Feast of St. Alphonsus
Knights of Columbus Board Meeting
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Washington, D.C.
August 1, 2025
Where Did He Get All This?
Christ, the Son of God and the Son of Mary, returns to Nazareth and preaches a brilliant sermon. Instead of saying, “That was a boffo sermon,” or “Aren’t we proud of him?”, the townsfolk instead ask themselves, “Where did he get all this?” “We know where he’s from. We know his mother and his relatives.” As if to say, that family couldn’t produce a prophet or a wonder worker. It must have been galling. Their unbelief did in fact stay Jesus’ hand. St. Luke tells us “He did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.”
Fast forward to 18th century Naples where we meet a very young Alphonsus Liguori. By contrast, he came from a well-regarded noble family & had every advantage. At age 16, he earned degrees in civil & canon law from the University of Naples. Nobody said, “Where did he get all this?” His townsfolk regarded him as a bright young man from a prominent family, destined for success, until that is, at age 25, he lost an important courtroom case; that brought things to a head.
For, you see, God had been working in Alphonsus’ soul for quite some time. He was already feeling discontented with earthly success. He was increasingly drawn to God and the things of God. At 18, Alphonsus joined the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mercy, and as a member of that group cared for those who were desperately ill, feeding them, changing bedclothes, and devoting himself to works of mercy. Deep down, he also knew he had a priestly vocation. Soon, Christ’s claim on the heart of Alphonsus was absolute and irresistible. He was ordained to the priesthood in1726.
Accepted by the Townsfolk
Unlike Jesus who met with skepticism, even ridicule, in his hometown, Alphonsus was warmly received at home as a teacher of the faith, but he did not allow himself to bask in the fleeting sunlight of popularity. He was drawn rather more deeply to serve the poor and abandoned, and he was concerned about the apathy of many people towards the faith. He started preaching parish missions, really revivals, among the people, and with that he founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as the Redemptorists. To this day, Redemptorists are known for their parish missions.
Alphonsus was indeed a gifted preacher who knew how to reach people, including those with little education – because he stuck to basis: the Infant in the crib, Jesus on the Cross, Christ alive & present in the Eucharist, to which he added warm and loving devotion to Mary, Queen & Mother of Mercy. All the while, his preaching was practical, down to earth, engaging.
I don’t think he ever let a minute pass by idly. Alphonsus was an artist and a musician. He authored nearly 60 books, many of which are still read today. He quickly became one the Church’s most reliable moral theologians, finding the path of true fidelity between extreme rigor and laxity. He did more than anyone else to put the Jansenists out of business. As always, his goal was to help clergy and laity alike to grow in holiness.
Life’s Twists and Turns
To be sure, he met up with opposition and hardships. Rumors were afoot his fledgling community would be suppressed. Many original members left and only after a while were there new members. Just as the Congregation was taking hold, Alphonsus was appointed a bishop, and I think that’s about the last thing he wanted for himself. But he plunged into his new ministry, reforming his diocese, preaching, teaching, writing books, and caring for the poorest of the poor. No matter what the Church asked of him Christ’s claim on his heart remained absolute. He died in 1787, was canonized in 1839, and declared a doctor of the Church in 1871. Where did he get all his? He prayed, and prayed deeply every day. Read his book, “Prayer, the Great Means of Salvation” & you’ll see what I mean.
Remind You of Anyone?
Does St. Alphonsus Liguori remind you of anyone? Perhaps our founder, Blessed Michael McGivney? The circumstances of their lives were vastly different. Alphonsus came from a noble family; Fr. McGivney from an immigrant family. Fr. McGivney wrote no books, painted no pictures, & never became a bishop; but like St. Alphonsus, Christ’s claim on his heart was absolute, even as he was drawn to “the generous service of [his] neighbor,” even as he dedicated his priesthood to preaching and teaching in quite a practical, down-to-earth way. The Founding of the Knights, not unlike the founding of the Redemptorists, was prompted by his concern for families plunged into penury, but also his deep concern for the faith of husbands and fathers. What’s more, we know that Fr. McGivney utilized St. Alphonsus’ book, A Confessor’s Guide to the Sacrament of Penance, in his role as a confessor.
What should we draw from this feast, especially as we install two Supreme Officers—Supreme Secretary and Supreme Advocate? First, these two officers, John Marrella and Anthony Picarillo are great lawyers with an excellent moral compass – St. Alphonsus would be pleased!
Second, we too should allow Christ to conquer our hearts absolutely, especially as in God’s grace we seek to develop our life of prayer. We cannot lead without following Christ in quite an absolute way. Thus, we should take up the invitation of both St. Alphonsus & Bl. Michael to embrace the call to holiness imparted to us in Baptism. Third, even as they both understood the importance of fraternal association in the practice and propagation of faith, so too should we cherish our immersion in the Knights of Columbus as a God-given means for living our vocation and fulfilling Christ’s mission. Fourth, like St. Alphonsus and Blessed Michael, we should be personally involved in caring for the poor and needy, involved in some form of hands-on charity.
Finally, through the intercession of these two holy men and Mary, under her title of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, may we always be “on mission”, bringing Christ to those we meet by our integrity, holiness of life, & fidelity to the principles of the Order. St. Alphonsus Ligouri and Blessed Michael McGivney, pray for us! Vivat Jesus!