Many months ago, I posted my translation of the Tuesday prayer from those composed by St Alphonsus Liguori for priests to say as part of their thanksgiving after Mass. After a reminder today, I have now posted a translation of the Wednesday prayer to continue the series. See the introduction for more information.St Alphonsus was, in my opinion, a master of psychology where that discipline is seen in the light of the eternal truths (viz. death, judgement, hell and heaven.) He had a piercingly accurate understanding of fallen human nature and knew how to drive home the truths of the faith in such a way that people changed their lives - his prayers can still help us in our daily conversion to the closer following of Christ.
One project that I would like to get started is a "Wikipedia" style collaborative effort to collect Latin original texts and English translations of prayers for priests. At some point we could publish a little book with some of the classics that would support Pope Benedict's project for a hermeneutic of continuity.
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Saint Dominic Savio's Vision of England
“One morning as I was making my thanksgiving after Communion, a very strong distraction took hold of me. I thought I saw a great plain full of people enveloped in thick fog. They were walking about like people who had lost their way and did not know which way to turn. Someone near me said: ‘This is England’. I was just going to ask some questions, when I saw Pope Pius IX just like I have seen him in pictures. He was robed magnificently and carried in his hand a torch alive with flames. As he walked slowly towards that immense gathering of people, the leaping flames from the torch dispelled the fog, and the people stood in the splendour of the noonday sun. ‘That torch’, said the one beside me, ‘is the Catholic Faith, which is going to light up England’”.
Father I just wanted to remind you of this beautiful quote from a very dear Saint. England will be Catholic again.
The challenge that saints like Alphonsus lay down to us is far more inspiring than the awful I’m-okay-you’re-okay’ approach to getting to heaven.
I do understand the person who wrote that it seemed as though God sends people to hell as I was brought up with that. God just couldn’t wait for me to step off the path just a little just so He could send me to hell. Of course that is NOT what the saints say and I have learned to love God and to see that He offers me the grace I need to be saved-if I want it.
Anne that is beautiful and gives me great hope at a point when I was beginning to feel the fog would choke us. Do you mind if I use the quote?
Please use the quote by all means.
Dear Sir,
Please tell the quote to as many people as you like, far and wide.
Thank you Fr. Finigan for including it in your blog.
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