Note: Today's other [original article, which deals with Father Carlos Urrutigoity and "Bishop" Rogelio Livieres's defense of this moral predator, is linked below this introduction to the reflection on Saint Alphonsus de Liguori.]
Today is the Feast of the great Saint Alphonsus de Liguori, the Patron of Moral Theologians. It was over six years ago now that I recorded each of the Sunday sermons of Saint Alphonsus for the "Save Thy Souls" section of Traditional Catholic Sermons.org. It was a very sobering experience as I recognized that Saint Alphonsus was speaking directly to me, condemning my sins and my lukewarmness. Ouch. He certainly gave me what for, and I am grateful that he did so.
Saint Alphonsus de Liguori, the founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (the Redemptorists), was particularly emphatic in teaching us that we must avoid sins of human respect. That is, we can show no partiality or favoritism to those in power if they are doing things that put the temporal or, more important, the eternal welfare into jeopardy. This applies to the likes of Jorge Mario Bergoglio/Francis, who blasphemes God on a regular basis, and to most of his "bishops," men who believe that the sheep are their enemies and that they can stonewall and intimidate the sheep into remaining silent about real and documented abuses of power and real and documented violations of the integrity of the Holy Faith:
" And when there is question of the divine honour, we should not be frightened by the dignity of the man who offends God; let us say to him openly: This is sinful; it cannot be done. Let us imitate the Baptist, who reproved King Herod for living his brother's wife and said to him: 'It is not lawful for thee to have her'--Matt., xiv. 4. Men indeed shall regard us as fools, and turn us into derision; but, on the day of judgment they shall acknowledge that they have been foolish, and we have shall have the glory of being numbered among the saints. They shall say: 'These are they whom we had some time in derision. . . . . We fools esteemed their life madness, and their end without honour. Behold how they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints'--Wis., v. 3, 4, 5. (Sixth Sunday After Easter: On Human Respect.)
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
Saint Alphonsus de Liguori, pray for us.
Pope Saint Stephen I, pray for us