embrace them all, conjuring them to
recommend me to Jesus and Mary.
Live Jesus and
Mary !
At the evening prayers recommend to the Blessed Virgin
the missions that we are to give during this year, especially
at Foggia and in the diocese of Troia. I remain, etc.—
Live Jesus and Mary! I salute D. Biase [Biagio Amarante],
etc.; send me the names, etc. Live Jesus and Mary!
Your brother in Jesus,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.

LETTER 70.

To Cardinal Giuseppe Spinelli, Archbishop of Naples.

Petition to obtain the faculties needed for the missions.1
[December, 1745.]

Most Eminent and Most Reverend Sir : Alfonso de Liguori,
Superior of the missionaries of the Congregation of the
1 Pope Benedict XIV. wishing to promote in the kingdom of
Naples the good custom of frequenting the sacraments had since
September S, 1744, delegated Cardinal Spinelli for this work.

Letter γο.

1745·]

149

Most Holy Saviour, established at Iliceto, suppliantly de­
clares to your Eminence that, being actually engaged in
giving the exercises of a mission in the diocese of Troia,
and having thence to go to the diocese of Cirignola, for the
greater promotion of the glory of God and the sanctification
of souls, he desires to be provided with the faculties and
the indulgences that for this purpose have been granted to
your Eminence by his Holiness, submitting himself always
to the will of your Eminence; and if you deign to grant
the favor that he asks, he will pray to God to reward you.
To this petition the Cardinal gave the following answer:
The better to secure the fruits of the holy missions and
thus to promote the salvation of souls, we welcome your
petition and we grant you, the Superior of the Congregation
of the Most Holy Saviour, established at Iliceto, the powers that
our most holy Pope Benedict XJV. has granted and communi­
cated to us, by delegation to us especially as the supreme
Director of the missions in the kingdom of Naples. But we desire
you to use these powers only for the missions mentioned in the
petition, in the exercises of the holy ministry, in the con­
fessional, and by yourself and during the time of the missions
only.
Wishing also to favor the piety and increase the devotion
of the people, we grant the indulgences of which His Holiness
the Pope has made us the dispenser, and willingly concede
the seven years and seven times forty days to the faithful
of both sexes who attend the missions in any city or place in
the kingdom of Naples, or who not being able to attend them,
on account of some lawfid impediment, pray to God piously
for the success of these exercises.
Moreover, to all the faithful who, truly penitent, having
confessed and communicated, attend on the last day of the
mission, or who lawfully hindered to do so, pray to God, as
we have said, after having received the sacraments of penance
and Eucharist, we grant a plenary indulgence and the remission
of all their sins, available however only for the missions
indicated in the petition.
i o*.

—

150

General Correspondence.

[part i.

Given at Naples, in our archiépiscopal palace, the nth
of the month of December, 1745.
Joseph Cardinal, Archbishop.
Joseph Romano, Canon secretary.1

After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
1 Quo utilius percipiatur fructus sanctarum missionum ac proinde
animarum saluti proficiatur, supplicantis petitionibus inhérentes,
facultates, quæ nobis a SSmo Domino nostro Benedicto I’. P. XIV,
tamquam supremo Directori in Regni Neapolitani missionibus specia­
liter delegato, concessæ et communicatae fuerunt, tibi Superiori
Congregationis SSmi Salvatoris, in Iliceto institutae, concedimus et
elargimur. Volumus tamen, ut supradictis facultatibus, pro missionibus in supplici libello expressis tantum, et in actu sacramentalis
confessionis per teipsum, et durante missionis tempore dumtaxat, ut
valeas, et non aliter.
Similiter Christifidelium pietatem confovere et devotionem augere
cupientes, Indulgentiarum, quarum dispensatores idem SSmo Do­
minus esse Nos voluit, omnibus et singulis utriusque sexus, qui
ubique civitatum et locorum Regni Neapolitani missionibus inter­
fuerint; vel, legitimo impedimento detenti interesse non valentes,
pias tamen preces pro spirituali earumdem missionum fructu ad
Deum fuderint, septem annos cum totidem quarantenis libenter
impertimur. Insuper omnibus Christifidelibus, qui vere prenitentes
et confessi ac SSmo Eucharistiæ sacramento refecti, ultima die
missioni interfuerint, vel qui legitime præpediti præsentes esse non
valentes, expleta tamen sacramentali confessione et communione,
easdem, ut supra, preces ad Deum fuderint, plenariam omnium
peccatorum suorum Indulgentiam et remissionem, per dictas tantum
in supplici libello enunciatas missiones valituram, misericorditer in
Domino concedimus et elargimur.
Datum Neapoli, ex nostro Palatio achiepiscopali, die undecima
mensis decembris 1745.
Josephus Cardinalis, Archiepiscopus.
Joseph Romano, Canonicus secret.

1746.]

Leiter γi.

151

LETTER 71.

To the Mother Abbess and the Nuns of the Monastery of the
Annunciation at Foggia.
Explanations relative to the use of figured music 1 and to
the expenses contrary to poverty.
[Beginning of the year 1746.]

Live Jesus and Mary!
Very Reverend Mother Abbess and dear Sisters: Having
had the honor, without any merit on our part, to give the
spiritual exercises2 to your pious Community, we have heard
that some of our assertions have been misunderstood and
wrongly interpreted. For the honor of truth and to satisfyJ
our conscience we have thought it proper to indicate here
what we have said about figured music and about the special
expenses incurred by the officials.
As for figured music, we say that it is by no means
suitable for pious persons, and much less for virgins con­
secrated to God, as appears from the Rules of all saintly
religious Orders; and if such a practice exists in any
monastery, it is usually condemned as an abuse. If, then,
we consider the circumstances that accompany it, we see
that it is morally impossible to practise this kind of music
without sin on account of the solicitude, the vanity, the
1 A mixture of music and plain-chant very much in use in the
second half of the eighteenth century. The inconveniences that
resulted from this altogether wordly chant had for a long time made
the Church forbid it to the monasteries; but an extraordinary
infatuation always introduced it again. “There is nothing more
ridiculous and more flat,” says Jean-Jacque Rousseau with reason,
“than these plain-chants that are adapted to modern music. We
are under great obligations to the bishops, provosts, and singers
who oppose this barbarous mixture.” — Quoted by D. Guéranger,
Institutions liturgiques, book, ii. chap. xx.
2 This retreat was preached in the month of December 1745, on
the occasion of the celebrated mission given at Foggia.

152

General Correspondence.

[PARTI.

distractions, the expense, the infractions of the Rule, and
other disorders that inevitably result from it both inside and
outside of the monastery. The fault is more or less grave
according to the disorders that arise therefrom. According
to what has been generally reported in Foggia and outside
of it, the disorders that have occurred are not inconsiderable.
As for the expenses incurred by the officials,1 we have said
that the letter of the Sacred Congregation of January 26,
1742, written by order of His Holiness to the Ordinaries,
contains and expresses a formal prohibition for all religious
in office to expend the least amount of money or to make
the least present on feast days or in the discharge of their
duties, whether in the monastery or out of it. The words
of the letter are as follows: “ His Holiness commands that
this be inviolably observed by every monastery, even
though it be exempt, etc., under pain, in case of infringe­
ment, of deprivation of office and of the power of voting
and being
for, to be incurred as soon as the deed is
o voted
9
committed.” Consequently His Holiness enjoins upon all
the bishops “ to impose, by a formal precept of obedience,
upon all the officials, the observance of this ordinance, to
assure themselves of its exact observance, and to report to
him what has been done.”
Also, on April 27, 1742, the bishop acting as the apostolic
delegate for executing the holy and paternal ordinances
of His Holiness according to the terms of his letter, pre­
scribed the observance of them by a formal precept of
obedience, with this explanation, that the above-mentioned
penalties, if ever incurred, would last not according to his
1 Common life had relaxed in the eighteenth century in many
convents of Italy. Certain religious were then by reason of their
charge obliged to incur expenses on feastsand pious solemnities, and
in order to do this they encroached upon their revenues. As vanity
was frequently their motive, these expenses became at times very
considerable.

i746.j

Letter γι.

153

pleasure, since he is only the executor, but at the pleasure
of the Sacred Congregation, as the Sovereign Pontiff ex­
pressly ordains.
After decisions so precise, we have said that the officials
are obliged to conform to the orders of His Holiness under
the penalty of a grievous sin. As it was objected that the
Community could not make all the necessary outlay, and
that there was not sufficient revenues to supply it, as has
been prescribed by His Holiness, in the conference which
we gave on the subject, we answered as follows: “In view·
of these circumstances it is necessary to report to the
Sacred Congregation, and in the mean time, supposing
that the before-mentioned expenses could suffer no delay on
account of the current wants of the monastery, we putting a
mild interpretation on the ordinance of His Holiness (for as
there is here •question of an interpretation, it should be made
in a very strict sense), we may strictly permit the officials to
make the necessary outlay, but not a superfluous one, as
had been too often made in the past.” To all this one
could allege nothing else than the established usage. We
replied that as to the past, good faith could furnish an
excuse, yet for the present, since the matter has been made
clearer, this practice can no longer be tolerated without sin,
nor even without a grievous sin.
This we have uniformly said ; besides, we do not presume
to enforce our opinions, nor to set ourselves up as teachers.
We have only spoken in order to relieve our conscience
by rendering the obedience that is due to the Vicar oi Jesus
Christ.
After the Roman edition.

154

General Correspondence.

[PART i.

LETTER 7 2.

To his Brother D. Ercole de Liguori.
He complains to him about his conduct, which was anything
but brotherly, in regard to certain temporal interests.
[February, 1746.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I have read your last letter in which you say in substance
that when I am in distress you will help me.
My dear Brother, this is not the way to arrange the
matter, but it is to force on a litigation ; and I tell you
again that I do not wish to litigate, and I could do so
because I am claiming what belongs to me. Rest assured
that I should hardly appear in court when it would assign
to me the one hundred and fifty ducats with the rest of the
money.
If at least you had said to me: / wish, dear Brother,
that you would give up your right to such a sum. But to
seek to bring forward reasons, and to say that the hundred
and fifty ducats do not concern me, is very bad treatment
on your part.
The two hundred ducats were given me by a legacy;
what have they then to do with the portion that my father 1
has also bequeathed to me in the last disposition of his
property? Besides, the two hundred ducats he did not
leave to me, but to the Congregation, namely, one hundred for
the building at Ciorani, and a hundred which I might dispose
of; and then as to the two hundred ducats, according to
1 Giuseppe de Liguori, father of St. Alphonsus, had died some
weeks previously. He had secured to his son Alphonsus, an annual
income of one hundred and fifty ducats payable to our saint after his
death; moreover, he bequeathed to him at his death (December
1745) two hundred ducats as a special gift. Don Ercole, it seems,
pretended that this last gift nearly annulled the former. — We here
mention that the ducat is about equal to an American dollar, or to 4
francs, 25 centimes.

I746.J

Letter 72.

J55

you my father meant that I should renounce my life-interest
of one hundred and fifty ducats and be content with fortytwo ducats! What have the two hundred ducats to do with
all this? They arise from a legacy, and the one hundred
and fifty were assured me by an anterior notarial act. Add
to this that in making the bequest my late father did not
mention anything about the rest.
You, moreover, tell me that I have not declared that I
wished to have the one hundred and fifty ducats. — What
obligation is there for me to make a declaration when I am
in possession of the notarial act? I have always firmly
believed that at the death of my father the one hundred and
fifty ducats were due to me, and I firmly believed that you
would give them to me. And this payment I always
held to be assured, nor did I ever think that you could
refuse it to me. Now that I am reading your letters I do
nothing but make signs of the cross, and I offer to God
what you write to me and the way in which you treat me.
You come out so boldly because you have to deal with
me. If you had to deal with D. Gennaro Sarnelli who
went to law with his own father and made him give up to
him his portion, or with the sisters Marianna and Maria
Louisa who in regard to our father had recourse to judiciary
measures, you would not have spoken thus.
But I have waited and have borne with this up to the
present time in order not to cause you any displeasure.
You will however in the end force me to do what is so
disagreeable to me.
You write to me that when I am in need and really in
leant of money and in great distress, you will not neglect
me. My dear D. Ercole, is this the way that you should
treat me? In what manner, then, should I persuade you
that I am in such necessity, that I am, as you say, in great
distress? How in future am I to prove to you whether or
not my difficulties are serious? You have already dis-

Genera l Corrcspou den ce.

[PART I.

believed me, since yon have not believed .what I have
written to you. How can I think that you will believe me
hereafter? This is the treatment inflicted not by a brother,
but by a barbarian, by an enemy. You really wish to
make game of me. Your letter has so disturbed me that I
have not been able to sleep. Alas ! that then only I should
have what belongs to me when I am in want and in great
straits, so that for the future we should always have to
quarrel with each other!
Now, my dear Brother, if you do not really desire to
litigate, and if you do not wish to treat me as a bastard,
tell me, finally, what you will assign to me every year so
that I may be able to make up my accounts. I beg you
for the love of the Blessed Virgin Mary not to ill-treat me
any more. See how I treat you with brotherly charity
and how patient I am. After that, do not complain of me
if I claim all that belongs to me, that is, more than
one hundred and fifty ducats; there are fifteen hundred
Neapolitan ducats invested in our house and it is from my
property that they have been drawn. I could make you
weep, but I will not do so, since I love you.
I thought in order to satisfy you to give up to you thirty
ducats a year, and finally even forty-two of the one hundred
and fifty. Does this perhaps appear to you unacceptable?
I repeat, as long as I can, I wish to proceed only with you
in all charity. But I see that you wish only to abuse my
goodness. God and the world will however justify me.
Behold now the fraternal charity of which you speak to
me. Your love, to tell the truth, consists merely in prattling
and in making no account of me.
Now more than ever you make me know that there is no
other than God who truly loves us.
And so, my dear Brother, 1 again beg you for the love
oi the Blessed Virgin not to write to me any more in this
manner ; but tell me what do you wish to assign to me

1746 ]

Letter γj.

‘57

every year till the death of Donna Francesca and Don Do­
menico, as you say? For pity’s sake, do not ill-treat me
any more. If you have not the two hundred ducats, it will
hardly do to borrow them at interest ; arrange now for me
the annual assignment ; this is important for both of us in
order to live quietly. . . . Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph !...
I send the bill and the receipt. Live Jesus and Mary!
A'our very affectionate brother,
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After the original in possession of Mgr. Francesco Giordani,
auxiliary bishop of Cardinal Monaco La Valetta, in Albano.
LETTER

73.

To the Same.
He exhorts him to make the spiritual exercises.
ILICETO, February 22, 1746.

.......... Now answer me at once, and I beg you to
restore peace to my mind for the love of the Blessed Virgin.
All is right, and do not omit to make this week the
exercises1 in honor of the Blessed Virgin, and approach the
sacraments. I make you that concession ;1
2 but I wish you
to be under an obligation to serve the Congregation when
your personal services are needed for any business at Naples.
The persecution against us has already begun here. It will
be difficult for me to go again to Naples, and God knows
whether we shall again see each other.........
After an incomplete old copy.
1 Given by the Fathers of the Mission or Lazarists.
2 This is treated of in the preceding letter.

158

General Correspondence.
LETTER

[parti.

74.

Holograph Testament of the Saint.
[March 5, 1746.]

Live Jesus, Joseph, Mary, and Teresa!
I the undersigned, Alfonso de Liguori, declare this to be
my last will alter my death. Although this my will may
not be invested with all the required conditions of a testament, *
yet it has the best possible validity for dispositions ad pias
causas [tor charitable purposes] without detracting from the
Falcidian or Trebbellian law.1
I leave the holy Mother of God and my own Mother, and
through her the Congregation of the Most Holy Saviour, as
my universal heiress of all the goods that belong to me,
and especially of the arrearage of the annuity of one hundred
and fifty ducats a year, which is due to me from my family
since the month of December 1745 after the death of my
father. And although I was satisfied that my brother D.
Ercole, in his present straitened circumstances and until his
affairs improve, should pay me only seventy-two ducats a
year, yet I desire that after my death all the arrears together
with the balance of the one hundred and fifty, that is
seventy-eight ducats, should all revert and be paid over to
the Congregation. And furthermore, I bequeathe for the
benefit of the same Congregation the capital of three or four
hundred ducats, or as much as it is, which 1 reserved to
myself in the renunciation 12 that I formerly made, as appears
from the writing drawn up by the hand of a notary about
the year 1725 .... at Naples. I no longer remember the
name of the notary; but my brother may remember it.
1 'l'he Falcidian law guaranteed to the heir one fourth of the
amount of the legacy which he was charged to pay. — 'I'he Trebbellian
law guaranteed to the heir the fourth of the amount of the universal
trusts which he was restoring.
2 The saint here refers to the renunciation of his primogeniture.

Letter γζ.

1746 I

*59

And all this is to be at the disposition of the subsequent
Rector Major.
At the house of S. Maria della Consolazione, March 5,
1746.
I Alfonso de Liguori dispose, as above.
Carlo Ricciardi, witness.
Giuseppe Bonasissa, witness.
Moreover, I leave to the same Congregation the portion
left me by my father in his last will, made in regard to the
property which he owned before his death.
After the original, the property of his Eminence Cardinal
Guglielmo Sanfelice, Archbishop of Naples.
LETTER 75.

To Don Francesco Antonio Ricciardi, Advocate at Foggia.
Nature and advantages of renewals of missions.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
S. Maria

della

Consolazione. March 30. [1746].

My dear Don Francesco Antonio: Don Paolo [Cafaro]
forgot to arrange with Mgr. di Troia in regard to the time
when he desired that we should go to Foggia and to Troia
for the Renewal. This exercise which we are accustomed
to give in the places where we have given a mission
produces the most salutary fruits.
I therefore send word to you expressly to do me the
charity to go personally to Monsignor and to ask him
whether it is pleasing to him that I should go with one or
two other companions, to Foggia for three or four days
and to Troia for two or three.
As for a dwelling and beds, tell him that he need not
concern himself about them, since owing to your kindness
we shall remain at your house at Foggia ; and at Troia we
shall stay at the house of the vicar Don Camillo. Let him
understand that this will be only for a few days, and he

ι6ο

General Correspondence,

[PART I.

should have no fears. This will suffice; but it will be
necessary for you to go to see him personally, as he will
not say no to you.
You must, however, tell him that this Renewal, or this
visit to Eoggia, should be given soon, before the month
of May and before the hot weather. I have thought
of going there on the Sunday after Easter with one or two
others, because the other companions will have to go to
Orsara to give a mission there, as has been arranged by
the bishop. Let me know whether or not the bishop is
satisfied as to the time at which we are to go. If he,
however, does not wish me to go any more to Eoggia, I
shall be pleased; for what an amount of inconvenience
would not such a journey to Eoggia cost me!
Inform me whether he wishes us to go at least to Troia.
See whether he will not say, What use of having so
many missions one after the other? Answer him that this
is not a mission. It only serves to remind the people of the
mission, of the sermons that were preached, and of their
promises. By means of this Renewal of the spirit many are
confirmed in leading a good life. Many times the Renewal
does more good than the mission that was given. Thus
you may answer him that it is not a mission, but only a
reminder, a remembrance of a mission ; hence two Fathers
for a few days will be sufficient.
I speak on behalf ol God’s glory, for in regard to my
feelings I should rather have the bishop to say no.
You would oblige me if you would write to some friend
at Manfredonia to find out whether any mill-stones could be
had there, because we have need of some. Please send
your answer to me at
Live Jesus , Joseph, and
Mary! I remain,
Your very humble and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.

Letter γ6.

1746·]

161

[Λ 6'.] I have thought better of the matter: Please do
not arrange the time of our arrival at Foggia for the Sunday
after Easter, but for the Sunday following, that is, two weeks
after Easter; because on the Sunday after Easter I cannot
be absent. Live Jesus and Mary I1
After the original in possession of the priest Alfonso Carinci.
LETTER 76.

To Father Andrea Villani.2
Gravity of the decision of a General Chapter. — Precautions
that should necessarily be taken.
[Iliceto, October 1746.]

Live Jesus and Mary !
My dear Don Andrea: I have a little complaint to make
about your Reverence. I hear that you have brought to
the consideration of others the question in regard to the
novitiate of the Brothers.3 Your Reverence, it seems to
me could have spoken to me about the matter in all con­
fidence, and knowing the affection that I bear you and the
1 Father Tannoia says in his “ Life of St. Alphonsus” (B. ii. chap,
xxvi.) that the Renewal took place and that the nine days of this
exercise resembled a new mission.
2 Father Villani, born February 8, 1706, in the town of Curtoli in
the district of Sanseverino, was, in the year 1737, admitted into the
Institute of St. Alphonsus of which after the holy founder he became
the principal corner-stone. As he was a man of great learning,
of tried virtue, and of singular prudence, many important offices
were intrusted to him. He was successively Master of novices,
several times Rector, then Consultor-General, Vicar-General, and
before the death of St. Alphonsus, Superior-General of the houses in
the kingdom of Naples. He died in 1792, greatly lamented by all.
3 A Chapter was held in the house at Ciorani, October 12, 1746;
but as the holy founder could not be present on account of ill
health, he had the various decisions of the Chapter forwarded to
him. The Fathers who had assembled decided upon some measures
which, far from obtaining the approbation of the saint, were the
cause why the Chapter was deferred till the year following.
11

1

I 62

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

liberty that I wish to see prevail in your relations to me,
you could have, I say, told me secretly your idea on this
point without undertaking to have the Chapter decide
that the Rector Major cannot grant a dispensation when
there is question of the novitiate. This is equivalent to
overthrowing absolutely the powers of the Rector Major
and to destroying the principal rule traced out by our Father
[Mgr. Falcoia], which wishes a government by a single
head like the government of the Church.
I for my part have desired, and I do now desire, at least
under present circumstances, to keep aloof, occupied in
looking on others acting and serving the Congregation. As
for the government, I have accepted it through obedience,
and it is only obedience that makes me retain it, for with
the direction of the Institute and the thousand cares con­
tinually accompanying it, I can attend but little to the care
of my soul.
But if I see that harmony is going to be destroyed, I
would by all means resign, promising however to serve the
Congregation with the same affection with which I have
served it heretofore. If in fact one wishes to destroy what is
even the very foundation of the Institute and make a rule
against a rule, it would be better in order to avoid so
supreme a confusion that I should resign and that a Rector
[Major] according to your own ideas should preside over
you.
I wish you not to mention this affair, which I have
written specially for you. Only Don Saverio [Rossi] may
read my letter, since to save time I do not desire to write
again to him these same things.
And I secretly request you to bring about as prudently as
possible the speedy dissolution of the Chapter; it should be
put off to a later date. The devil had indeed based great
hopes on this Chapter, and it has been a special grace given
to us by God that no decree has as yet been made; for

i746.j

Letter γό.

163

if the points just mentioned had been decided, I assure you,
and I can assure you, that the greatest confusion would
arise. But God has prevented this evil, in the first place,
because I cannot go to Ciorani with my bronchial catarrh,
and because affairs so grave require necessarily my presence.
Hence if ever the Chapter is to be held, it would have to
be held here ; now to make you all come to Iliceto at this
time would produce disturbance in many things, as, for
instance, in the missions, in the houses, etc. In the second
place some one must go to Naples,1 and lastly the order
of the missions must be regulated.
Besides, there is question of affairs of vast importance,
involving the establishment of new rules which are to last
in perpetuum [forever]. All this will require many dis­
cussions and many explanations ; and now in view of all
this, so far separated as we are from one another, I myself
being obliged to remain here, how* could we desire to come
to any determination in such a confused state of things, and
when the voters are not even assembled ?12 I therefore do not
intend to give my consent for the holding of this Chapter so
unlawful and so irregular. I thought that only those things
would be proposed about which letters had been sent to me,
which indeed were matters of little importance. But there
are matters in regard to which we must discuss and confer
with one another. Moreover, I believed that the votes
given by the living voice could all be sent hither in writing;
but this was found to be impossible, as it is against the
Rule, and I am opposed to it.
Hence I declare that for all these just reasons the
1 Father Sportelli had to repair to Naples to complete the foun­
dation of the house of Mater Domini at Caposele.
2 Some of the Fathers who were voters failed to be present at the
Chapter, October 12, and it was decided that notwithstanding their
absence the Chapter should be continued if they would not have
arrived on the 25th of the same month.

164

General Correspondence,

[PART I.

Chapter should be dissolved, and should afterwards be
assembled in due time with all the necessary and essential
formalities ; otherwise it would be null and void and would
only serve the purpose ol causing disturbance. Do not
doubt that I will take care that the Chapter be held without
fail, but I and all the voters must take part in it.1
Your brother,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After an autograph sketch preserved in the archives of
Father General at Rome.
LETTER

77.

To Father Cesare Sportelli.

Prudence to be used in the proceedings of the General
Chapter.
·

Live Jesus and Mary!
Iliceto, [October, 1746.]

My dear Don Cesare: Whatever I write to you I beg
you to keep secret for the present, according as it may
seem to be expedient.12
These gentlemen submitted to your consideration those
points that concern the Rector Major, instead of proposing
them in Chapter for the purpose of making decisions about
things already decided and established.
It seems that they are taking away from the Rector
Major the faculty of dispensation ; but such a thing is
contrary to all rules, because it belongs essentially to
human laws to be subject to dispensation. And will it not
1 In fact, the Chapter was held in the month of October of the
following year.
2 Father Sportelli, President of the Chapter was entirely of the
same opinion as the saint was, to whom in writing he had mentioned,
October 10, 1746, his fears and cautions.

1746·]

Letter γγ.

^5

be sometimes necessary to give a dispensation, and especially
in regard to the novitiate of the Brothers and the stud­
ents? . . .
I his point gives me more concern than anything else,
because it involves a matter of conscience ... but so I have
regarded it before God.’
Moreover, with God’s help and in time I hope, and
perhaps shortly, I shall put the Rule in force as I have
intended to do; and since this point especially creates ob­
jections, I will hereafter endeavor to be more reserved.
As to the questions proposed, some refer to things of no
importance; it will be sufficient if we speak about them,
there being no necessity to have capitular decisions given
upon them ; for a multiplicity of decrees would in its time
be the ruin of the Congregation. Others have reference to
points already determined by the Rule; if they are found
not to be clear enough, it would be better to comment on them
than to submit them to the deliberation of the Chapter.
To come back to what I have already written to you:
what is necessary for the present is, that you set out for
Naples in regard to the affair of Caposele. As I have
explained to you, it will suffer no delay, and we shall have
the remorse of having failed in this foundation, as it may
happen if we delay any longer. Your stay at Naples will
very likely be prolonged, for I beg you not to leave the
city before the affair is brought to a conclusion, λ ou must
moreover write to me from Naples; for it things are pro­
tracted too long, we shall let you know what is to be
done. . . .
After an autograph sketch, partly illegible, preserved in
the archives of Father General at Rome.

166

General Corresprndencc.
letter

[parti.

78.

To the King; of Naples.
Petition for founding a house at Caposele.
[1746.]

The undersigned, missionary secular priests, humbly
expose to your Majesty the following facts :
Having during this year given missions in the archdiocese
of Conza, they have been most urgently asked by the Most
Reverend Archbishop1 and by the people to establish
themselves in this diocese, particularly in the territory
of Caposele. Here there is a church under the title
of Mater Domini together with a house containing a few
rooms. These priests could thus help the souls in this vast
archdiocese whom the distance from Naples deprives of many
spiritual aids, especially of missions.
Prostrate, therefore, at the feet of your Majesty, who are
so zealous for the welfare of your vassals, they humbly
supplicate you to deign to give your royal consent so that
the petitioners may live together in the convent of Mater
Domini, and may also enlarge the house which is at present
too small. In the mean time profoundly humbling themselves
before the royal throne they promise that they will always
pray more and more to the divine Majesty for the happiness
of your kingdom.
After a copy marked with the following motto written by
the hand of St. Alphonsus : “ Live Jesus and Mary 1—Memorial
for Caposele.”
1 Mgr. Giuseppe Nicolai, Archbishop of Conza from 1731 till 1759

Letter 79.

1746.]

^7

LETTER 79.

To Father Giovanni Mazzini, Rector at Pagani.

Various regulations in regard to studies.

Live Jesus and Mary !
[Troia], November 27, [1746].

I write you in all haste this Sunday morning, the last
day of the mission. The concourse of the people, as well
as the praise that we have received, was truly wonderful.
The people say that they never had such a mission. Soti
Deo, etc.
As for the promised help, I have learned that my father
placed at my disposal not two hundred ducats, as I
thought, but only one hundred. Hence fifty ducats are
for you.
I shall send the manuscripts, etc., to Don Francesco. 1
But I wish that he should continue to compose his treatise
on Scholastic Theology, and I require of him that he
should consult no other books than those of Habert. Let
him only put into it, but in a more abbreviated form, what
is found in Habert, leaving out one or the other proof or useless
objection. Tell him to obey without making a reply ; and
for mercy’s sake let him attend more to clearness than to
elegance of style.
I rejoice at what I hear about Don Nicola;2 let him
apply himself to his studies but little, till he has entirely
recovered. It is sufficient if he only listens without writing.
Let Don Biagio [Amarante] go out, and point out to him,
as you think best, the walks that he is to take.
Let all recommend me to Jesus and Mary.
After the Roman edition.
1 Father Francesco Sanseverino, who afterwards became Archbishop
of Palermo.
2 1). Nicola Muscarelli, a student of the Congregation.

168

General Correspondence.
letter

[parti.

80.

To Sister Maria Celeste Poppa in the Monastery of the
Annunciation at Foggia.

He points out what should be done in order to abolish the
figured chant.

Live Jesus and Mary !
S. MARIA DELLA CONSOLAZIONE, January 30, [1747].

I answer your letter. You are not obliged to obey in
that which regards the figured chant tor it it knew all, the
Sacred Congregation would certainly forbid this cursed
chant. But since hell is making so many efforts to re­
establish its use, why should you not do something on
your part for the love of Jesus Christ? I would advise you
and Sister Crocifissa, or you alone, secretly to address
another letter to the Sacred Congregation, in which you
might state the facts as follows: “ The figured chant has
just been abolished in our monastery; from it resulted
innumerable disorders in the monasteries of hoggia on
account of the teachers who had to be employed, the meals
and refreshments that had to be offered to seculars, especially
during Holy Week, without speaking of the distractions
given to the nuns, of the vanity that this chant provoked,
of the expense, of the faults against the Rule, and of other
inconveniences. Now we have heard that application has
been made to the Sacred Congregation to have this pro­
hibition removed. But perhaps no statement was made
about all the abuses that we have just enumerated. Hence to
obey the dictates of our conscience and to promote the
honor of Jesus Christ, we have believed it to be our duty to
point out the disorders that have resulted therefrom, and
that have stirred up general murmurings at Foggia and
outside of it; and this in order that your Eminences {the
1 See Letter 71.

1747·J

Letter 8 o.

169

plural must be used) far from permitting what is asked of
you, might formally and forever forbid it.”
Finish the petition by these words: 7he undersigned,
full of gratitude, will pray to God to reward you.
The petition should have at the beginning the words:
Eminent Sirs.
It should end as follows : Sister Maria Celeste Poppa
and Sister Maria Crocifissa Petitto, professed religious of
the monastery of the Annunciation at Foggia, have the
honor of exposing to your Eminences the following facts:
The use of figured music has been lately abolished in our
monastery, as above.
On the envelope you should write :
To his Eminence
The Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation of Bishops
and Regulars. — Rome.
Send, then, secretly your letter to Sister Maria Celeste
oi the Most Holy Saviour1 that she may frank it at the
post-office by paying two or three grains;1
2 tell her from me
that there is question of an affair of very great importance
to the glory of God.
This measure will cause you trouble; but do not hesitate
to take it, and if you have to suffer on account of it, suffer
for the love of Jesus Christ. If you neglect this matter,
and the answer having once come from Rome and the
crying abuse having been re-established, you will perhaps
not be able to remedy it, and this would be for you a cause
of continual remorse.
As for direction, continue freely to be guided by the
advice of your confessor, and go on whether you are cold
or not. It is well to have the holy fear of God, that is, the
1 Sister Maria Celeste Crostarosa of whom we have given a short
notice above (Letter 6) had founded at Foggia the monastery of the
Most Holy Saviour about the year 1739.
2 i grain =» fr. 0.0425.

i/O

General Correspondence,

[parti.

tear ot displeasing him ; but confidence should always over­
come fear. Dilate unceasingly your heart by confidence in
the infinite goodness ol God and in the merits of Jesus
Christ with the desire to become the first saint in Paradise,
if such is the good pleasure of the Lord, not for your own
good, but in order to render greater glory to God, and to
love Jesus Christ more. Always pray to Jesus and Mary
forme. I remain, etc. Live Jesus and Mary !
Acquaint your confessor with everything. As to Sister
Maria Emanuella, if your confessor puts you under obedience
to give her a reprimand, do so through obedience, but do
not continue to treat with this Sister in a familiar way. Live
Jesus and Mary !
Your servant.
After the original in possession of Cavalière Giancarlo
Rossi at Rome.
LETTER 8l.

To Sister Maria Crocifissa Petitto, at Foggia.

The same subject.
S. Maria dell,\ Consolazione, [January 30, 1747].

All goes well. Continue in all security to follow the
direction of your confessor, and desire once for all to become
a saint. I have written to Sister Celeste what I wish you to
do to prevent this cursed chant. Don Cesare [Sportelli] is
not here. I will see, etc. Tell your sister that she is
foolish to act thus. Pray always to Jesus and Mary for me.
Live Jesus and Mary !
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso,

of the Most Holy Saviour.
r\fter an old copy.

Letter 82.

1747·]

letter 82.

To Sister Maria Celeste Poppa.

The same subject. — Utility of persecutions.

Live Jesus and Mary!
S. Maria

della

Consolazione. [March 10, 1747].

I have received your letter, full as it is of fears and human
considerations. A fine spouse of Jesus Christ is she who is
afraid of being persecuted for the love of Jesus Christ!
You have performed a good action,1 and now you repent
of it! Do you not know that it is a fault to repent of the
good that one has done? — But you say, I shall be
persecuted. — Amen. You should rejoice at this, even
desire it, and not fear it. Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur,
propter justitiam. [Blessed are they that suffer persecution
for justice sake. — Matt. v. 10.] I would like that, for the
love of Jesus Christ, you would be without ceasing exposed
to the persecutions of the world. You very well know the
disturbances that have been created ; and if you do not .
know them, I know them and all Foggia knows them.
For pity’s sake, do not exhibit again such pusillanimity;
if not I shall almost lose the hope of seeing you one day in
heaven. I say the same thing to Sister Maria [Crocifissa].
Do what I have written to you, and pray for me. I also
ask the prayers of Sister Maria [Crocifissa], Live Jesus
and Mary !
After the Roman edition.
1 It seems that the Sisters had written to the Sacred Congregation
and then through fear of persecutions had afterwards repented
of this courageous act.

τencra ί Correspon den ce.
LETTER

[PART I.

83.

To Father Giovanni Mazzini?
Confidence of the saint in the Blessed Virgin.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Naples,! June 25, [17471-

In reference to the affairs at Nocera our opponents
announce that they will be victorious. I firmly hope,
however, that through the protection of the Blessed Virgin
this will not be the case.
The exequatur for Caposele is already in my hands, and
without conditions. Live Jesus and Mary!
Offer in the evening a special prayer to the Blessed
Virgin ; for we wish to make an attempt to obtain from the
king the approbation of our Rule. Have also Communions
offered for this purpose. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa !
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

84.

To the Priest Girolamo Ferrara, Novice of the Congregation
at Ciorani.
Vocation and family affairs. — Examination of a particular
case.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
[Naples], July 1, [1747].

May the will of God be always done! My dear Girolamo :
I he news2 about your brother's death has made me make
a powerful act of resignation.
1 During this year the saint remained at Naples about three
months, in order to attend to the affairs of the Congregation and to
gain the law-suit over the enemies of the house at Pagani.
- D. Girolamo had scarcely entered the novitiate when he received
the sad news of the sudden death of his brother.

1747·]

Leiter 84.

*73

To be short, if your two sisters had sufficient means to
live at home, I should not hesitate to counsel you to remain
in the Congregation ; for there is morally no danger in
regard to their virtue; in fact even in case you should die,
this danger would not exist, since one of them is already
old enough to take care of the house.
The only difficulty is that, as the revenues consist
of rents, I do not know whether women without the help
of a man would succeed in collecting the dues; but you
know the people and the customs of the country, and may
be able to settle this question better than I.
As for placing your sisters in a convent, my dear Giro­
lamo, this is a matter that seems to me to be very difficult,
and even morally impossible. At first, it would be difficult
to find a convent that would be willing to receive persons
so aged; and besides, they would reluctantly give their
consent to be shut up there (this would require a divine
vocation), in order to permit you to retire among us.
Moreover, if no one remains at home, who will take care
of the rents, and would pay what would be owing to the
convent? You must, therefore, think no more about your
plan in regard to the convent.
It would be more easy to admit that your sisters could
quietly live at home without you ; and even if this would
now appear to them impossible, yet if they knew that you
have decided not to leave the Congregation, and if they
become convinced of this by experience during a certain
time, I should think that they would then find means
of subsisting by exacting the payment of what is coming to
them, just as they would have to do if you were to die.
The archpriest1 seems to hold for certain that you are
obliged to return to your family. There is no doubt that in
a similar case Rome would grant even to professed religious
the permission to leave the convent and to return home.
1 The archpriest of Teora, the birth-place of 1). Girolamo,

1/4

General Correspondence.

[parti.

But we must observe that it is one thing to have the
permission to live in one’s family, and another thing to be
obliged to do so when there is no danger to morals, and
there is a way of subsisting without being there to give
assistance.
However, 1 can see no difficulty in allowing you to spend
some time in your family in order to regulate the affairs,
and especially to settle the pretensions of your married
sister by arranging everything as wrell as you can. But I
do not w’ish you to interfere too much in other disputes for
fear that you might furnish an additional reason for being
obliged to remain with your family.
I see with pleasure the affection that you bear towards
the Congregation ; but I prefer to have you yourself in the
Congregation rather than your property.
The archpriest wishes, he writes, that you should hasten
to come to the assistance of your family ; but I think that
there is no need of hurry; perhaps it would even be better
for you to remain with us to see how things will end, and
to write that you are bound by the vow of obedience, etc., 1
that your sisters are grown up and reasonable, that they
have enough on which they can live. Try this means first,
and you will see what will be the result. I do not doubt
that at first sight such an answer will create a great stir ;
but I believe that in time people will persuade themselves
that you are not disposed to return home, nor to leave the
Congregation, and then they will become reconciled ; and
as vexatio dat intellectum [vexation gives understanding], I
believe that your sisters will consent to see to the revenues
themselves and find means to live comfortably without you.
The Doctors of Salamanca12 say with Sanchez, Castro1 D. Girolamo by the advice of Father Cafaro had made the
preceding year the vow of entering the Congregation of the Most
Holy Saviour.
2 Tr. 15, c. 3, n. 54.

1747·]

Letter 84.

*75

palao, Suarez (and Bonacina is of the same opinion), that
it is only in case of extreme necessity, either of poverty or
of danger of prostitutiou, that the brother is obliged to
come to the assistance of his sister by leaving the Com­
munity, especially if he is bound by a vow or an oath.
Now such a necessity does not exist here.
However, my dear Girolamo, in order to be able to give
you a decided answer I should have to speak to you orally ;
but I desire that the Rector [Father Andrea Villani] and
Fathers N. and N. should first hold a consultation about
this matter, and that then they should write to me what
they think; for the case is so complicated.
Why could not your sisters retire to the house of your
married sister and live with her? In order that they might
be received there, I should not make any difficulty if you
would make a present of your share, etc. I repeat that we
need not be in too great a hurry. Let the affair first be
maturely discussed with the Fathers; then communicate to
me the opinions, and we shall come to a decision ; for
if you go home, I know not what entreaties the archpriest
and the Archbishop [of Conza] may have in reserve for
you, so that you will no more be able to extricate
yourself.
Let us have recourse to prayer, and let us hope that God
will enlighten us to know surely his will ; this is all that you
desire, and this is all that I desire. I remain, etc. — Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.

17 6

Crencrai Correspondence.

[PART I.

LETTER 85.

To a Father of the Congregation.

Course of action in order to save the vocation of Don
Ferrara.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
[Naples], July 4, [1747].

Father Andrea writes to me from Ciorani what Don
Girolamo says. — I am decidedly of opinion that he should
not depart from Ciorani, as I have written to him ; and
if he departs, I shall impose it upon him as a matter
of conscience. I positively say that his sisters stand in no
need of his assistance. As to matters in litigation and to
other necessities, let the sisters take care of these things
themselves as they did before: Mortui sepeliant mortuos
suos. [Let the dead bury the dead.] And if something
has been overlooked, or if a suit has been lost, what
matters it ? Don Girolamo should not on that account lose
his vocation, or expose himself to lose it. I regret to see by
his letter that he inclines somewhat to go to Teora; but he
has finally left the matter to be decided by me.1 I have
recommended myself to God, and what I have just said is
my decided opinion. Now you will notice that the archpriest
[of Teora] will still write to him, or send him word, etc.
Father Andrea [Villani] should then take care not to let
him read the letters of the archpriest, as he let him read the
last letter. This was wrong; it would have teen sufficient
had he told Father Girolamo about the affair, because the
archpriest caused him to have scruples, and you know that
Don Girolamo is naturally scrupulous. This scruple I am
willing to take upon my own conscience. As much as
possible prevent him from seeing any one that has come
1 D. Girolamo abided by the saint’s decision, persevered in the
Institute, and on March 25, 1748, made his profession.

Letter 86.

1747·J

from Teora. Moreover, if a letter should come from the
archpriest or the Grand -Vicar, and the letter might renew
his scruples, let Father Andrea keep him in ignorance of it ;
send me the letter, and I will answer the archbishop.
I remain, etc. — Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Recommend me to Jesus Christ and to Mary.
After the Roman edition.
letter

S6.

To Father Giovanni Mazzini, Rector of the House at Pagani.

Solicitude of the saint to obtain the royal approbation
of his Institute.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
[Naples], July 4, [1747].

Send this little document at once to Father Andrea at
Ciorani, so that on Friday without fail he may return it
through Angelillo. It is an abridgment of the Rule which
I composed with D. Cesare [Sportelli] and which is to be
presented to the king. I wish, however, that Father
Andrea should see the manuscript before it is copied, so
that he may make some remarks; and if your Reverence
before sending it to Father Andrea would look it over and
note whatever you think needs improvement, I should be
greatly pleased. But there must be no delay, as in every
case, it must be forwarded to Ciorani on Friday. Send,
therefore, this letter to Father Andrea. You will notice
that we have written only what is most necessary, and that
we have purposely omitted matters of little importance. In
reference to that most important affair about which Don
Cesare has spoken to you I yesterday called upon Bran­
cone,1 who told me that he had forgotten it. It will be
necessary that we again apply to him. In the mean time,
continue the prayers, since this affair is of the greatest
1 This was Marquis Brancone, Secretary of State.
Γ2

178

Gen era I Correspon den ce.

[PART I.

importance to our Congregation.
Hence the necessity
of offering many prayers.
You will remark that we have purposely inserted oath
instead of vow of perseverance, in order to take away the
fear that people have of seeing a new Order established.
Ί he fact is the oath from the obligation of which the
bishops cannot free any one, is more solid than the vow, in
regard to which they certainly can give a dispensation.
My purgatory at Naples still continues, and will continue,
I do not know how long. I remain, etc. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Recommend me to Jesus and Mary. Send me from
Ciorani a pair of white stockings. Live Jesus and Mary!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 87.

To one of the General Consultors of the Congregation.
He complains to him of the difficulties raised against the
project of obtaining from the king the approbation of the
Institute.
[Naples], July 4, 1747.

To tell the truth, if it were not for the sake of the
Congregation, I would leave everything and would shut
myself up in a cell at Ciorani without busying myself about
anything; but my conscience will not permit such a thing.
I imagined that your Reverence and the others would have
referred to me this affair in which I proceed so carefully, or
at least to me and D. Cesare [Sportelli] as the Fathers
of Pagani have done; but your letter filled with scruples
conditions and fears has caused me greater trouble. λΛοη
leave me in this disturbed state so that I know not what
to do. I do not wish however to hear more complaints
in the Congregation; I have heard enough of them.
Remember well that in regard to the affairs we are in

X747.]

Letter 87.

'79

great hopes; for Brancone takes an interest in them, the
king is favorable; the more so since Father Pepe1 haspoken to him ; the Grand Almoner wishes to help us
later on things will change and evil impressions will be dis
sipated. Does it therefore seem prudent to protract things '
I assure you in the presence of Jesus Christ that if this
great affair miscarries there will be no longer any remedy.
I say this great affair, because on it depends the stability
of the Congregation. All your fears are frivolous : the
greatest fear that we should have is that the Congregation
deprived of the king’s approbation, may never have true
stability and may perhaps end by being dissolved.
Now, this being said, I decline all responsibility before
God ; it is sufficient for me if the affair does not fail through
my fault. I do not speak thus because I wish to play the
part of a founder and of a despot. You see how I am seeking
counsel in my doubts and how I have been seeking it from
the beginning. When one sees that things are done with
maturity and discretion, do you think it praiseworthy to
wish to thwart them? I pray to Jesus Christ to close his
eyes to my sins and not to destroy on their account this
work which is his own. You should also have the prayers
continued.
Why should you put before me so many difficulties
which you see in this union?2 I am myself so much opposed
to it that I will never give my consent, for the reason that
you give and for other reasons, except in a case that is
morally impossible, since this affair could not be brought
about except causa cognita [the cause being known] and with
your consent. . . [The rest of the letter is wanting.]
After an old copy.
1 Father Francesco Pepe, S. J., a friend of St. Alphonsus.
2 D. Vincenzo Mannarini.at that time Superior of the Congregation
of the Most Blessed Sacrament, absolutely wished to re-unite his
Congregation to the Congregation of St. Alphonsus.

/W

i So

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

LETTER 88.

To Father Giovanni Mazzini.

Request for counsel in a difficult affair.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Naples, July 22, [1747].

If the affair had gone on as I wished it, it would have
gone on too smoothly; but now it will go on with many
embarrassments and much labor; but the case is not
desperate.
This morning I received the answer. Our friend [Mar­
quis Brancone] has spoken with great force. The king has
conceived a high idea of our work, but he is a little afraid
of new Institutes. Hence he desires the affair to pass
through the hands of the Grand Almoner and the Royal
Council so as to find out what views are held by them.
The king, however, has so high an opinion of our work
that he himself has thought that we should write to the
Pope to ask him to give up one of the many convents
that exist, and to put into it members of our Congregation.
To-day the royal ordinance with a copy of our Rule is to be
sent to the Grand Almoner, who will make his report.
I also spoke this morning to the Grand Almoner, who
repeated to me more than once: “Unite with Mannarini,
and come together to see me.” I positively refused to
entertain the idea of union, because such a thing would be
impossible, as the Institute is different from ours, has
schools, and prefers cities, etc.1 This I said and will always
say. But a thought has come to my mind which has
agitated me in a thousand ways. I thought within myself:
' Let us secure now the king’s approbation on which de­
pends that of Rome, and consequently all the rest; and
l he Congregation of the Most Holy Sacrament took charge
of public schools and could have houses in the cities.
1

1747·]

Letter 88.

then Deus el dies [God and time]. The partisans of Mannarini will attend to their own affairs and we to ours.”
Wherefore I regard this as certain : the ( /rand Almoner is
favorable to Mannarini, and would not like to see our
Congregation approved, while to the Congregation that is
protected by him the approbation is refused. Hence ii we
wish both Congregations to be approved together, he will
be in our favor; but if this is not done, the contrary will
happen, and the affair will be a failure, because the king
wishes to depend on his Council.
Here are then my considerations: On the one hand, I
consider that by obtaining this approbation, the establish­
ment of the Congregation would be secured ; but which
Congregation is to be approved, ours or theirs? our Rule
or theirs? These are the differences that would have to be
settled, and it appears to me to be most difficult, because
we do not wish to change our Institute nor are they willing
to change theirs.
Come together, talk over the matter, reflect upon it; and
then on Monday or Tuesday let D. Cesare be so kind as to
come to me at Naples and report to me what have been the
views expressed. Send some one to Ciorani to-morrow
with this letter, and let them also tell you what is their
opinion. The case is very embarrassing. I do not write to
Ciorani so as not to be obliged to repeat the same thing.
Every evening let all our houses say the prayers for the
king; and let this be done if possible at Mass.
As for the izzz/,1 information will be given at the beginning
of next week.
After the Neapolitan edition of 1848.
1 This is the law-suit brought by D. Francesco Contaldi against
the house at Pagani.

182

General Correspondence,

[PART I.

LETTER 89.

To Mgr. Celestino Galiano, Grand Almoner.
Considerations in view of the memorial that is to be pre­
sented for obtaining the royal approbation of the Institute.
[Month of July, 1747.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
For the report that is to be presented we ask to subjoin
the following reflections:
1. Experience has already proved how useful and even
necessary the missions are for the rural districts, especially
of the kingdom of Naples, where the hamlets are so numer­
ous, so thickly settled, and at the same time, so destitute
of spiritual help. Although the city of Naples is well
provided with such help, yet this is not the case in the
remaining part of the kingdom ; and although from the city
of Naples and other populous cities of the kingdom every
year various missions are given, these labors nevertheless
correspond only in a feeble measure to the immense want
that exists, so that many places remain from twenty to
thirty years without a mission. Hence this is the cause
why so many people are found there without even knowing
the necessary mysteries of faith. It, therefore, seems to be
very necessary that there should be more houses of this
Congregation of missionaries of the Most Holy Saviour,
who devote themselves to this exercise and to the spiritual
culture of these country places, for which the missions are
so useful and even necessary. They could then spend their
time as well in instructing in divine things so many poor
people that live in these places, as in remedying the bad
confessions that are made, especially in the kingdom of
Naples where the rural hamlets are as numerous as they are
populous.
2. Moreover, this work is known to be most useful on

1747.]

Letter 8 g.

18 3

account of the continual assistance that it furnishes to the
places where missions have been given. The missions do
certainly a great deal of good ; but the misfortune is that,
if after the missions have been given, the people do not see
the missionaries and are not able to go where they live,
they fall back into their old evil ways. This Congre­
gation has for its aim not only to go through the country,
helping the people who mostly need spiritual help, and
going in search of them in the most abandoned places and
in hamlets, but it has, besides, for its chief rule that its
members must return from time to time to the places where the
missions have been given for the purpose of preaching,
of administering the holy sacraments; and thus they renew
and preserve the fruits of the missions. And for this end
the Congregation has as its fundamental rule to establish its
houses outside of the inhabited places and in the centre
of the dioceses, for these reasons: that they may better
attend to this duty of travelling continually through the
country; that the country people round about may find
it convenient to have recourse to them as often as they wish
in order to see the missionaries in the church and settle the
affairs of their conscience ; and finally, that in these dioceses
an opportunity be given to ecclesiastics and priests to make
their retreat while remaining in the houses of the mission­
aries.
After an autograph sketch preserved in the archives of the
house at Pagani.

184

General Correspon den ce.
LETTER

[PART I.

90.

To Father Paul Cafaro, his Director.

I he king of Naples, after the death of Mgr. Domenico
Rosso, Archbishop of Palermo, wished to promote to the
archbishopric our saint, who thus expresses his dislike for
such a dignity.
[End of July, 1747.]

............ Now we must use entreaties, we must pray,
because I see myself exposed to a grave persecution and in
the greatest distress. The king has resolved to select me
to be archbishop of Palermo; but I would rather hide
myself in the woods than accept such a dignity.1
Quoted by Tannoia,
Chapter xxviii.

“Life of St. Alphonsus,” Book ii.

LETTER

91.

To Father Giovanni Mazzini.

Difficulties that the saint meets with at Naples on account
of the approbation of the Institute.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
*

[Naples], August 1, [1747]·

I write in haste a letter for all, as I have but little time.
I have your letters and those from Ciorani. You must
now pray to Jesus Christ to give me strength and light, for
I have lost sleep, appetite, etc. Yesterday morning the
Grand Almoner almost absolutely refused at first to take
our affair into consideration ; afterwards, however, it was
taken up ; may God grant that the report may not be ad­
verse ! The Blessed Virgin can obtain for us success ; hence
1 Father Cesare Sportelli thus wrote from Naples to Father
Mazzini: “ Father Rector Major has been strongly urged to accept
the episcopate, and is still in great fear about it. He has, however,
made a wonderful defence.”

1747-1

Letter y i.

185

continue and have others to continue the prayers. Tσ-inorrow
I must return to the charge.
This morning I came to a successful understanding with
Mannarini and spoke to him decidedly on a certain point.
He has acquiesced in a few things.
These are not things that should be written in a letter,
either because it is not expedient to confide them to paper,
or because we need each time ten pages to say everything.
In the midst of this confusion and embarrassment the
news from the novitiate consoles me ; especially do I rejoice
to hear that Don Girolamo [Ferrara] is so happy and
cheerful.
Father Cesare1 may now’ set out for Caposele with God’s
holy blessing. Father Andrea has thought fit to put me to
shame with all his humiliations, which are but subjects
of confusion to me. But it is impossible at a distance to
confer with one another by letter.
Father Cesare should speak to the Archbishop of Conza
to find out in what way it might be brought about at Rome
that a Cardinal be appointed by the Pope to interest himself in
having the Congregation approved. For if the Blessed
Virgin would help us to succeed with the king, etc., we
should take care that at least the cause of the approbation
may be introduced at Rome.
Recommend me to Jesus and Mary. Perhaps I shall
send you a priest who is already a missionary. I must
however maturely examine this matter which is rather a
delicate affair and needs a dispensation. Live Jesus and
Mary !
After the Roman edition.
1 Father Cesare Sportelli was then to treat in Caposele of the
affair of a new foundation of the house of Mater Domini.

136

General Correspondence.

letter

[parti.

92.

To a General Consultor.
Trials and annoyances that the saint has to endure at
Naples.
[August, 1747.]

.... Continue to pray for the Congregation and for me
who am here pining away at Naples while treating with
those ministers who are making life a burden to me. My
heart is filled with bitterness; I cannot endure this any
longer; I should like to run away, and yet I cannot leave
Naples. I must assist in bringing our affairs to a close as
soon as possible.
A consultation is now giving on, and our affair has been
proposed in the Royal Council. The king has thought
of adopting a plan which will perhaps be more useful to the
Congregation.
D. Vincenzo [Mannarini] is going about trying to effect a
union ; but I always put forward the excuse that such does
not really appear to be the will of God. It is my firm
conviction that this union cannot be accomplished, nor shall
I ever give my consent to it........
After an incomplete copy.

LETTER 93.

To Father D. Cesare Sportelli.
A power of attorney in regard to the founding of a house
at Caposele.
[November 27, 1747.]

This present power of attorney, per epistolam [through
letter], is given by me the undersigned Father D. Alfonso

I/47-J

Letter ()3.

187

de Liguori, Rector Major of the priests, called the priests
of the Most Holy Saviour, and of all their houses, in my
own name as well as in the name of all my companions,
present and future.
Not being able to be personally present to transact the
affairs of [Conza and Caposele], and confiding in the fidelity
and integrity of the Very Rev. Father Cesare Sportelli, my
companion, who although absent is just as if he were
present, I appoint and constitute him my procurator [at­
torney] and that of my companions, present and future,
with all the sufficient and necessary power, even with
the clause ut alter ego [another self] to make as it will
seem best one or more agreements, with the Illustrious
Monsignor D. Giuseppe Niccolaï, Archbishop of Conza,
with the Reverend clergy of Caposele and with all other
benefactors, who intend to co-operate in the establishment
of those Fathers, priests of Caposele, and especially in the
place or monastery, called A. Maria Mater Domini, where
there is question of conveying to them the church and the
house situated there, with the actual annual income of four
hundred ducats to be assigned for their maintenance, that
is, a hundred and fifty ducats from the Reverend clergy,
and the rest from the Most Illustrious Monsignor, the
archbishop and other benefactors ; with all the agreements
and conditions that will appear to be suitable, and about
which agreements have been made by the said procurator
appointed by me, promising to ratify and confirm them all
and again to ratify them should it be necessary.
Ciorani, November 27, 1747.
Alfonso de Liguori, Rector Major.
Constantino Zampoli, witness.
D. Andrea Gaudiello,
D. Francesco di Mari,
“
I Francesco Aniello Zampoli, notary, attest that the
foregoing signature is that made by the hand of the above­

188

Genera I Correspondence.

[PART I.

mentioned Very Rev. Father Don Alfonso de Liguori,
Superior-General.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER 94.

To the Priest Francesco Margotta1 of Calitri.

He admits him into the Congregation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
ClORANI, December 7, 1747.

My dear and much esteemed Francesco: I must inform
you that last evening we read, first, the letter that con­
tained the news of the new foundation [of the house at
Caposele] ; then your letter in which you make known to
us your resolution. But I really do not know which gave
to all a greater joy, the news of the foundation or the news
of the resolution that you, my dear Brother, have taken.
I use the title my dear Brother, because, in accordance with
what I herewith communicate to you, I receive you to-day
1 We read the following account of this estimable member of the
Institute in the catalogue of the Congregation:
“On the 7th of December, 1747, Francesco Margotta a priest and
a native of Calitri, was admitted into the Congregation. He was in
his forty-eighth year, and had been for some time a missionary and
a member of the venerable Congregation of Father Pavone, es­
tablished in the Collegio Massimo of the Jesuit Fathers at Naples.
He found himself necessarily engaged in numerous domestic affairs;
but he employed them for the profit of the Congregation by stipulat­
ing an advantageous donation in favor of the new house at Caposele.
I he care of his affairs kept him for some time at Calitri, and our
holy founder permitted him to begin his novitiate at home, where he
remained till March 3, when he proceded to Ciorani to complete it.
He made his profession in the presence of Father Villani, July 2,
1748. After rendering the greatest services to the Congregation,
which he likewise made the heir of all his property, he died a holy
death, August 11, 1764.”

1747-1

Letter 94.

into our Congregation as a brother and as a dear companion,
so that your novitiate begins to-day even though you may
be obliged to remain at Calitri for some time in order to
settle your affairs. You have given to the Congregation all
that of which you could dispose ; but know that our Con­
gregation and each one of us love you in such a manner that
even if you had brought nothing, we would gladly have
admitted you. The reason of this is because in you we
shall receive a confrère that really wishes to become a saint.
I am quite confident that you will attain the object of your
desires, especially after you have maturely considered the
matter, free from all excitement or passion, and your
director, as well as the archbishop, has fully concurred in
all your plans.
Remain, therefore, dear Brother, at Calitri without the
least uneasiness as long as it will be convenient to you to
arrange your affairs. It is true, we are all impatiently
awaiting your arrival ; yet I wish that you should settle
matters in a quiet way. Such is your ardent spirit that you
will need no motives to induce you to enter solitude as soon
as possible. I can imagine, and am convinced, that your
heart is sighing for the moment in which you may be able
to enter the asylum that God has destined for you from all
eternity that you might sanctify yourself. I would be
delighted to see you here before my departure for Naples
whither you know I must go either the day after New Year
or after Epiphany to attend to the business of the Con­
gregation. But I repeat, I do not wish that you should
become disquieted on this account; for if I have not this
consolation I shall offer it as a sacrifice to Jesus Christ. Be
assured that all are expecting you with open arms. Above
all have Fathers Paolo [Cafaro] and [I). Girolamo] Ferrara
heard the news with inexpressible joy. To-day all the
novices will go to Communion for you in order that Jesus
Christ may bring to a speedy conclusion all your most

i ço

General C orrespondence.

[PART I

necessary affairs, and you may be enabled to come among
us as soon as possible.
From this time forward you must pray for me, but in a
way different from that in which you have done heretofore,
since from this moment I impose upon you this duty
of praying for me by virtue of obedience, because you are
now one of us. Hence every morning at your Mass and
during your thanksgiving recommend me to Jesus Christ
that he may bestow upon me a lave far him and a love for
his Mother Mary, and that I may accomplish the divine
will in a perfect manner. I point out in a precise way my
intention, so that you may always have it impressed on
your mind what prayer you must say, and may not for­
get it.
On my part I shall in return do you the same favor.
Therefore, in the name of the Most Blessed Trinity, of
Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and of Mary Immaculate,
I admit you, receive you and bless you, that you may
belong entirely to God, as such is doubtless his holy will.
As soon as you write to your director, Don Angelo, I
enjoin upon you the duty of expressing to him my thanks
for the permission that he has granted you, and of telling
him at the same time that the whole Congregation will
always owe him a debt of gratitude. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.

174S]

191

Letter <)5.
LETTER 95.

To Father Andrea Villani, Rector of the House at Ciorani.
(This letter was written in the name of the saint by Father
I). Celestino de Robertis.)

The saint consents to the making of a new agreement with
the founder of the house at Ciorani but on certain conditions. 1

Praised be the Most Blessed Sacrament and Mary Im­
maculate !
Naples, February 4, 1748.

In reference to the affair about Nocera, our Father [D.
Alfonso] does not think it well to have anything done at
the present time, because there would be too much risk on
account of circumstances which cannot be mentioned in a
letter, and the loss of this case might be for us the loss
of other foundations. The Father wishes to have vour
opinion and that of Father Saverio [Rossi] about this matter.
As regards the letter of Don Andrea [Sarnelli], let him
know immediately (for this purpose Father Saverio should
go there at once if he can, or your Reverence should go,
because he [Don Alfonso] wishes to receive an answer by
Saturday] that our Father entertains the greatest affection
and veneration for him who with so much love has brought
us to Ciorani. Hence in order to comply with his desires,
he consents to the incurring of some loss, but not so great a
loss as would give him scruples of conscience. For the
rest, he will do what he can to please him. In short, let
him know this in these or similar words, according as you
think best. Tell him, therefore, that of the one hundred
and fifty ducats, which he now wishes to give us annually'
*

1 On the occasion of the foundation of the house at Ciorani, the
priest, D. Andrea Sarnelli, a brother of our Venerable Gennaro had
given us by a public deed the sum of two hundred ducats annually.
Wishing better to regulate this donation, he made to St. Alphonsus
new propositions, which form the subject of the present letter.

IÇ2

Genera I Correspondentce.

[PART I.

during his life, we cannot put ourselves under any obligation
of spending a part for the benefit of the church. We shall
do what we can, as he has seen us do in the midst of all
our miseries; but we must not be put under any obligation.
He knows the straits in which we are, and so for pity’s
sake, he should not oblige us to do such a thing.
In regard to the establishment of other houses, of which
he speaks in his letter, it is well for him to know that we
have had hints given us by the ministers not to accept any
more houses. Our Father, therefore, plainly says that he
will not have the boldness to ask for new foundations. He
[Don Sarnelli] sees how many subjects we are, how poor
we are; therefore, he who loves us should help us as much
as he can. He has already seen that we have always held
him in high esteem. Tell him that when he wishes to
make the contract, our Father will be ready; but inform
him that Father Alfonso himself wishes to draw up the
minutes of the contract so as to avoid all litigation, which
may afterwards be begun by the relatives of Don Andrea
who, he already knows, can hardly look at us. For this
reason it will be necessary for him to give us all the papers,
or at least an abstract of them, so as to be able to protect
ourselves.
All this you will say to him, and send an answer by
Saturday. Our Father also says that it will be necessary to
write this new contract in words other than those in which
the first contract was drawn up. We have lately received
information about certain points that cannot be intrusted to
paper, and that make it our duty to ask Don Andrea to
write out this agreement. The foundation of Ciorani has
not the express approbation of the king. The brother
of Don Andrea has uttered the threat that when the latter
dies, measures will be taken to drive us at once from
Ciorani. This, besides other things, is what we know from
a good source. Hence should Don Andrea wish to give us

1748.]

Letter ()ζ.

J93

less than one hundred and twenty ducats, it would still be
necessary to make a new contract; but I repeat, it must be
worded differently, and state that the donation is destined,
not for the Congregation, as was mentioned in the first
contract, but for us, priests of the Most Holy Saviour, a
private individuals. It might also be well, by way of greater
precaution, to add to this donation the obligation of saying’
for example, one Mass every month ; but it must be re­
marked that this new contract does not depend at all on the
first contract ; for if ever the first should be annulled, the second
would also be annulled. It is necessary to say that the first
contract has become null and void, and that regard should
be had only to the second, in which it is mentioned that a
donation is no longer made to the Congregation to found a
house at Ciorani, but that it is bestowed upon us who are
named in the contract, and to the priests, our companions
who live and who will live in the house at Ciorani, and who
are engaged in the care of souls,with the obligation of saying
those Masses, of performing the exercises on Saturdays in
honor of the Madonna, or otherwise, according to the
wishes of Don Andrea. Thus we must insist with prudence
on the point that we ourselves have to plan this contract.
As for Don Andrea, it will surely be sufficient for him if he
has substantially all that he desired. Try then to see him
immediately and to conclude the affair without delay, for
Don Andrea is changeable.
Preserve this letter, for it may be useful for the object
that we have in view. In case Don Andrea wishes to
make the contract at once, send us the paper that he has
drawn up, and add to it a copy of the beginning of the
document that concerns Caposele, lor our Father wishes to
ask more advice. But try your best to bring the matter to
a speedy conclusion. Believe me, my dear Father,
Your servant and brother,
Celestino de Robertis,
iq
of the Most Holy Saviour.

194

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

LETTER 96.

To the Priest D. Francesco Margotta, at Calitri.
Solicitude of the saint in regard to the observance of the
Rule.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Naples, February 7, 1748.

My dear Francesco: I am still at Naples to finish the
affairs of the Congregation, and I hope to finish them soon.
However, it seems to me that a thousand years have still to
elapse before matters can be concluded. We are all of us
praying continually for you that you may soon come among
us.
The Archbishop [of Conza] was very much displeased
with me since for what I believe to be very good reasons I
did not allow Father Cafaro to preach the Lenten sermons
at Calitri. Father Paolo [Cafaro] must during Lent direct
the theological studies at Iliceto ; and this cannot be done
except by him as he is the author of the text-book that is
used. Father Cafaro will not therefore preach the Lenten
sermons. Besides, as he has no Lenten sermons prepared
it would be undertaking great and unnecessary labor since
the preaching of Lenten sermons is foreign to our Institute.
This last was my principal reason ; for the preaching
of Lenten sermons is an occupation altogether against our
Rule; and if I permitted it on this occasion, I could no
longer refuse the same thing to other bishops who have our
houses in their dioceses. Moreover, the archbishop has
promised, in a letter which is preserved, that he would
treat us as other bishops do; and in the contract it is
expressly mentioned that he is to employ us in accordance
with our Rule.
As for yourself, if you do not speak earnestly with the
archbishop by telling him that you have been already

1748.]

Letter 96.

195

received, etc., you will never be able to tear yourself away.
Represent to him that it is a matter of conscience w’ith you
in regard to your vocation. This is enough, for you are
not wanting in judgment or prudence. After all, what
must we do? We must be patient; perhaps our regret in
not seeing you among us is greater than yours.
Recommend me to Jesus Christ that I may soon be able
to leave Naples. It seems to me that a thousand years arestill to pass by before I finish with these blessed ministers
who fill my heart with bitterness. If it were not for the
Congregation I would have nothing to do with them.
If the archbishop complains of me, he does so unjustly.
I believe that up to the present I have served him as well as
I could ; and to oblige him I have even been unmindful
whether or not I pleased other bishops. God knows what
I was obliged to do in order to send him now the Fathers
that are to give missions to his people and retreats to his
clergy. And if he wishes that Father Fiocchi who has been
sent to give a retreat to the priests, should stay, as I have
heard, to preach the Lenten sermons I shall even then give
my consent, although this Father is destined for Nocera
where he is much needed and where the bishop is greatly
dissatisfied. I really do not know what more to do to
satisfy him. But to trample upon the Rules and Con­
stitutions in the very beginning, I cannot allow. When an
occasion presents itself, communicate what I have written to
the archbishop. I remain, etc.— Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.

General Correspondence,
LETTER

[PARTI.

97.

To the Priest Don Andrea Sarnelli.
He gives his consent to the making of a new contract, but
under certain conditions.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph!
Naples, February 10, 174S.

My dear Don Andrea: I have already written two long
letters to the Rector at Ciorani about the affair concerning
which you wrote to me. Now I am answering your letter,
and I say in substance that I am ready to do what
you have written to me. I should however be pleased to
have the contract renewed for the benefit of this house;
because this new contract would now have to be drawn up
in other words in order to render this foundation more firm.
But at present I shall not write the words of the new contract.
But when you have resolved to write it, it will be necessary
for me to let you know everything. The contract will have
to be worded as that one was worded for the founding
of the house of Conza [at Caposele]. And if you are
desirous of knowing its contents, I will make no difficulty
in letting you know them. Let the Rector of Ciorani know
your wish, for I have written to him all the particulars;
let him see this letter, and he will tell you all.
What before all I recommend to you is secrecy, so that
your relatives may not learn of this affair, and may not
involve us in a law-suit after the death of the Baron,1 as has
already been said by them. I have no fear of the Baron
nor of Don Nicola, because both have always favored us,
and both are inclined to piety. I am however afraid of Don
Domenico who, I know not why, cannot bear to see us at
Ciorani, and when near the Chinese College these or similar
words were used by him : Only let my father die, and we
shall see what will become of the Fathers at Ciorani. As
1 The Baron Angelo Sarnelli, the father of Don Andrea.

Letter ()8.

174»· J

'97

for the other brother Don Francesco,1 I know not whether
he inclines towards Don Nicola or Don Domenico, and for
this reason I should not like that anything should be known
by Don Domenico in regard to the new contract.
This is sufficient. In regard to yourself I hope that then
will be no difficulty (since you will have attained your end)
in modifying the old contract, so that the house at Ciorani
may be firmly established, and all danger of having law­
suits may be removed.
I beg you to give me at once an answer for my own
guidance, and I ask you not to change your mind in
reference to what you have written to me. Recommend
me to Jesus Christ. May the Blessed Sacrament and ManImmaculate be praised ! I remain,
Your very humble and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
[A S.] My dear Don Andrea, excuse me for not answer­
ing your letter immediately, because I have been ill at
Naples; it is now seven days that the weather has been
very wet and I have been suffering from my chest. Re­
commend me to Jesus and Mary.
After the original preserved in the archives of the Redemptorist Fathers at Pagani.
LETTER 98.

To the King of Naples.
Petition to have his permission for the legal existence
of the four houses of the Institute.
[February, 1748.]

Sire: The priest Alfonso de Liguori, together with his
companions, missionaries of the so-called Congregation of
1 D. Nicola, D. Domenico and D. Ciccio (or Francesco) were
brothers of D. Andrea.
13*

I98

General Correspondence.

[PARTI.

the Most Holy Saviour, humbly presents to your Majesty
the following petition: Your Majesty not having thought it
well to sanction with your royal permission the project
of uniting their society to that of the priests of the
Congregation of the Most Holy Sacrament so as to form
only one Congregation1 the suppliants ask you, Sire, to
deign at least to recognize their four houses (and only
these) in order that your royal authority may serve as a
support to another work founded in favor of the poor
people in the country, as your Majesty well knows. These
houses are situated in the dioceses of Salerno, Nocera,
Bovino, and Conza.
The undersigned declares that there is no desire of found­
ing more houses but only of seeing established those that
exist. And as for the purchase of property for the main­
tenance of these houses and of the work of the missions, he
is satisfied with what your Majesty may think fit to arrange;
provided he sees this holy work organized with the authority
of your Majesty he will be satisfied with whatever is pre­
scribed ; because he does not wish that these houses should
become rich, but only that they should have what is sufficient
to maintain the work, for the propagation of God’s glory
and the profit of your Majesty’s vassals.
If ever it should happen (may God forbid!) that the
subjects of this Congregation should become faithless to
their Institute, and the work should fail, the petitioner in
his own name and in that of his companions will be content,
and they even pray your Majesty that the Sovereign Pontiff
be requested, to disband and suppress not only one or the
other of the houses but the entire Congregation. Hence­
forward, the petitioner, in the name of the members of the
1 From this petition we may perceive that although the saint was
altogether opposed to the union of his Congregation with that
of Don Vincenzo Mannarini, yet the Grand Almoner had himself
endeavored to bring about this union.

>748.]

Letter 99.

199

whole Congregation, present and future, binds himself that
they will not defend their conduct in any juridical way, but
will submit in all things to whatever your Majesty shall see
fit to arrange. The undersigned and all his companions
desire nothing else than that this work may be pleasing to
the zeal that inspires your Majesty for the good of the
abandoned people in the country. The petitioner also
hopes that in future this condition that is now made may
also serve as a check on all the members of the Congregation
and prevent them from being relaxed, and as an incentive
to preserve the right spirit and continue the work as it has
heretofore been carried on. If your Majesty deigns to
favor this petition the undersigned will pray to God to
reward you. May God grant that we receive this favor!
After a copy preserved in the archives of Father General
at Rome.
LETTER 99.

To the Sovereign Pontiff Benedict XIV.

The saint asks him for the apostolic approbation of his
Congregation.
[March 30, 174S.]

Most Holy Father: The priest Alfonso de Liguori, a
Neapolitan, and with other missionaries, his companions,
having become associated under the title of the Most
Holy Saviour, humbly supplicates and exposes to your
Holiness what follows: Having for many years been
giving missions as a member of the Congregation of the
Apostolic Missions, erected in the cathedral at Naples, the
undersigned observed how greatly abandoned are the poor
people, especially in the country, of the vast territories
of the kingdom. Since the year 1732 he has associated
himself with the said priests, as his companions, under the
direction of the late Monsignor Falcoia, Bishop of Castel-

200

Genera I Corί esponden ce.

[I’ART I.

lammare, for the purpose of devoting himself to aid by
missions, instructions and other exercises, the souls of the
poor in the country, who are mostly destitute of spiritual
help, since they are frequently in want of those that may
administer to them the sacraments, and to preach to them
the word of God. Indeed, many of them for want of laborers
approach death without even knowing the necessary mys­
teries of the faith, since there are few priests that devote
themselves earnestly to the religious education of the poor
country people on account of the expenses and also on
account of the inconveniences that they have to suffer from
such a task.
The undersigned have therefore since that time given
assistance to the poor people by giving them missions, by
going through the country visiting the most abandoned
places of the six provinces of the kingdom. Their success
was so great and universal that his Majesty, the king,
having heard of it, and especially of the labors so profitable
to a great number of shepherds in Puglia, deigned to make
an annual appropriation for the maintenance of this holy
work, recommending it as most useful for the general good
of his kingdom.
His Eminence, the Archbishop of Naples, who governs
his church with so much zeal, has also deigned to call the
petitioners to render him services, and they have done so
by giving missions in many villages of his diocese.
For this purpose, the petitioners, with the canonical
approbation of the Ordinaries and also with the permission
of the king, have united to live together in certain houses
or secluded places, situated away from towns and villages
in different parts oi the kingdom. These houses are in the
dioceses ol Salerno, of Bovino, of Nocera, and finally, in
the diocese of Conza, in which with the apostolic consent
of the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regulars there
has been ceded to the petitioners the church of S. Maria

174»J

citer ()(j.

201

Mater Domini with the adjacent house, together with an
income derived from a benefice given them by the clergy
of Caposele, and other kinds of income assigned by certain
benefactors, especially by the archbishop of the said diocese.
Besides the missions to which the missionaries are constantly
devoting themselves, there are given in these houses op­
portunities lor the people who have had missions, to visit
the missionaries so as to renew their confessions and become
re-established by means of sermons. Moreover, in these
houses arc given more than once a year private spiritual
exercises to the candidates for ordination, to the pastors
and priests sent by their bishops, as well as to seculars.
This has been a source of great profit both to themselves
and to others, since by such exercises the priests come
forth reformed, and are made worthy members of the
sanctuary, to the benefit of their flocks. And all this work
is continued, and is always increasing the concourse of the
people and conferring spiritual benefits upon them.
'I he Lord has then greatly blessed this work, not only
by the conversion of many abandoned souls and to the
profit of the country places where the petitioners have been
laboring, but also by an increase of subjects who have
joined this Congregation, so that they number about forty
members.
Most Holy Father, this is the state of the above-mentioned
work. But if your 1 lolines does not vouchsafe to grant the
apostolic approbation, the work will not continue to meet
with success. Prostrate, therefore, at the feet of your
Holiness, the petitioner and his companions beseech you,
By the love that your Holiness entertains for the glory
of Jesus Christ and for the salvation of so many poor
country people, who are the most abandoned children
of the Church of God, to grant your apostolic consent, that
the aforesaid members may constitute themselves a Con­
gregation of secular priests, under the title of the Most

202

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

Holy Saviour. The Congregation would always be subject
to the jurisdiction of the Ordinaries of the places, ad instar
[like] the Congregation of Fathers of the Missions and
of the Fathers called Pious Workers, with this difference
that the members of the Congregation must always live
outside of inhabited places, and in the centre of the most
needy dioceses, so that they may be better able to devote
themselves to the care of country people, and to be also
more ready to give them assistance. May your Holiness
also deign to approve the Rules that will in time be placed
at your Holiness’s feet. We hope that your Holiness, who has
so much zeal for the salvation of souls, especially for the
souls of poor country people (as has been proved by your
Holiness’s letter sent to the bishops of the kingdom of Naples
that they should give all possible spiritual aid to the people
by means of holy missions), may vouchsafe to establish by
your supreme authority a work not only useful but also
necessary for the many poor souls in the rural districts
of this vast kingdom, who are living destitute of all spiritual
help. For this favor they will pray to God to reward your
Holiness.
After the original preserved in the archives of the Sacred
Congregation of Bishops and Regulars.
LETTER IOO.

To a Priest.
He gives him some salutary advice.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Ciorani, April 26, 1748.

I received your letter, and I read your reasons which
convince me that by your resignation you would derive
greater quiet, but not the greater glory of God and the
greater profit of souls. You flee from one cross, but

1748.]

Letter ιοί.

203

you will find that you must carry another. I think that
you should withdraw and make privately the spiritual
exercises, in order that the Lord may help you to decide
what will be for his greater glory. At this house at Ciorani
the exercises will begin on the 27th of next May; hence
if you wish to make them here, you are now informed
of the time when they begin. I recommend myself to
your prayers. Praised be Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
and Mary Immaculate! I remain,
Your very devoted and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER IOI.

To a Father of the Society of Jesus.
Affection and veneration of the saint for the Society.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
NoceRzX, May 31, 1748.

I received your much prized letter together with the
pious and magnificent present. I have been much confused
thereby, and with sentiments of confusion I thank you most
cordially for it. As a sign of my gratitude and of the
affection that I bear towards the Society of Jesus and
towards every one of the Reverend Fathers, I beg you to
accept a few’ small books of devotion, together with some
pictures which we have had engraved. I also send you
the Pratica del confessore' [Practice of the Confessor]
1 The full title of the Italian work is: “Pratica del confessore per
ben esercitare il suo ministère.” — The large work of Moral Theol­
ogy °f which St. Alphonsus speaks had been published some months
before under the title: “ Medulla Theologiæ moralis R. P. Hermanii
Busenbaum S. J. cum adnotationibus per R. P. D. Alphonsum de
Ligorio ... adjunctis.” (1 vol. in 40.)

204

General Correspondence.

[PART i.

which I lately published, and which in substance is a
compendium of the large work on Moral Theology which
preceded it. I beg your Reverence to accept it in the
right spirit.
News about the Society I have not yet received, because
Father Centola scarcely left the box when he continued his
journey, and I did not see him ; but I shall meet him at
Salerno on Friday. I am as anxious about this news as
if it concerned our own Congregation, since there is question
of an Order that has, one may say, sanctified and continues
to sanctify the world. Above all do I thank you for the
cordiality with which your Reverence writes to me; and I
beg you therefore to recommend me most earnestly in your
holy Mass to Jesus Christ, at least for three days. Humbly
kissing your hand, I remain most respectfully. . .
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 102.

To the Bishop of Avellino and Frigenti, Mgr. Felice Leoni. 1
Request for a favor relative to ordination.

May Jesus and Mary be our life!
Ciorani, August 25, 1748.

Your Lordship has had the kindness to promise the
deacon Salvatore Gallo, your subject and a member of our
Congregation, the favor of promoting him to the priesthood
at the coming ordination in September. I send therefore a
Father, the bearer of this, to receive the favorable rescript
and also to render many thanks to your Lordship for the
very great favor that has been conferred. Encouraged by
such extreme kindness, I make bold to ask you to deign to
grant to this our Congregation the favors which many
1 Mgr. Felice Leoni, an Augustinian, was born at Giovenazzo,
[uly 14, 1677 ; was consecrated bishop, September 26, 1735, and
died in 1754·

1748.]

205

Letter /o3.

bishops, and especially the Archbishops of Salerno and
Conza, as also the Bishops of Bovino and Nocera (in whose
dioceses our houses are situated) have bestowed on similar
occasions when an ordination of our subjects was to take
place, namely, to refer to the Rectors of the said houses,
or to me who unworthily hold the office of Rector Major,
the examination of these candidates. So particular a favor
will be a special proof of the most courteous love and
affection that you bear towards our Institute. It will be for
me and for the whole Congregation a motive for placing
ourselves under a lasting obligation to you, and will be an
incentive to retain continually a memory of it in our poor
prayers to the Almighty for the preservation and happiness
of your Lordship, of whom I remain,
Your most humble and devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour,
Rector Major.
After the original, the property of the Orlando family at
Torre Annunziata.
LETTER

103.

To Cardinal Giuseppe Spinelli, Archbishop of Naples.
Notes written by the saint to the aforesaid Cardinal who
was to draw up the report requested of him by the Sacred
Congregation of Bishops and Regulars for the approbation
of the Institute.1
[September, 1748.]

It will be a matter of surprise when it is made known that
after so many Orders, Congregations and Institutes have been
1 The Cardinal intrusted the examination of the Rule of the new
Institute to his auditor the abbate Biaschi, and on the nth of
October he sent to the Sacred Congregation a report favorable to the
approbation, using nearly the same words that the saint used in his
notes.

2O6

General Correspondence,

[PART I.

founded in the Church, the approbation as well as the
confirmation of this new Institute is asked of the Holy See;
for some say that it would be better to dissolve or reform
the old Institutes rather than institute new ones. But the
surprise will cease when people understand the end and aim
of the Institute and the blessings with which the Lord has
favored it. Moreover, it must be remarked that all the
Institutes established during several centuries have met
with the same opposition. Thus were opposed the Theatines, the Jesuits, the so-called Congregation of the Mother
of God, the Pious Workers. Nevertheless the Holy See
inspired by the Holy Ghost did not hesitate to approve
them, and experience has shown of what great profit each
one of these new Institutes has been to the Church of God.
But all these Institutes, it is said, began with great fervor,
and then became relaxed. This will be the case with the
new Institute.
In answer to this we say that in many Institutes fervor
has been and is maintained ; and although it is not the same
as that with which the first members began, yet it is such as
has heretofore been of great advantage to God’s Church, as
well on account of the examples of regular observance as on
account of the works that have been done for the good
of their fellow-men.
Then it is said that it is impossible to expect human
nature to change; according to the present condition of men
they begin with great fervor, but afterwards they grow
cold. The farther water is removed from its source, the
less limpid and the more turbid it becomes. But we see
that God, who loves his glory above all things, and certainly
was the author of so many Institutes which have been
founded, has thought it well to govern his Church in such a
manner that from time to time new Institutes should be
established, not only that the garment of his Spouse might
be adorned with various colors, but that, should the fervor

1748]

Letter 103.

207

of the ancient Institutes fail, it might be supplied by the
fervor of new ones, which usually begin in this way. This
fervor generally speaking endures for many centuries to the
immense profit as well of the members of the Institute as
of the people. If in a vineyard new plants are not substituted
for the old ones, what will happen? The old ones dry up,
and if new ones are wanting, the vineyard will come to an
end.
But now, some say, so many Orders, so many Con­
gregations have sprung up that finally they will become
more than enough for the religious education of the people.
O would to God that these were enough ! Messis quidem
mtdta ! [The harvest is great.] Whoever is somewhat
familiar with the care of souls knows how scarce is the
number of laborers who truly seek the salvation of souls,
and he also knows how many souls are lost for want
of spiritual aid. And it is certain for several reasons which
any one may find by himself here, that this is the case
especially in rural districts.
To this end so many zealous priests have sought to
engage in giving missions, which if useful in cities are
altogether necessary in country places; since in these latter
there is for the most part a want of good priests who break
to these unlettered people the divine Word, and give them
the needful instructions. Besides, the missionaries are
necessary in these rural places for the reason that there are
few priests there, and these are natives of the country;
hence many souls make sacrilegious confessions on account
of the repugnance that they feel in confessing to one who
knows them.
It, therefore, happens that if these souls
who have thus fallen into sin have not the convenience of a
mission, so as to be able to manifest their consciences to
strange priests, it may be said with moral certainty that
they will continue to live in disgrace with God, and will
surely be damned. Experience has proved that the greatest

2o8

General Correspondence.

[parti.

benefits are derived by souls from the missions which, as has
been seen, have sanctified the entire population.
But would to God that the fruits of the missions were
lasting! There would not be seen this corruption of morals
as is seen even after the missions, and few souls would be
lost. But the misfortune is that after some time the people
grow cold and return to a still worse state on account of the
light that they received during the missions.
Now’, it is the aim of our most humble Institute to make
permanent the fruits that have been gathered on the missions.
For this purpose it is required by its Rule that the houses
be located in the centre of dioceses so that the poor people
may not only visit them in order to be helped in their
spiritual wants, but may be otherwise aided by instructions,
novenas and other exercises which the Fathers give, now in
one place, now in another of the dioceses in which they
live; and thus the fruit that has been derived from the
missions is seen to continue among the people.
Such aid is of the greatest consolation to the people,
because when in the small country places there is a scarcity
of confessors, and in many districts scarcely a parish priest,
it happens that very many hardly ever receive the sacra­
ments; or if they go to confession, many through shame
and repugnance make sacrilegious confessions. Confessors
who go about know what comfort this help is, and how
much the people are thereby consoled.
And in order that the subjects of this Congregation may
be entirely free from all the cares in which are usually involved
those laborers that live in inhabited places, it has been
established that their residence should be outside of inhabited
places in order to attend better to the spiritual care of the
country people.
This Congregation, therefore, performs a work that is for
the benefit of the people in the country, which is performed
by no other Congregation of missionaries ; hence it is hoped

ΐ74β·]

Letter 104.

209

that the approbation and confirmation of it may be ob­
tained.
The aim and purpose of the Institute is to form a Con­
gregation, under the title of the Most Holy Saviour, of
secular priests, living in common, subject to the jurisdiction
of the Ordinaries of the places, ad instar [similar] to the
Congregation of the Fathers of the Mission and of the
Pious Workers, with this distinction, however, that its
members are to live in the centre of the most needy
dioceses, and outside of the inhabited places, in order that
they may the better devote themselves to the abandoned
people of the country, and be more prepared to offer them
assistance by missions, instructions and the administration
of the sacraments.
I hey observe moreover the following twelve rules..........
After the original preserved in the archives of the house at
Pagani.
LETTER

104.

To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce.
Obligation of a religious to sustain observance, especially
in regard to the admission of novices.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani, September 15, [1748].

I have just received your long letter. You have done
well to maintain the observance of the monastery in regard
to the first point as well as the second about which you
have written to me. We must prefer the common good
of the monastery to every private good ; otherwise the
monastery would become an abode of worldly-minded
women, instead of being a sacred asylum of spouses of Jesus
Christ. In this matter be firm, and do not yield.
Omit one of your ordinary Communions as a penance for
14

2 10

General Correspondence.

[parti.

the weakness you have shown in the last case by giving
your vote out of compassion. In future do not commit
the same fault; otherwise I shall have to command you
to abstain from Communion for a whole month without
speaking of the scruple of which you would have to purify
your conscience by confession. Certainly, we should be
very scrupulous in admitting to the monastery a person
who has not given signs that she has really entered it in
order to serve God. In this manner the convents are
ruined through the fault of those that give their votes
through human respect. In future, therefore, be firm, and
encourage your companions to show the same firmness;
they will thereby acquire great merit with Jesus Christ;
above all, if on this account they have to suffer persecution:
Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam. [Bles­
sed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake. — Matt.
v. io.] Always act thus, enduring persecutions with joy,
without being disturbed ; and answer that you act thus not
out of passion, but because you think that you should
commit a sin if you acted otherwise; and say nothing
more.
Recommend me to Jesus and to Mary. I am, etc. Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Pray every day to the Blessed Virgin in behalf of our
affairs; for just now the question of our approbation is
before the authorities at Rome. This I enjoin upon you as
a matter of obedience. Live Jesus and Mary!
Your Father and servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After the original in possession of Chevalier Felice Toraldo,
son of the late Horace Toraldo, at Tropea.

Letter ιοζ.

1748.]

211

LETTER 105.

To a Superior of his Congregation.

Two important regulations ; one in regard to the health
of the subjects, the other about the protection of their
vocation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
*

CiORANi, December 26, [1748].

O my God ! how dreadful was yesterday’s weather for
travelling! — I was at the altar; but you might have said one
word to let me know that it was raining, and I would not have
let you go. This inordinate eagerness for missions does
not please me. When afterwards a subject becomes sick,
the evil would be greater than if we had omitted giving ten
missions.
Henceforward, for the rest of my life, I establish a general
rule, that you shall read to all those that are with you, and
which you shall afterwards communicate to the Rector
of Caposele and to all the rest; for I recollect the great
haste that was exhibited at the departure from Cirignola.1
I declare then that it is my express wish, which must not
be interpreted, that no one, at least of the chorists, should
1 This great haste on the journey from Cirignola to Santa Agata
della Puglia was shown by Fathers Sportelli, Villani, Cafaro and six
others, in the month of January, 1746. We subjoin the account
given by Father Sportelli to Father Mazzini : “ January 22, we set
out in a heavy rain, which lasted the whole day, and so we reached
Ascoli thoroughly drenched. A room was given to us containing two
beds ; there nine of us were obliged to find accommodations as best we
could. When morning dawned, we set out for Ascoli, still thoroughly
wet, and the day was so cold that our clothing froze upon our
bodies. We were in great haste, for our Father had told us to begin
the mission on Sunday the 23d; however, we found him at Santa
Agata and learned that he had opened the mission on Saturday, 22,
and had preached on Sunday. As his breast began to give him great
trouble, I had to continue the mission.”

2 12

General Correspondence,

[part i.

ever set out in the rain, unless it be in summer time, or the
journey be a short one, or when some extraordinary emer­
gency arises. I mention these exceptions for the greater
tranquillity of the Superiors. Hence I wish that no chorist
shall ever set out on a journey in the rain, even though
there were question of giving a mission at Paris. Preserve
this letter so that you may remember this rule.
Another thing to which I intend never to give my consent
is that permission be given to the Fathers or to the Brothers
to visit their families because a relative is either sick or
dying. This is permitted only when the father or the
mother is seriously ill ; and in this case I should be better
satisfied if even then one did not go there. I also except
any very extraordinary case, in regard to which I leave it
to the Superiors to decide.
The first of these measures aims at preventing the health
of the subjects from being endangered ; the second, at
preventing the loss of vocation and of the salvation of the
soul.
Also in respect to any other case than sickness, I leave it
to the Superiors to examine whether the case is extra­
ordinary, or whether there is question about the wants or
the affairs of the Congregation.
I send you again twenty carlini1 to help you. After the
mission of St. Michael send Father Criscuoli to this place.
Live Jesus and Mary!
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Saviour.
After an old copy.
1 Twenty carlini are equal to 8 fr. 50 centimes;
equal to 7 cents of our money.

carlino, being

I749.]

Letter 106.

213

LETTER 106.

To Signor D. Pompeo Scibelli, at Leoni.
He asks him to do him a service.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani, February 15, 1749.

My dear Don Pompeo: Please have the enclosed letters
forwarded to their destination.
As to the young man,1 I have already written that, since
the Bishop [di S. Angelo de’ Lombardi] does not wish to
register his patrimonial title in the episcopal chancery before
his ordination, you may send him to us. But as I have
said, you should at least examine his patrimony and his
papers, so that I may be assured that there is no mistake in
regard to this matter.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa !
Your Reverence already knows that we have received the
Pontifical approbation;12 thank Jesus Christ for us. Live
Jesus !
Azour very devoted and grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
1 This young man was D. Giovanni Tommaso Nittoli, of the
village of Leoni. Admitted into the novitiate, April 6, 1749, he
made his profession, March 28, 1750, and after a holy life died
on Holy Thursday, in 1785. Many favors are said to have been
obtained through his intercession.
2 It was on January 28, 1749, that Father Villani who was at Rome
informed the saint of the Pontifical approbation of the Congregation,
which was thenceforth called Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
The Brief of approbation: Ad Pastoralis dignitatis fastigium was
promulgated February 25.

214

Genera I Correspan den ce.
LETTER

[PART I.

107.

To D. Giuseppe Muscari, Prior of the Monastery of St. Basil
at Rome.
Various communications relative to the affair of the ap­
probation and of privileges.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
ClORANI, March 20, 1749.

Last evening I received your very kind favor in which
you inform me that Father Villani set out for Loreto 1 on
the 7th; by this time I think he has already reached the
place. In regard to the faculties of the Penitentiary, I have
written to him several times that he should use greater
despatch so that the whole Congregation may receive them.
How astonishing! By the grace of Jesus Christ we have
received the approbation ; a favor so immense that I can
hardly believe that it is so ; and then a matter that is as easy
as the obtaining for the missions the faculties which are
possessed by so many Congregations, the Congregation
of the priests of the archdiocese, the Congregation of S.
Pietro at Cesarano, which are few and not approved;
— these faculties I say which I believed could certainly be
obtained, we should not be able to obtain !
As for the attestation, Don Andrea did not write to me
that he wished the attestation of the Ordinary ; he told me
that the attestation was necessary, or that I might give him
leave to speak. And I have sent it to him.
Now from your letter I learn that the attestation of the
Ordinary is required ; I have, therefore, written to Salerno,
and when the attestation arrives, I will send it to your
Reverence, or to another whom you may mention ; because
1 zkfter receiving the Pontifical approbation Father Villani and
Brother Francesco Tartaglione made a pilgrimage to Loreto to thank
our Blessed Lady.

1749·]

Letter /ογ.

215

after Father Villani has come from Loreto, it seems to me that
he will be able to return to the kingdom, so long as he has not
on his hands any other important matter about the settlement
of which I shall look to him.
I have also written, and I do so again, that he should
not fail to procure for us the favor of the privileged
altar. As to other privileges, there is no more need
of speaking of them at present. It is certain that it has
been an important matter to obtain the approbation for
which, as we know’, your Reverence has done so much.
May God reward you for what you have done; and for
which I give you a thousand thanks. As for that affair, 1
we shall not omit to pray to the Blessed Virgin. I also
thank you for the trouble, which you took in superintending
the printing of the Rule.2 As I have already decided and
written to Father Villani in my last letters, this Rule I
shall have carefully printed at Naples in small form. If Father
Villani should be obliged to defer his return among us, you
might send one of the Briefs with the Rule.
I do not now’ write to-day a special letter to Father Villani,
because your Reverence may allow him to see this letter;
and as for other things he will find them written in my
other letters that I have sent by post.
Tell him that I have received ten ducats from P. D.
Lorenzo d’ Antonio for that transaction of which he knows;
if he wishes me to send them by a bill of exchange, I shall
do so.
In regard to the Office of the Most Holy Redeemer 3
there is question, I hope, of the Office with the octave. But
1 This affair was the proposition of Father Muscari to enter the
Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
2 Father Muscari had been charged to attend to the printing of the
Rule, approved by the Holy See.
3 The Congregation by the change of its name obtained the favor
of reciting the Office of the Most Holy Redeemer, such as was
already recited at Venice.

2 ιό

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

I do not see what would have to be suppressed and what
would be proper for Venice; for we have examined it, and
it contains nothing that might not suit for all places. For
the rest I shall acquiesce in what is right.
Recommend me to Jesus and Mary, as we all do not fail
to do for you. May Mary the Most Blessed Virgin obtain
for us this favor. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa! I
bless the journey made by Father Andrea and Brother
Francesco to Loreto; I bless their journey home. Tell
Father Villani that when he arrives at Naples he should go
to the house of Don Giovanni Olivieri ; he lives in the
street of the Monastery of the Madonna, a little beyond the
convent, opposite to the parlor, at the portico that is
always closed. There he will find a letter from me,
which will tell him what he has to do at Naples before
returning here, that is, he is to make a visit to Marquis
Brancone and to the Grand Almoner. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble and devoted servant,
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the oratory of the Arch­
confraternity of our Lady of Mercy and of St. Alfonso de
Liguori, at Naples.
LETTER

108.

To the Same.
He accepts his religious profession.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I the undersigned, Rector Major of the Congregation
of the Most Holy Redeemer, accept the oblation and the
oath, made by the Very Reverend Father Abbate Don
Giuseppe Muscari, of the Order of St. Basil, of persevering
in our Congregation by virtue of the permission obtained

X749-]

Letter loy.

217

by him from His Holiness our reigning Pontiff Benedict
XIV., so that he may pass from his Order to the said
Congregation. And by the power that I possess, as
Rector Major of said Congregation, I dispense the same
from the year’s novitiate, and I now receive him as a
member1 of our house of St. Michael at Nocera di Pagani
this {the date is wanting).
Don Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer,
Rector Major.
After the original in possession of Abbé Depotter, professor
at St. Omer, France.
LETTER

109.

To the Same.
He charges him with a commission.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani, May 2S, [1749].

I have already written to you in another letter about
Father Bianchi’s work against Giannone.- A’ou willl find
Brother Francesco opposite the church of the Annunziata
of Aversa.3 But if perchance you do not find him, as you
1 In consequence of this acceptance Father Muscari macle his
profession at Rome, June 1, 1749, *n ^le church of the Most Holy
Trinity, in the presence of two notaries. Cardinal Domenico
Orsini, representing on this occasion the person of St. Alphonsus,
received by proxy the vows of the newly professed.
2 This work of Father Giovanni Antonio Bianchi of the Minor
Conventuals of St. Francis, was published at Rome (1745 — 1751) under
the title: “ Della potestà c polizia della Chiesa, trattati due contro
le nuove opinioni di Pietro Giannone.” (Of the power and govern­
ment of the Church, in two treatises directed against the new
opinions of Pietro Giannone.)
8 As Father Muscari was to pass through Naples to go first to S.
Eufemia, his native place, and then to Ciorani, he was to take the
aforesaid work to Brother Francesco, who then lived at Naples in a
house belonging to the Congregation.

2 18 '

General Correspondence.

(parti.

will perhaps travel at night, leave the book with the priest
Don Francesco Romano, confessor of the Annunziata of
that city, and tell him that Brother Francesco Tartaglione
will call for it, and that he should not give it to any one
else.
Remember that we are ardently looking for you. I
embrace Don Giuseppe Rosa.1 I hope that now by your
religious profession you are entirely ours.
Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved at Cotrone in possession of
Canon Filippo Messina, Prothonotary apostolic.
LETTER I io.

To Father Francesco Margotta, Rector of the House
at Caposele.
The saint expresses his regard for the Archbishop of Conza.
— Various affairs.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Car I Fl, November 13, [1749.]

I received the letter of Brother Gennaro [Rendina]
containing the news. I am happy to hear of the success
of the mission. Gloria Patri!
What is to be done about the mission of Caposele?
Have patience; give the mission in order to please Mon­
signor, whose hand you will please kiss for me. Let
Fathers Villani and Cafaro remain to give the mission;
1 Don Giuseppe de Rosa, a native of Nocera de’ Pagani, was at
that time studying theology at Rome; and as he was under the
direction of Father Muscari, also conceived the desire of entering
the new Congregation. St. Alphonsus received him, but the young
priest remained only a few months in the novitiate. In 1775 he
became Bishop of Policastro.

1749-J

Letter i/o.

219

afterwards they are to set out for this place. It will be
necessary to send Father Robertis to Sieti, where a mission
is to be opened next Sunday the 15th; otherwise, I will
have to leave the place ; for God knows what complaints his
sisters would make.1
Here is Father Villani writing me for another mission to
be given at Conza. What is to be done in the end?
If Monsignor really desires the same for Conza as for
Caposele, I shall be well satisfied. Tell him that I cannot
say no to his wishes. I had already marked out a great
number of missions; but on account of the great love we
have for him I will postpone them.
We shall ogive here the exercises to the candidates for
ordination. It is necessary for you to go to the mission
of Sarno, which is to begin the day after Christmas.
Let Fathers Villani and Cafaro go to Conza and Caposele;
if you need the assistance of another Father, let me know
immediately. But if you can do without him, so much the
better. In this case, let me know this in time.
I am delighted to hear about [Fr. Don Gerardo] Grassi;
let him write to me immediately. Please see whether [Fr.
Pasquale] Amendolara cannot receive subdeaconship. Tell
Monsignor that I take the ordination upon my conscience;
* meanwhile I am making Amendolara study diligently, and
am very watchful. Let him be without fear; if this subject
were not capable, I myself would feel a scruple in thus
advancing him.
I am giving a little mission at Carifi; I shall have to
leave the place Saturday, for I have to set out for Cava
where a novena is to be held in honor of Our Lady of the
Elm ; the picture is to be exposed in order to stop
the ravages of the pest prevalent among the cattle at
present.
i

1 Father Robertis was a native of Sieti, where his sisters were
living at the time.

220

General Correspondence.

[parti.

I have just received an excellent priest of Ischia j1 he is a
good confessor, a good preacher and an excellent scholar.
He is about forty years of age; he will be a good sub­
ject, for he has the reputation of a saint. He has left us
to settle his domestic affairs; he will return within a month.
Two others have come from Ischia; one of them is in his
twenty-fourth year. I have not even examined them, for
they seem to me to be in poor health. Later on we shall
see. I embrace and bless all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
Your very affectionate Father and confrère,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the parish church of Curti
Giffoni, in the diocese of Salerno.
LETTER III.

To the Same.
He congratulates Father Margotta on the success of certain
apostolic labors.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Cava, November 19, [1749].

I am here at Cava, crippled though I am, giving a
novena in honor of our Lady to implore the cessation of the
plague. The place is crowded and I shall likely remain
eight days longer to give the exercises to the monastery
of S. Giovanni.
I received from the archbishop a most courteous letter,
which I shall answer.
Gloria Patri for your success,
for the good will of Monsignor, for the hundred ducats,
for Grassi, for Amendolara, and for everything else. 2
Digitus Dei est hie. [The finger of God is here.] Father
1 Father D. Francesco Buonomano.
~ On seeing the good effected by the missions, Mgr. Giuseppe

1749·]

Letter in.

22 I

Villani writes to me that Monsignor has given the faculties
for all the Fathers that go to Caposele ; but he does not say
for what purpose they are given. I allow you to give
those missions up to Christmas; for the day after the feast
the mission of Sarno must be given.
I have settled matters with Father Garzilli ; I expect him
to go to Foggia to have an interview with Fazzioli. If
Fazzioli wishes us to take the schools, we must answer that
it is impossible.
As for [Don Gerardo] Grassi, let us wait for the Brief ;
as for Amcndolara, let us wait till Lent.
1 am expecting the young candidate from Calitri.
As for the others, tell them I will not receive them
without the consent of the archbishop ;< hence after testing
their vocation, let them obtain his consent.
Affairs are going on well at Nocera.
With regard to the mission of Melfi, I understand that
[Vincenzo] Mannarini’s subjects1 are to give it. Write me
what you know about this affair. I embrace and bless you
all in Jesus and Mary. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa!
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in our convent at Leoben,
diocese of Seckau, in Austria.
Nicolai became more and more a friend of the Institute of St
Alphonsus; and although he had already given large subsidies for
beginning the foundation of the convent at Caposele, he yet gave
this year one hundred ducats more for the enlargement of the house,
and he kindly consented to ordain Gerardo Grassi and Pasquale
Amendolara, both natives of the diocese of Conza.
1 The Fathers of the Congregation of the Most Holy Sacrament.

222

Gen era I Correspondent ce.

[PART I.

LETTER 11 2.

To the Same.
He gives Father Margotta various orders with regard to
the sale of his books ; he speaks of the reception of novices
and of the new building at Caposele.
[End of January, 1750.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I was under the impression that the books1 had been
delivered at Conza two months ago, and now I hear that
not a single book has been sent thither; hence it is necessary
for you to send them immediately together with the other
works that were asked for; write at the same time to the
archpriests to tell them that they can obtain a copy of my
book at the price of a certain number of Masses; the
moment is favorable; for in a short time I shall have no
more Masses. Have patience; be kind enough to do me
this favor.
Now, as for the young men, speak frankly to them ; tell
them that the Consultors here wish to examine them and
more rigorously than heretofore; if they do not stand the
examination, they have to return whence they came. In
the case of that boy who has not attained the required age,
I am satisfied [here a few words are missing] with the ten
ducats which will be better for him to leave here. The
other young man, the notary’s son, can also come. It is
necessary that they have their patrimony accepted and
registered at the episcopal chancery ; otherwise what happened
to de Angelis,2 may also happen to them ; difficulties now
arise about his patrimony, and he cannot make his pro­
fession.
1 The books here mentioned were copies of the saint’s Moral
Theology, which priests might receive by saying some Masses to the
intention of the saint.
2 D. Nicodemo de Angelis of the diocese of Benevento.

1750]

Letter 112.

223

To please Monsignor, tell him I will send the Fathers to
give the mission at Auletta,1 the first week of Lent; they
will, I think, set out on Wednesday from Salerno in a
coach which goes to these suburban places, to Selvitella, or
Buccino, or Auletta. Six Fathers will be sufficient. As it
will be necessary for me to send Fathers from this place, I
shall send Fathers de Robertis, Scibelli and Giovenale.
Oh, what difficulties surround me! Mgr. di S. Angelo
wishes Father Cafaro to give the exercises to his clergy;
and Mgr. di Nocera would like to have two missions during
Lent. May the Madonna come to our assistance ! Spiritual
exercises at Ciorani and spiritual exercises at Iliceto ! The
Fathers are nearly exhausted.
If you should have no means of communicating with the
nephew’ of the archpriest of Muro, have patience! Poor
young man ! I pity him sincerely. He wrote me a letter
expressing his ardent desire to come to us. I am told that
he is an angel, and moreover a very bright and able youth ;
but his parents are opposed to the step he wishes to take.
Well, see whether we cannot help him in some way.
We are expecting Don Benedetto ;2 we are praying for
him.
Your Reverence will please see that the building be
completed for this summer, so that it may be occupied in
September; and for this purpose I beg you to purchase
sufficient lumber and all the required material. Lime you
have already. Do not forget what I say. It appears to me
that a thousand years are yet to pass before I shall see the
house ready and the exercises given. When I visit you
after leaving Melfi, I hope I shall find everything in good
order.
I am somewhat troubled about the Masses that are in
1 Auletta, in the diocese of Conza.
2 D. Benedetto Grazioli, a great friend and benefactor of the
Congregation.

224

Genera I Correspan deuce.

[PART I.

arrears. I beg you to settle the matter quickly with the
priests of Caposele, Calitri, Teora, or elsewhere. Tell
them to say a hundred or at least sixty-two Masses ac­
cording to my intention, during the month of February.
Please do me this favor to relieve me of my scruples; let
me know how you have settled the matter.
If you receive their promise to say the Masses during the
whole month of February for the eight or nine books, you
need not trouble yourself about the other matter.
Ask permission of the archbishop to give the mission at
Melfi ; I wish to have you with me on that mission which I shall
open the Sunday after Easter. Do not forget poor Amendolara.1 I embrace and bless you. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Send me the books immediately, and let me know. I
have already made the intentions with regard to the books
marked below. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very affectionate Father,
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer,
Rector Major.
From the original in possession of Canon Francesco Saverio
Martini, Vicar-General of Alatri.
LETTER 113.
To the Same.

He tells him to remain more at home, and to moderate his
mortifications. — Details relative to novices.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
[Ciorani], January 23, 1750.

I have received the last letter that you wrote me from
Atella.2 I have felt some displeasure in hearing that you
1 Pasquale Amendolara was a young student for whom Father
Margotta was to obtain a letter dimissory from the archbishop.
2 Father Margotta was giving a mission at Atelia, a town in the
diocese of Melfi.

Letter / /y.

’750.]

225

are still in this place. A sojourn so prolonged outside
of the house annoys me. Remember that you are nov
Rector. In future, endeavor to keep yourself free from
similar embarrassments. I have already answered the Bishop
[of Melfi] that in regard to the exercises to be given at
Melfi, such a thing is not possible at present. When the
Rector is absent from home all things go wrong. Resolve
in future to stay at home as much as possible except when
one or the other mission is to be given, or there is some
real necessity.
I imagine that on his part the Archbishop [di Conza] is
complaining that I am sending you hither and thither.
This would be very disagreeable to me if it were the
case.
I hear besides that your health is shattered. For mercy’s
sake, take care of it; retrench all those mortifications in
eating, etc. — Now it will be better for you to practise
obedience.
You have embarrassed me by that other mission at
Auletta. The Fathers are exhausted. In short, on the
return of Father N. for Lent, we shall speak to him about
it, and make arrangements. In future dispose things in
such a way that you may avoid giving missions in Lent.
Father Villani has written to yvou about Frater Amendolara ;
I also recommend him to you myself. Make out the memorial
as regards the requisite qualifications, and endeavor to spare
him a journey for the examination. Assure the archbishop
on my conscience that he is a capable subject. I have
always directed his studies; he is capable of being not only
subdeacon but priest.
I also recommend to you to write to N. — You un­
doubtedly know that he wished to return, and was only
awaiting my consent. I have written to him to come to
me, since his conscience was at rest in regard to the wants
of his family; but I have not as yet seen him. Perhaps
T5

220

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

my letter may not have reached him ; write him again the
same thing in my name.
0 what a trouble to me is the mission that is to be given
at Auletta; so much expense, and so much fatigue for the
Fathers at this time, and with such roads! why? for the
sake of a mission. Think at all events of the means
of conveyance, since at least six missionaries will be needed.
The son of N. has again been examined, and in the same
way has been found incompetent ; besides to judge him
by what he says, I should think that he has no vocation.
He has also not yet reached the proper age, and his father
is inclined to do but little for him ; this would be at least a
pretext for dismissing him.
As for the other young man,1 I adhere to what I have
written you. Let his uncle at least contribute as soon as
possible the twenty ducats that he has promised. This is
little enough for one year and so many months during
which he is to stay with us before entering the novitiate ;
but we must try to obtain at least this sum.
As to the two young men of N. and of N.,2 I have already
written to you about them. N. may come; for as he is
obliged to escape secretly, we cannot, at least for the
present, exact the twenty-five ducats. In regard to the
young man of N. he may also come; he is capable; since
after having examined him, Father N. and the archpriest,
who is his uncle, I believe, tell me that they are satisfied
with him, and that his affairs are in a good condition. See
to it, therefore, that his patrimony be settled, that we be
assured of the twenty-five ducats, and then let him come.
Gloria Patri! There is such a concourse of young men
that we can scarcely receive them all ; provided however,
they be good, I shall not lose confidence.
1 This other young man was Donato Mellacio, who had not yet
attained the proper age to enter the novitiate.
2 These two others were Xr»to Polestra and Domenico Blasucci.

1750.]

Letter 114.

227

For mercy’s sake go to bed in the evening immediately
after the ringing of the bell; I have been told that you
sometimes sleep on the floor. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
From the Roman edition.
LETTER 114.

To the Same.
Grave exhortations. — Duties of a Rector. — Nécessité
of dying to one’s self.
J

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
CiORANI, February I, [1750].

I beg you to read this letter with attention and to
preserve it, because in future it may be of service to you.
Before all, to speak freely to you, I say that I do not
think that you would wish to be treated with delicacy and
consideration in reference to matters concerning obedience,
as if you were a weak subject and a man of no good will.
This, between you and me, is the case with some members
of the Congregation. I have a different idea of your
Reverence ; for I am convinced that you wish what is most
perfect and agreeable to God.
Let us now come to the point. You know that I have
always esteemed you and that I still esteem you ; facts have
proved this.
I should regret if any one would recall
vividly to my mind what has already been told to me,
namely, that you are a saint, but that you are not fit to be
Rector, perhaps for the following reasons: That as Superior
you are but little at home; there is wanting the necessary
order in all that regards the house and regular observance ;
that your Reverence takes upon yourself the care of a
multitude of useless things, piglia tante gatte a pcttinare, 1
— so many letters, so much correspondence, so many
1 Literally: comb so many cats

2 28

General Correspondence.

[parti.

unsuitable occupations, etc., especially, however, so many
devotions to which you appear to be attached, to the
detriment of regular observance.
We are all convinced that you do not go out, that
you do nothing unless it be for God ; but, ne quid nimis
[not anything too much]. Now that you are in the Con­
gregation, above all as Superior, you should think that the
greatest glory that can be given to God is, that you watch
over the maintenance of observance and the good of this
house, which is one of the best, and even, I may say so,
the best that we have. It is true, as at present your
number is small the order of the day, etc. cannot be
entirely kept; but why not adhere to it when it can be
done conveniently? Hence in regard to sleep, be kind
enough to listen to me. I beg you to go to bed at the time
fixed by the Rule, at least for the night. All that I
permit you is the half hour that I have granted you;
nothing more. After that, if you have to attend to some
necessary affair, you may do so in the morning by omitting
prayer at the time of rising, and you may act thus only in
some other very rare case that may present itself at the
most once or twice a year. But this half hour you must
measure by your hour-glass, so that you must be in bed as
soon as the half hour has elapsed ; and this is to be under­
stood only when you are at home; for when you are on
missions, charity towards your companions requires that
you should go to bed when the others do.
As for going out, you have already noticed that when
the head is wanting everything gets out of order. I do not
however forbid you to go out when there is question
of some affair that concerns the house or the Congregation,
or the glory of God in a matter of importance ; but if for the
glory of God you wished to avail yourself of every occasion
that presents itself to you every day, in every part of this
diocese, you would not be able to be at home for a

1750.]

Letter ii4.

229

moment. The greatest glory of God and the will of God re­
quire, I repeat, that you watch over the interests of the house
of the church Mater Damini, and of regular observance, so
that there may not be verified in you what others have
suspected.
I write to you with all affection, because I esteem you
and esteem you much ; I have a high idea of your merit,
and I hope that you will be one of those who in the Con­
gregation wish to sanctify themselves like Fathers Cafaro,
Villani, Mazzini, Fiocchi, Ferrara, etc., who are dead to their
own will, and you would not wish to resemble certain others
whom I must treat with great consideration. I will treat
them in this manner; but I see that they will not become
saints like those whom the Superiors can, according to my
usual expression, cut to pieces. You see that I speak to
you with sincerity and for your advancement. Why have
you given yourself to God with all that you possess? In
order to sanctify yourself. What misfortune would it then
be for you if now you should not attain this object ! God
has wished and wishes, as you see, great things of you :
but what he chiefly desires is, that yon should be dead to
your own will and to your own gratification. You know
better than I that this is the essential point, and merely bv
entering the Congregation, you have made a sacrifice
of your will ; beware lest you take back the least part of it,
for this would surely hinder you from attaining sanctity.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.

15*

2βΟ

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

LETTER 115.

To the Same.

Joy at seeing him humble and resigned. — Different details.
Ciorani, February 7, [1750].

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
\7our letter, so expressive of humility and of resignation,
afforded me the greatest consolation. I expected this, and
for this reason I took that liberty with you. You know
now how I esteem and love you.
I agree with your Reverence with regard to the young
men of Morra; it will be very difficult to induce the bishop
to accept the patrimonies presented ; he may give the
same answer that he gave in the case of Niccolô. Now,
as soon as the patrimonies are settled and signed before
law, you may send the two young men, but with the
understanding that they are to undergo an examination.
Try to send Don Paolino [Scibelli], as I told you in my
last letter. I shall be satisfied if he arrives at the beginning
of the mission. I am also asking Don Angelo 1 to render
some assistance.
If [Don Pasquale] Amendolara does not go to the
archbishop in person, he will not be able to effect any­
thing.
I know the debts contracted in the building of the new
house.1
2 But remember that the archbishop after giving one
hundred ducats of his own money and contributions from
other priests, wishes to see the building erected. Act with
your usual prudence, and do all that you can to have those
1 Don Angelo Latessa, a secular priest at this time, afterwards
entered the Congregation.
2 The building of the house at Caposele.

175°.]

Leiter 115.

231

rooms that were lately planned, finished as quickly as
possible. That arrangement about the books in return for
the Masses is working admirably, as you wrote to me;
however, I ask your Reverence to see whether others who
have not taken the obligation upon themselves, are saying
the Masses.
Only ten requests for books, as I wrote to you, were
sent in from the diocese. Now do not send more than this
number, and do not send away any in future without letting
me know, and then I shall write to you. It is true that I
have certain other Masses; but still I wish first to be
informed. For these ten copies they will have to say
Masses during the month of May. I have already made
the intentions; you may give the Masses to whomsoever
you wish; with regard to other books please write to me
first. As for those ten copies destined for the diocese,
I wished to say that if now you can dispose of eight
or nine of them for Mass-intentions, it will not be any
longer necessary for me to procure an exchange of in­
tentions.
But this is with the understanding that the
Masses in payment of these eight or nine books be celebrated
during the month of February; for if they should be said
during the month of May, it would be necessary for you to
obtain for me an exchange of intentions, and I should repay
you in May.
It will not be necessary to have one hundred Masses said
on a loan ; seventy-two will be sufficient. Mind well,
seventy-two are sufficient. Remember this, no more, otherwise
I shall find myself in trouble. Please then tell me when,
and on what day you give or have given the aforesaid
books, either to persons in the diocese, or in any other place
where you can also give them if you wish.
I have already received the twenty carlini together with
a list ol twenty Masses from Brother Gennaro [RendinaJ.

232

General Correspondence.

[part i.

I embrace and bless you all ; salute for me Don Angelo
[Latessa].
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very affectionate confrère,
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of Father William Loewekamp, C. SS. R.
LETTER 116.

To Father Cesare Sportelli, at Pagani.

He rejoices to hear that he is in better health,

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani, March 11, [1750].

I feel sorry about Father Tannoia, and I am glad that
your Reverence is better, and that I have before me your
letter. In regard to the saying of Mass, you must be
obedient to the doctors. Here the news was received that
you were worse, and we have therefore begun a novena to
the Blessed Virgin for your Reverence.1
Tell Father Rector [Don Carmine Fiocchi] that this
morning, at a late hour, the Fathers will go to Santa Maria
Maggiore.2
Propose to the doctors whether it would not be better to
send as soon as possible Father Tannoia to Iliceto to inhale
the air of Puglia.
On Monday when Angelillo returns let him bring me
all our books on Moral Theology, namely, those of Busembaum that are there. I have to send them elsewhere. Those
books only need remain that are in plain binding. Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa! I embrace and bless
you all.
9

1 Father Sportelli died shortly after, namely, April 19.
2 S. Maria Maggiore, a hamlet of Nocera.

1750·]

Letter ι ιγ.

233

Send to me Angelillo every Monday, and on Sundays
and Wednesdays as soon as the carrier from Nocera brings
the manuscripts. Live Jesus and Mary!
Your very affectionate confrère,
Alfonso,·
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of Signor Vincenzo Tra­
montane at Pagani.
LETTER 117.

To Father Francesco Margotta and to his Consultors.

J. M.J.
Orders left after the canonical Visitation made in the house
of Mater Domini in Caposele, May 16, 1750.

The present state of this house for want of a dwelling
suitable for our Institute induces us to urge upon the
Superior the necessity of making some improvements in it,
so that regular observance may be established.
We further ordain that a door should be made from the
church leading to the well, as also that a lock should be
put on the door of the sacristy, and finally, that there
should be appointed a secular procurator who is to collect
what is due to the house.
This is what we have thought well to ordain for the
present Visitation, confiding for the rest in the prudence,
piety, zeal, and rare qualities of the Superior of this house,
which are well known to us.
Alfonso de Liguori, R. M.,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
Giovanni Mazzini,
of the Most Holy Redeemer,
Co- Visitor and Vice-Secretary.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.

234

General Correspondence.

[PART i.

LETTER 118.

To Canon D. Giacomo Fontana, at Naples.

He sends him his book “The Glories of Mary.”

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
ClORANI, October 12, [1750].

I send you my work on the Madonna. This poor book
has met with many contradictions;1 it was finally published
after many difficulties, and a labor of many years employed
in condensing what it contains.
1 have been suffering from a catarrh of the chest, but at
present I am better. We shall see each other at Naples,
shortly. In the mean time recommend me to the Madonna,
and believe me,
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[A A J I send you two copies of the work. One is for
you, the other is destined for Don Matteo Testa2 who, I
am happy to hear, is better; be kind enough to send it to
him. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I have already sent two copies to Signor D. Giacomo
Martorelli.8 He will have received them by this time, I
hope; if not, he will receive them soon. Live Jesus and
Mary !
After an old copy.
1 St. Alphonsus, who could never be satisfied with the Neapolitan
examiners charged with the revision of books, no doubt refers here
to certain difficulties which were raised against “ The Glories of
Mary.” The teachings followed at Naples were generally very
severe, and the holy Doctor had more than one discussion with the
censors, as one may gather from his letters.
2 Matteo Testa, a celebrated missionary who became later on
Grand Almoner and died as Archbishop of Reggio.
3 A Neapolitan priest, the author of several learned works.

Letter 119.

1750.J

235

LETTER 119.

To a Gentleman of Vitolano.5
Arrangement about a mission.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Naples, November;, 1750.

I received your second most esteemed favor here at
Naples where I am engaged in giving a mission at the
church of Spiritu Santo. I have already answered Signor
[name illegible}, and the mission has already been arranged.
I cannot go myself, but my companions will serve you and
the gentlemen of Vitolano to whom I have also written.
After the mission at Gesualdo,2 they will go to Montefalcione, and from Montefalcione8 they will send word to
those gentlemen of the day of their arrival. So I have
written to my companions and they have written to me that
they would act accordingly. Everything is now arranged
[some words illegible}. Live Jesus, Mary!
Your very devoted and very affectionate servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After a copy.
1 Vitolano, a town in the diocese of Benevento.
2 Gesualdo, a town in the diocese of Frigento.
3 Montefalcione, a town in the diocese of Benevento.

236

General Correspondence.

[parti.

LETTER 120.

To Sister Maria di Gesù, a Carmelite, Prioress of the
Monastery at Ripacandida.1

Answer to a difficulty in regard to holy Communion.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, December 30, [1750].

I answer your letter briefly. As for continuing to be
guided as you were before according to the advice of your
old director, I not only think this to be good, but it is even
necessary ; otherwise you could not know with certainty the
will of God.
In regard to the union with God which your soul ex­
periences after Communion, you should be without fear;
you do not commit an act of idolatry; for it would be
idolatry if you adored yourself.1
2 It is an effect proper to
1 St. Alphonsus, after the mission given at Melfi in the month
of April, 1750, went to preach a mission at Ripacandida where, says
Tannoia, he did not omit to pay a visit to the Carmelite nuns, and
he was greatly edified by their fervor. — Their monastery had been
founded October 15, 1735, by the archpriest Giambattista Rossi,
who died in the odor of sanctity in the month of November, 1746.
Sister Maria di Gesù was the niece of this archpriest and of the
archpriest of Contursi, the author of the Life of Mgr. Cavalieri, uncle
of St. Alphonsus. How much our saint esteemed this nun, appears
from the many letters addressed to her.
2 The Sister had written to him as follows: “Wishing to adore
(Jesus Christ himself) in himself, and not himself in myself, who
am infinite baseness, I cannot succeed. What causes me most pain,
my Father, is that having reached the greatest depth of my hell, I
nevertheless feel myself, notwithstanding my immense miseries,
united with this good Master, and in the closest manner. I am
afflicted to see him so profoundly abased in me; but when I wish to
break this union, to leave him himself in himself and myself in
myself, I feel myself dying, and it seems that my soul must separate
itself from my body; for our Lord does not wish to consent to this,
and he continues to hold me in the close union of which I have

1750.]

Letter 120.

237

this sacrament to transform the soul into Jesus Christ so
that the soul may say with St. Paul : Vivo ego, jam non
ego, sed Christus in me. [I live now not I, but Christ
liveth in me.] Endeavor therefore to check yourself so as
to allow nothing to appear in the presence of your Sisters ;
but for the rest, abandon yourself to God, and do not put
any obstacles in the way of the divine operations. All that
you have then to do is, to annihilate yourself before God,
and to offer yourself to him without reserve to the end that
he may dispose of you according to his will.
I am pleased with what you tell me about the newly
professed, and especially about the daughters of Don Bene­
detto:1 let them pray for me to Jesus, their divine Spouse.
Now tell me what I can do at the bishop’s to be useful to
you and to oblige the Community which is so dear to me.
You are all of you in my eyes more than my own sisters;
for I know that you love Jesus Christ, my Master. Rec­
ommend me without ceasing to Jesus Christ — me and the
Congregation, and let the Sisters do the same. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
spoken. What happens to me in Communion, happens to me also
in prayer; night and day, continually, at every moment, I find
myself in this state, in which, however, I preserve my liberty. Be
so good my Father, to give me advice, and tell me whether I am
not an idolatress of myself. Dissipate my fears; you well understand
in what an abasement I find myself; help me for the love of the
Most Blessed X’irgin and of my mother St. Teresa, whom you love;
for I know that you love her. Finally I beg you to forgive me if I
have written too much. . .”
1 These new Spouses were two daughters of I). Benedetto Grazioli
of Atelia, a very pious and rich man who bestowed abundant gifts
upon the Institute of St. Alphonsus.

2jS

General Correspondence.

[parti.

LETTER 121.

To Canon Giacomo Fontana, Rector of the Urban Seminary
of Naples.1
He asks him for information in regard to the studies at the
seminary.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, January 28, 1751.

My dear Canon : Be so kind as to tell me in a few words
what rule is followed in the seminary in regard to the study
of theology. I should like to know how much time is
devoted in the morning to study in the rooms, and how
long the class lasts. What is done after dinner? When
do the theses, conferences, repetitions take place? What
is the occupation in the evening?
I should like to know, moreover, whether during their
course of theology, the students also follow another course
either of the study of languages or of another science.
Please furnish me with these details and recommend me to
Jesus Christ. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Believe me, my dear Canon,
Your very devoted and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
1 1 here were al Naples two seminaries: one destined properly
speaking for the Neapolitans; this was called the urban seminary;
the other destined for the Neapolitans of the diocese of Naples ; this
was called the diocesan seminary. — (Sparano, Historical Mémoires).

1751 ·]

Letter 122.

239

LETTER 122.

To Father Francesco Margotta, Rector of the House at
Caposele.

He complains of a lay-brother and of Father Margotta
himself.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, March 7, [1751].

I hear in regard to Brother N. that by his bad conduct
he renders himself disagreeable, not only to the Community,
but to strangers, especially by his disrespectful way of
speaking to the Fathers, by his rudeness and his stinginess.
I draw your attention to this last point: for pity’s sake,
if the food given by the Community is simple and frugal let
the Fathers and the Brothers at least not suffer in this
respect. What good does it do to build within and to
demolish without? If any one loses his vocation through
our fault, we shall make ourselves accountable to God. It
will be necessary that I withdraw this Brother from your
house and send him to Ciorani to be the assistant of the
cook. Give him a severe reprimand, and tell him if he
becomes incorrigible and does not conduct himself as a laybrother should, I shall be obliged, notwithstanding the
interest that I take in him, to expel him from the Con­
gregation. After what has happened in Father N’s case I
am resolved to be no longer indulgent. For him that does
not wish to live in the Congregation as he should, the door
is open ; I do not wish to lose my soul for the sake of any
one. I beg you to. tell him all this word for word.
As to what your Reverence writes to me, namely, that
I should not give you any command, because it would place
you in an embarrassing position and make you run risks,—
I must say to you, my dear Francesco, that I give you no
command, but such language is displeasing to me. Consider,

240

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

my dear Francesco, that in this way yon will surely never
sanctify yourself, and if you wish to live in the Congregation
in such a manner that the Superior may not give you any
command for fear of embarrassing or makingyon run risks —
grave words which your understanding did not dictate
and which have caused me singular pain — your interior
trials1 will always increase ; for then you take back your
will which you have given to God ; then the Lord will leave
you to be a prey to your own troubles of conscience, and I
know not what will then become of your eternal salvation.
I beg you to reflect on this before the crucifix, and to write
to me in regard to this matter so as to remove my anxiety.
I moreover hear that you have perhaps changed your
director by leaving Father Paul [Cafaro]. This I should
very much regret; for if that is the case, I should think that
you have left him without a good reason, simply because
he does not enter into your views. It seems to me however
that this is not the right way. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 123.

To a Nun of the Most Holy Redeemer, at Scala.

She should allow herself to be guided by obedience. — The
way of desolation is the way of divine love.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani, May 30. [1751?]

Gloria Patri! You say that you have been brief, and it
is almost a memoir that you have sent me! Yes, to oblige
you, I answer you, although my first letter should have
sufficed ; I answer you in order that you may become still
1 Father Margotta was then a prey to great interior trials, as is
shown in his correspondence with Father Cafaro, his director.

^δΐ-]

more tranquil, and before writing I recommended myself to
the Blessed Virgin. I assure you that you are in the state
of grace, and that God wishes to sanctify you by means
of these tribulations. You should not desire that the Lord
should conduct you by an easier way ; allow yourself to be
guided as it pleases him. I see with satisfaction that you
often invoke God and Mary; but I desire that you should
ask him for the grace of always doing the divine will, by
always offering yourself to God and by praying to him that
he should treat you as he pleases. You pray for consolation,
and such a prayer will help you but little, because there is
too much self-love in it. Ask our Lord for the grace
of loving him ; but it does not matter whether he makes
known to you that you love him. You write to me that
you have confidence in what I may enjoin by obedience.
But upon whom, think you, should I enjoin anything by
obedience? Upon God? I cannot give any command to
God ; and if I could, I would not do so, because the road
on which he conducts you is the best road for your
salvation, and I clearly see that God is thus surely con­
ducting you to his love. If you wish that I should give to
the devil the order that you desire, I must declare to you
that I do not wish to have anything to do with that beast.
I therefore give you the order if you have confidence in
me ; for if you have no confidence in me, of what use is it
to lose your time in writing to me and to make me lose my
time in answering you?
Hence I tell you in the name of God, and repeat what I have
said, that you are in the state of grace, and that he certainly
wishes to lead you to sanctity on the road on which he
keeps you. If you depart from this road to withdraw
yourself from the sufferings and tediousness that you ex­
perience, I do not know what will become of your eternal
salvation. Continue to move onward as you are doing:
offer to God all this anguish ; pray to him that he may give
16

242

General Correspondence»

[parti.

you strength to bear it, that he may not deprive you of it,
and do not ask for consolations. Why should you speak
of exorcisms, possessions, and visiting holy sanctuaries?
In the name of obedience, think no more of them, and
drive from your mind every thought against your vocation.
If you lose your vocation you will lose your soul and your
God. But you will say, How shall I be able thus to hold
out? Have patience; such is the good pleasure of your
Spouse, who very much loves you; yes, believe me, he
loves you much, and does everything for your good. It
would be to you sweet consolation to know that in all that
you suffer you give pleasure to God ; now suffer for God,
even without knowing this ; this will be far better.
If you answer me that it is possible for me to be deceived,
I would then say to you that it will no longer be necessary
for you to write to me; seek another director in whom you
have confidence, come to an understanding with him, and
let there be no question about me.
I command you, moreover, in a formal manner, never,
never, never to confess these temptations, even if you
believe to have consented to them. I say this and take it
on my conscience. Do not do so even if you were at the
point of death ; for there is no sin in all that, as far as you are
concerned. The sentiments of which you speak are ap­
prehensions, fears; but they are not sins.
But you will say that just the contrary appears to you to
be true. — But I say to you, you have not to believe what
appears to you to be true, but what the ministers of God
say to you. — And when /shall die? If I die in this state,
with these temptations, these sentiments, this affection for
sin ? — I say to you that if you die in this state, your
salvation is sure.
Well then ! I repeat, preserve this letter, and when new
trials assail you, go in search of Sister Maria Angiola, and
give her this letter to read. Then, I impose it upon you as

Letter 124.

1751·]

243

a matter of obedience, that you do all that she tells you to do,
that you believe all that she tells you, although it may appear
to you that new circumstances have supervened.
Recommend me always to Jesus Christ, especially now
when I have to go to Naples. This will be in the month
of July, and God knows how many months I shall have to
languish there on account of our affairs. Here we are in a
house full of sick people; recommend to Jesus Christ so
many young men who are thus sorely tried.
I send regards to Sister Maria Raffaella, Sister Maria
Angiola, Mother Superior, and other Sisters ; let them all
recommend me to Jesus Christ. Live Jesus and Mary:
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER 124.

To Father Giuseppe Muscari.1
Immense wrong that he has done to the Congregation. —
Entreaty that he should no more bring the Institute into
disfavor.
[Ciorani, October 16, 1751.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
It is now two nights, my very dear Father, that I have
not closed an eye. It is impossible for me to find peace
I Father Giuseppe Muscari, of whom mention has been made
above (Letters 107, 10S, 109) having been appointed Prefect of
students on account of his extensive erudition, abused this high
trust and caused the loss of vocation to four young men, namely,
Pasquale Adinolfi, Domenico Cacciatore, Gaetano Spera, and Do­
menico Sviglia. He depicted the condition of the Congregation to
these youths in the very darkest colors, and then proposed to found
a new Institute in the city of Rome. His treacherous plan was only
too successful, for after his dismissal from the Congregation — as

244

General Correspondence.

[part i.

when I recall to mind the disaster brought upon our poor
Congregation, which was once so dear to your Reverence,
and which has become so odious to you since you have
entered it. I could not at first persuade myself that you
took any part in the loss of vocation of these unfortunate
young men ; but now I am convinced that you did both by
what they have told me themselves, and by what I have
since learned from others. I do not here enter into any
details; it would be useless and you would grow only more
incensed. You know, my dear Father, that I loved and
esteemed you before you had come among us. You also
know since you entered what I have done for the purpose
of honoring you as much as is possible to do in a poor
Congregation such as ours is. I confided to you from the
very beginning what I would call our most precious treasure,
cur young men. I conferred upon you at once the title
of Professor, Prefect and spiritual Father of these interesting
young men. In order to prevent all ill-feeling, I sent away
from Nocera Father Mazzini an estimable and edifying
member of the Congregation.1 This was done not without
fear; you understood it well.
You will say, my apprehensions are groundless. Alas!
experience has but too well proved that they were not
without foundation when we see the ruin of four young
St. Alphonsus had penetrated his base design — the four deluded
youths presented themselves to the saint and haughtily demanded a
dispensation. Not being able to obtain this, they turned their
backs upon their vocation. This sad story may be found in Tannoia
in his Life of the saint, Book ii. chap. xxxv. We however add that
Gaetano Spera and Domenico Sviglia, seeing the folly of their
course, returned after some time, and had the happiness of dying
happily in the Congregation, the former in the year 1762, the latter
on March 27, 1797.
1 On account of the ill-feeling that had arisen between Fathers
Muscari and Mazzini St. Alphonsus had sent the latter to the house
at Caposele.

Letter 124,

1751 ]

245

men, who were truly angels, and who yesterday morning
presented themselves before me like so many furies. I
began to entreat them with the most tender affection; I
went so far as to throw myself at their feet, begging them
to put off at least for three days their departure, which they
wished to take at once. Poor children ! I loved all four
of them as the apple of my eye, because they had been real
angels, who had particularly distinguished themselves by
their sincere humility, edifying all the rest. Yesterday,
however, you would have been scandalized yourself had
you witnessed their violent agitation, the arrogance with
which they spoke to me, the tone of contempt and menace
in which they cried out against the Congregation, going so
far as to say that they would have recourse to his Majesty
and denounce me as trying to keep them back by force,
because I refused to grant them the dispensation from their
vows and their oath. Good heavens! it was they that
bound themselves to Jesus Christ, and they accuse me
of holding them back by force ! And why then did I not
grant them the dispensation for which they had asked ? Was
it not because I loved them, because I had compassion on
them, and because I saw them sacrifice their vocation on
account of a mere temptation of the devil?
But enough of this. I do not wish to give you more
annoyance ; for I very well see that every one of my words
must give you pain. Yes, enough of this. Yet neither I
nor the Congregation has deserved such treatment from
you. I forgive you, and I beg Jesus Christ to forgive you;
because I still esteem you, because I love you, and because
I entertain the hope that if now you do not open your eyes
to your present condition, a day may come when the
Blessed Virgin will make you know and deeply deplore an
error that has been so fatal to the Congregation and to
these four young men. Nothing can dispense you from the
obligation of acknowledging this; for the public loudly
J

16*

246

General Correspondence.

ffarti.

accused you of having betrayed the Congregation ; the very
stones can attest this.
You have written that you would not do the Congregation
any harm, that you would even try to be useful to it; well !
I conjure you to-day not to inflict any injury; for you
would thereby outrage Jesus Christ himself. We are only
in this world to suffer and to labor in order to gain poor
souls for Jesus Christ; no one knows this better than you.
But I tremble to think that hereafter at the very name
of the Congregation, the devil may recall to your mind the
object of your greatest hatred, and that he may persuade
you that you have no other means of justifying your
conduct than to defame us. Do not follow this suggestion,
my dear Father. I write to you in all sincerity and with
tears in my eyes. I entertain the hope that when the
passion that actuates you against us and against our wise
counsellors has subsided, you will by facts show that the
love that you once bore towards our Congregation has
again entered your heart.
As for your effects and your books, have no anxiety. It
was your person that we have loved and desired, not the
objects that you have brought with you. Now it is only
your person that I regret to lose; I disregard all the rest.
Once more; it is you that I love, and you are not ignorant
of my affection and my esteem ; as for anything else be
without fear; you will be perfectly satisfied.
I remain, yours most respectfully, etc.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.

Ï75I-J

Letter 125.

247

LETTER 125.

To the Vicar-General of Benevento.
He asks him to do a service.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, November 4, 1751.

Very Reverend and dear Sir: I recommend to your
charity our Frater de Angelis, who is truly an angel
of virtue. He will call upon you with a letter1 in reference
to the settlement of his patrimony.
At the beginning of the month I will send our Fathers to
serve his Eminence2 and your Reverence in certain places
of the diocese of Benevento, and if I can render you any
1 Nicodemo de Angelis saw his profession considerably delayed
on account of the requirements of his patrimony. The eulog)
bestowed upon him by St. Alphonsus on account of the purity of his
morals, he merited during the course of his whole life. We take
pleasure in transcribing here a note that Father I). Lorenzo Nigro
in “Vita del Servo di Dio Antonio Puzzo, familiare de’ PP. del SS.
Redentore” (Napoli 1792), has consecrated to his pious memon
“Father D. Nicodemo de Angelis died in our house at Ciorani in
the odor of sanctity, aged sixty-two, having been a member of the
Congregation for forty-three years and four months. He was visited
by the Lord with a long and painful apoplexy, which deprived him
of the use of his right arm and left leg. His resignation to the
divine will was heroic, and as he could no longer celebrate Mass,
he received our Lord every day in holy Communion. He showed
the greatest devotion to the Passion of Jesus Christ and to the
Blessed Virgin Mary. Most exact in all the exercises of the Com­
munity, he was the first to rise in the morning, in all seasons, and
went at once to the choir and the church under great difficulties; he
could be seen moving through the corridors, resting with one hand
against the wall, in order to visit and to speak to our Lord in the
Blessed Sacrament. Having been thus tried for more than five
years, after many other new sufferings, he died the death of the just in
the peace of the Lord, May 19, 1792.”
2 Cardinal Francesco Landi.

248

General Correspondence.

[PART i.

other service, I shall be at your command. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very devoted and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an original copy preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER 126.

To the Fathers and Brothers of the Congregation of the Most
Holy Redeemer.

Means of preventing the loss of vocation. — Various or­
dinances regarding the missions.
[November^ 1751.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph!
My very dear Brethren: Know that I am not afflicted to
hear that any one of my brethren has been called by God to
another life. I am touched by such a thing, because I am
a creature of flesh; yet I am comforted because he has died
in the Congregation ; for then I hold for certain that he is
saved. Nor am I afflicted when any one among us, because
of his faults, ceases to be a member of the Congregation ;
on the contrary, I am happy to see that we are delivered
from a sickly sheep that might have infected others. Far
less am I afflicted because of persecutions; for they inspire
me with courage, because if we conduct ourselves well, I
am sure that God will not abandon us. But what alarms
me is, to hear that there is among us any one that is
negligent, that obeys little and pays no attention to the
Rule.
My Brethren, you well know that several who have been
with us are now out of the Congregation. What their end
will be I know not ; but I am sure that they will lead a life
of continual misfortune; they will live in trouble and die

1751J

Letter 126.

249

without peace for having abandoned their vocation. They
have left us to live more happily and contentedly; but the
thought that they have abandoned God to live according to
their own caprice, will never leave them one day of rest.
They will practise with difficulty the exercise of prayer,
because in prayer they will be harassed by remorse of con­
science for having left God ; and thus they will abandon
prayer, aud God knows where they will end.
I beseech you to avoid deliberate faults, and above all those
faults for which you have been reprimanded. If correction
leads the delinquent to amend, the fault will be nothing;
but when he does not amend, the devil will employ every
artifice to make him lose his vocation. It is by this means
that he has already caused the loss of so many others.
By the grace of God, whenever we go on missions we
perform wonders ; people say that they have never had a
mission like ours. And why ? Because we go by obedience,
we go in poverty, we preach Christ crucified, and each one
is attentive to acquit himself of the charge that has been
imposed upon him. I have, however, been deeply grieved
to hear that some among you when on missions have been
desirous of obtaining the more honorable employments,
such as preaching or instructing. But what fruit could he
produce who preaches through pride? This is something
that I view with horror. If this spirit of ambition enters the
Congregation, the missions will do little good, or they will
produce none at all.
I have also been informed that some of you have begun
to preach in a flowery style. I repeat that the familiar style
is that by which the missions, novenas and spiritual exer­
cises are made successful. In all the sermons, even for the
festivals of the saints and other special occasions, I wish
that every one should speak familiarly without a studied
tone of voice or choice expressions. When one preaches to
priests or before a select audience, one should not use in

A

Genera I Correspon den ce.

[PART I.

the discourses phrases so popular as those that one uses
when preaching to the people composed of educated and
ignorant persons; one should however always speak familiar­
ly; and I pray to Jesus Christ to chastise in a signal
manner whoever wishes to introduce a figurative style. Let
us take care; for it is certain that pride has driven many
out of the Congregation.
On missions pay attention to the food. What aids us to
make our missions give great edification is, that we are
satisfied with the little that the Rule permits in accordance
with what has been our practice heretofore. During the
time of the missions I absolutely forbid the eating of chicken
or of other things forbidden by the Rule; I will hardly
allow in case of accidental sickness the eating of chicken
when such a thing has been prescribed by the physician.
It would be better to find some other remedy. The same
prohibition extends to the case in which one stays at a
house in passing from one mission to another, because this
time still belongs to the time of the mission.
I also forbid 1 all the Superiors and Ministers without my
express permission to allow women of whatever rank to
enter our houses, to go to the refectory or the kitchen. I
moreover forbid the Superiors to give subjects permission
to procure certain special things for their own personal use ;
if they need these things, let the Community furnish them.
I forbid the subjects the keeping of money that is at their
free disposal.
My Brethren, let us conduct ourselves well before God,
and God will aid us in all the persecutions that men and
demons may raise against us. I pray every day, and
several times a day, for you all and for each one of you,
and I desire each one of you to recommend me in a special
1 At this time there did not yet exist in the Congregation the
law of enclosure which was introduced a short while afterwards.

Letter ΐ2γ.

I75I-J

manner to Jesus Christ.
one after the other.

25r

I conclude by blessing you all,
Brother Alfonso Maria,
Rector Major.

After an old copy.

LETTER

127.

To Mother Maria di Gesii, at Ripacandida.
The interest taken by the saint in the Community at Ripa­
candida.
[December, 1751.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Be without fear; I have punctually recerved your two
letters, and I thank you for your charity. As for going to
see you, my dear Mother, the thing is not possible at present.
My health will not allow me to make such journeys ; besides,
I am very busy having a work printed for the use of con­
fessors. I have therefore not a moment to spare this year,
and I never leave the house. Later on, who knows?
If God wished the foundation,1 nothing is impossible before
God. Mgr. [di Melfi] is much in favor of it: but the
difficulty is to receive the king’s permission. Pray then for
this intention. Who knows what will happen?
But if I do not go to Ripacandida personally, be not
disturbed. To give the retreat I will send you a Father
with whom, I hope, you will be satisfied. In the mean
time tell me what I can do for you with Monsignor to be
useful to you and to oblige your Community which is so
dear to me. You are in my eyes more than my own
sisters, for I know that you love Jesus Christ, my Master.
Write me the request that I might make of Monsignor in
1 There was then question of a foundation at Rionero in the
diocese of Melfi.

I

252

General Correspondence,

[parti.

regard to the confessor and the procurator, and always
recommend me to Jesus Christ.
In regard to the servant, I have spoken about the matter
to Father Fiocchi, and I see no difficulty; the more so as
she had already entered ; and if she went away it was on
account of health. Besides, the other servants are all a
little sick.
As to the chorists, I beg you to be firm and not to allow
the number to go beyond twenty-one. I have told Father
Fiocchi that if he ever uttered a word to the contrary, he
should take it back and write to you.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After an old copy.
LETTER 128.

To Father Pietro Petrella,1 at Iliceto.

Obedience to Superiors is the most essential thing in the
Congregation.

Live Jesus and Mary !
Nocera de’ PAGANI, January 5, [1752].

I have been informed that in your house the new Su­
perior, Father Gallo,1
2 is not much respected, perhaps
because he is young. Let all the Fathers and Brothers
who are members and will soon be members of the Com­
munity, understand that it is my wish that every Superior
whom I send (even though I should send a stick) should be
respected as if he were myself; and I wish that he should
1 Father Petrella was born June 29, 1726, at Trivico; he made his
profession, July 2, 1748, and died a holy death at Iliceto, March 15,
1771.
2 This was probably Father Salvadore Gallo who was then tempo­
rary Superior in the absence of Father Carmine Fiocchi. The latter
had the preceding month succeeded Father Paolo Cafaro as Rector
of the house at Iliceto.

1752·]

Leiter 129.

253

be esteemed and obeyed like myself. Should any one not
wish to do this, your Reverence should promptly inform
me, and it will then be my duty to inflict upon him an
exemplary penance, and in the end if there be no other
remedy, I shall be obliged to expel him from the Con­
gregation, even though he were my own brother. If you
take away from the Superior all esteem and obedience,
of what use will then be the Congregation ? If the Superior
does something that appears to be wrong, let the subject
write to me; in the mean while obey, and do not murmur
among yourselves. Read this letter to the members of the
Community, and from time to time your Reverence should
send me a report about this matter; this I expressly enjoin
upon you. Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Brother Alfonso,

of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an authentic copy preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER 129.

To Father Carmine Picone.i

Request to sound the disposition of the Archbishop of Conza
on one point.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, January 15, [1752].

My dear Carmine: Now that you are there, if any one
of you should have an occasion to see the archbishop, as is
1 Rev. Father Carmine Picone was born, October 8, 1727, at Can­
dida, in the diocese of Avellino. “ I made the acquaintance of the
servant of God” — he thus speaks in the process for the beatification
of St. Alphonsus—when I was sent in the year 1749 by my Ordinary
to Ciorani to make the spiritual exercises before receiving the Order
of subdeaconship. I remained at Ciorani ten days; the servant
of God gave the exercises; he preached in the evening and Father

254

General Correspondence.

[part i.

probable before your departure, let him ask him what we
should do with the nephew of Father Ferrara1 who is
doing exceedingly well and who declares that he would
rather die than go away.
IDo not show that you take the affair too much to heart;
but recommend to the archbishop this poor young man, who
gives great hopes. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Se·

After the Roman edition.

S

LETTER 130.

To Mother Maria di Gesù, Prioress of the Carmelites
of Ripacandida.
How she should behave in the absence of her director. —
Various counsels.

H

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
SS

*

Nocera, January 27, 1752.

I answer you in a few words. Although I sympathize
with you in your sufferings, yet I am consoled in seeing
Villani in the morning. There I had for the first time an opportunity
of beholding his extraordinary zeal and of witnessing the great fruit
which resulted from his fervent exhortations. There I heard the
voice of God calling me to leave the world and to embrace the Rule
of the Congregation........
I then firmly resolved to enter the
Institute. This resolution I carried out some six months after the
spiritual exercises; I proceeded to the house at Ciorani where the
servant of God, after examining me, as well with regard to my
vocation as to my studies, admitted me and gave me the habit of the
Congregation, October 25, 1749.”
The general catalogue of the Congregation speaks in the following
terms of this subject: “Father Carmine Picone died in our house at
Nocera, October 16, 1795. He was a holy, mortified, and exemplary
member of the Institute; on account of his great virtue he was made
Master of novices, Rector several terms, and finally Consultor-General.
1 This nephew of Father Ferrara was the future Father Giuseppe
Melchionna, who received the habit of the Congregation, March 4,
1752*

1/52. J

Letter 130.

you and your companions placed on the cross ; but I regret
to hear of the disquietude of your Sisters,1 which appears to
me to be excessive. It is true, you tell me, that they are
resigned; but the resignation is not perfect when it is
accompanied with disquietude. Ask them for me whence
comes this disquietude ; perhaps because they do not find
such a director as they would clesire? But when God
wishes this to be so, why should that which pleases God
displease them? It is certain that God wishes this to be so,
because it is thus commanded by the bishop. It is useless
to say that the bishop has been misinformed ; for though
the bishop may have been deceived in this matter, yet it is
certain that God wishes this of you. Besides, I hold for
certain that the bishop had good reasons to act in this
manner, either to put an end to the talk, etc.
But you will say, What shall we do without a director?
What! is God no longer here? How many souls have
sanctified themselves in grottoes, in deserts, in which they
had no other companions than birds and trees? When we
have a director that is suitable, and do not wish to avail
ourselves of his services, God will give us no assistance;
but when such a director is wanting, as is frequently the
case outside of Naples, to the great regret of many good
souls, then God takes charge of everything. The Lord
1 Mgr. Basta was a very great friend of the Carmelite Fathers,
whose Order he even wished at one time to enter; but this friend­
ship was the cause of great embarrassment to the holy Prioress
of the convent of Ripacandida.
The fact was, the Carmelites
of Naples wished to introduce into this monastery a mitigation to
which both the Prioress and St. Alphonsus were opposed. More­
over, as Mother Maria di Gesù was following extraordinary ways,
the bishop had her examined by a Carmelite Father, and the latter
declared her to be a visionary. Finally, in the year 1752, Mgr.
Basta, after having taken away from the Sisters their old director,
forbade them to have any communication with other directors. This
rigorous measure caused great disquietude among these religious.
St. Alphonsus tries in this letter to remove this disquietude.

256

General Correspondence,

[part i.

will not fail to assist those that seek him with their whole
heart.
Read this letter to your Sisters, and after some time
write to me again; console me with the information that you
and your companions have thrown yourselves into the arms
of the amiable Jesus, who allows himself to be easily found
by the soul that seeks him.
Have no scruple, neither now, nor later, for having
written to me without permission. It is sufficient that I tell
you this, and do not try to find out the reason. But tell
your Sisters, who are also my sisters, to keep this a secret
from every one, from the confessor, and even from the
bishop.
As for the supernatural graces, recommend to the Sisters
never to speak of them to that confessor, and I give you
the same advice in regard to whatever may concern you ;
tell him only your faults in order to receive absolution from
time to time. Let the Sisters make known all the rest to
yourself; and you, as a general thing, after having heard
them, will answer that those things are dreams and effects
of the imagination, and that the important thing is to wish
only what God wishes, to embrace and to love sufferings,
contempt, poverty, and contradictions. Take care that the
Community observe in a perfect manner obedience, prayer,
and poverty; with these three things perfection will always
increase in the monastery. In your familiar discourses, in
the Chapters, chiefly revert to these three points.
The fears that you experience console me; I tremble for
souls that rest too securely in their spiritual affairs. How­
ever, I do not wish any disquietude ; the true fear of God
produces not disquietude, but peace and joy. For myself,
I assure you that God is with you; what more do you
wish ? and as for the things that concern you and that you
have communicated to me, I regard them, for the most
part, as the things of God. That is enough. In all your

1752·]

fears, say: My God, I wish only Thee. Then be calm,
and banish all uneasiness; for after what you have written
to me, I have also discovered a certain excessive dis­
quietude, which does not please God.
I pray for you and for your Sisters. But do not fail,
you and yotir Sisters, to pray in all your Communions for
my soul, for the Congregation, and also for the foundation
at Rionero, on the subject of which I fear that the bishop
has grown indifferent. Impose this upon your Sisters in all
their Communions. We have on our hands an important
affair concerning the Congregation. Moreover a Father
xvho is very useful to the Institute is sick.1 To my intention
make a novena of nine Hail Marys every day to obtain
these favors, and ask for them during the nine days in holy
Communion. Remain in the hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved at Scicli in the family of the
Dukes La Rocca.
LETTER 131.

To Father Saverio Rossi, Minister of the House at Ciorani.

Penance which he imposes upon a lay-brother for having
committed a grave fault.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, 10, [May, 1752].

Brother Francesco deserves no compassion; however as
he has spent many years in the Congregation, and has
I This important affair was a persecution from which the Institute
suffered in consequence of a calumny circulated against it. The
king was made to believe that the Congregation had acquired a
property of great value. — The sick man was Father Paolo Cafaro.

258

General Correspondence.

[part i.

humbled himself, we desire to be indulgent towards him ;
but he must accept a penance that will be long and severe. 1
Take the habit from him, and let him wear the secular
dress, since he no longer belongs to the Congregation,
having been dismissed, and his condition is like that, of an
ordinary postulant. In this point we cannot be indulgent.
Let him remain secluded in the novitiate; he should not
come to the refectory, to recreation, and should not go out.
In regard to meals, impose also some mortification upon
him, which I leave to your prudence. Help him or have
him helped as to his spiritual wants. He may receive
Communion once a week.
Tell Don Angelo Antonio 1 to come some day to see me,
for I wish to instruct him what and how he should study.
Send me again a little roasted coftee. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Tell Brother Francesco that it is to me that he owes this
indulgence, because I wish him well. I hardly think that
another Superior would have done all this for him. Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso.
After the original in possession of Prince Antici at Rome.
1 Brother Francesco Tartaglione, carried away by the passion
of anger had thrown a tumbler at a lay-brother who offended him
by some sarcastic words. He received his penance in the spirit
of humility, after which he was admitted to profession, October 31,

I7512·
2 This was a young priest from the diocese of Cava, who on
account of the opposition made by his family was not as yet able to
begin his novitiate.

1752.]

Letter

zjj.

259

LETTER I32.

To Father Francesco Margotta, Procurator-General of the
Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.

He· begs him to regard the poverty of a house of the
Congregation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, June 2, 1752.

A Mass-intention should not be taken from Iliceto, for
Father Fiocchi (I did not think of telling you) celebrates
Mass for this house at Pagani, which has no other revenues
than those derived from Mass-stipends. In fact it is
impossible in view of the circumstances which you know to
force the debtors to pay at the present time. They give
you threats for an answer. Patience then, for pity’s sake.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Oliviero writes to me that when he called upon the
book-seller of whom you spoke, Tournely had been sold.
I have told him to look for it elsewhere. Live Jesus, Mary.
Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of Father Frederico Bozzaotra, C. SS. R.
LETTER 133.

To Father Pietro Petrella, at Iliceto.
He grants him various permissions.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, June 7, [1752].

Yes, I received your second letter, which it was not
necessary to answer. When you are not well, obedience in
regard to study is not necessary ; when afterwards you are

200

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

not using medicine, you may apply to study during the
hour that I have assigned to you. Tell this to the Superior
and also mention to him the obedience under which I have
put you, and then do what he says.
Yes, go to take the baths, and be guided by· your
Superior.
Blasucci 1 is at Caposele: we are going to see how he
will get on there, and afterwards we may think of what is to
be done. As for Andretta, go there with a companion.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After a copy.
LETTER 134.

To Mgr. Borgia, Bishop of Cava.
Details relative to the vocation of a young priest.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, June 7, 1752.

I have received your last most esteemed letter, and at
the same time another letter from the house at Ciorani in
which it is stated that the parish priest of N. and another
relative of the said priest had arrived there. They made a
new assault upon the latter so as to make him set out for
his home, etc. I am, however, informed that Don Antonio
strongly insists that he will on no account return home,
because he fears that he will lose his vocation in the midst
of so many temptations that he foresees will assail him.
My dear Monsignor, under such circumstances, I do not
1 Pietro Paolo Blasucci, who in 1793 became Superior-General
of the Congregation, secretly fled from Ruovo, his native place, in
order to enter the Institute of the Most Holy Redeemer. After the
opposition of his family had subsided, he began his novitiate,
August 14, of the year 1752.

1752.]

Letter zjy.

261

clare in conscience to dismiss him, and to order him positive­
ly that he should return home. I should feel a scruple if I
did so, after what the young man has himself told me, and
according to the letter which I sent your Reverence yester­
day, which I hope you have already read. God knows
what remorse I felt when I suggested to him the other day
that he should go to his own home at Naples. In order to
satisfy his relatives and not to see us disquieted by what his
father has threatened to do, if he remained in our house,
Don Antonio is at present ready to go to some monastery
of monks until the tempest has subsided and the danger
that threatens to disturb us has ceased. I have, therefore,
written to the Fathers at Ciorani to favor this design and to
send this subject to some religious house other than ours
outside of Naples; because it would be inexpedient to have
him stay at Naples, under the present circumstances. After
this has been done, I do not know what else the relatives
could claim, since no other order could come to us from
Marquis Fraggianni, or from the Palace, than that he
should be sent to a neutral place. This once happened to
Father Fiocchi, who obeyed the order, and afterwards
returned to the Congregation. I urge this the more, since
I hear that the mother is already beginning to be more
tranquil, and the father will hardly carry out what he has
threatened to do. For the rest, my dear Monsignor, do
not doubt that I will not receive the above-mentioned priest
into the Congregation unless you have given your consent.
I remain, very respectfully, etc. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.

202

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

LETTER 135.

To Father Andrea Villani, Rector of the House at Ciorani
and Master of Novices.

Various details concerning the novitiate and the house at
Ciorani.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
NOCERA, 14, [June, 1752].

As for Don [Angelo] Antonio, I have no doubt that he
will succeed, since his father himself says that he has
always been an angel of virtue. But we must wait and try
to satisfy Mgr. Borgia. This is sufficient; later on you
may shorten his novitiate by adding this time to it.
As for the young man of Riccia and as for Pietro Picone,
they may begin their novitiate.1
In regard to Melaccio and Cimino, do what your Rever­
ence thinks best.2
I am glad to hear about the altar, and I give my blessing
for artificial flowers and candlesticks.
When recited privately it seems to me that it is not
forbidden to use the usual formula.
For your guidance, a letter has been written [to Naples]
to Don Giovanni [Oliviero], and the latter writes me that
he is going to open the subscription without delay.3
I have appointed the consultors for Iliceto; but write
again to this house: they are Fathers Ferrara and Carbone.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Tell the Vice-Rector [Father Saverio Rossi] about what
1 In fact, Ignazio Fiore, a native of Riccia and Pietro Picone
began their novitiate June 21.
- There is question of the profession of Donato Melaccio and
of Fabrizio Cimino, which took place July 16 of this year.
3 This subscription aimed at promoting the sale of the Moral
1 heology of the saint, a second edition of which was at that time
being printed at Naples.

1752.]

Letter i35.

263

[D. Andrea] Sarnelli writes, that he should do what he
says, and procure some alms; at least let him endeavor to
satisfy Don Andrea and to inform him that what has been
ordered has been done. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
T eresa!
Let Father Saverio come to an understanding with the
Baron [Nicola Sarnelli] in regard to the place where the
church 1 is to be. Live Jesus and Mary!
Brother Alfonso.
[/< 5.] I send the prospectus of the subscription,
Oliviero writes that in October the first volume will be
issued.
Send me your manuscript copy of the exercises of the
missions ; and if yours cannot be found, send me at least
that which Father Buonamano has copied. Live Jesus and
Mary !
After the original preserved at Naples in the church of the
Redemption of Captives.
1 To understand these words it is enough to refer to a passage of a
letter from Father Rossi, written in answer, June 20: “My Father
(thus speaks Rossi), I have already spoken to Signor D. Andrea
about the building of a church, and I have promised him to spend
for it every year one hundred ducats ; the mode of carrying away the
earth has been discussed and the baron has been approached on the
subject; he also has the intention of contributing something towards
the building of the church, and Don Andrea has offered to furnish all
the lime and to maintain the expense of two oxen that are to be
used to carry the material.”

2 04

General Correspondence.
LETTER

[PART I.

136.

To the Same.

Various affairs.
[June 19, 1752.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I have received the writing. As for the ambrette-flowers ; 1
you may send them later, if there is no risk in the delay.
As regards the lot it is sufficient to talk about the matter
and come to some agreement; and so, in regard to the
demand of Don Andrea Sarnelli, it is enough if he sees that
something is done.
I am glad to hear about Father Corpo ; 2 do what you
think will be best.
After the morning and the evening meditation, say a
Salve Regina with the prayer Defende for the house at
Iliceto which is passing through great misery. The people
of Iliceto have become our opponents, saying that they
wish to have there a seminary.
To-morrow, Tuesday, I must go to Salerno on account
of Sarnelli’s affair.3
Don Angelo Antonio has informed us that his infirmity is
but too true, that he cannot apply his head to anything,
and that during these past few days he was quite ill. He
himself has doubts about his vocation ; hence I plainly told
1 The ambrette is a plant with the odor of ambergris or musk. —
Perhaps the saint intended these plants to adorn the altar of the
Blessed Sacrament.
2 Father Francesco Del Corpo had made his profession a month
before, that is, May 13.
3 That is, for the affair of the foundation of the house at Ciorani
made by D. Andrea Sarnelli. The saint, to secure its stability,
caused another contract to be made by which (the Congregation
having already been declared by the civil authority incapable of
making any purchase) he personally accepted the donation from D.
Andrea.

1752.)

Letter 137.

265

him that the Congregation was not the place for him. He
at once started this morning for Cava. I gave him a letter
addressed to Monsignor. I wish him a safe journey !
He was a good young man, but he had not studied, nor
could he study, nor be confined to the house ; I therefore
would have been troubled with scruples had I received him.
As to the watch, I spoke to him about it; but when I
handed it to hiip he said that nothing further need be said
about it. He said Mass for Ciorani up to Friday.
On Thursday send me Father [Gerardo] Grassi, if he is
there, or another Father to be the companion of Father
Lorenzo [d’ Antonio] for the novena at S. Matteo.1 Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of Father D. Francesco
Sav. Imperio, C. SS. R.
LETTER

137.

To the Same.
Solicitude of the saint about the health of his subjects.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Naples, July 22. [1752?]

In reference to Father D. Antonio [Tannoia], yes; do
as you think fit; you may send him to Pagani. It will
also be necessary to send to the same place Father Celestino
[de Robertis] if his chest-trouble does not become better.*
But try, if possible, to send a little help to Pagani. See to it
that the novices do not take too many bloody disciplines
during this hot weather. Inquire whether the air of Iliceto
might not be better for Father Antonio; but try Pagani
first. Live Jesus and Mary!
1 San Matteo, a hamlet of Nocera,

266

Genera I Correspon den ce.

[PART I.

Recommend me to the Blessed Virgin, etc.
and Mary!

Live Jesus

After the Roman edition.
letter 138.

To the Fathers and Brothers of the Congregation of the
Most Holy Redeemer.

Humility, but profound humility, is the true safeguard
of perseverance.

[July 27, 1752.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
My dearest Fathers and Brothers in Jesus Christ:
I pray God to drive out quickly those proud spirits who
cannot and who will not bear in the Congregation any
reproof or slight, not only from Superiors, but even from
their equals and their inferiors. And I beg of the Lord to
drive me out the first if ever I should be led by this spirit
of pride. See how this cursed spirit has driven Father
Tortora1 out of the Congregation : and I thank Jesus
Christ for this, because such subjects ruin the Congregation
and keep back from us the blessings of God. He that is
not determined to be as earth, and to let himself be trodden
1 Father Bernardo Tortora, born at Nocera de’ Pagani, entered
the Congregation in 1743. The cause of his secession from the
Congregation, which happened July 25, 1752, is given by Tannoia
in his Life of the saint : “While living in the house at Ciorani, he
took offence at a correction given him by the Rector, and without
breathing a word, or communicating his temptation to any one, he
set out for Pagani with the intention of laying the whole matter
before St. Alphonsus. On the way his eyes were opened, and not
having the courage to present himself, he retired to his own family,
instead of going to one of our houses.’’ Later on he became parish
priest of the church of St. Felice at Pagani.

1752 ]

Letter 138,

267

under foot by all, let him go, and go quickly. Our Lord
will be more pleased with the perseverance of two or three
that are really humble and mortified, than with a thousand
such imperfect subjects. And what have we come to do in
the Congregation, if we do not wish to bear even some
slight for the love of Jesus Christ? How shall we have the
face to preach humility to so many people, when we our­
selves have such an abhorrence for humiliations? But since
we are all miserable creatures, I beg each one of you —
and that your Reverences may the better remember what I
now say, I even give you the obedience, to ask of the
despised Jesus, every day during the meditation or thanks­
giving, the grace to bear contempt with peace and cheer­
fulness of spirit; and the more fervent shall positively pray
that Jesus may let them be despised for the love of him. And
let him who will not make this prayer from his heart and
with the desire of being heard fear lest his pride drive him
out of the Congregation, in the same way as pride has
already driven out more than one.
Next, I earnestly recommend you never to talk among
yourselves of the affairs and of the proceedings of the
Superiors. Those that are led by this spirit of indiscreet
zeal do much more harm than good to the Congregation,
d'hose that are really zealous, when they perceive some
disorder or want of observance, should tell it privately to
the Admonitor of the house, or even inform the Rector
Major of it; and if they perceive that even the Rector
Major neglects to remedy it, they should speak or write to
his Admonitor. Let all pay attention to this point, other­
wise they will cause me great displeasure, and will oblige me
henceforward to mortify them severely. And let us be careful
to guard against small faults, because the devil makes use
of these little foxes to destroy the Spirit of God, and even
our vocation. Therefore, my dear Brethren, let us always

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[parti.

strengthen ourselves by meditation and prayer, otherwise
we shall succeed in nothing.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very affectionate confrère,
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[A .S'.] I, the undersigned Rector Major, impose upon
all the professed members of our Congregation or Society
and give the formal precept of obedience to them not to
leave any of our houses without the express permission
of the local Superior, except when any one wishes to speak
to the Rector Major or the Sovereign Pontiff : in this case
he is yet obliged to ask the permission of the local Rector;
but if he does not obtain it, he may set out, without
however staying at any other place.
Alfonso de Liguori,
Rector Major.
After an old copy.
LETTER I39.

To Father Francesco Buonamano.1

He congratulates him on the detachment that he showed in
regard to his relatives.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, September 16, [1752].

Your letter to Father Pentimalli has given me much con­
solation by acquainting me with the beautiful sentiments
1 This excellent religious was born November 9, 1706. When
forty-three years old he resolved to enter the Congregation, having
been moved thereto by the holy life of Father Cesare Sportelli.
After a novitiate of six months he made his profession in the
presence of St. Alphonsus, August 5, 1750.
He became an in­
defatigable missionary, and died in the peace of the Lord, March 4,
1777, in the house at Ciorani.— The journey to Ischia, of which

*752·]

Letter 140.

269

with which you are animated in regard to your relatives;
I wish all were so disposed. I permitted Father Pentimalli
to send you to Ischia, because I thought that you perhaps
desired to go there; but as your Reverence is unwilling, I
repeat, I am consoled, and I do not tell you to go there.
Remember me every day at your Mass. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
I give you my blessing. Live Jesus and Mary!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER I40.

To a Father of the Congregation.
A great trial to which the Congregation is exposed.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Naples, Saturday 23, [September, 1752.]

I am to remain here till Saturday a week. Next Thursday
our affairs will be transacted. Let us pray to God that at
least the houses may be left to us. Marquis Brancone has
insinuated to me that I should give up two of them. How­
ever, if the houses are left to us, we shall be obliged in
looking for revenues to abandon ourselves to the will
of God ; for things will then go badly. But if we had not
had Brancone we should perhaps be now dispossessed ; for
in the last council the king spoke perhaps most strongly
against us. Let us, therefore, be satisfied with the things
as they are, and with the decrees of divine Providence.
Communicate this to the other chorists according as
prudence may dictate, in order that they may pray fervently
during these days in which we are not yet out of danger.
This morning I had a lively dispute with Brancone, and
I am astonished that he is not tired of our affairs. Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After an old copy unfortunately incomplete.
mention is made in the letter was to have taken place on the occasion
of the mission at Casamicciola, the native place of Father Buonamano.

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[PART 1.

T41.

To the King of Naples.

Petition to obtain the exequatur of the Apostolic Brief Ad
Pastoralis dignitatis fastigium—a Brief given in confirmation
of the Institute of the Most Holy Redeemer.1
[September, 1752.]

Alfonso de Liguori, a Neapolitan priest, and his com­
panions, missionaries of the Congregation of the Most Holy
Redeemer humbly represent to your Majesty, that it is
already nineteen years that they are devoting themselves
to the spiritual culture of the abandoned people in coun­
try places. They travel over the mountains, visit the
huts of the shepherds and places most destitute of spiritual
help, to instruct these poor people by missions, instructions
and other devout exercises. They have now succeeded in
giving about forty missions a year, in the space of at least
nine months in the year, during which they consecrate
themselves to this kind of work. The great and general
good that is seen resulting from this work in many provinces
of this kingdom where the missions have been given, has
stimulated the zeal of some bishops and has induced them
to introduce said Institute into their dioceses; thus it is
established in the diocese of Salerno at Ciorani ; of Nocera
at Pagani; in the diocese of Bovino at Iliceto; in that
of Conza at Caposele. In each of these places the missionaries have their own house where they live together, and
this is done with the consent of your Majesty who has even
deigned by several royal decrees addressed to the civil
tribunal to approve the great benefit of this work by
applying to it the superfluous income of the laic chapels, an
aid that could not be procured, as there was no income
over and above the expenses that were incurred by them.
1 This petition, as may be inferred from a letter of July 4, 1753,
was not presented to the king, at least in this year.

'
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1752.]

Letter 141.

Then the number of the subjects having increased in this
Congregation, in order to establish in perpetuity so great a
good, a petition has been addressed by its members, as
well as by the bishops of the dioceses above-mentioned, to
the present Sovereign Pontiff, to obtain through his apostolic
authority the confirmation and approbation of the Institute
and of the Rule of this Congregation. And now after the
information gathered by the Sacred Congregation of the
Council, to which His Holiness intrusted this affair, there
have been obtained, conformably to the wish of the examiners,
the apostolic Brief of confirmation, which begins with these
words: Ad Pastoralis dignitatis fastigium. No use, how­
ever has been made of this Brief, hoping that your Majesty
would deign to grant the exequatur, as we hope to obtain
by this petition.
This is the reason why the undersigned humbly have
recourse to the royal clemency, and beg your Majesty to
grant them the favor of the said exequatur in order that in
this kingdom may remain established this work which concerns
so much the glory of God and the spiritual good of those
subjects that are most abandoned. The latter are ignorant
even of the most necessary things of faith, especially the
shepherds who live in the territory of Puglia, belonging to
the royal patrimony of your Majesty. The undersigned
missionaries have also taken a hou^e in this last mentioned
Province in order to bestow every care upon those poor
shepherds, the number of whom is about forty thousand.
Confiding, therefore, in the great piety and zeal of your
Majesty, the petitioners humbly present the Apostolic Brief
and hope to obtain the favor that they solicit.
After the original in possession of the Redemptorist Fathers
of Vaals (Limbourg, Holland).

General Correspondence.

LETTER

[PART I.

142.

To Mother Maria di Gesù, a Carmelite at Ripacandida.

The saint recommends to her prayers Marquis Brancone
on account of the resolution that the latter had formed.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, December 12, [1752].

We have run a great risk of seeing the Congregation
completely dissolved; but by the grace of God the king
afterwards honored us with a very favorable decree. Mar­
quis Brancone has strongly sustained our credit; please,
my dear Mother, recommend him to God. I also beg you
(this in confidence) to make a novena to his intention. He
is filled with uncertainty ; there is question whether or not
he should renounce his charge in order to devote himself to
his own salvation by leading a private life. I have dissuaded
him from this project; for the good of the Church requires
that he should not give up his post. After the novena let
me know with what the Lord 1 has inspired you. Recom­
mend me to Jesus Christ.
1 From the following letter written by Brancone to the saint we
can conjecture the reply of the saintly Prioress.
<1

Naples, February 10, 1753.
Dearest Friend: Your letters, the one dated the 29th of last
month, and the other, the 4th of this month, filled me with con­
solation, for in them I read the proofs of your kindness and of the
love which you bear me: T thank you with all my heart.
I have read the letter of the Prioress of Ripacandida, which you
kindly sent to me. Rest assured that I shall never communicate to
any one what has been confided to me by you and by her. The
letter showed me that she held with regard to my proposed step the
same opinion that some other devout and learned persons hold. I
adore the divine will which disposes of me in this manner, and I
shall continue to bear my burden with the greatest devotion and
cheerfulness, hoping that our Lord will deign to bless me. I have

Letter 143.

175«. J

273

Let the Carmelites, the Dominicans, etc., and others,
who ever they may be, come; do not deviate from that
which I have written to you. Write to me about the
doubts that you have; but abridge your letter as much as
possible. I knew that the Carmelite Father had forbidden
you the daily Communion. I have created a noise about
this with Monsignor (but say nothing about this). I know
not what he will do.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After an old copy.
LETTER

143.

To a Friend.
He thanks him for the interest that he takes in the Institute.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, December 25, 1752.

I have received your very dear letter, and I thank you
for the great affection that you bear towards this poor little
never refused to bear the burden, nor am T doing so now; but as I
see how difficult it is to work out my eternal salvation, I grow
despondent and my courage vanishes. For this reason I ask you
and all your chosen souls to obtain for me from God better health
that I may fulfill the duties of my office scrupulously and cheerfully.
And as in your letters you spoke of the Prioress, Sister Maria di
Gesù, as a pious servant of God, I feel a great desire to open a
correspondence with her for my spiritual advantage; I hope to
obtain this favor through you and through the bishop to whom she is
subject. Hence, as soon as you approve of my wish, let me know
where Ripacandida is situated, and whether the Prioress — as a
Carmelite — is subject to the Provincial of the Carmelites or to the
bishop. If the latter be the case, please tell me who the bishop is,
adding at the same time what you know about the family of the
Prioress and of the condition of the nuns in the monastery. I intend
to do this under your direction and with your approval.
I thank you for your prayers, and I beg you to continue them.........
18

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flock of Jesus Christ in the midst of persecutions. The
tempest that hell has raised against us is not a small affair;
but the Lord has turned it all to a good account; for the
king who was at first somewhat against us, is now in our
favor. It is true that in the decree some restrictions have
been placed upon us; but we are satisfied with the result,
because the work is now approved and established ; and
this is most important. For the rest, if we remain poor, it
is sure that as long as we conduct ourselves well, God will
not fail us. I know’ that you have always been our protector, and I hope that you will ever be so. I recommend
myself to your prayers, and I wish you a happy new year,
that is a year full of love for Jesus and Mary. I remain,
etc. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.

»

LETTER I44.

To Father Bernardo Apice,1 at Caposele.

S

He refuses to grant him permission to change his abode
and tries to quiet him.
■

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[!752 or 1753.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I received a letter from Father Paolo [Cafaro] that I
should send you to Iliceto. But I see that this is not the
will of God, but a temptation of the devil who sees the
good that you are doing in the place where you are. If you
go to Iliceto what good will you do there? Father Paolo
says that all things appear to you to be black at Caposele.
1 Father Bernardo Apice, born at Castellammare, December 21,
1728, made his religious profession, January 6, 1748, and died
September 9, 1769. He had therefore spent twenty-two years in
apostolic labors, now in Naples, now in Sicily, where he was
Rector for three years. Father Agostino Saccardi wrote the life
of this saintly man, which was printed at Naples in the year 1816.

»753-1

But if you give yourself up entirely to obedience, they will
all appear to you to be white. Hence I beg you to devote
yourself to the doing of God’s will, otherwise you will
everywhere be full of disquietude. At least write to me what
it is that troubles you in that house ; it may induce me to
make a change; for so far I do not see what can be a
sufficient reason for altering my views in your regard. My
dear Bernardo, know that I have always wished, and do
now wish, well to you. Be calm, for your disquietude
will also be mine. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa 1

After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER

145.

To Mgr. Pasquale-Teodoro Basta, Bishop of Melfi.1

Confidential letter in regard to the ordination of a subject.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!*

Right Reverend and Dear Sir: I ask your Lordship to
read this letter privately, and then to destroy it.
Don Angelo Antonio Grazioli 12 is anxious that I should
ask your Lordship to confer upon him during this Lent the
last two sacred Orders. In regard to the interstices, he
would himself, he says, ask the necessary dispensation at
1 Born at Monteparano (diocese of Taranto) April 26, 1711, he
was appointed Bishop of Melfi, January 9, 1748, and occupied this
see till the beginning of the year 1766.
2 Born at Atelia (diocese of Melfi) June 13, 1724, he took the
habit of our Congregation November 12, 1759, anil made profession
November 21, 1760. He was probably the son of Don Benedetto
Grazioli, a distinguished benefactor of the Institute, who is often
mentioned in the letters of St. Alphonsus.

2/6

General Correspondence.

[PARTI.

Rome. I therefore write to you on this subject; but for
the rest, your Lordship may do what you think will be best
before God.
As for the foundation,1 I beg you, Monsignor, not to
take any steps before we have had an understanding with
each other; for a favorable moment must be chosen if we
do not wish to risk ruining both the foundation and the
Congregation.12
With respect to Don Angelo Antonio, be so kind as to
write me a letter which I may give him to read ; but do not
say, I beg you, that I wrote to you so dryly. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Begging your blessing,
I remain your Lordship’s,
very humble, devoted, and grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved at the cathedral of Melfi.
LETTER

146.

To Mother Maria di Gesù, a Carmelite at Ripacandida.

He refuses to allow a Father of the Congregation to be
extraordinary confessor, and exhorts her to remain firm in
the defence of regular observance.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, February 23, [1753].

I answer your two letters. I rejoice that you are laboring
to re-establish regular observance. Continue, and be firm.
In reference to your doubts, recommend yourself to Jesus
Christ, and go ahead.
1 I here was question of making a foundation at Rionero (see
Letter 127).
2 I he Congregation was then exposed to various persecutions on
the part of the civil government because of pretended acquisitions.

Letter 146.

1753-J

277

As for your request that you make to me to grant you
Father Fiocchi as extraordinary confessor two or three
times a year, how can I consent, since that is expressly
forbidden by our Rule? What! do you wish me to be
driven out of the Congregation ? If the consultors hear
that I am introducing such an abuse against the Rule, they
may expel me. I highly esteem your monastery and your
Rule; but I cannot do what is against our Rule, You
know how difficult it is to remove an abuse when it has
once been introduced ; I hope to be able to die with the
consciousness of never having permitted any. If I should
grant to your monastery what you ask, I could not refuse it
to others, or at least, the Superiors that come after me
would grant it after my example; and thus you see the
Fathers would give up the missions in order to become
extraordinary confessors and to give retreats to religious.
I should be very glad if you would make this clear to the
bishop, whom I very much esteem, and to whom I regret
to be obliged to refuse anything.
The answer that I am now giving you will appear without
doubt very harsh ; but I should wish that you were in my
place. If you were Rector Major you would speak as I do.
I know by experience what fine things I have been obliged
to hear from my confrères when I have given any permission
that was against the Rule, though there was question
of matters by no means so important as this. You may
also write to Father Fiocchi ; you will see that his answer
will be like mine. May this, however, not prevent you
from recommending me to Jesus Christ, just as I do not
omit to pray for you and for all your Sisters.
I do not answer separately the letter that Sister Maria
Cherubina has written to me ; but as there are no secrets
between you and her, I here say to her as well as to you,
and to all the other fervent religious : Be firm like a rock :
answer resolutely the bishop, the Carmelite Father, and all
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the others, that you have made profession according to the
Rule of St. Teresa; that you wish to observe it punctually,
ad literam [to the letter] ; and that no one can exempt you
from it. The Carmelite Father will speak perhaps in this
manner, because the Rule has been mitigated for the nuns
of his observance; answer that you do not wish to follow
the Rule of these religious, but the Rule of St. Teresa.
Remain firm; Jesus and Mary will sustain you.
You should do this yourselves, because Father Fiocchi
cannot place himself in opposition to the bishop; but you
yourselves can well do this when there is question of defending
regular observance. You have scarcely begun, and you
already wish to have your Rule mitigated ! But if the Rule
is now mitigated, what will become of the Rule fifty years
hence? Indeed, poor religious are those that ask for a
mitigation of the Rule ! I pity them ; for they will have to
render an account to God not only about themselves, but
about all the others. I pray you, be firm ! If you think
fit, you may communicate these my sentiments to the others.
If you were to inform me that the rigor of the Rule has
been relaxed, you would make me lose all the affection that
I entertain for this monastery, which I at present esteem so
much. Tell Sister Maria Cherubina that she should incessantly raise her voice against the Carmelite Father, who
is trying to bring about a mitigation; let her have no
scruple in this respect. Of what use is it to look for
directors and to ask for Father Fiocchi? It is your Rule
that should direct you ; keep your Rule, and you will all
become saints.
As for me, I will see what I can do in this matter. At
all events, banish from your mind the idea of having
Father Fiocchi twice or three times a year as your extràordinary confessor: that is impossible; it is forbidden to us
to exercise this function even once, outside of the time
of the mission.

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Letter iff.

279

Write about this to Father Fiocchi, and tell him also to
write to me about it. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
T eresa !
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER I47.

To the Same.
Signs of illusion. — How to act in reference to extraordinary
graces.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, March 28, [1753].

I have received your last letter through your brother.
Relatively to the direction by Father Fiocchi, I am satisfied
with the sensible and holy answer that you have given me ;
for you may rest assured that what I do not do for your
soul, I would certainly not do for any other. Moreover, I
cheerfully permit that Father Fiocchi should answer all
your doubts, and I shall also allow him to call upon you
sometimes.
As regards what you add, namely, that you are in great fear
and uncertainty, and that several Fathers tell you that you
are laboring under an illusion and that you are in error, I
am more glad to hear this than that you raised ten dead
persons to life. All this gives me the assurance that you
are not under an illusion nor in error. Persons that are led
astray by illusions fully believe in their errors; but you fear
illusion, and this is a sign that you are not deceived. Pray
therefore to Jesus Christ to preserve you in this fear, if it
contributes to his glory. I moreover, in the name of Jesus
Christ, command you to dilate your heart towards God.
and act as you did before, with liberty and great confidence.
I assure you that you are neither deceiving yourself nor are

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General Correspondence.

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you deceived. Receive with affection and without fear the
lights and the marks of tenderness that the Lord gives to
your soul; and in future banish all fears as temptations,
whatever others may have said and still say to you.
Those directors had the best intention in speaking thus to
you, since they have followed the general rule which re­
quires that favored souls should be humbled and kept down
lest they fall into pride. This rule, however, does not
apply to your soul. You are not going to boast of ecstasies
or of prophesies. You are not going to publish to the first one
that you meet what concerns you, as others do, whereby
they certainly give rise to the suspicion that they are under
illusions, and that they are deceiving others. I know that
you do not speak except in case of necessity, when you ask
aid and counsel.
On the other hand, God gives you enough light to know
what you are, and what you merit because of your defects
and your miseries. Is there, then, any reason why you
should be deceived by the devil? What! the devil! No,
no; it is God who keeps himself near you and around you,
because he wishes you to belong entirely to him. Hence
when he removes the veil to speak to you by communicating
to you his lights, begin by humbling yourself when you see
him granting such favors to so ungrateful a soul ; abase
yourself by considering your nothingness; then, confiding
in the mercy and infinite goodness of the Sovereign Good,
abandon yourself as a dead person to his tender arms,
and receive with gratitude and affection all the lights
and all the other favors that he lavishes upon your soul.
May they cause you to humble yourself still more, and to
redouble your zeal and fidelity in his holy love. I also
recommend to you, when God leaves you alone and does
not bestow upon you any caresses, not to complain either
interiorly or exteriorly, not to become disquieted on account
of their absence, nor to seek them, because there may be

1753·]

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28i

some illusion in this search. Henceforth, I repeat, do not
be disturbed about what is said of you ; as an answer, say
within· yourself: I wish only God, — and then remain quiet.
Uneasiness suits only the soul that seeks everything else but
God.
Preserve this letter in order to derive strength from it
when others again disturb you. If anything particular
happens to you write me briefly the substance of it; I shall
then steal a moment, as I do now, to answer you : yet only
in a few words, as I have not a moment’s time. Furthermore.
I beg you not to raise so many doubts, and not to wish to
know in everything whether or not it is God that speaks, as
this solicitude may injure you. With God, with this
infinite Goodness, we must walk quite simply and honestly.
Do therefore what you think is best, and move onward.
In meditation, if you experience dryness, always sustain
yourself by prayer and by continual offerings of yourself to
God ; but as soon as the Lord speaks to you, abstain from
speaking, and open your soul to receive all that he has to
communicate to you. In all your prayers remember my
soul. Never forget to recommend the souls in purgatory
and poor sinners. Pray especially for Naples, where it is
said there are many atheists who deny the existence of God :
remember them as well as our Congregation. Take courage!
God is with you. Dominus illuminatio mea et salus mea:
quem timebo? [The Lord is my light and my salvation,
whom shall I fear? — Ps. xxvi. i.] May Jesus be our love
and Mary our hope ! I am having printed a little work on
the “Manner of Conversing with God:” I shall send it to
you.
[Z3. S.] One word more. I have written to the bishop
to ask him to give you permission to answer Brancone.
If he gives you permission, answer the Marquis that you do
not forget to recommend him to God without ceasing, in
order that the Lord may give him the necessary light and

282

Genera I Correspan den ce.

(PART I.

strength to walk on the right road by defending the interests
of the Church in the position that he occupies; and you
must encourage him. It matters little that his letter was
lost; for it contained nothing more than a request that you
should recommend him to God. Answer him then, as I
have indicated, if you receive permission, without saying
that his letter was lost. You may say without scruple : I
answer your letter, etc. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa !
After an old copy.
LETTER 148.

To Father Carmine Fiocchi 1 in Lacedogna.

He speaks to him about some missions that he wishes him
to give.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, April 2. [1753?]

Mgr. [Antonio Manerba, Bishop] of S. Angelo wrote to
me for a mission to be given after Easter; I wrote back to
1 Father D. Carmine Fiocchi was born J une 13, 1721, at Caiano, in the
diocese of Salerno of respectable and virtuous parents. At an early age
he was a model of fervor. Prayer was his delight, and so desirous was
he of doing penance that his mother was obliged to take from him
the instruments of mortification with which he tortured his innocent
body. When he reached the proper age, his parents sent him to
Naples where he might receive an education suitable to his birth
and fortune. There in the course of his studies, in which he
distinguished himself, he remained steadfast in piety, so that his
beautiful soul, full of the love of Jesus Christ well understood how
to despise the vain allurements of the world. Having entered the
seminary of Salerno, young Fiocchi soon after received subdeacon­
ship . Anxious however to belong to God without reserve, he
aspired to the religious life, and after having prayed much, his
choice fell upon the Congregation of St. Alphonsus. He then wrote
to the holy founder who, after examining his vocation, wrote to him
that it came from God, that God wished him to belong entirely to

1753-J

Letter 748.

him that I would serve him ; but his nephew again wrote
that the affair would be spoken of when Monsignor returned
home. See therefore that the time of this mission be fixed
for the Sunday in Albis [Low Sunday]; because if the date
is not acceptable, we shall have to go to Frigenti and then
to Fontanarosa, as I have promised Mgr. [Felice Leoni,
Him, and finally that the resolution that he had formed should be at
once put in execution.
Animated by these words the fervent seminarian hastened to Ciorani
to make his novitiate. His parents, notwithstanding their piety,
were in consternation on account of his departure, and so much
were they moved by their affection for flesh and blood that they
applied to the civil authorities to aid them in their design. The
authorities arrogating to themselves the right of sustaining such
unjust pretensions, ordained that the novice should be shut up in a
convent at Salerno, there to examine and to prove better his
vocation. But with God’s help the young man triumphed over all
obstacles and had finally the satisfaction of being able to return to
the novitiate, where he made his religious profession in the presence
of St. Alphonsus, May 8, 1744.
After he had become a priest, he was destined for the work of the
missions. The success that he met with was wonderful. Without
any fear of exaggeration it may be asserted that he was one of the
greatest missionaries of the Congregation of the Most Holy Re­
deemer. During the thirty years that he spent in this laborious
ministry, he led back to God innumerable sinners, sanctified
the clergy of many dioceses, and re-kindled fervor in a great
number of monasteries. He was only twenty-eight years of age
when he was called to be the Superior of the house at Pagani; and
in 1750, after the death of Father Sportelli, St. Alphonsus appointed
him to be one of the three General-Consultors.
All the virtues of a religious shone brilliantly in Father Fiocchi.
But he distinguished himself above all by his fervor in prayer, his
spirit of mortification, his love for Mary Immaculate and for his
devotion to our Blessed Mother of the Seven Dolors. Then the love
that he felt for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament was without a
parallel: when he offered the Holy Sacrifice he resembled a seraph.
This worthy son of St. Alphonsus went to his eternal repose in 1776,
while sweetly invoking the name of Mary. Four years after his
death his body was found incorrupt.

284

Gen era I Corresponden ce.

[PART I.

Bishop] of Avellino. And then in Avellino itself, that is, in
the diocese of this name, we should have to proceed to
Villamaiana and S. Stefano.
We shall have to repair to Trevico and Flumari, which
have also been promised. Take as many subjects as you
can from Caposele and Iliceto, and I will send you others
from this place; you most divide them between Trevico and
Flumari, since the spring is short. You must, therefore,
write at once and appoint the time, so that all may be
prepared when you arrive. The first mission will begin in
Dominica in Albis [Low Sunday]. Give my regards to
Don Michelangelo Colabella, and tell him that I have
recommended him to the Madonna. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
At Naples I have obtained important favors for the Con­
gregation.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of Father Francesco Saverio Pecorelli, C. SS. R.
LETTER 149.

To the Novice Pietro Angelo Picone,1 at Ciorani.

He consoles him and admits him to religious profession.
[The beginning of June, r753-]

Live Jesus and Mary!
My Son: I have learned from your letter and I had
already heard before, that the doctor has said that your
1 Pietro Picone,· cousin of Father Carmine Picone, born May 24,
1733 and admitted to the novitiate June 21, 1752, fell ill during the
last months of his novitiate. The malady appearing serious, the
Superiors wished to send him for some time to Manicalciati, his
native place. This determination was the occasion of great sadness

I753-]

Letter z^p.

285

native air may do you good, and I have acquiesced in the
desire that you have in regard to your health. For the
rest, you have not given me any cause for complaint, and
since you do not care about going to your native country, I
am satisfied if you go for a change of air to any one of our
houses. I have already ordered that you should be sent to
our house at Caposele whence if the air does you no good you
may pass to the house of Iliceto; and I desire nevertheless
(tell them about it) that about July or August they may
allow you to take the waters of Monticchio. I am moreover
satisfied that on the feast of St. Louis you should make the
vows, since you so ardently desire to do so. You see now
whether I wish to drive you out of the Congregation.
During your illness do not apply yourself much to study.
Take care of your health, go out walking in the mornings,
do what the doctor says, and pray every day for me. I
will not make you stay either here or at Ciorani, because
the air of these two places has not benefited you. Let us
see what other climates will do for you. Live Jesus and
Mary!
Brother Alfonso,

of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
to the pious youth, since this departure for home had the appearance
of dismissal from the Congregation. He therefore wrote a long
letter to the holy founder, entreating him not to send him away
from the house of God. The saint sent him the foregoing letter.
Pietro Picone made his profession in the presence of Father Paolo
Cafaro at Caposele, on the day indicated in the answer of St.
Alphonsus, and died a holy death in the same house at Caposele, in
the month of November of the following year.

2S6

General Correspondence.

[parti.

letter 150.

To a Superior of the Congregation.

Change of abode of two subjects.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
June 25 ....

Write to Signor Nicola Santoriello at Caposele and ask
him to send to Iliceto the young tailor Nicola, as I learn
that he has recovered. I hen write to Iliceto that they
should send to Pagani either Nicola or Brother Romualdo,
whichever of the two needs most to go there for his health.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa! I remain, etc.
After the Roman edition.

LETTER 151.

To Mother Angiola of Divine Love,1 a Carmelite at Capua.
He asks her to use her influence with the Queen of Naples
to obtain the approbation of the Institute of the Most Holy
Redeemer.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, July 4, [ 1753J-

I have received your most esteemed favor, and I first
thank you for the remembrance that you have kept of me,
and then for the recommendations that you have made for
me. You are right, my dear Mother; it is not prudent to
present the Brief if circumstances are not favorable.
I have suffered from pains of the body, especially from
headache; yet I have never forgotten to recommend you
1 Mother Angiola, the penitent of the saint in the world, had
founded the reformed Carmelite convent at Capua. The Queen
of Naples, Maria Amalia Walburga, frequented this convent and
expressed a great regard for the saintly foundress.

1753·]

Letter ι$ΐ·

287

every day at Mass. On your part, I beg you, continue to
recommend me to our Lord that he may make me entirely
his. That is the important thing. For the rest, and in
regard to the approbation, God will provide.
However, my dear Mother, when the Queen arrives at
Caserta, do not forget what I wrote to you in my last
letter.
The whole difficulty rests upon the acquisition of property.
His Majesty the king may do in regard to this whatever he
wishes; we shall accept anything. If the king wishes that
we should never be allowed to possess anything and that
the bishop should only be permitted to furnish us with some
alms, he has but to command, and we will obey. It is
sufficient that he gives us the approbation and that he does
not thus leave us in suspense. If the king knew that we
were making this proposition, I believe that he would be
appeased, seeing that we do not wish to possess anything.
But who will make this proposition to him? If I could
speak to him, I would do so; but the king grants no
audience. I have tried to have an interview, and the thing
was impossible. But the Queen can speak to him if she
wishes. Enough. When the moment comes I beg you to
submit to the Queen this proposition.
I continue to hope, my dear Mother, that our dear Lord
will use your intervention to establish this work destined to
save so many abandoned souls. Who knows whether God
has not disposed this favor of the Queen not only for the
benefit of your reform, but also for the success of all that is
undertaken for his glory ! However, if you think that the
glory of God is not concerned in our approbation, I will
not ask that you should any more speak of this affair.
Now I think, and I always say, that the Lord wishes to
mortify my pride, and that this approbation will not be
obtained before my death. Dominus est : quod est bonum
in oculis suis, hoc faciat. [It is the Lord: let him do what

288

General Correspondence.

[parti.

is good in his sight. — i Kings, iii. 18.] May Jesus and
Mary not cease to diffuse over us their blessings.
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER

152.

To Sister Anna Camilla de’ Leoni, in the Monastery of the
Most Holy Saviour at Ariano.

He exhorts her to bear her interior trials courageously,
and writes out for her a rule of conduct.
Nocera, July 5, 1753.

Modicce fidei, quœ dubitasti? [O thou of little faith,
why didst thou doubt? — Matt. xiv. 31.] It is nothing, it
is nothing, it is nothing. I even assure you that God loves
you now more tenderly than ever. You fear on account
of the things about which you speak to me; and I fear that
the Lord, to punish your pusillanimity, will not make the
trial cease to which he has put you in order to make you
entirely his. I assure you on my conscience that you are
in favor with God, you love God and God loves you.
If you could see, while you are reading my letter, the love
which he who is the infinite Good bears you, you w’ould die
with joy.
I see from the tone of your letter that God in his goodness
wishes to raise you to a sublime state of love. Do not
place any obstacle in the way. And do not believe that the
obstacle comes from the multitude of sins which frighten
you, as you say, and which you call the sins of hatred
of God and of the Sisters who speak of God, the displeasure
of being a Christian, the desire of being damned, the wish
of calling the devil to your aid. Do not positively make
any account of those thoughts, desires, temptations against

Letter 152,

I/53-]

289

faith or against any other matter; do not by any means
confess them, and always receive Communion, notwith­
standing all those incitements to despair, and however
horrible may appear to you those desires; for in all this
you commit no fault. If you had not committed any sins
in the past, you would be at this moment as innocent as a
child. In order to commit a sin there must be full pleasure
and the full consent of the will ; you, on the contrary,
detest these things, although the darkness, the trouble, and
the aridity in which you are make you believe that you arc
giving consent. The obstacle which in my opinion you can
put in the way of your spiritual progress is your importunit}'
in praying to God to deliver you from these troubles, You
do not feel the love of God ; but thank God that you have
it ; if you did not possess it, God would not make you feel
the pain that you have, I wish to say, the fear in which
you now are of offending him or of having lost his friend­
ship. The more desperate you feel, the greater confidence
you should have. Honor this infinite Goodness by taking
as the measure of your confidence in him the greatness
of the chastisements of which you acknowledge yourself to
be worthy. Nultus speravit in Domino, et confusus est.
[No one hath hoped in the Lord, and hath been confounded.
— Ecclus. ii. ii.]
I send you this little work. Keep a copy of it for
yourself; give one to the abbess; put another in the choir
for any one that may wish to read it. Read a little ever}’
day out of this book. But let us proceed to what you should
do in the state in which you are.
First, humble yourself before God, and acknowledge
yourself worthy of every chastisement. Then, as I have told
you, far from asking to get rid of this state, offer yourself to
remain therein your whole life and through all eternity if so
God wills. Ask him only to help you to avoid every fault,
particularly tedium and little resignation to the divine will.
19

290

Gcrierai Correspondence.

[parti.

Cast yourself like one that is dead into the amiable embrace
of Jesus, your Redeemer, by assuring him unceasingly that
he can do with you what he pleases, provided you love him
and are pleasing to him. Say to him: O Lord, here I am!
I no longer belong to myself, I belong to Thee; do with
me as Thou wishest. I care not for pains, provided they
procure Thy glory. I do not desire consolations; it suffices
if I belong to Thee and love Thee. Then, rejoice and be
consoled by remembering that the infinite Good, the object
of your love, is infinitely happy.
Secondly, while in this state guard against giving up
your exercises, and particularly Communion. Even ask
your confessor, under the pretext of making, some novenas,
to increase if possible the number of your Communions
while you are under this trial. As for the apprehensions
of which I have spoken, namely, the hatred of God,
despair, incredulity, etc., do not confess them. And when
you call upon your confessor, let not this be in order to
seek for consolations, but only to obtain strength in your
trials. In the state in which you are, take care to obey
punctually, and show the same obedience to the Superiors
of the monastery. In this kind of trial all must be done
forcibly and against one’s will ; but in this is found the good
pleasure of God.
Thirdly, have recourse to the comforter of the afflicted,
the Blessed Virgin by saying to her: My good Mother,
have pity on me! As for prayer and thanksgiving after
Communion, do not trouble yourself if you find yourself
distracted, sick and tired, and if you think that by your
thoughts you are displeasing God rather than pleasing him.
It suffices that you simply say from time to time: My God,
my Jesus, it is Thee alone whom I wish, and nothing more.
And it is sufficient if you say this with the superior part
of the will, without any sentiment; say it by the glance

4—

Letter i$j.

I753-]

291

of the eye at the crucifix, at heaven, or at the Blessed
Sacrament; and that will be sufficient.
Fourthly do violence to yourself so that you may not
show melancholy in the presence of the Sisters. Try to
appear joyful as much as possible, and be obliging to
every one ; and if some impatient words should escape you.
do not trouble yourself; for in the state in which you are
God will have greater compassion on you.
In the midst of these trials, recommend my poor soul to
Jesus Christ, for these trials render you dearer to his heart,
and he most willingly hears your prayers. Courage be
without fear. God wishes you all to himself.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

LETTER

153.

To the Master of Novices.
He should employ kindness and discretion towards the
novices.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I beg you to treat N. with great kindness. He must
remain in the novitiate like a novice ; but he must accuse
himself with the other professed. Tell him that he is a
member of the Congregation, because this is a sore temptation
to him. Endeavor to encourage him.
Now that the hot weather is coming, moderate the exer­
cises of the novices; let them go out often and diminish
their application ; for we see how all become ill. Let them
gradually copy the exercises of the missions, and see to it

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

that they learn by heart at least two or three exhortations
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 154.

To Father Andrea Villani, Rector of the House at Ciorani.

The saint acquaints him with the serious illness of Father
Paolo Cafaro, and asks his prayers for the latter’s recovery.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, August 5, [1753]·

Gloria Patri! Father Paolo Cafaro is very ill. Read
this letter and return it to me. There is great need
of fervent prayer. I have asked for prayers at Scala and at
all the monasteries of this part of the country. You and
all the others will please say ten Masses for Father Paolo; I
shall do the same here; begin a novena with a litany.
Please say for nine evenings three times the Our Father,
the Hail Mary and Gloria Patri, in honor of the Most
Holy Trinity for the favors granted to the archpriest of
Ripacandida,1 and to solicit the recovery of the sick man
through the merits of this servant of God. Please send
immediately the same request for prayers to the mon­
asteries of Solofra, Saragnano, S. Giorgio, and Penta,
as soon as you can do so conveniently, but it would please
me very much if you wrote to Solofra immediately.
<
*
Write to Iliceto to tell them to begin the novena together
1 Don Giambattista Rossi, archpriest of Ripacandida and founder
of the discalced Carmelites there, died with the reputation of a
saint, in the fifty-sixth year of his age, in the year 1746. Many
miracles were wrought through his intercession. The Life of this
great servant was printed in the year 1752 and dedicated to His
Holiness, Benedict XIV. One of the sisters of Rossi lived at
Pescopagano ; and for this reason, St. Alphonsus in the following
letter advises Father Giovenale to seek for relics of Don Rossi at
Ripacandida.

Letter i55.

I753-]

293

with the ten Masses; let them make the novena also for
[Marquis] Brancone.
I wish you could come here to-morrow, or Wednesday
or Thursday, to settle several points.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After a copy.
LETTER

155.

To Father Francesco Giovenale,1 Minister of the House
at Caposele.

Prayers prescribed for the recovery of Father Cafaro. —
Triple obedience imposed on the sick man.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, August 6, [1753]·

May God be ever blessed and may his holy will be done ’
You did well in sending for Cappuccio1
2 and also for
Boegio.3 This sickness is probably a coagulation of blood
and the effect of an epidemic that is perhaps prevalent
among you ; hence I think a cold water treatment would be
beneficial. For the rest, I frankly admit, I am not a doctor.
The illness is becoming very serious. Prayers are needed.
I have already requested prayers to be said at the convent
at Scala and at different monasteries of the neighborhood.
o
Please ask the monastery and the town of Calitri to say the
litanies of the Madonna; you might also ask at Guardia
and at Pescopagano, where Father Paolo [Cafaro] lately
1 Father D. Francesco Giovenale, born at Lacedogna, February 6,
1719, entered the Congregation in 1747, and after a virtuous life
died at S. Angelo a Cupolo, June 16, 1782.
2 The archpriest of Lacedogna Don Domenico Antonio Cappuccio
was from the year 174S one of the penitents of Father Cafaro.
3 Another penitent of Father Cafaro.
19*

294

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

gave missions. Besides the novena to the Madonna (which
you are to say also for Marquis Brancone, as I promised
him) you will also say ten Masses for Don Paolo’s recovery;
I have ordered the other houses to do the same; and during
nine days, recite three times the Our Father, Hail Mary,
and Gloria Patri in honor of the Most Holy Trinity, in
order that Father Paolo may receive his health through the
merits of the archpriest of Ripacandida, Giambattista Rossi,
who works so many miracles. If perhaps you have some
relic of this holy priest, apply it to the sick man ; if you
have none, try to procure one at Pescopagano.
As for Father Paolo, as soon as he has recovered from
his stupor, please read to him these three points which I
give him :
“ I, Alfonso, as your Superior, taking the place of Jesus
Christ, give you the obedience and command you to calm
yourself and to believe with all confidence that you are in
the state of grace, and that God in his infinite Goodness
loves you dearly. If the Lord calls you to the other life,
do not forget to recommend to him the Congregation and
my own miserable self.
“In the second place, I command you to ask from God
your cure, if it be for his glory, in order that you may
serve him with greater fervor and zeal.
“ In the third place, I give you the obedience from our
Most Holy Redeemer to get well if it be for the glory
of God.”
This is for Father Paolo.
I am writing to-day to Naples and am telling Father
Margotta to go to your house.
I should gladly send Father Mazzini but I will not do so,
for I fear the epidemic which I think is at present prevalent
there. It is not good to risk the life of this good Father,
who God knows is in a poor condition and is using remedies.
Please tell Father Paolo when he is well to let me know

Letter 156.

1753·]

295

what he saw and heard in that dream of which Father
Picone spoke.
You may easily imagine the affliction in which we are :
hence I ask you to let me know how Father Paolo is getting
along after the obedience that I have given him.
You and all should earnestly pray to Jesus Christ and to
our Mother Mary ; say the litanies in the church, morning
and evening.
I bless you all ; let us resign ourselves entirely to the will
of God, if we wish to obtain graces.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

LETTER

156.

To Father Francesco Margotta, at Naples.
He informs Father Margotta of Father Cafaro’s illness. —
He asks him to return to Caposele.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, August 6, [1753].

Blessed be God forever! We are plunged into new
afflictions. A messenger came yesterday from Caposele
with the sad news that Father Cafaro has a very malignant
fever accompanied by a certain stupor, so that they were
obliged on the second day of the attack to blister him.
They wrote to me that they would like to have your
Reverence return to them. Isay that you for the present
may regulate your movements according to the business
that you have in hand.1
1 Father Margotta as Procurator-General of the Congregation
spent the greater part of his time at Naples, to transact the affairs
of the Institute.

296

General Correspondence.

[PART i.

I say, for the present, for if Father Paolo grows worse,
it will be necessary for you to go to Caposele.
Let the Brother [Francesco Tartaglione] take with him
to Don Giovanni Oliviero the enclosed fifteen ducats which
I am sending him.
May the divine will be ever done! Judge how much
concerned we are for Father Paolo. Pray and have all
prayers possible said in one or the other monastery.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of the priest D. Antonio d*
Amico at Molina di Vietri in the diocese of Cava.
LETTER

157.

To Father Francesco Giovenale.
Recommendation in regard to Father Cafaro’s illness.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
[Nocera], August 9, [1753].

May God’s will be always done! If God calls Father
Paolo to himself you will have to govern the house, and in
the mean time I shall be thinking of sending you another
Rector.
If Father Paolo should die, put off his funeral oration
until we are able to gather from Cava 1 and other places the
necessary particulars. However, I have not ceased to
place my hope in Mary, my good Mother. I hear that
water has been given to him, but I did not yet learn that
oil of almonds had been administered to him.
You may imagine how great is our affliction; I am,
especially so afflicted, that I have become like one stupefied.
Yet I have not lost all hopes that our Mother will leave him
among us for the glory of her Son.
1 Father Cafaro was a native of Cava.

ϊ/53-J

Letter /58.

297

If he dies, tell Apicc 1 to send me the particulars that he
has gathered. I shall afterwards send him the rest. If the
sick man should happen to become better, send me at once
a messenger. I bless you all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
If Father Paolo is still alive, tell him from me to hear
with submission what I impose on him in the name of
obedience; then, whether he regains his senses or not give
him the obedience that I have sent you. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 158.

To the Same.
Sentiments of resignation to the will of God inspired by the
death of Father Cafaro.2

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, August 14, [1753].

May the divine will be adored and fulfilled forever!
God’s will is our will. Father Paolo will assist us more in
heavén than on earth. We must now be resigned; God
wishes this of us, and we must obey.
You may bury him apart from the other graves; you
1 Father Bernardo Apice.
2 Father Paolo Cafaro, born at Cava July 5. 1707, was admitted to
religious profession July 2, 1741, and died August 13, 1753. At his
death, St. Alphonsus, adoring the divine judgments, expresses the
feelings of his heart in a celebrated little hymn on the will of God,
that begins with the following words:
Il tuo gusto, e non il mio
Amo solo in te, mio Dio.
Voglio solo, o mio Signore,
Ciô che vuol la tua bontà.
Qflanto degna sei d’ amore,
O divina Volontà.

2çS

General Correspondence.

[parti.

··
may also deliver the funeral sermon if you think fit. Send
out invitations that there may be many present. After
Father Apice 1 has finished the funeral oration, please send
it here that we may also deliver one.
Let your Reverence, as I have already said, act as
Superior for the present; I shall send a Rector afterwards.
Send me all Father Paolo’s manuscripts for safe-keeping.
If then you should wish for any one of his sermons, you
may write to me and I shall then send it.
As for Father Paolo’s picture, if you are not able to
procure one that is well done, we have a good one here.
We could then take this for a model.
Send me, I repeat, all his manuscripts and memorandum
books and a small piece of his habit. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
I have already determined the Rector for your house; it
is Father Giovanni Mazzini, and God knows what pain it
causes me to send him away to please your Archbishop
[of Conza]. Now send a Brother with a mule for the
journey. Have confidence, great confidence ! Father Paolo
has to do more for us above than he could do while here

.

(’Tis Thy good pleasure, not my own,
In Thee, my God, I love alone;
And nothing I desire of Thee
But what Thy goodness wills for me.
O will of God ! O will divine!
All, all our love be ever Thine.)

In the year 1767, the saint published a short sketch of the life
of Father Cafaro.
On the death of Mgr. Falcoia Father Cafaro became the spiritual
director of our saint, who, as appears from his journal, afterwards
asked Father Andrea Villani to fill that position. The words of the
journal are as follows: “All the obediences given by Father Paolo
and by other directors have been confirmed by Father Andrea, this
day, August 15, 1753.’’
1 The funeral oration by Father Bernardo Apice is preserved in
the archives of Father General at Rome.

ΐ753·]

Letter 1299

below. He has to obtain for us the exequatur, but quickly,
quickly.
Write me the particulars of his death; let Father Apice
send me a detailed account. I embrace you all in Jesus
Christ, hoping that you may all die as Father Paolo died.
Now let us become saints, let us observe the Rule strictly.
These deaths are warnings for us. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,

of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of the priest Don Francesco
Apice.
LETTER

159.

To the Same.
He should govern the Community at Caposele till the
arrival of the new Rector. — Various measures.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, August 21, [1753].

I have been wishing to send Father Giovanni [Mazzini] ;
but the news spread in regard to your surroundings is so
frightful that I cannot make up my’ mind to expose this
excellent subject to any dangers.
I have received the manuscripts, but I regret that the
instructions on the virtues have been lost. See whether
some one has them, and try to recover the instructions
given at Melfi.
In the mean time do the best you can, and when all
danger is over and there is no suspicion of it, you may send
for Father Giovanni.
As for the picture, we shall have it made.
Your Reverence may keep Father Paolo’s crucifix, donee
aliter provideatur [till otherwise provided.]
See to it that regular observance be maintained : exhort,

300

General Correspondence.

[parti.

beg, but do not give penances, unless it be to the laybrothers.
As for Brother Nicola, we must think of sending him
elsewhere. Here his health has been worse; he will at
your house breathe the air of his native place. If it is God’s
will to call him to himself, let us be resigned ; but make
him take the necessary remedies, such as, milk, broth, etc.
In regard to the sermons that you wish to have, we shall
speak of them afterwards.1
Tell Father Apice that he should have patience; we shall
return the manuscript. But to hear him say: It must
be finished promptly, at once, on the same day; one should
write while the other is dictating; this is indeed a fine thing!
or rather fine vanity! — All this in order that the manu­
script might be read and copied by the admirers at your
place so that the balloon may become more inflated !2
I am told that the Archbishop [di Conza] was displeased
because I used my influence in procuring a bishopric for his
Vicar-General. I did not think that this would be the case,
nor did I suspect that I would thereby cause him displeasure.
Henceforward I will never interfere in such things.
Have the enclosed letter forwarded to Muro as soon as
possible and cautiously ; so that it may not be lost and may
arrive safely. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Have the whole Community recommend to God the
brother of the archpriest of Teora. Live Jesus and Mary!
When the young man Francesco Antonio de Paola3
1 Very likely he refers to the sermons preached about the deceased
Father Paolo Cafaro.
2 Father Apice had composed a funeral oration on Father Cafaro,
and his oration had been sent to Nocera to furnish notes for Father
Alessandro de Meo who likewise pronounced a funeral oration on
the deceased, August 30, in our church at Pagani.
8 This young man, a native of Ruvo, diocese of Muro, became
later on (1781) Superior-General of the Congregation in the Pontifical
States.

1753·]

Letter /60.

301

comes, receive him kindly and send him here at once if he
can come. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
(Posteript written by another hand): Our Father wishes
to add here, that when you send the riding animals to take
Father Giovanni and the goods that have come from Naples,
send them laden with good grain; of this arrangement
Father Apice has teen informed.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER

160.

To Father Francesco Margotta, Procurator-General of the
Congregation at Naples.

Solicitude of the saint in regard to the health of the
subjects. — Bétails as to temporal affairs.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, 31, [August, 1753].

How can I permit Father [Francesco] Garzilli to go to
Caposele when I have been informed by letter that Father
Buonamano is suffering from a fever like that of Father
Paolo ?
As for Gaetano d’ Ischia, it would not be well to think
of sending him thither. I await a list of the books for the
exercises.
With regard to the purchase of investments, thus much
is certain: you cannot now leave Naples. The purchase
of investments in tobacco seems to me about the best
bargain ; but I fear after what I heard, the four per cents
do not offer entire security. I think the investments in
the fief is also good. Before investing in houses, it would
be well to see what will be the income. As for the
Carmelites, it is certain that they will return the money in a
few years: add to this that Don Bernardo is rightly in their
favor.

302

General Correspondence,

[part i.

Now I receive from Caposele another letter apprising me
that Father Picone has also been attacked by fever, and
that to the fever with which Father Buonamano is afflicted a
very severe headache has supervened. I also hear that the
mortality is still very great at Apulia. I therefore would
not dare to send Father Lorenzo d’ Antonio to Iliceto. I
remain, etc. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
If you ever have to give a novena to the children of the
Congregation of Borgia,1 I should be pleased, and I give
you my blessing. Live Jesus and Mary !
Brother Alfonsoz,
•
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of Sister Maria Crocifissa
Berlingieri, a nun in the convent of S. Chiara at Naples.
LETTER l6l.

To the Same.
Details relative to temporal affairs, to the mission at
Calabria and to various subjects.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, September 2, [1753].

As for those books of exercises, by Maffei and Muratori, we already have them. Please send me that work
of Father Barbugli 2 and let me know the price of it; but
look out for some other works.
About the purchase of tobacco, three and six carlini
1 This Congregation was called Ritirodelle Vergini dell' Immacolata
Concezione e di 0. Vincenzo. (Asylum of the orphans of the Im­
maculate Conception of St. Vincent de Paul.) It was built under
the direction of Cardinal Spinelli, who committed the care of it to
Canon Nicola Borgia, later on (that is in 1751) Bishop of Cava.
About 500 young girls found shelter in this retreat.
~ Demetrio Barbugli, S. J., has written among other works “ Spirit­
ual Readings for the Use of Nuns, or Commentary on Some
Passages of St. Bernard.”

1753·]

Letter ιόι.

303

would be suitable prices. As for the purchase of the fief it
is a wearisome thing to be obliged to quarrel with powerful
people about boundary lines; in the course of time they
take everything from you little by little.
About the chaplaincy, bene provisum [you have well
provided for it]. Your Reverence thinks only of Caposele. 1
Why does not some one think of the afflicted house at
Nocera which has nothing? But enough of this; do the
best you can. Please however do not let the chaplaincy
bear our name, as that is now forbidden by the king. 1
2
You can leave it to the archbishop that he may have us to
say Masses and that he give us the revenues of the benefice,
or you can leave it to the church of Mater Domini by
founding the chaplaincy there. Enough on this point ; take
the best measures that you can in order that we may not
get into trouble with the royal treasury.
I do not care too much about accepting the annual
income of thirty ducats in favor of a mission for the village
of Solopaca ; but poverty forces us to accept it for the
present. See whether you could arrange for a mission
every five or at least every four years.
Our Frater [Pietro Paolo] Blasucci is already of age
required for the priesthood ; hence he could be ordained at
Christmas ; but the consent of the Bishop of Muro is
necessary. I hear that the bishop is at present at Naples.
Try to find him and ask his permission.
It is not possible to give now the mission in Calabria
you know how many subjects we have lost. Next year the
young men who are now studying Moral Theology will
finish their course, and then we can oblige our friend. 3
1 Father Margotta being a native of the diocese of Conza was
inclined to leave his patrimony to the house at Caposele.
2 The Congregation had not been recognized as an ecclesiastical
corporation ; and could not therefore acquire any property.
3 This friend was Carmine Ventapane of Maratea, in the diocese

304

General Correspondence,

[part i.

But I will not have a mission given in Calabria without one
of these two conditions: either a foundation is to be
established ; and for that our friend would have to have an
understanding with the bishop, and the bishop should
express his desire to the king of uniting at his expense
some missionaries in one of his houses ; or there must be a
legacy of two thousand ducats. But then everything that we
wish to have done must be exactly determined ; if, for example,
it is desirable to have every four or five years missions
lasting two or three months. But if our ministry should be
required every year, or if we should be asked that within
the space of five years all the places in the diocese be
evangelized, such a thing would not be possible. There is
question of seven or eight days to be devoted to travelling.
I have received Monsignor Bonaventura’s 1 letter, and
give you my blessing for the instructions that you are going
to give at the Conservatory of Father Pepe.
As you have already bought the works of St. Peter
Damian, leave them for the house at Caposele; but they
are not of much value.2 It would have been much better
if you could have bought the works of St. Thomas of Villa­
nova, which are very fine.
Yes, tell Signor Cestoni that I shall not have any more
Visits printed on my account, but shall get them from him.
of Cassano, and was one of the ablest professors of medical science
at Naples. He was very zealous and at the same time wealthy.
Having seen with his own eyes the spiritual abandonment of the
people of Calabria, he resolved to have missions given there at his
own expense, and for this purpose he applied to St. Alphonsus and
to Father Margotta. And in fact, when everything had been ar­
ranged, the missions began in November 1756.
1 Francesco Antonio Bonaventura, born at Barletta, was a great
friend of St. Alphonsus. A man of great piety and learning, he was
preconized bishop of Nusco, November 26, 1753, and he governed
his diocese up to the year 1788.
2 No doubt the saint evidently meant that they were not of much
value in regard to their practical utility for missions.

Letter 162.

1753·]

However I have asked him to give me a copy of his edition
to revise it; it is full of faults. Hence if he intends to print
any more, I would wish to revise the edition ; I shall take­
copies from him, after I have disposed of my own, which
are not many.
Let me know the authors of the exercises which you
have found.
Try to find out whether the sixth volume of Tournely’s
Moral Theology has been published; I already have the
fifth.
I am sending back Brother Mattia, as I have no other
Brother to send you from this place ; how could you have
got along without a Brother? And then, what necessity is
there to send the half-sick Brother [to Caposele], where the
pest is raging at present?
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER 162.

To Mother Maria Angiola of Divine Love, at Capua.

He begs her to obtain through the Queen the royal ap­
probation of the Institute of the Most Holy Redeemer.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Now the favorable time has come for you, my dear
Mother. In my last letter I asked you to find out whether
it were expedient to hand to the Queen before the chase the
writing in question ; for I feared that amid the distractions
of the chase it might be lost. Now I tell you that you
should do as you think best; and if you think that you
should give the writing before the opening of the chase.
20

3<d6

General Correspondence.

[part i.

give it. But I again recommend to you to employ on this
occasion all the influence that you can exert. Make the
Queen especially understand the injury that the want of the
approbation has caused us; on the other hand, tell her that
we renounce the right of making any acquisition whatever,
and that we shall be satisfied with what the king allows us
through the hands of the bishops. I also ask you in
reference to this matter to read this writing, for everything
is there briefly exposed. For the service that you will
render me, my dear Mother, it is not I that will reward
you, but it will be Jesus Christ himself, whose cause you
will plead.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I have conveyed to Marquis Brancone the communication
with which you have charged me, and I beg you to
recommend me to Jesus Christ.
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER 163.

To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce, at Camigliano.

She should not refuse any charge. — Avoid dissipation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, September 30. [1753’]

I answer briefly. As for asking the Prioress that she
should not give you employments that may distract you, is
something that does not please me ; for a religious should
neither ask for nor refuse any employment; but when it is
given by the Superiors it is God himself who gives it.
In regard to placing into the hands of another religious
whatever you have, that would not displease me if you find

1753·]

Letter 164.

307

one that would desire to charge herself with the care of it.
You may, therefore, make an attempt, but without coming
to a final decision.
In respect to your feast, what shall I say? I do not like
these particular feasts which the religious celebrate. I
would advise you to deposit with the Prioress what is to be
spent for the feast and to concern yourself about nothing
except to praise and to offer prayers to the saint; otherwise
you will derive therefrom more disquietude than devotion.
As for your brother, if he comes it will be well. If he
does not come, do not take the trouble to have him come :
for self-love would have therein a greater share than the love
of God.
I recommend you to Jesus Christ; on your part continue
always to do so for me, and make a novena to the Blessed
Virgin for my Congregation ; for we are overwhelmed with
trouble, especially now as we are menaced, so they tell me.
with a great persecution. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
T eresa !
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of Sister Maria Alcala,
religious in the convent of S. Chiara, at Naples.
LETTER 164.

To Mother Maria Angiola of Divine Love.
He sends her some books. — Hopes in regard to the
extension of the Reform of Carmel.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Naples, October 6, [1753].

I send you, my dear Mother, my book on the Blessed
Virgin with the “Novena to St. Teresa” and the little book
of canticles. Please to give the other copy of the “ Glories

3°8

General Correspondence.

[parti.

of Mary to my dear friend Father A. Pagnani in order
that he may not forget me before the Madonna. You
yourself, my dear Mother, should take care to recommend
me to Jesus Christ after Communion and solicit for me from
our heavenly Mother the love for her divine Son. I desire
nothing else.
I am glad that the affair of the foundation of your
monastery of Gruma has again been brought up for dis­
cussion; so I was told at Naples. Your holy Institute will,
I hope, extend more and more over Italy and in the whole
of Europe, to the glory of the divine Spouse and your
divine Mother. Well, now! recommend me with fervor to
Jesus Christ, 1 say with fervor, otherwise I shall derive no
benefits. Recommend also this Congregation to this divine
Master. I will on the other hand pray for yours. May
Jesus be our love and Mary be our hope !
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer,
After an old copy.
LETTER 165.

To Signora Filippa Farao.
He briefly explains to her the Rules of the Nuns of the
Most Holy Redeemer at Scala.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, 29. [1753?]

\7our letters are too long. I rejoice that your uncle has
consented to send you to Scala ; but it seems to me to be
difficult for you to attain your end. We must pray much;
this is the means of obtaining this grace.
As for the Rules at Scala, a careful search has been
made for them, but they have not been found.1 The fol1 The said Rules were printed at Rome in 1750, after the Institute

I

Letter j 66.

1753-1

3°9

lowing is substantially what they contain : Perfect poverty
three hours of silence during the day, after recreation ; an
hour and a half of meditation; there is but one grate, and
for relatives, and conversation is held there with the veils
down; spiritual reading etc., and similar things; chemises
and bed-sheets are of linen; flesh-meat is eaten, etc. Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
hor pity’s sake, keep secret what I say to you, and
destroy my letters. Live Jesus and Mary!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

166.

To D. Luigi Sagliano.
He begs him recommend to the Queen through Mother
Maria Angiola the affair of the approbation of his Institute.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, October 30, [1753].

My dear Don Luigi : I have received your ven· dear
letter and that of Canon Farao whom I am going to answer ;
I have also received the two catechisms. I am glad that
the house is catching fire. St. F rancis de Sales says that
when the house catches fire the furniture is thrown out
of the window. He wishes to say that when in a soul the
love of God is enkindled, the soul detaches itself and
gradually casts off everything that is not God.
I do not forget you in my poor prayers, and you do not
forget me. I know not how to prophesy, but it appears to
me that God expects great things from you. Well. then.
of the Redemptoristines had been approved by the Holy See.
seems that the copy sent to the saint at Nocera was lost.
20*

It

jio

General Correspondence.

[parti.

I wish that you would help our poor Congregation, and do
your share in assisting this great work that will do much for
the glory of our Lord.
I intrust a secret to you : When I took leave of Sister
Angiola, I also recommended to her our persecuted Con­
gregation, telling her that for four years we had been
laboring and had not succeeded in procuring the exequatur
for the apostolic approbation. I then said to her that she
should help us through the Queen; she promised to do so,
and now she writes to me that she has not forgotten her
promise. This is the favor that I wish you to do for me.
When you find out that the Queen is going to Caserta I
beg you (excuse the importunity) to go to Sister Maria
Angiola on the day before the coming of the Queen, and
instruct her on the manner in which she should engage the
Queen to interest herself in obtaining for us the royal
approbation on which this work depends for its stability ; as
otherwise it will be of no value. Tell Sister Maria Angiola
that I have intrusted this to you as a secret, and you
should show her that you are recommending this matter to
her, because you are actuated by the desire to have the
glory of God made manifest. When the Queen has pro­
mised this to Sister Angiola, I shall at once present
the Brief and have my memorial referred by Marquis
Brancone. But I cannot run the risk of losing the Brief if
I am not sure of the promise of the Queen. The whole
affair revolves on the acquisition of property. We do not
wish riches. We shall be satisfied, if the king approves
of the arrangement, that he should restrict us as to our
purchasesand revenues just as he may think fit; we shall
be satisfied with fifteen grains 1 a day for each one, and
even less after the manner of servants in livery. We have
1 Λ grain is twenty-fourth part of a pennyworth troy ; 15 grains
are equal to 64 centimes,a centime being about one fifth of a United
States cent.

1753J *

Letter 166.

only four houses in each of which there must be twelve
Fathers and seven lay-brothers. For this reason has the
king assigned to us what will pay for the food, and nothing
more.
I would like to have this work established before my
death, which is not far off. My dear Luigi, for that which
you do I shall not pay you, but Jesus Christ, who loves this
work so much. There is question of saving hundreds
of thousands of souls, as there is question of restoring every
year to the grace of God thirty or forty thousand helpless
souls, together with about forty missions, and as many
courses of exercises which are given at home.
But if Sister Maria Angiola urges this matter only in a
lukewarm manner, and the Queen promises her assistance
only in the same way, the whole affair will come to nothing ;
and I repeat that I shall not take the risk of presenting the
Brief. Sister Maria Angiola would have to say to the
Queen that God wishes (this is certain) that she should
interest herself in establishing this great work and that after
God we place all our hope in the Queen. She should tell
her that God positively wishes her to put forth every effort
in regard to this matter.
My dear D. Luigi: Jesus Christ will repay you for
whatever you do in behalf of this work. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa! I remain,
Your very humble and very affectionate servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of Cardinal Guglielmo
Sanfelice, Archbishop of Naples.

Gen era I Correspon den ce.

[PART I.

LETTER 167.

To Mother Angiola of Divine Love.
He again recommends to her the affair of the legal re­
cognition of the Institute.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, November 1, [1753].

I have received your answer. It is too much for you to
thank me for those little works. I should like to know how
your affairs are, for I have understood that a Theatine
came from Rome to examine what is the spirit that guides
you. I can do nothing; but occasionally I have tried my
best to defend you and your work against certain attacks·
Enough ; I desire only to know how things are. I have no
influence; but I will not omit to promote your work as
much as I can for the glory of God and of our Mother
Mary.
Please again remember me kindly to our dear friend
Father Pagnani ; no doubt I should have been much
happier to make his acquaintance than he to make the
acquaintance of me, a poor wretch. May it please God to
let me see him again ; but already the cold weather has set
in, and I shall be condemned not to go out any more on
account of my sickness of the chest. Perhaps we shall see
each other once more before I die. I also desire to know
of your spiritual Father what Mgr. Zortù (?) has said about
the spirit that is leading you ; for I have heard that he did
not approve it, but I do not know on what point. If I
desire to know all, it is only for the glory of God.
Well ! let us become saints, and do not forget to cast, at
least once a day, a look upon the Blessed Sacrament for
me and for our poor and afflicted Congregation. λΛοιι have
consoled me by saying that you have recommended the
Congregation to God, and that you have reflected on the

ϊ/53·]

Letter ι6γ.

313

means of assuring its future. Now I would say to you. and
it is the Lord that gives me this hope, that I count on
seeing, before I die, this work definitively established, and
this thanks to the Most Blessed Virgin, and, then, to
your own self. But if you do not speak strongly to the
Queen ; if you do not tell her that in order to please God
she should certainly occupy herself zealously in regard to
the future of this Congregation, we shall not succeed. For
my part, without the formal assurance of the efficacious
concurrence of the Queen, I would not expose the Brief from
Rome to fall into the hands of the ministers, for they would
surely declare themselves against me. I have already told
you, my dear Mother, that we are not anxious to be rich ;
let the king assign to us what he wishes for the benefit
of our four houses. We are satisfied if he gives us each
fifteen grains a day, and if he grants us his approbation.
Our Congregation will then not be hanging so to speak in
the air, and what good it does for so many souls, every­
body knows. There is here question of restoring to the
grace of God every year from thirty to forty thousand persons
by means of forty missions that we annually give. This
being the case, may God provide! My hopes and those
of my companions to whom I have confided the affair
under a secret, rest, I repeat, first on the Blessed Virgin,
then upon you, my dear Mother.
May Jesus bless you, and may he grant you the only
thing that is necessary, namely, his holy love. I remain,
etc.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Be so kind, my dear Mother, after you have spoken to
the Queen, not to wait for Don Luigi [Sagliano] or his
servant; but write to me at once by post, addressing the
letter to Nocera de’ Pagani. If God blesses your interview
with the Queen, let me know whether you wish to have the
memorial or only an abridgment of it, in order to give it

314

General Correspondence.

[parti.

or send it to the the Queen. It will suffice for her to
express the desire to have the memorial to give it to
Marquis Brancone, or for her to say to the latter that he
should propose the affair to the Council in her presence.
Pardon me for my importunity, but there is here question
of the glory of Jesus Christ and of the salvation of innumer­
able thousands of souls, and of abandoned souls. You love
our Lord, my dear Mother; you will therefore willingly
render this service. Our Lord will not forget it; he will
know how to reward you for the part that you will have in
the good that will be done by our Congregation till the day
of judgment; to which day I hope this Congregation will
continue if now you will labor to establish it. Live Jesus
and Mary !
For pity’s sake, let me occasionally enjoy the pleasure
of receiving a letter from you ; I shall be satisfied with one
line, it will prove that you have not forgotten us. Live
Jesus and Mary !
I have the honor to be, my dear Mother,
your very humble servant, once your spiritual Father,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
Letter of the Sovereign Pontiff Benedict XIV. to
St. Alphonsus.
[November 2, 1753.]

Benedict XIV., Pope
To our beloved Son, health, and apostolic benediction.
We have received the first volume of the Moral Theology 1
dedicated to us ; we thank you for the honor that you have
paid us and for the opportune insertion of our encyclical
Letters in the above-mentioned work. We assure you that
1 The first volume of the second edition, begun in Naples in 1752
and finished in 1755.

1753·]

Letter 168.

315

the work will be read by us on opportune occasions, as we
have a due estimate of your merit, your diligence and your
prudence in your judgments. In regard to the state of your
Congregation,1 we can do nothing more than pray to the
Lord and recommend to others that they should pray for
the prosperity of your Institute, which is so useful to the
Church of God. We conclude by giving you and all the
members of your Congregation the apostolic blessing.
Given at Rome, at St. Maria Major, the second day
of November 1753, in the fourteenth year of our Pontificate.
letter

168.

To Father Andrea Villani.
Solution of a difficulty.
[Anno 1753?]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Don Gennaro Farina 1
2 wishes to go on the mission. I
should have no difficulty about allowing this, but one thing
embarrasses me, and that is, that Genovese and Tortora 3
might complain that we accept Farina’s sen ices, while we
refuse theirs. However, you can say that he is not a
professed member, as they once were.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso.
After the original in possession of D. Merolla at Alife.
1 The saint had asked the Pope to interpose his mediation with
the civil authorities, in order to obtain the exequatur of the apostolic
Brief by which our Congregation had been approved.
2 The priest Don Gennaro Farina had left the novitiate after
receiving a most tender letter from his mother.
8 Don Pietro Genovese and Don Bernardo Tortora had left the
Congregation after their profession.

’ 16

General Correspondence.

[part i.

LETTER 169.

To Sister Maria di Gesù, a Carmelite at Ripacandida.

He recommends to her prayers the Congregation and
himself.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, December 4, [1753].

I have received your letter, and I thank you much for
the charity that you have in recommending me to Jesus
Christ; I do the same for you. At the present time please
to pray in a particular manner for our Congregation ; for
there is question of obtaining its approval by the govern­
ment, and if we fail this time, God knows when the
question will again come up. But may the will of God
always be done !
In your fears always throw yourself as if you were quite
dead into the lovely arms of Jesus Christ and of his very
holy Mother. Think no longer of your past faults; when
doubt and mistrust attack you, say resolutely: In le,
Domine, speravi, non confundar in œternum. [In Thee,
O Lord ! I have hoped ; I shall not be confounded forever.]
As for seeing each other here below, I do not know
whether that will ever happen ; it may happen, and perhaps
not. I am old and infirm ; it will be difficult for me to
make so long a journey. At present I hardly ever leave
the house as I am often visited by fever. It is necessary that I
should prepare myself better for death, which must be
near; help me, therefore, to prepare myself for the day
of reckoning. Be so kind as to offer for me this special
prayer, namely, that Jesus Christ may let me know during
these last days of my life what I have to do to please him,
and that he may give me the strength to execute it. Do
not forget this.

;

Letter i γ ο.

I753-J

Present my regards to the Prioress1 and to all my
Sisters; for I acknowledge them as such. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 170.

To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce.

One must perform the duties of the offices imposed by
obedience.
<

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
December 4. [1753?]

To think of leading a solitary life at Caserta is something
unreasonable. Now that you are a religious, you must
occupy yourself in the employments that are given to you,
and you must serve the Community.
As for other things, you must leave all when you have
duties to perform ; but when you are free, do not fail to
make your day of retreat and to attend to the other
exercises of meditation ; and once every month, or on the
day of the retreat, ask the Prioress to appoint a substitute
for you, ii such a thing is possible. Pray for me. Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
1 In the month of May, 1753, Mother Maria di Gesù was relieved
of the office of Prioress, having been succeeded by Sister Maria
of the Holy Ghost.

ji8

General Correspondence.

[parti.

letter 171.

To the Same.
Prohibition to change her convent. — Counsels in regard to
patience.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, December 12. [1753?]
Herewith I answer your last letter. The thought that
you have of changing your convent is a temptation of the
devil, who will always keep you in uneasiness and will
never allow you to do anything good. If this temptation
returns, I command you to banish it, and to say then : I
wish to die here, because God as well as obedience wishes
this. Crosses are found everywhere ; if you take into your
head to go to San Gaudioso 1 you will find there other
crosses than those that you have now to bear.
Continue as I have told you to receive holy Communion,
to pray, to perform all the mortifications that you can, and
above all, bear contradictions that prove what you are;
if you are quite resigned to bear these trials by conforming
to the will of God, you will not think of changing your
convent.
Continue to pray for me and for our Congregation, as
there is now question of a most important affair. Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Alfonso.
After an old copy.

I
1 A convent at Naples.

1753·]

Letter 172.

letter 172.

To Don Luigi Sagliano.
Exhortation to love Jesus Christ. — He sends him various
little works.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
NOCERA, December 19, [1753].

My dear Don Luigi : I know not how to thank you for
the great charity that you have shown me ; I am praying to
Jesus Christ, and I am praying to him with all my heart
that he should reward you. As long as the Prioress
[Mother Angiola] has the desire to render the service as
she should, I do not very much care if I must wait as long
as it is necessary; but not so long that it will never be
rendered.
Enough on this point; at the favorable moment recall the
affair to her memory.
In regard to the persecutions which you mention to me,
on the one hand they afflict me, on the other they console
me when I see how the Lord is detaching you from the
world, and weaning you entirely from it. In the same way
the Lord has cut me loose from the world, and now I find
myself more content than if I had been made king of the
whole world.
How much am I pleased that you take delight in med­
itating on the love that Jesus Christ bears towards us! I
therefore send you another little book by Father Nepveu,
who treats in a heavenly manner of the love of Jesus Christ;
and truly this sweet Saviour deserves to be loved by us.
Continue, therefore, to meditate upon his love; because
whoever reflects upon it cannot help loving this good
Master and to do everything that will give him pleasure.

320

General Correspondence,

[parti.

Inform me at once whenever there is anything new, and
I remain,
Your very humble and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[A S.] I have not omitted, and I will not omit to pray
for you, and you must also pray for me. I shall be
delighted to have you come to make the exercises at our
house at Ciorani when they are given to seculars. I am
sure that you will derive consolation from them. These
exercises for seculars are usually made in Lent. You have
time to think of the matter. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph!
I send you also another little book about the eternal
maxims, with some beautiful considerations for devotion to
the Blessed Virgin. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the original in possession of the Sagliano family at
Aversa.
LETTER

173.

To the Same.
He exhorts him to make a retreat.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Teresa!
Nocera, March 4, 1754.

My dear Don Luigi: I am writing you by another hand,
because I am in bed, and have been sick for many days. I
again thank you for the charity that you have done me in
regard to the Mother Prioress, we shall wait to see what
she will do.
I am glad to hear about your new business enterprises as
they concern the body. But as to the spiritual part I know
not whether I should be glad, because I see that this year
they have deprived you of the exercises of Passion week
about which I sent you word.
My dear Luigi ; — I do not oblige you to come precisely

Letter 174.

1751·]

32 1

to Ciorani, but I recommend this most strongly. Every
year lay aside all business and do not omit to devote
yourself for eight days to the exercises if you wish to
acquire the true spirit. Dedimus corpori annum, demus
anima dies. [We have given a year to the body, let us
give days to the soul.] Let me know whether the Mother
Prioress has been successful, and if she has been so, max
she be a saint! Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph !
Believe me,
Your very humble and very devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of his Eminence Cardinal
Guglielmo Sanfelice, Archbishop of Naples.

LETTER

174.

To Mother Maria di Gesù, at Ripacandida.
Exhortation to obedience and to confidence in God.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, March 24, [1754].

I have been sick for some time, and at present I am not
yet free from my trouble.
I have received your letter, and I am happy that the
direction of Father Fiocchi has helped you to find peace.
Continue then to obey; throw yourself into the arms of the
divine Goodness, and go ahead.
You would like to be absolutely without any fear; if this
were your state, it would be a sign that you are walking on
the wrong road. I then repeat: obey, and move onward
in the midst of darkness without knowing whither you an
going.
Mauriccio is doing well and is becoming a saint; MiO

21

J

?οο
Û- -

Genera I Correspan den ce.

[PART I.

chclc 1 is also doing well, but his health is not good. If he
so continues, I think of sending him for a while to Meili to
recover his health ; he will return immediately after his
recovery. It is a long time since I have heard any news
from Don Luigi Mercante,12 as he has not written to me for
some time. He has very likely grown cold. Try to write
him a strong letter, and make him have a lively fear of the
misfortune of losing his vocation.
Recommend every day me and Father Carmine [Fiocchi]
to Jesus Christ; I am doing so for you.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After an old copy.
LETTER

175.

To Sister Giovanna Della Croce, at Camigliano.

She should not desire to change her convent. — Various
counsels in regard to perfection.
Nocera, April. [1754?]

I went to Capua on account of a very important affair,3
and I could not go to Camigliano, as I was travelling with
a friend. I must tell you that I have nearly always been
unwell, and moreover, that if I had gone to see you, I
would have told you what I am now writing to you.
I answer your last letter. It is regrettable that you have
not received my letter; in it I said to you that you should
positively banish the idea of changing your monastery. At
1 Mauro Murante and Michele di Michele, both of Melfi, had
entered the Congregation by the advice of the Sister.
2 1). Luigi Mercante, a young man of twenty-eight years of age and
already Auditorat the tribunal of Lucera, was a penitent of Father
Fiocchi. Sister Maria di Gesù urged him to enter the Congregation ;
but certain obstacles, unknown to us, prevented the execution
of this pious project.
3 Probably to confer with Mother Angiola del Divino Amore in
regard to the affairs of the Congregation.

1754·]

Letter 175*

323

present I say the same thing to yon, and if you ever speak
to me again about such an affair, I will no more answer
you.
You should become a saint in the place where God
wishes you, and not in the place where you wish to
go. To wish to change your place of residence is
pure self-love and shows the desire of fleeing from the
cross. I wish to see you become a saint by bearing with
contempt, contradiction, poverty, and all that you have to
suffer in the place where you are; you, on the contrary,
wish to sanctify yourself in holy solitude.
Even the fact that you reserve for yourself a separate cell
does not please me. I wish that, poor as you are, and
even poorer than the others, you should be occupied in
serving as much as you are able the Community and all
the Sisters. For the rest, if you wish to pray, the choir is
there; you should go there during the time in which you
are not obliged to serve the convent or some Sister, especially
any one that is sick.
If you do not positively banish the thought of changing
your monastery, you will never become a saint; for this
thought nourishes in you distractions and disquietude, and
hinders you from loving sufferings, injuries and contempt
on the part of others. It is, however, just this love that I
wish to see in you.
As for solitude, I wish you to love it, but in the way
of which I have spoken. Flee from useless conversation,
from the grate as much as possible, and withdraw to the
choir, unless you have to render a service to the monastery
or to any Sister, even though she may be ungrateful.
Such is the life that does not please you, but that pleases
Jesus Christ.
Well, then, abstain for a month from every mortification,
such as disciplines, little chains, abstinences, etc., and
attend only to supporting with patience the contempt, the

324

General Correspondence,

[parti.

e

contrarieties, and the unpleasantness which you meet with in
the monastery. Afterwards you may resume the accustomed
mortifications.
You should also mortify the excessive desire of receiving
a visit from me. God knows with what haste I departed
from Capua. I did not even stay a day at Aversa, not­
withstanding the pressing solicitations to stay.
Live Jesus. Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Y our very humble servant,
Alfonso Maria de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[Λ S.] Give my regards to Signora Camilla Rossi and
to her brother.
After the original in possession of D. Giovanni del Vecchio
at Naples.
LETTER

176.

To Mgr. Francesco Antonio Bonaventura, Bishop of Nusco.

He excuses himself for having retained two priests for the
mission at Amalfi.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, May 18, 1754.

Right Reverend and Dear Sir : On account of the evident
necessity of the mission that is given by our Fathers in the
populous city of Melfi, I have taken a liberty with your
Lordship, through the friendship which I profess for you,
of sending thither to assist the Fathers two priests of
Cassano,1 your subjects. They were unwilling to go, since
they alleged that by staying so long away from their home
they would displease you, and especially since one of them
had charge of a confraternity of his place. I have induced
them to go thither, making myself responsible to your
Lordship for any fault on their part. The reason why I
1 Cassano Irpino, a place in the diocese of Nusco.

Letter ι η γ.

I754-]

325

did this was sheer necessity, the other Fathers being
engaged in giving other missions. I could not think
of employing any other priests than the above-mentioned,
as they gave so much edification and satisfaction to our
Fathers, and during the time they assisted them they
exhibited the highest proofs of their good qualities and
their zeal. On this account I hope that your Lordship will
pardon my arrogance. Most respectfully kissing your
hand, I remain,
Right Reverend Sir,
Your very humble, very devoted,
and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of the Vecchi family at
Volturara Irpina.
LETTER

177.

To Father Pasquale Caprioli,1 at Ciorani.
Solicitude of the saint for the restoration to health of Father
D. Saverio Rossi.
[About May 20, 1754.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph!
Here we are continually saying and reciting litanies for
D. Saverio. I am also saying Mass for him. I have
promised ten ducats for our altar of Mary Immaculate
if she does us this favor. Send me good news to-day.
Tell that wretched hiccough on the part of Mary Im­
maculate to go away at once and not torment any more
Don Saverio and us.2 I feel great compassion for the sick
man.
1
his
the
2

This pious subject, born in Avellino, October 20, 172S, made
profession, May 2Z, 1751, and after many apostolic labors died
death of the just at Ciorani, January 3, 1813.
It appears that this order was so efficacious that the sick man
21*

General Correspondence.

[PARTI.

When Father Amendolara returns send him to us im­
mediately so that we may send back Father Apice.
Tell Father Caprioli to send me the two other texts.
I bless Don Saverio and all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
I send you the two papers ; preserve them. I have
already sent the act to Don Andrea at Naples. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso.
After an old copy.
was entirely cured. Father Giuseppe Landi thus relates the miracle
in his chronicles: “While I was staying at our house at Ciorani,
Father Saverio Rossi was lying at this house seriously ill ; but as his
malady grew worse and the sick man was already given up by the
doctors, suffering as he was from a dangerous hiccough, our Father
Alfonso who was staying at Nocera de’ Pagani, distant about eight
miles from Ciorani, wrote every day for information regarding
Father Saverio. When I wrote to him that the latter was very ill
and that there was but little hope of recovery, he wrote to me that I
should tell the sick man that it was his intention that he should get
well, and should be cured of his sickness. Through obedience I
informed him of this, but D. Saverio grew worse, and I at once
informed the saint that all hopes of recovery had banished. Then
the saint, full of confidence in God, wrote with his own hand the
following words: illy dear Father D. Saverio, / wish that you should
χ t well, and this Z command under obedience, and for the love of Jesus
Christ and of the Blessed Virgin / command you. After having
received and read this letter, I had not the courage to read it to
him; but as Father Andrea Villani, an old Father of great virtue,
was staying at the house, I begged him to take it to the sick man
and to make known to him the will of our Father. Father Villani
having approached the bed of the dying Father said to him: ‘ Father
Saverio, have you faith in obedience?’ The latter having answered
in the affirmative, lather Villani made known to him the order
of our lather Alfonso; the sick man having devoutly kissed the
letter, put it under the pillow of his bed, and wonderful to relate!
from this time he began to grow better, and in a short while arose
from his bed quite restored.”

Ï754-]

Letter 7 γ8.

3^7

LETTER 178.

To Cardinal Antonino Sersale, Archbishop of Naples.

He humbly exposes to him his views in regard to the state
of the diocese of Naples and to the proper measures to be
taken to remove certain disorders.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, June

t8,

1754.

Most Eminent and Most Reverend Sir: Since my health
does not otherwise permit, I wish by writing to you this
letter to kiss your Eminence’s feet and to express to you
my profound respect as your old servant, and now as your
subject and son.
It is not necessary for me to express to you the con­
solation that I felt when I heard that your most worthy
person had been chosen to govern the Church of Naples :
your Eminence can well imagine this.
But your Eminence will no longer find the Neapolitan
clergy as you left it; you will find a ruined clergy,1
2 and as
a consequence a ruined people. You will especially find a
decadence of the right spirit in the candidates for ordination.
1 Antonino Sersale, born at Sorrento, June 26, 1702, first arch­
bishop of Brindisi, then of Taranto, was created archbishop of
Naples, February 16, 1754, then Cardinal with the title of Santa
Pudenziana, April 22 of the same year. On the 23d of the said
month he took possession of his new church assisted by D. Giulio
Niccolô Torni, Archbishop of Arcadiopolis, but he came to his
church only on the 16th of the following June. — He died at Naples,
June 24, 1775.
2 The reason of this decadence is well expressed by Canon
Sparano in his Historical Mémoires of the Church of Xafles (vol. ii
page 35°)· “Cardinal Spinelli,” he says, “went to Rome at the
end of 1749 for the opening of the Holy Year, and remained in this
city till he resigned this See, that is, for the space of four years and
two months. Ecclesiastical studies began to decay immediately
after his departure .... etc.”

328

Generat Correspondence.

[parti

and also what is worse, you will find the same in the three
Congregations of priests.1 It was by means of these Con­
gregations that there has been preserved during many
years the fervor of the Neapolitan clergy, who have been
san example to the whole kingdom, and I might say to the
entire world ; but at present one might shed tears in seeing
the state to which they have been reduced.
I hope that Jesus Christ has sent your Eminence to
remedy all these evils, and I hope to see renewed the time
of St. Charles Borromeo, who preached to the people with
so much fruit; in this manner I hope to see your Eminence
preach to the people of Naples.
Oh, how much greater are the fruits produced by the
words of the Pastor ! Your Eminence formerly preached
so well as a missionary ;2 now I hope to have the consolation
of seeing you preach at Naples as Pastor.
Pardon my boldness, if I speak thus ; it is only for the
glory of Jesus Christ. What good would your Eminence
effect if you would have missions held in Naples, and would
yourself preach at least in two or three places, if only
during the first years, and would also give the exercises to
all the clergy, strongly exhorting them to frequent the
Congregations, to observe their Rules, and particularly to
apply themselves to the missions, since by the missions
from Naples we extend spiritual help to the whole kingdom !
As for the candidates for ordination, you should make
them understand that they should either give signs of a
true vocation or should retire, since the Church deplores
1 These three Congregations were: 1. The Congregation of the
Archiepiscopate, or of the Propaganda, or of the apostolic missions,
erected under the patronage of Mary Queen of the Apostles: 2. The
Congregation of Father Pavone or the Conference ; 3. The Con­
gregation of the Purity or of 5. Giorgio. These three associations
are still in existence.
2 Cardinal Sersale had formerly been a member of the Congregation
of the Apostolic Missions.
I

Letter z/p.

1754]

329

the ruin caused by admitting many subjects who are without
a vocation. Your Eminence might at the same time inform
them that you will admit to Holy Orders only those that
have been well tried not only as to science, which is of less
importance, but as to their moral conduct and as to their
ecclesiastical spirit, — things that are most necessary.
I also beg your Eminence to listen to Don Giuseppe
Iorio and Don Giov. Battista Fusco,1 two priests, w’ho are
truly men of God and of true zeal, without self-interest.
They will represent to you the truth of things, and draw
attention to many good works that will be conducive to the
welfare of a people that are spiritually ruined. I beg your
Eminence at least to listen to them.
I conclude by humbly prostrating myself at your feet,
and asking for your blessing.
Live Jesus, Mary, and
Joseph! I remain,
Your very humble, devoted, and grateful servant and son,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

I
LETTER 179.

To Father Antonio Tannoia,2 Master of Novices at Ciorani.

He regulates the studies of some novices.
[The year 1754.]

j
j

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Who has ever said that the novices have to study during
three hours? I have not time to answer in regard
to all
o
1 D. Giuseppe Iorio and D. Giambattista Fusco were both members
of the Congregation of the Archiepiscopate. The former is the
author of the famous work “ Il Vescovo consolato,” and of many
other works. Sparano pronounces a most beautiful eulogy on Don
Fusco in his Memorie /storic/ie, tom. ii. pag. 374.
2 A large volume would be needed in which to narrate the life
of this learned and exemplary religious. Born at Corato, October

—

I
I
I
|
I
I
|

330

General Correspondence,

[parti.

your difficulties, and from afar I cannot arrange things.
If I were with you I might adjust everything after having
asked certain questions.
Besides, I have spoken of the
matter continually, supposing that [Frater Girolamo] Ferrazzano had completed the humanities; but I now hearthat
he has not even finished his course of arithmetic.
As to [Frater Domenico] Caputo, that he has not finished
rhetoric does not matter; he will do so afterwards, having
already studied logic. As to physics, geometry is not
absolutely necessary, nor is it necessary at least in many
cases. Caputo is of age and might learn at present some
necessary figures. Physics is something not absolutely
necessary ; it is ornamental not necessary to a priest.
As for [Frater Pasquale] Bianchi, it appears to me that
he has already gone through logic. In a short time he will
leave the novitiate. But I should like to be there, to speak
to Father Spera and settle all difficulties. Hence since the
study of physics has been begun, let things take their
26, 1724, Antonio Tannoia made his profession, Decembers, 1747,
and as soon as he was ordained priest, the office of Master of novices
was intrusted to his care, and a short time afterwards he was made
Rector of the house at Iliceto. “ When I was still a young man” —
so he speaks of himself in the process of beatification of St.
Alphonsus — “I was so afflicted with a combination of diseases that
the first doctors of Naples despaired of my recovery. The servant
of God, however, said to me one day: ‘Have no fear, you will not
die; but you will have to lead a life of great bodily infirmity.’ I
have lead such a life and I am leading it still, because it is now
nearly fifty years that I have felt myself always afflicted by grave
maladies; I have expected death every moment, and if I did not
die, and if I am to live, my life will be a life of misery and pain, as
the servant of God has told me.” Thus he spoke in 1796. But
notwithstanding these continual and very great sufferings, he lived
heroically faithful to all the exercises of piety, to the fatigues of the
apostolic ministry, and to study. He wrote several valuable works,
and among them the “ Life of St. Alphonsus.” (3 vols.) He died a
holy death at Iliceto, March 12, 1808.

1754-j

33*

Letter 18ο.

course. But when the young men reach the end of their
novitiate, inform me, and we shall see what is to be done.
Another time you must write to me directly in regard to
the difficulties that may arise as to what I have told you.
Do not involve me in disputes with others. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[A S.J I have just now received your second letter. It
is not necessary to dispense Bianchi from the novitiate.
Let him remain among the novices and follow the course
during the time that is absolutely necessary. Have an
understanding with Father Spera. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa !
After a copy.
LETTER I So.

To the Fathers and Brothers of the Congregation of the
Most Holy Redeemer.

Important recommendations in regard to the observance
of the Rules, the study of theology, and other different
points of religious discipline which constitute the practice
of perfection.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, August S, 1754.

I beg all of you, my Brethren in Jesus Christ, before you
hear this letter read, to say the Vcni, Creator Spiritus,
and to ask of God the light well to understand and to put
in execution what in the name of Jesus Christ I write to all
and to each one in particular. My Fathers and my
Brothers: It is not yet two-and-twenty years since the
beginning of the Congregation, and it is five years since it
was approved by the Holy Church ; so that at this moment
it should not only have maintained its first fervor, but should

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

moreover have increased it. Many, it is true, are behaving
well ; but in others, instead of advancement, there is a want
of spirit. What will become of these, I know not; for God
has called us into the Congregation (especially now at its
beginning) to become saints, and to save ourselves as
saints. As for him who wishes simply to save his soul in
the Congregation, but not to become a saint, I know not
whether he will be saved at all.
Poor Congregation if this want of spirit spreads among
us ! What will it be fifty years hence ? One should have
to weep and say, Poor Jesus Christ! if he be not loved by
a member of the Congregation, who has received from him
so many special lights, by whom will he be loved? My
God, of what use are so many Communions? and why
have we entered the Congregation, and for what purpose
do we remain in it, if we are not endeavoring to become
saints? Is it to deceive the people, who regard all of us as
saints, and to make them laugh at us on the day of judgment
when they will kno\v our imperfections?
We have now many good novices, but they and others
that come after, will through our example, be worse than
we are; and in a short time the Congregation will become
thoroughly relaxed, because imperfections will give place to
scandals; and if this is to happen, far better will it be, my
Brethren, that we pray the Lord to suppress the Con­
gregation at once.
I am already old and in bad health, and am already
drawing nigh to the day of account. I desire to be of as
much service to you as I can ; and God knows how much
I love each one of you, more than my brothers and my
mother : but it is not the will of God that I should endanger
f my eternal salvation through love (but an inordinate love)
of any of you. We are all miserable creatures, and we all
commit faults, but I am not pained by passing faults, but
by those that are permanent, and by certain weaknesses

1754·]

Letter iSo.

333

that do harm to the whole Community. If any one would
with his eyes open espouse such faults as these, and defend
them, or at least excuse them as endurable, I, lor my part,
declare that I cannot, and ought not to tolerate them.
Such would be, for example, faults either against obedience
or against poverty, against humility or fraternal charity. I
hope, by the grace of God, to maintain this resolution to
my death, and faithfully to act upon it, as I have promised
God never to allow myself to be overcome by human
respect, so as to see the brethren fail in things important
and prejudicial to the others without correcting them, λ’ου
are already aware that perhaps my weakest point is to be
too indulgent; but I hope that God will give me firmness
not to bear with the imperfect who will not correct themselves
and who defend their imperfections ; and I beseech you who
are young, and who remain to govern the Congregation,
never to tolerate a subject who should be so imperfect as
not to humble himself after a fault, but should even defend
it. I protest that on the day of judgment I will accuse
before the tribunal of Jesus Christ the Superior who, in
order to avoid causing pain to a subject, shuts his eves to
faults that do harm to the Community, and is the cause
of the Congregation being relaxed. With regard, however,
to the past, if there be any one who has been guilty of some
fault, I do not intend now to reproach him with it ; I speak
only for the future.
But to come now to certain special points, I beg each
one to pay attention to the following remarks :
First, then, I beg of each one to value his vocation. It
is the greatest blessing, next to that of creation and re­
demption , which God could bestow on him. Thank
Almighty God every day for it, and be afraid of losing it.
Do not be deceived by the enemy of souls, who will
perhaps say that you could do good even out of the
Congregation, at home, and would enjoy greater peace out

334

General Correspondence,

[parti

of it. And what good? Nemo propheta acceptus in patria
sua. [No prophet is accepted in his own country. — Luke,
iv. 24.] Every one knows this, and experience proves it
A priest will save more souls in one year in the Con­
gregation than in his whole life out of it. And to speak
of personal advantage, a member of the Congregation will
gain more by practising obedience for one year than he
would gain in ten by living according to his own fancy out
of the Congregation. And besides, we have to do the
good that God wishes of us, and not that which we wish
ourselves. Now God wills of him who is called to the
Congregation that good and those labors that are imposed
upon him by the Rule and by his Superiors. Peace,
indeed ; what kind of peace ? Quis restitit ei, et pacem
habebit F [Who hath resisted him, and hath had peace? —
Job, ix. 4.] We see it, my Brethren, in those who have
abandoned the Congregation. What kind of peace will
God give to those faithless ones who, out of some caprice,
and for want of mortification, lose their vocation, and turn
their backs upon the will of God? And especially when
they come to die, how shall they find peace, when they
remember that they are dying out of the Congregation ? I
will not say more on this point, because now every one
already well understands it. But the evil is, that in the
moment of temptation we are blind, and the loss of vocation
is not considered an evil. I call attention to this: let no
one think to frighten us by saying that he wishes to leave.
Thanks be to God, the Congregation has at the present
moment many good subjects, and at the same time every
day you see there come to us young men full of fervor and
talent; tor the good name of the Congregation is spread
throughout the kingdom, and even out of it; and it is
believed that there is great fervor and perfection in the
Congregation (would to God that only half were true!):
and thus the good subjects will remain with us, to give

I754-]

Letter 18ο.

335

missions and retreats. And even were we obliged to give
fewer missions, it will always be better to keep up the
spirit of regular observance with a few subjects, than to see
the Congregation become relaxed. Those few that go on
conscientiously will please God more than a thousand that
lead imperfect lives. So, then, to sum up this point,
unhappy he that loses his vocation ! And, by the way, I
renew for each one the formal obedience that I have given
at other times — not to leave the Congregation without
having first obtained my express permission, together with
the dispensation from the vows and oath of perseverance,
unless this has been already obtained from the Sovereign
Pontiff.
Secondly, I beg each one to obey and to make no
resistance to the commands of the local Superiors. If a
subject has some difficulty, he is allowed to make it
known ; but then I beg him to make up his mind to obey
before he makes his representation, should the latter not be
entertained. So resolved, let him go and explain his
difficulty, whatever it may be; otherwise, if he does not act
thus, he will remain disquieted, should his difficulty not be
admitted; and, being disquieted, the devil will gain much
with him. Father de la Colombière made a Vow alwavs to
go against his own will. Should any one not have the
courage to do so much (and I do not exact this), at least
he ought to be careful on all occasions to mortify his self­
will, which is the ruin of souls. Speaking of obediences
which are difficult (for there is no great merit in those that
are easy), St. Catharine of Bologna says that we should
perform them without murmuring exteriorly; for instance,
by complaining of the food, clothing, or the manner of acting
of Superiors, which latter is a great fault ; and also without
interior murmuring, for this also disturbs the soul.
I beg in a special manner of each one not to wish to
change his house without evident necessity; and even

336

General Correspondence.

[parti.

should the necessity be evident, I nevertheless beg him,
before he makes his request, to resign himself entirely to
the judgment of his Superior, should the latter take a
different view of his case. And for my own part, I declare
that I will not grant this to any one without a plain
necessity; for to act otherwise might become the source
of much disquietude to the subjects.
Thirdly, I beg of all not to complain one to another
of what the local Superiors do. To do so may be a cause
cf great temptation both to themselves and to the others.
Fourthly, I beg each one to ask of Jesus Christ his holy
love, otherwise all the good purposes will be of but little
profit. And in order to obtain this holy love, let us strive
to have a great love for the Passion of Jesus Christ, by
praying and making a little meditation on it during the
day, and when it is possible by making the Way of the
Cross. Jesus Christ is surely much pleased when we think
of the sorrows and the scorn that he endured for us. It
seems to me impossible for one that thinks often of his
sorrows and of his Passion not to become full of love for
Jesus Christ. I pray both present and future Superiors
often to insist at the Chapters on the love of Jesus Christ
and of his Passion. There is nothing on which we insist in
the missions more than on this love for the Passion of Jesus
Christ. What a shame, then, for one of us to be found on
the day of judgment to have loved Jesus Christ less than
some poor woman !
And therefore I beg each one to love his cell, and not to
become dissipated by wandering about here and there
during the day. Let us husband our time, in order to
spend it in prayer, in visits to the Most Holy Sacrament,
which we have in the midst of us for this very purpose,
and also in study, because this too is absolutely necessary
lor us. Hence I recommend to those that are confessors
the study of Moral Theology; and I beg them not to follow

Letter /8 ο.

1754·]

00/

blindly the opinions of certain theologians, without having
first considered the intrinsic reasons for them, and especially
those opinions which, as may be seen in the second edition
of my work [on Moral Theology], I no longer allow to be
probable. This I say, and the probabilists say it likewise,
that every confessor is bound to consider first, in each case,
whether there be an intrinsic reason capable of convincing,
for thus the contrary opinion becomes improbable. It is
only when we are not convinced by such a reason that we
can avail ourselves of an extrinsic probability: probabilitas
extrinseca. Pay attention to this point; for I fear that
some in the Congregation make serious mistakes in this
matter. And remark that in my second book I ordinarily
admit only those opinions to be probable that I expressly
call probable. I do not pretend that my opinions must
necessarily be followed ; but I beg that before you reject
them you read the book, and consider what I have written
with so much labor, inquiry, and study. Now I did not
undertake this labor, my Brethren, for others, or to acquire
a reputation ; if I had only wished to gain a passing applause.
I should have willingly done much less. God knows the
tediousness and the trouble that it has caused me. I have
done it solely for you, my Brethren, in order that you
might have a solid doctrine to follow, or at least might act
after reflection. I confess that at first many opinions seemed
to me well-founded, but afterwards I saw that they were
improbable. Wherefore, I beg all the confessors as well as
the students to read my book, for I wrote it for this end ;
and then let them follow the opinions that seem to them the
best before God. Among improbable opinions I include
especially that which holds that a candidate for ordination
who is in the habit of grievous sin may be absolved, although
he may have the disposition sufficient for receiving the
sacrament of penance; whereas for such a one positive
virtue is not fitting merely, as some falsely suppose, but is
22

33^

General Correspondence.

[parti.

necessary, not on account of the other sacrament that he is
about to receive — because for this the state of grace would
be sufficient — but on account of that exalted state upon
which he enters. For such a state a high degree of virtue
is absolutely necessary, since the Canonists and Doctors
commonly say with St. Thomas, that such virtue prœexigifur, requiritur, necessaria est: words that imply a real
necessity and not a fitness ; and the reason is, because a
candidate for Holy Orders, both on account of the dignity
of the state which he embraces, and of the most holy*
ministry which he has to exercise, must possess that positive
virtue, which implies not merely an exemption from mortal
sin. but the possession of a degree of virtue acquired by the
previous practice of virtuous acts. Formerly I myself de­
fended the contrary opinion ; but afterwards I came to see
that it was most improbable, and therefore I have re­
tracted it.
Fifthly, and lastly, I recommend to the Superiors, both
present and future, the observance of the Rules. This
observance is in their hands. The Rector Major is far
away : if the local Rector does not attend to it, the Rector
Major cannot remedy what is amiss; and therefore it is
necessary for the Superiors not merely to preach this
observance, but to be the first to practise it. That which is
seen makes far more impression than that which is heard.
At the same time I recommend to the Superiors charity
towards the subjects, in consoling them in their temptations,
and in endeavoring to assist them in their necessities as far
as possible, and by inquiring expressly (in the account
of conscience) if there be anything of which they are in
want. I recommend, above all, the monthly account
of conscience, if possible the first Monday of the month;
and when it cannot be made or finished the first Monday,
let it be on the second. I especially recommend attention
and charity to the sick, in visiting them and providing

1754·]

Letter ι8ο.

339

them as far as possible with the necessary remedies, and in
asking them if they are in want of anything; and if this or
that be not compatible with poverty, at least in consoling
them as much as possible. I also recommend the Superiors
to correct in private; for public corrections do but little
good, except in the case where the fault was public, for
then the correction does good to the others ; but even here
it is better first to correct the subject in private, and after­
wards publicly.
So much for the Superiors. As to the subjects, I beg
them never again to say that the Congregation is not so
strict as it was, and that the primitive observance is relaxed.
Even if on account of the increased number of subjects
more faults are committed, nevertheless each one should
endeavor to correct himself, and to live in observance of the
Rule; and let him understand that the non-observant, who
will not correct themselves, will not be tolerated in the
Congregation. Hence, when any one commits a fault, let
him at once humble himself interiorly, if the fault was
interior, and exteriorly, by accusing himself of it, if the
fault was exterior; and on falling into any fault, let him at
once make the purpose of amendment. If any one has
some grievance against one of his brethren or against his
Superior, let him try to take no step while in the heat
of passion; let him first become calm, recommending
himself to God ; and then if he think it necessary, let him
act, or let him speak or write to the Superior. For the
love of Jesus Christ, I beg you to pay attention to this
point. Oh, if this were observed, how many faults would
be avoided ! because in the heat of passion things appear
very different from what they really are. And on this
account I also beg the Superiors not to correct when they
are under the influence of anger, but to wait until the mind
becomes calm, otherwise they will always be falling into
excess, and their corrections will avail but little.

340

Genera I Correspon donee.

[PART i.

I recommend as strongly as I can detachment from
relatives, who are certainly, as Jesus Christ says, the
greatest enemies of our perfection. Let every one be on
his guard not even to mention the word stima propria
[honor] in the Congregation ; the greatest honor that a
member of the Congregation should desire is to love
obedience, and to be despised, and to be thought little of.
This was the desire of the saints, to be despised as Jesus
Christ was despised. He who does not make up his mind
to become a saint cannot persevere in the Congregation ; Jesus
Christ himself, who loves exceedingly this Congregation,
will drive him out. It is not the will of God that the first
stones of this his own building should be so weak as to be
not only unable to encourage and to give good example to
those that shall come after us, but even to give little
edification to those that are in it at present. Let each one
well understand this. I recommend also the love of poverty,
and beg all to take notice that faults against these two
virtues — poverty and obedience — are not, and cannot
be, tolerated in the Congregation ; for if the practice of these
two virtues fail, the spirit of the Congregation is wholly
destroyed and at an end.
I again protest that what I have now written — just as it
came into my mind — is not against any one in particular,
but in general for all, and rather for the future than for the
past. And I moreover beg all of you, after hearing this
letter, not to suppose that I have any ill-feeling towards
any who in past time may have committed some fault. I
declare that as Jesus Christ has forgotten the faults of those
who have humbled themselves for them, so also do I forget
them. And let each understand that when any one has the
misfortune to fall into a fault, if he will only heartily humble
himself for it, he may be sure that I will heartily forgive
him ; and even by his humiliation he will make himself more
dear to me than before. I say this in order that no one

b»

Letter /80.

1754]

341

may lose courage, if by chance he should ever fall into
some fault. But, on the other hand, let all guard against
committing faults — even the smallest—with open eyes:
because the devil is wont to make use of such faults as these
to lead us into more serious ones, and then to tempt us to
lose our vocation; and by this snare the devil is able to
drive more than one out of the Congregation.
Lastly, be assured, my Brethren, that I love each one
of you, after God, as my only love on this earth; and I
offer for each of you, from this moment, my blood and my
life: for you who are young may do much for the glory
of God: but as for me, who am old, and ill, and useless,
what more service can I render? And therefore I beg each
one, il he is at a distance, to write to me whenever he has
the need, and to banish the idea, which the devil has been
making use of to disquiet me and others, that he will annoy
me by speaking or writing to me. Be sure the more one
shows me this confidence, the more he binds me to him ;
and remember that where there is question of consoling one
of my brethren and children, I leave everything. I consider
it of greater importance to help one of my children than to
do any other good work ; and God demands this of me in
my office more than anything else.
To conclude, then, my Brethren; let us — in what
remains of our lives, little or much, we know not (within a
short time have died three of our young men: Muscarelli,
Blasucci, and Zabbatti, and Father Paul [Cafaro], whose
health was that of a young man) — let us, I say, become
saints; and let us love Jesus Christ very much, for he
deserves to be loved, and especially by us, whom he has
loved more than others. Let us love a God who died for
the love of us. Let us enliven our faith, and remember
that we have but a few days to live on this earth, and that
eternity is awaiting us. We preach these truths to others,
and indeed they are truths of faith. So, then, we have no
22*

342

Genera l Correspondent ce.

[PARTI.

longer to live for ourselves or for the world, but only for
God, only for eternity, and in order to become saints.
And therefore let us continually offer ourselves to Jesus
Christ, that he may do with us what he pleases; and Ictus
continually beg of the most holy Mary to obtain for us the
great treasure of the love of Jesus Christ. And when the
devil tempts us against our vocation — and this is his great
business with each one of us — let us recommend ourselves
to this Mother of perseverance, and we shall certainly not
lose our vocation.
I bless and embrace you all in the Heart of Jesus Christ,
that having loved him exceedingly on this earth, we may
all be one day united in loving him in our heavenly home.
Let us not lose the beautiful crown that I see prepared for
every one that lives in observance, and dies in the Con­
gregation.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, St. Francis Xavier, and St.
T eresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 181.

To Father Gasparo Caione,1 Rector of the House at Caposele.

He reproaches him for his excess of condescension. —
Various dispositions.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, August 31, [1754].

I beg you for mercy’s sake not to be so condescending.
To send some one of ours to fetch Father A pice’s sisters is
1 Lather Gasparo Caione was appointed Rector of Caposele about
the end of July, 1754, >n place of Father Mazzini who did not find
the aii very healthy. He was a native of Troia, and was born there,
August 4, 1722. lie bad studied law at Naples; he was a man
of great talent.
Following the voice of grace, he entered the
Congregation, September 18, 1751, in which he rendered very great

17S4.J

Letter 181.

343

something that I cannot approve. You would have done
well if you had tried to prevent them from coming to
Caposele; for their journey to Caposele may be a cause
of surprise to the relatives of the Fathers, and of inconvenience
to the people’of the village, etc.
If similar novelties, not authorized by usage, should
again occur, be careful not to grant permission without first
sending me word. This whole affair has pleased neither
me nor those that have heard of it.
I have been asked from Caposele for permission for
Father Francesco Saverio de Leo to hear the confessions
of men. A little patience! I wish him yet to study two
months so as to finish the necessary treatises. Then he
may hear confessions in the missions, and especially at
Corato where he will probably go. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
I bless you and embrace you all. Live Jesus and Mary !
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[A S.] Invite the usual persons to the feast.1
When the sisters of Father Apice come to see him, I
absolutely wish that none of ours should accompany them
to Caposele. Send some one belonging to the place.
1 his affection of Apice’s for his relatives very much
displeases me; gently endeavor to withdraw him from this
attachment by making him perceive the danger of it. This
young man makes me tremble.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the original preserved at the Redemptorist convent
of Contamine-sur-Arve (Haute-Savoie).
services during his long life. He died at our house in Benevento,
October 30, 1809.
1 I he feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin was every year
celebrated with the greatest pomp in our church of the Mater Domini
at Caposele.

344

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

LETTER 182.

To the Same.

Various recommendations,

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
NOCERA, September 8, [1754].

Bear with me if I give you some advice. With age and
experience I have learned many things.
As the air of Caposele is not beneficial to Father Gio­
venale, send him to Iliceto; in his place I shall send another
Father. Let him tell you all that he knows about the
Community which you are to direct.
Take care that all may make their retreat, especially
should you permit Father Garzilli to do so; he justly
complains that you have not for a long time given him an
opportunity to make it. Let all have finished with their
retreat by the 20th of October.
I hope that at this date Father de Leo has finished the
study of the necessary things and that he will be able to
hear confessions in the missions. If he needed to employ
for this work the ten days of retreat, I should permit him
to do so, in order that he may go on the missions.
What am I to say about Father Margotta? He will soon
come here, and we shall talk to each other. Tell this to
Father Garzilli.
I have had prayers ordered for Father Strina 1 that he
may become cheerful. I embrace and salute you all,
particularly my dear Don Benedetto Grazioli,2 whom I
1 Father Andrea Strina, a native of the city of Lettere, was
admitted as a subdeacon to the novitiate, March 1, 1748. He
labored much for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, and
died full of merit at S. Angelo a Cupolo, April 21, 1797.
- Benedetto Grazioli of Atelia, a rich man and a great benefactor
of the Congregation, had at that time come to Caposele to spend some
weeks in solitude and prayer.

<754J

Letter /8J.

345

wish well, since he is so earnest in his love for Jesus
Christ.
I have also been much pleased with your Reverence,
since I noticed that my corrections did not disquiet you.
Thank Jesus Christ for such a grace, as many fail in this
respect. I understand very well that it is not possible on so
many occasions that present themselves, always to conjecture
what is the wish of the Rector Major ; hence we must have
patience and afterwards comply with obedience.
I embrace and bless you all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
Alfonso.
After the original preserved at the cathedral of Monte
Casino,
t

LETTER

183.

To the Same.
Various commissions.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, September 21, [1754]·

As for the two young men of Montella, send them both,
or only the one that can come.
But inquire whether they have any patrimony.
I send a thousand blessings to Father Latessa and Frater
Picone,1 who should recommend me to the Madonna,
because I do not omit to do the same for them.
As regards the économe, since Brother Gerardo 12 is back
1 Father D. Angelo Latessa and Frater D. Pietro Picone were sick
at that time; and a short time after both died; the first, October 5;
the second, November 9, of the year 1754.
2 Venerable Gerardo Maria Maiella had been with Father Margotta
at Naples during three months, and was re-called to Caposele at the
beginning of October of this year. Λ year after his soul entered
Paradise.

346

Genet al Correspondence.

[PART I.

again, let him be économe, especially because, as I re­
member, Brother Gennaro is deaf, and moreover, is busy
at the building.
As for your retreat, three days are sufficient for your
Reverence.
As for the retreat for Mgr. di Nuscô, I say yes, and give
you permission, provided it is given within the month
of October; because on the ist of November the Fathers
will have to set out for the missions.
Tell Don Benedetto [Grazioli] that I will most cordially
recommend him to God, and have others to do the same.
But let him render me the same favor; and your Reverence
should recommend me every morning at Mass.
I embrace and bless all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the sacristy of the Oratorian
Fathers at Naples.
.
LETTER

184.

To the Same.
Measures to be taken in regard to a student.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, September 28, [1754].

Donato Antonio, bearer of these lines, was anxious to
have his son at Bovino p but such a thing could not possibly
have been allowed him. I have, however, consented that
for the re-establishment of his health the young man might
go to Our Lady of Consolation [Iliceto]. See to it, therefore,
that he be sent at once to Iliceto with one of our Fathers;
1 Francesco Saverio Manfredonia, a native of Bovino had been
professed for three months, when his father came to solicit the favor
of taking him to his native place.

1754·]

Letter /85.

347

and I should prefer that you yourself would accompany
him.
If you cannot at once send Father N. as his companion,
send him as soon as you possibly can. Ί he bather that is
to accompany him must behave with circumspection.
The two young men have been sent away; one had no
patrimony, the other was a seminarian, and a seminarian
of the Bishop of Muro.1 Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa!
Frater N. told his father that he felt as if he had a
hot iron in his intestines. For what reason did he express
himself in this way to his father? See what is at the bottom
of this, and act accordingly. Live Jesus and Mary!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 185.

To the Same.
He approves of the manner in which he acted in regard to
the student Manfredonia.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, October 2, [1754].

Give thanks to Jesus Christ for having inspired you to
send the young man away at night.12 You must, however,
not be disturbed. What fault could you have committed in
permitting him to speak to his father in company with
Father Strina? Sometimes it is unavoidable to allow young
people to speak with their relatives.
Last evening I had an interview with him ; he is a little
1 These two young men were Lorenzo Nigro di Bella, of the
diocese of Muro, and Giambattista Gargano di Montella, of the
diocese of Nusco. Both were however admitted to the novitiate the
following year.
2 Father Caione made Frater Manfredonia set out from Caposele
to Nocera, and from Nocera St. Alphonsus sent him to Ciorani.

348

General Correspondence.

[parti.

hardened. That he concealed his temptation so long is
what injured him. As for a dispensation, he must not
think of it. If he wishes after all to lose his vocation and
his soul, so much the worse for him. We shall try to help
him as much as we can.
For pity’s sake, do never use in regard to yourself the
words: Drive vie out of the Congregation. You thereby
inflict a wound on the love that I bear you. I really love
and esteem you very much. Even though I sometimes
reprimanded you, I never yet doubted your good intentions.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Recommend and have recommended to God Father
Fiocchi who is suffering greatly from fever at Ciorani. Live
Jesus and Mary!
Inform me what the relatives of Manfredonia did after­
wards. Live Jesus and Mary !
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 186.

To the Same.
Sentiments of the saint in regard to dispensation from the
vows.
[October, 1754.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I bless your exercises and your triduos.
Your Fathers do not reason well in regard to the affair
of Manfredonia. If this door is once opened, it will be
sufficient for any one that is tempted and wishes to leave,
to become stubborn in order to be dismissed with a dis­
pensation; then there would be no use of making a vow
of perseverance.
It is true that this subject does not render any more
services, and I do not know how it will all end;1 but so much
I Manfredonia, ordered to proceed to the convent of Ciorani, left
it, November 21 without a dispensation from his vows, and contrary

1754·]

the worse for him. For the sake of an individual I cannot possi­
bly inflict an injury on the whole Community. The example
that I would give by now dismissing him with a dispensation
would afterwards create a temptation in the minds of many.
It is cast up to me that I have injured the Congregation by
having granted a dispensation to those that have already
left us; but in their case other reasons had supervened, and
perhaps I proved myself too weak in their regard. Hence­
forth, — let this be communicated to all — he that wishes
to leave the Congregation without a reason, must make up
his mind to leave it in mortal sin. No one will be able to
take away from me this conviction ; and tell your Fathers
that no one should speak to me any more to the contrary.
This time you do not deserve a penance, but at another
time if this happened again you would deserve one. I
bless you. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 187.

To Father Saverio Rossi, the Rector of the House at Ciorani.

Exemplary chastisement inflicted on a disobedient subject.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
[Nocera], October 18, [1754]·

Since Father Grassi 1 has refused to go to Iliceto, write
to him at once that on account of this refusal I dismiss him
and declare him excluded from the Congregation.
to the formal obedience of not leaving this house. May 30, 1755,
not having yet received the dispensation, he was forced to re-enter
the Institute; but as he had lost the spirit of the Congregation he
was dismissed as incorrigible ; this time he was released from his
vows. Such was for this unfortunate young man the sad result
of having concealed his temptation against his vocation.
1 The occasion of the expulsion of Father Gerardo Grassi is found
described by Father Tannoia in his Life of the saint; “Alphonsus

35θ

General Correspondence.

[parti.

Let us pray to God that, if there are similar subjects
among us, they may leave us promptly. If perfect sub­
mission to holy obedience is lost among us, it will be all
over with the Congregation.
It will be well to notify the Vicar-General that this man is no
longer a member of our Congregation. Also inform the
Bishop of Cava of what has happened, since this gentleman
might assume importance in that part of the country and
thus throw dishonor upon us. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 188.

To Father D. Gasparo Caione.
Various recommendations relative to the house at Caposele,
to private retreats, and to the students.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, December 12, [1754].

I cannot but approve of the sale of the vineyard. As for
the proceeds of this sale, since you desire them to be
devoted to the benefit of the Congregation for the glory
of Jesus Christ, we shall examine with Don Andrea [Villani]
what is the best use we can make of them. I am of the
opinion that the whole should be converted into capital for
the benefit of the Congregation.
If the Archbishop Nicolai [di Conza] insists, answer him
having ordered Father Grassi to be sent to Iliceto, the latter, who
was in the house at Ciorani refused to go. But the motives of the
one that gave the command and of the one that did not wish to obey
were diametrically opposite. Father Grassi with little edification
due to the Community, wished to assist his brother who was making
his studies at Salerno; and St. Alphonsus for the same reason
wished him to change his abode, and seeing the resistance that this
subject made, dismissed him from the Congregation.”

>754·]

Letter /88.

351

again, but only as if the answer came from yourself, that
you have received from me the order to keep no one in the
house longer than twenty days; that you had taken it upon
yourself to allow a stay of thirty days, while the Lazarist
Fathers keep no one longer than fifteen days. It must be
understood that our houses are not prisons; otherwise we
shall render ourselves odious to the whole diocese. If after
this the archbishop still presses the matter, tell him that
you must write to me about it, and then send me a few
lines.
For certain good reasons I do not deem it expedient that
Brother N. should return to your house; let him go to
Iliceto whence Brother N. will come.
I am very glad to hear that there is a prospect of having
dry rooms; for I am continually disquieted by the fact that
the rooms there are so damp. Hence see to it that as soon
as the season arrives, — in April or May, — the plastering
of the rooms should be begun, according to the opinion
of Father Garzilli and others.
Tell the Brothers that they must not give to women any
orders to purchase things for them.
I am told that Frater N. has been given to melancholy
for some time, and it is whispered here that one of the
students has been mentally affected. Inform me whether
the fact is true about N. and how his health is now, and
whether I should write to him.
Fears are here expressed about the students who are and
who will be in this house; for I am informed that they have
so easily an occasion to see young girls who are engaged in
working at the building. Give me your opinion about this
matter, and be on your guard ; for if it be necessary, we
shall have to remove the young men to another place.
In regard to yourself personally send me some news
about your health. I have made inquiries and was told
that you are still very much enfeebled.

352

General Correspondence.

[parti.

On feast-days it is sufficient if you hear confessions till
half an hour after the particular examination, that is, till
after dinner, and no longer. Do not trouble yourself about
the number of confessions; and let things go as they go.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
In regard to the work on the building, I bless all that
you do ; yet be careful always to take counsel ; and, more­
over, do not incur too many expenses ; for I have remarked
that all Superiors are anxious to build in order to show
what they have done. I beg you not to trouble yourself too
much about the work on the buildings; and on account
of the improvements that are to be made the Community
should not be made to suffer any privations either in regard
to food or clothing.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
T eresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 189.

To the Same.
Answer to be given to his bishop if the latter should wish
to recall him to his diocese.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, December 14, [1754].
The enclosed letters having reached me, I opened them
to see what they contained ; for I had been informed of the
agreement made between the Signor Cantore and the Bishop
of Troia, for the purpose of forcing you to go to Troia to
take charge of the seminary. I do not doubt your constancy,
and I have read with pleasure the letter of your worthy
uncle,1 who says that it is a conspiracy that hell has formed
in order to disquiet you. But I hold for certain that this
1 This uncle was Canon Domenico Rosato who had greatly aided
his nephew when he entered the Congregation, as is seen in the
letter of Father Cafaro to St. Alphonsus.

Le

1754·]

will not cause you any disquietude, and that it will only
make you laugh.
Let us come to the point. The bishop threatens to order
you to return to Troia. You know what answer to give;
but allow me to suggest something. The bishop says that
you have promised him obedience. In the first place, the
reigning Sovereign Pontiff, Benedict XIV., in the Constitution
Ex quo dilectus, etc., of January 14, 1747, has declared
that this is to be understood in the sense that the one
ordained cannot leave the church to which he has been
attached without the permission of the bishop, unless he
enters some religious Order or regular Chapter, which our
Congregation resembles. This as you see, refers to the
case when the one ordained is attached to some church
of the diocese. Now you have been ordained for the
Congregation without having been attached to the diocese
of Troia.1 It also refers to the case when the one ordained
wishes to live outside of the diocese, and not when he has
entered a Congregation approved by the Pope.
Declare, therefore, to Cantore that it is not necessary
for the bishop to make a move in this matter, since you
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say this, because the bishop counts perhaps on the good
standing and influence that he enjoys in Rome; but he
surely will never succeed.
I doubt whether it is expedient to answer Cantore immediately, or to await a second letter; for if you do not
answer, the bishop may give up his intention. I leave this
matter to your prudence. At least I should wish that you
defer your answer as long as possible ; and as Cantore has

j

I
‘1

I
I
I
II

11

1 September 7, 1752, Mgr. Marco de Simone, Bishop of Troia,
had in fact written to St. Alphonsus in the following terms: “When
you consider Don Gasparo Caione ready for sacred orders I shall at
once ordain him, although I have deferred perhaps for a long time

■
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I
|

to ordain all the others,”

I]

354

General Correspondence.

I PARTI.

taken the affair upon himself, and has compromised the
bishop, I would counsel you to complain about this pro­
ceeding in your answer.
It is nevertheless desirable that you should write at once
to your uncle, to thank him for his good advice, and to ask
him, if an occasion offers, to persuade the bishop not to
follow up his intention. I fear that this good prelate may
give you and me a great deal of trouble. He has near him
Don Carmine.......... who has been at the Chinese College,
formerly Rector of the seminary of the neighboring diocese
of Troia, a learned and saintly man ; why does he not take
him? If you write to Cantorc, you may hint this to him.
After all, if the bishop wishes a good Rector, let him not
grudge the expense, and he will have one.
To sum up. Write so forcibly that they will persuade
themselves that they will never succeed in shaking your
resolution. I think that even now it would be better to
send an answer, but do so only after two weeks; otherwise
the bishop might become ill-disposed towards us, thinking
that we had withheld your letter.
Give me a copy of what you have to write, so that I may
be able to make my answer agree with yours; for it may
easily happen that the bishop will afterwards write to me
about the matter. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 190.
To Sister Maria Vincenza Giannastasio in the Monastery
of the SS. Annunziata, at Cava.
Behavior amid contradictions. — Advice in regard to di­
rection and confession.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
NocerA, January 8. [1755?]

I have received the stipends for fourteen Masses, and
the two baskets of sweetmeats; for which please accept

1755·]

Letter iyo.

□ dû

my thanks. For pity’s sake, not so many presents!
What I desire of you is that you should become a saint.
As for the persecutions to which you arc subjected, love
them. They please me more than if you were working
miracles.
Always recommend to our Lord in a particular manner
those persons who persecute you more, and render them
services whenever you can. Show them at least a pleasant
countenance, salute them affectionately, but without affect­
ation; speak well of every one, and whenever you commit
a fault against meekness, repent of it at once; then become
quiet.
The advice oi Father Stasio is good, but it is not good
for you. It is better for you to think of the mercies of God
of which you have been the object, and of the immense and
ardent love that Jesus Christ bears to a loving and faithful
soul when it remains faithful even in aridities and mortifying
things. The Lord draws you by the way of love ; it is this
way that you should walk : it is that which appears to me
the surest for every one. It closely unites souls to God; it
gives strength and perseverance. Quis me separabit a
caritate Christi ? [Who shall separate me from the love
of Christ ? — Rom. viii. 35.]
I have spoken of the confessor to Mgr. [of Cava]. Have
patience; do as I tell you. Far away from you as I am, I
can give you but little assistance. Take then D. Pietro
Galise; tell him all that I have told you, and you will see
that he will not differ from my direction, at least in essential
things. For the rest, in accidental and less important
things, as the omission of Communion or mortifications
under certain circumstances, you should always be guided
by his decision. Have patience. Here is what you should
do: Ask Monsignor for this good priest, and he will surely
send him to you.
If, however, Don Pietro should give you instructions

General Correspondence,

[PART I.

that are absolutely opposed to mine, we shall then arrange
with each other afterwards. But in the mean time, do
what you are told ; begin in this way ; then write to me
from time to time, and let us see how the vessel will sail.
I will not fail to give you all the necessary assistance. You
should say to yourself that after all it is God who is to make
you a saint, and not the confessors.
Recommend me to Jesus and Mary. Live Jesus and
Mary !
I remain
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER 191.

To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce.
He exhorts her to love contempt and to love the Sisters
that oppose her.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, January 14, 1755.

I have been sick ; and now I answer your letter. I hear
that you are disconsolate, and that pleases me; but what
displeases me is that when any one bestows upon you
marks of contempt, you complain and lament for entire
months. This shows that you are not yet humble and dead
to yourself. Do not tell me any more such things, but
inform me that when you receive any injury you are inferiorly
pleased, and that you feel great affection for the one that
has gratified you in this manner. In your meditations let
all your resolutions and prayers be directed to the attainment
of this disposition; and then if you commit faults, renew
your resolution and be calm.

/

Letter 192.

1755·]

357

I again recommend to yon a day of retreat more than the
use of the discipline.
As for your idea that you wish no more to see creatures,
tell me what do you mean by that? You are in the convent,
in which you must necessarily have intercourse with your
Sisters and serve the Community. As for the parlor, do
not go there except through obedience and sheer necessity
Explain therefore to me what is your idea.
Always recommend me to Jesus Christ, and try to love
him much. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER I92.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
He presses him to make another application to the Arch­
bishop of Conza. — Various details.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Pagani, January 27, 1755.

I have just received your letter in which you say nothing
about going to the Archbishop [of Conza], because perhaps
you may not yet have received my letter. I therefore
briefly say again what I have written.
Please go as soon as possible to the archbishop and beg
him in my name to remember his promise, that is, of sending
if he thinks fit, the candidates for ordination to our house
when the time for the ordination arrives. Tell him that I
have not Fathers to give the exercises at the seminary more
than once a year. On these occasions sermons must be
preached for the seminarians that study, and also for the
priests that come there, and sometimes in the presence
of the Monsignor himself. Hence it is necesssary for us to
23*

35S

General Correspondence.

[parti.

know what kind of ecclesiastical sermons are to be preached ;
and there are some of us who know not how to do this kind
of work ; nor can one repeat the same sermons that are
once preached.
This was the substance of my letter. \rour Reverence is
prudent enough to represent this to him most distinctly, but
you must speak resolutely. It is necessary that this affair
should be at once settled ; for the longer we follow a
custom, the more difficult will it be for us afterwards to
break through it.
As to the students, the matter is understood. It may be
that I shall send you Frater de Michele,1 because the air
here does not benefit him.
To Signor Cantore [of Troia] it seems fit that your
Reverence should write again briefly what you have already
written. I have already received your letter and have
forwarded it. Erase from it the words ; although the Pope
should command it. It is sufficient to say that if the
bishop should give a formal order, you would not be
obliged to obey. And if an order comes from Rome you
are also ready to go to the Pope.
As regards the flag-stones for the rooms, I have been
told that they are the cause why so many insects are in the
rooms; this is the reason why I wish to have them replaced
if possible by a sort of pavement, although this would
increase the expense. If possible I shall have workmen
come from this place.
In the Chapters recommend obedience in the missions,
♦ and inform them that during the mission they should not
touch any one, big or little; that they should make med­
itation, at least once a day, and should have Chapter.
Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Brother Alfonso.
[P. A.] The secretary sends his regards, and copies as
1 The student Michele di Michele.

Letter 194.

1755-1

359

much as he can of what you have written to him, but it is
not very suitable. I send you a paper on the manner
of preaching, and if you could have it gradually copied, and
then have it sent me, you would do me a favor, because I
have not time to copy it.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER 193.

To the Same.
He gives instructions how a Father is to be treated who is
destined to teach.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, March 23. [1755?]

Father de Meo is coming to you. It is sufficient if he
applies himself to his studies. Do not charge him with the
duty of attending to a confraternity nor of hearing the
confessions of grown up persons. However, if he manifests
a desire to hear confessions, let him be satisfied with
preaching, but do not urge him to do so.
Let there be no writing done during class.
Send me the writings of the deceased members, particular­
ly those of Father Cafaro.
After a copy.
LETTER 194.

To Sister Maria Anna di Gesii, at Cava.
Counsels in regard to prayer and the practice of religious
virtues.
[The year 1755?]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
To judge by your letter, the Lord calls you to perfection.
Take care then not to grow lukewarm; for souls whom God

,0ο

General Correspondence.

[PART 1

calls to perfection with a special love and whom he destines
to walk on the narrow road of virtues, should respond to
his offers. If they wish to follow the wide road of luke­
warmness, they run the great risk of being abandoned by
God and of being damned.
I hank the Lord for the lights that he has given you, and
especially for the gift of praÿer ol recollection of which you
speak· Although one does not meditate on any subject in
particular, this prayer is the best of all when God grants it.
But God docs not grant it always. Now when you are a
prey to desolation without the power of meditating and
without the power of recollecting yourself, continue to make
prayer with patience and perseverance. Do not doubt that
*you will be dearer to God than before.
Now since you have not this recollection at prayer, you
should help yourself with books ; and when you cannot do
any other thing, resign yourself to the divine will, abandon
yourself to the mercy of Jesus Christ, ask his pardon, and
multiply the prayers and the acts of love towards Jesus and
Mary. Whatever you suffer in this state offer always to
God.
Besides detachment, I recommend to you scrupulous
attention to holy poverty and to obedience; it is in this
delicacy that consists in great part religious perfection.
I also recommend to you charity towards all your Sisters;
support meekly and peacefully reprimands and contempt,
and render good for evil to the one that persecutes you.
Ί he religious that does not do so will never become a saint.
Let it, moreover, be one of your exercises in prayer to
prepare for contradictions.
l· inally, in the state of desolation in which you are, try
to obtain the needed permissions to communicate as often
as possible; and when it happens that you commit some
fault, such as some act of impatience, etc., do not be
troubled; humble yourself, quietly repent of it, and unite

Letter i y5.

1755)

361

yourself more closely to God by an act of love and of con­
fidence. If you fall a hundred times a day, use a hundred
times the same remedy.
Follow these counsels, and recommend me to Jesus
Christ in your visits to the Most Holy Sacrament and to the
Most Holy Virgin. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant in Jesus and Mary,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holv Redeemer.
After an old copy.
letter 195.

To the Superiors of Missions.
Regulations relative to confessions.
[The year 1755?]

All the Superiors of missions should know that it is my
express wish, without any possible interpretation, with the
exception of a case of necessity, which will rarely happen,
that in all our missions the people when the mission is given
should be fully satisfied in regard to their confessions.
If therefore it should be necessary either the number of the
sermons should be increased, or the Fathers should remain
for some time to hear confessions without preaching. More­
over, let the meditation be made in common, at least once
a day, in accordance with the Rule. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Let every one understand that he is obliged to act in
conformity with this order, if he sees that the contrary is
practised. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Alfonso,
Rector Major.
After an old copy.

I

02

Genera I Carres[)on deuce.

I PART 1.

LETTER 196.

To Sister Maria di Gesù, at Ripacandida.

Answer in regard to some difficulties. — The sending of two
little works.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, April 2, 1755.

I am happy to know that you are in peace, and I answer
your two difficulties. — You have at present, so you tell
me, neither doubts nor troubles. Besides, you enjoy a
peace that is troubled by nothing. — Here is my answer in
a few words : Keep this peacefulness as long as fears do not
come to visit you ; and when they come, abandon yourself
to the hands of God. I say when they come; for I believe
that you will not always enjoy this tranquillity. Our life
should be interwoven with flowers and thorns. But this is
sufficient. Let us always say : I wish for myself what God
wishes, and nothing more.
I send you the Visits 1 with the appendix which I have
added, and I very much thank you for your remembrance
of me before God. I beg you for the love that you bear to
our Lord, to continue; for I need graces for myself and for
others. I also send you the “ Novena to St. Teresa.”
Recommend to God a ver}’ important affair which refers
to the Congregation ; and ask Mother Prioress to have the
Community recite for this intention the Salve Regina every
day for nine days.
I am writing hurriedly ; tell therefore the Mother Prioress
that I thank her for the love that she shows for our Con­
gregation; but how can I prevent other priests from
1 The little work of the Visits to the Btesscd Sacrament and the
Blessed Virgin.
$

____W-

1755 J

Letter i e//.

363

adopting our costume? Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa !
*
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of the Chapter
of the cathedral of Cagli.
LETRER 197.

To Father Gasparo Caione.

Discretion of the saint in regard to a vocation and to the
foundation of a new house.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!

Naples, May 19, [1755).
Francesco de Paola 1 is making me lose patience with his
letters. I feel sorry for him, but I know not what I can do
for him. If he should ever leave home and come here, I
would not send him back ; but I cannot write this to him.
I should feel a scruple in regard to the Congregation if I
would expose it to the danger of having a useless subject
who could not be ordained. Besides I could not even write
this since I fear that my letters might be intercepted. For
this reason the enclosed letter is written in a tone of in­
difference.
I am staying here to arrange that affair of Sicily; the
archpriest of Girgenti has already come; but I see that
there is trouble ahead. In fact negotiations have been
going on with the Fathers of the Mission, and I have
declared, that as long as these negotiations are continued
with the said Fathers, it is altogether improper for us to
1 A most excellent young man of Ruvo, who as we have already
indicated became afterwards Superior-General of the Congregation
in the Pontifical States.

304

General. Correspondence.

[PART I.

become involved in this affair about the foundation, otherwise
it might appear that we wish to supplant them.
As to the new bather ol whom you speak, have patience.
Father Gallo has had a severe attack of illness and is using
remedies: let us see how he will get on. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
I must inform you that towards the end of July Father
Apice should come here in order to go to Sorrento to give
a novena, for which Canon Corbo, who lives with the
Cardinal, has most urgently applied to me. Live Jesus,
Joseph, and Mary!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of a family of Gragnano,
diocese of Castellammare.
LETTER

198.

To the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regulars.
Petition for the confirmation of the foundation of the house
at S. Angelo a Cupolo in the archdiocese of Benevento.
[Month of May, 1755.]

The priest D. Alfonso de Liguori, Rector Major of the
Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, humbly exposes
to your Excellencies the following facts :
For the greater glory of God and the profit of souls, he
has for about three months, with the permission of Mgr.
[Francesco Pacca] Archbishop of Benevento, as appears
from the permission granted to him, begun the foundation
of a new house at S. Angelo a Cupolo, a district of the city
of Benevento and a fief of the archbishop. This foundation
will, with the divine help, result to the greatest spiritual
advantages of the clergy, since in said city and in this whole
vast diocese there is not a house in which the spiritual
exercises can be given to the candidates for ordination, nor

1755·]

Leiter 198.

365

any Congregation to instruct the same in the art of preaching,
giving missions, hearing confessions, and so forth. This
foundation will also benefit the people who are both in
spiritual want and numerous, as well as destitute of the
ministry of priests in such a manner that hardly had some
of the Fathers of the Congregation gone among them and
given them some missions and other exercises of piety
conformably to the end of their Institute, when they were in
the greatest request in most places of the diocese. Hence,
for the greater stability and safeguard of so useful a work,
besides the received permission of Monsignor Archbishop
of Benevento, and the testimonies of extraordinery con­
tentment of the people of said district, the petitioner also
desires the approbation and good pleasure of your Ex­
cellencies ; humbly begging that he may be consoled with
such approbation, etc.
Answer of the Congregation. “The Congregation of the
very Eminent Cardinals who preside over the affairs and
consultations of the Bishops and Regulars, in view of the
report of the Archbishop of Benevento, has charged the latter
(the truth of the facts given having been demonstrated) to
grant to the petitioner the object of his request according as
he shall think fit.
Rome, June 13, 1755.

C. A. Card. Cavalchini.
P. Guglielmi, secretary.”!
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
1 Sacra Congregatio Emorum et Rmorum S. R. E. Cardinalium
negotiis et consultationibus Episcoporum et Regularium præposita,
attenta relatione archiepiscopi Beneventani, eidem benigne com­
misit ut, veris existentibus narratis, Oratoris precibus, pro suo
arbitrio et conscientia indulgeat, juxta petita.
ROMÆ, 13 Junii 1755.
C. A. Card. Cavalchini.
P. Guglielmi, secretarius.

ς66

V/

General Correspondence.

[parti.

letter 199.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
\ arious recommendations.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, June 1, 1755.

Since Father Garzilli has arrived at your place, let Father
Nittoli go to Iliceto.
Father Apice is wanted by all means at Sorrento for the
novena of the Assumption. Hence see that he goes there
as soon as possible during this month.
I bless all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the Neapolitan edition of 1848.
LETTER 200.

To Father Emanuele Caldarera of the Congregation
of the Oratory.

He sends him two of his works.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, June4, [1755]·

I send you the second volume [of my Moral Theology]
with a little work on the religious state. This little work, it
is true, is directly addressed to our Congregation, but may
also be useful for religious vocations of every kind. At
least you may use the considerations that are at the end,
and you will no doubt be pleased with them.
Father Pagano 1 has told me that he wished to take my
Moral Ί heology for those that follow the longer course in
your house. Remind him of this promise if you think fit.
1 Father D. Tommaso Pagano, the first director of the saint, died
shortly after, August 25, of the same year 1755.

Letter 201.

1755·]

367

Please let me know at an opportune time what has
been concluded in regard to the foundation of Girgenti.
Do not forget to recommend me to Jesus Christ; I have
also been recommending you and are recommending you
still. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
While humbly kissing the hand of your Reverence,
I remain your very humble and very devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER 201.

To the Sovereign Pontiff Benedict XIV.
He sends him the second volume of his Theology, and
asks him for some spiritual favors for his Congregation.

[June S, 1755·]

Most Holy Father: I send to your Holiness the second
volume of the Moral Theology which has caused me two
years of labor. I hope that it will not be disagreeable to
your Holiness to deign to cast a glance at it.
Besides the Bull of your Holiness, I confess that I have
received great light from your most worthy notifications
which have been my guide in the questions that are therein
examined with great learning and labor. Of the practical
matters appertaining to the instruction of confessors, I have
made an abridgment in the vernacular, have inserted it in
the work, and had it separately printed, and I send it to
your Holiness together with other little ascetical works
which I take the liberty of offering to you, trusting that in
your kindness you will be pleased with it. The said
abridgment entitled Pratica will I hope be of great use for
the instruction of new confessors in regard to every state
and every kind of persons, both good and bad.
I am not so presumptuous as to claim a recompense; it is

368

Ct en eral Correspondent ce.

[PART i.

sufficient for me that your Holiness accepts and blesses
what I have offered, so that my books, if there is any good
in them, may contribute to the salvation of souls. But
prostrate at your feet, I supplicate your Holiness for a
spiritual favor in behalf of my little Congregation. By the
approbation of your Holiness our Congregation has come
into existence. The favors that we ask your Holiness are:
the communication of the privileges of the Fathers called
the Pious Workers,1 and the faculty of being able to have
the subjects of the Congregation ordained under the title
of mensa communis, at least for a certain determined number,
conformably to what you have kindly granted to the Fathers
of Monte Argentaro, called Passionists. In this way the
Congregation will be able to develop itself, since the harvest
that we have had at hand is so oirreat.
But in order that the favor may be complete would your
Holiness be so kind as to grant to the Rector Major of our
little Congregation the faculty of giving Letters dimissory,
to the said candidates for ordination, and that the same may
be ordained by the Archbishop of Benevento? Finally, to
comply with the request of the archbishop of this diocese we
have founded a house which is entirely subject to your
Holiness; it is in the diocese of Benevento, at S. Angelo.
Hence I beg you to give a special blessing to this foundation,
by which we are doubly the subjects of your Holiness. I
have asked that they may be ordained at Benevento; other­
wise the favor would be useless for the reason which the
sagacious mind of your Holiness can appreciate. Should
we not be thought worthy of obtaining this favor from your
Holiness who has called into being this our little Congregatian,
much less should we be able to obtain it from your
successors.
We are moreover in trouble by not having the royal
1 This communication was conceded by a Pontifical Rescript
of July 19, 1756, and a Brief of August 11, 1757.

Letter 201.

I-

exequatur; since we have not yet thought the time opportunc for presenting the Brief of your Holiness granted to us
seven years ago. If your Holiness were to say a word to
our king in regard to the royal consent, I should think that
it would be of great avail........ ( The rest is wanting.')

I
I

1755-1

To this petition the Pope sent the following answer:

[July 15, 1755.]

I!

I
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J

To our son Alfonso de Liguori, priest of the Congregation of the
Most Holy Redeemer at Nocera de’ Pagani. — Benedict XIV.

■
■

To my dear Son, health and apostolic benediction.
We have received your letter of June 8, together with the
second volume of your Moral Theology, and the other books
of less bulk, but of great profit to the salvation of souls. We
thank you for your present, and having cursorily looked at
your book on Moral Theology (which is dedicated to us, for
which we send you special thanks) we have found it full
of valuable information; it will surely meet with universal
approbation and will be most useful to the public. We shall
gradually read it, and we hope that what remains for us to
read will correspond to what we have read.
We have read the petitions that you have offered in behalf
of your Congregation. With the exception of our blessing.
which we willingly bestow upon you and upon the whole
Congregation, the rest will be of little service to you as long
as you have not obtained the royal exequatur for our Brief,
expedited seven years ago. We shall not omit to do our part
with the Duke of Cerisano, ambassador of the king and of the
two Sicilies, who is with us, and if our efforts are successful,
we shall think of the rest. ...
Given at Rome at St. Maria Major, July 15, 1755, the
fourteenth year of our Pontificate.

H

According to the original draught preserved in the archives
of Father General at Rome.

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370

General Correspondence.

[PART I

LETTER 202.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
Various affairs. — Orders and counsels concerning the
building of the house at Caposele.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, June io, [1755].

I answer your last letter. I have written to you a letter
in which I told you that there is no need of coming in July
since the Chapter had to be postponed till October, and
D. Saverio [Rossi] has been unwell and had to go away for
a change of air, and I do not know how his health is at
present. There are other reasons, but the chief reason is
that Don Andrea [Villani] must necessarily be present at
the foundation of the house at Benevento; a storm is feared
on the return of the archbishop.
As regards Father N. my dear Gasparo, I have told you,
and I say, that this young man makes me tremble for his
perseverance because he has a head too thoughtless and
unsteady.1 At the end of July he is to come here to give
the exercises at Sorrento; if he has to drink the waters
at Castellammare, he may set out sooner and come at the
beginning of July. But he does not like the idea of staying
with me, because I gave him a gentle correction. Now
what is to be done? If he should at the end do something
rash, so much the worse will it be for him. God will then
have no need of him. Let us assist him, but it is not
necessary to satisfy him in everything, for he is never
satisfied. I commit him in this matter to your prudence.
Concerning Father N., his brother has written to me. I
1 This Father seems to have been Father Apice ; but the fear
of the saint vanished a short time afterwards, because the Father
reformed in such a way that he lived and died a saint, as may be
seen in his Life written by Father Agostino Saccardi.

---------

1755]

Letter 202.

answered him that for an interview with the said Father I
gave him permission, although I hear that the interview has
already taken place. As to going afterwards to Naples, I
forbid, have forbidden and will forbid such a thing; and
inform the Father of this in a gentle way so that there may
be no thought of going to Naples. What trouble we have
with so many different heads !
As regards the paving-tiles, that is understood. As to
the plinths they may be put down afterwards, and it will be
better to make a trial with paving-tiles in two or three
rooms; and a trial might be made with the rough-casting
of which Father Ferrara has spoken ; but the architect says
that this will all be useless, and that the dampness of the
walls, the frost of winter coming a little afterwards, will
make all come down.
The news about Fr. Agostiniano pleases me, but I have
a doubt about his perseverance.
I bless all. The affairs at Benevento are now prospering.
Let me hear at once, when you receive information,
whether Father Margotta has made good arrangements
with [D. Benedetto] Grazioli. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
When speaking about the building with the Archbishop
[of Conza] especially about remedying the dampness, be
careful not to enter into any promise that things should be
done so or so. 11 he speaks of the matter evade the
question and say that counsel has been taken about the best
method, that a trial would be made, etc. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the Neapolitan edition of the year 1748.

r i

371

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Gen era I Correspon den ce.

[PART 1.

LETTER 203.

To Sister Maria Vincenza Giannastasio, at Cava.

Counsels regarding the acceptance of employments and the
use of mortifications.
[The year 1755?]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I never promised Don Francesco di Franco that I would
come to give the novena ; I only said to him that I would
try to send another Father. But this has not been possible.
See whether five hours of rest are not too little for you ;
take six hours of rest if you suffer from want of sleep. As
lor employments, in future neither desire nor refuse any,
and pay attention to this point, for thus you will do the will
oi God. Continue your Communions as I have regulated
them, and do not trouble yourself about the rest. As
regards mortifications, those that I have allowed you are
sufficient ; do not do more ; only you may wear during the
day a little chain on your arm in order to remind you that
you should offer acts of love to Jesus and Mary.
I have told you that I can direct you from afar; do not
therefore say any more that I should call upon you. This
would give me pain, and I would not come.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

Letter 205.

1755·]

letter 204.

To Father Carmine Picone, Vice-Master of Novices
in Ciorani. 1
Fie tells him to invest certain postulants with the habit.
[About June 12, 1755.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Francesco Antonio is coming; keep him with the novices,
and let him do all that which those must do that are
preparing for receiving the habit. He may receive the
habit with the two others 2 on the feast of St. Aloysius.
Let them make the exercises, but allow them to come to
recreation. Also moderate for all the practices of devotion
and application during the warm weather. Let them go
out often, and moderate the use of the little chains while
the weather is hot. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
From an old copy.
LETTER 205.

To the Same.

A recommendation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Certainly, grant to N. some solace and more liberty; but
assist him, as he has much to contend against. See that
you give him some remedy, milk or some other thing.
Tell him from me that he should have confidence; that
nothing is the matter.
I bless you all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
From the Roman edition.
1 The Master of novices was Father Tannoia ; but on account
of bad health, he was obliged to stay at Iliceto for sonic months.
- The two other candidates that received the holy habit with
Francesco de Paola, on the feast of St. Aloysius de Gonzaga, were
Michael Ferrazzano di Solofra and Sebastiano de Jacobis di S. Fele.

24*

374

General Correspondence.

[PARTI.

LETTER 206.

To the Same.
Qualities that novices should have.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your Reverence should go on with great courage and
confidence in God, and not be disturbed about anything,
nor be grieved, if a novice grows cold and leaves us. Help
all of them as far as you can ; but if any one commits
habitual faults and does not show the right spirit, let me
know this, because then I will send him away. Let him
remain, who is willing to remain. Let only those remain
that wish to suffer all, and wish to be really saints! Tell
this to all the novices and add that he that has not this spirit,
is not made for the Congregation.
There are now many of us. The Congregation has no
need of men who are without fervor.
Among other things see that they obey you. Always
tell them that those that are stubborn, or attached to their
relatives and to self-esteem, cannot be of any use to the
Congregation.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER 207.

To the Same(?)
Encouragement to be given to a postulant.

Live Jesus and Mary!
If N. does not come to receive the letter, carry it to him
yourself, and encourage him. He will still have many

Hss-l

Letter 208.

375

tempests to go through in order to follow his vocation, as
his father is at present by no means favorable.
I very well know that his father is disquieted; but what I
am sorry to hear is, that the young man has grown colder
and has become discouraged. If he remains firm, he must
not doubt that God and we shall come to his aid. But
if he begins to waver, saying now yes, then no, you must
declare to him that I will even refuse to receive him.
Carefully inquire about his health ; for I have been told
that he has some trouble with his chest, and that he has
been spitting blood. If this is the case how could I receive
him if he suffers from his chest? Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.

LETTER

208.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
Various recommendations relative to the works of the saint
and to the interests of the Congregation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, June 22, [1755].

Let me know what business Father Margotta has trans­
acted with [D. Benedetto] Grazioli, if you have any news
about it.
Don Andrea Villani asks and begs that an alarm-clock be
sent to the place where he is [at S. Angelo a Cupolo].
Have patience; you may keep for yourself the English
clock with the alarm, and send the old one to Don Andrea.
I expect Father Apice; he is to drink first the mineral
waters, then he is to go to Sorrento to give a novena or a
retreat. He will come on the 10th of July.
I send six copies of the PraticaP Later when I have an
1 This little work has the title “ Pratica del confessore per ben

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

opportunity, such as to return to you the conveyance to
bring Father Apice, I will send you the second volume 1
with other copies of the Pratica to sell.
Then you must inform Father Caprioli of the cost of the
second volume. The Moral Theology is sold at twenty
carlini? An appendix has been added, and it cannot be
sold for less. The Pratica costs one carlino.
As for all the books sold and that are to be sold, and all
the other books which you will require of me do not write
to me, but have in everything an understanding with Father
Caprioli; the care of them has been intrusted to him by
Father Saverio [Rossi] who pays for the printing.
I have already received news of Father Margotta through
Father Ferrara. Tell therefore Father Margotta that as
soon as he receives anything from Grazioli he should at
once come here to see me; we shall then see what is to be
done.
Should Father Fiocchi be with you, tell him that I have
written to him two pressing letters, to return at once to
Iliceto, because his presence is needed there.3 Let him
speak to Father Giovenale. Tell this secretly to Father
Fiocchi, so that he should set out at once.
It would be well if in kind words, without dispute, you
could obtain a diminution from the tax.1 If you succeed in
doing so, you must thank all those who have in any way
assisted us.
Let me know all about your affairs and what has been
esercitare il suo ministero.” (Practice of the confessor for the
worthy exercise of his ministry.)
1 1'he second volume of his Moral Theology.
2 Twenty carlini = 8 fr. 50 centimes.
8 Father Carmine Fiocchi was then Rector of the house at
Iliceto.
1 Io understand the meaning of this, see note added to the letter
dated August 5, of the year 1755.

1755 1

Letter 209.

yjy

donc in regard to the tiles. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
T eresa !
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Η0Ι}7 Redeemer.
After the Neapolitan edition of 1848.
LETTER 209.

To Sister Maria Vincenza Giannastasio in the Monastery
of the SS. Annunziata at Cava.

Behavior that she should adopt in the state of desolation in
which she finds herself.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, June 22, [1755].

I answer you briefly. I have read your letter, and I feel
more happy because ol the desolations through which the
Lord has made you pass than if you had written to me that
you had wrought ten miracles.
All the lights, inspirations, knowledge and intimate
communications with which you have hitherto been favored
came from God ; of this I assure you in his name. Now
God wishes you to be a saint without delay ; and it is
because he wishes you to be really a saint that he has put
you into the state in which you are.
In this state continue to persevere in all your exercises.
I also permit you, when you have time, to make another
half hour’s meditation ; finally, continue your Communions
and all the rest. As for meditation, always make it with a
book, and use for this purpose my little work; especially
read the considerations on the Passion of our Lord, and
more particularly the affections that follow them.
In the state in which you are, you have to perform more
frequently three things when you pray and communicate.
You should, first, humble yourself, by acknowledging
yourself worthy of severe chastisements. Secondly, resign

37$

General Correspondence,

(parti.

yourself entirely to the will of God, and offer yourself to
remain during your whole life and during eternity in this
state of pain, and even in still greater pain if it is God’s
will. Thirdly, abandon yourself absolutely to the arms
of the divine mercy.
Have frequent recourse to the Blessed Virgin. Let your
acts of love ordinarily consist in an entire offering of your­
self to God. Finally, always recommend me to Jesus
Christ.
Confidence and courage! I see that Jesus Christ wishes
to make you really a saint.
I thank you for your little present. I do not wish you to
take again so much trouble.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Azour very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

I.ETTER 210.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
Recommendations in regard to various works of the saint.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, June 28, [1755].

Send the enclosed letter to Ripacandida at the first
opportunity.
It seems to me that I have sent you a certain number
of copies of the Pratica for the use of your Community.
Now I send ten more to be sold. Show them to those
that come to visit you. In regard to the cost of the copies
of the Pratica, I answer as I did in regard to the Pratica
and the Moral Theology, have an understanding only with

1755·]

Letter 2 j i.

379

the Fathers at Ciorani,1 and punctually send them what
they order.
The second volumes I will send you at the first op­
portunity when your conveyance returns, so that they may
surely arrive.
I expect [Father Bernardo] Apice when he comes to
drink the waters at Castellammare. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa! — I also expect Father Margotta as
soon as he has settled his affairs with Grazioli. Live Jesus
and Mary!
Btother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the Neapolitan edition of 1848.
LETTER 211.

To the Same.

Various recommendations about different subjects.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, June 30, [1755].

You have appointed Father Margotta to perform certain
labors, now that we stand in need of him ; but what is
done is done.
I beg you, however, do not in future
arrange any exercises within the month of June, unless it be
at the beginning of the month.
As for the missions which the Archbishop [of Conza]
wishes us to give it is sufficient that you have mentioned
this to me. Answer neither yes, nor no; do not accept any
more missions, nor hold out any hopes for any more;
because in the coming year I do not know whether we shall
be able to give even one mission there, especially in winter.
Now when the time arrives and it will be necessary to give
1 Father Saverio Rossi, Rector of the house at Ciorani, and Father
Pasquale Caprioli, the Minister.

38ο

General Correspondence.

[PART 1.

the promised missions at Benevento; I shall send my excuse
to the archbishop.
Let Father Apice be here about July io, to drink the
mineral waters.
For Polestra and Melaccio 1 it wil be necessary to procure
letters dimissory.
In regard to Mgr. di Muro the affair is settled.2 I have
written to him that Francesco Antonio de Paola is with us,
that when he wishes he may send for him.
As for closing the church, you have to come to an
understanding with the archbishop.
As to the économe, your Reverence is the Rector. Ap­
point Brother Gennaro for this charge if you think fit; and
Brother Gasparo you may employ wherever you please.
Afterwards I will try to send him with Father D. Andrea
[Villani, of S. Angelo a Cupolo]. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
When Father Apice comes, send me all the second
volumes that you have there,3 because I wish to insert some
sheets and have them bound ; and then I will send them
back. This I will do when the conveyance that brought
Father Apice returns. J will send you the second volumes
to-day if the young carrier will take charge of them, to­
gether with six copies of the Pratica and two of the
Dissertations on probable opinion*
1 D. Vito Polestra and D. Donato Melaccio, natives of the arch­
diocese of Conza, who were then to receive Holy Orders.
2 The Bishop of Muro, Mgr. Vito Moio, was greatly displeased at
the entrance into our Congregation of young Francesco Antonio de
Paola, his diocesan.
3 1 he second volume of his Moral Theology, to which he wished
to add Elenchus 99 questionum post primam editionem anni 1748
refonnatarum.
1 1 he work “ Pratica del confessore per ben esercitare il suo
ministero, of which mention has already been made, and the work
Dissertatio scholastico-moralis pro usu moderato opinionis pro­
babilis in concursu probabilioris.”

4M*.—

1755 1

Letter 212.

381

I send you also a package containing copies of the
Elenchus for the second volume; have them distributed
among those that have the first edition of the work. Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I embrace and bless you all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
Tell Father Margotta to read the letter at once. Live
Jesus and Mary !
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved at our house of Monterone at
Rome.
LETTER 212.

To the Same.
He enjoins upon him obedience to the physician.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, 6. [July, 1755?]

Before speaking of other things I must tell you that you
do not belong to yourself but to Jesus Christ and the
Congregation ; hence you must take care of your health
and be obedient.
In a word, I tell you that you must obey the physician in
all things, just as the Rule commands us to do, either on
the one hand by eating no more food prepared with oil, or on
the other hand by taking the medicine that is prescribed.
Moreover, during the day you must sleep at least half an
hour, and during the night, six full hours.
What shall I say in reference to the letters dimissory
of the young men? I pray to Jesus Christ to grant me
patience. I have also written a petition to the archbishop,
which you will please forward as soon as possible. Il an
answer comes addressed to you, open it; and if you see
that the archbishop remains inflexible, ask Father Margotta

3$2

General Correspondence.

(part

i

jn my name to go himself to the archbishop and to ask for
this favor, etc. Write also to the Vicar-General, and thank
him specially for me for all that he has done with the arch­
bishop in favor of these young men. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa !
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 213.

To the Novice Luigi Capuano,3 at Ciorani.

What was to be his behavior under difficult circumstances
in regard to his vocation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Saragnano, July 16, 1755.

My dear Brother, summon up courage! I am confident
that God expects great things of you, since hell creates so
much noise in order to draw you away from your vocation.
It may perhaps happen as I have told you, that you
must go by order of the king to some monastery, to be
examined in regard to your intention. Recommend your­
self to the Mother of God, and fear nothing.
To the monastery your relatives will undoubtedly come
to tempt you, and the monks themselves will practise the
devil’s art under pretense of appeasing your father and your
mother; they will represent to you that it is a matter
of conscience if you thus bring ruin upon them. Make no
account of such scruples; if they wish to be ruined, it will
be their fault. Tell them that in order to appease them
you cannot imperil your eternal salvation by losing your
vocation, which is quite certain.
Do not doubt that, after this trial at the monastery, your
relatives will no longer annoy you.
3 Luigi Capuano, born at Cava, June 21, 1739, was admitted to
the novitiate, July 14, 1755.
/

1755]

Letter 214·

Pay attention to this point: if you go to the monaster}',
do not believe what certain religious may tell you ; they
have been gained over by your relatives, and will give you
a thousand reasons to induce you to return home. If they
come, be careful not to listen to them, and be sure that
they wish to deceive you. Hence as soon as they begin to
perform the office of the devil, dismiss them in a kind
manner. Do not undertake to answer them, because they
will succeed in perplexing you. The best thing would be
not to answer, but to say that you will recommend your­
self to God in order to find out his will ; and then rid
yourself of them in this way.
I say this, not that you must now pray to God that he
may make known to you his will, since he has already
made it known to you in making you understand that he
wishes you to be a member of the Congregation ; but this
answer will deliver you from their importunities. By
saying that you are praying to God to enlighten you in
regard to his will, you will silence them, and thus force
them to retire immediately.
Since Father Tannoia is not there, be guided by [Father
Alessandro de] Meo.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
T eresa !
Brother Alfonso,

of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in our house at Prague, Bo­
hemia.

3 4

General Correspondence.

LETTER

(part i

214.

To Sister Maria Vincenza Giannastasio.

She should, notwithstanding her interior desolations, per­
severe in her exercises of piety.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
SARAGNANO, July 21, [1755].

Your whole letter pleases me. One thing, however,
would give me pain ; it would be to hear that you are now
abandoning the career upon which you have entered.
Courage, then, and firmness ! Continue the exercises
that you have begun, although they may be to you like the
pains of hell ; continue, and be assured that you will
certainly become a saint.
I have told you already, and I repeat, that according to
the rules laid down by the saints it is clear to me that the
state of desolation and pain in which you find yourself will
last a long time ; perhaps it may last even till your death.
No, it is not true that God has abandoned you ; on the
contrary, he loves you more than before ; but he wishes to
try you, and to consume in the fire of tribulations the rust
which your past faults has attached to your soul. Take
courage, then, and go on. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa !
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

Letter 21ζ.

1/55·]

385

LETTER 2T5.

To the Novice Luigi Capuano.
Additional advice as to the trial to which he was to be
subjected.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, July 22, [1755].

My dear Brother: Your relatives have already addressed
to the king a memorial, in which they say that you entered
the Congregation, having been misled by an elder brother,
who had interested motives, and that you were taken against
your will to our hozise at Ciorani; moreover, that the
Fathers, seeing your mother advance to embrace you, rudely
repulsed her and caused her to fall to the ground, to the
great scandal of all. See what lies and what calumnies !
Now this memorial they did not present to the king, but
they carried it to Mgr. Borgia, who has written to me that
we must satisfy your relatives in having you examined as to
your intentions in a place where you would be under no
restraint. Monsignor must, therefore, be obeyed.
Do not fear; for everything will turn out well, and so
also the bishop thinks. We shall send you to Naples to
the Chinese College, the Superior of which and those that
are there are my friends ; all will favor your vocation. If,
however, your relatives send priests or religious to find out
your intentions, answer according to the letter that you
sent me last.
It was with regret that I read in your letter that you had
experienced a very violent attack on your vocation, — words
that made me doubt at first about your constancy ; for I
feared that you had somewhat listened to the temptation.
I was, however, consoled by what you afterwards wrote to
me, namely, that you knew perfectly well what you have
25

386

General Correspondence.

[PART i.

to do, and that you would resist every temptation until
death.
Always recommend yourself to the Blessed Virgin; and
when a suggestion from hell is made to you, do not reason
about it, but simply answer by pronouncing the names
of Jesus and Mary. Do not allow yourself to be shaken;
after this struggle I hope that your relatives, that is I
should say, your enemies, will become quiet. I bless you.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 2l6.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
He charitably excuses the defects of a subject. — Various
matters.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ciorani, August 3, [1755]·

My dear Don Gasparo: What shall I say about Father
N.? He believes that he is doing right when he does those
things, and disturbs others and also himself; and I fear, as
I have frequently said, that the devil may on this account
make him one day lose his vocation. He is, however,
humble, zealous, observant of the Rule, and loves the
Congregation ; but he labors and engages in work with
such a passion that he disquiets himself and others. What
is to be done? Every one has his faults. I have more
of them than others.
As to Brother Gerardo, fiat voluntas tua! [Thy will be
done !] I send him the blessing.1
In regard to the grain, those at Pagani wish that I
I The Venerable Brother Gerardo Maiella was then collecting for
the building of the house at Caposele, and he died shortly afterwards,
that is, October 15, 1755.

1755·]

Letter 2 /7.

387

should write to you to send them ten tomoli.x I haveanswered them : What right have you to ask for these ten
tomoli? Now 1 have written that your Reverence had spoken
to me in your last letter about debts, provisions that you
have to buy, etc.
For the rest, if your Reverence could send them, as
if of your own accord four or five tomoli, it would be well.
As to the sick F ratres, I am glad that they are somewhat
better. Say from me to Frater Melchionna that Father
Ferrara has said nothing to me, that he was feigning
sickness, and that if he had said anything to me about it,
I would not have believed him ; tell him to take care
of his health, to do the will of God, and remain quiet.
Let twenty-five carUni be sent to us, as I have spent
that amount for repairing a copper-plate engraving of the
Madonna. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,

of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the Neapolitan edition of 1848.
LETTER 217.

To the Novice Luigi Capuano.
He advises him how he should behave in the temptation to
which his vocation is exposed.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, August 4, [1755]·

\7our relatives have become somewhat pacified, but not
entirely ; and as I hear, your father and your mother are
going to Ciorani to tempt you by tenderness and by false
reasons. Be on your guard ; this will be the last assault ;
do not give a chance to the devil to raise a laugh at your
behavior up to the present day.
Yet while reading in your letter that you are continually
1 Ten tomoli
and 3.35 pks.

S'/z hectolitres; a hectolitre being equal to 2 bu.

388

General Correspondence.

[part i.

agitated by temptations to give up your vocation, I cannot
help fearing for you. But it is not on account of these
temptations; for as long as you recommend yourself to
God and repel them, there is nothing to fear. What I fear
is, that you give too much ear to them, that you reason
with them, and that you do not take care to have recourse
to Jesus and Mary when they come. If you act differently
from what I tell you, you will lose the grace of vocation
and of eternal salvation ; for your vocation is clearer than
the noonday sun; if you lose it, what will become of you?
I should like you to write to me again and to tell me
what motives the devil proposes to you to leave the
Congregation after you have so much desired to enter it,
and God has given you so many graces to enable you to
do so. Is it perhaps your fondness for your relatives?
But why? To please your relatives should you wish to
abandon Jesus Christ who has deigned with so much love
to call you to a life of sanctity ? Is it perhaps because in
the Congregation one has to suffer? — Enough of this! for
I am only speaking to the winds, not knowing in what way
the devil wishes to entrap you ; this is the reason why I
beg you to write me in detail what are your temptations.
For pity’s sake! my dear D. Luigi, do not expose
yourself to lose this precious crown that Jesus Christ is
preparing for you. When an infernal thought enters your
mind, represent to yourself the moment of death, and
consider what remorse you would feel if you had the
misfortune to die out of the Congregation after having
abandoned God on account of some earthly purpose. Ah,
how I should regret to see you lose your vocation ! The
efforts that Lucifer has made to excite your relatives, or
rather the enemies of your soul, to do what they have
done, convince me that if you remain firm, you are destined
to do great things for God; for all those who in the
Congregation have been engaged in these terrible contests

Letter 2ιγ.

1755·]

389

with their relatives, without allowing themselves to be
shaken, have afterwards done marvellous things.
For mercy’s sake, when the temptation presents itself,
repel it forcibly and indignantly by invoking the holy
names of Jesus and Mary, and often repeat these allpowerful names. Renew then your resolution by saying :
No, my Jesus! I do not wish to leave Thee ; no, never;
should I even be obliged to die on account of my resolution.
— And if, notwithstanding all this, the temptation does
not leave you, go if you have permission, to the foot of the
altar, before the Blessed Sacrament, or throw yourself, in
your room, at the foot of the crucifix, and sigh and pray in
this manner: My Jesus, help me; I do not wish to leave
Thee ; no, no, no ! — Then without delay confer with the
Master of novices about your temptation ; and if it be
necessary, write always to me.
I wish to help you as much as I can; but if you neglect
to have recourse to Jesus Christ and to the Blessed Virgin,
who is the Mother of perseverance, and to consult the
Master of novices, I regard your vocation as lost. Look
at poor N. and poor N. on the point of leaving the Con­
gregation, yet without their own fault; oh, how I pity
them ! and you should voluntarily listen to the suggestions
of hell by returning to the world, so as to become the
laughing-stock not only of hell, but of your whole diocese,
of Bishop Borgia, and of everybody! I hope to God’s
goodness that this may not be so.
Every morning, on rising, I beg you, renew the firm
resolution to persevere in the Congregation, and always
repeat it during meditation, at your Communion, at your
visit, and at your examination of conscience. Always
invoke Jesus and Mary, and consult your Father Master. By
acting in this manner you need not fear to lose your vocation.
I bless you and I await your next letter so as to know in
what way the devil tempts you. I recommend you to
25*

39°

General Correspondence.

Jesus and Mary; do also the same for me.
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!

[PART 1.

Live Jesus,

After the Roman edition.
LETTER 2l8.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
He counsels holy revenge.1

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, August 5, [1755].

I have heard in what a complimentary manner the
people of Caposele have acted towards you. Well! we
must try to revenge ourselves! Be therefore careful to
increase almsgiving at the door, and be liberal to those
that ask alms. Besides, take special care of the con­
fraternity of which those ungrateful men are the members.
What I regret is that these disturbers of the peace will
leave the confraternity and not have the courage, to return
to it; for from this will arise a spiritual injury for which I
am more sorry than for the temporal. Try therefore and
1 Father Caione speaks of this fact in the juridical depositions for
the beatification of the saint (Sumniar. n. 18, §93): “The house
of Caposele,” he says, “ was burdened with a seigniorial tax, above
the sum which his Majesty, Charles III. had assigned us; the latter
sum amounted to about four grains a day [about 20 centimes] for
each subject. I succeeded in having the Municipal Council con­
voked to abolish this enormous tax of forty ducats [170 frs.] annually;
as the tax exceeded the sum given us as an alms by the king; hut
all in vain. I found myself covered with shame and confusion;
every one contradicted me. I thus reported the whole affair to the
servant of God, and he answered in the following terms: ‘As the
people of Caposele have treated us so well, it is necessary to think
of avenging ourselves; but how shall we do this? Listen: be more
liberal henceforth in dispensing alms, be more assiduous in the
confessional ; when you are called to the sick run without any
hesitation ; do not complain of the wrong done you ; let this be your
revenge.’ ”
*
.

1755·]

Leiter 219.

ask others to try by kind words to induce them not to give
up the confraternity ; invite them especially if it be neces­
sary , without however making mention, particularly in
sermons, of what has happened. During the novenas let
the preacher encourage them to frequent the confraternity.
As for those that have conducted themselves so loyally,
you must thank them in a special manner; and it might be
well, if you think fit, to go from house to house to thank
them ; at least you will derive the advantage that they will
remain attached to us. What else could we do? Such is
the world. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

219.

To the Novice Luigi Capuano.
Happiness that one enjoys in the Congregation. — Answer
to several objections.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Salerno,

I have read your last letter, and I am consoled to hear
that you are adopting the means to overcome the temp­
tations of the enemy.
As for your relatives, besides Jesus Christ, the Blessed
Virgin, and the saints, who are to you more than a father,
a mother, and brothers, are we not also brothers to you ?
Your relatives love you, but as enemies, because they wish
that which will make you lose your soul ; we, on the
contrary, love you as true friends, desiring to see you
happy in this life and in the next. Happy, I say, even in
this life ; for the pleasures olj the world do not satisfy the
soul, while a holy life with the innocent recreation that the
Congregation permits, is able to delight the soul, because
in such a life it finds God. In the beginning you may not
entirely enjoy this peace, since you must first overcome the

392

General Correspondence.

[part i.

temptations by which God wishes to try you ; but after the
victory one enjoys the peace that surpasses all the delights
the world and the senses can procure: quee exsuperat
omnem sensum [which surpasses all understanding].
Besides, as you see, it is not true that with us we are
always shut up in the convent. When you are a priest you
will go on missions the greater part of the year, moving
through the country in order to save souls.1
One dies young. This is not true; for many among us
enjoy better health in the Congregation than they enjoyed
in the world. And after all, if die we must, can there be
anything more beautiful than to die for the love of Jesus
Christ? Of what use is life, if we do not employ it for
God?
O how much was I pleased by what you wrote at the
end of your letter concerning your relatives! Thank Jesus
Christ and his holy Mother, who have inspired you with
these holy sentiments. Courage then ! let us sanctify our­
selves, and pray to Jesus Christ for me. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 220.

To Sister Maria Nicoletta Leoni (Di Calvanico), in the
Monastery of S. Giuseppe at Fisciano.

He recommends to her resignation to God’s will.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Salerno, August n, [1755]·

I have received your first letter enclosing a honorarium,
and the Mass has been said. I received your second letter
to-day here at Salerno, also enclosing a honorarium; and
1 Luigi Capuano became later a great missionary, but he had
not the good fortune of dying in the Congregation, as we shall see
further on.

1755·]

Letter 221.

to-morrow I will say the second Mass for you in order that
the Blessed Virgin may obtain for you the grace that you
desire. But you should be fully resigned to the divine
will ; if not, the Blessed Virgin will not grant you the
grace. I recommend myself to your prayers. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I did not answer you the other day, as I did not know
whether you were at Fisciano, your letter not indicating
the place where it was written. If I answer you to-day, it
is because I learned by chance that your letter came from
Fisciano. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of the Leoni family at
Calvanico.
LETTER 221.

To Sister Maria Vincenza Giannastasio.

He encourages her to suffer contradictions in a Christian
manner, and gives her important advice.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Scala, September 14. [1755?!

I write you from Scala where I received your letter. All
the storms, both exterior and interior, which you experience,
I have foretold you. They are the cause of affliction to
you ; as for me they afford me consolation.
How happy am I to know that you are treated as a
foolish woman ! Be courageous, and continue to be thus
foolish for the love of Jesus Christ.
The words of your confessor were for you a cross harder
to bear; but he spoke to you with the best intentions. For
the rest, I repeat my appreciation and the former obedience
that I have imposed upon you, and I assure you on the

394

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

part of the Most Blessed Trinity that you arc in the grace
of God. Not only does ( iod wish your salvation ; not only
has he pardoned your sins ; he also really wishes you to be
a saint if you persevere.
Be then firm in omitting nothing of what I have told
you, and unceasingly pray to Jesus and Mary to obtain
perseverance. To this you should always come back, for
the persecutions are great, and I believe that they will
become greater.
If you think fit, confide entirely in the ordinary confessor,
and beg him to speak in your defence to the Superior
of the convent in order that you may be able to live in
peace. If you do not wish to make this offer to the
confessor, beg at least the bishop to come to see you;
expose to him in a general way the past and the present
• state of your conscience, and tell him what I have advised
you to do. Monsignor can indeed render you a great
service by ordering that you should be left alone.
To go to the parlor? To see your relatives? There is
no longer any question about that. Henceforth there should
be for you only God, and nothing else.
Take care not to omit the common exercises, and to
attend them punctually; fulfil also the duties of your em­
ployments, and render service to the Community as much
as obedience imposes this upon you ; for if you fail in this
point, you may be attacked and may be charged with
illusion. But how could this be done, if you never fail in
any of the duties of your state of life?
The attractions that you feel from time to time, I am
convinced, come from God. It is God that draws you to
his perfect love by communicating his strength to your soul
in order to resist the storms to which you are exposed.
They are, you may be sure, not illusions, but divine
favors, and great favors, which God grants to you in order
entirely to gain your heart. Regard this as certain, an

Letter 22/.

395

your poor soul will in this conviction take courage to resist
the attacks of temptation, of distrust, of all kinds of con­
trarieties.
If the persecutions should continue, I should be happy,
I repeat, if you could have an interview with the bishop;
for he is a man of God, is prudent, and well understands
how to guide souls. He will encourage you and deliver
you from the annoyances which the religious and the
directors may cause you.
Follow then my advice and continue the Communions,
prayers, mortifications, and all the rest. However, when­
ever you are not very well, omit without scruple your
mortifications according to the degree of your infirmity;
and in doubt, do rather less than more.
It you speak to Monsignor tell him that it is I who have
wished you to have this interview. You would also do
well, in ordinary doubtful things and daily difficulties, to
consult your ordinary confessor, whoever he may be, and
to obey him if he imposes something upon you, or if he
diminishes for a time your various exercises. I say for a
time; for, as a general rule, I do not wish you to omit
anything that I have arranged for you. I speak thus
because, being far away I cannot direct you in all things
that daily occur. For the rest, go on, and have not the
least doubt that you are on the right road.
In your Communions always pray for me and for the
Congregation, especially at this time when our wants are so
great. I bless you.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
I*
Teresa !
Azour very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

396

General Correspondence.

(part i.

LETTER 222.

To the Same.
She should accept a charge without objection.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, October 16. [1755?]

I answer your letter in a tardy manner; for I have been
ill for a long time.
As for the office of attendant at the turn, if it is intrusted
to you, accept it without objection. The distractions that
it will cause you will be distractions which God wishes.
You will have, you tell me, a thousand eyes fixed upon
you. — I am delighted that this is so, for you will thus be
more attentive not to commit faults. Otherwise they will
say: See the saint! how beautiful is her speech, how
beautiful is her conduct! Let me know whether you have
spoken to Monsignor. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa !
Your very humbly servant,
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER 223.

To the Same.
He exhorts her to tend to perfection with courage and
perseverance.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, November 2, [1755].

For pity’s sake, no more presents. I thank you, but I
desire of you but one thing: it is that you devote yourself to
the task of becoming a saint. Why speak to me of coming

1755-1

Letter 223.

397

to preach a novena? I set out for Benevento in a few days
with nearly all my companions.1
The answer that you gave to Monsignor afforded me
great pleasure. See how God comes opportunely to your
aid through your Superiors ! Be then faithful, and do not
leave the path on which you are now walking, even though
you should have to combat hell within and without.
Above all, do I recommend to you to be faithful to your
accustomed prayers as long as your services are not needed
by the Community. I also recommend to you detachment
from all, and from myself in particular, since I can assist
you only from afar. I have written out for you certain
rules; observe them, and imagine that I am always re­
peating to you what I have said and written to you.
I send you the new edition of the little work called the
Visits, printed by D. Benedetto Gessari ; hymns are added
to it, and at the end you will find a treatise on the will
of God. As all perfection consists in conformity to the
divine will, you may little by little use this short treatise
even for meditation.
Always recommend me to Jesus Christ in your prayers
and in your Communions. I wish you to receive holy
Communion every day, except on one day of the week.
Communion will obtain for you perseverance. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After a copy.
1 In \A\e journal of Father Pasquale Caprioli we read this notice:
“November 14, 1755, Father Rector Major went to give a mission
at Benevento, and returned witlf» Father Spera to Pagani, De­
cember 12,”

Genera l Correspondence.

[PART 1.

LETTER 22φ

To Father Gasparo Caione.
He reproaches him for incurring a superfluous expense.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
November 16, [1755].

I saw Brother Francesco, and having asked him what he
had been doing at Naples these past days,1 I received the
answer that he had been looking for a copy of St. Augustine
which he expected to purchase for forty ducats. But I
know that you already have St. Augustine in your library.
Why then make such an outlay ? You will say that the
copy which you have is badly printed ; but I answer it is
sufficient that it is a copy of St. Augustine, and a copy that
is suitable for us poor people.
Then I should like to know with what money you have
made this purchase. If it is money from uncertain rest­
itutions, I should feel scrupulous about exchanging it for a
better printed copy of St. Augustine ; if it is money from
Don Gerardo,12 the priest who has been received, I wish
also to have a word to say ; since I am bankrupt on
account of the many expenses that I have made; and
on the other hand, I find myself indebted to the
amount of thirty ducats for the work on the Expla­
1 Brother Francesco Tartaglione, having finished the penance
of which we have spoken in the letter of May 10, 1752, was sent
back to Naples where he lived as he had always till his happy
death in a house of the Congregation. At that time St. Alphonsus,
while on his way to the mission at Benevento, was staying for two
days at Naples with his mother who was seriously ill, and thus it
happened that the Brother spoke to him about the purchase of the
works of St. Augustine.
I
2 1). Gerardo Gisone, born February to, 1720 at Recigliano, in
the diocese of Muro, made his profession, September S, 1756, and
after a virtuous life, died in 1765.

1755·]

Letter 22β.

399

nation of Scripture. The publisher calls for his money,
and I know not what to do. If it is the money of that
priest, we should at least divide the sum between us.
You have in your house two bad Consultors, Fathers
Fathers Apice and Leo, who wish to have books in a
grand style, but not in accordance with our poverty. Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
If you have any money to spend I would rather have you
buy the works of Bellarmine, Spondano, Rinaldo (Com­
pendium of Baronius), the library of Mansi. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the monastery of the discalced Carmelites at Modena.
LETTER

225.

To Father Antonio Tannoia, Rector of the House at Iliceto,
and Master of Novices.1
He forbids him to incur a superfluous expense.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Benevento, November 17, [1755].

I have heard in what misery you find yourself. For the
present I do not see
how
you
manage
to
live.
There
is
9
*
1 In the general catalogue of the Congregation we read the
following statement: “In the General Chapter held on the 15th
of October of the year 1755» after deliberately weighing the matter,
it was decided by the Fathers assembled in Chapter to admit into
the Congregation youths who have attained the age of sixteen years
and six months, whereas formerly they could not be admitted before
their eighteenth year. The climate of Ciorani has not proved very
beneficial to the novices; besides, by reason of the many courses
of spiritual exercises held there — the number of those following
the exercises being at times two hundred — the novices were disturbed
and distracted; it has therefore been decided to transfer the

400

(j encrai Correspondence.

[PART I.

but little income to be hoped for. The lands are not
leased. But you would say: Let us go to Iliceto; kt us go
to Iliceto) And now have you anything to live on there?
Could not your Reverence in this embarrassed state of af­
fairs avoid certain expenses ? I tell you and beg you to expend
no money except for what is absolutely necessary for your
support. If this produces no effect, you will all have to
remove to Ciorani. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 226.

To his Brother D. Ercole de Liguori.
He begs him to ask for him the blessing of his dying
mother.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Benevento, November 23, [1755].

Yes; to serve you I have already written to Brother
Francesco [Tartaglione] to assist you until God calls our
mother to himself.2 How greatly am I consoled that she
is now undisturbed by scruples !
novitiate to Iliceto, to the house of Santa Maria della Consolazione.
The place was truly well adapted for a novitiate, being far removed
from all the noise of the world ; the novitiate was placed under the
care of Father Antonio Maria Tannoia, Rector and Master of
novices.” Thus far the catalogue.
1 Father Tannoia had done his utmost to have the novitiate
transferred to Iliceto.
2 His pious mother died a few days after the saint had written
this letter, and he received the news of her death with perfect
tranquillity. The following is what Father D. Pasquale Caprioli
says of this event in his juridical deposition (Sum. n. 11, §43):
“ His virtue was heroic on hearing of the death of his most pious
mother. Donna Anna Maria Cavalieri was a lady of so religious a
spirit that she daily recited the divine Office like a cloistered nun,
and was so exact and scrupulous in. regard to the fasts of the Church
that she observed them most rigorously notwithstanding her old age,

Letter 226.

1755·]

401

Here we arc giving a large mission in the city of Bene­
vento ; there is a great concourse of people, and there are
eighteen Fathers engaged. We shall stay here for a
month. There is no other news.
Send me the ornament which was promised by you to
the Blessed Virgin ; it will serve to adorn her crown. Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Ask mother’s blessing for me and tell her that God and
the Blessed Virgin will surely secure for her eternal sal­
vation. And I have recommended her to the prayers
of the people. Live Jesus and Mary!
Your very affectionate brother,
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of the Boccafogli family at
Rome.
being ninety-four years old when she died. She led a devout life
and practised mental prayer, in which she was directed by her own
son. Our servant of God heard the sad news of his mother's death
while giving a mission at Benevento, and without having lo»t his
self-possession he preached in the evening, and merely told the
people in a quiet way that they should recommend to God the soul
of his mother.”
Moreover, Father Nicolo Grossi in his juridical deposition (Sum
n. ii, $ 154) speaks thus: “I saw him perform an heroic act
of resignation to the divine will when he received the news of the
death of his mother at Naples. We were to go with him to a
mission in the city of Benevento. Having heard that his mother,
whom he himself directed in the ways of God, was ill on account
of her advanced age and other indispositions, he sent us ahead on
the usual Bracigliano road, he himself taking the road to Naples
where he arranged all the spiritual affairs of his mother, and then
set out for Benevento. A few days after, he received a letter
announcing her death. He came to table with us, and before
dining he said in a tranquil manner without having lost his com­
posure that he had received notice of his mother’s death ; and that
on the following morning we should have the charity to apply the
Mass for her soul; in a firm voice he intoned the prayers recited
26

402

Gen era I Correspoil den ce.

[PART I.

LETTER 227.

To Father Pasquale Amendolara,1 at Pagani.
Various recommendations. — Some details in regard to
the mission at Benevento.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Benevento, November 23, [1755].

I rejoice to hear that Father Mazzini is better, but he
might have waited a little while longer and not set out
while suffering from fever.
You did well in regard to Frater [D. Fabrizzio] Cimino.
Your Reverence should write to Father Caione to speak or
write for me — it would be better to have an interview —
to the Archbishop [of Conza] in behalf of Polestra and
Melaccio. But in the mean time Polestra and Melaccio
should prepare for the examination for subdeaconship,
because the archbishop will come to examine them. It is
necessary for them to know the treatises de Horis canonicis,
de Ordine, and especially de Subdiaconatu, with the treatise
de Sacramentis in genere. Tell Father Siviglia to direct
them in this matter.
I send to Ciorani the manuscript of Father Mazzini.
As for Frater [D. Ignazio] Fiore, the affair is being
arranged.
I have already written to Ciorani and to Naples for
copies of the Moral Theology and of the Pratica.
Here the mission continues amid a great concourse
of people. On Saturday a mission will begin at four other
places, and we shall give one to the nobles. There are
before meals. Both I and my companions were filled with admiration
at such virtue."
1 Father Amendolara, born at Contursi, in the diocese of Conza,
December 20, 1723, entered the Congregation in the year 1747, and
died, May 1, 175S.
He was greatly beloved by St. Alphonsus,
because he was full of fervor and a man of great talent.

1755·)

Leiter 227.

403

many that wish to enter our Congregation, but are moved
to do so by the exercises and the missions; their vocation
must however first mature.
We have made great friends with the Jesuits. Here
there is being established a beautiful congregation of young
ecclesiastics to make them good apostolic laborers.
I bless you all, and especially the students. I will
return about the 21st of December. This time will appear
to me a thousand years. So far I have been ill twice.
Now I am well, and am at work. Live Jesus and Mary!
Father Spera is at work and gets along. Live Jesus and
Mary !
Tell Father Mazzini to mention in Chapter that it would
be a very great fault if one, when writing to any one of us,
would put on the letter the words matters of conscience and
the letter should contain nothing of the kind.
Write this also from me to Father Caione so that he may
speak of it in Chapter. Live Jesus and Mary!
II you have an opportunity, send me some more copies
(the small edition) of the Visits printed at Naples. Find
out the time when the conveyance comes from Ciorani to
this place. Live Jesus and Mary !
Send a hundred Visits to Ciorani so that they may be
sent to me at the first opportunity. Live Jesus and
Mary !
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the Neapolitan edition of 1S48.

404

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

LETTER 228.

To Father Gasparo Caione.

The measure in which accessor}' sciences should be studied.
Nocera, December 15, 1755.

........ As for the cornices, that is understood ; leave
them in the choir, because the choir belongs to the church. 1
I have heard some whispering that Father Leo wishes to
teach mathematics, or geometry. For the principles of
geometry and the four rules of arithmetic, concedo [I grant
permission] ; for more, no. Even Father Mabillon, who
was at the head of learned men, forbade this to the religious.
Tell Father Leo that by all means the course of philosophy
should be finished in two years. I regret to see in the
Congregation that the spirit of vanity and useless erudition
is gaining ground to the detriment of important sciences....
After an old copy.
LETTER 229.

To Father Antonio Tannoia, Rector, and Master of Novices
at Iliceto.

Advice in regard to the health of the subjects, to useless
expenses, to the practice of mortification.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, December 31, [1755].

In regard to Ansalone, Father Ferrara has written me a
fiery letter. He tells me that it is suspected that he has
been spitting blood. Hence as to his admission, tell him in
1 A little before, the saint had written thus to the same Father:
“ Know that I do not wish to have cornices at the doors, in the
choir, or in the library. Have patience; if you have put them
there, have them taken away and see that everything be made plain.
Poverty loves simplicity and what is necessary, not what is super­
fluous.”
H

Letter 229.

1755·]

I

405

my name that he must have patience, and that he should
wait another month, in order that it may be more surely
seen how his health will be, especially since his father has
written that he was suffering from costiveness. Let him in
the mean time not be dejected ; I will afterwards shorten
his novitiate.1
I say that he should still wait another month ; but when
he has been once received, and has been sent by me into the
country to see whether he will recover, what need is there
of a new admission? However let us give this satisfaction
to Father Ferrara, by keeping him in suspense for a month.
But though he may have been received a second time I
should have to dismiss him if he has a relapse.
Ansalone himself writes to me that he is perfectly well.
Tell him in my name to take courage; he is already a
member of the Congregation ; why should he fear? If he
continues to remain well, he shall be one of us ; but if bad
health returns, his admission will not hinder him from
being sent away; let him be patient and cheerful.
Let us now come to a matter of greater importance.
You write me that bread is wanting.......... But why incur
so many useless, or unnecessary expenses, — expenses that
are out of proportion to the present scanty resources of this
house, or hardly conformable to the obedience that I have
given you not to incur any expense except through sheer
necessity? For pity’s sake, do not now think any more
of making improvements in the building, nor of any other
expense but what is absolutely necessary. At present
remain as you are ; provide for your wants as well as you
can ; later on we may think of doing these things if divine
Providence will permit us. According to what I learn
there is a debt of a hundred and sixty ducats at Lacedogna ;
1 This was done. Giambattista Ansalone was admitted to the
novitiate, January 24, 1756, and made his profession September 8,
of the same year.

26*

40 6

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

there are also debts at Foggia ; and there is a want of oil,
grain, wine, etc.; well ! to what a pass will you find your­
self reduced? Are you going to feed on grass, or will you
be imprisoned for debt? I shall at last be obliged to treat
you according to the rumors that now prevail at Ciorani.
The Chapter 1 against my opinion has permitted the
giving of a second glass of wine to any one that expresses a
wish for it; but you must inform the novices that he that
does this always or without a real necessity will give very
little edification, and show but little mortification. I beg
you to pay particular attention to this matter; for when
there is question of profession I will ask you about it.
As regards having two rooms made for yourself, give up
the idea for the present; later on we shall speak of it.
Frater N. writes to me for sweetmeats; I send him
something that I withheld this morning from the young
people among whom they were to have been distributed.
I should have been better pleased had the novices asked
me for mortifications and the means of loving Jesus Christ,
rather than for sweetmeats.
The novice D. Gerardo [Gisone] writes to me that he is
quite content, etc.; pay particular attention to him; for
priests in the novitiate have more temptations than others.
I bless you all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I send you the hymn of St. Aloysius.12 Live Jesus and
Mary !
After the Roman edition.
1 The Chapter that was held at Pagani in the month of October
of the same year.
2 This hymn in honor of St. Aloysius is found among the works
of the saint (Vol. ix. page 43S).

Letter 230.

407

LETTER 23O.

To the Student Don Mauro Murante, at Melfi. 1

He permits him to return to Pagani.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Pagani, January 7, 1756.

I have read your letter, and it has so much affected me
that I cannot help granting your request. Come, then, to
this house at Pagani; but travel in the most convenient
way possible, and take, I beg you, the same precautions
as at your departure for Melfi. Choose also for this journey
favorable weather and less frightful than we have at present.
I am here waiting for you. Do not forget to bring me the
accounts that you will be able to collect in regard to
Brother Gerardo.2
While awaiting the pleasure of seeing you soon, I embrace
you in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
[Z5. S'.] I am expecting you, my dear Frater Mauro,
and hours appear to me to be ages; but whether you are
sick or well, it suffices that you belong to God. Do not.
however, set out, I beg you, in damp weather, and as
much as possible protect yourself against the cold.
I bless you. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of a family at Melfi.
1 Mention will again be made of Mauro Murante in a subsequent
letter. He was born at Melfi, May 6, 1735; he received the habit
of our Congregation February 13, 1754, and was professed December
24 of the same year.
2 The Venerable Brother Gerardo Maiella used to stay with the
Murante family whenever he came to spend some time at Melfi. It
was, therefore, this family that furnished the account of the miracles
wrought in this city by the holy Brother. (See Life of Brother Gerard.)

4o8

General Corresponden ce.

[PART I.

LETTER 231.

To Father Gasparo Caione, at Caposele.
The sending of some points with regard to the Life of the
Venerable Brother Gerardo. — Various counsels. — Seditious
pretensions of the lay-brothers at Iliceto.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, January 11, [1756].

I have received your long letter which you first wrote
to me.
I understand that St. Augustine’s works were already
bought, but I was wishing you would have bought Petavius.
But have patience ; let us divide the twenty ducats. For
in the destitution in which I am (and God knows how great
it is) I have bought this Commentary on Scripture^ and I
am half sorry for it ; nevertheless it is certainly useful ; it
gives only the literal sense, but it is a sense that is indeed
very necessary for one to know.
Please inform me whether the Archbishop [of Conza] is
in the diocese or at Naples. If he is in his diocese, write
to him from me to ask him whether he will allow Frater
[Don Vito] Polestra to take Orders in tribus diebus, as the
young man has completed his studies, has abilities, and
has attained his twenty-sixth year.
I send you hererewith the notes taken by Father Gio­
venale 1 on the Life of Brother Gerardo. Preserve and
take a copy of them as well as you can, as I have asked
you to do. See also about the time that you can devote to
this matter. It would be well for you to spend about a
quarter of an hour every day on the work, and thus you
will finish the work gradually. I send you also your own
1 The Venerable Brother Gerardo had died, October 15, 1755. and
Father Giovenale having been his director for a time, he had written
an account of his Life just as Father Caione had done.

1756 ]

Lettο' 2409

manuscript; it will serve to remind you of a great many
things.
I am glad that the seminarian Guglielmo has joined us.
I would wish you to write to him to procure the permission
of the archbishop before he sets out for Naples. His
resolutions under the form of promises to the Madonna are
truly full of tenderness.
As for Father Nittoli, I told him to continue to act as Prefect
according to what you wrote me in your last letter. Tell
him, however, from me that he should make no dif­
ficulty in giving absolution even several times a week to
those of our Fratres who accuse themselves only of venial
sins, past or present, provided at the time there is no habit
of relapsing into sin and even when there is no extraordinary
sign.
With regard to the contributions,1 do as seems best to
you.
I bless all and especially the Prefect of the students with
all his subjects.
Inform me of the number of retreats that you will have
to give during this Lent. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa.
Have a watchful eye upon the lay-brothers, and do not
allow them to claim rights. At Iliceto there has been a
semi-revolution on this subject. The Brothers maintained
that they should take precedence of the novices; that they
should make the common acts after dinner, and not in the
evening after having toiled all day, as is customary in
other houses, now that the winter is here ; and that they
should have the privilege of taking a siesta2 after dinner,
which they have not now, as the days are short and the
night’s sleep is sufficient. Moreover, they assert that the
1 See Letter of August 5, of the year 1755.
2 Siesta, the taking of an after-noon nap, practised by people
of hot countries and by other people.

410

General Correspondence,

[PART i.

Carmelite lay-brothers and the Franciscan lay-brothers gained
the exemption from washing dishes, and I do not know what
other privilege. A fine state of affairs, truly ! Hence your
lay-brothers have to perform the common acts every
evening. Do not allow the siesta during the day, unless
there be a real necessity for it. As for washing the dishes
and serving at table, it will suffice to have the chorists do
this occasionally, with interruptions, and when the laybrothers have had special work to perform.
Finally, let us carefully avoid customs that may after­
wards give rise to disputes. Read my letter to Father
Apice ; read it to the chorists of the house, and then send
it as soon as possible to Father Apice.1 Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of our convent of SaintTrond, Belgium.
LETTER

232.

To Father Antonio Tannoia, Rector of the House at Iliceto.

Punishment that he should inflict upon the seditious laybrothers. — The study to which he should devote himself,

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, January 13, 1756.

I have just read of the fine doings of the Brothers. All those
that have conspired to go away deserve to be expelled. I
will however pardon them this time. But I cannot pardon
the novice-brother; send him away at once. As however
he is the ring-leader and hot-headed, I fear that he might
do you some harm or might lead astray some other Brothers,
1 father Apice, Minister of the house at Caposele and as such
charged with the care of the lay-brothers was at that time occupied
in the work of the missions.

1756.]

Letter 232.

411

if you dismiss him from Iliceto. Hence I should say that you
send him to another place, for example to Lacedogna, or
elsewhere, with a letter addressed to some friend, telling
him that as the bearer is no longer a member of the
Congregation he should do me the favor of dismissing him.
Enough ; do as you think best, but expel him immediately,
and endeavor as I have said to prevent a scene.
Then take the habit from Brother Giacomo until further
orders; he should eat his meals outside of the refectory,
and receive Communion only on Sundays.
Since they have mentioned the dispute among the Car­
melite and Franciscan lay-brothers, take care that no new
custom be introduced in regard to serving at table and
washing the dishes. For the beginning at least see that as
heretofore the lay-brothers are made to wash the dishes
and to serve at table, and only from time to time but a ith
interruptions appoint the novices to do this work.
It does not matter that on this account it will be necessarv*
to free the Brothers of other work. But enough
o on this
subject. Let us keep up our customs, let no other customs
be any longer mentioned, and let the Brothers avoid saying:
That is none of our business.
Call all the lay-brothers to you, one at a time, and tell them
that I am angry with them, etc., and let them read the
enclosed letter that I have written to them. Call Brother
Cesare and tell him privately from me that he should be
watchful to see who murmurs and complains, and report
the matter to you ; you should then communicate the name
oi the culprit to me. Tell him that he should at once
reprimand the one that says a word.
I also hear at the same time of your miseries. I do not
know how you can subsist without grain, without oil,
without linen, and without money. I send you ten ducats
(and I give fifteen carlini to the Brother for his journey):
but will this be sufficient? I am thinking of imposing

41 2

Genera I Correspoil den ce.

[PART I.

a little tax on all the houses. But with all this shall
we succeed in remedying the evil ?
Father Ferrara writes me that he could send away Prater
Vitelli on the ground that there are doubts about his
patrimony. If it is certain that he- has none, he cannot
of course be received. He has however been already
received ; it is true, he is deficient in talent, but he behaves
well. When Father Villani comes consult him and write
to me.
In regard to Father Villani, I have indeed made him
Visitor; but you need not send for him during this
carnival, and make him leave the many missions that he
has to give.1 It is sufficient if he comes during Lent.
Write to him at once to remain where he is. It would
have been better, before writing to him to come, you had
written to me.
I have written to Ciorani that they should send you a
copy of the “ Glories of Mary.”
I allow you to have duplicate books of devotion for the
novitiate; but I cannot allow you to read Cassiano and
Alessandro. How head-strong you are! I should rather
have you read half an hour every day my Moral Theology
so that you may be able to hear confessions. Are you
never to hear confessions? It is not for want of intelligence.
You must acknowledge that in this matter there is some
tepidity, or may be laziness, on your part. Study at
least the principal treatises, as de Prœceptis Decalogi de
Peccatis, de Pœnitcntia, de Matrimonio, de Censuris, de
Charitate, de Conscientia and de Legibus. I mention those
treatises that you have not yet read. I do not wish to
impose this upon you under obedience, but try to study
them when you can.
1 Bather Villani was at that time Rector of the new house at
S. Angelo a Cupolo.
|

»756.]

Letter 2jj.

4-13

I
I

I bless all andespecially the novices. Live Jesus,Mary.
Joseph, and Teresa!

I

Brother Alfonso,

of the Most HolyRedeemer.

I

After the original preserved in the archives of the house at
Pagani.

I
Ill

LETTER 233.

II

To the Lay-brothers of the house at Iliceto.

I |i

I

He complains of their conduct and threatens them with
punishment.

Ill

I I

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa !

1

Nocera, 13, [January, 1756].

Dear Brothers: God knows what great pain it caused me
to hear of the faults committed by you in so short a time,
faults especially oi pride; it should be your duty to acquire
the virtue of humility which is the virtue proper to laybrothers.
Well (speaking in general), I pardon you all; but I beg
you not to force me to chastise you again for such chastisement may and will draw after it eternal punishment: if you
oblige me to expel you from the Congregation, I do not
know what will become of you ; I should tremble for your
eternal salvation.
Do not think to intimidate me by saying that you wish to
leave. Every day I am forced to refuse admission to men
who wish to enter the Congregation ; however even if no
new-comers were to arrive, Brothers might be obtained
from other houses, where they happen to be numerous.
Hence I beg you not to talk any more about leaving, for
that alone would induce me to dismiss you from the Congregation.
Now that the winter is here, you will make the common
exercises of the day in the evening, for then you have time,

'I
|
II
‘
;
!
I■
I

I

I

414

General Correspondence.

[parti.

as you have not to study like the chorists. Moreover, as
the days arc short, the siesta is not necessary ; the night’s
sleep is sufficient for you. That is the practice in the other
houses.
I ask you, if you were at home living with your relatives
would you rest and make your exercises during the day, or
would you work ? We should always be charitable to
those who are not in so good health as we, for they need
our charity. You are always to take the last place, after
the Fathers, students, and novices. What a shame, to see
Brothers claiming precedence !
The Carmelites and the Franciscans are members of Orders,
making solemn vows; you on the other hand, belong to a
Congregation in which the Rector Major can dismiss subjects
whenever he sees fit to do so.
The duties of the chorists are to preach, to hear con­
fessions, and to study. The office of the lay-brother is to
serve and to do whatever he is commanded. Understand
well, that serving at table and washing dishes are the duties
of the lay-brothers; sometimes and only sometimes the
chorists may perform these duties, but only to make them
practise humility.
Well now; do not cause me any more displeasure; I
love you as brothers, but I wish you to become holy.
Of what use is it to enter the Congregation, if you do not
wish to become saints? Now the virtues that are necessary
for your sanctification are, humility, obedience, and patience;
without suffering there can be no true sanctity.
I bless all the Brothers who have a good intention, and I
curse those who have a bad intention ; and remember that
my curse will be accompanied by that of Jesus Christ.
Live Jesus, Joseph, Mary, and Teresa!
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
H

Letter 234.

»756.1

415

LETTER 234.
9

To Father Gasparo Caione.
He again refers to the treatment to be given to the laybrothers to prevent subsequent disorders.

Live Jesus, Joseph, Mary, and Teresa!
Nocera, January 16, [1756].

I believe that I have written to you in regard to the
Brothers, that they should make the common acts in the
evening in winter during which the days are short, and that
they must do without the hour of repose as it is permitted
only to the chorists.
Now in reference to the hour of repose my wish is that
you inform the Brothers that half an hour, if not a whole
hour, of rest will be granted to those that need it. In this
matter you must be governed by prudence. At all events
the practice of the Brothers taking an hour’s rest in winter
must be stopped, since it is permitted only to those that
study.
I recommend to you, besides, that you take care that
the Brothers nearly always wait at table and wash the
dishes. It will suffice that the students do this work once
or twice a month. Exhort these Brothers not to murmur,
since those that did so at Ciorani are now suffering punish­
ment, and will have to suffer it for some time to come.
In future, I shall probably not admit the Brothers to
profession till after a probation of ten years. Tell, there­
fore, the new Brother of Grazioli 1 that I will receive him,
but only on condition, now imposed on all others, that he
must serve as a secular for several years — at least during
four years — before it will be permitted him to enter the
novitiate. Your Reverence must not, therefore, during
1 Probably a new Brother admitted on the recommendation of I).
Benedetto Grazioli of Atelia.

4i6

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

your Rectorate, apply to me for permission to give him the
habit.
As for those that have already received the habit and
that are to be professed, you must inform me of the least
faults that they commit, as I may perhaps defer their
profession. These good Brothers, after they have made
their profession, are apt to become proud. Live Jesus,
Joseph, Mary, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

235.

To Father Girolamo Ferrara,1 Minister of the House
at Iliceto.

He declares his intentions relative to the religious profession
of the lay-brothers.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Pagani, January 18, 1756.

Brother N. wishes to enter the novitiate according to
what he writes to me. Tell him that he may enter for
some time, say two or three months, according as you
think proper.
Tell, moreover, the novice-brothers, who have or who
have not yet received the habit (and tell each one in
particular, each time, so as to prevent the forming of plans),
that I have no intention to admit to profession the laybrothers except after a very long trial of their virtue. For
this purpose take care to gather information, mark down
on paper and send it to me, what are the particular defects
of the lay-brothers that are in your house, so that I may
1 Father Ferrara, born June 9, 1715, made his profession, March
25, 1748. He was a learned man and rendered many services to St.
Alphonsus in the publishing of his works. How excellent his life
was may be inferred from the words of the holy Founder, who called
him a man dead to his own will. Father Ferrara died, August 22,
1767 at S. Agata de’ Goti.

Letter 236,

i756·]

417

use your report as a legitimate pretext when they asked me
to admit them to profession. It has been remarked that
these good Brothers after their profession begin to relax in
their fervor and that they become very imperfect Live
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
As for Brother N., it is well that he enters the novitiate;
but in order to receive the habit, he will have to wait a long
time. What I have said in regard to others, I also say in
regard to him ; for if I am indulgent towards him, I shall
be obliged to be so towards others.
I bless you all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

236.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
Expression of disapprobation on the subject of the mission
given at Potenza. — Conditions essentially required that missions, and above all important missions, may be accepted.

FH

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Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph!
Nocera. 19, [January, 1756].

First remark. It appears that a mission is to be given at
Potenza. I had already refused this mission, and I therefore
do not understand why· you accepted it.
I have said to myself, and I say so again : This mission
at Potenza, in view of the number of subjects whom you
will employ- and the inconveniences that they will suffer.
will be for you an occasion of a conspicuous failure. You
yourself, my dear Father, are suffering from a severe cold
in the chest; on the other hand, Potenza is a place where
the cold is extreme. I really cannot understand how you
can go there.
I beg you, therefore, that as soon as you can travel and
you have had a favorable journey, return to Mater Domini
(Caposele) and do what the physician tells you. If he
27

II I

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41^'

General Correspondence.

[parti.

orders you to go to bed, remain in bed till your cold has
disappeared ; for a cold so obstinate might kill you, or at
least disable you for the future. For the sake of one
mission you might render yourself unfit for all the missions
that you might give afterwards.
As for this mission at Potenza, I should have wished you
had first spoken to me; I should have examined whether it
would prove successful. For this work you would need
fourteen or fifteen of the best subjects ; as the city is a
difficult place to preach in. But the4* date has already been
fixed; what is to be done? — I do not forbid you to give
the mission, but I say that it might easily be dropped; you
are in fact too few, and several among you are still young.
If then it were possible to put it off till the next year, it
would be preferable. For the rest, I refer the matter to
Father Fiocchi ; but tell him from me that when there is
question of so large and so important missions, I wish to be
informed in advance.
Since you tell me not to send either of the two Brothers,
I will not send him. But you must know that the Brother
for whom you asked us is not fit to transact business outside
of the convent.
Father Fiocchi (I see from his letter) wishes to have
Father Cimino. At present I will write that he should be
sent if this can be done ; but you may be sure that he will
not come. In fact, missions that have been engaged and
promised are to ‘be given at Ariano, and without Cimino it
will be impossible to give them. You see what happens
when we thus accept at random missions, and difficult
missions.
Read to Father Fiocchi all that I have just written, that
is, all that regards this mission at Potenza which has given
me so much annoyance. All could have been arranged
if you had sent me word. Now you are to go back to the

1756.1

Letter 236.

419

convent; Father Cimino will surely not come: indeed that
will be a fine mission that is going to be given!
As for Father Apice, if he also suffers from his chest,
I do not wish, I do not wish, I do not wish him to preach
the evening sermon. When we have lost a subject, all the
inhabitants of Potenza would not be able to restore him
to us.
This then would be my opinion: It being now settled
that you cannot take part in this mission, that Father Apice
is also suffering, and that Cimino cannot come, Father
Fiocchi would have a good reason to withdraw his word in
regard to Potenza. He should simply write: Several
Fathers have fallen ill, and the others are engaged.
Steps have been taken to give the mission at Potenza,
but as for the missions to be given at Conza, asked for by
the Archbishop [Mgr. Nicolai], have they been given or
not? — I do not wish the missions at Conza to be omitted
in order to give other missions. Why do you wish to
make the archbishop indisposed towards us?
Don Benedetto Grazioli writes to me that he is most
anxious to have the consolation, that at the baptism of a
child expected by him from day to day, Father Margotta
should fulfil the duties of parish priest and Father Fiocchi
those of sponsor. I am sending a messenger to Naples to
have Father Margotta come, since I cannot refuse this
consolation to Don Benedetto, and I dispense from the
Rule in this case. Tell then Father Fiocchi to put off the
day on which he is to go to Atelia; or rather, I am going
to write to Don Benedetto that at the desired moment he
should send for Father Fiocchi. The latter, when he
arrives at Atelia should ask Don Benedetto (as I have
already written to him) to send at once to Benevento the
whole amount that he wishes to give; for if he sends it little
by little, it will be used in paying the expenses of the

420

Genera I Correspondence.

[PART I.

building, and the house would derive no income that would
assure its future.
Grazioli writes to me that he has sent or will send (I do
not well understand him) five hundred ducats for Benevento.
If they have reached you, or as soon as they reach you,
send them to me in order that I may determine the use to
which they should be applied.
I hear at this moment the following piece of news: The
mission has begun at Potenza, -and notwithstanding your
cold in the chest you have begun to preach the evening
sermons. Gloria Patri! — Here is once for all the general
o
rule: I forbid every one suffering from a cold in the chest
or an obstinate cold, I forbid him, I say, to preach the
evening sermons, especially in places where people are
hard to please; and it matters little whether we give up a
mission already begun. You must then examine what is to
be done in the present case.
Here you see what it
is to burn one’s vessels without thinking of the future.
This mission at Potenza has been of singular
torment
o
to me.
In regard to the mission at Capaccio, I hope to provide
for it with the subjects of this house; but as to Castellucia,
it is incumbent on you to think of it.
To return to the mission at Potenza, I see that my
J letter
will embarrass you. I do not however wish to cause you
t
♦ t
is the reason why I refer the matter to the
decision of Father Fiocchi, who will judge what is best to
be done. \zet as for risking the health of the subjects,
especially that of Father Apice and yours in making you
preach in spite of all, I beg Father Fiocchi to be prudent
so that I may not grow angry as I fear I shall be obliged
to. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
{Postscript written by the hand of the saint}: I am not

Letter 237.

>756.]

very well; recommend me to Jesus Christ.

Live Jesus.

After the original preserved in one of our houses in the
French Province.
LETTER 237.

To Father Antonio Tannoia, at Iliceto.

Mistake to be remedied in the case of a lay-brother. —
Punishment inflicted on the guilty ones at Ciorani.

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
Nocera, January 20, 1756.

I wrote that you should dismiss the novice-brother; but
you may have noticed that I was mistaken when I believed
that he (as appears I indicated in my letter) had committed
some impertinence by employing force to remain in his
room. But now I hear that the one who committed this
fault was Brother Andrea, who is already professed ; him I
cannot send away merely on this account, but he deserves a
severe penance.
Besides, Brother Bartolomeo, that is, the novice, as I see
from the letter of Father Ferrara, did not commit such a fault
as to deserve to be dismissed. So I hope that you have
understood the mistake and have not yet sent him away.
I have spoken kindly to Brother Giacomo and he
confessed his guilt. Hence as regards the penance that he
as well as Brother Andrea and all the rest have deserved, I
leave all to your Reverence and to Father Ferrara.
I do not write with my own hand, because I have been
ill these past four days ; I therefore do nut write specially to
Father Ferrara. It will be sufficient to let him read this
letter.
As for Frater [D. Fabrizio] Cimino, his illness is not
serious, and I will have him take here some little remedy.
27*

1«

42 2

General Correspondence,

[PARTI.

At Ciorani justice 1 has been done. I have dismissed
Brother Crescenzo; he had murmured and then refused to
do the penance.
Brother Carlo and Brother Giuseppe
Trombetta of Naples are confined to their rooms \carcerati\
All the others that have murmured have been put under
penance. Brother Domenico is confined to his room here.
I bless all. Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER 238.

To the Same. 2
He asks him to assist a Brother tempted against his
vocation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, January 21, 1756.

Brother N. writes to me that he is disquieted and on the
point of losing his vocation ; that such a trouble should also
come upon us ! I have answered him firmly and kindly.
Try if possible to calm him by kind treatment. Allow12
1 In consequence of the unjust complaints of the lay-brothers in the
house at I liceto, the saint took away from the Brothers in all the houses
the hour of sleep (siesta) during the day. This decision created also a
semi-revolution among some of the Brothers in the house at Ciorani.
The sad event is thus narrated in the journal of Father Pasquale
Caprioli: “January 15, owing to some murmurings among the
Brothers at Ciorani three of them one at Pagapi, and two at Ciorani
— were confined to their rooms for eight days. This penance was
given to Brothers Carlo, Giuseppe and Domenico; then January 20,
Brother Crescenzo of Sarno was dismissed for not wishing to submit
to the foregoing penance.”
2 1 his short letter is a postscript added by him to a letter written
to Father I annoia by a student, Frater Pietro Paolo Blasucci.

J 756·]

him more sleep, if he wishes it. O my God! these
Brothers !
Brother N. has asked me to admit him to the novitiate ; see
whether yon can allow him to make a part of it. However,
I have told him that no one should speak to me about
receiving the habit till the lapse of several years; and as for
the vows many years will have to pass by.
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 239.

To the Same.
He refuses to dismiss a subject.
[Encl of January, 1756.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
As for Brother [Bartolomeo] I have no reason to send
him away. I first wrote that he should be sent away, but
through a mistake I thought that he had done what Brother
Andrea has done. I therefore wrote that he should be
kept; now how could I send him away?
Let us see how he behaves himself ; and if he behaves
badly, he may afterwards be dismissed, and then he may
feel sorry, but I shall not. I shall feel sorry for my own
sins, but not for this act of justice.
You wrote me about the priest of N. that he is suffering
from lunacy. Now you write me that this fact is doubtful.
You should therefore see (now is the time) whether he is
really suffering from such a disease.
I am glad to hear that those that have received the
habit 1 are doing well.
I bless all, and especially the novices. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
1 Those that had just received the habit (January 24, 175^) "'ere
the priest D. Gerardo Gisone and the acolyte Giambattista Ansalone

424

Gen era I Correspon den ce.

[PART I.

LETTER 24O.

To Father Girolamo Ferrara, at Iliceto.

Conditions required for dismissing a subject.
[End of January, 1756.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I have written to Father Rector on account of Brother
Andrea and Brother Bartolomeo.
For pity’s sake, let Father Rector not trouble me so
much about these Brothers! When I have written and
decided something, of what use is it to torment me again
about it?
I have already written to him that Brother Bartolomeo
should stay; why urge me again to send him away?
After admission grave reasons are required to dismiss a
subject; and after profession, we must have very grave
reasons joined with incorrigibility ; without this it is a
mortal sin to dismiss him.
I bless you all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After an old copy.
LETTER 241.

To Father Gasparo Caione, at the Mission Given at Potenza.

He forbids any postulant to be sent him without his pre­
vious permission.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, January 30, 1756.

I received your two letters, and I am greatly surprised to
see that you have not received my letter which I recom­
mended to our people at Ciorani to send at once by a
messenger. However, you will soon receive it.
The letter contained a complaint about the mission that
was begun by you when I had refused to give it at least at

£756.J

Letter 241.

425

the present time, and when your Reverence and Father
Apice were suffering from a cold. I hope to God that in
future this may not again happen. You will read the rest
in my letter.
I hear now that the mission has been successful. How
wonderful ! No mission had for a long time been given at
Potenza. But it would have succeeded far differently had
it been given at the proper time and with a sufficient
number of Fathers.1
Gloria Patri! Within a short time you have sent us
four young men without having first informed us that they
would come. From this day forward (and tell this to all
most especially) send me no one without having first
informed me, and before I have sent a favorable answer.
The two young men have been admitted ; but the tall
one I had already dismissed because he is only very medi­
ocre, and we are not now in a condition to receive those
that are mediocre; there are enough of us, and there is no
bread. But then there was so much weeping, and I felt so
much compassion for him now that he had made such a
journey that the Consultors themselves proposed him to me
to admit him.
But we no longer wish to be exposed to receive any
more subjects through compassion. And so remember,
and I repeat, tell this to all, to send me no one, no one, no
one, if I have not told you that he may come. But all this
it seems to me your Reverence already knew.
I bless all. Father Cimino2 should come here im­
mediately after the mission at Rocca is finished, because a
1 The city of Potenza is an episcopal See, and had at that time a
population of 65S5 souls.
2 It appears that D. Fabrizio Cimino because of his illness,
of which mention is made in a letter of the 20th of this month, was
sent for a change of air to the mission at Rocca. In this letter he is
called Father, but it seems that he was not yet a priest, having been
born March 29, 1733.

Genera I Carrespan deuce.

[PART I

great deal is to be done ; and I would also wish that Father
de Meo should come.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER 242.

To Father Francesco Pentimalli. 1
He exhorts him to perfect obedience.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera February 11. [1756?]

My dear Francesco: I have learned with pleasure that
you have recovered from your illness ; but I was somewhat
pained to hear that you have given to the Superior and to
your brethren an answer that was rather sharp.
Many things may appear to us preposterous, which are
nevertheless right for us, when they have been dictated by
obedience. If every subject wished to do what seemed best
to him, there would be at end to obedience.
I beg you then to be patient when certain things seem to
you to be what they should not. When you have given
your opinion, then become quiet; it will be sufficient that
you reserve to yourself the privilege of writing to me or
of orally reporting to me what seems to you to be suitable.
I beg you for the rest of the missions to stand by what­
1 Father Francesco Pentimalli was born, September 20, 1714, at
S. Eufemia, in the diocese of Mileto, in Farther Calabria. He had
already been ordained priest before entering the novitiate, February
13, I751’» he made his profession in the presence of St. Alphonsus
October 2 of the same year. While setting out in company with
several other Fathers for the missions of Sicily, he was overtaken by
death at his native place, S. Eufemia, November 15, 1761. He was
truly an apostolic man of God.

1756.]

427

Letter 244.

ever the Superior ordains; afterwards, when you return,
you may tell me all.
I bless you. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

243.

To Father Antonio Tannoia, at Iliceto.
He sends him different kinds of help.
[February, 1756.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Take care of Frater N. who is suffering from catarrh ; see
that he does not take cold.
I again send two pounds of chocolate for those that have
a cough or have a cold.
I also send ten ducats to help you a little in your distress.
I bless you all, especially the novices. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

244.

To the Same.

Measures to be taken in regard to various subjects.
[February, 1756.]

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
First of all in regard to the Masses of [Father Pasquale]
Basile, there is some commotion at our house in Ciorani ; 1
1 It was customary that when a Father was sent to another house
to assist at a mission, he continued to apply the Masses to the
intention of the house to which he was ascribed. Father Basile
therefore having been sent from Ciorani to help the Fathers at
Iliceto should have said Mass to the intention of the house at
Ciorani; hence the Fathers at Ciorani created a commotion about
which the letter speaks. Whereupon the saint ordered Father Tan­
noia to remedy this confusion.

4 2 S'

General Correspondence,

(PART Γ.

I approve ol the application of Masses such as you have
made lor this house. But in regard to the Masses that you
have applied to yourself you must by all means have them
supplied ; because we must keep up the established custom,
namely, that the application of the Masses does not change,
whatever may be the temporary changes of residence among
the subjects.
As for the priest Saltarelli, try to have him go away as
soon as possible. I hink of some way and of some pretext.
However, by all means see that he is sent away at once.
And tell him that it is not necessary for him to come here
to importune me, because this would be a loss of time, since
I have good reasons for believing that the Congregation is
not made for him.
As for the physician, what is to be done? There are no
such deficiencies, etc. I have written to him. Read the
letter that I am sending to him, and then give it to him.
As to the young man of Resina, since he is suffering
from pains in the limbs, there is no reason why he should
stay in the Congregation. Tell him that all our houses are
very cold, and he would thereby soon lose his health.
Induce him to go away. I feel sorry for him, for he is a
good young man; but there is no remedy; God doesnot
wish him to be in the Institute.
I say the same thing in regard to the two other young
men from Ischia and Bosco. They are good, but not good
for us.
Say, however, to these two that I do not dismiss them
altogether; I wish only that they should go home and
re-establish their health ; for as soon as they have become
well, I will receive them ; and so let them go away with
this certain hope. Send them away, however, in their
secular dress.
As for Frater [D. Francesco Antonio] de Paola I have
ordered that he should be sent.

1756.]

Letter 245.

429

I bless you all. Live Jesus and Mary!
In regard to the two Brothers, Saverio and Domenico,
if they do not do what they should, they will be dismissed
without fail. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,

of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of our house at
Pagani.
LETTER

245.

To the Same.

Project of a foundation at Matera.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Naples, March 6, 1756.

As soon as Father Villani arrives tell him it is impossible
for me to send Father Amarante, as we are overburdened
with work, which even with Father Amarante’s assistance
we can hardly accomplish ; the mission is very large. Nor
is it possible to send any students, for I do not wish them
to be taken away from the study of Moral Theology :
otherwise they will not be able to go out on future missions.
The house at Benevento had too many missions this
year.
Touching the matter of Matera,1 I do not desire to say
anything either to favor the undertaking or to hinder it,
1 Tannoia tells us in his “ Life of St. Alphonsus” (Book ii. chap,
xxxix.) that King Charles had proposed to the saint to undertake the
reform of an ancient and respectable Order. “ According to the
king’s plan, St. Alphonsus and his companions were to take the
habit and the name of this Order without, however, relinquishing
the observance of their own Rule; moreover, they were to give
missions in the same manner as hitherto, and to act in every matter
as it should seem best to the saint.” Thus far Tannoia; it appears
to us this affair of Matera and the reform proposed by the king are
identical.

43°

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

because it will be difficult for us to find later on a foundation
as advantageous as that, and even to have another foundation
in the kingdom under like circumstances. This reasoning
appears to me to be just. However, God will help us, and
I shall not accept it until I see everything well arranged.
But the affair will hardly be allowed at Rome, since there is
danger of giving offence to a great religious body.
All that I have said has also been admitted by the
Cardinal [Scrsale], who has also promised not to throw any
impediment in the way.
Tell also Father Villani that I recommend to him among
others the young man from Torrecuso.1
Should D. Andrea [Villani] not come in time to receive
this news, you will please write it to him, and thus spare
my head, which God knows how it fares when I am eating
nothing. There is nothing else. May you keep well !
Live Jesus and Mary !
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
(Posteript written by the secretary'): Father Rector Major
says that the person sent by Don Benedetto Grazioli may stay
as long as he wishes.
The young man from Panni is always writing to me; see
whether you can grant his request.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
1 This candidate from Torrecuso, in the archdiocese of Benevento,
was young Giuseppe Maffei. He was admitted to the novitiate May i
of this year.

Letter 246.

1756]

431

LETTER 246.

To Sister Maria Nicoletta Leoni (Di Calvanico), in the
Monastery of Fisciano.
He earnestly recommends to her to resign herself to the
will of God.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
%

Naples, March 9, [1756]·

Your letter has reached me here at Naples. 1 shall say
the Mass for you to-morrow; but you may be sure the
Madonna will not obtain for you the ^grace that you desire,
because your prayer has mistaken its object.
You should ask for patience and not for health ; and even
this last, it seems to me, you ask with but little resignation.
If in asking for patience, or at least for health, you were
resigned to God’s will, you would more easily obtain
both.
Do what I tell you : Ask in future that you may be able
to bear patiently not only sickness but the contempt that
you receive from your Sisters. To suffer as Jesus Christ
has suffered, to suffer and to be despised to suffer even
without exciting the compassion of any one, can anything be
more meritorious for gaining Paradise?
Think of it: with the numerous infirmities which you
suffer, your life will be but little prolonged. Try then to
provide for merits during the short time that still remains
to you.
Drive far from you the horrible temptation of leaving the
monastery. Ah ! do you wish to run the risk of losing
your soul?
Now that you have read this letter kneel down, or even
from your bed, make to God an entire offering of yourself,
and beg him to treat you as he pleases. Unite also your

432

General Correspondence,

[parti.

pains and your annoyances to those that Jesus Christ had to
suffer.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER

247.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
Solicitude of the saint for the house at Iliceto and for the
health of the students.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Naples, March 20, [1756].

The first thing that I have to ask you, my dear Gasparo,
is to take up again the work on Scripture. I am not
exactly pleased with it myself.1 Yet it is after all Scripture;
at least in Communities it may be of great benefit.
Secondly; at Iliceto the novices are in want of the
necessaries of life, and are suffering very great misery. I
have, therefore, been thinking of removing them from that
place. For the present I have ordered to be sent to them
ten ducats from Ciorani and five from Pagani ; I now ask
you to send when you can ten more ducats.
As for Frater Michele [de Michele], I do not wish that
he should study. It will do no good if he has a relapse,
and we shall lose all that we have gained. It will be
sufficient if he sometimes goes to class and listens a little to
what is said. Let him walk out and take exercise. After
Easter send him to the missions that are to be given with
Father Fiocchi, at first at S. Angelo, etc.
Tell Frater Castaldo that I participate in the consolations
1 This work on Scripture did not please him as it gave only the
literal sense. See Letter of January II, 1756.

/■

Letter 2z/8.

»756.]

433

that he enjoys ; let him pray to God for me. I do not send
him a special answer as I am about ascending the pulpit to
preach.
I have promised you Father Fiocchi for a change; but
being here I do not know what arrangements have been
made by the Fathers of Nocera and Ciorani to whom I
have intrusted the giving of all the spiritual exercises.
Here much good is done by the Congregation. I bless
you all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

248.

To Sister Maria di Gesù, Carmelite at Ripacandida.

Counsels regarding observance and resignation
9

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Pagani, April 22, 1756.

In answering your letter I am using the hand of another
to write to you, for it is only a little while ago that I
recovered from serious illness.1 Here is my answer in a few
words.
1 After having spent at Naples six or seven weeks, occupied with
the affairs of the Congregation and preaching with an indefatigable
zeal, St. Alphonsus returned to Nocera de’ Pagani to spend there
Holy Week, to contemplate according to his custom the mysteries
of the Passion of our Lord. He had scarcely returned when he fell
dangerously ill, and his illness lasted from April io to 17, that is,
from the Saturday before Palm Sunday till Holy Saturday. “I;
would be a line thing,” he said, “to die during Holy Week," and
he repealed three times the words: “Oh, what a fine thing would it
be to die in Holy Week! for my illness is serious,” he added.
Father Caprioli having answered: “Let us leave it all to God,”
“yes,” said the saint, “what God wishes 1 also wish, and his good
pleasure is mine.” On the first day of his illness he had one of the
students, Frater Buonassisa, to read to him the Proficiscere anima Chri­
stiana, — Depart, Christian soul — and on hearing it he cried out : Oil,
what beautiful prayers, what beautifulpearls of Paradise! Before going
2S

____

434

General Correspondence.

[part i.

In the state in which yon are yon have nothing else to do
than to observe the Rule and to show zeal for its observance.
I hen you should without ceasing offer yourself to God and
be resigned to his will in whatever state he may wish to
put you.
I feel extremely grateful to you for remembering me in
your prayers; for my part I am doing the same for you.
Continue, I beg you, to do so during the few days of life
that still remain to vou.
I shall do what I can to intercede for you [with the
Bishop of Melfi] to have Communion restored to you; but
I must wait for a favorable opportunity. In the mean time
be resigned in everything; this is what Jesus Christ wishes.
Salute all the Sisters for me, but especially the Mother
Prioress; let her have the charity to recite during nine
consecutive days the Salve Regina on account of two grave
matters that concern the Congregation. Live Jesus, Mary,
and Joseph !
*
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 249.

To Father Antonio Tannoia, at Iliceto.
Confirmation of an order already given.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa !
Nocera, May 2, [1756].

Yes, it is understood, only Nigro 1 should pass to the
study of philosophy as we have agreed upon. When a
thing has been said, why repeat it? Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
to bed he said to some sick persons who had come to see him : “ Love
Jesus Christ and do his will, as I wish to do myself by going to bed." —
These edifying details are drawn from an account written by Father
Giuseppe Melchionna.
J]
1 Lorenzo Nigro had made his profession the preceding day.

Μ■ΜΒΒΜ··········^···

1756.]

Let1er 250.

435

I

250.

I

To the Same.

|

LETTER

Request that he should work at the Constitutions. — Various measures.

LiveJesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, May 11, [1756].

Before all things, I beg you to set your hand to the
Constitutions at once and as often as you can; for they
should be read in the houses where they are little known,
else it might be said that they are not obligatory because
they are not published. Finish them as soon as you can,
with the assistance of Father Ferrara, just as the Chapter
has ordained. Be very careful to preserve the original
copies, so that one may consult them whenever a difficulty
arises.
In respect to allowing you to have the Blessed Sacrament
in the oratory of the novitiate, I have always felt some
repugnance. It is true, after your arrival from Naples I
appeared to consent to having it kept there; but at present
I am confronted by another difficulty. Meditation is made
in the choir, the visit is made in the choir, what need is
there still of the Blessed Sacrament in the novitiate? It
affords you consolation, you will say; but have patience,
deprive yourself ol this consolation. If you have not placed
the Blessed Sacrament there, you had better not do so;
and if it be there, you must take it away.
All is going on well : Nigro and de Sanctis go to Caposele [to begin philosophy] ; de Paola remains at Iliceto.
Passari and de Gattis can also remain there to perfect
themselves ; they can begin their rhetoric and logic in a
short time.
For the study of rhetoric take Cuione.

I
I

I
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I
I
I
I
I
I
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I
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I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
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I
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I
I:
I
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436

General Correspondence.

[part j.

You are right: there was no cause for sending these
students to Caposele.
I have asked more than once for that book on the
Madonna [“The Glories of Mary”] and the Brother has
received nothing. Send it to me as soon as you find it
convenient.
For the humanities, books will be sent from here, and I
will write to Ciorani ; a copy of Calepino of Torino will be
kept here, because we need it.
I am answering Perez. Read the letter I have written to
him. Instead ol having him make fifteen days retreat
before receiving the habit, it will be sufficient if he makes
ten.
A safe journey to Vitelli and Pica ! 1
I bless the profession of Paravento and Leggio;2 tell them
from me to practise humility; watch them carefully.
I bless the novices and all the others. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Father Margotta writes me that you wish to pay a part
of the expenses of the printing of the “ Glories of Mary,”
and w hile the book is being printed you will have nothing
to eat ! Live Jesus and Mary !
What I now add, you must keep secret and allow no one
to know except Father Ferrara. Father N. will come to
you in June for the purpose of recollecting himself as he
says; but would to God he would truly recollect himself and
would not peruse books without caring about the observance!
Now you must know that I have expressly forbidden
him to hear the confessions of women or to speak with
them. Hence do not allow him to be called for this
purpose ; and if he be called, forbid him to hear the
confessions of women even if they be dying. I have been
1 \ itelli and Pica were two novices who had been sent away.
• Giuseppe Paravento and Isidoro Leggio made their profession
June 3.
'. j

1756-1

Letter 251.

437

obliged to come to such a decision in regard to him on
account of his extravagant notions. I have written you a
longer letter on the subject and have sent it by way
of Bovino; try to procure it, and destroy it after having
read it. Say nothing of all this to N. except in a case
of necessity, and unless you see him hearing confessions
of women. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,

of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original, the property of D. M. Alfonso Lombardi
in Cimitile, diocese of Nola.
LETTER 251.

To Father Gasparo Caione.

Various matters. — The sending of a little work composed
by the saint.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, May 16, [1756].

I am glad to hear the news about the mission at S.
Angelo.
I have already heard about it through [D.
Benedetto] Grazioli. I will say Mass for the Abbess of S.
Maria di Troia, and will write to Father Villani.
As for Father N., let him go to Iliceto where he wishes
to go to recollect himself, because he has been exposed to a
great deal of dissipation.
I have written to you another letter in which I say to you
that I forbid N. under the formal precept of obedience to
hear the confessions of any more women ; hence do not
allow him to be called to hear women's confessions when he
comes to your house to give the exercises; and even if you
see him hear the confessions of women you must forbid him
to do so. Let him then go to Iliceto. When afterwards
thèse young men have finished their course, I will send
you some one else to replace him. This treatment of Father
28*

Genera I Corresponded, ce.

[PART 1.

N. has been found to be necessary because of his extrav­
agances. Keep this, however, as a secret.
Frater Contaldo should be sent as soon as possible to
Ihceto for a change of air.
If Father N. comes to your house, Father Pentimalli will
not come. Have patience then, and do the best you
can.
Ii I mistake not Father Pentimalli has to ogo to Lauro,
Father Apice has been promised to Iliceto. Have an
understanding with Iliceto, but if not, how will they be able
to get out of their difficulties? Father Apice must neces­
sarily go to this house.
I bless you all. I can scarcely write on account of my
head. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Here is a letter which Father Pentimalli's brother writes
to me; try to satisfy him. Live Jesus and Mary!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[/< S] I send you some copies of my little work 1
written against unbelievers. Two are bound in parchment;
give one to the archpriest of Caposele, the other to-the
Vicar with my compliments. The other two are for your
house. Live Jesus and Mary !
If it is not really necessary I beg you not to take Brother
Mattia 2 from his clocks; for now I hear that he has been
sent to accompany the Fathers on a mission.
After the original preserved in our house at Pagani.
1 This little work published during this year, 1756, bears the
title: “ Breve dissertazione contro gli errori dei moderni increduli,
oggidi nominati Materialist! e Deisti.” (A brief dissertation against
the errors of modern unbelievers called to-day Materialists and
Deists.)
2 1’he lay-brother Mattia Fazzano was a skilful clock and watch­
maker; the saint, therefore, did not wish him to accompany the
Fathers on their missions, as the Brother probably had to make
clocks for the houses.

.756.1

Letter 252.

439

LETTER 252.
To Sister Maria Nicoletta Leoni (Di Calvanicoi, in the
Monastery of Fisciano.

He reproves her for her continual impatience, and exhorts
her to be a true nun who is entirely resigned to God’s will.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, May 19, [1756].

I have received your letter with the stipend for a Mass,
and I will comply with your intentions. As for paying you
a visit, I beg you, should you write again, not to mention
such a thing, for it would give me useless annoyance. I
hardly ever leave the house; I do not even accept the
invitations that I receive from the convents of Nocera,
which are quite near. How could I go to Fisciano?
Moreover, if I went to see you I would say nothing more
than what I have repeated to you more than once, and I
should gain nothing with the religious of your convent,
though you may think otherwise.
As for confessors, there will be no lack of them. But
one thing is more necessary to you than confessors: it is
patience, or rather the love of Jesus Christ.
The saints have loved Jesus Christ and have had other
sufferings than you have; they have had to bear other
sorrows, other diseases, other kinds of contempt and of
abandonment than you have to bear. Yet they believed
that they were suffering nothing when they reflected that .1
God died for us in an ocean of contempt and of sorrow .
Hence all the trouble that you have is caused by your­
self when you complain about everything and show so little
patience.
In
short,
what
will
you
find
at
the
hour
of
death,
which
•
·
in view of your maladies is not far off? You will find only
acts of impatience and sins; only venial sins, I hope, but

440

General Correspondence,

[PART I.

these may lead you farther if your impatience goes on
increasing.
Well, now! take counsel of your crucifix, look upon it
often, and offer to our Lord what you suffer. Your evils
would be changed into pearls of Paradise, but they are
changed through your fault into so many thorns, and into
sins which you will have to expiate in the flames of pur­
gatory.
When then will you write to me that for once you will
with God’s help bear patiently all your trials? When you
feel yourself weighed down by affliction, cast immediately
a glance at the crucifix, have recourse to our Lady of
Sorrows, and always ask this good Mother for this one
grace, that she should obtain for you resignation to the will
of God.
I entreat you, do not again write to me the words that
you have used, together with the interminable lamentations:
/ cannot bear this any longer. Such treatment is too much
to bear, and the like. If I mistake not, you suffer less
from your corporal pains than from the contempt that is
heaped upon you ; your want of humility is, therefore, it
seems to me, more than anything else the source of your
trials. Here is my little work, the Visits, a new edition; I
send it to you that you may read the little treatise on the
will of God which is added to it (see page 209). Read it
little by little, and when you have finished it, begin again.
Oh, if you would embrace with all your heart the will
of God! If you were persuaded that in accepting your
pains with an entire resignation, you would rejoice the
heart of God, and with what joy, with what love would
you endure them ! Hence, when you feel yourself more
than usually weighed down, I beg you to re-read this letter.
May God grant you his light and his love! He that
loves God does not suffer; he rejoices even in suffering.
Perhaps you will tell me: But / am not a saint. I

Letter 253.

1756.)

441

answer : You are not a saint and you do not wish to be a
saint. Do you wish to become a saint amidst tenderness
and consolations? And if you do not wish to become a
saint, why did you leave the world? Did you perhaps
enter the convent to be served and honored, and not to
suffer? What would you say to one of your Sisters who
would complain to you? What you would say to her, say
to yourself; offer, offer all to Jesus Christ, and ask him
without intermission, not that your trials may cease, but
that you may have his love and may be patient. This is
the way to transform all your pains into pearls of Paradise.
In order to write you this letter I had to snatch a moment
from my numerous occupations.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER

253.

To Father Antonio Tannoia, at Iliceto.
He blames indiscreet zeal and gives various counsels re­
garding the novitiate.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Pagani, May 25, 1756.
I have received information about the affair from Father
Rizzi.1
If things remain in the same state, and Monsignor is
1 Father Rizzi had written to his penitent Mgr. Tonunaso Pacelli
Bishop of Bovino, a letter in which he reminded the prelate of his
duties, telling him that the people of the diocese were greatly
dissatisfied with him. This indiscreet letter so angered the bishop
that he wished to imprison this zealous, but too imprudent Father.

v V ·

442

General Correspondence.

[part i.

not pacified, so that we may have to fear that he will put
the Father into prison, send him to Caposele without losing
a moment.
Tell, however, this Father that he did not do well to
write that letter. He wrote it through zeal; but he does
not know that it is forbidden to us outside of the confessional
to meddle with affairs that may cause embarrassment to
others. For the love of God let him in future give up such
kind of zeal. We must think of the general good of the
Congregation rather than of the good of others.
As for the question about the Blessed Sacrament in the
oratory of the novitiate, I wish to consider the matter more
fully with my Consultors, and when Father Fiocchi returns,
I shall send him thither immediately to give you the answer
to this as well as to some other questions.
Tell Frater N. that the three young men have presented
themselves. He knows that Andrea will not suit us, for he
does not understand enough Latin, and at Naples I told
him that he would not be received.
/
As for the other youth, I mean N., there is a difficulty,
for it is not known where he is to be ordained.
Finally, another young man came; but he had no patri­
mony. I shall therefore send the two candidates who have
received the votes of the Consultors.
When Father Fiocchi comes, he will give you the
answers to other questions. Please give the enclosed letter
to Frater Perez.
Send immediately a copy of my book [Dissertation
on the Errors of Modern Unbelievers'] to Canon Vitale at
Bisaccia. Tell Father Rizzi to say three Hail Marys as a
penance.
[Father Francesco] Pentimalli must come without fail to
Ciorani, even though they desire to keep him at Caposele.
Give yourself therefore no trouble about him. I have
written to Caposele to send you at least Father [Andrea]

1756 ]

Letter 254.

443

Strina who preaches very well, and Father [Stefano] Liguori:
and so yon will be able to do your work.
I am now engaged in writing to Mgr. di Bovino, and I
hope to appease him. Father Rizzi should have mentioned
those points to the bishop when he heard the latter’s
confession ; he should not have written him a letter.
If Father Fiocchi arrives here in time, I will send him
immediately. Say no more about this. As soon as I can
have him I shall send him to you; I have sent to Ciorani
for him and have called him away from the exercises that
he is giving, at Ciorani in order to please you.
I repeat: If matters are now settled, it is not necessary to
send Father Rizzi to Caposele; if Monsignor should come
to the house, it would be well for Father Rizzi to go to him
privately, to throw himself at his feet and beg pardon for
his indiscretion.
Let Frater [Michele] Ferrazzano become a little stronger
and healthier before speaking of making his profession.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Father Margotta tells me that you wish to contribute
towards paying the expenses of the Madonna [“Glories
of Mary’’] ; but where is the money? Live Jesus and Mary !
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the Neapolitan edition of 1848.
LETTER 254.

To Sister Maria di Gesu, Carmelite at Ripacandida.

Explanations regarding spiritual direction.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Pagani, June, 1756.

I have read your very long letter, and I answer it in a
few words.
I expect within a few days Father Fiocchi, who is to go

444

General Correspondence,

[part i.

to Naples; I must first hear him and examine afterwards
what I can do to oblige you.
While waiting, place yourself entirely at the disposition
of God for his greater glory ; now it is for the greater glory
of God to do his most holy will.
Present my respects to the Mother Prioress, to Sister
Maria Giuseppe, to Sister Maria Celeste, and to all the
rest. Let all recommend me to Jesus Christ; for I repeat,
I wish to do what I can to be useful to you, but I must first
hear what Father Fiocchi has to say.
I am fully persuaded that he did not withdraw on
account of some disobedience on your part or on the part
of the other religious, but for some other important reason.
Who knows what the Bishop [of Melfi] has told him !
Perhaps out of regard for the Carmelites? I do not know
what to say in this matter.
However, if Father Fiocchi returns to you, you must be
satisfied with the little that he can do ; for you know that
our Rule expressly forbids us the direction of religious,
either in general or in particular. Be satisfied with the
counsel that is given to you every time that an occasion
presents itself.
In the mean time follow the advice that Father Fiocchi
has given you ; and if anything new occurs, do nothing
exteriorly without the order of the Superior. As for interior
things, to remove every doubt, it will be sufficient to say:
My God, I wish only Thee and Thy good pleasure; say
nothing more.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

1756·]

Letter 256.
LETTER

445

255.

To a Father of the House at Ciorani.

He sends pecuniary aid to the poor house of Iliceto.

[June 3, 1756.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
My dear L.: Have patience; it is necessary that you
should go to Iliceto where the spiritual exercises are to be
given to the candidates for ordination as there is no one to
help to give them.
I send you secretly thirty ducats: carry them to the
Superiors of Iliceto for the purchase of food, because I hear
that they are in embarrassed circumstances.
I
You must not say anything to others about these thirty
ducats; but you must tell them at Iliceto to celebrate
seventy-two Masses to the intention of those that have
given the money. Take out of this sum of thirty ducats what
will pay the expenses of your journey. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
I bless all the novices. Live Jesus and Mary!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 256.

To Father Antonio Tannoia, at Iliceto.

How he was to act in regard to an imprudent subject.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
June 3, [1756].

Father N. through his extravagances has thrown me into
the greatest confusion.
Forbid him to say Mass till the 15th of this month: after
that let him again say Mass. But, for pity’s sake, do not
employ him too much in preaching, nor let him go out too
often. Make him remain at home to recollect himself and

446

General Correspondence.

(part

i

to regain a little fervor; for it was for this reason that I sent
him to you.
Tell him that I command under formal obedience that he
shall no longer hear women’s confessions, nor the confessions
of young persons under seventeen years of age. He may
hear the confessions of men and of boys who have com­
pleted their seventeenth year ; for I have heard that by his
extravagant questions he has taught young persons certain
things of which they were ignorant, and now they complain
of this. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 257.

To the Same.
He prescribes to the novices moderation in prayer, and
expresses his sorrow on account of their poverty.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, June 24, 1756.

I have received from the novices a package of letters
expressive of their thanks for having allowed them the
Blessed Sacrament.1 I hear, however, that they go to
excess, and that they have already begun to make them­
selves sick, as, for instance, N. N., etc.
I beg you to moderate their prayers in the chapel of the
Blessed Sacrament.
It is sufficient if they make the ordinary visit by adding
to it, in the evening and during the day, one or two other
visits that must not last longer than half of a quarter of an
hour.
1 his is understood of days outside of the retreat days.
I do not answer the letters of the novices ; for it would
take me two months to answer them.
1 1 he peimission, namely, of having the Blessed Sacrament in
the chapel of the novitiate.

I hear that at your house you have no soup at your

four animals for riding? It would be well to send to the
environs for a little wheat, etc., but the misfortune is to
know whom to send.
On the subject of cheese, all are opposed to Father N.;
and in other houses they continue to give it. But as to
your house, what can we do ? Should we wish to witness
some scene? It is better for you to dissimulate, and to be
guided by prudence.
I see that Father N. has told me the truth ; for there is
truly no way of living in that place. Now I send you a
little help; but afterwards what can be done? It is a heart­
rending spectacle thus to see the sufferings of so many
young persons that have just left the world!
As for Brother N. although he has made his vows, keep
him near you, so that his health may improve. He may
do some light work that Father N. may assign to him.
Please to send from time to time to Ascoli or elsewhere
to procure the wherewithal to make a little soup [minestra].
I bless you all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 258.

To the Same.
He complains of the useless expenses incurred in the
house at Iliceto.
[End of June, 1756.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I write by the hand of another, since I cannot do so
myself on account of my head.
Father N. writes that in fifteen days you will not know
what to do, since you are without grain, without wine,
without cheese, without lard, and without money, for the

tX V V»

44^

General Correspondence.

[part i.

reason that the thirty ducats sent you have been given to
Maffei.
As for myself, I really do not know what to do. It will
be impossible for me to force the other houses to send you
money. Reflect on some means, think of what might be
done, and speak about the matter to Father N. Examine
whether it is necessary to abandon Iliceto in order not to
see our young people die of starvation.
I beg you to be in all that you do as much as possible in
accord with Father N.; for otherwise it will be impossible to
navigate the little vessel.
I bless you all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

259.

To the Same.
New complaints in regard to useless expenses.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
July 4, [1756].

Briefly, when I receive news from Iliceto it seems to me
that each time I must swallow a cup of poison. The other
day assistance was sent, and it disappeared immediately.
Now something again has been sent, and I hear that it has
also disappeared. Father N. wishes to construct a cistern,
and you wish to be the architect; and for this purpose
Father N. says beams are needed.
I therefore say again and again that it is my wish that no
expenses should be incurred except for what is absolutely
necessary, namely, for food and the necessary clothing; for
you are in want of linen, of bread, etc.
How often have I not forbidden the incurring of extra­
ordinary expenses ! And now I learn that you wish to buy
planks on credit. On credit, and without the means
of paying for them ! .. .. Have patience; think only of your

Letter 260.

Ι75<>·]

449

support for the morrow, and of nothing else. I feel like
dying with compassion for these young people. I repeat:
At present think only of keeping alive. I shall assemble
my Consultors to find out what means may be employed ;1
for it is impossible for the little vessel to sail on in this
way.
I bless you all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

260.

To Father Gasparo Caione, Rector at Caposele.
He reprimands him. — Theological reasons in favor of
ordination titulo patrimonii.
[Beginning of July, 1756?]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I can no longer dissemble; I will tell the truth. That
you have sent Father Apice (and may God prevent you
from sending another!) to San Gregorio has pierced my
heart, the more so since you had at first resolved to write
to me, and afterwards you did just the contrary. My
God ! to send a subject that costs us our blood, to die in a
sickly place during the great heats, and at a time when
there is an epidemic raging!
But, he is needed there. — True, but all the priests are
not dead ; there is always one remaining that can give
absolution. For pity’s sake, in future, and before doing
any of these extraordinary things write to me.
It is necessary to obey the Archbishop [of Conza] but
cum grano satis [with some allowance], in those things in
which we are obliged to obey.
I am starting for Naples to-day, and God knows what
1 The means employed was to transfer the novitiate to Nocera.
This occurred July 18, and the novitiate remained there till October
15, of the following year.
29

450

Genera I Correspondence.

[PART I.

sorrow and pain I feel on account of what you have written
to me. May God be propitious to us!
See that Father Apice procures as cpiickly as possible the
letters dimissory for those young men, and tell him to let
the Vicar-General understand in a very gentle way that he
has not acted very charitably towards us, by refusing to
recognize the title of patrimony when all the other Vicars
made no difficulty about it.
We are rendering service to the universal Church. Ac­
cording to a Papal Brief we are allowed to be ordained
with a patrimony; added to this, we are engaged in serving
the diocese of Conza. Still the most cogent reason is that
we are working for the universal Church, and that the
universal Church has already approved of our ordination
under the title of a patrimony.
If there should happen to be a Father at present at S.
Gregorio, recall him immediately.
Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso.
{Postscript by another hand')'. As our Father was on the
point of setting out, he requested me to add a few more
reasons in favor of the admission of the patrimony.
In the first place, the permission of the Sovereign
Pontiff, according to our Rule, allows us to ordain our
subjects with a patrimony. Then we have the permission
of his Majesty, who considers us very useful in the kingdom
on account of the houses which we have; for under that’
title we shall not be a burden to him ; we know that as a
general thing he refuses this title in order not to multiply
the number of useless priests.
Again, the Concordat does not take the privilege from
us ; for according to the terms of that document it is left to
the judgment of the bishop to ordain with a patrimony
when he sees it would be useful for the Church, without
specifying the particular church of those who are to be

J756 ]

Letter 26z.

451

ordained. Hence Mgr. Borgia says that it is his custom to
ordain a number of priests in a place where there is no want
of priests, in order to be able to transfer them afterwards to
places where they are needed. Thus we see that he
ordains according to the need or utility of the Church, not
of the church of the one who is ordained, but of the one that
ordains. This practice is also in accordance wath the
Council of Trent [6?^. xxi. cap. ii.] which gives to the
bishop the faculty of ordaining clerics under the title of a
patrimony, if he thinks it useful and necessary for his
churches : remark here the wording suarum [his churches],
that is, the churches of the bishop, and not illorum [their
churches], that is, the churches of those that have been
ordained. Supposing all this, who can deny that the
Fathers of our Congregation are useful to the churches
of the Archbishop of Conza, seeing that he uses us as he
wishes ?
Father Villani had intended to write these points to you ;
but learning that I had done so, he omitted sending them
to you.
After the original to be found partly in our house at Mons,
Belgium, partly in the archives of Father General at Rome.
LETTER 261.

To the Council of Ecclesiastical Affairs.
The saint solicits the legal approbation of his Institute,
and he refutes the objections that could be raised against it.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Naples, July, [1756]. 1

Since the year 1732, the priest Don Alfonso de Liguori
and other priests, have learned by giving missions the
1 “ In the beginning of July” — says Tannoia — “ /Vlphonsus went
again to Naples. He was most anxious to see his Congregation
better established and secured by royal authority, and to obtain the

452

General Correspondence,

[parti.

great spiritual need of the people in the country, and
especially of those living in hamlets and small towns of this
kingdom ; and on the other hand, how little is the assistance
that they receive from the missions that are given from
Naples. These priests have, therefore, united and have by
giving missions applied themselves to the spiritual care
of these abandoned people.
Ί o carry out this work, the first house was erected in the
diocese of Salerno, and then with the permission of the
king, three other houses were founded in the dioceses
of Nocera, Bovino and Conza.
Afterwards, in the year 1749, at the instance of the
bishops of said dioceses, the reigning Pontiff, knowing the
benefit and necessity of this work, a decree of the Sacred
Congregation of the Council having been previously issued,
approved by an apostolic Brief this Institute in the form
of a Congregation under the title of the Most Holy Redeemer,
subjecting it to the diocesan Ordinaries.
The before-mentioned Brief has not been put in execution,
as it is still lacking the permission of his Majesty. But in
the mean time the aforesaid missionaries have continued to
devote themselves to the giving of missions, travelling for
nine months in the year through six provinces of this kingexequatur for the apostolic Brief. On the 10th of the same month he
wrote to Father Gasparo Caione: ‘Make a novena and have the
people to make it for the success of the affair of the approbation.’
On the 20th he again wrote: ‘I am laboring hard at Naples, but I
meet with difficulties. Let us leave the matter in God's hands. Make
another novena with the discipline every evening, and have the
people to make a second novena’. . . He remained more than a
month at Naples; he might have been seen in spite of the burning
sun running from the house of one minister to the other. But all in
vain; the opinion of Mgr. Galliano prevailed, and under pretence
that the king in granting the exequatur to the Bull would not be free
to suppress the Congregation should it degenerate, the petition was
refused.” So far Tannoia, Book ii. chap. xliv.

a

Letter 26 r.

1756.1

453

dom, giving about forty missions a year to these poor
country people.
The royal clemency of our Sovereign has in the mean
time been petitioned that for the good of so many of his
vassals, he may deign to grant permission so that this work
may be firmly established. Otherwise it will come to
nothing, because, on the one hand, the young men who
have been called by God to leave their families to live in
ecclesiastical Communities, will hardly be induced to enter
a Community that is not established with the royal ap­
probation ; and on the other hand, those that have entered,
on seeing that the approbation is deferred, will be tempted
to leave it for fear that after the work has been given up,
they would have to live outside of their own homes as well
as outside of the Community.
The reasons for making difficulties in granting the royal
exequatur are the following :
1. That in the kingdom of Naples the number of religious
houses already existing is excessive; and that for the
spiritual want of souls, the pastors and priests of the country
places and the missions that are given from Naples, furnish
ample means.
2.That the increase of religious houses is an injury to
the interests of the laity because of the purchase of property
made by said houses, and because they then remain in the
possession of this property.
3. These foundations begin well, but in time they are
rather injurious, or at least useless.
To the first objection the reply may be given that .
although the religious houses in the kingdom might be
sufficient and excessive, yet the houses of missionaries that
attend to the spiritual culture of the poor people of the
country, are very few in proportion to their wants. Every­
where zealous bishops are heard complaining, because they
see a great part of their flocks perishing for want of help ;
J

29*

454

Genei'a I Correspon den cc.

[PART I.

they ask for missions, but they cannot have them, since the
missions from Naples do not reach the hundredth part of the
wants that exist. There are, it is true, many ecclesiastics
(and would to God there were fewer !), but very few of them
are good apostolic workers.
To the second objection that the increase of religious
houses is prejudicial to laymen we reply that the king has
already provided for this, by ordering that the abovementioned houses of the missionaries cannot accpiire any
annual income, and that which they possessed in the
beginning are administered by the bishops who are to
furnish each of the subjects with two carIini 1 a day, and
all the rest is to be given to the poor of the place. And
this supreme disposition of the prince has been resignedly
accepted by said missionaries, who were even satisfied with
the disposition made by his Majesty. To this must be
added that the same exact nothing from their own families;
hence it happens that their patrimonial income remains for
the benefit of the laity, their relatives.
As for the last objection, that these foundations begin
well and then end badly, or remain at least useless, we ask
you to cast your eyes not upon all religious houses, but
only upon the foundations of missionaries, such as those
of the Pious Workers and of the priests called Priests of the
Missions, and you will see that these Institutes, although
founded more than a century ago, are still useful to the
public, either because the obligation of continually laboring
keeps them from dissipation and engaged in prayer or
study, or because the power of dismissing the negligent
being in the hands of the Superiors, it happens that those
that remain devote themselves to the work of their Institute.
As, therefore, an experiment of this new Institute of mis­
sionaries has been made during the space of twenty-three years,
as it has furnished a good number of missionaries, and has
1 Two carlini = fr. 0.85.

1756]

Letter 262.

455

already received the approbation of the Sovereign Pontiff,
who gathered the most exact information about them, it is
hoped that our most pious Monarch by his permission will
render this great work perpetual in his kingdom, for it is a
work that is devoted to the welfare of his vassals, and that
is established to maintain purity of our holy religion, on
which even the tranquillity of the State depends.
After an old copy.
LETTER 262.

To Sister Maria Angela Rosa Graziano, in the Monastery
of the SS. Rosario at Naples.
He announces to her his early departure from Naples.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Naples, [end of July, 1756].

I have not had a moment for myself, occupied as I have
been with important affairs of our Congregation. I will
leave the city to-morrow in all haste, and when I return to
Naples I will send you our Brother [Francesco Tartaglione]
to whom you may tell all and give the money.
Recommend me to Jesus Christ, for we are persecuted
and endure all kinds of woes. Live Jesus, Mary, and
J oseph !
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

456

General Correspondence.
LETTER

[PART I.

263.

To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce, at Camigliano.

He exhorts her to fervor in the service of God.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, August 3, 1756.

I answer your last letter; it contains nothing important
that needs a special answer.
I am only very glad to know that you have been
insulted; yet I regret that there was so very little insult,
and that the blows were measured instead of being given
plentifully.
Do not omit going to Communion, even when you are
told a hundred times that you are damned, and that you
are a demon. Do not love the less those that show you
greater contempt ; render them services and pray for them.
In regard to the discipline, omit it when you are ill; but
when you recover, resume it, notwithstanding that you
have lost strength ; take it then at least a little so as not to
lose the habit of it. I recommend the same thing in regard
to the spiritual reading.
It will be impossible for us to go to Caiazzo. The king
does not permit us to have any more foundations; the same
prohibition holds good for all religious whoever they
may be.
Pray always for me. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa!
Your servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of Signor Andrea d’ Isa at
Camigliano.

*V

Letter 264.

»756 ]

LETTER

457

264.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
Zeal of the saint for regular observance.

. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, August 6, [1756].

I have just received your letter in reference to the office
of Examiner, etc. Father Ferrara tells me that this is only
for once, and that there is question of nominating an arch­
priest at Andretta.1
This is sufficient. When you receive the formal letter
of the archbishop in regard to the matter, you will take
care at first to thank him kindly, and then to excuse
yourself by saying that to accept the office you are obliged
to write to me and to obtain a dispensation, since such a
thing is forbidden by our Constitution. If nevertheless he
presses you to accept, and wishes to push the matter, then,
as there is question of doing this but once, I dispense you
only for this case.
Tell Father Leo from me to give up the idea of again
having copies of Tournely 1
2 sent from France. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

1 Mgr· Giuseppe Nicolai wished Father Caione to be present as
Examiner at the concursus for the office of archpriest of Andretta.
2 Father I rancesco de Leo was then teaching philosophy, and
after the course of philosophy had been finished, having to teach
theology to the same students, he wished to procure for us from
F rance a certain number of copies of Tournely’s Theology. St.
Alphonsus preferred to apply to his publisher, Giuseppe Remondini
at Venice, and the latter procured the books in question as one may
see in a letter of the saint to Remondini, dated March 14, 1757.

458

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

LETTER 265.

To Mother Maria di Gesii, Carmelite at Ripacandida.1
The duties of a Prioress. — Various recommendations.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, August 17, 1756.

I answer: Yes, God is worthy of being loved, and he
wishes to be loved by you, although you have no director.
You have again been appointed Prioress; the Prioress
of a convent should also be prior in love, that is to say, the
first in loving God, and this is the rule of conduct that I
give you.
Since you have received Jesus Christ anew,12 recommend
me to him when you receive him as food ; at least on those
days on which Communion is not taken from you.
I have written to Mgr. [di Melfi] to permit you to answer
Brancone. If this is granted, answer the Marquis that you
never forget him in your prayers. Encourage him and say
to him that you are praying to the Lord to grant him
strength and light to walk on the right road and to defend
the interests of the Church in the office that he occupies.
I thank you for the novena that you wished to make for
me, and for the remembrance that you have of me. I
thank Jesus Christ that he reminds you of me, and I pray
to him that he may always remind you of me.
Thank also our Lord for the signal favor that we have
just received from the Pope; for he has given us all the
1 Mother Maria di Gesii had been re-elected Prioress at the end
of the month of May, 1756.
2 The holy nun had been, as we have said, deprived of daily
Communion. As we have seen in Letter 248, St. Alphonsus inter­
ceded with Mgr. de Melfi to remove this prohibition.

Letter 266.

175*5 ]

459

privileges of the Pious Workers and of the Fathers of the
Christian Doctrine.1
Give the enclosed answers to the Sisters who have
written to me ; but tell them that when they write, they
should not, especially if the letter is somewhat long, expect
an immediate answer; for time is wanting to me. I had
even to steal the moments to write to you.
In your position, you have nothing else to do than to
observe the Rule and to exact its observance. Unite
yourself, then, to God by a continual offering of yourself,
and in whatever state of soul you may be, humbly resign
yourself.
Salute for me all the Sisters, and let all continue to recom­
mend me to Jesus Christ. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER

266.

To Father Gasparo Caione.

Exhortation to practise patience.
[Nocera, month of August, 1756.]

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
I have read your letter and said: Alas! that this new
misery should come upon us during the festival, and now
we are all involved in it.
Your Reverence is asking a Mass from Petrella.2— In
the first place Petrella has gone to Iliceto. Secondly, you
must know that Father Savcrio [Rossi] usually talks when he
1 This favor had been granted on July 17, 1756, and confirmed on
August 11, by the Brief: Pastoris atemi.
2 The stipends of the Masses of Father D. Pietro Petrella.

40ο

General Correspondence.

[part i.

comes here about having more Masses; because he has
about forty subjects to board and a debt of about two
thousand ducats; and what he obtains from the vineyard he
has to give to the Baron.1 But seeing the misery of this
house he has not the courage to speak of it. To take now
from Ciorani the Mass of Petrella and to give it to him, is a
thing that cannot be thought of, the more so since this
Mass already belongs there.
Therefore, in order to give you some other Mass I
should have to take it from the house at Pagani. Now you
know what is the condition of this house.
There is a debt of about two hundred ducats, which has to be
paid to butchers and others, who are anxious to be paid. Hence
Father Mazzini has declared that he felt no confidence in
being able to support the novitiate, although I have assigned
to him another Mass which I had assigned to the im­
poverished house at Iliceto. Hence if there is no prospect
of obtaining help, it will become necessary to remove the
novitiate from this place.
Now just think, from whom could I take this Mass? I
feel compassion for you all, and say that you are right.
But I would like to have some one to say to me what I am
to do in order to satisfy all. I have already praised you
for not having complained, and I see that now you have
complained being forced by necessity; but we must embrace
our sister, patience, which is poverty's own sister.
I thank you for the little paper that you have written,
and I expect the other.
I have received no letters from Benevento. I bless alb
and I pray to God to grant you patience.
1 Here there is question of the vineyard which Don Andrea
Sarnelli had presented to the Congregation. The Baron Nicola
Sarnelli, after the death of his brother, made so many efforts to
annul this donation, raised so many difficulties for the Institute that
it was agreed, December 7, 1755, to pay him within a certain space
of lime the sum of a thousand ducats.

1756.]

Letter 267.

461

After the feast of the Blessed Virgin is over.1 have the
Fathers who can do so make their retreat, because in
October of this year there will be work for them; perhaps
it will be a mission at Amalfi, which I have heard mentioned.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,

of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER

267.

To the Fathers and Brothers of the Congregation of the
Most Holy Redeemer.
He exhorts a rigorous observance of a point of the Rule.
[Nocera, August 18, 1756.]

Alfonso Maria de Liguori of the Congregation of the
Most Holy Redeemer Rector Major.
The rule that forbids the receiving and the sending
of letters without the permission of the Superiors is a matter
of great importance. The non-observance of this rule may
make room for innumerable disorders that would ruin the
Congregation. Hence in order to provide temporarily till
the next Chapter for the exact observance of the foregoing
rule, we ordain, for the porters of the houses and for all the
Brothers, that all the letters that they receive for the
subjects, except the letters addressed to the Consultors or
written by them, should be carried to the Superiors of the
houses or of the missions. In regard to those letters
referring to matters of conscience they must conform to the
constitution of the Chapter.
Should a Brother neglect the execution of this ordinance,
we forbid the subjects to open the letters that they receive ;
1 The feast and the octave of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin
were celebrated with great solemnity in the house at Caposele.

462

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

nor should they forward the letters that they write, before
having shown them to the Superior, at least sealed if there
is question of matters of conscience.
We charge the consciences of the Superiors with the
faithful observance of this rule, and exhort them to punish
severely those that are guilty of any infraction of it ; other­
wise they will make themselves responsible, and will be
sternly dealt with by me, since this is a matter of very
great importance, and for certain reasons of much greater
than some imagine.
In regard to letters concerning matters of conscience, it
has been decided in the constitution of the Chapter, that
the Superior shall not open them ; but we declare that this
must be understood of letters from strangers, and not those
from relatives.
Given at Nocera de’ Pagani at the convent of St. Michael,
August 18, in the year 1756.
Alfonso de Liguori,
Rector Major.
After an old copy.
LETTER 268.

To Father Francesco Margotta.
He charges him with a commission.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, September 1, [1756?]

When you have spoken to Mgr. di Troia you had better
come home; but, if your Reverence cannot do so, Fathers
[D. Alessandro de] Meo and Caione should depart as soon
as they have had an interview.
Let Father Meo take care not to become overfatigued.
I hear that he has been spitting blood, and that his chest is
affected. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.

Letter 269.

1756.]

LETTER

463

269.

To Mother Maria di Gesù, at Ripacandida.
He explains to her the conduct of Father Fiocchi.’

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, September 24, [1756].

I have received your letter, and Father Fiocchi just
happens to be here.
He says that if he ceases to have any relations with you,
it is because from a distance and by letter he can hardly do
more than undertake the direction of your conscience. For
the rest, as soon as you become reconciled to this fact, my
dear Mother, he will give you this satisfaction, and I have
told him to do so. But in return always recommend
me to Jesus Christ; for this is a particular dispensation
that I grant in your favor, since our Rule prohibits such a
thing.
May Jesus Christ reward you for the charity with which
you recommend me to him ! Our good Mother in heaven
will, I hope, always put you in mind of this.
As for poor me, I do not forget you in my prayers.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

464

General Correspondence.
LETTER

[PART I.

270.

To Father Andrea Villani, Rector of the House at
S. Angelo a Cupolo.
Recommendations relative to the interests of the Con­
gregation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, October 1, [1756].

I have sent the letter to Marquis Petruro.
You tell me that if the same assistance had been given to
Iliceto, it would have been possible to support the novitiate
there! — O my dear Andrea! what do you say? Did you
therefore hope that the Masses would be said here, and
that the money for them would be sent to Iliceto? At
Iliceto you would not have received ten carUni a week.
You had better drive this idea out of your head; for it can
never be, no, never, that one house should support the
other, because all the houses in whatever condition they
may be are really hospitals in which every carlino that
comes in goes out.
A long explanation would be necessary to make this
clear to you. If there had not been secretly set on foot the
making of stalls, the carpenter-work for the upper story,
etc. we should not now find ourselves in this embarrass­
ment; but now things are done, and we must be silent and
must suffer.
When the contract of the farm is settled at Naples I will
be able, I hope, to furnish you in November with money
from [D. Benedetto] Grazioli to make the purchases.
When you make the purchases do not fail to found two
chaplaincies, or at least one of them, in order that we may
be able to ordain one of our subjects who would not have
any patrimony, a chaplaincy for instance, for Frater [Lo-

Letter 270.

1756.]

465

renzo] Nigro, who is moreover the only son, though in
Minor Orders.1
The chaplaincy should be founded entirely in Masses, with
an annual revenue corresponding to the tax of the patrimony
which at Benevento is thirty ducats; with this should be
connected the obligation of celebrating these Masses in our
church of the Assumption.
I say this in order that the subject who is deprived of the
chaplaincy, if he should leave us [the Institute], may not
lay claim to the fruits without coming to celebrate in our
church.
The chaplaincy would have to be founded when making
the purchases; otherwise it cannot be founded afterwards,
as it would be alienated ; and alienation would require the
intervention of Rome.
The chaplaincy may be founded on the interest-money
of the annual revenue. About this you would have to
consult the Vicar-General.
We must think of this matter now, because there would
be no time after the purchase has been made.
In regard to furnishing another Father to help you on
the missions, there is great misery; because applications for
missions are innumerable.
For Benevento are already destined Fathers Amarante,
Grossi, Buonamano and de Angelis. You may, however,
when you wish send forthem. [Father] Buonamano can help
me at Amalfi whither I shall go at the beginning of the
week.
As for the large mission asked for by the Archbishop
[of Benevento] write to Father Fiocchi, who will be near
Conza, or write to me, and we shall see whether we shall be
able to detach one or two of the Fathers.
1 Frater Lorenzo Nigro, to whose ordination the laws of the
kingdom were opposed, as he was the only son, was subsequently
ordained at Benevento, in the Papal domain.

30

466

General Correspondence.

(part i.

The subjects destined for the missions are too few for this
campaign.
I conclude, because my head allows me to say no more.
Missions, debts, departure for [the mission at] Amalfi, etc.
Oh, what embarrassments ! Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa !
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of Canon Francesco Saverio
Martini, Vicar-General of Alatri.
LETTER

271.

To the Fathers and Brothers of the Congregation of the
Most Holy Redeemer.
Prohibition to go out without a special permission.
Nocera, October 2, 1756.

No subject is allowed to leave home without the per­
mission of the Rector, and unless the Rector advises him to
come to speak to me.
In case the subject does not wish to communicate his
affairs (for which he wishes to come) to the Rector of the
house, or the Rector does not think it necessary for him to
come to me, the subject may write to me; and when I shall
say to him to come, he may come.
After an old copy.

1756]

Leiter 272.
LETTER

467

272.

To Sister Maria Nicoletta Leoni (Di Calvanico), in the
Monastery of Fisciano.
He reproaches her for her impatience and exhorts her to
resignation.
Nocera, October 6, [1756].

I have received your letter and with it the stipend for a
Mass.
I will pray and have others to pray for you; but if you
do not do your share of co-operation in practising patience,
God will not come to your assistance, and you will always
lead a miserable life. . I do not even know what death you
will die if you die in the like sentiments of impatience.
You say: / am surrounded by enemies. Is this the
language of a religious? Enemies, when you yourself tell
me that a servant was hired expressly for you? Is it the
fault of the Sisters if afterwards this servant falls ill ?
Your acts of impatience, it seems to me, are continual,
and you blame now the Sisters, because they do not assist
you as you wish, now Almighty God, because he does not
deliver you from your illness. This is the way that you
suffer without merit, and after having thus suffered you
will have to go to purgatory to expiate all your acts
of impatience.
Well, then, stop all that! otherwise you will die a bad
death. Put yourself in God’s hands, ask him for good
health, but ask with resignation; and if God does not grant
it to you, you should say that your illness is good for your
eternal salvation.
Is there anything grander than to offer one’s sufferings to
Jesus Christ, to him who has suffered so much for the love
of us, and who has endured greater sufferings without
having deserved them? Do this, and you will suffer in
peace, and you will weave for yourself a beautiful crown for

468

Genera l Corresponden ce.

[PART I.

Paradise. Among the sufferings that you must offer to
God is the little assistance that you receive from the Sisters.
But they forget me! — And you forget that you are a
spouse of Jesus Christ; you forget the sins by which you
have offended your divine Saviour, the promises that you
have made to him, and the love that he has borne you.
In future, I hope that you will do what I have just told
you. Reqew every day the resolution of offering to God
all your pains, and at this very moment when you are
reading these lines, make this offering at the foot of the
crucifix.
But if you wish to continue to complain of your illness,
of your Sisters, etc., it will be useless for you to write me
any more, for I loathe to see a religious so impatient and
always complaining about the Sisters. If the Sisters do not
do their duty, do yours by bearing with them. You will
act so, I hope.
I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ and of Mary, so
that you may hereafter obey me.
Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
letter

273.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
He begs him to watch over the health of the students.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, October 27, [1756].

I am told that Frater Michele [de Michele] has begun to
look as badly as he did before.
I beg you to examine how he is; and if it be necessary

1«

1756·]

Letter 274.

469

do not allow him to study, nor to do even what I have
permitted him to do. If this young man has a relapse, it
will be all over with him.
I have also been informed that Frater [Lorenzo] Nigro
and others are seriously affected with bowel troubles.
I give you full power to moderate the studies of these
young people, and in case of doubt to incline always to the
side of health. I give you all the faculties, on condition,
however, that you afterwards render an account of what
you have done. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

274.

To the Same.

Various recommendations. — Explanation regarding some
points of the Rule of the students.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, 29, [November, 1756].

According to what I hear, my dear Gasparo, you are
greatly tortured by that detestable fever. May the will
of God be done ! I also have been favored these past few
days with a little fever.
I beg you not to be troubled about the confessors.
There is no harm if all those that come to confession [in
our chapel] are not heard. During the missions things are
not otherwise. It is therefore sufficient if two or three
remain at home.
As you feel indisposed at present, Father [Ignazio] Fiore
will remain ; when you are better, you can go out for some
time, then Father Fiore may take his turn.
Father Picone is now hearing the confessions of men and
women, and as he is Prefect of the students, he can engage
in the work during the time of studies, of retreat, etc.
Tell Father Leo from me that he should be patient; that
30*

4/0

General Correspondence,

[par’ti.

he may hear the confessions of men on all feast days; what
is done, has always been done.
I am so much embarrassed at present with missions, especial­
ly with those of Calabria that I find it necessary to set out
myself sick as I am.
Now attend solely to the restoration of your health.
In relation to the controverted points in the Constitution
of the students here is my answer:
1. In regard to the semi-retreat of Sunday mornings, an
hour of preparation and an hour of thanksgiving appear to
me to be too much ; half an hour for each is sufficient. Let
there be a conference, a general Communion, a half hour’s
spiritual reading, the Little Hours in common. The rest of the
time every one may spend in private devotion.
2. As for going out, let the Prefect accompany them,
or if he is prevented they may be presided over by a
discreet student, or the Rector may appoint a Father for
this purpose.
The Lector may go out with the students on study days ;
on recreation days he must go out with the Fathers.
In reference to spiritual direction, the students should
address themselves either to the Prefect or the Rector
of the house.
I bless you all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.

1756 ]

Letter 276.
LETTER

471

275.

To Mother Maria di Gesù, at Ripacandida.
He exhorts her to correct abuses with prudence.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nola, December 4, [1756].

I answer you from Nola, where I am at present.
I am very glad that you have undertaken to remedy the
abuses that have been introduced against the Rule. May
Jesus Christ bless you for your zeal, and give you the
strength of which you stand in need ! For if in the beginning
such abuses are introduced, twenty or thirty years will not
pass by before the entire Rule will have been swept away.
As for the distressed souls that come to consult you, I
advise you not to fail to assist them ; since they call upon
you expressly for this purpose, we may hope that they will
be docile to your advice. Retrench, however, all useless
discourse, and endeavor to go straight to the point ; yet do
this prudently, for you may not be able to do this in the
beginning.
Continue to recommend me to Jesus Christ. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

276.

To Canon Giacomo Fontana, at Naples.
He speaks to him about one of his little works: “Rule for
Seminaries.”
t

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nola, December 9, [1756].

I have received your most esteemed note; I will send to
his Eminence for the offering of which you speak.
The little work on Seminaries is already in press, and

472

General Correspondence»

[part i,

will be issued in accordance with the corrections which you
have kindly made.
I shall present a copy of it to all the bishops; I hope
that they will read it, as it is short ; and I trust that it will
redound to the glory of God.
I shall be at your service, and I beg you to recommend
me to the Infant Jesus.
In conclusion, I would most humbly kiss your hand.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
It is to you that I have intrusted the revision of the little
book on Seminaries, since you have had the kindness to
read and to correct it. When you read it, you will find all
your corrections. I will send you the proofs and the
original that you may compare them. Live Jesus and
Mary !
Your most humble and devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,

of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

The following is the eulogy pronounced by the Canon in
his report to Cardinal Sersale :
Most Eminent Sir : In compliance with the order of your
Eminence I read the little work entitled “Rule for Semi­
naries.” The most pious author, always bent upon promoting
the glory of our Lord, has most accurately explained in this
work whatever is required for the good direction of semi­
naries ; hence I judge that its publication will be a public
benefit.
I have the honor to remain,
Most Eminent Sir, with profound respect,
your obedient and humble servant,
Can. Giacomo Fontana.
Naples, December 19, 1756.

1756·]

Letter 277.

473

LETTER 277.

To Sister Maria Angela Rosa Graziano, in the Monastery
of the SS. Rosario at Naples.
Some advice in regard to the spiritual life.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, December 12, [1756].

I thank you most cordially for the little present, but do
not inconvenience yourself on my account.
God knows when I shall go to Naples, especially during
winter. For the rest, you have no need of me; you have
your director and I am far away.
I send you some spiritual works which I have just
published. Read especially the “Practice of Perfection”
which comes after the “ Novena to St. Teresa,” and the
“ Glories of Mary.” You can read some of it every day,
even if only half a page. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa !
Write me some particulars about your life, your exercises
of piety, and your penances. I will then send you a general
rule which you may follow ; however let this be with the
consent of your director. Live Jesus and Mary!
Azour very humble servant,
Alfonso,

of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of the Redemptorists of
Saint-Nicolas-du-Port, diocese of Nancy, France.

474

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

LETTER 278.

To Father Emanuele Caldarera, of the Congregation of the
Oratory at Naples.

Thanksgiving. — Asking for a favor.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, 17, [January] 1757.

My dear Father Emanuele: I thank you very much for
having given me to read the first volume of the Trappists.1
Please to send the others when you can. I have searched
in Naples in order to find the Lives of these religious, and
I did not succeed. You will surely do well if you send
them to your brother that he also may read them.
I send you the little works about which you have been
informed 12 with the letters that accompany them ; if possible
have them sent to Sicily to one of your friends, and beg
him to see that they reach their destination.
It matters little that the name of the bishop is not found
on some of the letters ; that of the episcopal city is always
given, and this is sufficient.
You can now offer the holy Sacrifice; grant me, then,
1 This work is probably that which was printed in Milan in the
year 1715 and which bears the title: “ I prodigi della grazia espressi
nella conversione di alcuni grandi peccatori, morti da veri penitenti
nel monastero della Trappa della stretta osservanza Cistercienze, opera
transportata dalla lingua francese nell’ italiana da un monaco di
Buonsollazzo, e dedicata a’ Peccatori. — The French work had
appeared in 1696 under the title: “ Relations de la mort de quelques
religieux de 1’ Abbaye de la Trappe” (2 vol. in I2mo); Γ Abbé de
Rance is the author. The edition of 1713 was enlarged by another
volume, Paris, Delaulne.
J
2 The “ Rule for Seminaries.”
I

I757-]

Letter 2

.

475

my dear Father, a memento in your Mass; I will render
you the same service. Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Believe me always,
Your very humble and devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the sacristy of the Oratorian
Fathers at Naples.
LETTER 279.

To Sister Maria Angela Rosa Graziano, in the Monastery
of the SS. Rosario at Naples.
He exhorts her to a perfect love of Jesus Christ.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, 23, [January, 1757].

I yesterday received the box, of which you make me a
present. I beg our Lord to reward you for it.
Tell your director that I have been sick for some time
through his fault; I mean since the novena which he made
me preach for him at Nola.
I am glad that your sister will soon take Jesus Christ for
her Spouse. As for you who are already the spouse
of this good Master, love him as a spouse, that is, purely
through love without having in view temporal or spiritual
consolations; and when you go to Communion, pray for
me as I always do for you. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved at Rome in the Massimo palace
in the chapel of the Miracolo di S. Filippo Neri.

476

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

LETTER 280.

To Father Emanuele Caldarera, of the Congregation of the
Oratory at Naples.

Thanks for services rendered.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, January 28, 1757.

My dear Father Emanuele: You may be assured that in
sending me these Lives of the Trappists I have received
them as a treasure. I had been looking for them so long a
time and I could never find them.
It would be a fine thing if after that the head of the house
should need ask permission to read his own books! When­
ever your Reverence wishes again to read the two books
that I have or the others when you have finished reading
the former, send me word and I will send them at once to
you.
I thank you for delivering the letter addressed to the
bishop.1
Recommend me to Jesus Christ, because I have done so
and am doing so for you with all my heart. I thank you
again and am at your sendee.
Your Reverence knows that I do not wish to be prolix.
Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Kissing your hand, I
remain,
Your very humble and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
1 The letter addressed to the Bishop of Sicily of which mention
was made in a preceding letter, number 278.

1

477

Letter 282.

1757-1

LETTER 281.

To Sister Maria Angela Rosa Graziano, in the Monastery
of the SS. Rosario at Naples.
She should ask her director for a rule of conduct such as
she needs.
[March, 1757?]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
The following is an answer to your letter.
Since Don Giov. Battista does not give you a rule of
conduct such as you need, you must ask him for it. Ask
him to tell you, for example, how long a time you should
spend in prayer, what mortifications you are to practise,
how often you are to communicate, etc. Always ask for
Communions and mortifications, and then obey what is
prescribed.
As for myself, it is impossible that I should direct you so
far away, and moreover, I have no time at my disposal.
Pray to Jesus for me. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and
Teresa !
Azour very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER 282.

To the Same.

He exhorts her to persevere in prayer.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, April S, [1757.]

I have received your letter together with the present, for
which I thank you ; but for pity’s sake do not inconvenience
yourself on my account.

47$

General Correspondence,

[parti.

I have not at present any occasion to go to Naples;
when I shall be able to go there I shall call upon you. But
you have your director; in what way could I be of service
to you?
This morning Don Giov. Battista was here, and he told
me that you are doing well ; this gave me much pleasure.
As for prayer, that which we perform without relish is
the best; for the less it pleases us, the more it pleases Jesus
Christ.
Always recommend me to Jesus Christ as I recommend
you. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Do not be uneasy in regard to the fancies that importune
you during prayer; despise them, and quietly proceed by
offering to God this pain. The devil would like to have
you abandon prayer; spite him by remaining faithful to
prayer. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER 283.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
He speaks of a mission that is to be given and of various
other subjects.
Nocera, April 17, [1757].

Be so good as to see to it that this letter may safely reach
Giuseppe Caselle. Read the letter addressed to me by the
Vicar-General of Salerno; he continues to insist that we
should give a mission at Castelluccia. Try in any case to
send at least two Fathers; however, two cannot do the
work ; we need three of them ; and it would be well to go
to Teora immediately after. In a word, see to it that this
little mission be given immediately, and for this purpose let

1757·]

Letter 28y.

479

everything else be laid aside. You should without delay
inform Father Fiocchi of this arrangement.
My dear Gasparo, how painful it was to me to see what
Father N. has done! I had begged him several times, and
the last time I begged him most earnestly, to go to Iliceto
to speak tQ Francesco Antonio Maffei, and instead of going
himself he sent a messenger to ask Maffei whether he
wished to see him. This made Maffei still more angry,
and he renewed his prohibition to gather even dry wood in
the forest.1
If we have Maffei against us, it will be all over with this
house. My God, how can I direct the Congregation when
people act in this manner! Let me know why he did not
wish to go there. Did he perhaps feel unwell? I purpose
to give him a severe penance, but I shall wait for a more
favorable opportunity.
As for Brother N. I must say that I tremble for him ; for
he seems to me to be of a disposition not easy to get along
with. However, as to the affair of the blows given to a
novice, I have found out that that was not true; for he
scarcely touched his head in a playful way. But there is
no doubt that he has committed a thousand faults. The
letter, however, that he has written to me has consoled me.
Let him read my answer to him, and be kind enough to
direct him and make him render an account of all that he
does, because he is a subject of great hopes.
Then tell Brother N. that his letter has afforded me great
pleasure. His penance shall consist in one more visit to the
Blessed Sacrament, that he may obtain the grace of practis­
ing obedience, and I bless him also. I do not write to him
a special letter, because I am not able.
1 Maffei was the agent at Iliceto of the Prince of Castellaneta,
and as the officials of the commune depended on him, he succeeded
in preventing our Fathers from cutting wood, and from using other
privileges.

480

General Correspondence.

[PART 1.

I bless you all, and especially your Reverence in the
pitiable state in which you are now. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

284.

To Don Giuseppe Caselle, at Rappola.
He recommends to him that he should regulate his family
affairs.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, April 18, 1757.

I have just received your last letter.
All goes well. As for myself, do not be uneasy. Quod
scripsi, scripsi. [What I have written, I have written.]
Do not spend your time in entertaining doubts. Devote
yourself to the arranging of your family affairs, so that you
may no more be annoyed by them.1 In the mean time
finish the study of Moral Theology, and recommend me to
Jesus Christ. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

285.

To a Father of the Congregation.

Hints as to the composition of a theological treatise.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
June 3, [the year uncertain].

Ask in my name Father N. to compose a treatise de
Incarnatione to be studied by our young men, because that
of Father N. does not please me; but do not let the latter
know this.
I should wish him to consult various authors, such as
1 He did not enter the Congregation, or at least he did not make
his profession.

1757·]

Letter 286.

481

Giovenino, Habert, Contensone, Petavio, Tournely, Gonet,
the Manual of Petrocorese, and to write not a book, but
Elements in which may be found the principal things. On
each question let only the principal reasons as also the
principal objections be given in a concise but clear style.
The Elements should exhibit the general notions of certain
things and of things controverted, so that one may thereby
avoid advancing an error or affirming anything that is
controverted. If need be, let him read those authors that
treat the matter in detail.
Let Father N. read these remarks, and gradually set to
work to compose the treatise, especially as I hear that he
has already begun to do so.
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 286.

To Father Celestino de Robertis.
He begs him to change his place of abode.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
June 4, 1757.

My dear Celestino: I see that in that house [of S. Angelo
a Cupolo] your Reverence and Father Villani do not agree
because between you two there exists a spirit of contra­
diction; for this reason I have to remove either your
Reverence or Father Andrea [Villani].
But it is not convenient for me at present to take away
F. Andrea, because the Archbishop [of Benevento] has
asked me not to take the latter from him ; hence if now I
remove him I should displease the archbishop. I therefore
beg you to leave that house immediately and to go to
Ciorani as soon as possible.
When setting out perform some act of humility in regard
to Father Andrea, because I do not wish that any grudge
should remain between you. A divergence of opinion

4^2

General Correspondence,

(parti

°r of appreciation should not take its abode in the heart
of him who wishes only God.
I bless you. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in our house at Innsbruck,
Tyrol.
LETTER

i

"3

287.

To Mgr. Vito Moio, Bishop of Muro.

Promise made to a prelate who was ill-disposed towards
the Institute.

[June 8, 1757.]

We the undersigned, Rector Major and Fathers of the
Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, promise and
also bind ourselves with an oath tacto pectore more sacerdotali. [with the hand on the breast after the manner of priests
taking an oath], not to receive nor cause to be received
into our, the said Congregation any subject (of whatever 1
state, grade, and condition, for whatever motive and even
most important reason) of the city and diocese of Muro,
without the express consent of Monsignor the Bishop of that
city and diocese ; which consent for greater caution must be
in writing.
I
The 8th day of June, 1757.
Alfonso de Liguori, Rector Major, promises and
swears as above.
Giovanni Mazzini, Consultor, promises and swears as
above. — Francesco Maria Margotta, Consultor, promises
and swears as above. — Girolamo Ferrara, Consultor, prom­
ises and swears as above. — Lorenzo d’ Antonio, Proc­
urator-General, promises and swears as above. — Celestino
de Robertis promises and swears as above. — Francesco
del Corpo promises and swears as above. — Donato Me-

1757·]

Letter 288.

4« 3

laccio promises and swears as above. — Pietro Blasucci
promises and swears as above. — Gaetano Spero promises
and swears as above. — Pasquale Bianco promises and
swears as above. — Mauro Murante promises and swears as
above. — Pasquale Amendolara promises and swears as
above. — Salvatore Gallo promises and swears as above.
After the original preserved in our house at Pagani.
LETTER

288.

To Father Gasparo Caione, Rector of the House at Caposele.
He requests him to watch over the observance of the
Rule and the preservation of the health of the subjects. —
Rules in regard to the teaching of theology.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera. 15. [July, 1757.]

You have answered wonderfully well in regard to the
ordinary confessor for Calitri.1 Continue now to say that
you do not dare to write to me on the subject, because that
would give me much pain, and I would never consent to so
grave a thing against the Rule, no, never; I say no more.
Father Margotta says that when there is question of the
interests of the whole Congregation, we should know how
to resist and be deaf to every solicitation for three and even
ten years.2
As for Frater Ricca, let him recover entirely, for he has
always been ailing and weak ; in October we shall speak
of his coming.3
1 The Archbishop of Conza wished to impose on the Fathers
of Caposele the duty of hearing the confessions of the nun<> of
Calitri ; a thing that was forbidden by the Rule of the Institute.
2 Father Margotta was a. native of Calitri. It was he whom the
archbishop wished to have as confessor of the nuns.
8 The young man Amato Ricca had begun his novitiate March
25 of this year, but on account of weak health he was sent to
Caposele. He made his profession at Ciorani, April 20, 1758.

484

General Correspondence.

[parti.

I await Brother Giuseppe Caputo to arrange matters for
the ordination of his son.1
Send Father [Pietro] Petrella to Ciorani to drink the
waters. Here no more persons are received.
As for the affair of Brother N. reported to me by Father
Ferrara, do you really believe that I ever lent an ear to
what that good Brother said? The Brother, you know,
often talks nonsense, and I reprimanded him severely; still
he will always remain what he is.
I hear that several students have been a little unwell.
In the morning, during the hot weather, let them go
out during the time one may walk without being in­
convenienced by the sun, that is, before the sun becomes
very warm.
'fl
I wish that the students should enjoy good health; it
matters little that they lose on this account two hours
of study. Let them go out also in the evening, and have
at least an hour’s recreation.
.
If you have still to speak in reference to the confessor for
Calitri, express yourself in regard to the matter yet more
strongly. Arrange things in such a way that, if it can be
done, I may not be obliged to write about this subject; for
if I must write I should have to express myself with still
greater force, and we might thereby displease the arch­
bishop.
As for Frater [D. Vincenzo] Striano I should like to
know what is to be done; I shall have to reflect on the
matter.
J
As for the scholastic questions about the sacraments, I
do not wish that there be taught opinions contrary to those
that we hold in Moral Theology. I speak of the principal
9

1 Giuseppe Caputo, having become a widower, retired into our
Congregation in company with his son, and became a lay-brother.
When the time for his son’s ordination drew near, he was expected
at Ciorani to settle about the patrimony of his son.

•

1757-1

Letter 288.

485

questions; of attrition, of the minister of marriage, and also
of the intention that the minister must have to do what the
Church does, etc.
In important and the like principal questions I wish that
the common opinions and those that I myself teach in my
Moral Theology should be followed and maintained as
much as possible. I do not write specially to Father Leo
because the Brother is about to depart; but you may tell
him that on this point I do not wish him to make any
reply. If the Lector holds a contrary opinion, let him
keep it to himself; for the rest he must practise obedience,
and endeavor to defend our opinions by the best possible
reasons, endeavoring to become attached only to those
opinions that are conformable to obedience.
Tell Father Leo that I shall not listen to Father N.........
and that he should guide himself as seems best to him. It
will be sufficient that a two year’s course in theology be
given, and that the principal treatises, de Deo, de Trinitate,
de Incarnatione, and de Gratia be taught. Ask him from
me not to devote too much time to history, as Father
[Alessandro de] Meo has done.
What I wish him to do is to explain thoroughly the
dogmas, the distinctions, terms, and principal questions
treated by the scholastics: these, called Elements, are
necessary for preaching, etc. As for the rest, every one
will study what he can.
I have spoken of certain questions, such as the institution
of marriage, etc. I have not done so in order to criticise
N......... I intended to write to him, for I do not wish
outsiders to look upon us as fanatics, nor as would-be-learned
men. Common opinions as a general rule are the most
probable, and when we fellow opinions that are common,
we cannot be criticised.
Recommend to l· rater [D. Giuseppe di] Lucia not to be
uneasy about what he hears those say that are not Supe­

486

General Correspondence,

[PART I.

riors; and when he hears the Superior speak, he should
grow calm by conforming to obedience; and if obedience
requires that he should not study, such will certainly be the
will of God.
I bless all.
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[P. .S.] I do not wish that Purcozio 1 should be any
more criticised as I hear that he is, for the purpose
of bringing him into discredit. This book has met with
general approval ; why should we criticise it? If any one
wishes to find fault with it, let him do so privately; for my
part I wish to be obeyed. If obedience ceases with us, it
will be all over with the Congregation.
Privately: N. N. . . . writes to me in great trouble that
the spirit is waning, poverty is practised only partially and
charity is no longer disinterested; do not say a word to
him, for he has written to me with great secrecy. Be care­
ful. This subject makes me tremble. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Neapolitan edition of 1848.
LETTER 289.

To Sister Maria di Gesù, Carmelite, at Ripacandida.2

He exhorts her to patience and gives her other advice.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, July 22, [1757].

I have received your letter of July 4, with the letter
of Marquis Brancone.
1 Edmond Purchot (Purcozio), Rector of the Paris university
(1651 — 1734)· The fourth edition wof his Institutiones philosophica
appeared at Lyons and at Paris in 1753. — The edition of Padua is
of 1751·
iS

2 After one year of government this holy religious had again
become a simple subject.

I757-]

Letter 289.

487

How great was the joy I felt when I learned that you had
descended to the rank of a simple subject for the greatest
benefit of your soul ! But the harrowing fears that produce
in your soul a sort of agony cause me still greater joy.
If you had not these trials I should fear that you are not a
true disciple of Jesus Christ; for Jesus Christ treats his
cherished souls as he himself has been treated. Oh, how
beautiful it is to walk in the way of the cross and to
accompany our blessed Redeemer! Oh, how sure is this
road on which one cannot go astray !
I feel very grateful to you for the remembrance of me in
your prayers. Continue, I entreat you, to remember me
always, especially now, when having fewer external cares,
you can commune with Jesus Christ all by yourself.
I do not write specially to Sister Maria Celeste, but I
communicate to her through you who knows all. Recom­
mend to her, my dear Mother, not to say to Mgr. [Teodoro
Basta] that she does not wish his direction; and induce her
not to take another director: this would not be proper.
Let her keep herself in peaceful indifference, and in her
difficulties let her ask your advice.
I send you the portrait of Brother Gerardo î1 it is one
of those that Don Benedetto gave me and that he had
printed. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

1 The Venerable Brother Gerardo Maria Maiella died in the odor
of sanctity, October 15, 1755. Father Caione had his portrait taken
and many copies of it were printed at the expense of Don Benedetto
Grazioli of Atelia who had held the holy Brother in the highest
esteem. This esteem was shared by Sister Maria di Gesù who had
the happiness of speaking more than once with the Venerable
Brother. She had been a witness of one of his ecstasies. See Life
of Brother Gerardo.

488

General Correspondence.
letter

[parti

290.

To the Same.

The feelings of the king towards the Congregation are not
those of Marquis Brancone.
H

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, October 2, [1757?]

A few lines only. — I have had the fever for many days
past; but to-day, thanks be to God, I am free from it.
Canon Caselie has already arrived ; but I have yet to
speak to him at my leisure. Pray to God to grant him the
necessary strength ; for in the embarrassed state in which
we find ourselves many privations will have to be endured.
In regard to Marquis Brancone, I thank you for the zeal
with which you have recommended us to him. May Jesus
Christ reward you for this! But, my dear Sister, if our
affairs do not turn out well, it will not be Brancone’s fault.
He does all that he can to assist us. It is the king that
does not wish to grant our request; this he himself has
declared to the Archbishop of Naples who spoke to him in
our favor. We must then ask God to change the heart
of the king. However, may God bless his Majesty, and
may we become saints !
Recommend me to Jesus Christ and salute for me all your
Sisters. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

■■MM·

I757-J

Letter 291.

489

LETTER 29I.

To the Fathers of His Congregation.
Explanations as to the vow of poverty. — Various Recom­
mendations.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, October 3, 1757.

My dear Brethren in Jesus Christ: For the benefit
of general observance I have thought it to be my duty to
lay down the following rules: —
After having carefully examined with the Consultors
whether it is contrary to poverty to receive uncertain
restitutions, and whether the confessors can apply them at
their pleasure to pious works, it has been decided upon the
authority of Doctors and upon the authority of reason that
to act so would undoubtedly be against poverty.
Father Lohner in his Bibliotheca manualis puts this
question: Is it permitted (to a religious) to receive money
or anything else to distribute among the poor ?— and he
answers : By receiving any object with the power of giving
it to these persons or those, he that receives it would act
against his vow if he distributed it at his own pleasure
without being authorized to do so by his Superior; because
it is out of order that he that is bound by the vow of poverty
should act as if he had the ownership or the use of what
has been put into his hands.1 — For the same reason Father
Rodriguez says that “not only is it contrary to the vow
1 “An liceat ab alio pecuniam accipere, vel simile quid, quod
in pauperes distribuatur?” (Et respondet.) “Si ita accipiat ut libe­
rum ei sit his vel illis dare, tum omnino contra votum facturum, si
accipiat sine facultate (Superioris), cum neque proprietas, neque
usus illius rei, independens a Superiore, cuiquam paupertatis voto
obstricto conveniat.” — Paupertas, torn. 3, tit. 112, § ii. in fine.

490

General Correspondence.

[parti.

oi poverty to take a thing· as one’s own, but to have the
use and free disposal ol it without the permission of the
Superior.” 1
Azor says that this decision is conformable to the
common opinion of authors. It is equally certain, he says,
a religious cannot have any peculium of the second kind
(that is, with the faculty of disposing of it at his own
pleasure) ; for the use or the administration of a good
is indeed repugnant to the vow of poverty as long as the
Superior cannot direct in this the will of his inferior.
In fact, a religious cannot possess anything as his own; now
the power of using or disposing of property without de­
pendence on the will of the Superior would be equal to the
possession of a thing as one's own? It is for the same
reason, adds Azor, that the Council of Trent has decided
that the use of movable property belongs only to those who
are officials, and that they are to act only according to the
will of the Superior?
The reason of this decision is clear; because the use
of an object that is made independently of the will of the
Superior by him that is bound by the vow of poverty in an
act of ownership, which is injurious to the vow.
This being established, in order to relieve myself from
every scruple as to the oath that I have taken to permit no
personal use independent of the Superior, and also to123
1 Religious Perfection, part 3, treat. 3, ch. 15.
2 “ Certi item juris est, non posse religiosum secundi generis
peculium habere : nam etiam voto paupertatis repugnat usus vel
administratio, in qua Abbas nutu suo monachum amovere non
possit; religiosus enim nihil proprium habere potest, sed usus vel
administratio, quam quis pro libitu habet, nullius alterius voluntati
subjectam, est aliquid proprium.” — Azor, part. i. lib. 12, cap. 9,
vers. Hoc posito.
H
3 “ Administratio autem bonorum monasteriorum seu conventuum
ad solos officiales eorumdem, ad nutum Superiorum amovibiles,
pertineat.” — Sw. 25, de Regular, et Monial, cap. 2.
/U

ns?.]

Letter 2y i.

491

obviate many other inconveniences, I have found it expedient
to ordain, and by these presents I ordain for each and all,
that all uncertain restitutions received by our confessors,
when they are at home, should be carried to the Rector, to
be employed in pious works; and if they are on missions
these restitutions shall be put into the hands of the Superior
of the missions, who shall use it with prudence for the
expenses of the mission, or to give them in alms. Finally,
in order to avoid all violation and all misinterpretation
of the ordinance I am giving, I expressly forbid confessors
to suggest to their penitents that they should express the
intention that the restitution be assigned to such or such a
work ; for this would be eluding this ordinance.
As for the obedience that is due to me, I am often
obliged to repeat the same things in order to be obeyed.
Where is then, my Brethren, this delicate fidelity that God
asks of you? What peace can a subject have who acts
contrary to the intention of his Superior? As for myself, I
know not how this can be excused before God. I fear that
some great chastisement from God will befall him. It is
only twenty-four years since the Congregation has been
established ; and if such behavior continues, what will
become of it a hundred years hence?
I recommend to you what the Rule says about letter­
writing.
I do not wish the subjects to receive letters
unless they have before submitted them to the inspection
of the Superior. He shall not read them if they regard
matters of conscience; otherwise I charge the Superiors to
open all the other letters without exception, and at least to
glance over them before giving them to the religious to
whom they are addressed.
I expressly forbid our religious to go to the houses
of seculars without permission from the Superior, unless in
a case of urgent necessity when there is no time to ask
permission. I specially recommend that we should not go

492

General Correspondence.

(parti.

to the monasteries of nuns without the permission of the
Rector himself.
I earnestly recommend
that no one should make known
*
to strangers the affairs of the Congregation or of the house.
What misery it is to see strangers better instructed about
our affairs than our own people !
I again advise and recommend that when there is question
of allowing the subjects to spend the night outside of our
houses, especially if it is for several days, you take care to
give me notice if there be time to do so.
I recommend that obedience should be paid to the
Superiors of the houses and of the missions as it is paid to
myself. In regard to this I have heard many complaints.
The Chapter has declared that in reference to the
question of knowing whether as to the expenses of more
than twelve scudi the Consultors have a decisive voice, we
should conform to the practice of the Pious Workers. In­
formation on this subject has been asked, and the answer
was in the affirmative. Let all the Rectors, therefore, be
guided by this decision.
I earnestly request that no postulant be sent to me to be
received, unless I have previously received notice.
I strictly enjoin that there be put in execution the
ordinance of the Chapter prescribing that in every house a
book should be kept of receipts and expenses also of the
alms; moreover that in the sacristy, as the Sovereign
Pontiff ordains, there be a table giving the Masses that
have been founded.
I recommend above all that the Masses be not said with
precipitation ; for this would give more scandal in us than
in other priests.
As to the missions, I advise (i) a day of retreat
for each month. Let us (2) not seek to have particular
food during the missions; provided we have soup and
boiled meat, we should not ask for anything else. The

χ757·]

Letter 291.

493

observance of this rule will give great edification ; if now we
begin to relax in it, we shall in a short time relax in
everything. (3) We should not, especially on missions,
make confidants of strangers; let there be no useless
conversation. We must always be polite although we
should be reserved. (4) I recommend modesty of the
eyes ; it is even more necessary than the preaching
of sermons. (5) The Chapter of faults should be held on all
the missions. (6) We should guard against joking in the
presence of strangers. Let the Superior always appoint a
censor who is to take notice of faults and to inform me
of them. (7) There should always be a Prefect of the
church, and a Prefect of peace; the latter may at the same
time take charge of those that are engaged to be married,
and he should persuade them to marry as soon as possible.
(8) I recommend to him that is charged to preach the
principal sermons to recite with the people before the
sermon, morning and evening prayers according to the
formula that I have indicated in my little book. We
should recommend the tolling of the bell to announce that
some one is dying ; let the manner of tolling be different
according to the rank of the person. We should invite the
faithful to recite then an Our Father and a Hail Mary for
the dying. This practice is useful both for the sick and for
those that are in good health.
I embrace you all in Jesus Christ. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.

494

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

LETTER 292.

To Sister Maria Angela Rosa Graziano, in the Convent of the
SS. Rosario at Naples.
He recommends to her obedience and perfect detachment.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
[Nocera], October 16, [1757].

I answer your letter.
As regards your direction, I have assigned to you a
good guide; obey him then, and you will become a saint.
As for mortifications, ask for them frequently; then do
what you are told. I rejoice that you are detached from
your relatives, but I regret that you are so troubled on
account of my absence. All your affections, you should
know, should be reserved for the infinite Good who alone
merits all love. Moreover, when I go to Naples, all my
time is taken up with business, and I afterwards try to go
away as soon as possible without seeing relatives or friends.
You will then do well to pray for me. On my part, I pray
to Jesus to your intention that Jesus Christ may entirely
possess your heart without any reserve. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

1757·]

Letter 2 94-

495

LETTER 293.

To the Same.

Recommendations in regard to obedience.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, 28, [October, 1757 ·]

Since Don Giovanni Battista is absent, provided he has
not returned, begin to do what I have told you ; but on his
return, ask him for the necessary permissions. Pray to
Jesus Christ and Mary for me. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
letter 294.

To Mother Maria Cherubina Dei Sette Dolori, Carmelite
at Ripacandida.
He exhorts her zealously to maintain regular observance.

Live Jesus, <Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, October 29, [1757].

I have read your letter, and I see with regret that you
are so timid, and that you have too much consideration
when there is question of maintaing regular observance : for
the loss of observance is the ruin of the monastery; and
if you begin thus, what will happen later?
S. Andrea Avellino, when there was question of ob­
servance, always raised his voice against those Superiors on
whom regular observance depended. Speak then forcibly,
and speak always, without troubling yourself about the fact
that you are regarded as indiscreet and imprudent.
Yes, for a work of charity, the Prioress can sometimes

496

General Correspondence,

[part i.

omit the common acts, but if this happen often, it would
not be well.
For you as well as for the others to have special con­
veniences without a particular reason, for instance, on
account of sickness or the like, is a disorder that may ruin
the Community. I say the same of other things.
Prayer is recited before meals, after meals, and at all
times, even in the last agony ; do not therefore fear to pray
after having eaten, and even to read something, though
this should be done without effort.
When you write, write briefly, and only what is neces­
sary. Pray every day for me. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 295.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
He indicates to him the manner of treating a student who
is tempted against his vocation.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
November 3, [1757]·

My dear Don Gasparo: Frater Siniscalchi is very much
disturbed, and I see that he has many faults. I shall
answer him accordingly. But, what can be done? Let us
apply the best remedy that we can.
I have written to him that he should depend on you ; try
to arrange this matter. He has, as far as I can see, a taste
for the study of Moral Theology; but Father Leo wishes
him to review arithmetic and those things that he has
already studied, and requires him to spend the whole
morning in this kind of study.
It is indeed useless to make him repeat what he has
already gone through. Hence it is my wish that he should
apply himself to Moral Theology according as you may

Letter 2()ζ.

1757·]

497

judge best, as I am too far away and cannot attend to this
matter. Act as if all this came from yourself and settle
everything. Let us in this way remedy two evils.
Frater Siniscalchi says, moreover, that you as well as
Father Leo cannot look at him, and that you tell Father
Leo all that you know about him. I tell you this for your
own guidance, but I beg you to keep this a secret.
He is a young man of much talent, yet at present he is
weak and very much tempted.1 Let us help him as far as
we can without prejudice to regular observance.
The retreat of half a day on Sundays should last till the
signal is given for dinner, and no longer ; after this time
there is no longer any retreat.2
Among other things Frater Siniscalchi complains that
when he speaks to you, you scarcely answer him. I inform
you of this that you may treat him with greater con­
sideration ; for you must know that he is violently tempted.
Tell Father Leo that I have ordered twelve copies
of Tournely’s Compendium ; but these cost money and I
am bankrupt. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved at Rome in our convent at
Monterone.
1 Francesco Siniscalchi, knew not how to overcome the temp­
tations that assailed him and he was allowed to leave the Con­
gregation, December 30, of this year 1757. Having then become a
priest, he was a few years afterwards assassinated in Sicily by a
friend to whom he had lent some money.
2 The students of the Congregation must make a short retreat
every Sunday till the signal which is given before dinner.

32

498

General Correspondence.
LETTER

[PART I.

296.

To Father Antonio Tannoia.

a
He reproaches him for having revealed to him too late the
unworthiness of a novice.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, November 25, [year uncertain],

I have received your letter, and I say : May God make
you a saint !
Only now, you and Father N., etc., send me information
in regard to Frater P. after he has made the vows! Had I
known what I know now, I would have dismissed him a
thousand times. But now what is to be done?
I had put off the profession, and still nothing was said to
me. Well! may God make you all saints! I have
restricted him so that he might take his departure of his
own accord. I have sent him word that he should not
think of Mass, etc. — In a word, may God make you all
saints! to have waited till now to send me the necessary
information! Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

297.

To Father Pietro Blasucci,1 Prefect of the Students at
Ciorani.
How he should act in regard to an indocile student.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, December 20, 1757.

Oh, what a fine remedy you have found for Frater
Tamangi! I shall send him back to you at Christmas!
1 Father Pietro Paolo Blasucci, one of the chief ornaments of our
Congregation, was born at Ruvo, in the diocese of Muro, February
22, 1729. Having finished the humanities and philosophy, he found

1757·]

Leite

I absolutely forbid your Reverence and all the Superiors
(and tell this to all, to the Rector, Father Saverio, etc.)
never to send him to me ; and I particularly forbid him to
call upon me unless he has first humbled himself and comes
to ask my pardon; tell him that unless he does this he
shall never see my face again. Command him then in my
name to come no more in search of me, if he has not
changed.
If he wishes to write to me, let him do so; but I have
already told him that if he speaks to me about a dispen­
sation I will, at the very beginning while reading his letter,
tear it to pieces and send him no answer.
I will therefore send him to yon at Christmas! Now
what more have I to say to him that I have not told
him? If he begins to commit faults, and does not wish to
study for the purpose of leaving the Community, make an
arrangement with the Superior; have recourse to punish­
ments, to fasts ; keep him away from the society of others ;
take away his Communions.
In regard to Communions do what you think best; but
himself impelled to follow the generous example of his younger
brother Domenico, who had entered our Institute, and secretly fled
from his father's house. He received the habit, August 14, 1752,
and on the same day of the following year, he made his profession.
We may easily form an estimate of his talents, of his prudence and
of his other striking qualities when we learn that St. Alphonsus
promoted him, though he was still a young man, to the important
position of Superior and director of the Sicilian missions. Blasucci
was only thirty-two years of age when he undertook to found the
house at Girgenti. It would take a large volume to record all his
labors on that abandoned island, and the many petty annoyances
which he had to suffer from evil-minded men and from the civil
authorities. In the year 1792, Father Pietro Paolo was elected
Superior-General of the Congregation, and after governing the
Institute in a saintly manner for twenty-four years, he died full
of virtue and merit in our house of S. Michele de' Pagani, May 13,
1817, at the age of eighty-eight.

500

General Correspondence.

[parti.

as for so many Communions for one that is unfaithful, for
one that wishes to abandon God, after God has called and
accepted him, I know not what good they can do him.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
As for [the student Don Giuseppe] Paravento, of course
send him with the others to Iliceto for the feast.
With regard to the young man of Cava, he has been
accepted, but it will be necessary to have an understanding
with Mgr. Borgia. He himself will speak to you. Live
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in our convent at St. Trond,
Belgium.

LETTER 298.

To Father Antonio Tannoia, Master of Novices at Iliceto.
He earnestly recommends to him a postulant.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, April 5, 1758.

Read the enclosed letter which I have addressed to
Father Rector [Francesco Giovenale], and send it at once
to him by a messenger.
I recommend to you this young man; give him the
habit, and show him great charity ; listen to him every time
that he wishes to speak to you, and assist him, for he is a
subject of great promise. He is now well disposed, but he
is greatly tormented by temptation, having led in the past
rather a free life.
If he should unfortunately fall into sin, frighten him, but
at the same time animate him with confidence for all that.
Do not you yourself lose confidence if he now and then

1758.]

Letter 299.

501

happens to fall. Say the same to Father Gisone 1 or to
any other Father whom this young man chooses as his con­
fessor. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 299.

To the Priest Angelo Maione,2 in the Novitiate at Iliceto.

His fears in regard to the health of this novice.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, April 9, 1758.

My dear Don Angelo: I have read your letter; but I
also received a letter from Father Master, in which he
informs me that he has it from your own mouth that you
have been suffering from this pain in the head for several
years, and that you are troubled even with vertigo.
My dear Don Angelo, if it is true that you are subject to
this headache, how could you remain in the Congregation
in which one must give much time to spiritual exercises,
and remain shut up during the novitiate, and then besides
these exercises apply one’s self to one’s studies? If you
fatigue your head by forced work, you will entirely ruin
your health, you will become useless both to yourself and
to the Congregation, and you will lead a miserable life; for
if the pain has once become settled in the head, it cannot
be got rid of.
However, I do not say that you should leave at once;
1 Father Gisone was then socius of Father Tannoia, or assistant
of the Master of novices.
2 Don Angelo Maione was born at S. Domenico, in the diocese
of Cassano, March 17, 1733, and was admitted into the novitiate,
August 15, 1758; he made his profession, April 15, of the following
year.
For a long time he was a most useful member of the
Congregation, but unfortunately he afterwards disgraced himself by
attempting to introduce the Regolaniento, a matter which is treated
in the “ Life of St. Alphonsus.”

502

General Correspondence,

[PART I.

let us wait a little while to see how things will turn out.
Consult Signor N., and let me know what he says when he
returns; tell him to write to me clearly what he thinks
of your health. Recommend me to Jesus Christ.
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

300.

To Father Antonio Tannoia.

Various counsels relative to the Master of novices and to
the novitiate.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, April 10, 1758.

I have received a copy of the long address against N.;
and I have also received the reproof that you administer to
me.
I well understand that the Master of novices would be
more tranquil if he himself were the Rector of the house;
that would be better for his own repose, but still greater
inconveniences would result therefrom.
I shall write to the Rector and mark out for him a line
of conduct, and let him know that he should not interfere in
the internal concerns of the novitiate ; but it will not be well
to let others see my letter; it suffices that I write him
privately.
As for the young man, I will briefly, as I am not well,
point out to you what you should do. Keep him still on
trial at least for a month ; watch his behavior, and after this
delay, if he conducts himself well, give him the habit.
As for the disease from which he has been suffering, the
doctors write to me that he has entirely recovered. If this
be not true, it will be a disease that one cannot hide, and
then we have still one year for his probation. In the mean
time it would be well to try him by mortifications; and

1758.)

Letter joi.

503

then, if he receives the habit, we should always subject him
to trial.
I also hear that the priest of Masi has a delicate stomach
so that he cannot retain his food. Write to me what is his
condition.
I bless you all. In summer you may permit the novices
to go out evenings.
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 301.

To the Same.
The saint makes some arrangements in the novitiate and
the house at Iliceto.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, April 29, 1758.

As for Scalese,1 I wish him a happy journey.
In regard to Maione, inform me how he is doing. He has
written me a very touching letter.
When your Reverence comes here, bring with you the
directory, since the series of exercises for the morning
appear to me to be too long; try to divide it. And now
that the weather has become warm, it will be necessary for
the novices to go out often.
When Father Polestra comes, tell him privately that I
appoint him inspector of the house. He should inform me
every month of any disorder that strikes him as important :
I say important, because it will not be necessary to send
word to me about trifles. It will be sufficient if he writes to
me this one line : there is nothing of importance.
Tell Father Giovenale that I do not write to him, as
there is no news.
Father [Stefano] Liguori has arrived in time; had he not
1 A novice just dismissed.

504

General Correspondence.

[part i.

arrived, there would have been great confusion, because
there was no one to give the spiritual exercises to the
priests.
The three novices 1 that have been sent have been ad­
mitted to profession.
Believe me, dear Father,
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[Postscript by the secretary]: Our Father says that at
table should be read li Disinganni 1
2 till it is finished, but
only the Lives} not the Reflections.
After the original preserved in the archives of our house at
Pagani.
LETTER 302.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
One cannot without the gravest inconveniences absolve a
subject who has left the Congregation without having re­
ceived his dispensation.

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
May 30, 175S.

My God ! what news must I hear from that house ! I
learn that in consequence of a consultation held by several,
N. has been absolved on condition that he asks for a dis­
pensation ! Now he has hundreds of times asked me for
1 These three novices, sent from Iliceto to Ciorani before their
profession, were Amato Ricca, Teodosio Telesca, and Andrea
Morza. They made their vows April 20 into the hands of Father
Pietro Paolo Blasucci.
2 The title of this work is as follows: “ Disinganni per vivere e
morire bene, sopra le cinque parole di S. Paolo apostolo, opera
composta dal P. Francesco della Croce, carmelitano scalzo.” (Disenchantments, or Instructions to Live and Die Well, founded on
Five Words of St. Paul the Apostle. Work composed by Father
Francis of the Cross, a discalced Carmelite.)

1758.]

Letter 302.

5°5

a dispensation ; it was, therefore, not necessary for you to
to impose this upon him as an obligation. In short, what
he could not obtain from Rome he has obtained from this
house !
Oh, what pain has it been to me to hear such news !
But what necessity was there for you to touch upon so
delicate a point on which depends the maintenance of the
Congregation? If you thought that he could be absolved
on this condition, were there no other confessors in the
world to absolve him ? As to the one that has thus absolved
him outside of the danger of death, I do not know how he
could have formed his conscience. When there is question
of doing difficult things, as has really happened, one does
not give absolution before the accomplishment of that which
has to be performed.
And then whence should this dispensation come? I for
my part will never give it, if he that leaves without dis­
pensation does not return to the Congregation. When he
returns and has received the required penances, then I will
reflect on what should be done. I judge that this is the
way every Rector Major should act, if he does not wish to
lose his soul and be the cause of ruin to the Congregation.
I have conferred with the Cardinal Penitentiary at Rome
in regard to this matter; and if I should see that the
Penitentiary would grant such dispensation, I would resolve
to write and write again to the Sovereign Pontiff. But our
house at N. does what the Penitentiary at Rome does
not do!
Communicate the contents of my letter to all the Fathers
of your Community, and especially to those that have
given this beautiful advice. I also beg you to make known
in accordance with prudence the substance of this letter to
all our young men [students] and to the Brothers so that
this example may not be the cause of ruin to others.
After the Roman edition.

506

General Correspondence,

letter

[part i.

303.

To Father Emanuele Caldarera, of the Congregation of the
Oratory.

He testifies his friendship for him and recommends himself
to his prayers.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, June 9, 1758.

My dear Father Emanuele : I am consoled to hear of the
little present that you have received from Jesus Christ,
of the mortification that he has sent you ; but I am sorry on
account of the loss of souls.
Be without disquietude; I will not omit to recommend
you to the Lord ; but I beg you do not forget our agree­
ment.
About the middle of July we may see each other at
Naples. — I have destroyed the letter. Live Jesus, Mary,
and Joseph !
I have read with great joy what you tell me about the
four novices.
Do me the favor of sending the enclosed letter to one
of your Fathers at Palermo.
Believe me, dear Father,
Your very devoted and very grateful servant,
Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

ï75«J

Letter 304.

507

LETTER 304.

To the Fathers and Students of the Congregation.
(This letter was written in the name of the saint by Father Fabrizio
Cimino.)

The Propaganda had requested missionaries for Asia ; an
appeal is made to the zeal of the subjects of the Institute.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, July 18, 1758.

My dear Fathers and Fratres in Jesus Christ: I have
been requested by our Father to communicate to you the
news that he has been asked to send young men to the
foreign missions of Asia. There various people of the
Nestorian sect have most earnestly asked to be instructed in
Catholic dogmas in order to be united with the Roman
Church in which the grace of our Lord makes us know that
eternal salvation is to be found.
Behold there is opened to us a vast field in which the
harvest is quite ready and is waiting to be gathered in by'
workmen animated with zeal. Look at those unfortunate
nations who bathed in tears raise a suppliant voice to
heaven, and conjure the Lord to send you to them. They
extend their arms towards you and beg you to come to
withdraw them from the fatal ignorance in which they have
lived for more than thirteen hundred years. Unfortunate
people ! they do not wish to resort to those that have
hitherto guided them in the ways of error, and they'
address themselves to you whom they regard as the true
dispensers of divine wisdom. In their extreme poverty,
they ask for nothing else but to be returned to the bosom
of the Church. It is you whom they supplicate; you, I
say, that show yourselves so generous towards your fellowcountrymen ; it is you whom they conjure not to value their
souls less than those of our own country. They' have had

5o8

General Correspondence.

lparti.

the same Creator, they were formed of the same substance,
and have as much right as we have to the blood of our
Lord Jesus Christ. One may even say that there is a
species of justice that should urge us to carry the light
of truth into the country whence we have received it.
If the journey frightens you, they promise to recompense
you by a most affectionate reception ; if the inconveniences
make you shudder, they assure you of a rich harvest.
If the fatigue that you would have to endure causes you to
fear, you should be encouraged by the eternal reward that
awaits you. And what reason could we have of not coming
to their assistance ?
My Fathers and Brothers, I am certain that several will
express to me their desire not to lose the crown that the
Lord deigns to present them with his divine hands, — a
crown with which I wish to see that the forehead of each
one may be adorned in the heavenly country.
In conclusion I recommend myself to your prayers, and
while humbly kissing your hands I sign myself
Your servant and Brother in Jesus Christ,
Fabrizio Cimino,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
letter

305.

To Father Pietro Paolo Blasucci, Prefect of the Students at
Ciorani.
He answers the students and gives them important advice.
(Read this letter to all the young men.)

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, July 27, 1758.

My dear Brethren : The petitions that you have sent me
have afforded me great joy; be assured that I say this
sincerely. I should.be most desirous to see several of our
young men go among the heathen to give their lives for

1758·]

Letter 305.

509

Jesus Christ; but I must first be certain of the spirit and the
perseverance of each one. I therefore beg you to apply
yourselves for the present to your studies ; for you cannot
set out without having finished your studies and having
undergone an examination at Rome. You should, above
all, become closely united to Jesus Christ. He that goes
among the heathen without having provided himself with
the love for Jesus Christ and with the desire to suffer, runs
great risk of losing the faith and his own soul.
Those that persevere in these dispositions will do well to
renew their request from time to time, say, every nine or
ten months. In the mean time become closely attached to
Jesus Christ, and pray to him every day that he may make
you worthy of so great a grace.
Pay attention, my dear Brethren: Leo rugiens circuit,
quœrens quem devoret. [The devil as a roaring lion walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour.—/ Leter, v. 8.] You
see that Frater [Maturazzo] 1 is already out of the Con­
gregation. In a short time God has driven away two that a
short time ago were among you. Be on your guard against
faults; for the devil acts in the following manner: At first
he lets us commit faults, and then he causes us to lose our
vocation. Be convinced that God wishes to have in the
Congregation only those that have a true desire to sanctify
themselves; as for the imperfect, sooner or later he will find
means of expelling them.
I therefore beg each one of you to ask every day
especially for the grace of perseverance in your vocation ; by
neglecting this many have lost their vocation. Let us
always tremble and pray; he that does not tremble and
does not continually pray cannot persevere.
1 Gaetano Maturazzo had made profession August 31, 1746. The
loss of vocation was for him the greatest misfortune; for after
leaving the Congregation he led a disorderly life and found his
death in a brawl, dying without the consolations of the Church.

510

General Correspondence.

(part i.

Let us not count upon the spiritual fervor that we may
experience; for if afterwards there comes over us rough and
stormy weather, all the resolutions that we have made will
disappear ; and if God does not aid us, we are lost. Always
sustain yourself by prayers, and ask without ceasing our
Lord to help you to die in the Congregation.
I love each one of you as much as I love myself or rather
I should say, more than I love myself; yet when I see any
one no longer loving the Congregation, I am forced in
spite of the pain that such a duty gives me to dismiss him
even if he were my own brother. I bless you, and I
remain, etc.
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[P. S.] Please tell Fathers Pentimalli and Buonassisi to
call on me one of these days as I wish to be informed
of certain matters.
After the original preserved in our house at Frosinone.
LETTER

306.

To Father Gasparo Caione.

Another answer to the letters of the students.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, August 11, 1758.

I am gladdened and am consoled by the request made to
me of going among the unbelievers. The going among
these unfortunate beings should always depend on obedi­
ence, since I cannot send all those that have applied to me.
It will however be necessary that the Lord should make
known to me who is truly called to do this work, and who
is not.........
After an old copy.

I75SJ

Letter 307.

LETTER

Su

307.

To the Novices at Iliceto.
He urges them to render themselves worthy of one day
going among the heathen.
[August 1758.]

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
My dear Children: Yes, if you always manifest to me by
proofs that you really have what is necessary in order to go
to evangelize the heathen, there will be no difficulty in
sending you.
But these proofs are not seen in the contempt that we
meet with purposely, but in the contempt which is patiently
borne when occasions suddenly arise. The contempt vol­
untarily sought after, or when one knows that it is purposely
given, will cause but little pain.
And so pay attention that from this day forward no one
should say to you: Are you one of those that wish to go to
Japan? Every day, especially at Communion, pray to
Jesus Christ for me, and I say this to all the novices as a
matter of obedience. Live Jesus and Mary!
Your brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original to be found in the diocese of Sant’Agata
de’ Goti.

512

General Correspondence,

[PART I.

LETTER 308.

To the Fathers and Brothers of the Congregation of the
Most Holy Redeemer.

He inculcates upon them the observance of various points
of the Rule.

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
Nocera, August 13, 1758.

My dear Fathers and Brothers: I again recommend to
all the observance of the Rule, and especially of obedience
in regard to which I learn that many are delinquents.
Endeavor to have always before your eyes the happy
death of so many of our departed brethren, young men as
well as Fathers’; and on the other hand, consider the
unhappiness of so many still alive, who live, or rather who
drag a weary existence outside of the Congregation ; and
if some one among them far from deploring their condition,
congratulates himself, he is only still more deserving of com­
passion and of tears. Let us, therefore, be on our guard,
because a repetition of the faults of which they have made
no account has been the cause of their ruin and has made
them lose their vocation. This is the reason why I here
recall several things that I have already spoken of and
published, and that will be of service to the new-comers.
In the first place, I will never give, and I cannot in
conscience give a dispensation from the vows to him that
asks it without a necessary and just cause; but it is not the
business of the subject to judge of this necessity and
of this justice; for when he is under the influence of passion,
it is not he, but his passion that will judge. Therefore, I
renew the formal prohibition, under pain of grave sin, that
no one leave the Congregation without my permission.
If any one from the other houses wishes to call on me, let
him ask permission of the local Superior; if he cannot

/

Λ

Letter 308.

i758,j

513

obtain permission, let him write to me, and let him not
leave the house without my express permission. This
command I also give under obedience, but not under
formal obedience ; only it should be known that he that acts
contrary to it will be subjected to a penance.
In case any one without a just cause asks for a dis­
pensation to leave the Congregation, I renew the order
already given ; namely, one should first endeavor to quiet
him who is thus agitated by temptation ; and if after
that he docs not wish to be satisfied, let him be kept in
strict seclusion for a month, with three days of fast on
bread and water every week. Moreover, let each one
know that if any one without just cause, through caprice or
passion should ask a dispensation from his vows, by that
very act he renders himself unworthy of remaining in the
Congregation, and can be justly expelled from it even
against his will.
You know the case of the Brother who, having gone
away without permission several months ago, continues to
live at enmity with God, with a sacrilege on his soul,
without finding any one to absolve him. His example
should make all those tremble that still have a fear of sin.
Again, when the temptation comes, communicate it at
once to those who you know are able to help you. Under­
stand well, that the temptation against our vocation is for
each one of us the most hurtful that the devil can ofïer,
because of its sad consequences. Therefore, my Brethren,
let each one of you, every day, while visiting the Blessed
Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin, ask in a special manner
for perseverance in your vocation. I advise each one in
particular not to trust his own good resolutions or feelings.
When passion comes, light is lost, and everything seems
changed. To speak the truth, I have seen enough in
others to make me tremble for all of you.
All, and especially the young members, should know
33

514

General Correspondence.

[parti.

that it is a grave fault to ask in case of sickness the per­
mission to go home to breathe the native air. General
experience teaches us that when one lives in Community
and according to regular observance, the air of one’s native
country and of the paternal home is an air that is pestilential
to the interior spirit and to one’s vocation. For this reason
let each one know that in cases where a change of air has
been ordered by the physicians, the Superiors, according as
they think best, shall send him to one of the houses of the
Congregation situated in another place, and let all hence­
forth renounce the idea of even going elsewhere, because
experience has shown what temptations may be introduced
by such indulgences.
I would remind all that it is not permitted to go to the
houses of seculars, and still less of relatives without a just
cause and an express permission. Such is the rule, and I
wish this rule to be observed with even more rigor than
other rules. Only in case of the mortal illness of a father
or a mother the Rule permits a visit. But there have been
several who in similar cases have sent word to their dying
parents that their presence and their care were not necessary,
and would only serve to increase their sufferings, and that
they would recommend them to God where they were.
They have abstained from going, and I have been greatly
edified by their conduct. It is certain that on such occasion!
they have rendered themselves very agreeable to God by
the example that they have given to others, as well as by
the mortification that they have practised.
I recommend again to all, to Fathers, young men, and
Brothers, obedience to any one that may be the Superior
of a house, even to him whose functions give him for the
moment a right to command, and were he even the least
of the brethren of the Congregation. It is on such occasions
that we see who is truly obedient. I am not edified so
much by the obedience given to me, as by that shown to

LctlCV JO8·

5I5

I

local Rectors, Prefects, Ministers, and other officials that
preside over the work of which they have charge. Faults
are committed against obedience. I trust that for the
future, with God’s help, certain things of this kind that
give me great pain will not occur again. Obedience is the
only thing that can preserve the Congregation, since it is
that which inspires fervor ; but obedience, I repeat, is to be paid
him who may hold the place of Superior, otherwise it will
be all over with the Congregation. All other faults can be
more easily pardoned than the faults of disobedience.
The faults against poverty are not less serious. Hence I
recommend to all the local Superiors, present and future,
that when anything is given through friendship to a member
of the Congregation, such as a snuff-box, a skull-cap,
handkerchiefs, stockings, and such like things, they should
not let him use them, but should it be necessary they
should give him something else of the same kind. This
precaution is necessary in order to maintain the spirit
of poverty in its purity; otherwise many inconveniences
would result therefrom, and a door would be opened to the
destruction of poverty, and poverty is another virtue that
preserves the spirit of the Congregation. As to the garments, habits, simars, and cloaks, when they are old and
torn, let the Superiors be careful to have them mended as
long as they are worth being mended. The Congregation
is to be pitied if the subjects are ashamed to appear in
patched garments. I hope that we may not have to deplore
a like misfortune.
As to what concerns myself, I again say, let all write
freely to me without fear of importuning me or hindering
the publication of my books. As Superior I am obliged to
listen to the humblest Brother of the Congregation, and to
read the letters that are addressed to me; this I am obliged
to do, but I am not obliged to publish books. I can only
employ myself in this way when I have spare time in the

j

1758.]

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516

General Correspondence.

[part i.

evening, after having listened to all that wished to speak to
me and after having answered all the letters that have been
addressed to me. If any one, notwithstanding, abstains
from speaking or writing to me concerning his own welfare
or the welfare of the Congregation I make this a case
of conscience, and will ask an account of it from him on the
day of judgment. I protest with regard to this that if I
were actually on my death-bed, I should have nothing to
reproach myself on this score. When it happens that any
one writes to me or comes to speak to me on things that
are of interest to himself or the Congregation, I lay aside
everything. I do not write with my own hand, because
ever since my late illness the weakness of my head hinders
me from writing; and when a religious wishes his name to
remain secret I so manage that it is not known even to him
that writes for me; for when it is necessary I address it
myself; I force myself to write the whole letter at intervals
with my own hand.
Let every one remove from his mind the impression that
I manifest the secrets that have been confided to me either
orally or in writing. I am very careful what I say, and
I tear up the letters. This fear often arises, for example,
from the fact that when I correct any one or do anything
that displeases a subject, the circumstances are easily com­
bined in order to conjecture who it was that has written or
spoken to me, and at times it is rightly conjectured. Then
the complaint is made that I reveal secrets. However, let
no one pretend that I am obliged to keep a thing secret so
that it may not injure him that writes or speaks to me. To
complain that I tell others certain things that do not require
secrecy, is ridiculous. If however any one desires that I
should keep a thing secret that of itself requires no secrecy,
let him tell me so expressly, and I will comply with his
wish.
In general, I recommend to you a few things, namely:

Leiter 308.

1758]

5'7

1. Let the Mass be said with gravity; for I hear that
many say it without observing order and decorum in the
ceremonies, or say it too precipitately. We preach to
others; and then..........
2. As to the Fathers that have travelling bags that may
be locked, they should, when at home, always leave them
open, so that the Superiors may examine them as often as
they wish ; otherwise they may keep them locked.
3. No one should take away the writings of another
without the express permission of the Superior. On this
subject I have heard many complaints on the part of some
who have lost their writings.
4. When a punishment is inflicted on the subjects by the
Rector Major or other Superiors, let no one endeavor to
find out by captious questions who gave information to the
Superiors of any disorder or any fault by addressing those
who he suspects have given the information ; for this would
injure the common good, since some fearing that they
would not be able to know how to answer when questioned,
would abstain from telling the Superiors what they should
tell. This especially holds good for those subjects that
have been appointed Zelators, or those that are suspected
of being secret inspectors.
5. I recommend anew, that all should hand over un­
certain restitutions to the Superior of the mission, and to
the Superior of the house w hen they are at home.
6. It is also again recommended not to make known our
affairs to strangers who through the fault of the subjects are
better informed than we ourselves. Even disedifying
things are communicated to them, and they afterwards
spread them everywhere.
7. Finally, I again remind you that when any of the
Fathers go to preach novenas, triduos, special exercises,
etc., or when they have to discharge any similar duty, they
should observe the same regulations as to food as when
33*

5i8

General Correspondence.

[parti.

they are on missions. I recommend this particularly to the
one that is chosen Superior, because he must render an
account, and on him the penance will be imposed.
I embrace you all in Jesus Christ. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER 309.

To Father Gasparo Caione, Rector at Caposele.
He exhorts him to moderate his labors, and gives him
advice in regard to an important matter.

Live Jesus, Mary, Michael, and Joseph!
Nocera, September 24, 1758.

I am obliged for just reasons to confirm you in your
office of Rector for the coming three years; but I do not
wish you to undergo excessive fatigue as you have been
doing. I say no more for the present. You must come
here after we find out the result of the illness of the arch­
bishop and after you have regulated your affairs conformably
to my instructions. We shall then speak of several things,
and in particular of the moderation with which you should
apply to your work; for your health cannot endure so
great fatigue.
We shall speak together among other things about
Brother Matteo. In fact he or Brother Pasquale is to come
here; but I think Brother Matteo would be preferable,
since Brother Pasquale has of old ruined his health in this
house. If then you could send Brother Matteo beforehand,
it would be well.
I expect you and Father Apice, as soon as you can set
out. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!

1758.]

Letter 310.

519

As for the affair of Postulation} I have maturely reflected
on it, and this is my advice. Not only would it be neces­
sary to wait for the death of the archbishop, but we should
have to proceed in everything with great secrecy ; for if the
proposal is not accepted the new archbishop will always feel
incensed against us for having interested ourselves in favor
of another. The strictest secrecy should be kept. Perhaps
it would be better to abstain from all intervention. For
postulations are, I think useless. Live Jesus and Mary!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original, the property of Signor Marchese Ferraioli at Rome.
LETTER 3IO.

To the Rectors, Ministers, Prefects and Superiors of the
Missions.
♦

Various recommendations.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, September 30, 1758.

1. I recommend that the Prefects of the Brothers should
be appointed, and when one is wanting another should be
substituted.
2. I recommend that according to the Constitution a
consultation should be held, in conformity with the Rule,
as to the necessary expenses. In view of the actual poverty
and embarrassed circumstances, when the expenses go
beyond the sum of forty ducats,2 I request the Superiors to
1 It seems that in view of the death of the Archbishop of Conza,
which occurred on October 24, the Fathers of the house at Caposele
wished to propose for his successor a person who in his quality
of bishop could not be elected, but had to be asked for. Hence the
canonical term of Postulation. We add that the See of Conza was
subject to Pontifical nomination.
2 40 ducats— 170 francs.

520

Genera I Correspondence.

[PART I.

give me notice beforehand, since many useless expenses
have been incurred in certain houses. This, however, is
not understood in regard to the provision that is to be
made for subsistence. If the Consultons, who have been
appointed are not at home at the time when the consultation
is to take place, there shall be called in those Fathers
of the house that are the oldest in the order of their
entrance into the Congregation.
3. All the shirts shall bear the mark of the house, so that
on missions there may not be any confusion on this account;
however, one should not be so uncharitable as to refuse the
use of shirts to others that may stand in need of them.
4. I recommend in general to all Superiors that they
should avoid all blameworthy partiality.
5. The Minister shall not give to the subjects of the
Congregation anything to eat outside of the house, excepting
fruit that is owned by the Congregation.
6. I earnestly recommend that in regard to food you
treat well the strangers that make the exercises ; for I hear
that for some time there have been great complaints in
regard to this matter. On account of a little expense one
endangers the great good that the exercises produce.
7. I recommend to the Rectors to remind their subjects
that every month they should make a manifestation of
conscience. They should also have bread made twice a
week, if possible.
( What follows should be read only to the Fathers, and
should not be communicated to the young men?)
To you especially, my dear Fathers, I recommend the
practice of holy obedience, not so much towards me as
towards the Superiors of the houses and of the missions.
On this point I experienced last year many annoyances; I
do not enter into particulars, because I hope that these
annoyances will no more be given. It appears that at
present the Superiors must repeat an order a thousand

1758)

Letter jzo.

521

times in order to be obeyed ; and even then on the part
of some subjects there are so many excuses, so many
objections that, finally, the Superiors are obliged in order
not to trouble them to relieve them of obedience. I repeat,
I do not wish for good reasons to reprove in particular any
one of those who I know has committed faults; but I
remember and will remember what I know.
Hence I recommend above all to the Fathers that they
should obey, especially on missions, any subject, whoever
he may be, that takes the place of the Superior. We have
at present so many young men full of talent and piety, who
can do a great deal of good. About twenty-five of them
have asked me to go among the heathen, and they have
asked me so courageously and fervently that I have been
filled with joy. But when they go out to work in the
ministry and continually see objections, excuses and the
unwillingness of the old Fathers to obey the Superiors,
they will do the same thing ; and then how will the Con­
gregation get on?
I also recommend that on missions one should not be too
free With the people of the place. We should act towards
them with the greatest politeness, but we should never be
wanting in gravity, so that they may learn and preserve
towards us the veneration that is due to men who are holy
and without blemish; this being necessary for their edifica­
tion. Otherwise, if we unbosom ourselves in conversing
with them, in talking about things that do not concern the
soul, they will discover in us a thousand defects, and will
by no means be edified. This is a thing that has already
been spoken of more than once; but I regret that faults are
always committed in this matter. If any one should not
correct himself on this point, I shall be obliged to keep him
away from the missions. Let no one, I beg you, meddle
with the affairs that do not concern the conscience of the
people that attend the mission. As to certain things that

52 2

General Correspondence.

[parti.

might cause some disorder or inconvenience, let them
never be done without counsel and without obedience.
Non omnia expediunt, [all things are not expedient].
I recommend moreover that the sermon on prayer should
never be omitted, and in case this cannot be done, let the
subject be treated at length in the last discourse at the
close.
It must be remarked, as is said in the Constitution, that
on the missions it is not allowed to partake of dainties no
matter in what manner they may have been received.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER 311.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
Details relative to pecuniary matters and to the purchase
of books.
[November 1758.]

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
I have received twenty-one ducats, that is seventeen and
a half for Tournely, twenty carlini for the other books, and
fifteen carlini for the Novenas.
As for the Novenas, I send twelve of them. Of these
twelve, six are paid with the fifteen carlini, and for the six
others, if you succeed in selling them, keep the money for
me, for I am overwhelmed with debt.
As for the copies of Tournely, we had already written to
Venice for the ten copies, because there are none here; but
ten copies cost at least twenty-four or twenty-five ducats ; it
will therefore be necessary that you have an understanding
with Father Apice, because I cannot now remit even three
carlini to pay the debt that I owe.
I was also expecting you here to speak to you about the
manner in which you might spend the money that has been

1758.]

Letter 31 /.

523

bequeathed;1 but now I hear from a letter written by
Father Ferrara that you have a debt of three hundred and
fifty ducats. Now there is no remedy ; this money must be
paid. The bedsteads must also be made, and the rest
of the money will be spent on the building; hence it is not
necessary for you to come here about this matter, because I
did not know anything about the debt of three hundred and
fifty ducats. However, that the order given in the letter
may be observed, inform me in what way you intend to
spend the rest of the money, after having deducted that
debt and the expenses for the bedsteads. I say only this to
you: if even I should need to borrow fifty ducats to pay
off" a certain debt, I shall send you word ; but I hope to
remedy this in another way.
Those copies of the Moral Theology, bound in two
volumes, which I have sent you, are worth twenty-six
carlini} but I shall be satisfied with twenty-five, and even
with twenty.
I have made a mistake: those copies of the Moral
Theology are still here ; I will, therefore, send them to you
on Saturday through the carriers of Teora; when they
reach you pay the freight and I will settle with you when I
write.
As for the young man from Avigliano,12 it is not necessary
to have him come here; you may send him at once to
Iliceto, since he has been already received. Send with him
twenty-five ducats, and tell the Superior of Iliceto expressly
from me that without interpretations he should immediately
have some new clothes made for him, namely, a cassock, a
simar and a cloak.
1 The Archbishop of Conza, Mgr. Giuseppe Nicolai, who died
November 8, of this year, had left a thousand ducats to our house at
Caposele.
2 Raffaelle Palumbo, a native of Avigliano, in the diocese of Potenza, began his novitiate December 25, 1758.

524

General Correspondence.

[parti.

Yes, I will write to Father Margotta ; but I hear that he
is now prevented on account of the money that has to be
collected from Gessari for Grazioli. I shall tell him to
hurry. I bless your Reverence and all.
Do not forget to have copied for me the treatise on
Sacred Scripture by Genovese, which I mentioned to you.
I send the image of the crucifix with that of the Madonna
for Frater de lacobis, the other pictures of the Madonna
are for the other students. Tell this Frater that in regard
to the other thing about which he writes to me I have
heard nothing, and therefore I do not write specially to
him. I have none of the little rosaries that are carried in
the hand.
A copy of Duplessis 1 I have tried to procure at Naples,
but I have not succeeded. I would therefore wish you to
endeavor to obtain it from the Frenchmen.12
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[D. S.] In regard to Frater Nigro I must here add that
I will not have him take any Orders, unless he makes an
assignment of his property, because I do not wish the
Congregation to be disquieted.3
After the original preserved in the church of St. Paul at
Piacenza.
1 A work of Charles Duplessis d* Argentré, Doctor of the Sor­
bonne; he died in 1740 Bishop of Tulle. In 1702 he published,
among other works, the Elements of Theology in Latin.
2 The Frenchmen, that is, the Fathers of the Mission.
3 The laws of the kingdom did not permit to those that were the
only sons to become priests; and because D. Lorenzo Nigro was the
only son of his family St. Alphonsus required him to renounce his
inheritance, so that the Congregation might not be molested. It
seems that this renouncement took place ; because in September
1759» B. Lorenzo was ordained priest at Benevento, outside of the
kingdom.

•<

I75SJ

Letter 312.

525

LETTER 312.

To the Same.

He speaks of the utility of having critical spirits in the
Community, of his poverty, and of some other things.

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
Nocera, November 22, 1758.

I never appointed Fr. de lacobis, I never dreamed
of appointing him, nor do I intend to do so. But I say
that I could have appointed him, and in case I had
appointed him I should not have recognized you in the
remarks that you have sent to me. 1 Moreover, to none
of the subjects can it be forbidden to write to me. As to
the visiting the rooms, I never gave permission, nor do I
know who gave it. And the affair about the Bambino
[Infant Jesus] has also displeased me.
Besides, speaking in general, I must say that these
critical spirits, as long as they do not go too far and do not
assume an authority that they have not, are very useful to
the Community, because they serve to keep every one on
his guard. This is exactly the case of Father Ferrara who
by his censures is very little loved by others, but, to speak
the truth, he greatly assists me in maintaining regular
observance. Now what is to be done? In Communities
one must swallow these bitter pills, but omnia cooperantur
in bonum [All things work together unto good — Rom. viii.
28.]
This evening I dismissed from the Congregation Father
1 It seems that Father Caione had complained that the saint had
appointed Frater D. Sebasliano de lacobis as secret inspector of the
Community at Caposele, an appointment that gave so much the
more displeasure, since he was only twenty-two years of age, and
was professed but one year.

526

General Correspondence.

[parti.

Barberio 1 not on account of grave faults, but for just
reasons.
Let us now come to another pill. Here on account
of the litigation that is going on with that blessed priest
of Calvanico, we shall have to come to some agreement, so
as to free ourselves at least from vexation
r
*; and I fear that
there will be no other way of obtaining money. Hence I
beg you to lay aside for this purpose one hundred ducats.
I do not wish to say that the house is to lose thereby, but
assistance must be given to me, and afterwards I shall have
you re-imbursed.
Tell Frater [D. Giovanni] Lauria that I have received his
letter; that I have no more to say at present; when the
time comes we shall speak about the matter.
Tell Frater Nigro to drive away all fear. He has made
the vows and has been accepted. How foolish is this fear
of being dismissed ! As regards other things let them be
settled by the Prefect, and in default of the Prefect by your
Reverence.
I have written in the mean time a reprimand for Frater
de lacobis. Indeed, my dear Gasparo, you will have to
bear these contradictions in every Community, even if you
were a St. Francis. How many of them have I to bear!
How many anonymous letters containing reproaches and
insults !
*
Moreover, I must inform you that Don Silvestro, a
nephew of Abate Ciceri 2 is going to the seminary, at our
expense, and money is required. Every house shall pay
1 Father D. Sabino Barberio, born December 23, 1712, had been
professed only seven weeks when he was dismissed from the
Institute.
2 Abate Giovanni Ciceri of Grottola in the diocese of Matora had
conceded to St. Alphonsus, November 3, 1757, the right of giving a
name for the laic chaplaincy founded by the same Abate, with the
obligation, as it seems, of contributing to the maintenance of one
of his family in a seminary.

i;58.)

Letter 313.

527

its share; at present send ten ducats. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER 313.

To the Same.

Various recommendations relative to the Community at
Caposele.

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
Nocera, December 12, 1758.

As regards the missions, your presence is more necessary
at home than on the missions ; hence govern yourself ac­
cordingly, but under present circumstances the less you
have to go out, the better I shall be pleased.
As for Father [D. Ignazio] Fiore if he is not yet twentynine years of age, I cannot grant him permission to hear
the confessions of women. — But you will say why can
others do so? etc. — But this would take too long, and so
it is not necessary to speak of it.
In reference to the quartan fever with which Father
[Domenico] Caputo is afflicted, try to procure the recipe
from Don Domenico Antonio Cappuccio; the medicine
consists of brandy and chincona bark ; it is a great remedy
and cured Father Landi at once; but if I mistake not, ten
paroxysms of fever have to be gone through.
I have received the ten ducats. Here we are engaged in
litigations and greatly involved. The Lord is chastising us.
Father Fiore will likely have to return to Ciorani to teach
the humanities ; although I should wish to have him stay
there as little as possible. — And as Father Margotta says,
it will not be improbable that your Reverence will have to
go to give the exercises to the clergy of Cava two weeks before

528

General Correspondence,

[parti.

Septuagesima Sunday, the exercises to begin on Tuesday.
I bless all.
The Brother tailor has not yet come, and here we have
been expecting him.
Father Brescia’s work, which Father Leo at your house
procured for himself saying that he would procure it at the
expense of Caposele, costs five carUni and a half; you will
please therefore send the money.
In regard to Frater Nigro, you have sent me no answer.
What have you concluded to do? I answer: if he does not
assign his entire portion to his relatives, I cannot have him
ordained at Benevento. He must give up all; so that those
interested can no longer lay claim to anything. See that this
affair be concluded as soon as possible.
I hear that you have procured the works of St. Bona­
venture which will perhaps cost more than twenty ducats.
Have patience ; henceforth when the expenses for books are
considerable, I wish to be informed about the matter; so I
have written to the other houses.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the Orlando family in Torre
Annunziata.
LETTER

314.

To D. Giovanni Battista Gargano, a Student of the
Congregation.

Avarions points in regard to spiritual direction.

Live Jesus and Mary!
Nocera, December 13, 1758.

In respect to remaining up in the evening, if I mistake
not, I have already written to you my way of thinking

Letter j i ζ.

I/59-J

529

about the matter, namely, it matters little that you have to
study; I wish you to go to bed like the rest
In regard to fasting, if there is question of fasting on
bread and water, I permit it only once a week ; you may
on another day restrict yourself to bread and soup [mi­
nestra].
As for direction, it is true that the use of discipline and
little chains belongs also to the interior, but as these are
things that may afterwards be indirectly found out by the
Prefect, it is also necessary to have his permission for using
them. I bless you.
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[A 5.] I cannot grant the request that you make,
because it is against the Rule, and because it would
establish a precedent, so that if I grant it to you, I should
afterwards have to grant it to others.
The Rule requires that the students should be directed
by the Prefect............ It is my wish that all the students
should submit to his direction; for I hold for certain that
God gives the Prefect special assistance because we keep
the Rule; even if we feel repugnance in keeping it. God
favors not what is agreeable to us, but what is done out
of obedience.
After the original in possession of Archdeacon D. Michele
Camera, at Amalfi.
LETTER

315.

To an Ecclesiastic.
He congratulates him on his promotion to a dignity.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, January 9, 1759.

Very Reverend and Dear Sir: It was to me not a
wonderful, not an unexpected thing, to hear from you that
34

___

530

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

the election has turned out in your favor, because I foretold
this not less on account of the merit acquired by the
innumerable good qualities that adorn your mind, as on
account of the very high opinion and good will that every
one entertained about you in this city. Hence the Canons
have acted in accordance with your merits.
I rejoice with you, Very Reverend Sir, and in the mean
time hope that the Lord will assist you and help you to
gain merits for eternity.
Kissing your hand, I remain most respectfully,
Azour very humble and very devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER

316.

To Father Antonio Tannoia.
Various communications.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, January 9, 1759.

Since Frater Buonopane still remembers his philosophy,
I say yes, and it would be well to send him to Ciorani,1 so
that he may at least refresh his memory. Write to Father
Blasucci to arrange the matter.
In regard to Father [D. Alessandro] de Meo, I have
already written to Father Caione, who holds a different
opinion ; it is therefore necessary to have patience. Father
Caione will have to come himself in a few days to arrange
definitely the mission at Trani. I do not know whether the
date can be fixed before the first day of Lent.
I rejoice that Santorelli is doing well ; but we are forced
1 Frater Fabio Buonopane had made his profession, December 25,
1758, in the house at Iliceto.
V,

1759·]

Letter j/ 6.

531

to send him to some monastery to find out his inclination
while the “Writer” at Naples is creating an uproar and
threatens to have recourse to the king. With Mgr. \ olpe
[Bishop of Nocera] who has the affair in hand we have
been thinking of sending him to the monastery of Father
Druisi which is under his direction at Solofra. A better
monastery than this we cannot find. But there will certainly
be many a struggle,1 because others sent by relatives will
come for the purpose of finding out things and of tempting
him. Hence let him prepare himself, because after a short
time, when I shall send him word, he will have to set out.
Yes, I will send the package to Brother Francesco
[Tartaglione at Naples].
As to the stipend of the Mass of Father Maione, what
does Father Mazzini think, since after the month of May the
students are to come to Caposele to study Moral Theology ?
The most that I have settled with Father Ferrara is that
secretly one half [of the stipends] of the Masses be given to
you and the other half to this place.
Perhaps about Lent Don Domenico Cacciatore will come
to you to make a short novitiate of four or five months,
because he has again been received on account of the many
good signs that he has manifested to me.12 He is now on
missions with our Fathers. I bless all. Live Jesus, Joseph,
and Mary !
I particularly recommend to you to send the enclosed
letter to Monsignor d’ Amato in Laccdogna, and to procure
1 Constantino Santorelli came forth victorious from all the attacks
made upon him, and thus had the consolation of entering the
novitiate, February 12, and to make his profession December 25,
1759. He died at Nocera in 17S7. ^*s spirit of obedience won for
him the title: Maximus in minimis (Very great in very small things).
2 D. Domenico Cacciatore was one of the four students seduced
by Father D. Giuseppe Muscari (see Letter 124). But although the
saint had re-admitted him, he nevertheless, it is not known why,
did not re-enter the Congregation.

532

General Correspondence.

[parti.

for me an answer. I wish to obtain a document from him;
for the people of Caposele have prepared for us a fine law­
suit on account of the thousand ducats bequeathed to us by
the archbishop.1 Live Jesus and Mary! I beg you to have
the answer delivered as soon as possible in a safe way.
Of those books, on Death ·1 send some to some friends at
Foggia and at Melfi, so that they may at least examine
them.
I am sending more copies, now that there is an oppor­
tunity, so that you may have them sold during Lent when
the spiritual exercises are given at the house at Iliceto.
And when you have an opportunity, send a copy to
Corato.8 Live Jesus and Mary !
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[D. .S'.] I send the little books on Death, and Counsels
[on religious Vocation}, in order that when an occasion
offers, you may spread them through the countries of the
Puglia; place them therefore on your table.
Whoever examines well this little work on Death will
certainly purchase it.
After the original preserved in our house at Pagani.123
1 Mgr. Niccolô d’ Amato, before becoming Bishop of Lacedogna,
had been up to the year 1749, vicar of Mgr. Nicolai, Archbishop
of Conza, and thus having been present at all the transactions
preceding the foundation of Caposele and well instructed in regard
to the whole question, was the only one who could help our Fathers
and quiet our opponents.
2 On Death, that is, the “ Preparation for Death,” a work published
by the saint during the preceding year.
3 Native city of Father Tannoia.

Letter 3 17.

1759·]

LETTER

533

317.

To Signor Pietro de Robertis, at Naples.
He announces to him a visit and thanks him for an im­

portant service.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph!
Nocera, February 23, 1759.

Dear Sir: In compliance with your request I long ago
charged Father Celestino [de Robertis] to inform you that
he would go to see you at Naples immediately after the
mission given at Bosco ; but the day before yesterday, at
the moment when I was leaving Nola I learned that he had
not yet paid the visit.
I have reprimanded him for his want of regard for which
he rendered me responsible to you, and to-day I take this
occasion to assure you that he will call upon you the second
week of Lent.
I must also offer you my most sincere thanks for your
memorial relative to our process; this will take me to
Naples the first week of Lent,' and I will not fail to
go myself to consult you once more in regard to this
affair. Baron Sarnelli pretends to have the wind in his
favor and his little vessel is vigorously managed by him ;
but I have found new reasons that militate in our favor.
We shall examine them together, please God.
I remain most cordially, my dear Sir,
Your very devoted and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the de Robertis family, at
Sieti, a hamlet of Giffoni (Province of Salerno).

34*

534

General Correspondence,

[PART I.

LETTER 318.

To a Father of His Congregation.
Recommendation of a person tormented by interior trials.—
He blames him very much for entertaining an opinion con­
trary to the infallibility of the Pope.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, February 27, [1759?]

In reference to that beautiful property, I do not wish my
conscience to be charged.......... In a word, deliver me
from all scruple.
If you are going to give the retreat at N., remember that
there lives there a good soul, I should say, a great soul, who
is in the habit of writing to me. It is an afflicted soul who
thinks that she hates God, and the like things. God
conducts her by the way of the cross. Encourage her;
if you think fit, do not allow her to be present at soul­
stirring sermons. Persuade her, above all, not to omit the
daily Communion that I have allowed her.
I love to think that you are not a disciple of Arnauld, as
you are, I am told, already of Giovenino, who refuses to be­
lieve in the infallibility of the Pope, nisi consensus Ecclesiœ
accedat [unless with the consent of the Church]; this, I
confess has scandalized me. The French are known to do
such a thing; but it is too much to hear that an Italian
priest holds the definitions of the Pope to be fallible while
Bellarmine, Bannez, and Suarez regard our opinion as
almost an article of faith, Bellarmine saying that the con­
trary opinion videtur omnino erronea et hceresi proxima!
[seems to be altogether erroneous and next to heresy!]
You see then what it is to be a probabiliorist: it is to hold
as more probable opinions that are near heresy !
Enough of this. If you wish to hold this opinion, I beg
you not to tell any one that you hold it, otherwise some

1759·]

Lcttcv JIQ·

535

young man resting on your authority may also hold it to be
probable.
I salute and embrace you all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
and Teresa !
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

319.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
He asks his aid in order to oblige a bishop.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, March 19, [1759?]

Mgr. di Melfi has written to me, begging me most
earnestly to send a Father to give the spiritual exercises to
those whom he is to ordain on Holy Saturday.
I have written to him that this will be impossible, though
I would write for a Father. I also write to your Reverence
to ask whether you can give a Father of your house; but I
write to you only for the purpose of saying that I have
written.
See whether you can send Father Agostino. I should
not like to displease the bishop, as he has written to me
three times. Perhaps Father Strina would do better.
O God ! what perplexity and what confusion during this
year, and how many requests and how many are displeased !
Live Jesus and Mary!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.

53<5

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

LETTER 32O.

To Father Antonio Tannoia, Rector of the House at Iliceto
and Master of Novices.
He speaks of the date to be fixed for an important mission.
{Read at the end.)

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
Nocera, April 12, 1759.

These large missions about which we should confer
oftener, should first be applied for and should have the
time fixed, not once, but several times.
Yes, the first mission applied for the past winter was the
mission at Ariano; but I answered that there was question
of giving it at Easter, and I also said that if this mission
could not be helped along in regard to the expenses, it
could not be given.
Afterwards I had no other application, and not even a
letter from the bishop; hence I thought that the mission
would not be given, and I appointed other missions. Now
all at once I hear that the mission is being given, and that
the time fixed is immediately after Easter.
Now I cannot send you any help, because two other
missions have been promised, and especially the mission at
Mercato S. Severino, which is to be a large mission. At
the most, I shall be able to send you help if the mission
of Ariano begins on Saturday, not on the 21st, but on the
28th of this month.
Let this arrangement be made: You will begin the
mission on the 28th, and during the mission of Ariano I
will send you help. »
"γΗ
If then you should think of beginning the mission after
the said time, you will have again to inform me, so that I
may arrange the matter. In the mean time you may finish
one or two little missions so as not to lose time.

1759·)

Letter 320.

537

When the mission has begun at Ariano it will be well to
begin, two or three days afterwards, the exercises for the
nuns, as there are no more than two monasteries.
Let me know what Father Fiocchi has done in regard to
Maffei, whether any agreement has been made.1
We are again in conflict with Baron Sarnelli.12 In regard
to the other affairs, Father Ferrara will write to you.
I bless you all.
In fifteen days you may send for the other books which I
have promised on account of the clothing that was furnished.
But let me know how many books you have received on
my account.
After the mission Father Garzilli will go to Caposele, and
Father Nittoli to Iliceto.
I bless you.
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[A 6*.] Having reflected more carefully on the matter,
I think that in order not to lose the time that is to elapse
before the 28th of this month it would be better for you to begin
the mission, as you have written, on the 21st, Holy
Saturday, because I will begin here a little mission on the
Tuesday after Easter, so that when the latter is finished the
Fathers may go to Ariano.
It is understood that I will send you among other
Fathers [Stefano] Liguori and Father [Carlo] Gaiano, so
that they may assist you in giving the exercises to the nuns
or the priests. But you will have to wait for them, since
1 Francesco Antonio Maffei a man of very great influence at
Iliceto began thenceforth to molest our Congregation.
2 Baron Sarnelli, after having, December 7, made an agreement
(of which mention is made in Letter 266) by which the donation
given by his brother was ratified, and after having given up every
claim, began again to molest the Congregation by creating new
law-suits and by annoying the Institute during many years.

538

General C orrespondence.

[PART I.

they will not be able to join you before the Tuesday or
Wednesday after the Sunday after Easter; this will be on
the 24th or 25th.
After the original preserved in the archives of our house at
Pagani.

LETTER 321.

To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce, in the Monastery at
Camigliano.
Reasons for which the foundation at Villa degli Schiavi
cannot be resumed.

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
Nocera, May 25, 1759.

I have received your letter and the letter of the Princess
of Colombrano. This lady, I see, would be most anxious
to see us return to Villa, and I know that she is very pious.
But the affair is very difficult; since, in the first place,
Villa has not a sufficient income for the support of a
Community like ours, which counts no fewer than twelve
priests, as we do not accept small convents.
In the beginning, it is true, we accepted this foundation;
but the Congregation is at present in a different state, as it
possesses already four houses.
Moreover, the greatest difficulty at present is to obtain
the royal approbation. From all sides many foundations
are asked of us, but God knows which of them will be
accepted.
I should myself most willingly comply with the desire
of the prince or rather as I have now left Naples and I
am not well, I would have one of my companions to take
my place, but at present it will not be possible.

Letter 322.

1759·]

539

Recommend me to Jesus Christ. Live Jesus, Mary,
Joseph, and Teresa!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER 322.

To Father Celestino de Robertis, at Salerno.
He asks him to go to the mission at /Xgerola.

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
Nocera, May 29, 1759.

The Fathers at Agerola have written to me that they do
not know what to do, because through a mistake they' find
that they are now engaged in giving a large mission. Hence
you need not now go to Perdifumo, but go to Amalfi and
thence to Agerola.
If the sea happens to be too stormy so that it will not be
possible for you to travel by sea, come here, because you
may go overland through Gragnano; but I hope that the
sea will be navigable as far as Amalfi ; yet according to my
opinion, this Tuesday evening, it will not be possible to
pass over the gulf as far as Perdifumo. Live Jesus and
Mary !
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original, the property of Canon Nicola Camera,
at Amalfi.

i

540

General Correspondence,

[parti.

letter 323.

To Sister Carlotta Fraggianni, in the Monastery at Sarno.

He accedes to her request.

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
*

Nocera, June 9, 1759.

When Father Celestino [de Robertis] returns I will send
him to you, but only for three days. Live Jesus and
Mary !
I recommend myself to your prayers and I remain
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER 324.

To Father Antonio Tannoia.
Earnest request for prayers.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, June 14, 1759.

I am glad that the statement of the Brother is not true.
I am sorry that you are so unwell. Probably Father
Ferrara with Father Corsano will arrive at your place to
drink the waters of Monticchio.
Let the novices pray in a special manner to my intention
for three evenings. One annoyance after another together
with law-suits against the Congregation are coming upon
us, and particularly do I fear that a great trial will befall us
if God does not come to our assistance. And with [Baron
Nicola] Sarnelli our troubles have begun.
Father Fiocchi remains here at Ciorani, but I will not fail

1759·]

Letter J2ζ.

541

to send him to Iliceto to talk to you in order to have an
understanding with Maffei. Live Jesus and Mary !
Believe me, dear Father,
Brother Alfonso,

of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of our house at
Pagani.
LETTER 325.

To Canon Giuseppe Sparano, at Naples.
He declares himself ready to grant the requests of the
Archbishop of Naples.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, September 7, 1759.

Since his Eminence [Cardinal Sersale] and your Rever­
ence wish me to give some occupation to the young man
Don Giuseppe, I have thought of keeping him here with
me in this house at Nocera, since the young men that have
finished scholastic philosophy are just now going through the
course of Moral Theology.
I shall however send him to the house at Ciorani when
the exercises are given there; and then I shall have him
return to this place.
I have also received the order of his Eminence to give
the exercises to the Pellegrini ; 1 I hope that I will be able
to do so; but we must ask God to give me the necessary
help during that time, since as soon as winter sets in my
troubles in the chest begin, and for this reason my stay at
Naples will weigh heavily upon me at such a time, and the
time of Lent may perhaps be more injurious to me.
However, I cannot oppose the wish of his Eminence and
the honor that the gentlemen of the Congregation wish to
confer upon me.
1 That is, the Congregation or Confraternity of Pilgrims which
had for its object to give lodging to pilgrims.

542

General Correspondence,

[part i.

As for the book,1 we have arranged everything. It will
be necessary for me to have certain pages re-printed; but
we must have patience ! Enough ; I did not wish to yield
at all, as the revisor desired me to do, and I did not insert
a word that could redound to the injury of the Church.
Humbly kissing your hand, I remain,
Your very humble, devoted, and grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER 326.

To Mgr. Isidoro Sanchez de Luna,2 Archbishop of Salerno.
Request for faculties for all the missionaries of the Con­
gregation.
[November 3, 1759.]

Most Reverend and Dear Sir: Don Alfonso de Liguori,
Rector Major of the Congregation of missionaries of the Most
Holy Redeemer, suppliantly exposes to you that in view
of the occupation of the priests of his Congregation who are
always engaged now in the holy missions, now in every
kind of exercises of piety during the whole course of the
year, he obtained from your predecessor Mgr. Rossi of happy
memory the general communication of all his faculties as to
the
administration
of
the
sacrament
of
penance
and
the
a
preaching of the divine word, without any limitation, not
even of cases that require special mention, and without
1 There is cpiestion here, piobably, of the little work entitled: ·
“ Dissertatio de justa prohibitione et abolitione librorum nocuæ lectio­
nis.” (Dissertation on the Just Prohibition and Abolition of Bad Books.)
2 Mgr. Isidoro Sanchez de Luna Benedictine of Monte Cassino,
born at Naples, November 16, 1705; was first bishop of Ariano
from May 6, 1748 to April 22, 1754, then archbishop of Taranto
from April 22, 1754 till May 28, 1759, and finally Archbishop of
Salerno from May 28, 1759 till the year 1783.

1759 ]

Letter 326.

543

exception, not even of nuns, through the whole diocese
of Salerno, together with the power of communicating these
faculties to the subjects of his Congregation according to
the dictates of prudence, in imitation of his predecessors
since the time of Mgr. Capua of illustrious memory. In
asking for these faculties the petitioner also takes into
consideration that as the subjects of said Congregation are
distributed among many houses, and by order of the
Rector Major have frequently to pass from one house to the
other, and as frequently the subjects of the different houses
have to unite as is required on the occasions of missions,
of retreats, and other exercises, which are ordinarily given
by said Congregation, it would be impossible to accomplish
all these works if they would always have to return to make
requests for new faculties to be presented now by this one,
now by that one.
The petitioner therefore asks your Grace for the com­
munication of these the above-mentioned faculties, granting
them in the aforesaid manner as is done by all the prelates
in whose dioceses the Congregation labors,justas it has and
always will be ready to serve your Grace in your diocese
of Salerno and to obey your every command.
To the petition the archbishop thus answered ;
Mindful of the well-known virtues, the exemplary conduct,
the learning, discretion, and great prudence of the petitioner,
we grant to the same, on the occasions of holy missions and
exercises which he may give in our whole diocese, the
power, whenever it may seem suitable to him, to communicate
our faculties of reserved cases to any of his subjects to whom
he may see fit to give them; these faculties being granted as
long as it seems good to us.
Salerno, from our archiépiscopal palace, November 3,
1759·

Isidoro, Archbishop of Salerno.

After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.

544

General Correspondence,
LETTER

[PART I.

327.

To Sister Maria Giovanna Sparano.
He marks out for her a practical rule of conduct in regard
to a particular case.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, November 26, 1759.

I answer your letter. I would do so in a more precise
manner, but in order to do so I should have to put some
questions to you. I therefore answer you in a general
manner, according to the rules applicable to every one, and
I say that neither temptations nor bad inclinations are sins,
but the consent averted to and desired is a sin.
Every time that you have not consented to a bad thought
in a grave matter, even though you should have some
inclination or pleasure to speak, you have not committed a
mortal sin. It is true, you must avoid speaking through a
natural inclination. In this kind of interviews you should
direct your intention only to God and *to your spiritual
profit. While thus engaged in this conversation with a
right intention it might happen to you while speaking that
you feel a certain natural complacency. As long as you do
not give consent in matters that are grave, you may be
certain that you do not sin mortally; you are not even
obliged to confess the circumstance. At all events it will be
sufficient for you to say : I accuse myself of all the bad
complacencies in matters not grave, without saying with
whom ; and in doubt whether your consent was deliberate,
you need not confess it.
Do not therefore confess any more the past doubts
which you mentioned to me, if you have not given consent,
and a certain consent, in the matter of mortal sin.
But tremble, for I fear that this is the last appeal
that God makes to you. Then when you see any natural

Letter 327.

1759 J

545

inclination, use all possible circumspection in order to avoid
every attachment. You are on “the cutting-edge of the
knife:” either a saint, or in hell! But God wishes you to
be a saint. Flee then with all your strength from natural
attachments, and pray without ceasing while saying : Mercy,
0 Lord! Do not allow me ever to abandon Thee. To
Thee only do I wish to give my heart, and to give it
entirely.
If God gives you consolations in your prayer, be thankful
to him; but do not seek these consolations. You will have
to pass through many great trials; this is at least my
opinion. In prayer you should repeat again and again the
words: Mercy, O Lord! mercy, O Lord! Have also
recourse to the Madonna. Go to Communion often, and
as often as possible, for you need strength. Never omit to
make a two hours’ meditation, even though you should feel
therein the agonies of death.
Father Mazzini is not here. He is giving a mission and
will return, December 8.
Recommend me to Jesus Christ, and take courage.
That you are in the grace of God; I have a firm belief;
and I am morally convinced that in the case of which you
speak, you have not committed any mortal sin; if you had
committed a mortal sin, you would be certain of having
done so. I believe, on the contrary, that God will give
you the grace to fear mortal sin, and that he will give you
the desire to love him. Therefore, take courage.
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

35

546

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

LETTER 328.

To Father Pasquale de Matteis,1 of the Society of Jesus at
Naples.
Grief of the saint on learning the trials of the Society.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, December 3, 1759.

Very Reverend and Dear Father: I received the in­
formation that you have sent me about the book, and I
thank you for it.
In regard to the news from Portugal,1
2 I have always felt
great sorrow on account of what has happened ; all those to
whom I have spoken were also greatly distressed. There
were some that appeared to be glad ; on the other hand,
when I heard the fatal news I felt as if it concerned my own
Congregation. I have been at least consoled to hear from
your Reverence of the great constancy exhibited by those
that are not professed ; this is a sign that the spirit of God
reigns in the Society.
I am, however, in hopes that the Lord is to derive from
1 Father Pasquale de Matteis, born in the city of Lecce, April 4,
1705, entered the Society of Jesus, May iS, 1720, and always lived
in it with much fervor of spirit. As he was always held in great
esteem on account of his learning and virtues, the most honorable
offices were intrusted to him. He was professor of rhetoric, of
philosophy, of Greek, of Moral Theology, Rector of Massimo
College for fourteen years, Provincial, and finally, Superior of the
house at Naples. He also published some ascetical works which
were highly prized. The famous Minister Bernardo Tanucci made
him some flattering promises to induce him to leave the Society, but
he refused every offer and took with his companions the road into
exile. He died a holy death at Rome, February 20, 1779.
2 In the month of September of this year the Jesuits had been
expelled from Portugal, through the machinations of the execrable
Marquis of Pombal.

1759·]

Letter 328.

547

this storm something great that will redound to his glory
and to the welfare of the Society. I know, moreover, that
the Pope and many Cardinals who are around the Pope are
greatly in favor of the Society.
I send you two copies of my little book about for­
bidden books j1 one of them you may keep, and the other
you may put on the shelf of your library.
I am now engaged in a larger work which is divided into
three parts, in which I treat at length of the exercises and
instructions for priests.1
2 It is a work that has cost me much
labor.
Next Lent I am to go to Naples to give the exercises to
two Congregations, and then I shall kiss your hand and
speak to you about many things. In the mean time, recmend me in your holy Mass, and believe me, dear Father,
Your very humble and devoted senant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
1 The work entitled: “Dissertatio de justa prohibitione et abo­
litione librorum nocuæ lectionis.”
2 This work was published in 1760 under the title: “Selva di
materie predicabili et istruttive per dar gli esercizî ai preti, ed
anche per uso di lezione privata a proprio profitto.” (Selva, or
Collection of Material for Sermons and Instructions for Ecclesiasti­
cal Retreats, and also for Private Spiritual Reading.)

548

General Correspondence.

[PART 1.

LETTER 329.

To Father kntonio Tannoia, at Iliceto.
He consents to the profession of several novices.—Various
counsels.

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
Pagani, December 6, [1759.]

Yes, Fratres Palumbo, Santorelli, and Mazzarelli1 may
make their vows.
The young man from Bosco should be sent to Caposele
to see whether the climate will afford him some relief.
The doctor’s brother gives very bad example; let him
know that he will be sent away.
As for Father [Mauro] Murante, fiat voluntas tua! [May
thy will be done!] See whether it is necessary that he
should have a change of climate, I feel sorry for you on
account of the expense, but I console myself that the Rule
and Constitutions are pushed forward.
I bless your Reverence and all.
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of our house at
Pagani.
LETTER 330.

To the Same.
He announces the arrival of two novices.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, December 9, 1759.

The priest, Canon of Montecorvino [D. Bartolomeo Cor­
rado] will come.
1 D. Raffaelle Palumbo, D. Constantino Santorelli and D. Epifanio Mazzarelli made afterwards their profession, December 25, into
the hands of their Master, Father Tannoia.

Letter 33°-

1759·)

549

I had refused him admission on account of his want
of constancy ; then, finally, after many petitions and
lamentations on his part, I admitted him, but on condition
that in regard to him there would be question of a novitiate
of two or three years, and as long as I should think fit.
I write this that you may be informed of the matter.
Besides, he has been here about two months, and has
behaved very well.
After he has passed one year with you, let me know how
he is getting on, and then we shall see what is to be done,
but not before a whole year has elapsed.
Don Angelo Antonio [Grazioli] will also come. He
made application to me to be received. I told him, and
told him again many times, that he was welcome to remain
in the novitiate or in another house, to come to the mission
whenever he finished his studies ; to remain as a guest, to
make even the vow of perseverance and of poverty to his
confessor; but to be received as a Father with the vows
of the Congregation, he should not think of such a thing.—
Now this is for your own information.
See that at the beginning of Lent, that is on Thursday or
Friday after Ash-Wednesday, Father Strina comes here for
certain exercises that have to be given to the nuns of Nocera.
Live Jesus and Mary!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of our house at
Pagani.

35*

550

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

LETTER 331.

To Father Mauro Murante, at Iliceto.
He forbids him to go to his family to be cured, and de­
plores his want of fervor.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, December 14, 1759.

My dear Don Mauro : I answer briefly your long letter,
which has been a source of very great sorrow to me,
because I read therein not so much about the infirmity
of your body as about the infirmity of your soul by wishing
a change of climate, and thereby living outside of our
houses.
I also received a letter from your mother. She tells me
to send you to Melfi. I answered her that this would not
be possible, and that she should not urge the matter as I
would never be turned away from the resolution taken in
regard to our subjects, namely, that the sick should not
remain outside of our houses.
In consequence of the disorders that have arisen from
granting a permission such as you ask, I have taken a
resolution from which no one will be able to dissuade me.
In the mean time, I am greatly afflicted because the
desire of becoming well has made you lose your fervor,1 so
that if you were to die now, you would not die as a saint,
as I had hoped.
I ordered you to Iliceto because I saw that you were
anxious to go there ; besides, I had already been thinking
that the air of this place was doing you no good. Here,
by means of the baths, you have improved a little, and I
hoped that afterwards you would continue to improve,
1 In fact, Father Murante had so much lost the spirit of fervor
that after one month he lost his vocation; but soon afterwards he
felt so bitter remorse that it caused his death.

ns?·]

Letter JJ2'

551

since your disease needs a long time in order to be
cured.
' It is true, you end your letter by submitting yourself en­
tirely to my will ; but I see that you write in this manner
only by way of ceremony, because you have clearly made
known to me your wish. May God bless you, because I
do not dare to bless you. Live Jesus and Mary !
I may well suppose that you had an understanding with
your mother in regard to the letter that she wrote to me.
May God forgive you! To tell the truth, I was amazed.
Believe me, your Reverence,
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of the Redemptorist
Fathers in our house of S. Maria Maddalena in Brussels,
Belgium.
LETTER

332.

To Frater Andrea Morza. 1
He refuses to grant him certain dispensations.
[End of the year 1759·]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
My dear Frater: In these things commanded by the
Rule I cannot give a dispensation.
1 Andrea Morza was born at Caposele, September 17, 1739, anc^
made his profession, April 20, 1758. His life was short but holy.
He had a great desire to go among the heathen, as we see from the
following letter written to St. Alphonsus, September 6, 175S: “My
dear Father: The Lord in his goodness has deigned to enkindle in
my heart the desire of laying down my life for him; and not a day
passes that I do not wander with my thoughts among the barbarous
nations, imagining that I am in the midst of them, bound with
chains, shedding my blood for my Jesus. I am in great hopes that
this moment so happy for me will come. The Lord knows how
diligently I study; but I do so only for this end, and many times a
day I renew the vow that I have made. — My dear Father, I beg

■R·

552

General Correspondence.

[parti.

If every student wished to have his own particular con­
fessor, the Rule would be overthrown. If I gave you a
dispensation I would not be able to refuse it to others.
Let us do this: Ask counsel of Father Leo; but then
continue to go to confession to the Prefect.
Live Jesus and Mary, Joseph and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER 333.

To the Same.
Encouragement to fervor.
[End of the year 1759.]

Live Jesus and Mary !
I have read your letter, and I say to you be cheerful.
Perform the usual exercises, and it does not matter whether
you perform them with tediousness and pain. It is suf­
ficient that you perform them, practising them as they
come, such as the exercises of Communions, etc., and do
not be afraid. By means of the snow in winter grain
becomes more productive.
you for the love of Jesus and Mary to grant me permission not to eat
flesh-meat during the novenas of the Blessed Virgin, of St. Teresa,
and of the Blessed Sacrament. I conclude by kissing your feet and
asking your blessing. — Your most unworthy son, Andrea Morza of
the Most Holy Redeemer.”
As he could not set out for the missions among the heathen,
Andrea Morza, just ordained priest, asked to go on the missions in
Sicily. His request was granted; but after eight months he was
taken ill with consumption and was obliged to return home where
he died, August 5, 1764, We have many of his letters addressed to
his director, Father de Leo; they justify his high reputation for
sanctity.

1760.]

Letter 334.

553

Do not give up the desire of becoming a saint, make
progress, and recommend me to Jesus and Mary. I bless
you.
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
letter

334.

To Mgr. Isidoro Sanchez de Luna, Archbishop of Salerno.

He asks him for faculties for reserved cases.
[January 22, 1760.]

Most Reverend and Dear Sir: Father D. Alfonso de
Liguori of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
suppliantly exposes to your Grace that it frequently occurs
both in regard to seculars as well as ecclesiastics in the
spiritual exercises that are given several times a year in our
house at Ciorani, in your diocese, that the Fathers of his
Congregation hear the confessions of penitents guilty of sins
to which is attached a censure in accordance with the
reservation made by your Grace. He therefore begs you
to deign to grant the faculty of absolving such sins in the
manner and form as shall be pleasing to your Grace.
Moreover, as it is frequently necessary on the occasion
of the aforesaid holy exercises to call for Fathers living in
other houses to assist in hearing the confessions of those in
retreat, he asks your Grace to grant to them the faculties to
hear confessions and to absolve from the reserved cases, in
the same manner that they have been granted to those
Fathers that have received the list offaculties from your Grace.
To this petition the archbishop gave the following answer:
Having noted what has been exposed to us, we willingly
grant to the Most Reverend Alfonso de Liguori, Rector
Major of the Venerable Congregation of the Most Holy

554

General Correspondence.

[parti.

Redeemer, all power (revocable at our will) to absolve cases
that are reserved to us with or without censure.
As for the Reverend Fathers, religious of the house at
Ciorani, in our diocese, and approved by us to hear the
confessions of persons of both sexes, we grant them the same
powers, except however the following cases : the fourth, the
sixth, the tenth, and the twelfth with censure.
The same rule applies to the Father confessors of other
houses of the said Congregation approved by their Ordinaries : we grant them the faculty of absolving from the same'
cases, and moreover that of hearing the confessions of persons
of both sexes in our diocese. All being revocable at our
will.
Salerno, in our archiépiscopal palace, January 22, 1760.
Isidoro, Archbishop of Salerno.

After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER

335.

To a Nun.
What one must do in order to love God.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, January 27, 1760.

I have just received your letter with the letter of Sister
Mariangiola and of Sister Maria Ventura. Without asking
me any particular question you all three ask me what you
must do in order to love God.
As I am very busy and have hardly time to breathe, I
answer all three of you briefly, and in a general way. To
love God with one’s whole heart one must do two things:
first, one must empty one’s heart; then, one must fill it.
The heart is emptied by detachment from the goods
of this world, from relatives, from the parlor, and from
every sensible satisfaction. The heart is filled by means

Letter 336.

φj

555

of meditation, of Communions, and above all of prayer.
Let us pray without ceasing: he that prays, will receive.
I recommend to you obedience to your director. Try
also to receive Communion as often as possible: every day,
if your director allows you ; but it is not necessary to
confess every day.
Recommend me to Jesus Christ; I will on my part pray
to him for you. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Believe me, dear Sister,
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER 336.

To Father Antonio Tannoia.
Zeal of the saint for the practice of obedience.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, February 22, 1760.

I thought that your Reverence had not carefully read the
letter in which I told you that Frater Pompilio should
remain there, because the air of this place is injurious to
him; meanwhile you have sent him in haste to us. But
if your Reverence did not read the letter, then Brother
Domenico deserves a severe penance, for he knew it was
my express wish that the Frater should remain there.
When he saw the Frater departing, he should have
informed us. Be that as it may, the orders of the Supe­
riors are to be obeyed without seeking or knowing the
reason why.
To tell the truth, when I saw him coming against my
express command, I was beside myself, and said that you
had not perhaps read my letter. But it displeased me very
much to hear that you had read it, had understood, and

55 6

General Correspondence,

[PART I.

still had done the contrary, perhaps with the approval
of others.
Let him [Frater Pompilio] return immediately and as
some atonement [your Reverence] will pay the expenses
of the journey. I give you all my blessing.
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[P. 6*.] Send me without delay a list of your subjects.
Live Jesus and Mary! I wish your Reverence to give
me a plain detailed account of Frater Pompilio’s departure,
and to tell me which Fathers counselled you to send him
against my orders.
If we cast obedience io the winds, it is all over with us.
Live Jesus and Mary!
After a copy.
letter

337.

To the Same.
He reassures him on the subject of the preceding letter.

Live Jesus and Mary!
Naples,1 March 4, 1760.

I have already told you that I could not believe you
had read the letter, and had then acted contrary to my
orders. Frater Pompilio’s assertion frightened me. Now I
am calm again.
With regard to changing his place of abode, I beg you
to remind me of the matter when I return to Nocera, as
I am not in a condition to settle such things now.
Recommend me to Jesus Christ, for here [at Naples]
1 This letter was written from Naples, because the saint was at
that time giving the exercises of which he had spoken in his letter
of December 3, the preceding year.

1700.]

Letter 338.

as well as at Minervino, I have my hands full of
trouble.
I bless your Reverence and all.
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of the house at
Pagani.
LETTER 338.

To Father Gasparo Caione, Rector of the House at Caposele.
He asks him to obtain information about two postulants.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
4

NoceR/\, April 2, 1760.

I answer your letter in reference to the two priests. In
regard to receiving them I have my doubts, since they are
over thirty years of age, and as your Reverence writes,
they understand only the Latin language, so that they
would have to begin anew their studies for the purpose
of hearing confessions and of preaching.
However, seeing the manner in which they write, which
appears to me quite refined, knowing them to be gentle­
men, and having heard of the mode in which they obtained
their vocation, I will not refuse them admission. Still, I
say this to your Reverence, privately, that I should like to
have it made clear that in their native place they have not
given scandal. Hence if your Reverence becomes sure
of this, I will receive them, and they may be sent to Iliceto
to begin their novitiate.
If however you are not certain that they did not lead a
scandalous life, I beg you to write to the city to a faithful
friend or to the Vicar-General Giannini, so that he may
secretly give you notice of the conduct of said priests,
begging him moreover to inform you in a prudent way

■m

558

General Correspondence,

[parti.

whether he has not heard anything. I say this, because
without knowing it we might get ourselves into some
predicament.
Finally, I intrust this case to your prudence so that you
may not receive into the Congregation any one who has
led a scandalous life. See that they bring with them to the
novitiate twenty-five ducats, at least let them bring with
them what they can give.1
I bless all. Live Jesus and Mary!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.

LETTER 339.

To Sister Maria Giovanna Della Croce, in the Monastery at
Camigliano.
Devotion to the Blessed Virgin a guarantee of a good
death.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, April 30, 1760.

Sometimes I answer you, and my answer does not reach
you.
As for that religious, tell her in my name not to be
uneasy. Certainly it was God who wished to have it so.
Had she entered she might have been a cause of temptation
to her brother; besides, how could her entrance have
prevented death from taking place?
After all, why does she fear for her brother, who was a
good priest, and who died while invoking the Blessed
1 An examination of the general catalogue of the Congregation
shows that these two priests were not admitted.

Letter 340.

!700.]

559

Virgin! He that dies while invoking the Mother of God
cannot be lost.
As to yourself, continue to practise obedience by bearing
up under adversities, and be not uneasy. Furthermore, as
long as we live we cannot be entirely without fear.
Always recommend me to Jesus Christ; this is what I
also do for you. Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

LETTER

340.

To Father Giuseppe Melchionna,! at Iliceto.

The saint reproves him very gently for his indiscreet
request.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, April 30, 1760.

Yes, my dear Father, tell Father Rector [Don Antonio
Tannoia] from me that he should send you hither, to
Nocera as quickly as possible.
1 Father Giuseppe Melchionna, a nephew of Father Girolamo
Ferrara, was born at Teora in the archdiocese of Conza; he made
his religious profession March 3, 1753, and died in our house at
Nocera de’ Pagani in the year 1S03. Father Tannoia in his “ Life
of St. Alphonsus” book ii. chap. Ixii. speaking of Father Melchionna’s charity and of the temptations against his vocation, cites this
letter with the following reflections: "St. Alphonsus entertained so
high an idea of our holy vocation that it caused him inexpressible
anguish when he perceived any one tempted to turn his back upon
the Congregation.
At such times he endeavored to discover
whether it was merely a temptation or whether it was the diabolical
obstinacy of the will. If he saw it was only a temptation, he
sympathized with the subject and assisted him by his prayers; he

560

General- Correspondence.

[parti.

When St. Anthony begged St. Paul the Hermit to open
the door, saying that he would otherwise die outside, the
latter answered, as he opened the door: That is a very fine
way of asking with a threat. I must say the same to you.
I sympathize with your condition. Are you dreaming?
Who said that you were sent to Iliceto as a punishment?
How could the Brothers have blamed you, since all
Iliceto knows about that affair of Brother Domenico?
You say: otherwise I will ask for a dispensation! — You
will ask for it, but who will give it to you? O Master
Giorgio^ why lose so much time? Do not trouble your­
self about the temptations; they are not sins. Have recourse
to our Lady, and fear not.
Rest assured I shall not send your letter to Father
Ferrara. But for charity’s sake, do not show such anger
again. If I did not know you well, I would give you a
good whipping. Now, come quickly; I am waiting for
you.
Let me tell you that subjects are changed from house to
house, not only on account of their faults, but for any
reason whatsoever. Are we then monks properly so-called?
I answer : I pity you for it is not you who speak, it is your
imagination.
However, tell your imagination to speak
with a little more discretion the next time.
I bless you. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
even excused certain impertinences. A young Father, who thought
he had been sent to Iliceto as a punishment wrote an impertinent
letter to St. Alphonsus, asking either to be removed from Iliceto, or
to be dispensed from his vows. St. Alphonsus who saw the
temptation, replied in a jocular tone: ‘When St. Anthony, etc.’”
Tannoia then adds: “ With mildness, tempered, however, with a
little severity St. Alphonsus dissipated the temptation and gave
peace to the afflicted subject.”

I760·]

Letter 341.
LETTER 341.

To Father Gasparo Caione, Rector of the House at Caposele.

Various counsels.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
NoceR/\, May 2, 1760.

Know that I have forbidden Father N. to hear con­
fessions on account of his strange notions.
I am troubled about Father X. at present; for, if I
mistake not, Father A. told me that the former entertains
some very extravagant ideas. If you should notice this,
forbid him to hear confessions, and send him to me that I
may get rid of my scruple.
When Father Apice returns from the missions, please
send him to me; I need him for a very urgent affair; do
not forget.
In future, do not take any Brothers [postulants] on trial
in your house without my permission, for after they have
been there for some time, we dislike to send them away;
and so they live on us.1
Father Leo wrote. to me about the young man from
Tito.1
2 When the Father returns, send for the young man
and examine him thoroughly.
I bless you all. Live Jesus and Mary!
Brother Alfonso,

of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
1 The saint speaks of those postulants whose vocation was still
doubtful.
2 Tito, a place in the diocese of Potenza.

502

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

letter 342.

To a Father on the Mission.
He gives him an order.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, May 12, 1760.

Having finished the second spiritual exercises, you will
please go to the house of S. Michele; and I bless you.
Live Jesus and Mary!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
Same source.

letter 343.

To Father Celestino de Robertis.
He names him Superior of a mission. — Various counsels.
[About May 16, 1760.]

Live Jesus and Mary !
I have destined you to be the Superior at the mission
at Sava, and you are to preach the evening sermon.
I learn that at Giffoni more than one disagreement has
taken place; but I know not between whom or on what
account. I should be glad if you would send me par­
ticulars.
At present I recommend to you regular observance, but
especially kindness to all.
If there should be any one
that is stubborn it will be sufficient to let me know this after
the mission.
Ί he sermon should not last longer than an hour and a
quarter, or sometimes at the most an hour and a half.
I bless your Reverence and all the others. Live Jesus
and Mary!

,;6o]

Letter 344-

563

As for the expense that you will incur, ask help of
Ciorani. Live Jesus and Mary !
After the Roman edition.
LETTER

344.

To Father Emanuele Caldarera, of the Congregation of the
Oratory.
He declares his opinion about a foundation in Sicily.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, June 30, 1760.

Very Reverend and Dear Father: I have received your
second most esteemed favor, and I feel grateful to you for
it. But my dear Father, how could I wish to send
subjects to that place when the Archbishop [of Palermo]
has declared that he does not want us? — We must wait
and procure, first of all, the consent of the archbishop.
See whether there is any one there who could obtain it
from him ; but I already see that it will be difficult, since
he is not popular with the Sicilians.1
Signor Bonano, the bailiff, insists strongly that it will be
first necessary to have a representation emanating from
deputies of the kingdom.
What makes me afraid is that the Fathers of the Mission
after having been called to Sicily by the bishop with so
many pressing solicitations, should afterwards have to
leave it.
Before, therefore, sending the Fathers I do not wish a
certainty but at least some solid probability, that they will
not have to return home, to our great shame; the more so,
since the expenses of the journey are great, and the income
of that place is at present small. I am not opposed to the
1 Mgr. Marcello Papiniano Cusano was not beloved at Palermo,
because, he was not originally from Sicily, but a Neapolitan, from
Frasso, in the diocese of Sant' Agata de’ Goti.

564

General Correspondence.

[parti.

matter, but I should prefer to have some security for the
future.
I therefore inform you that just this week I received a
letter from Mgr. [Andrea Lucchesi] of Girgenti in which
he tells me first that he cannot send me the alms, in
accordance with my request because his treasury is ex­
hausted.
There is no doubt some mistake, some one having asked
for alms in my name ; since I have never dreamed of asking
for such a thing.1
Monsignor also writes to me that he has established a
revenue of one hundred and fifty ounces,1
2 that he hopes
soon to increase this amount to two hundred, that he
wishes to have a house ofmissionariesfor spiritual exercises
and missionsy near his palace, and that he desires our
Congregation to be established there.
I have answered him that I was ready to send him
subjects, but I begged him to have, if possible, the house
outside of inhabited places, according to the poverty of our
1 This mistake or rather this swindle is thus related by Father
Tannoia in the Life of the saint: “A Neapolitan gentleman taking
advantage of the veneration in which the name of Alphonsus was
generally held, wrote in his name to different dioceses requesting
pecuniary assistance for the benefit of the works of piety in which
he was engaged. On account of the high esteem in which Alphonsus
was held large sums were obtained. Although this man was
anxious to take his letters from the post-office, it providentially
happened that our Brother Francesco Tartaglione, who was at
Naples transacting business, succeeded in being ahead of him.
Alphonsus opened a letter at Pagani and discovered to his
amazement that Mgr. Lucchesi had instructed his agent to send
him (Alphonsus) twenty ducats. Alphonsus thanked the prelate for
his courteous exhibition of kindness and informed him at the same
time that not he but some swindler had made such a request in his
name. Monsignor answered him more courteously and requested
him to receive the money, and use it as he thought best.”
2 The Sicilian ounçe is equal to 12.75 frs.

!

Letter 345.

1760.]

Institute, with cells of twelve palms and corridors of eight.
I know not whether this affair will be successful, because
the bishop is old, and he moves slowly.
Please inform me whether you know anything, and
give me some instruction about this matter, and recommend
me above all to Jesus Christ.
I am glad that the affair has been deferred to some other
time. Who knows, perhaps matters may turn out better
in the mean time.*
Kissing your hand, I remain,
Your very humble and very devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER

345.

To Father Antonio Tannoia, Rector of the House at Iliceto.

Recommendations relative to various subjects and to
studies in particular.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, July iS, 1760.

I have received Father Ferrara’s letter.
Yes, my dear Father, let Father Polestra be sent to
Caposele and then Frater [Don Amato] Ricca can stay a
little longer. It displeases me also to send him. But
please try to find out whether his father has the means
of supporting him, for he has the dowry of his wife and
the aid of his brother who promises to assist him ; for this
reason it would perhaps be well for Frater Ricca to write to
his uncle.
Mgr. [Bernardo Onorati, Bishop] of Trevico writes to
me and begs me to send Father Melchionna to the renewal
at S. Nicola; but as I had already thought of sending him
to another house, I am asking the Monsignor to excuse me
36*

566

General Correspondence.

[parti.

if I send another Father. See, however, whether you can
send two subjects to the places where missions have already
been given.
Father [Celestino] de Robertis will probably go there
to make himself a true Carthusian, as Father Villani and
others say that it is not becoming for him to stay at
Caposele where he has been so long a time and where he
has had a large number of penitents. Let Father Ferrara
tell you of the formal obedience which I gave to Father
Celestino and of which I should like to hear something.
I bless you all.
I advise Father [Don Giovanni] Rizzi to exercise the
students in arguing and in sustaining theses, and on the
question of grace to adopt the system laid down in my little
book on prayer;x let him read carefully to them the third
and the last chapter of the second part, and let him compose
theses on this point.
If he wishes to have a number of copies for this purpose
I will send them; but I believe there are already some
copies there. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of our house at
Pagani.
1 This work entitled: “The Great Means of Prayer to acquire
Eternal Salvation and all the Graces that one Desires,” published
in the preceding year, 1759.

1760.]

Letter 346*
LETTER

567

346.

To Father Pasquale de Matteis, of the Society of Jesus at
Naples.
Sentiments of the saint on account of the persecutions of the
Society of Jesus. *

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!

Nocera, August 17, 1760.
Very Reverend and Dear Father: I am exceedingly
thankful to you for the beautiful work of Father Natale.
I have still heard more bad news about Portugal. Poor
kingdom ! I pity it.
During the coming October I shall pay my respects to
you at Naples. In the mean time I do not omit to dispute
with those that are anxious to accept as true all that is said
against the Jesuits. I at least say that even tyrants do not
neglect to interrogate the guilty before condemning them ;
only the Jesuits are condemned without being heard.
I however console myself by saying that there is a God
who will one day manifest the truth.
I recommend myself to your prayers; may we meet
again in October. On the morning that I arrive you must
know that I shall arrive with the thought of dining with you
whether you wish me to do so or not. Live Jesus and
Mary !
Believe me, dear Father,
Your very devoted and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.

568

General Correspondence.

[parti.

LETTER 347.
To the Most Reverend Father Lorenzo Ricci, General of the
Society of Jesus.
He asks him to have some one to refute the calumnies
spread against the Society of Jesus.
[The year 1760?]

Although I have not the good fortune of belonging to the
Society, yet I love it as if I belonged to it; seeing it,
therefore, so much accused by what Father Norbert1 re­
lates in his book, which has been condemned. I have begged
your subjects, especially those at the college at Naples, to
make a reply so as to be able to refute the learned men
of the present day, to whom it appears impossible to obtain
the diploma of doctorship without speaking ill of the
J esuits.
Your Paternity must excuse me for saying so much.
Your Society has been placed by God in his Church for the
general welfare of Christianity ; and we see the good that it
has accomplished the past two centuries, and does still
accomplish in the whole world through the labors of its
members. Apostolic laborers need a good name, must
have a good reputation. Now this good name the enemies
are striving to take away by pointing to Father Norbert’s
book, which is to be found everywhere, and in which as
your Paternity knows are related horrible facts. Now as
no reply is given to disprove these facts, there exists this12
1 The unfortunate Father Norbert, a Capuchin, called later on
Abate Platel, had written principally against the Jesuits the work
“Mémoires historiques sur les Missions des Indes orientales”
(Historical Memoirs on the Missions of the East Indies 1744,
2 vols.) — and “ Mémoires historiques apologétiques” (Historical
Apologetic Memoirs) presented in 1751 to the Sovereign Pontiff
Benedict XIV. — The first work was condemned by the Congre­
gation of the Index in 1745; the other in 1751.

1760.]

Letter 347,

569

dilemma: if the facts are not true; why do not the Jesuits
answer, and bring out the truth in a clear light? or if the
facts are true, why do not the Superiors punish and condemn
the evil-doers rather than defend them?
Other horrible imputations are added to the events that
are said to have happened in Malabar and China; I feel
like dying when I hear of such things.
Hence, for the honor of the Society and for the glory
of God, I feel myself urged to send you this request in
which I beg you to write to all those places to which it is
necessary to write, and to give orders that those things
should be explained so that the Society may be cleared
of these charges. Such efforts and such diligence on the
part of the Society appear to me to be necessary. I hear
that in France there exists a publication that was written
against Father Norbert. Your Paternity should at least
send for it, and have it printed either at Rome or at
Naples.
Pardon me, I again beg you, for having written these
things. I repeat: the affection that I bear towards the
Society urges me to write to you. Though I am good for
nothing, you may know that I am still the publisher of the
praises of the Society.
Quoted by Father Celestino Berruti in his work entitled :
“Lo Spirito di S. Alfonso M. de Liguori” (Spirit of St.
Alphonsus M. de Liguori, chap, xxvii. Naples 1873.)

5/0

General Correspondence,

[PART I.

LETTER 348.

To Father Gasparo Caione.
Recommendations regarding certain members of the In­
stitute and various apostolic labors.
[November 1760.]

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
Father Corrado who is troubled with his stomach 1 is
going to your place. Let him go on all the missions which
are given there ; let him preach, give the instructions, etc.
as the time has not yet come for him to hear confessions.
The travelling and the attendant excitement may restore him
to health ; otherwise he is lost,
a
Father [Alessandro de] Meo has written to me that
according to the opinion of medical authorities the air
of Iliceto will hasten his death, as he is in very poor health.
Whereupon I wrote to him to come to Pagani. Meanwhile
let Father [Francesco de] Leo continue to teach theology;
as for the missions, it will be impossible to send out two
bands of missionaries, since we stand greatly in need
of more subjects. Let your Reverence act as seems best to
you.
Please let me know whether [Don Francesco Antonio]
de Paolo has had two attacks of the gout, as Father de
Meo wrote me. Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Do not forget to send the two subjects to Minervino, as I
wrote to you some time ago, namely, Father Picone and
another Father to give the exercises to the priests.
The Bishop [Mgr. Stefano Gennaro Spani] answered me
and said that he is anxiously awaiting the Fathers. They
must go before Christmas. If you could send three, I
should feel highly pleased. It would be well if they could
1 Father Bartolomeo Corrado had made his vows, November 12
this year.

1760.]

Letter 348.

571

start during the novena of the Conception ; if at all possible,
let them start before that time, though according to the
letter of the bishop he would like to have the exercises
during the novena of Christmas. But I think it better to
give them before that time, for during the novena the poor
people are overburdened with work. I do not know
exactly what to say ; let your Reverence act as you see fit.
It would be good before setting out to send notice and to
ask for horses ; they will be given with the greatest
pleasure. I bless all.
Father Blasucci has insisted several times that we should
admit to religious profession Don Pasquale Giuliano, the
doctor who studied at Ciorani and who is now a novice; he
tells me that the latter has behaved very well all this time.
Your Reverence will send your vote.1
I received your letter concerning the accusation of three
gentlemen of Acerenza. I am of your opinion; it is
necessary to acquaint the Vicar-General Ganini with every­
thing.
As for that mission, I wrote to Father Margotta that he
should go to the Archbishop of Matera [Mgr. Serafino
Filangeri] to tell him that I place the matter entirely in his
hands ; your Reverence will please act. according to the
answer of the archbishop which Father Margotta will send
to you.
1 It seems that Father Caione and the other Consultors gave a
favorable vote ; for we read the following notice in the general
catalogue of the Congregation: “On the 25th of March, 1761, Don
Pasquale Giuliano a cleric and doctor of medicine, a native of
Moncianisi, in the diocese of Capua, aged thirty years, three
months and seventeen days, was admitted to the novitiate. He
made his religious profession, August 15, of the same year in the
presence of Father Giovanni Rizzi; the time which he spent at
Ciorani teaching the humanities (one year and eight months), was
reckoned as a part of his novitiate.” After many years of zealous
apostolic labor, he passed away to his reward in our house at
Girgenti, in Sicily.

572

General Correspondence.

[parti.

Pay no attention to the accusation. Live Jesus and
Mary !
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.
LETTER 349.

To Father Pasquale de Matteis, of the Society of Jesus.
Zeal of the saint in defence of the persecuted Society.
%

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph !
Nocera, November 21, 1760,

My dear Father: I send you those lax opinions which
Father Concina 1 holds. If they are not lax they do not at
least appear to me to be sufficiently probable.
I have begun to read those books published at Venice in
defence of the Jesuits, and I have given them to others to
read and even to those that dislike the Jesuits; and all are
astonished at the insolence of the author of the Reflections.
Especially does Mgr. Borgia [Bishop of Cava] praise these
books most highly.
During Lent I shall be with you to kiss your hand. In
the mean time recommend me in your holy Mass. I re­
main,
Your very humble and very devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
[R. Y.] I shall have as many as possible to read those
books, and I am also making a synopsis of the most
remarkable things that they contain.
Live Jesus and
Mary !
1 There is here question of some particular propositions ; it being
known that Father Daniele Concina was a very rigid author.

1760.]

Letter 3$o.

ST 3

LETTER 350.

To Father Antonio Tannoia, at Iliceto.
He speaks to him of an important affair.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!

»

Nocera, Decembers, 1760.

I have received the answer of the Duke of Andria 1 in
which he says that he has this foundation very much at
heart; in fact he would be ready to give all, even his own
blood, to bring it about. Hence you can write to
Corato.
I have already written to him that we cannot come
forward in this matter even if an income of four hundred
ducats a year is assured. It is the archbishop 1
2 and the
commune that must make the first offer by asking not only
for a foundation, but also they should see to it that the
bathers have a house to live in by giving them the super­
flous revenues of a chapel and of other special funds.
Enough for the present ; I shall send you a sketch of the
memorial which is to be presented by the archbishop and
by the commune.
It is not true that I said I was thinking of the royal
approbation. I said that if the question about the revenues
\vere settled, I should know how to obtain this ap­
probation.
It grieved me very much to hear that the house [at
Iliceto] is in danger of falling, owing to the awkwardness
1 Don Ettore Carafa. — The project of which there is question
here was that of a foundation at Corato.
2 The Archbishop of Trani in whose diocese was situated the city
of Corato.

574

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

in taking away one of the foundation walls. Fiat voluntas
tua/ [Thy will be done !]
I bless you all. Live Jesus and Mary !
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After an old copy.
LETTER 351.

To Sister Maria Arcangela Lippo 1 in the Monastery of the
SS. Rosario at Monticchino, Diocese of Massalubrense.
He complies with one of her wishes, but reproves her for
insisting.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, December 22, 1760.

So, then, if Father Apice should die, would there be no
more hope for your salvation ?
Father Antonio and Father Chiesa 2 have spoken to me
of your desire, but it has not been possible for me to
satisfy you; for Father Apice is at Gaeta whither the
President of the Council has sent him. He there devotes
all his care to the conservatory which you know shelters
three hundred persons, 3 if I mistake not; and he cannot
absent himself. I have tried to recall him, but have not
succeeded.
But, O my God ! you have at your disposition, quite
1 In the Life of Father Apice mention is made of this religious as
of a very holy person. Some of the letters addressed to her by the
celebrated missionary are quoted in this book.
2 Father Chiesa belonged to the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine
of the Congregation of S. Giovanni a Carbonara. He was a very
learned man and a great friend of St. Alphonsus.
3 bather I annoia in his Life of St. Alphonsus (book ii. ch. xlvii.)
narrates at length the reform of this asylum, which was undertaken
and brought to a happy issue by the Fathers of our Congregation.

1760.]

Leiter 35/.

575

near you, so many confessors who can take away your
scruples, and you are thinking only of Father Apice!
If however the latter were not now at Gaeta, he would
perhaps be at a mission at Conza, at a distance of several
days’ journey, and would then not be able to see you. It
is the devil who in order to destroy you makes you so
obstinate.
Yet I feel compassion for your soul and I send you from
this place another of our subjects, Father Celestino de
Robertis. He is a good Father and nowise inferior to
Father Apice. Ask immediately the bishop for permission
necessary for the Father to hear your confession, and at
once tell the latter all your scruples.
This Father could be of great service to me at present;
but for the good of your soul I make a sacrifice and send
him to you. Profit by his presence, I entreat you, now
while you have him ; and if you do not wish to manifest
your conscience to him after I have put myself to so great
inconveniences to send him, you must no more ask me for
Father Apice or any other Father of our Congregation ; for
I will not longer answer you.
Tell then all your troubles to this Father, and I beg you
to get through with him as soon as possible, for he is
needed here. And in future, never think of making this
request either for him or for others. The journey to
Massa is very inconvenient. I remain, etc. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
My companions are continually going about preaching in
distant villages. If I should have to send them to remove
the scruples of the religious in all the monasteries which
they have had occasion to see, it would be a fine thing.
Once that we have evangelized a place, we have no longer
anything to do with it.
I say this in order that you may no more speak to me
about Father Apice, whom it is utterly impossible for me

576

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

to call away from Gaeta. Would to God I could have him
come to assist me. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Te­
resa !
Recommend to the Blessed Virgin,
Your very humble servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original, in possession of the Cannelite nuns at
Ferrara.
LETTER 352.

To the Bishops.
He forwards his little work entitled “The Mass and the
Office that are Hurriedly Said.”

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph !
December 27, 1760.

Right Reverend and Dear Sirs: Seeing the haste and
the little account that the priests make of Jesus Christ in
the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, I have been urged by some
good friend to publish the little work on the Mass said in
haste,
I have endeavored to make the treatise short, so that
priests may be more easily induced to read it.
Hence I take the liberty of sending to your Lordships a
few copies, that you may deign to glance at them, and at
the same time may give them to the priests, your subjects,
to read, so that they may understand the attention and the
reverence due to so holy an action, which at the present
day is ordinarily thought too little of by those that per­
form it.
Finally, there has been added a brief treatise on the
manner of saying the divine Office with devotion and
fruit

Letter 354.

I76’·]

577

And herewith offering to you my humble services, and
kissing your hand, I remain, etc.
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 353,

To Father Gasparo Caione.

Various commissions.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, 9, [January] 1761.

As Father Villani has not called you, it is a sign that
you are not needed.
Father Meo wished to return immediately [to Caposele]
to begin again his studies; but I have sent him on a
mission. May God make Father Gallo a saint!
When you find it convenient, send me the money for the
books.
With regard to the vineyard, I told Father Ferrara to
write, in order that everything needful may be done.
I bless you all.
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of Signor Conte Azzolini at
Rome.
LETTER

354.

To Sister Chiara Gaiano,1 in the Monastery of Ravello.
He prescribes for her a rule of life.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph !
Nocera, January

it,

1761.

It consoles me to hear that you are grateful to Jesus
Christ for the grace that he has given to you, namely, the
1 Chiara Gaiano, niece of our Father Carlo Gaiano, was a native
of Spiano, diocese of Salerno. St. Alphonsus had been her director

37

—

578

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

grace of vocation to the religious state. The Lord wishes
that we should testify our gratitude for similar graces; for
these are favors that he does not grant to every one.
I recommend to you prayer. When you have free time
give it entirely to Jesus Christ; and when you are in
aridity, use a book. Be on your guard ; a time will come
when you will experience disgust, darkness, and perhaps
temptations, regretting to have come to this monastery.
Heed not this temptation, and say then: My Jesus, I have
covie to this place for Thee, and I wish to die here at Thy
feet.
Preserve this letter, and read it when the devil wishes to
trouble you. I tell you this because I have not always
time to answer; this is the reason why I write to you
to-day at length, so that this letter may be of service to
you in future.
Love therefore prayer; but when obedience imposes
anything upon you, leave all and obey ; by obedience you
will give more pleasure to God.
Be also careful to accept cheerfully contempt and cor­
rection; offer them immediately to Jesus Christ, and make
no reply.
If you commit a fault, make an act of love for God, and
remain tranquil.
Flee from the parlor as you would from death. Always
love to be either in the choir or in your cell, as long as
obedience does not ordain otherwise ; and in everything
keep yourself united with the will of God, saying always:
My God, it is Thee only that I desire; I desire nothing
more; and all that Thou wishest, I also wish.
Always pray to Jesus Christ to give you his love, and
ask without ceasing the same grace of Mary by saying
when she was in the world. Hence she wrote to him as soon as she
made her profession in the monastery of the SSma Trinità at
Ravello. The saint answered her by the present letter '

.,6. )

Letter 355.

579

to her: My Mother, help me that I may love Jesus
Christ.
Communicate often, and after Communion recommend
me to Jesus Christ; do this out of charity, and also because
I have seconded your vocation.1
Good-bye till we see each other in Paradise. I am, etc.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 355.

To Father Antonio Tannoia, at Iliceto.
He expresses astonishment at not having received certain
news.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, January 22, 1761.

There was an opportunity of sending me the manuscript
for the Life of Frater Blasucci and for that of Father Don
Cesare,2 by the man whom you sent to me; but I saw
nothing, although I wrote to you several times; and again,
you write me nothing about the new foundation at Corato,
though I told you that the duke 3 was highly delighted
1 In a letter addressed to Father Tannoia, dated June 8, 1792,
the Sister thus expresses herself on this subject: “My mother
having become blind, I wrote to Monsignor [St. Alphonsus] that he
should recommend her in his prayers and asked him whether he
could not beg God to cure her. He answered me, November 7,
1758, that such a thing was impossible. I was then staying with my
family on account of the illness of my mother. But Monsignor in
the letter which he wrote pressed me to enter the convent, saying
that he did not wish me to lose my vocation on account of my
mother. . . I obeyed, and a short time afterwards I entered as a
religious the convent where I had spent a year as a pupil."
2 From this it would seem that the saint intended to write the
Life of Frater Domenico Blasucci and that of Father Sportelli.
8 Ettore Carafa.

580

General Correspondence.

[parti.

with the idea, and that he said he would even shed his
blood for it.
What is the matter? Do you never take any letters
from the post-office ?
I am sending you six packages of the little books entitled
Messa strapazzata [Mass hurriedly said] together with the
letters [to bishops].
λΛοιιτ Reverence will please send
them to the bishops as quickly as you find it convenient.
The two single copies are for you and your Community.
As for the foundation at Corato, they have to attend to it,
for I cannot meddle with the affair.
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of our house at
Pagani.
LETTER

356.

To Father Giovanni Rizzi. 1
He approves of one of his decisions.

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
Nocera, April 10, 1761.

You did well in getting Father Picone to remain to help
Canon Maffei; Father Picone can in future ask the Canon
1 Giovanni Rizzi was born August 22, 1713 of good and pious
parents, at Zungoli in the diocese of Ariano. When he was a year
old, death took his father from him. Having been confided to the
care of an uncle, who was a Canon, he devoted himself to study.
After completing his philosophical course, as he was gifted with a
brilliant mind, he was sent to Rome, where after a few years he
gained the doctor’s degree. Having been ordained priest on his
return home, he devoted himself for some time to the education
of youth, when yielding to the request of Mgr. Giovanni Anzano,
he went to the seminary of Campagna, where he taught first
philosophy, with great applause, and then, theology; afterwards as
Rector of the seminary, he worked for the good of the Institute with

Letter 356.

1761.]

to let him go out on missions occasionally, as it will benefit
his health.
I thought that your Reverence had already had Mgr. di
Sisteron’s 1 book, but I find that it is still here. Y°u did
not remind me of it, and so it remained here; however I
shall send it at the very first opportunity.
I bless you all. Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of our house at
Pagani.
a zeal proportioned to his great gifts and to his sanctity. In 1750
he entered our Congregation, and after a fervent novitiate of six
months, he made his profession December 25, of the same year.
His life was ever worthy of a son of the Congregation. He was a
true model of regular observance and of missionary zeal.
He
showed wonderful skill in giving the spiritual exercises to priests
and to gentlemen. His fame being spread abroad by these labors,
bishops and the first cities of the kingdom vied with one another in
endeavoring to secure this great preacher. After years of continual
labor in the ministry, the servant of God, fell asleep in the Lord,
January 6, 1771 at our house of S. Angelo a Cupolo, and God did
not delay to manifest the sanctity of his servant by several miracles.
2 The Bishop of Sisteron, Pietro Francesco Laffiteau wrote
among other works: i. “History of the Constitution Unigenitus
2. “ Refutation of Anecdotes on the Constitution Unigenitus." He
was a determined adversaiy of the Jansenists.

e

37 *

—m

General Correspondence.

LETTER

(I1 ART I.

357.

To D. Francesco Pansa, Archdeacon of the Cathedral of
Amalfi at Rome.
He asks a favor of him.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, May 6, 1761.

Very Reverend and Dear Sir: I have received your
very kind answer about the works of Father de Leonardis,
but your kindness makes me importunate.
I beg you to get for me the book or directory of the
present year 1761, in which are given the names of all the
Cardinals, bishops, officials, Congregations, etc. It bears
the title “Notizie per Γ anno.”
Hoping that you will pardon me the liberty that I take,
I remain,
Your very humble and very devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of Mgr. Gaetano Ruggieri
at Rome.

LETTER

358.

To a Friend.
He asks him to do a favor.
[The year 1761 ?]

Live Jesus and Mary!
My dear Don Urbano: Please order the coach for us on
Tuesday morning, as I have asked you to do, and let it be
at Corvara about seven o’clock.
Let me know by the bearer of this how much I am to

J76I.J

Letter 359-

pay the coachman, drink-money included.
Mary !

583
Live Jesus and

After the original in possession of the priest Roberto Pepe
at Pagani.
LETTER

359.

To the Bishops.
He sends them his Letter to a religious on the manner
of preaching.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
[Nocera], May io, 1761.

Right Reverend and Dear Sirs : The compassion that I
feel for so many miserable, uneducated persons who go to
hear sermons, but derive but little profit from them,
because the preachers speak in a lofty and florid style, and
scorn to lower themselves to break to them the bread
of the divine Word according to their comprehension, has
impelled me to publish the present letter, which I have the
honor of sending to your Lordships.
I beg you to read the letter first, and then to have it
read by the priests of your dioceses who are engaged m
preaching, and also to send it to the convents of religious
men, recommending it to the Superiors to have it read by
those that usually preach.
I also recpiest you to have it read by the preachers who
come to preach the sermons of Lent and of Advent. It is
true, these already come with their sermons prepared, but
who knows whether they may not correct themselves in
future, thinking of the great account that has to be given
to God by those who do not make themselves understood
by the poor people?
For this end I send you several copies. And if you
need more, you will oblige me if you write to Nocera,

584

General Correspondence.

[PART I.

whence they will be sent to you immediately ; for I had
them printed for the purpose of distributing them.
Renewing my obligations ’to you, I recommend myself
to your prayers. Humbly kissing your hands, I remain,
etc. Live Jesus and Mary !
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 360.

To a Priest of Bisaquino.}
He recommends to him to practise filial piety under very
difficult circumstances.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera

de’

Pagani, May 19, 1761.

Reverend and Dear Sir: I have heard of your reasonable
anxieties, and I feel sorry for you ; but from afar counsels
cannot be given to you : what can be given are general
rules, because there are always circumstances that change
cases. Therefore, to give you my opinion as I know it to
be before God, I hold that in the case that you point out,
you should by no means neglect to assist your father, who,
the more troublesome he is, the greater will be the merit
of your charity and filial piety.
We know by faith that God has commanded that our
parents should be honored; no exception, whether they
are good or bad ; and we read in the Lives of so many
saints having either heretical or infidel parents, to whom
they were however most respectful and gave them temporal
support.
Your Reverence should, therefore, do the will of God
who ab ceterno [from eternity] has destined you to be the
son of such a father and who he knew had such a
disposition.
St. Charles made a beautiful answer, quite worthy of him1 Bisaquino forms part of the archdiocese of Monreale (Sicily.)

Letter 361.

1761.]

585

self, to one who was trying to dissuade him from using so
much tolerance towards certain perverse people who, the
more good that was done them, the worse they became.
He said that the mercy of God is occupied with those that
are miserable, but who is more miserable than the one who
knows not his misery?
This remark I suggest to your Reverence. You already
know that your father is reduced to such a state that he
hardly*distinguishes good from evil; you should therefore
always assist him charitably and patiently so that you may
either have more merit before God or that you may see
that perhaps by your virtue you may overcome his obstinacy, thereby imitating the angel guardians who do not
leave souls, although they see that they do not profit by
their inspirations.
Be strong and full of courage; I remain,
s
Your very devoted and grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of tlie Most Holy Redeemer.
[Λ A.] Live Jesus and Mary! In case, however, your
lather needs not your temporal assistance, and in case that
he hinders you from God’s service and from duly attending
to the duties of the priesthood, you could leave him ; yet
you would be obliged to examine many other circumstances.
Live Jesus and Mary!

I

I

After a copy.
LETTER 361.

To Father Giovanni Rizzi, at Iliceto.
He asks him to aid a Father in his studies.

Hi

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, May 21, 1761.

You did well to send Father Melaccio. When the
matter admits of no delay, do not wait for my permission.

*

I

586

General Correspondence,

[part i.

It displeases me very much to hear that the Rector
[Father Tannoia] kept at home not only Father Picone,
who had to remain on account of Canon Maffei, but also
Father Michele. He has thus been the cause why an important
mission has been a miserable failure. Yet the Rector has been
asked in a special manner for this mission by Father Michele.
At the time of missions, it suffices if the Rector and one
or at the most, two Fathers, remain at home; but when
there is a necessity, one Father will suffice.
I am sending the little chains to the novices, and I give
them a special blessing that God may make them saints,
and that they may recommend me to Jesus Christ.
I am also sending five bundles of cord ; it is all we have
at present; I shall order some from Naples.
Father Corrado is going to your house, as the air here
has not proved beneficial. I ask your Reverence to help
him in the conferences on Moral Theology in some treatises
which he has yet to study, especially, de Poenitentia, de
Matrimonio and de Censuris, and parts of de Contractibus.
He is an able young man, but he has not gone through a
course of Moral Theology. I beg your Reverence to do
him this favor.
I bless you. Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the archives of our house at
Pagani.

1761.]

Letter 362.

587

LETTER 362.

To His Brother D. Ercole de Liguori, at Naples.
He asks him for the payment of the interest on his life
annuity.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, May 24, 1761.

My dear Don Ercole: Have patience, because now as
Brother Francesco writes, there are three payments due,
which amount to sixty-seven ducats, and he says that he
has received no more than seventeen ducats: at one time
thirteen ; and at another four ; according to what he keeps
marked down in his books there are fifty ducats still due.
God knows in what straits we are. We have to buy
grain, and we know not how to do so. Hence I wish
to have the interest of my life-annuity, for I cannot bear
the idea of seeing these maturities accumulating, as they
have done.
Have patience with me ; try to settle our account, because
I am in need.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Brother Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in our house at Bishop-Eton,
diocese of Liverpool, England.

588

General Correspondence,

letter

[parti.

363.

To Sister Chiara Gaiaïio, in the Monastery of the SSma
Trinità at Ravello.
Rules of conduct amidst trials.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, May 28, 1761.

Don Carlo,1 your uncle, has gone to Naples. He asked
my permission to go to see you; but I refused him, because
it is forbidden by our Rule to visit relatives without neces­
sity, and because this necessity does not exist in this case.
You could not confess to your uncle; as for other things
you may write to him. This is what I have told him and
what I am also telling you.
In regard to the trials that you experience in the convent,
I am more pleased than if you performed miracles and had
ecstasies. Persecutions closely attach us to Jesus Christ,
and help 21s to love God only.
Take care not to complain about them to any one,
whoever he may be ; and when you feel them, offer them
to Jesus Christ without defending yourself.
If sometimes it happens that you are uneasy, do not
then trouble yourself, for having been * troubled ; humble
yourself, make an act of love for God, and recover your
spirits. Pray every day to Jesus Christ to permit that you
be despised as he himself has been for the love of you.
What will the entrance into the convent help you, if you
do not know how to suffer to be despised for the love
of Jesus Christ?
This is the very great advantage that you have in being
in the convent.
Devote yourself to bearing all for Jesus Christ, and
1 Don Carlo Gaiano was a great missionary of our Congregation.

589

Letter 364.

i76i.]

recommend me in holy Communion.
M ary !

Live Jesus and

After the Roman edition.
LETTER 364.

To Father Giovanni Rizzi.
He combats his scruples of conscience.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, July 5, [1761].

I learn that you are afflicted by scruples.
You are a prey to this torment because you do not wish
to do what I have so many times recommended to you.
All those temptations, the consent, the pleasure, etc.,
that occur, as you say, you must not confess ; no, no, no ;
and this I take upon my conscience. I assure you on the
part of God, that these are only trials, not sins ; no, no.
And what I tell you would be told to you not only by
the probabilists, but even by all the probabiliorists and
tutiorists, such as Concina, Sinnichio, Vendrochio, Fagnano. Only one that has lost his head would tell you the
contrary.
Be therefore calm, and remain peaceful; you are always
in the state of grace. In these suggestions you not only do
not offend God, but you gain merits. Do not, therefore,
confess these things, but say Mass with perfect liberty and
every assurance. Do you not see that in acting otherwise,
and in always being so disturbed you lose devotion, the
spirit of prayer, and your peace of mind?
Recommend me to Jesus Christ. I bless you in a special
manner. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.

I

590

General Correspon den ce.

[PART I.

LETTER 365.

To a Superior of the Congregation.
Acceptance of a house in Sicily.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, August 3, 1761.

Father Margotta has been of the same opinion as your
Reverence in regard to the establishment of a mission at
Sicily.
It is true, at this time, there is no hope of obtaining the
authorization to found a house. All that we can hope is
that the affair will be connived at. I have resolved to
send Father Blasucci as Superior with Fathers Apice and
Caputo. Within twenty days, therefore, send me, Father
Caputo, but without mentioning anything either to him or
to the others, and this for good reasons.
You are at my disposal for Benevento which is more
important than any other foundation.
I bless you all. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
After the Roman edition.
LETTER 366.

To the Students of the House at Ciorani.
Regulations made at the canonical visitation.
[The year 1761.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Teresa!
To repair the disorders that have existed until now
among our young men, and to preserve as far as possible
the good spirit imbibed in the novitiate, I have thought it
advisable to leave these regulations, which are taken for
the most part from our Rules and from the Constitutions
for our young men.
i. Students shall show all possible respect, veneration,

1761.]

Letter 366.

59'

and obedience as well to the Prefect as to the Lector; they
shall neither defend nor excuse themselves in their presence.
They shall be attentive to what they say with every mark
of veneration ; they shall not murmur among themselves.
2. Except at the time of recreation or when otherwise
necessary, they shall not leave their rooms ; nor is it
permitted them to walk up and down in the corridors, to
go to the class-room, to the
choir,
or
to
any
other
place
*
outside of the studentate without the permission of the
Prefect; especially during the time of siesta shall they
remain in their rooms.
3. In going to the common acts, as for example going to
or returning from class, they shall go two by two, with
hands folded and eyes modestly cast down ; and after the
examination in the evening they shall return to the studentate
in the same order.
4. During the time of general study they shall observe
the strictest silence ; they shall not be allowed to speak
among themselves, but only to their Prefect and to their
Lector.
5. They shall not be allowed to play ball, as it is a
source of great distraction and, as we have already seen,
scandalizes outsiders.
6. Only the Zelator shall be allowed to have a common
key.
7. Let there be no disputes among them, but let one
yield to the other. The Zelator shall pay special attention
to this point.
8. The Rector as well as the Prefect shall not give
permission too readily to students to speak to seculars; nor
shall they allow outsiders, or even Fathers and Brothers to
go into the recreation of the students. The students with
their Prefect or with another Father assigned by the
Rector, shall take their recreation apart from the others.
Let not permission to eat outside of meal-time be too easily

592

General Correspondence.

[part i.

given even to eat fruit, if they go out very often. The
recreations in the gardens shall not be given too often, as
they cost a great deal. It can also be a source of scandal.
9. In assigning offices to the students, the Minister shall
first come to an understanding with the Prefect.
10. The Rector shall not be too easy in giving per­
mission, when there is question of speaking with seculars ;
he shall speak to the Prefect and shall assign to the students
a companion who is to remain near when they speak to
outsiders.
11. The Prefect shall not easily give permission to
students to give up study, even though they are laboring
under a slight indisposition;· instead of allowing them to
roam about, he shall make them attend class, if they cannot
study.
12. When they go out, they shall always be accompanied
by a Father in the absence of the Prefect.
Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Alfonso de Liguori,
Rector Major.
After the original preserved in the archives of Father
General at Rome.

LETTER

367.

To Father Giovanni Rizzi, at Iliceto.
He exhorts him to despise his scruples and charges him
with making an inquiry.
■

[November 1761.]

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I tell you now what I think before God. You are not
only not obliged to confess the sins which, as you write
me, you certainly remember and can swear never to have
confessed, but you do wrong when you accuse yourself of

Letter 367.

i76i.]

593

them ; hence you are not obliged to accuse yourself of
them, and the confessors that hear you do very wrong.
It is not necessary that you know in detail the reasons,
which are certain for me; it is sufficient that I tell you so
on my own conscience and before God.
I also add : You should rejoice, for I regard your eternal
salvation as assured.1
As for Molfetta’s son,12 I, as well as Fathers Ferrara and
Mazzini, leave the matter entirely in your hands; I also
hold Father Margotta’s vote: hence you see the youth
stands a very good chance.
However, before receiving him write to Fathers Villani,
Caione and Fiocchi.3 I intend to write to them, but per­
haps I shall forget to do so : I therefore ask your Reverence
to write also as soon as you find an opportunity.
It must be understood that the young man has a patri­
mony and that, moreover, there is no obstacle to prevent
him from entering the Congregation. Live Jesus and Mary!
I bless you.
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Reeeemer.
After the original preserved in our archives at Pagani.
1 In another letter, of which there still exists a fragment, the
saint speaks thus to him: “As to your spirit, would to God that all
were in what you call a miserable state. The misery you cause
yourself when you go to confession. If you did not confess these
things, you would be at peace. And I assure you that you are in
the state of grace, and that what you call your sins are appre­
hensions, fears, torments, but not sins. Rest assured that God
loves you. I bless you.”
2 This youth was an acolyte named Pietro Francesco Romano;
he received the habit January 17, 1762.
3 These Fathers were General-Consultors.

38

—

594

General Correspondence.

[part i.

I

LETTER 368.

To D. Nîcolô Pentimalli, at S. Eufemia, Diocese of Mileto.

Sentiments of condolence for the death of Father Penti­
malli.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Nocera, November 28, 1761.

Very Reverend and Dear Sir: I know not whether
my sorrow at the death of your brother 1 has been greater
than yours. May the divine will always be done !
Please accept my very great thanks to you for your
charity to our Fathers, and should they still be there,
encourage them, and tell them that I have written to them
to Messina, thinking that my letter would no longer find
them at your place. Let them know that they should also
say Masses 12 for Father Amarante 3 whom God has called
to himself.
1 Father Francesco Pentimalli had been sent with Father Pietro
Paolo Blasucci and two other Fathers to Sicily to establish a
foundation at Girgenti. The Fathers made the journey overland,
and when about to go to Messina they were obliged to stop, the
communication between Calabria and Sicily having been broken by
rumors that a pestilence had broken out. Father Tannoia says:
“ Seeing it impossible for the moment to proceed, Father Pentimalli
halted at S. Eufemia, his native place, for the purpose of giving
some rest to his companions; but scarcely had he arrived on
November 10, when he was seized with a violent fever, which
carried him off in three days. This loss afflicted Alphonsus deeply.
Father Pentimalli was one of his best missionaries; for besides his
rare talents he had such power over the hearts of others that he
could lead them as he wished.”
2 After the death of any member of the Congregation all the
priests of the Institute must apply five Masses for the soul of the
deceased confrère.
8 Father Biogio Amarante, a distinguished missionary, died
November 2, in our house at S. Angelo a Cupolo. He was born

Letter j6ç.

1761·]

595

I again thank you for your great kindness towards my
companions, and I remain,
Your very humble and very devoted servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original in possession of Signor Vincenzo Pentimalli, doctor of medicine at S. Eufemia d’ Aspromonte.
LETTER

369.

To Father Antonio Tannoia, Rector of Iliceto and Master of
Novices.
Announcement of the arrival of a novice.

I

Λ

Live Jesus, Joseph, and Mary!
Nocera, November 28, 1761.

The young man who has no patrimony is coming, but as
he is a youth of great talent and of an excellent disposition
he has been received.
If I mistake not, Fathers Villani and Caione have been
written to, but I do not remember having received an
answer. Let your Reverence see about the answer, so that
afterwards they may not complain.
I hear that the other young man of Molfetta [Francesco
Romano] has come and that he is even brighter than the
first ; the examination of these two youths we shall leave to
Father Rizzi.
I bless you all.
After the Roman edition.
, , _
November 25, 1722 at Nocera de Pagani, and had made his pro­
fession July 12, 1744.

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General Correspondence.
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[part 1.

370.

To Father Olympio Pavone, of the Congregation of the Most
Holy Sacrament, Author of Various Works of Piety.
He congratulates the author on the subject of his com­
positions and on the manner in which he treats them.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph!
.

Nocera, December 27, 1761.

My very dear Father: I have read your works; you
have given to them all one aijn, namely, the frequent
reflection on eternity. How much are you not yourself
penetrated with the thought of eternal things! Your books
prove this ; but your conduct has proved this in a still more
striking manner. If indeed you have renounced all the
affection for this world, if you have entered the holy
society of missionaries to which you belong, you have
done so only in order to occupy yourself with the eternal
Good.
The salutary effect that these thoughts have produced on
your mind, you have vividly portrayed in your works, and
all those that read them attentively will derive from it, I
hope, the same profit. Like reflections are in fact powerful
enough by themselves to convert the soul that is most
attached to the perishable goods of this earth, and to
stimulate pious souls to walk on the road that leads to
perfection. Who could deny this? Saints became saints
only by reflecting on eternity.
Please accept, my Reverend Father, the expression
of the profound respect, with which I have the honor to be
Your very devoted and very grateful servant,
Alfonso de Liguori,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After a copy printed at the head of the book of Father
Pavone, entitled “Via Facile del Paradiso” (The Easy
Way to Paradise), edition of 1863.

<

597

1762.]

LETTER 371.

To Father Antonio Tannoia.
He sends a letter addressed to the novices.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, January 28, 1762.

I write specially to the novices who have written to me,
but I have besides written another general letter which I
beg your Reverence to read leisurely to the novices in the
chapel. In the next Chapter it may serve the purpose of a
sermon.
Let them hear the letter on their knees, so that they
may accept it with greater devotion, and read it and make
them hear it slowly, slowly; and preserve it, because it
will be of use for other novices. I bless you. Live Jesus,
Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Have the novices read my work on religious} because it
is full of practical things; point out to them the chapters
that are to be read.
After the original preserved in the archives of our house at
Pagani.
LETTER 372.

To the Novices in the House at Iliceto.

Inestimable value of the religious vocation. — Means of
preserving it.

Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
Nocera, January 28, 1762.

My very dear Brethren: God knows how much I envy
you. Had I only had in my youth, like you, the happi1 The work entitled: “The True Spouse of Jesus Christ,” pub­
lished the preceding year.
38*
2

M

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[part i.

ness of living retired in God’s house in the midst of so
many virtuous companions, who excite one another to love
our Lord more and more, and far from this cursed world
in which so many are lost !
Yes, I envy you, and I recommend to you to thank
God unceasingly for the grace that he has given you to
leave the world for the love of him.
These are graces that are not granted to all. How
many companions of your age, in your country, are now
living a life of distraction, of uneasiness, are exposed to a
thousand dangers, and are probably living even away from
God ; for it is difficult for a young man to live in the world
without being a slave of the devil !
But be on your guard ; for the enemy always seeks to
make you lose your vocation. When he has gained this
point, he will have gained everything.
Let every one of you be convinced that there is no one
that will not have to encounter his storm amidst great
darkness.
There is, therefore, no other remedy than to keep from
reasoning with temptation and to have immediately recourse
to God, saying: O Lord! I have given myself entirely
to Thee, and I do not wish to leave Thee; even if all
the rest abandon Thee, I will always be united to Thee.
λζοη should also have recourse especially to Mary, who
is called the Mother of perseverance ; if we have recourse
to this tender Mother, and this we should constantly do, it
is impossible for us to lose our vocation.
Hold for certain that whoever dies in the Congregation
will not only be saved but will be saved as a saint, and will
have a high place in heaven.
Attach yourselves, therefore, more and more to the love
of Jesus Christ; love is a chain of gold that attaches souls
to God, and attaches them so closely that they seem not to
be able to become separated from him.

1762.]

Letter 372.

599

Hence I wish you always to make acts of love in your
prayers, Communions, visits, spiritual readings, in your
cells, in the refectory, at your walks, in every place and at
all times.
He that loves Jesus Christ with his whole heart does not
fear to lose him, and he is ready to suffer for the love
of him every kind of pain, of contempt, of poverty.
If any one, on the contrary, does not adopt this method
he will easily lose his vocation ; and this, my dearly
beloved Brethren, is the greatest misfortune that can befall
you. Hence I pray to God to send you death rather than
permit you to lose your vocation — a misfortune that would
drag along with it all kinds of evils.
Be persuaded that if you return to the world after having
lost your vocation and turned your back on God, you will
not have the courage to apply yourselves to prayer; for
while wishing to apply yourselves to it you would always
hear yourselves reproached for your unfaithfulness. If you
would thus neglect prayer, as it is probable you would,
and if you found yourselves in the midst of the world,
of bad companions, of dangerous occasions, when you
would no longer receive special favors from our Lord, who
usually treats in this manner those that are unfaithful to his
call, what would become of you in time and eternity?
And even if you would save your soul, though this
would be difficult, you would at least lose the beautiful
crown that God would have prepared for you in order to
reward your fidelity. In any case, be assured that you
would always lead upon earth an unhappy life, full of con­
tinual disquietude, and tormented without ceasing for
having left God in order to follow your own caprice.
I repeat: I pray to God to send you death rather than
permit that such a misfortune should befall you.
I bless you now in the name of the Blessed Trinity, and
especially of Jesus Christ, who by his death has merited

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for you the supreme and inappreciable grace of holy
perseverance.
I beg you to love very much the Blessed Virgin so that
she may obtain for you holy perseverance.
I beg you to love much the Mother of God and to call
her to your aid if you wish to sanctify yourselves.
Be full of courage, be joyful ! become saints and love
Jesus Christ much, for he gave his life and blood for each
one of you.
Become saints, and pray to God for me, a poor old man,
who is near death without having done anything for God ;
do you at least who remain here below love him for me.
I hope, however, before death, to see you and to
embrace you after you have attached yourselves to Jesus
Christ by the holy vows.
I do not cease to pray for you, every day and several
times a day ; do the same for me.
I embrace you in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, and
bless you anew. Live Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Teresa!
I have a favor to ask of you ; if any one should feel
himself importuned by a temptation against his vocation, —
I do not mean a transient but a permanent temptation— let
him write to me at once, and let him not resolve upon
doing anything till he has received my answer; then let
him do what he wishes.
After the Roman edition.

1762.]

Letter 373.
letter

6οι

373.

To the Novice, Don Vincenzo Buonopane. 1
He exhorts the novice to unite himself more and more to
Jesus Christ.

Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph !
Nocera, 28, [January, 1762.]

It affords me great pleasure to hear of your consolation.
The time for which you so ardently longed has come. See
that you do not allow the devil to laugh at you.
Seek to unite yourself closely to Jesus Christ and to our
Lady, and do not look for sensible consolations.
When you feel dry and weary, pray and offer yourself to
our Lord. Do not doubt that our Lord wishes to make a
saint of you.
It grieves me to hear that I have lost the favor of Mgr.
Martinez 1
2 on your account ; but I hope he will soon be
appeased.
I bless you, and I recommend myself in your prayers to
Jesus Christ after holy Communion.
Live Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Brother Alfonso,
of the Most Holy Redeemer.
After the original preserved in the house of the Redemptorist Fathers, at Dongen, Holland.
1 Vincenzo Buonopane was born August 26, 1743 at Grottaminarda in the diocese of Avellino; he was admitted to the
novitiate December 25, 1761 and to profession, January 6, 1763.
He died a holy death at Naples (where he had been sent for a
change of air), assisted by Father Girolamo Ferrara, February 7,
1764.
2 Mgr. Gioacchino Martinez, Bishop of Avellino was opposed to
the young man’s entrance into the novitiate, as he wished to keep
so able a subject for his own diocese.