True Catholic Faith: Clarion Call of the Church’s Timeless Teaching

Here is a summary of Bishop Daniel Dolan’s sermon on St. Andrew Avelino, focusing on the lessons of life, death, and the goodness of God’s grace:

Summary

Bishop Dolan reflects on the life of St. Andrew Avelino, presenting him as a model for both life and death. Known for his deep purity, zeal for souls, and heroic virtue, St. Andrew teaches us to take even “little sins” seriously, to pursue holiness with resolve, and to daily pray for the grace of a holy death.

A canon lawyer in 16th-century Naples, Andrew left his legal career after telling a minor lie in court and later reading the scripture, “A lying mouth kills the soul.” Realizing the danger of such a life, he entered the Theatine Order, taking the name Andrew out of love for the Cross. He became a holy confessor, miracle-worker, and Eucharistic saint. His life was marked by supernatural events, such as divine light guiding him through a storm and the miraculous bleeding of a consecrated Host recovered from a would-be desecrator.

He died peacefully after suffering a stroke at the foot of the altar while saying “I will go unto the altar of God.” His body remained incorrupt, and miracles followed his death.

Key Lessons from the Life of St. Andrew Avelino

1. Take Sin Seriously

• A small lie changed his whole life.
• He recognized even venial sins as dangers to the soul.

2. Pursue Holiness with Purpose

• Gave up worldly success to follow God more perfectly.
• Spent hours in the confessional and preaching.

3. Love the Holy Eucharist

• Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament defined his priesthood.
• Miraculous events surrounded his Eucharistic ministry.

4. Pray Daily for a Holy Death

• St. Andrew prayed constantly for the grace of a good death.
• He died as he lived: at the altar, having received the last sacraments.

Final Reflections

• St. Andrew is a patron both for life and for death:
  • “Worry about the little sins, and the big sins will take care of themselves.”
• Bishop Dolan encourages us to imitate Andrew's purity, humility, and devotion, and to pray daily for ourselves and loved ones for the grace to die in God’s friendship.
• He concludes with prayers invoking the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Andrew for the grace of a holy death, the sacramental helps, and perseverance in God’s service.

Closing Prayer Themes

• Perfect contrition and worthy sacraments at death.
• Protection against sudden or unprovided death.
• That we may stand safely before God at judgment.