Young and rich who left it all

August 1. St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori

By the age of 16 Alphonsus was already a civil and canonical lawyer. His father had grand plans for him and wanted him to become a great politician. And it looked like he was well on his way to attaining his wish, with the young Alphonsus becoming a brilliant lawyer. His father also wanted him to marry a young woman from a wealthy family and to establish an upscale family and home. But all his young girlfriends were discouraged when they saw how spiritual he was.

After so many professional achievements, Alphonsus suffered a major defeat in court and became depressed. But, as he started to come out of his depression, Alphonsus began to visit the sick and found his true vocation to serve God. He had to struggle with his father who had such high hopes for him.

Alphonsus was ordained as a priest at the age of 30 and was dedicated to working in the poor sectors of Naples. His father finally converted listening to one of his sermons. Other priests joined him in his work and in 1752 the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (known today as the Redemptorists) who travel to cities, towns, and country sides consecrating themselves especially to preaching the word of God to the poor.

He wrote many books and pamphlets. His most famous work is The Glories of Mary, which took many years to write.

In 1762, he was appointed bishop and although he did not wish to accept, the pope refused to allow his resignation. He was a bishop for 13 years. During a time of famine he sold everything he owned to feed the poor. He died in 1787 at the age of 90.

Among his most famous quotes is “There are no spiritually weak or strong people, just people who don’t pray and people who know how to pray.”

Your turn
What does your family wish for you? Is it the same things you consider as your vocation?

Prayer
God of love, through the intercession of St. Alphonsus Ligouri, give us the courage to follow you even if it means giving up many things. Give us the same passion and fire to serve the lesser among us, your beloved, the poor. Give us the light and the grace to live with you always, spreading your gospel. Amen.

August 8. St. Dominic

It could be said that Dominic was a wealthy boy during the 12th century. His father was a noble companion to the king of Spain. His mother, Joanna of Aza, was a pious woman who gave Dominic his first religious education, and was beatified. He was educated under the tutelage of a maternal uncle who was an archpriest. The young Dominic dedicated himself completely to the study of theology. A great famine swept the region where he was and Dominic, touched by the reality that he had everything he needed while there were people who went hungry, little by little, gave everything he had to the poor.

Later when the Bishop of Osma went to Denmark to ask for the hand of the princess on behalf of the king’s son, he took Dominic with him. While traveling through some countries in Europe, Dominic was astonished to see the heresy that reigned. In response to this, he began a new life. He dedicated himself to preaching, giving up any comforts, walking barefoot, without a room or home of his own, and no other clothing then the one on his back. He founded diverse centers of apostleship and asked one of the church’s greatest theologians, St. Thomas of Aquinas, to direct the formation of would be preachers. That is how the Order of the Friars Preachers, now known as Dominicans, was born.

Dominic de Guzmán died in 1221.

Your turn
Are you moved by the needs of others? Do you think you have things you can share with others? How do you prepare to serve others?

Prayer
Lord, we know that studying and preparing are very important in order for us to better serve our people. Grant us the same dedication as St. Dominic and the decision and courage to place ourselves at your service, even when it means we have to give up the comforts and privileges attained in life. Amen.

August 11. St. Clare

Born during the 13th century to a wealthy family, Clare appeared to be filled with virtue early in her childhood, which was rare in a young girl. When she was 18 years old, she heard Francis of Assisi preached and decided to follow him. She escaped from her home with her aunt and another companion, and started the women’s community of an Order recently established by Francis, which was dedicated to poverty and prayer. Other women joined giving up all their worldly possessions and remaining firm in their positions, despite the many pressures received, even from members of the church. Clare never again left San Damiano, where she died 40 years later. Many more monasteries were founded with women who felt the same calling as Clare to a simple life and prayer.

There are many marvelous and miraculous stories about Clare and her devotion to the Blessed Sacrament including one where during a foreign invasion, Clare rose calmly and taking the ciborium from the chapel, raised it so it could be seen from afar. The invading soldiers took flight and left.

As her hour of death approach, Clare called for her religious in the convent and spoke to them about the benefits they had received from God and exhorted them to persevere faithfully in the observance of evangelical poverty. St. Clare died in 1253.

Your turn
What possessions would you find difficult to leave if God asked? Do you think a simple life of poverty seems crazy?

Prayer
Grant us, merciful God, through the intercession of St. Clare, a heart that is generous and simple so we can follow you without any attachments. May we be firm in our commitment and listen closely to what you want from us. Amen.

August 13. Claretians Martyrs of the Assumption

In July of 1936, there were 59 people at the Seminary of Barbastro, Spain. Fifty-two were young people ranging in age from 18 to 22 and had no idea that soon they would be giving up their lives for their faith. On July 20, they were all sent to a make-shift prison in the School of the Piarists. In the days that followed, the young men overcoming many of their fears and sorrows began preparing for their death. In small pieces of paper, which were later found including chocolate wrappers, music notebooks, and on anything they could get their hands on, they began writing down their final thoughts and prayers, forgiving those who were about to take their lives and offering their lives for their faith. Between the 12th and 15th of August they were little by little shot. Each was given the opportunity to renounce their faith. They all responded: “Long live Christ the King!”

In their beatification, the pope said “… the shedding of their blood encourages us to live and die for the Word of God, which we have been called upon to proclaim.”

Your turn
Wouldn’t it have been easier to lie and say they would renounce their faith in order to save their lives? Do you think giving up everything is just too much? How much are you willing to give up for your faith?

Prayer
By the blood of the young Claretians martyrs, Lord, grant us the courage to proclaim your word without fear and the strength to forgive those who consciously or unconsciously, do wrong by us. Give us the strength to continue following you forever. Amen.

August 23. St. Rose of Lima

Rose had all the comforts available during the 17th century and above all, she possessed an uncommon beauty. But she decided to give it all up, facing the ridicule and opposition of her parents, friends, and family members. Her parents wanted her to marry and have a family, but she felt that God was calling her to something else. Since she could not enter a convent, she dedicated herself from home to the service of God through her work and prayer. During the day she kept busy with sewing and embroidery to help support her family’s household and during the night she was dedicated to prayer and penance.

When Rose was 20, she received the habit of St. Dominic, although she continued living at home. At the end, her parents realizing they could no longer oppose her desire, she was allowed to live in a room dedicated to prayer, going out only to church and to help the needy in Lima. Many miracles occurred upon her death.

Rose was born Isabel Flores de Oliva and is the first saint canonized from America.

Your turn
Does it seem extreme for you to confront your family, friends and acquaintances for believing in God’s call? How would your family react if you decided to follow a religious or priesthood vocation?

Prayer
God of love, through the intercession of St. Rose of Lima, grant us the faithfulness to comply with whatever your call and will may be for us. Teach us that your love is always above anything else. Give us the light to see with clarity our path. Amen.

August 28. St. Augustine of Hippo

Born on the north of Africa during the 4th century, Augustine had a rather agitated and incredible youth. His mother, Monica, prayed incessantly so he could feel the love and call of God to another type of life. God heard her prayers and took compassion of St. Monica’s tears, touching the heart and intelligence of Augustine, making him into one of the greatest saints of the church. Augustine converted and he told he story of his life in the book Confessions.

He was the Bishop of Hippo and wrote some of the most renown and important theological works of the church. He founded communities in Northern Africa and preached tirelessly. St. Augustine said: “Lord, you created us for you and our heart is restless until we rest in you.”

Your turn
What makes you restless? What do your parents wish for you? Who has given you their faith? Is there a change you would like to make in your life?

Prayer
God, our Lord, though the intercession of St. Augustine, open our mind and heart to your light and word. Listen to the prayer of mothers who ask for a different life for their children and comfort them in their worries and anguish. Give us the courage to change in our lives those things that must be changed according to your will. Amen.