Prayers to and by St. Alphonsus Liguori

Prayers to St. Alphonsus Liguori

Patron of Moral Theologians and Arthritis Sufferers

to Taste and See

Precise and orthodox theologian, Master in theology of conduct,
how greatly we need today theologians who are humble, prayerful,
and eager to spread Christian conduct all around.
You wrote much about the path to perfection and the means to follow
the Teacher of all, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Inspire our theologians to help the countless people who look to them
for guidance in life's conduct. Amen.

St. Alphonsus, loving Father of the poor and sick, all your life you devoted yourself with charity towards those who suffer sickness. I invoke you as the patron of those who suffer with arthritis, since you were afflicted with this disease in your lifetime. Look with compassion on me in my suffering. Full of confidence in your intercession, I come to you for help in my present need (mention your intention here). Amen.

Prayer of St. Alphonsus to Jesus Christ, to Obtain His Holy Love

My crucified Love, my dear Jesus! I believe in Thee, and confess Thee to be the true Son of God and my Saviour. I adore Thee from the abyss of my own nothingness, and I thank Thee for the death Thou didst suffer for me, that I might obtain the life of divine grace. My beloved Redeemer, to Thee I owe all my salvation. Through Thee I have hitherto escaped hell; through Thee have I received the pardon of my sins. But I am so ungrateful, that, instead of loving Thee, I have repeated my offenses against Thee. I deserve to be condemned, so as not to be able to love Thee any more: but no, my Jesus, punish me in any other way, but not in this. If I have not loved Thee in times past, I love Thee now; and I desire nothing but to love Thee with all my heart. But without Thy help I can do nothing. Since Thou dost command me to love Thee, give me also the strength to fulfil this Thy sweet and loving precept. Thou hast promised to grant all that we ask of Thee: You shall ask whatever you will and it shall be done unto you. Confiding, then, in this promise, my dear Jesus, I ask, first of all, pardon of all my sins; and I repent, above all things, because I have offended Thee, O Infinite Goodness! I ask for holy perseverence in Thy grace till my death. But, above all, I ask for the gift of Thy holy love. Ah, my Jesus, my Hope, my Love, my All, inflame me with that love which Thou didst come on earth to enkindle! "Tui amoris me ignem accende." For this end, make me always live in conformity with Thy holy will. Enlighten me, that I may understand more and more how worthy Thou art of our love, and that I may know the immense love Thou hast borne me, especially in giving Thy life for me. Grant, then, that I may love Thee with all my heart, and may love Thee always, and never cease to beg of Thee the grace to love Thee in this life; that, living always and dying in Thy love, I may come one day to love Thee with all my strength in heaven, never to leave off loving Thee for all eternity.

O Mother of beautiful love, my advocate and refuge, Mary, who art of all creatures the most beautiful, the most loving, and the most beloved of God, and whose only desire it is to see him loved! ah, by the love thou bearest to Jesus Christ, pray for me, and obtain for me the grace to love him always, and with all my heart! This I ask and hope for from thee. Amen.

St. Alphonsus De Liguori's Short Act of Perfect Love

My God, I love Thee above all things, and in all things, with my whole soul,
because Thou art worthy of all love!

St. Alphonsus Liguori's Rule of Life
as Outlined in His "Way of Salvation and Perfection"
(very appropriate to practice especially during the Lenten Season)**

Rule 1:
Every morning upon arising pray the following prayer:

O my God, I adore You, I love You with all my heart and I thank You for all Your gifts, in particular for preserving me through the night. I offer You all that I shall do or suffer throughout this day, in union with the actions and the sufferings of Jesus and Mary. I intend to avoid every offense against You, but I ask that You extend Your protection to me so that I may continue to love You. Most Holy Mary, take me under your protection. My guardian angel and patron saints, come to my aid. Amen.

Rule 2:
As soon after arising and praying the above prayer, make a half-hour meditation in order to assist you in persevering in the grace of God throughout your day.

Rule 3:
Attend daily Mass if at all possible. If you cannot attend every single day, go as often as possible throughout the week. We participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to honor God, thank Him for His gifts to us, atone for the punishment due to our own sins, and to obtain Divine Graces. Before Mass, during your time of prayer and reflection, pray:

Eternal Father, in this Mass, I offer Jesus Christ, with all the merits of His Passion. I honor Your majesty. I thank You for all the gifts that You have given me. I attend this Mass because of my sins and the sins of all the living, and of those who have died in Your Grace. I pray for the graces necessary for salvation. Amen.

Rule 4:
Read a spiritual book for half an hour, or at least for 15 minutes each day. Reading the lives of the saints in particular helps us develop hope in God's mercy and love. Aside from webmaster: Always be careful of the author and publishing company--take great care to choose literature that is in conformity to Magesterium of the Roman Catholic Church.

Rule 5:
Every day possible, make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Attending Benediction and Eucharistic Adoration is preferred, but in these times, many Catholic churches do not have Perpetual Adoration due to crimes against the faith and danger of sacrilege to the Blessed Sacrament. Just dropping into a chapel or church where there is tabernacle hosting Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist is actually sufficient.

Rule 6:
Every evening, make an examination of conscience, asking God for His forgiveness and mercy, and the spiritual strength to resist temptation in the future. Pray an act of Faith, Hope, and Charity.

Rule 7:
Frequent devout reception of the sacraments of reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist is recommended. Before your confession, pray:

I thank You, O my God, for having waited for me until now. I hope, through the merits of Your Son Jesus Christ, for the pardon of all my sins. I am sorry for them, and repent of them with my whole heart. By my sins, I have lost heaven and have deserved hell. Above all I am grieved, to the depths of my being, and hate and detest my sins more than all evils, because they have offended Your infinite goodness. I would rather die than offend You any more. Amen.

Rule 8:
It is wise to choose a good confessor and to follow his guidance in spiritual matters and even in temporal matters of importance. St. Philip Neri also taught: "Let those who desire to advance in the way of God put themselves under the direction of an enlightened confessor, and let them obey their director as they would the Voice of God. Whoever does this may feel assured that they will never have to render an account to God of what they choose." St. Alphonsus Liguori agrees with St. Philip Neri, and that this teaching conforms to the words of Jesus in the Bible: "Whoever listens to you, listens to Me." (Lk 10:16)

Rule 9:
When you are tempted, do not trust yourself, and do not trust all the good resolutions and promises that you have made, but rely solely on Divine assistance. Have immediate recourse to God and the Blessed Mother. God readily supplies the strength that we need to all that ask; the person who fails will fall prey to the evil enemy.

Rule 10:
If you commit a venial sin, make an act of love and of contrition to renew your firm purpose of amendment to avoid such near occasions of sin in the future, and then continue on with your day in the peace that comes from believing in God's mercy.

Rule 11:
In all the sufferings of life, such as illness, loss, and persecution, always be aware of the necessity of resigning yourself to the will of God and reflect on these words: "God wills it, and so I will it also." Every person has to endure some sort of suffering during their lifetimes, whether they accept it or not; and, if they resist it, by their impatience, they suffer even more greatly.

Rule 12:
Be very careful to observe a tender and obvious devotion to our most holy Mother Mary, by performing each day some exercise of piety in her honor. Upon arising daily, pray three Hail Marys in honor of her spiritual purity, imploring her to keep you from all sin. Pray the rosary, her litanies, and read something--regardless of whether it's a chapter or a few lines--about the Blessed Virgin. Attend the First Saturday Masses if at all possible and make novenas in honor of her feast days. Especially honor and invoke Our Lady in a special way at Christmas, Pentecost, and the feast days of our Patron Saints.

Rule 13:
Say a daily prayer to Jesus Christ to obtain His holy love and mercy:

My crucified Love, my dear Jesus, I believe in You, and confess You to be the true Son of God and the Redeemer of all mankind. I adore You from the abyss of my nothingness, and I thank You for the death You suffered for me so that I might obtain the life of Divine Grace. My beloved Redeemer, to You I owe all of my salvation. Through You I have escaped hell and received pardon for my sins. But I am so ungrateful that, instead of loving You, I have repeated offenses against You. I deserve to be condemned, so as not to be able to love You any more; but, no, my Jesus, punish me in any other way, but not in this. If I have not loved You in times past, I love You now, and I desire nothing but to love You with all my heart. Without Your help, I can do nothing. Since You have commanded me to love You, give me also that strength to fulfill this sweet and loving commandment.

My Lord Jesus, You have promised to grant all that we ask of You. I ask, first of all, pardon for all my sins; and, I repent, above all things, because I have offended You, O infinite Goodness. I ask for holy perseverance in Your grace until my death. But, above all, I ask for the gift of Your holy Love. Ah, my Jesus, my hope, my love, my all, inflame me with that love with which You came upon this earth to light! For this end, make me always live in conformity and uniformity with Your holy Will. Enlighten me, so that I may understand more and more how worthy You are of love, and that I may know the immense love You have for me, especially in giving Your Life for me. Grant then, that I may love You with all my heart, and may love You always, and never cease to beg of You the grace to love You in this life so that I may one day come to love You in all eternity.

O Mother of beautiful love, my advocate and my refuge, Mary who are of all creatures the most beautiful, the most loving, and the most beloved of God, and whose only desire it is to see God loved, by the love that you have for Jesus Christ, pray for me, and obtain for me the grace to love Him always, and with all my heart. This I ask for and hope for from you. Amen.

Prayer to Obtain the Grace of Being Constant in Prayer

O God of my soul, I hope in Thy goodness that Thou hast pardoned all my offenses against Thee, and that I am now in a state of grace. I thank Thee for it with all my heart, and I hope to athank Thee for all eternity. I know that I have fallen, because I have not had recourse to Thee when I was tempted, to ask for holy perseverance. For the future, I firmly resolve to recommend myself always to Thee, and especially when I see myself in danger of again offending Thee. I will always fly to Thy mercy, invoking always the most holy names of Jesus and Mary, with full confidence that when I pray Thou wilt not fail to give me the strength which I have not of myself to resist my enemies. This I resolve and promise to do. But of what use, O my God, will all these resolutions and promises be, if Thou dost not assist me with Thy grace to put them in practice; that is, to have recourse to Thee in all dangers? Ah, Eternal Father! Help me, for the love of Jesus Christ; and let me never omit recommending myself to Thee whenever I am tempted. I know that Thou dost always help me when I have recourse to Thee; but my fear is, that I should forget to recommend myself to Thee, and so my negligence will be the cause of my ruin, that is, the loss of Thy grace, the greatest evil that can happen to me. Ah, by the merits of Jesus Christ, give me grace to pray to Thee; but grant me such an abundant grace that I may always pray, and pray as I ought!

O my Mother Mary, whenever I have had recourse to thee, thou hast obtained for me the help which has kept me from falling! Now I come to beg of thee to obtain a still greater grace, namely, that of recommending myself always to thy Son and to thee in all my necessities. My Queen, thou obtainest all thou dost desire from God by the love thou bearest to Jesus Christ; obtain for me now this grace which I beg of thee,-----namely, to pray always, and never to cease praying till I die. Amen.

~~ by St. Alphonsus Liguori

Prayer to be said Every Day, to Obtain the Graces Necessary for Salvation

Eternal Father, Thy Son hast promised that Thou wilt grant us all the graces which we ask Thee for in His name. In the name, therefore, and by the merits of Jesus Christ, I ask the following graces for myself and for all mankind. And, first, I pray Thee to give me a lively faith in all that the holy Roman Church teaches me. Enlighten me also, that I may know the vanity of the goods of this world, and the immensity of the infinite good that Thou art; make me also see the deformity of the sins I have committed, that I may humble myself and detest them as I ought and, on the other hand, show me how worthy Thou art by reason of Thy goodness, that I should love Thee with all my heart. Make me know also the love Thou hast borne me, that from this day forward I may try to be grateful for so much goodness. Secondly, give me a firm confidence in Thy mercy of receiving the pardon of my sins holy perseverance, and, finally, the glory of Paradise, through the merits of Jesus Christ and the intercession of Mary. Thirdly, give me a great love towards Thee, which shall detach me from the love of this world and of myself, so that I may love none other but Thee, and that I may neither do nor desire anything else but what is for Thy glory. Fourthly, I beg of Thee a periect resignation to Thy will, in accepting with tranquillity sorrows, infirmities, contempt, persecutions, aridity of spirit, loss of property, of esteem, of relatives, and every other cross which shall come to me from Thy hands. I offer myself entirely to Thee, that Thou mayest do with me and all that belongs to me what Thou pleasest. Do Thou only give me light and strength to do Thy will; and especially at the hour of death help me to sacrifice my life to Thee with all the affection I am capable of, in union with the sacrifice which Thy Son Jesus Christ made of His life on the Cross on Calvary. Fifthly, I beg of Thee a great sorrow for my sins, which may make me grieve over them as long as I live, and weep for the insults I have offered Thee, the Sovereign Good, Who art worthy of infinite love, and Who hast loved me so much. Sixthly, I pray Thee to give me the spirit of true humility and meekness, that I may accept with peace, and even with joy, all the contempt, ingratitude, and ill-treatment that I may receive. At the same time, I also pray Thee to give me perfect charity, which shall make me wish well to those who have done evil to me, and to do what good I can, at least by praying, for those who have in any way injured me. Seventhly I beg of Thee to give me a love for the virtue of holy mortification, by which I may chastise my rebellious senses and cross my self-love; at the same time, I beg Thee to give me holy purity of body, and the grace to resist all bad temptations, by ever having recourse to Thee and Thy most holy Mother. Give me grace faithfully to obey my spiritual Father and all my Superiors in all things. Give me an upright intention, that in all I desire and do I may seek only Thy glory, and to please Thee alone. Give me a great confidence in the Passion of Jesus Christ, and in the intercession of Mary Immaculate. Give me a great love towards the most Adorable Sacrament of the Altar, and a tender devotion and love to Thy holy Mother. Give me, I pray Thee, above all, holy perseverance, and the grace always to pray for it, especially in time of temptation and at the hour of death.

Lastly, I recommend to Thee the Holy Souls of Purgatory, my relatives and benefactors; and in an especial manner I recommend to Thee all those who hate me or who have in any way offended me; I beg of Thee to render them good for the evil they have done, or may wish to do me. Finally, I recommend to Thee all infidels, heretics, and all poor sinners; give them light and strength to deliver themselves from sin. O most loving God, make Thyself known and loved by all, but especially by those who have been more ungrateful to Thee than others, so that by Thy goodness I may come one day to sing Thy mercies in Paradise; for my hope is in the merits of Thy Blood and in the patronage of Mary.

O Mary, Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me! So I hope; so may it be!

~~ by St. Alphonsus Liguori

Aspirations and Thoughts by St. Alphonsus Liguori

O God! Who knows what fate awaits me?
I shall be either eternally happy or eternally miserable.
Of what worth is all the world without God? Let all be lost, but let not God be lost.
I love Thee, my Jesus Who didst die for me! Would that I had died before I ever offended Thee!
I will rather die than lose God.
Jesus and Mary, Thou art my hope.
My God, help me, for the love of Jesus Christ! My Jesus, Thou alone art sufficient for me!
Suffer me not to separate myself from Thee.
Give me Thy love, and then do with me what Thou pleasest.
Whom shall I love, if I love not Thee, my God?
Eternal Father, help me, for the love of Jesus! I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee!
Here I am, O Lord; do with me what Thou wilt!
When shall I see myself altogether Thine, my God?
When shall I be able to say to Thee, My God, I can lose Thee no more?
Mary, my hope, have pity on me!
Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me!
Lord, who am I, that Thou shouldst desire to be loved by me?
My God, I desire Thee alone, and nothing more.
I desire all that Thou dost will, and that alone.
Oh, that I might be annihilated for Thee, Who wast annihilated for me!
Towards Thee alone, my God, have I been ungrateful!
I have offended Thee enough, I will no longer displease Thee.
If I had died then, I could not have loved Thee any more.
Let me die before again offending Thee.
Thou hast waited for me that I might love Thee. Yea, I will love Thee.
I consecrate the remainder of my life to Thee.
O my Jesus, draw me entirely to Thyself!
Thou wilt not leave me; I will not leave Thee.
I hope that we shall always love each other, O God of my soul!
My Jesus, make me all Thine before I die!
Grant that when Thou shalt come to judge me, I may see Thee with a benign countenance.
Thou hast done more than enough to oblige me to love Thee. I love Thee, I love Thee!
Deign to accept the love of a sinner who has so often offended Thee.
Thou has given Thyself all to me; I give myself all to Thee.
I desire to love Thee exceedingly in this life that I may love Thee exceedingly in the next.
Teach me to know Thy great goodness, that I may love Thee very much.
Thou lovest those that love Thee. I love Thee, do Thou also love me.
Give me the love Thou requirest of me. I rejoice that Thou art infinitely happy.
Oh that I had always loved thee, and had died before I had offended Thee.
Grant that I may overcome all things to please Thee.
I give Thee my whole will; dispose of me as thou pleasest.
My pleasure is to please Thee, O Infinite Goodness!
I hope to love Thee for all eternity, O eternal God!
Thou art omnipotent; make me a Saint.
Thou didst seek me while I was flying from Thee; Thou wilt not drive me away now that I seek after Thee.
I thank Thee for giving me time to love Thee. I thank Thee, and love Thee!
Let me give myself entirely to Thee this day, punish me in any way, but deprive me not of the power of loving Thee.
I will love Thee, my God, without reserve.
I accept all sufferings and all contempt, provided I may love Thee.
I desire to die for Thee, Who didst die for me.
I wish that all could love Thee, Who didst die for me.
I wish that all could love Thee as Thou meritest.
I wish to do everything that I know to be Thy pleasure.
I care more to please Thee than for all the pleasures of the world.
O holy will of God, Thou art my love! O Mary, draw me entirely to God!
O my Mother, make me always have recourse to thee; it is for thee to make me a Saint; this is my hope.

To the Incarnate Word by St. Alphonsus Liguori

The Beloved of the Eternal Father,
The Blessed of the Lord,
The Author of Life,
The King of Glory,
The Savior of the World,
The Expected of Nations,
The Desire of the Eternal Hills,
The Bread of Heaven,
The Mediator between God and Man,
The Master of Virtues,
The Lamb without Spot,
The Man of Sorrows,
The Eternal Priest,
The Victim of Love,
The Home of Sinners,
The Fountain of Graces,
The Good Shepherd,
The Lover of Souls,
Alphonsus the Sinner Consecrates this Book.

Dedication to Jesus and Mary by St. Alphonsus Liguori

O INCARNATE WORD, Thou hast given Thy Blood and Thy Life to confer on our prayers that power by which, according to Thy promise, they obtain for us all that we ask. And we, O God, are so careless of our salvation, that we will not even ask Thee for the graces that we must have if we should be saved! In prayer Thou hast given us the key of all Thy Divine treasures; and we, rather than pray, choose to remain in our misery. Alas! O Lord, enlighten us, and make us know the value of prayers, offered in Thy name and by Thy merits, in the eyes of Thy Eternal Father. I consecrate to Thee this my book; bless it, and grant that all those into whose hands it falls may have the will to pray always, and may exert themselves to stir up others also to avail themselves of this great means of salvation.

To thee also do I recommend my little work, O Mary, great Mother of God: patronize it, and obtain for all who read it the spirit of prayer, and of continual recourse in all their necessities to thy Son, and to thee, who art the Dispenser of graces, the Mother of mercy, and who never leavest unsatisfied him who recommends himself to thee, O mighty Virgin, but obtainest from God for thy servants whatever thou askest.

The Litany of St. Alphonsus Liguori
Doctor of the Church

Lord have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Lord have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Virgin Immaculate, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, model of piety from tenderest youth, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, scourge of heresies, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, defender of the Catholic Faith, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, always occupied in evangelizing the poor, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, tender comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, instructed in the Divine art of converting sinners, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, enlightened guide in the path of perfection, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, who became all things to all men, to gain all for Christ, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, new ornament of the Religious state, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, bold champion of ecclesiastical discipline, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, model of submission and devotion to the Sovereign Pontiff, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, who didst watch unceasingly over the flock committed to thee, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, full of solicitude for the common good of the Church, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, glory of the Priesthood and of the Episcopate, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, shining mirror of all virtues, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, full of tenderest love for the infant Jesus, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, inflamed with Divine love whilst offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, fervent adorer of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, penetrated with lively compassion while meditating on the sufferings of our Divine Savior, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, specially devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, favored by apparitions of the Mother of God, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, leading an angelic life, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, a true Patriarch in thy paternal solicitude for the people of God, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, endowed with the gift of prophecy and miracles, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, an Apostle by the extent and fruit of thy labors, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, a Martyr by thy austerities, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, a Confessor by thy writings full of the Spirit of God, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, a Virgin by thy purity of soul and body, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, a model of Missionaries, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, founder of the Order of the Most Holy Redeemer, pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, our tender father and powerful protector, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, St. Alphonsus,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: O God, Who by the Blessed Alphonsus Maria, Thy Confessor and Bishop, inflamed with zeal for souls, has enriched Thy Church with a new progeny: we beseech Thee, that taught by his saving counsels, and strengthened by his example, we may happily come to Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Feast day: August 1

Read St. Alphonsus' biography
in the Catholic Online Saints Index.