Preparation for Death

Alphonsus Liguori

• Publisher: TAN Books
• Year: 2024
• eBook ISBN: 9781505133592
• Topic: Theology & Religion

Saint Alphonsus Liguori, the Prince of Moral Theologians and Doctor of the Church, was one of the greatest preachers in Church history. A religious founder, consummate theologian, and prolific writer, St. Alphonsuss own holiness and humility were unmistakable through his tireless devotion to the souls in his care. Those who hear his teaching and wisdom cannot help but become inspired to attain the same holiness and devotion to Our Lord. Here, in Preparation for Death, is his formidable work on the last moments of life and our duty to prepare for it while we still have time.? Resonating throughout is the profound sense of the depravity of sin that St. Alphonsus undoubtedly felt and from which he longs to save his flock. He dwells repeatedly on the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Hell, and Heaven, bringing the reader to consider his own eternal destiny. Above all, St. Alphonsus's message is permeated by a prolonged meditation on the words of Our Lord: "What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul?" The goods of the world are fleeting, and to the Christian, they are even a burden—as St. Paul would say, "so much trash"—because "there is only one thing that is necessary." Topics include:

the certainty of death,

the uncertainty of the time,

the death of the sinner,

the death of the negligent Christian,

the death of the just,

the habit of sin,

delusions of the devil,

Particular and General Judgments,

he pains of Hell and its eternity,

the remorse of the damned,

and more to stir the soul to repentance . . .

Though St. Alphonsus can be a harrowing man to hear, it is only from the most unique tenderness and subtlety of his heart that such words can spring. For "out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaketh," and St. Alphonsus's heart was filled to the brim with genuine desire for innocence and purity of heart in all his spiritual children. It is worth noting that he never refused absolution to anyone.There is no better teacher on moral theology to ever grace the Church than St. Alphonsus Liguori. Let Preparation for Death show you why.

Table of contents

• Preparation for Death
• Copyright
• Contents
• To Mary Immaculate and Ever Virgin,
• Publisher’s Note
• Preface to the 1926 Edition
• The Author’s Protest
• Aim of the Work
• Preparation for Death Considerations on the Eternal Truths
• Consideration 1 Portrait of a Man Who Has Recently Gone into the Other World
• Consideration 2 With Death All Ends
• Consideration 3 Shortness of Life
• Consideration 4 The Certainty of Death
• Consideration 5 Uncertainty of the Hour of Death.
• Consideration 6 The Death of the Sinner
• Consideration 7 Sentiments of a Dying Christian, Who Has Been Careless About the Duties of Religion, and Has Thought but Little of Death
• Consideration 8 The Death of the Just
• Consideration 9 Peace of the Just at the Hour of Death
• Consideration 10 Means of Preparing for Death
• Consideration 11 Value of Time
• Consideration 12 The Importance of Salvation
• Consideration 13 The Vanity of the World
• Consideration 14 Life Is a Journey to Eternity
• Consideration 15 The Malice of Mortal Sin
• Consideration 16 The Mercy of God
• Consideration 17 Abuse of Divine Mercy
• Consideration 18 The Number of Sins
• Consideration 19 The State of Grace and of Disgrace with God
• Consideration 20 The Folly of the Sinner
• Consideration 21 Unhappy Life of the Sinner: and Happy Life of Him Who Loves God
• Consideration 22 The Habit of Sin
• Consideration 23 The Delusions which the Devil Puts into the Minds of Sinners
• Consideration 24 The Particular Judgment
• Consideration 25 The General Judgment
• Consideration 26 The Pains of Hell
• Consideration 27 The Eternity of Hell
• Consideration 28 The Remorse of the Damned
• Consideration 29 Heaven
• Consideration 30 Prayer
• Consideration 31 Perseverance
• Consideration 32 Confidence in the Patronage of Mary
• Consideration 33 The Love of God
• Consideration 34 Holy Communion
• Consideration 35 Dwelling of Jesus on Our Altars
• Consideration 36 The Conformity to the Will of God
• MAXIMS OF ETERNITY OR, MEDITATIONS FOR EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK1054
• Plan for a Retreat of Eight Days
• Hymn The Soul Enamoured of the Beauty of God
• Meditation for Sunday The End of Man
• Meditation for Monday The Importance of Our Last End
• Meditation for Tuesday Mortal Sin
• Meditation for Wednesday Death
• Meditation for Thursday Judgment
• Meditation for Friday Hell
• Meditation for Saturday The Eternity of the Pains of Hell
• Hymn The Soul Sighing for Heaven
• A Christian’s Rule of Life1061
• Chapter 1 The Means of Preserving the Grace of God
• Chapter 2 Acts and Practices of Piety
• Chapter 3 The Practice of the Christian Virtues
• Admonitions Addressed to Persons of All States Who Desire To Be Saved1103
• Protestation for a Happy Death
• Hymn Mary Our Hope
• Endnotes