Monday, 1st August, St Alphonsus Liguori, 1696-1787, founder of the Redemptorist Congregation, taught much on moral theology and the spiritual life. He is remembered as a popular preacher and influential writer of theology.
Tuesday, 2nd August, St Eusebius of Vercelli, and the zealous St. Hilary of Poitiers laboured to supress the heresy of Arianism in Western Europe. St. Peter Julian Eymard, 1811-1868, a fervent disciple of the Eucharistic Mystery, established the Blessed Sacrament Fathers and, with the help of Marguerite Guillot, the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament.
Thursday, 4th August, St. John Vianney, 1786-1859, had to contend with poverty, military service and his own intellectual shortcomings in order to become a priest. In 1817, he was sent to care for the people of Ars, a small obscure French village. The marvellous gift of the unlearned priest for seeing into the depths of the soul brought the world to Ars. From 1830 on, the cure averaged twelve to sixteen hours a day in the confessional. Patron saint of priests.
Friday, 5th August, The Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major. The basilica was built by Pope Sixtus III after the Council of Ephesus (431). It is the first church in the West named in honour of the Mother of God.
Saturday, 6th August, The Transfiguration of the Lord. The cross requires the exodus of Jesus; his death, resurrection and glorification. The disciples have to realise that he must depart, just as they are now prepared for his going up to Jerusalem to die.