A Patron For Us

We might have heard of St. Alphonsus Ligouri from his Stations of the Cross booklet used in many parishes during Lent, but he has contributed much more than those little reflections to the life of the Church.  He was a lawyer before becoming a priest, but even then in his spare time visited the sick and elderly.  He founded the Congregation of the Redemptorists and was later consecrated as Bishop of the Diocese of St. Agatha in Italy.  Like the Cure of Ars, he spent long hours in the confessional despite his rheumatoid arthritis, and for many years had to use tubes to drink because his head was so bent forward.  He had taken a vow never to waste time, but found time for prayer and the works of mercy, such as  his devotion to the sick and infirm.  Thus he came to be  regarded as the patron of the work of lay people and serves as a model for us whose work and service to others does not allow long periods of contemplative prayer.  St. Marcellin, in the same vein, proposed that Marists recall the presence of God as well as BE a presence to others, as we go about our daily work. Using both men as models, may we give a new tone, a new lift to the many tasks that face us today.
Bro. Rene