Pope Benedict keeps in the tough bits from St Alphonsus


In the ordinary form calendar, today is the feast of St Alphonsus Liguori. (It is celebrated tomorrow in the older form.) The Holy Father devoted his catechesis at the general audience today, to the teaching of St Alphonsus on prayer, particularly on prayer as necessary for salvation. Pope Benedict recalled the phrase of the saint: "He who prays is saved, he who does not pray is damned" and continued,
Commenting on this lapidary phrase, he [St Alphonsus] added "To be saved without praying is most difficult, or even impossible... but with prayer, being saved is something secure and very easy." And he said further "If we do not prayer, there is no excuse for us, because he grace of praying is given to everyone ... if we are not saved, the whole fault will be ours, because we have not prayed."
This is typical of the direct style of the preaching of St Alphonsus and it is good to see that the Holy Father does not shy away from his bluntness.

Don't forget to say a prayer for the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer on their feast day which they will celebrate tomorrow. They have a good post today with photos: All is well in Papa Stronsay. Quite a bit of building work is going on.


There has been some good weather but they are hoping for some calm and sunshine for one of the Marian feasts of the summer to have the great evening bonfire.


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