What do St. Alphonsus Liguori and Swiss National Day Have in Common?

Coming Together

August 1st marks Swiss National Day, recalling the legendary oath on the Rütli meadow in 1291, when three Alpine cantons pledged mutual aid and cooperation. It's a birthday party for a confederation which sounds a lot like a parish. Different temperaments, different languages (four official ones!) live together in a shared promise: We will look out for each other.

Feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori

Coincidentally, this is also the feast day of St. Alphonsus Liguori, a Bishop and bridge-builder of his time. An 18th-century Italian missionary who spoke to peasants and bishops with patient warmth, he founded the Redemptorists to serve those most distant from the church, believing unity began where relationships were repaired. He is known for going out to meet those who were at the margins of society, much like Jesus did.

Art of Building Bridges

What makes Switzerland remarkable isn’t just its delicious chocolate or cheese but also its steadfast habit of coming together despite differences and choosing dialogue over walking away. Cantons have argued for centuries yet kept on together. The Swiss didn't erase their differences; they practiced the art of building bridges, knowing staying together beats going it alone.

Coming to the Table

That spirit echoes the Gospel. Christ never asked His followers to be identical; He asked them to be one. Unity doesn't mean uniformity; it means choosing dialogue over distance, again and again, even when it's hard. Whether you have Swiss roots, celebrate our heavenly patron, or just feel grateful to live here, here’s a question: where in your life right now is God asking you to stay at the table? Maybe it’s someone you’ve already decided isn’t worth the effort…Going beyond our comfort zones doesn’t come easily but I wonder if that’s where Christ is waiting—not at a comfortable distance—but right there in the mess of trying again.

• M. Kyrou
• Photo: Pixabay