Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Alphonsus Liguori

St Alphonsus Liguori, by Henry Schile, @Library of Congress catalog, Washington

Gospel of 1 August 2024
Matthew 13:47-53

Jesus said to the crowds: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use. This is how it will be at the end of time: the angels will appear and separate the wicked from the just to throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

'Have you understood all this?' They said, 'Yes.' And he said to them, 'Well then, every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom things both new and old.'

When Jesus had finished these parables he left the district.

Reflection on the engraving

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787). He was an Italian Catholic bishop, theologian, and founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as the Redemptorists. Born into a noble family near Naples, he initially pursued a successful career in law but experienced a spiritual crisis that led him to the priesthood. Alphonsus was ordained in 1726 and soon became known for his compassionate pastoral care, eloquent preaching, and dedication to the marginalised. His profound spirituality and practical approach to moral theology earned him widespread following. He founded the Redemptorists in 1732, focusing on missionary work among the rural poor, and emphasised a balanced approach to moral theology that steered clear of both rigourism and laxity.

Saint Alphonsus' main achievements include his extensive theological writings, particularly in moral theology and Marian devotion. His seminal work, "Theologia Moralis," became a foundational text for Catholic moral theology, emphasising the importance of a well-formed conscience and the primacy of love in moral decision-making. Additionally, Alphonsus composed numerous hymns (some of you may know his "Tu scendi dalle stelle" / "You Come Down from the Stars", a Christmas carol composed in 1732). He also wrote extensively on prayer and the Eucharist. His contributions to the Church were recognised by his canonisation in 1839 and in 1871 by his designation as a Doctor of the Church. His feast day is celebrated on 1st August, the anniversary of his death.

Our engraving was made by Henry Schille, a German immigrant active in the USA in the 1870s. He was based in New York's Lower Manhattan: a prolific artist and publisher of colourful lithographs. His favoured print themes were genre pictures, people in landscapes and dramatic scenes from American history. He is most known for his prints depicting ice skaters in Central Park. His religious prints are less well known. We see Saint Alphonsus being carried to heaven by the angels, who have now taken away his episcopal mitre and crozier.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-13-47-53-2024/