The Redemptorist family joyfully celebrates the memorial of the Blessed Gennaro Maria Sarnelli on the 30th of June, recalling the significant contribution done in the areas of the “apostolate of the pen” for catechesis. Gennaro Sarnelli, along with St. Alphonsus, gave up his promising legal careers to dedicate themselves as priests to the poor and the most abandoned.
Fr. Gennaro was a spiritual master and well-known writer who spent himself entirely bringing the Gospel to the abandoned and the poor of the slums around Naples. He especially sought out the women, young boys and girls who were the victims of human trafficking and exploited as prostitutes, labourers, and in criminal activity.
“Through his extensive writings in the areas of spirituality, spiritual direction and social and political practice, he acted as a moral conscience to hundreds of thousands of his contemporaries,” notes J. Robert Fenili, CSsR, editor of Sarnelli’s life and letters.
As we commemorate the day with grateful hearts, we intercede with Blessed Gennaro Maria Sarnelli to assist us through his words and writings to work for justice and peace in lifting up the poor and abandoned from injustice and oppression.
Prayer in Honor of Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli
Holy Redeemer, we place ourselves in your presence, confident that you are a loving and merciful God. You walk with us by day and by night as we strive to proclaim your Gospel with compassion to people who are poor and abandoned. As we reach out to those most in need, we look to Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli as a model and help. His ardent desire was to bring people on the fringes of society and the Church to a deeper knowledge and love of you. We pray that his zeal will inspire and motivate us to share your redemption with those who are marginalized. We especially remember people who make decisions that lead to destructive and addictive behaviours. May our choices be those of Blessed Sarnelli, who continually lived the Gospel despite adversity and opposition. We ask his help that our commitment may not shrink for lack of support or favour, for as we become one with those who are outcasts, we become one with you. Amen.
Read more about the blessed Gennaro Sarnelli:
Blessed Gennaro Sarnelli – biography
Blessed Gennaro Maria Sarnelli: The Conscience of a Nation, His Life and Letters
