Poland honors Saint Alphonsus Liguori, revisits Saint Gerard Majelli case

Poland observed the liturgical feast of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and Doctor of the Church who founded the Redemptorist Order. Pope Benedict XVI recalled Liguori’s 2012 remarks in Castel Gandolfo, emphasizing that personal daily prayer and participation in the sacraments are essential for growing in God’s presence. Liguori’s 1759 treatise “Prayer – a means of salvation” described prayer as the sure path to grace and salvation.

The commemorations also highlighted a historic episode involving Saint Gerard Majelli, a Redemptorist priest accused in 1754 of sexual misconduct by a former postulant. Alphonsus Liguori summoned Gerard, examined the allegations, and imposed severe penalties, including a ban on receiving Holy Communion and restrictions on his apostolic activities, underscoring accountability within the order.