AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 25 September – Saint Sergius of Moscow

Posted on September 25, 2026September 24, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Saint Sergius of Moscow, also known as Sergius of Radonezh and Bartholomew of Radonezh, was a Russian (Eastern Catholic) monk. Born to nobility in 1314, Bartholomew, although intelligent, had great difficulty learning to read. This affliction was only removed from him when an angel disguised as a holy man gave him a piece of holy bread. When the Rostov principality fell into the hands of Ivan I of Moscow, his parents Kirill and Maria became impoverished and moved to the village of Radonezh together with their three sons, Stefan, Bartholomew and Peter.

Upon his parents’ death, Bartholomew went to Khotkovo near Moscow, where his older brother Stefan was a monk. He persuaded Stefan to find a more secluded place to live the ascetic life. In the deep forest at Makovets Hill they decided to build a small monastic cell and a church dedicated in honor of the Trinity.

As Sergius’s reputation for holiness spread, he attracted so many students that he founded the Holy Trinity monastery for them; following his ordination at Pereyaslav Zalesky, he served as its first abbot. His brother joined the monastery, but when he opposed Sergius’s strict rule, Sergius left the community to live again as a hermit. However, the monastery began to decline, causing the metropolitan of Moscow to order Sergius to return as abbot. Advisor to the Prince of Moscow, he encouraged the campaign that ended with the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380 which ended the Mongol domination of Russia. In the Russia that followed he founded forty monasteries. Metropolitan Alexius, Metropolitan of Moscow asked Sergius to become his successor but Sergius declined, preferring to remain a simple monk rather than be a bishop

Late in life he resigned his position and retired to live his last few months as a prayerful monk. He died on 25 September 1392 at the Trinity Lavra of Saint Sergius of natural causes. He is venerated as the foremost saint of Russia.

Uncategorized

Divina Pastora de las Almas ‘ The Divine Shepherdess of Souls, Cantillana, Sevilla, Andalucía, Spain (1703) and Memorials of the Saints – 25 September

Posted on September 25, 2026September 24, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Divina Pastora de las Almas ‘ The Divine Shepherdess of Souls, Cantillana, Sevilla, Andalucía, Spain (1703)

St. Isidore of Seville (560-636) Bishop of Seville, Father and Doctor of the Church, spread devotion to the Divine Shepherdess of Souls. The first image of the Divina Pastora in Cantillana was a banner, attributed to the painter Germán Llorente, carried in Rosary.

In 1800 a yellow fever epidemic ravaged the area,but Cantillana was largely spared, for which people thanked the Divine Shepherdess of Souls. Soon thereafter, the Hermandad de la Divina Pastora was chartered, a Rosary apostolate or brotherhood. The Brotherhood’s processional image is a seated statue, attributed to Francisco Antonio Ruiz Gijón (1653-1705).

For special occasions, of which there are many, she wears a large sombrero. On 31 August, a grand procession fetches the Statue from its Sanctuary into the Town, for celebrations leading up to the fiesta from 8 September. On the last weekend in September, with equal splendour and devotion, the Divine Shepherdess returns to her Shrine. A procession accompanies her canopied float on Saturday. On Sunday, there is Mass and music and then an all-night exposition of the Statue with devotions lasting into Monday morning.

St Anacharius of Auxerre
St Aurelia of Macerata
St Caian of Tregaian
St Ceolfrid
St Cleopas
St Egelred of Crowland
St Ermenfridus of Luxeuil

St Finbar (c 550– 623) Bishop of Cork and Abbot

St Firminus of Amiens
St Fymbert
St Herculanus the Soldier

Blessed Herman of Reichenau/the Cripple (1013–1054) Benedictine Monk, Confessor, Scholar, Scientist, Writer, Hymnist, Poet, Musical Composer, Teacher. In his own day, the heroic cripple who achieved learning and holiness was called ‘The Wonder of His Age.’.
Composer of the “Salve Regina” Hail Holy Queen, “Veni Sancte Spiritus” Come Holy Spirit and “Alma Redemptoris Mater” amongst many others.

Bl Marco Criado
St Mewrog
St Neomisia of Mecerata
St Paphnutius of Alexandria
St Principius of Soissons
St Sergius of Moscow
St Solemnis of Chartres

St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824) Bishop, Priest of the Passionist Order of St Paul of the Cross, Apostle of Charity, Preacher, Teacher, Writer.

Martyrs of Damascus: A Christian family of six who were tortured to death in a persecution by Roman authorities. They were: Eugenia, Maximus, Paul, Rufus, Sabinian and Tatta. They were tortured to death in Damascus, Syria, date unknown.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Jose María Bengoa Aranguren
• Blessed Josep Maria Vidal Segú
• Blessed Juan Agustín Codera Marqués
• Blessed Julio Esteve Flors
• Blessed Pedro Leoz Portillo
• Blessed Rafael Pardo Molina
• Blessed Tomás Gil de La Cal

Feast of the Holy Bishops of Milan – a 1st Century Diocese!

Imagine being part of a Diocese in which 36 of your past Bishops are saints and some are also Doctors of the Church and Popes (and others being considered for sanctity)! The latest addition to this illustrious role-call, is Pope Paul VI.
Today, the Church in Milan commemorates these holy Bishops.
They are:
• Blessed Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster
• Blessed Andrea Carlo Ferrari
• Pope Pius XI
• Saint Ambrose of Milan
• Saint Ampelius of Milan
• Saint Anathalon of Milan
• Saint Antoninus of Milan
• Saint Auxanus of Milan
• Saint Benedict Crispus of Milan
• Saint Benignus of Milan
• Saint Calimerius of Milan
• Saint Castritian of Milan
• Saint Charles Borromeo
• Saint Datius of Milan
• Saint Dionysius of Milan
• Saint Eugene of Milan
• Saint Eusebius of Milan
• Saint Eustorgius II of Milan
• Saint Eustorgius of Milan
• Saint Gaius of Milan
• Saint Galdinus of Milan
• Saint Geruntius of Milan
• Saint Glycerius of Milan
• Saint Honoratus of Milan
• Saint John Camillus the Good
• Saint Lazarus of Milan
• Saint Magnus of Milan
• Saint Mansuetus of Milan
• Saint Marolus of Milan
• Saint Martinian of Milan
• Saint Mirocles of Milan
• Saint Mona of Milan
• Saint Natalis of Milan

• Saint Protasius of Milan
• Saint Senator of Milan
• Saint Simplician of Milan
• Saint Venerius of Milan

Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 25 September – Indulgenced Prayers to Mary

Posted on September 25, 2026September 24, 2026 by AnaStpaul

All fair art thou, O Mary,

And the original stain is not in thee. Thou art the glory of Jerusalem.

Thou art the joy of Israel.

Thou art the honour of our people.

Thou art the advocate of sinners.

O Mary,

Virgin most prudent,

Mother most clement,

Pray for us;

Intercede for us with the Lord Jesus Christ.

(500 days every time said)

O God, Who, through the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, didst prepare a suitable dwelling place for Thy Son, grant, we beseech Thee, that, as through the death of Thy Son, foreseen by Thee, Thou didst preserve her from all stain of sin, by her intercession we also may be purified and so may come to Thee. Through the same Christ Our lord. Amen.

(3 years every time said)

Bid me bear, O Mother blessed, On my heart the wounds impressed, Suffered by the Crucified.

(500 days every time said)

Mary sorrowing, Mother of Christians, pray for us.

(300 days every time said)

Virgin most sorrowful. pray for us.

(300 days every time said. 5 years if this prayer, along with a Hail Mary, is said seven times in honour of the most sorrowful Mother)

Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation.

(300 days every time said)

O purest heart of Mary, Virgin most holy, obtain for me from Jesus purity and humility of heart.

(300 days every time said)

Queen of the most holy rosary, pray for us.

(300 days every time said)

Queen, glory of Carmel, pray for us.

(300 days every time said)

ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 25 September – Her many sins have been forgiven

Posted on September 25, 2026September 24, 2026 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 25 September – Readings: Ps 104:3-4, Ps 104:1, Osee 14:2-10, Luke 7:36-50

And He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And they who were at table with Him began to say within themselves, “Who is this man, who even forgives sins?” But He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Luke 7:36-50

REFLECTION – A sinful woman has proclaimed to us that God’s love has gone forth in search of sinners. For when he called her, Christ was inviting our whole race to his love; and in her person he was drawing all sinners to his forgiveness. He spoke to her alone, but he was drawing all creation to his grace. Who would not be struck by the mercy of Christ, who accepted an invitation to a Pharisee’s house in order to save a sinner! For the sake of the woman who hungered for forgiveness, he himself felt hunger for the table of Simon the Pharisee; and all the while, under the guise of a meal of bread he had prepared for the sinner a meal of repentance!

In order that you may have the same experience, reflect within yourself that your sin is great but that it is blasphemy against God, and an injury to yourself, to despair of his forgiveness because your sin seems to you to be too great. He has promised to forgive your sins, however many they are; will you tell him you cannot believe this and dispute with him, saying that your sin is too great and he cannot heal your sickness? Stop at that point, and cry out with the prophet: “Lord, I have sinned against you”. At once he will reply, "As for me, I have overlooked your fault: you shall not die." Glory to him from us all through all ages. Amen.

An anonymous Syrian writer of the 6th century

PRAYER – Holy God, help me to amend my life constantly and be sincerely converted to You. Let me seek Your interests rather than my own and be ever more closely united with You. Send Your Spirit of understanding to enkindle our minds but most of all, fill us with Your grace of faith, that whether we understand or not, our love and obedience, is our only guide. Blessed Virgin Mother teach us to carry our crosses as you did in love and patience. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.

CATHOLIC Quotes

Quote/s of the Day – 25 September – Serving God

Posted on September 25, 2026September 24, 2026 by AnaStpaul

He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house; you gave Me no water for My feet; but she has bathed My feet with her tears, and has wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss; but she, from the moment she entered, has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not anoint My head with oil; but she has anointed My feet with ointment. Wherefore I say to you, her sins, many as they are, shall be forgiven her, because she has loved much.

Luke 7:36-50

First Point – Where were you one hundred years ago? In nothingness. Who has drawn you out of it? God, who, by a preference that you have not at all merited, has created you to His own image and likeness. For what end have you been created? To glorify God, to know and to serve Him, to do His holy will and to keep His commandments. We glorify God by knowing and by loving Him; we give testimony of our love by serving Him; we serve Him by keeping His commandments.

Father François Nepveu

The service of God is not only our most important, but our sole work. This is so obvious that it requires only to be stated. Time and words would alike be wasted in the attempt to prove it. Yet, alas! even spiritual persons need to be reminded of this elementary truth.

Fr Faber

O my Lord and my God! my heart is filled with bitter grief when I call to mind the years of my past life. Alas! far from having employed them in Thy service, I am one of those unfaithful servants who have had my own self interest in view. However, as You are my Lord and King, I this day take an oath of allegiance and from henceforth swear that my wish is to live and die in Thy service.

Henri Marie Boudon

We begin at once to go back in the spiritual life when we become lukewarm or lax in the service of God. It is the first step that leads to sin and death.

Fr Louis Bordaloue

Sometimes I allow the world to show them what it is, so that, feeling its diverse and various passions, they may know how little stability it has, and may come to lift their desire beyond it, and seek their native country, which is the Eternal Life. And so I draw them by these, and by many other ways, for the eye cannot see, nor the tongue relate, nor the heart think, how many are the roads and ways which I use, through love alone, to lead them back to grace, so that My truth may be fulfilled in them. I am constrained to do so by that inestimable love of Mine, by which I created them, and by the love, desire, and grief of My servants.

The Dialogue of St Catherine of Siena

First Point – Death is fast approaching. Everything we see, everything we hear, proves it. In a short time we will be summoned to appear before the great Judge. We must die, indeed, but we must die a good death, if we would be saved. We try to persuade ourselves that death is still far off, as if by so doing we could keep away from us death itself. We should weep constantly over the brevity of life. A young man builds his hopes for a long life, on his youth; a man in middle life, on the vigor of his age; and an old man, on the strength of his temperament. Each one believes that he has resources against death that other men have not. How strange, but how common an illusion!

Father François Nepveu

SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS

Thought for the Day – 25 September – Scapular of the Seven Sorrows of Mary

Posted on September 25, 2026September 24, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Father Sebastian

OF THE SCAPULAR AND THE ROSARY OF OUR LADY OF SEVEN DOLOURS.

Devotion to our Blessed Lady is as ancient as the Church herself. But the long wars and dissensions which had desolated Europe, the ignorance, neglect of duties, and the consequent brutality of manners which ensued from this state of things, had greatly diminished it. However, an immense number of miracles which took place in the early part of the thirteenth century, communicated to it a new vigour and a wider extension. The instruments of mercy which the Blessed Virgin made use of to produce this effect were the Rosary, which was revealed to St. Dominic, in the year 1206, and the Scapulars of the Seven Dolours and of Mount Carmel, the first of which she herself gave to the seven Founders of the Order of Servites, and the second to St. Simon Stock.

**Scapular of the Seven Sorrows of Mary**

In the year 1233 seven noblemen of the city of Florence, whose names were Buonfiglio Monaldi, Buonagiunta Manetti, Manetto dell’ Antella, Amedeo degli Amidei, Ugiccione Uguccioni, Tostegno de’ Tostegni, and Alexis Falconieri, members of a pious Confraternity for honouring the Blessed Virgin, had assembled on the festival of the Assumption, to pay their homage and celebrate her triumph. At one and the same time the Mother of God appeared to each, and told them that they were to quit the world, and embrace a more perfect state of life. They did not hesitate to obey this heavenly voice, and having consulted with the blessed Ardingo, Bishop of Florence, as to the mode of life which they should adopt, they renounced their dignities, distributed their goods to the poor, and clothed themselves in grey habits, and retired to a small house outside the town, on the feast of the Nativity of their holy Patroness (8th September, 1233).

If, at any time, they were obliged to enter the city of Florence, in order to consult the Bishop, the people assembled about them in crowds, and the little children used to exclaim, “Here are the servants of Mary! Here are the servants of Mary!” Amongst these children was St. Philip Benizzi, who was then hardly five months old, and who, in after years, was called by our Blessed Lady to assume the habit of her servants. This humble retreat of the seven Solitaries soon became so besieged by visitors, that they were obliged to look out for a more retired place.

Their good Mother indicated to them the summit of Mount Jenario, where they removed and passed six years, principally occupied about their own sanctification, in the practice of the most austere penance, and assiduous meditation on the Passion of our Lord, and on the Dolours of his Blessed Mother. The venerable Bishop Ardingo had more than once exhorted them to establish an Order devoted to the Blessed Virgin, but in vain. The co operation of heaven became necessary to overcome the diffidence of these holy men, and triumph over their humility. On the evening of one Good Friday, whilst they were absorbed in profound meditation, they saw their august patroness descending from heaven, surrounded by a number of heavenly spirits, some of whom carried the instruments of the Passion; another, the rules of St. Augustine; one amongst them had in his hand a palm; another a scroll,on which the following words were engraven in golden letters, “Servants of Mary.” Finally there was one who carried in his hands a black habit of a new form.

The seven anchorites, filled with astonishment at this glorious apparition, waited respectfully for the Blessed Virgin to make known her will. Mary, in the attitude of a Mother overwhelmed with affliction, and, at the same time, full of maternal tenderness, approached them, and, pointing to the objects placed before their eyes, said : “Receive this habit which I present to you, and receive also the rule of St. Augustine, which you are to follow, so that, being designated by the name of my servants, you may one day obtain the palm of eternal life offered to you.” The holy Solitaries immediately adopted the habit of their new Institute, by the spirit of which they, and so many of the faithful, were to be sanctified, through the continual meditation on the Passion of Jesus Christ, and on the bitter sorrows of his Holy Mother.

In order that all the world might be able to clothe themselves in the livery of the Servants of Mary, they instituted a smaller habit of the same form, material, and colour, with that of the religious of the Order, and desiring also to give to the faithful an easy method of honouring the principal Dolours of Mary, they instituted a Rosary divided into seven parts, each of which is composed of one Pater and seven Aves. Mary promised to the seven holy founders, and more particularly to the Blessed Alexis, to protect in a special
manner, on all occasions, but particularly at the hour of death, those who
honour her Dolours.

But if we desire to secure this precious protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we must not be satisfied with meditating at long intervals on her Dolours, and with wearing the habit of mourning which reminds us of them. Our compassion, if it be a true one, ought to cause us to avoid that which is the true cause of her sorrow-that is to say, everything that offends God.

Ceiling in the Servite mother church, Santissima Annunziata, Florence

SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 24 September – Saint Paphnutius of Egypt

Posted on September 24, 2026September 23, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Saint Paphnutius of Egypt, a hermit and martyr. During the persecution under Diocletian (284-305), the governor Hadrian commanded that Paphnutius be brought to him. Instead of waiting to be brought, Paphnutius appeared before the governor, confessed his faith in Christ, and was subjected to torture.

The soldiers involved in his torture, Dionysius and Callimachus, were converted by his faith. They were then beheaded. Cast into prison after the tortures, Paphnutius converted forty prisoners to the Faith. They were all burnt alive.

Paphnutius was eventually set free, and a Christian named Nestorius took him in. He and all his family, through the influence of the saint, became steadfast in the Faith, and ultimately endured martyrdom. Paphnutius strengthened many other Christians to confess our Lord Jesus Christ, and they all died as martyrs. Some were cut down with swords, others were burned. There were 546 in all.

The hermit himself was thrown by the torturers into a river with a stone about his neck, but he miraculously floated to shore, still with the stone about him. Fustrated, they sent him to the emperor Diocletian himself, who commanded him to be crucified on a date tree.

And if a man professes to be a son of God, why does not he imitate the example of his Father? It becomes us, said he, to answer to our birth; and it is not fitting that those who are evidently born of God should be degenerate, but rather that the propagation of a good Father should be proved in His offspring by the emulation of His goodness.

The Life and Passion of St Cyprian (Pontius)

MARIAN TITLES

Our Lady of Walsingham / Virgin of the Sea (1061) , Marian Feasts and Memorials of the Saints – 24 September

Posted on September 24, 2026September 23, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes / Our Lady of Mercy/Ransom, Barcelona, Spain (1218) – 1 August, 24

Our Lady of Walsingham / Virgin of the Sea (1061) – 24 September:

The story of the Walsingham Shrine begins in Saxon times. In 1061, the Lady of the Manor, Richeldis de Faverches, was taken in spirit to Nazareth, shown the House where the Annunciation took place and asked by Our Lady, to build a replica in Norfolk. She was promised that ‘Whoever seeks my help there will not go away empty-handed.‘ The simple wooden house that she built soon became the focus of special devotion to Our Lady. The ‘Holy House’ was later encased in stone to protect it from the elements.

In 1153, the Augustinian Canons founded a Priory to care for the spiritual needs of the pilgrims. Their magnificent Priory Church was added in the fifteenth century. Only the ruin of the Priory Arch remains and archaeology has placed the site of the ‘Holy House’ in its shadow.

Walsingham became one of the foremost Shrines of medieval Christendom. Among the pilgrims to the ‘Holy House’ were many royal visitors. Henry III in 1226, Edward I (eleven times), Edward II in 1315, Edward III in 1361, Richard II in 1383, Edward IV in 1469, Henry VI in 1487 (and many other times) and Henry VIII in 1511, in thanksgiving for the birth of his son, Prince Henry.
In 1340, the Slipper Chapel was built at Houghton St Giles, a mile outside Walsingham. This was the final ‘Station’ Chapel on the way to Walsingham. It was here, that pilgrims would remove their shoes to walk the final ‘Holy Mile’ to the Shrine barefoot.

Erasmus, the Dutch scholar, visited Walsingham in 1513 and was impressed by the splendour of the Shrine. He wrote:

‘When you look inside, you would say, it is the abode of saints, so brilliantly does it shine with gems, gold and silver … Our Lady stands in the dark at the right side of the Altar … a little image, remarkable neither for its size, material or workmanship.’

This was soon to come to an end. Henry VIII ordered the dissolution of the monasteries and in 1538 the Priory was closed, the ‘Holy House’ burned to the ground and the Statue of Our Lady taken to London to be destroyed.
In 1896 Miss Charlotte Boyd bought the Slipper Chapel, which had seen centuries of secular use. She devoted herself to its restoration. The Statue of the Mother and Child was carved at Oberammergau and based on the design of the original statue – a design found on the medieval seal of Walsingham Priory, an imprint of which is in the British Museum.

The Walsingham seal: around the edges
Ave Maria gratia plena dominus tecum

The first Mass since the Reformation was offered in the Slipper Chapel on 15 August 1934 and a few days later Cardinal Francis Bourne led a pilgrimage of 10,000 people to the Chapel and declared it to be the Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady.

St Anathalon of Milan
St Andochius of Autun
St Anthony Gonzalez

St Chuniald
Bl Colomba Matylda Gabriel
St Coprio
St Erinhard
St Felix of Autun

St Gerard Sagredo OSB (980-1046) Bishop and Martyr, “The Apostle of Hungary,” Venetian nobleman, Benedictine monk, Prior of San Giorgio, Missionary to Hungary, Adviser to King Saint Stephen, Tutor to Prince Saint Emeric, Hermit, Bishop of Csanád, Writer, Reformer

St Geremarus
St Gislar
St Isarnus of Toulouse
St Lupus of Lyons

St Pacificus of Severino OFM (1653-1721) Priest, Franciscan Friar, Mystic, Miracle-worker, Missionary, Superior of the Friary of San Severino and joyful sufferer for Christ.

St Paphnutius of Egypt
Bl Robert Hardesty
St Rusticus of Clermont
St. Rupert of Salzburg
St Terence of Persaro (c 210-c 247) Martyr Layman
St Thyrsus of Autun
St Ysarn of Saint Victor
Bl William Spenser
—
Martyrs of Chalcedon – (49 saints): Forty-nine Christian choir singers of the church in Chalcedon in Asia Minor who were martyred together in their persecutions of Diocletian in 304.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Antonio Pancorbo López
• Blessed Esteban García y García
• Blessed José María Ferrándiz Hernández
• Blessed Juan Francisco Joya Corralero
• Blessed Luis de Erdoiza Zamalloa
• Blessed Manuel Gómez Contioso
• Blessed Melchor Rodríguez Villastrigo
• Blessed Pascual Ferrer Botella
• Blessed Rafael Rodríguez Mesa
• Blessed Santiago Arriaga Arrien

Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 24 September – Eternal God, our Refuge

Posted on September 24, 2026September 23, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 24 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary”

Eternal God, our Refuge
By St Boniface (672-754)

Eternal God,
the Refuge and Help
of all Your children,
we praise You
for all You have given us,
for all You have done for us,
for all that You are to us.
In our weakness,
You are Strength,
in our darkness,
You are Light,
in our sorrow,
You are Comfort and Peace.
We cannot number Your Blessings,
we cannot declare Your Love
For all Your Blessings,
we bless You.
May we live, as in Your presence,
and love the things, that You love
and serve You in our daily lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 24 September – The Faith of Women

Posted on September 24, 2026September 23, 2026 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 28 September – –“Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary” – Readings: Ps 118:137; 118:124, Ps 118:1, Eph 4:1-6, Matt 22:34-46

One body and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is above all, and throughout all, and in us all, Who is blessed forever and ever. Amen.

Eph 4:1-6

REFLECTION – Since Thou, my Creator, art not ungrateful, I do not think Thou wilt fail to do what they beseech of Thee, for when Thou wert in the world, Lord, Thou didst not despise women, but didst always help them and show them great compassion. Thou didst find more faith and no less love in them than in men, and one of them was Thy most sacred Mother, from whose merits we derive merit, and whose habit we wear, though our sins make us unworthy to do so. We can do nothing in public that is of any use to Thee, nor dare we speak of some of the truths over which we weep in secret, lest Thou shouldst not hear this our just petition.

Yet, Lord, I cannot believe this of Thy goodness and righteousness, for Thou art a righteous Judge, not like the judges in the world, who, being, after all, men and sons of Adam, refuse to consider any woman’s virtue as above suspicion. Yes, my King, but the day will come when all will be known. I am not speaking on my own account, for the whole world is already aware of my wickedness, and I am glad that it should be known, but, when I see what times are like, I feel it is not right to repel spirits which are virtuous and brave, even though they be the spirits of women.

St Teresa of Avila

PRAYER – Lord God, You hold out the Light of Your Word to those who do not know You. Strengthen in our hearts, the faith You have given us and the Credo we profess, so that no trials may quench the fire Your Spirit has kindled in us. May the intercession of all the Apostles, grant us the grace of following the way of the Cross, to stand beneath it with our afflicted Mother, the Mother of God, Ave Maria! We make our prayer through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

CATHOLIC Quotes

Quote/s of the Day – 28 September – The Twin Commandments

Posted on September 24, 2026September 23, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Do you, therefore, and My other servants, carry yourselves with true patience, with grief for your sins, and with love of virtue for the glory and praise of My Name. If you act thus, I will satisfy for your sins, and for those of My other servants, inasmuch as the pains which you will endure will be sufficient, through the virtue of love, for satisfaction and reward, both in you and in others. In yourself you will receive the fruit of life, when the stains of your ignorance are effaced, and I shall not remember that you ever offended Me.

The Dialogue of St Catherine of Siena

Some people think it a hardship not to be praying all the time for their own souls. Yet what better prayer could there be than this? You may be worried because you think it will do nothing to lessen your pains in Purgatory, but actually praying in this way will relieve you of some of them and anything else that is left – well, let it remain. After all, what does it matter if I am in Purgatory until the Day of Judgement provided a single soul should be saved?

St Teresa of Avila

John Gerson, Chancellor of the University of Paris, remarkable for his learning and virtue, after having explained the fifty properties of divine love mentioned in the Canticles, expired at the close of three days, smiling, and pronouncing these words of the same sacred text: ‘Thy love, O God, is strong as death’.

St Francis de Sales

The sure way of gaining heaven, without much cost, is by making frequent acts of the love of God, and by accustoming ourselves to do everything with the intention of pleasing Him.

Father Segneri SJ

Do not suppose, you Greeks, that my separation from your customs is unreasonable and unthinking; for I found in them nothing that is holy or acceptable to God. For the very compositions of your poets are monuments of madness and intemperance. For any one who becomes the scholar of your most eminent instructor, is more beset by difficulties than all men besides. Such things I have no desire to be instructed in. Of such virtue I am not covetous, that I should believe the myths of Homer. For the whole rhapsody, the beginning and end both of the Iliad and the Odyssey is — a woman.

St Justin Martyr

When then neither loss of money, nor slander, nor railing, nor banishment, nor diseases, nor tortures, nor that which seems more formidable than all, namely death, harms those who suffer them, but rather adds to their profit, whence can you prove to me that any one is injured when he is not injured at all from any of these things? For I will endeavour to prove the reverse, showing that they who are most injured and insulted, and suffer the most incurable evils are the persons who do these things.

St John Chrysostom

SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS

Thought for the Day – 24 September – A Short Method of Meditating on the Seven Dolors

Posted on September 24, 2026September 23, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Father Sebastian

A SHORT METHOD OF MEDITATING ON THE SEVEN DOLOURS

I. Place yourself in spirit at the feet of the Queen of Martyrs, and offer her your meditation.
II. Ask her blessing and assistance.
III. Think what Mary suffers in the Dolour on which you wish to meditate.
IV. Think who Mary is that suffers.
V. Think why Mary suffers.
VI. Think how Mary suffers.
VII. Think how you suffer.
VIII. Think which is the principal virtue taught by Mary in that Dolour upon which you are meditating.
IX. Think whether you practice that virtue or not; if not, beg pardon of God, and promise amendment.
X. Finish by making some very praсtical resolutions, and by praying to Mary for relief in all your wants, both spiritual and temporal.

Prayer to the Most Desolate Virgin.
Hail Mary, full of sorrows, the Crucified is with thee; most sorrowful art thou amongst women, and most sorrowful is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of the Crucified, beg tears for us, the crucifiers of thy Son, now and in the hour of our death.
Amen.

An Indulgence of 100 days was granted by his Holiness Pius IX., on December 23rd, 1847, for each recital of this prayer.

SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 23 September – Blessed William Way

Posted on September 23, 2026September 22, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Blessed William Way, was a priest and martyr executed under Elizabeth I. Born in 1560 in Cornwall or Devon, England, William went to France to study for the priesthood since the Protestant revolution in England had closed the seminaries. On 31 March 1584, he received his first tonsure in the Cathedral of Reims from the Cardinal of Guise. On 22 March he was ordained subdeacon, on 5 April deacon, and priest on 18 September 1586, at Laon, probably by Bishop Valentine Douglas, O.S.B

William departed for England on 9 December 1586, and by June 1587, was imprisoned. He was indicted at Newgate in September 1588, for being a Roman Catholic priest. He declined to be tried by a secular judge, whereupon the Bishop of London was sent for. William, refusing to acknowledge him as a bishop or Elizabeth I as head of the church, was immediately condemned as a traitor and to death.

When called to trial at the Sessions in August, “he had so much joy that he seemed past himself”. Way was “hung, drawn and quartered” at Kingston upon Thames on 23rd September 1588.

For nothing else was proper than that he who in the secret recesses of his conscience was rich in the full honour of religion and faith, should moreover be renowned in the publicly diffused report of the Gentiles.

The Life and Passion of St Cyprian (Pontius)

MARIAN TITLES

Nuestra Senora de Valvanera / Our Lady of Valvanera, La Rioja, Spain (9th Century) and Memorials of the Saints – 23 September

Posted on September 23, 2026September 22, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Nuestra Senora de Valvanera / Our Lady of Valvanera, La Rioja, Spain (9th Century) – 23 September:

This image is a replica of the original which appears to have dated from the ninth century and is preserved in the Royal Abbey Shrine of Our Lady of Valvanera, or Valvanere, in Rioja, jealously guarded by Benedictine Monks. The oldest documents preserved, dates from the thirteenth century and tells how, according to tradition, the original image was found by a thief who later converted and became a hermit.

There was a thief named Nuno Onez, who was a hardened criminal and a “man of licentious life and dedicated to looting.” One day, however, upon hearing the prayer of a man who was to be his next victim, he was touched by Divine grace and repented of his many crimes, turning to the Blessed Virgin Mary to help him change his life. One day while he was praying, an Angel appeared to him to tell him to go to Valvanera and search for an oak that stood out from the rest, with a fountain that gushed at its feet and surrounded by swarms of bees. There, in the branches of a strong and noble oak, in the presence of a fountain of pure and clear water, the trunk of which was overflowing with the sweetness of honey, he found an image of the Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Nuno went to the place with a Priest on the following Sunday and found the image, just as the Angel had said. The Statue had probably been hidden there when the Moslems invaded the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century. In that place, in the last third of the ninth century, he began to build a place of worship that became known as the Chapel of Santo Cristo. Soon there was a small group of hermits who met to pray around this image, men who eventually adopted a regular life inspired by the Rule of Saint Benedict. Thus, this small Shrine is believed to have given rise to the Monastery of Valvanera, where the Virgin is currently venerated.

Valvanera Monastery is surrounded by a forest near the Town of Anguiano in the valley of the Sierra Demand La Rioja. Its name derives from the Latin “Vallis Venaria,” which literally means: “Valley water veins.” The first Abbot was a man named Don Sancho in the year 990.

Our Lady apparently has a preference for oak trees, since this is one of several Statues found in or on an oak tree. On that very spot today is seen the magnificent Church which Alphonsus IV, King of Castile, built in honour of the Mother of God in 1073 and which houses the image.

St Alfonso Burgos
St Adamnan of Iona/Eunan of Iona (c 628-704) Monk, Abbot
Bl Antonio of Tlaxcala
Bl Bernardina Maria Jablonska
St Cissa of Northumbria
St Constantius of Ancona
Bl Cristobal of Tlaxcala
Bl Emilie Tavernier Gamelin
Bl Francisco de Paula Victor
Bl Guy of Durnes
Bl Helen Duglioli
Bl Juan of Tlaxcala

St Pope Linus (c 10 – c 76) Successor to St Peter. Papacy lasted from c 67 to his death. Among those to have held the position of pope, Peter, Linus and Clement are specifically mentioned in the New Testament. Linus is mentioned in the closing greeting of the Second Epistle to Timothy as being with Paul in Rome near the end of Paul’s life.

St Peter Acontanto
St Polyxena

St Thecla (1st century) Virgin Martyr, Disciple of St Paul.

Bl William Way
St Xantippa
—
Martyrs of Syracuse – (4 saints): Group of Christians deported from Syracuse, Sicily by invading Saracens and sent to North Africa where they were tortured and executed for their faith. Martyrs. The names that have survived are Andrew, Antony, John and Peter. c900

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Crispulo Moyano Linares
• Blessed María Josefa del Río Messa
• Blessed Norberto Cembranos de la Verdura
• Blessed Purificación Ximénez y Ximénez
• Blessed Sofía Ximénez y Ximénez del Río
• Blessed Vicente Ballester Far

Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 23 September – May We Love Only You

Posted on September 23, 2026September 22, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 23 September – The Memorial of Saint Adamnan of Iona (c 628-704) Relative of Saint Columban

May We Love Only You
By St Columban (543-615)

Loving Saviour,
be pleased to show Yourself to us who knock,
so that in knowing You,
we may love only You,
love You alone,
desire You alone,
contemplate only You, day and night
and always think of You.
Inspire in us the depth of love
that is fitting for You to receive as God.
So may Your love pervade our whole being,
possess us completely
and fill all our senses,
that we may know no other love
but love for You,
Who are everlasting.
May our love be so great,
that the many waters of sky, land and sea
cannot extinguish it in us –
many waters could not extinguish love.
May this saying love be fulfilled
in us also, at least in part,
by Your gift,
Jesus Christ, our Lord,
to whom be glory forever and ever.
Amen

ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 23 September – I do believe, help my unbelief!

Posted on September 23, 2026September 22, 2026 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 23 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary” – Readings: Ps 80:2-5, Ps 80:6, Amos 9:13-15, 2 Esd. 8:1-10, Mark 9:16-28

At once the father of the boy cried out, and said with tears, I do believe; help my unbelief.

Mark 9:16-28

REFLECTION – Faith is the virtue that Our Lord most often rewards and praises. Sometimes he praises love, as in the case of Mary Magdalen. Sometimes humility, but these are rare cases, and it is nearly always faith that earns his approval and reward. Why is this? No doubt because it is the most important of the virtues, if not the greatest, for it is the foundation of all the others, including charity, and it is the rarest of all.

To have real faith, faith that inspires all one's actions, and faith in the supernatural which tears the mask from the world and sees God in everything, which makes all things possible, which takes all meaning out of such words as worry, peril, fear, which makes us pass through life calmly, peacefully, happily, like a child holding its mother's hand, which gives the soul perfect detachment from all material things, shewing it their emptiness and puerility; which gives to prayer the confidence of a child asking something he deserves from his father; a faith to which “all is falsehood except to do the will of God”; a faith that makes all appear in a new light, so that we see people in the likeness of God making us love them and respect them as the counterfoils of our Beloved, and do them all the good we can. It will help us to regard all other living things as aids to the winning of Heaven, for we can always give God praise for them, or use them, or renounce them. Faith will shew us the greatness of God and our own littleness. It will make us undertake whatever is pleasing to God without hesitation or false shame or fear and without looking back. Ah! such faith is rare indeed. My God, give me this faith; my God, I believe, help thou my unbelief; my God, let me believe and love.

Charles de Foucauld

PRAYER – Shepherd of Your Church and we, the sheep of Your flock, who follow You and hear and do Your Word. Support us with grace those who are constantly striving to do Your will, so that following the example of the humble fiat of Your blessed Mother and ours, we may devote all our powers and talents to love of You and our neighbour and finally arrive safely in our heavenly home. May the prayers of St Adamnan of Iona, your faithful servant, be assistance in strengthening us in this vale of tears. In God, our Father we pray through You who live in union with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ages and ages. Amen

QUOTES on FAITH

Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – Faith

Posted on September 23, 2026September 22, 2026 by AnaStpaul

And Esdras blessed the Lord the great God, and all the people answered, Amen, Amen, lifting up their hands: and they bowed down, and adored God, with their faces to the ground.

2 Esd. 8:1-10

Inquisitive speculation destroys that simplicity which seeks only to bend to authority, and submit the reason and will to the weight of the Divine Word, without wishing to penetrate the depth of the mysteries, and entering into vain and useless arguments. This simplicity is founded on the respect due to God, and on the deference we ought to pay to His Word.

Esprit Fléchier

Brothers, this blind man is the Jew, who in the synagogue that is, in the house of faithlessness, and in the village, that is, in the assembly of the wicked, was confined, stuck in his seat, and burdened by ignorance, by blindness. This is why it was not he who came to Christ, but Christ who came to him and grasped his hand, so that he might boast that he had been cured by the gift of the One who called him, and not by any help from the Law or by his own decision. And he leads him outside, so that he who used to endure the darkness of faithlessness within the synagogue may see the light of faith within the Church, and he who used to see nothing under the veil of the Law, may have sight through the freedom that comes from grace.

St Peter Chrysologus

Wo often hear worldly people say, ‘Let me but witness but one miracle, and I will be converted.’ They deceive themselves. Their wonder would be excited, but it would leave no impression on their hearts. They would admire the power of the Almighty, but they would not increase in love and charity. They might be convinced, but they would not be converted, and since neither the authority of Holy Writ, nor the interior voice of conscience, nor the preaching of the gospel, nor the inspirations of heaven, do not induce them to believe, the light impression of a miracle would be very soon effaced.

Esprit Fléchier

I need not tell you with St Chrysostom and St Augustine, that it is a purely gratuitous gift of God, preceded by no merit, but from which proceed all merits, and that is the source and beginning of the righteousness of men. I will not tell you, with St Bernadine of Siena, that it is the most excellent homage that man can render to God, by subjecting his reason, which is the most ungovernable and the proudest of his faculties, by a blind deference to all the truths He has revealed, however incomprehensible they may be.

Pere Pedro La Font (18th century)

Faith is the truth, which, being revealed, causes the joy and happiness of the blessed, and which, even when veiled, is the hope and comfort of the saints on earth.

Esprit Fléchier

SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS

Thought for the Day – 23 September – Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors – Via Matris

Posted on September 23, 2026September 22, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Father Sebastian

THE WAY OF THE MOTHER

Whatever act of homage is practised by the faithful in honour of the Blessed Virgin is welcomed by her with singular love, but above all she is pleased at seeing us occupied in compassionating her Dolours. Such a devotion is so gratifying to Mary, that when she found it in the time of St. Bridget very much neglected, she complained to her in these words:- “There are few who remember my sorrows.”

Wherefore, in order to assist you in meditating upon the Dolours of Mary, we propose to you this devout exercise of the Stations of her Seven Dolours, which can be practised in public or private, in the same manner as the Way of the Cross. This holy exercise has been instituted for some time, and is every day spreading. It was publicly practised in Rome A.D. 1836, in the Church of St. Marcellus, and has been enriched by copious Indulgences of the holy memory of Gregory XVI. A Plenary Indulgence was granted, on July 31st, 1887, to those who on any day shall visit seven times the Stations of the Dolours, and for each time seven years’ Indulgence.

V. Come Holy Ghost, replenish the hearts of the faithful.
R. And enkindle in them the fire of thy love.
V. Send forth thy spirit, O Lord, and they shall be regenerated.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
V. Remember thy congregation.
R. Which Thou hast possessed from the beginning.
V. Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
V. The Lord be with thee.
R. And with thy spirit,

Act of Contrition.
Oh most afflicted Virgin! Alas, with what unthankfulness in my past life have I acted towards God! with what ingratitude have I corresponded to his innumerable benefits! Now, however, I am truly penitent, and in the bitterness of my heart and the sorrow of my soul, I humbly beg pardon for having. outraged his infinite bounty, resolving for the future, by his grace, never more to offend Him. Oh! by all the Dolours which thou hast borne in the Passion of Jesus, I pray thee with tears to implore from Him pity and mercy for my many grievous sins. Receive this holy devotion, which I am about to perform, in memory of those pains and Dolours. Grant! oh grant that those seven daggers which pierced through thy soul may likewise pierce through mine, and that I may live and die in the friendship of the Lord, and enjoy eternally the glory which He has acquired for me by his most precious Blood. Amen.

STATION I. FIRST DOLOUR

How great was the shock to Mary’s heart at hearing the sorrowful words, in which holy Simeon told the bitter Passion and death of her sweet Jesus, since in that same moment she realized in her mind all the insults, blows, and torments which the impious men were to offer to the Redeemer of the world. But a still sharper sword pierced her soul. It was the thought of men’s ingratitude to her beloved Son. Now consider that, because of your sins, you are unhappily among the ungrateful, and casting yourself at the feet of the Mother of Dolors, say with sorrow:

Virgin beloved, who did feel so bitter pangs of soul at seeing the abuse which I, wretch that I am, would make of the Blood of your dear Son, obtain for me, I pray you, by your riven heart, that in time to come, I may better correspond to God’s mercies, profit by his heavenly grace, receive not in vain his lights and inspirations, and so be among the blessed number of those who are saved by the bitter passion of Jesus. Amen.

Amen. Ave Maria.
Virgin most sorrowful, pray for us.
O Mary, sweetness of my life,
Stamp on my soul thy bitter strife,
And pray for me, that I may see Thy joys for all eternity.

STATION II. SECOND DOLOUR

Consider the sharp sorrow which Mary felt when, Saint Joseph being warned by an angel, she had to flee by night in order to preserve her beloved Child from the slaughter decreed by Herod.

What anguish was hers in leaving Judea, lest she should be overtaken by the soldiers of the cruel king ! How great her privations in that long journey ! What sufferings she bore in that land of exile, what sorrow amid that people given to idolatry ! But consider how often you have renewed that bitter grief of Mary, when your sins have caused her Son to flee from your heart. Wherefore repent, and turn to her, humbly saying:

Sweetest Mother, once and once only Herod obliged you to flee with your Jesus, to escape the slaughter which he had commanded; but I, how often have I forced my Redeemer, and you with him, to flee from my heart, when I have admitted into it accursed sin, hateful to you and to my loving Lord. With tears and contrition I humbly beg for pardon. Mercy, dear Lady, mercy ! And I promise you that, for the future, with the help of God, I will ever maintain my Savior and you in complete possession of my soul. Amen.

Amen. Ave Maria.
Virgin most sorrowful, pray for us.
O Mary, sweetness of my life,
Stamp on my soul thy bitter strife,
And pray for me, that I may see Thy joys for all eternity.

STATION III. THIRD DOLOUR

How dreadful was the grief of Mary, when she saw that she had lost her beloved Son ! And, as if to increase her sorrow when she sought him diligently among her kinfolk and acquaintances, she could hear no tidings of him. No hindrances stayed her, nor weariness, nor danger; but she forthwith returned to Jerusalem, and for three long days sought him sorrowing.

Great be your confusion, O my soul, who has so often lost your Jesus by your sins, and has given no heed to seek him at once: a sign that you do make of very little or of no account the precious treasure of divine love. Weep then for your blindness, and turning yourself to that Lady of sighs, your Mother, say with compunction:

Virgin most afflicted, obtain that I may learn from you to seek Jesus when I have lost him by giving ear to my passions and to the evil suggestions of the devil; obtain that I may find him again, and when I possess him once more, that I may ever repeat the words of the Spouse, “I found Him whom my soul loveth; I held Him, and I will not let him go.” Amen.

Amen. Ave Maria.
Virgin most sorrowful, pray for us.
O Mary, sweetness of my life,
Stamp on my soul thy bitter strife,
And pray for me, that I may see Thy joys for all eternity.

STATION IV. FOURTH DOLOUR

Come, O you sinners, come and see if you can endure so sad a sight. This Mother, so tender and loving, meets her beloved Son, meets him amidst an impious rabble, who drag him to a cruel death, wounded, torn by stripes, crowned by thorns, streaming with blood, bearing his heavy Cross. Ah, consider, my soul, the grief of the blessed Virgin thus beholding her Son! Who would not weep at seeing this Mother’s grief? But who has been the cause of such woe? I, it is, who with my sins have so cruelly wounded the heart of my sorrowing Mother! And yet I am not moved; I am as a stone, when my heart should break because of my ingratitude.

Virgin most holy, I crave pardon for the sorrows I have caused you. I know and confess that I deserve it not, for it is I through whom your Jesus was so treated; yet do you call to mind that you are the Mother of mercy. Show mercy then to me, and I promise to be more faithful to my Redeemer in the time to come, and thus to console you for the many sorrows I have offered to your afflicted heart. Amen.

Amen. Ave Maria.
Virgin most sorrowful, pray for us.
O Mary, sweetness of my life,
Stamp on my soul thy bitter strife,
And pray for me, that I may see Thy joys for all eternity.

STATION V. FIFTH DOLOUR.

In this fifth Dolour, imagine thyself, oh my soul, on the heights of Calvary when the most afflicted Virgin saw her beloved Son die. Meditation. Come, oh devout soul! come to Calvary, where are being offered to God two sacrifices; one is the Body of Jesus, the other is the heart of Mary. Оh! sorrowful spectacle, to look upon this good Mother in such a sea of woe beholding Him, who is more dear to her than life itself, martyred by the most cruel death. Alas! every blow of the hammer, every wound, every lacera- tion which the Saviour of the world received on his sacred Body, Mary received upon her heart. She stood there at the foot of the cross, so penetrated with pain and transfixed with such agony that it could not be decided which should be the first to expire Jesus or Mary. Fixing her eyes on her Blessed Son she sees that He is already breathing forth his last breath; she gazes upon his sunken eyes, his ghastly looks, his livid lips, and listens to his difficult breathing, and at last she knows that He no longer lives, and that He has already yielded his blessed spirit to his Eternal Father. Ah! surely she wished that at that moment her soul could be separated from her body and united to the soul of Jesus. And who could bear such a sight as this? Oh, most afflicted of all mothers! instead of returning from Calvary to be free from such bitter suffering, thou didst remain there immovable as a rock in order to drink to the last drop the chalice of thy affliction.

What confusion must this be for me, my soul, who strive in every way to remove those little crosses and light sufferings which God thinks fit to send me for my greater good. Grant! oh grant that I may know the value of sufferings and that I may become so attached to them, that not being satisfied with those thou sendest to me, I may cry out with St. Francis Xavier,
“Plura, Domine, plura:” “More sufferings, oh my God-oh yes, more sufferings.”

Amen. Ave Maria.
Virgin most sorrowful, pray for us.
O Mary, sweetness of my life,
Stamp on my soul thy bitter strife,
And pray for me, that I may see Thy joys for all eternity.

STATION VI. SIXTH DOLOUR.

In this sixth Dolour contemplate, oh my soul, the Blessed Virgin when she received into her arms her dead Son after He was taken down from the cross. Meditation. Consider the pang which penetrated the heart of Mary when she held in her arms the dead Body of her Son. Ah! when she fixed her weeping eyes upon his gaping wounds, when she counted his sorrows and saw Him shedding so much blood, how terrific must have been the shock to her mind, and how deadly the blow which broke her sacred heart; and, indeed, she would have fallen down dead, through agony, but for the assistance of Divine power. Oh poor Mother! yes, Mother of Martyrs, thou didst bear to the tomb the dear object of thy most tender care, who, from being fair as the rose, became like to a bed of thorns by the ill-treatment and lacerations given by the executioners.

And who would not pity thee, who would not feel themselves struck by sorrow at seeing thee in sorrow, such as would move to pity the most stony heart? I behold St. John inconsolable, Mary Magdalen with the other Marys in bitterest grief, Nicodemus not able to stand under his afflictions. And I, alas! I alone cannot shed a tear in the midst of such sorrow, ungrateful and unthankful creature that I am. Oh, my dear Mother Mary, grant that my heart may be transfixed by those same daggers which passed through thy most afflicted heart, and that I may now become truly penitent for those sins which caused thee such a cruel martyrdom.

Amen. Ave Maria.
Virgin most sorrowful, pray for us.
O Mary, sweetness of my life,
Stamp on my soul thy bitter strife,
And pray for me, that I may see Thy joys for all eternity.

STATION VII. SEVENTH DOLOUR.

In this seventh Dolour, contemplate, oh my soul, the most sorrowful Virgin at the Sepulchre of her dead Son. Meditation. Consider how full of woe must have been the sigh which the most afflicted heart of Mary sent forth when she placed in the tomb her amiable Jesus. Oh! what pain, what great woe, must she have felt in her soul, when she beheld the rock lifted with which that sacred monument was to be closed; she could not be separated from the side of the sepulchre, and her sorrow was such that it rendered her immovable, nor was she ever satisfied with looking at those cruel wounds. And when the tomb was closed, so great was her grief that she could hardly live.

Oh! most cruelly-tortured Mother, thou wilt depart presently in body from this place, but here will thy heart remain with thy true treasure. Оh grant that here too all my affections and my love may rest. How is it possible not to be struck with love for the Saviour who has given his Precious Blood for our salvation? And how is it possible not to love thee, who hast suffered so much for love of us?

Oh! by all thy Dolours upon which we have meditated, grant this favour, that the memory of those pains may always remain impressed upon our minds, hat our poor hearts may be inflamed with love of God and thee, most sweet Mother, and that the last sighs of our lives may be united to those which thou didst send forth from the depth of thy heart at the Passion of Jesus; to whom be honour, glory, and thanks for ever and ever.

Amen. Ave Maria.
Virgin most sorrowful, pray for us.
O Mary, sweetness of my life,
Stamp on my soul thy bitter strife,
And pray for me, that I may see Thy joys for all eternity.

At the end, returning to the altar, say one part of the Stabat Mater.
V. Pray for us, most sorrowful Virgin
R. That we may be made worthy of
the promises of Christ.

Prayer.
O God, in whose Passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, the sword of sorrow pierced the soul of thy most glorious Mother, the Virgin Mary, mercifully grant that we who meditate upon her Dolours may obtain happіness by the effects of thy Passion.
Amen.

Uncategorized

Saint of the Day – 22 September – Saints Digna and Emerita of Rome

Posted on September 22, 2026September 21, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Saints Digna and Emerita of Rome, martyrs, were consecrated virgins in the 3rd century. When dragged to court for the crime of Christianity during the persecutions of Valerian, they simply stood in front of the judge and prayed.

And at the sound of their voices I was awakened, still tasting a sweetness which I cannot describe. And I immediately related this to my brother, and we understood that it was to be a passion, and we ceased henceforth to have any hope in this world.

St Perpetua

MARIAN TITLES

Madonna di Porto Salvo / Our Lady of Porto Salvo, Lampedusa, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy (1843) and Memorials of the Saints – 22 September

Posted on September 22, 2026September 21, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Madonna di Porto Salvo / Our Lady of Porto Salvo, Lampedusa, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy (1843) – 22 September:

The island of Lampedusa lies far south of Sicily, closer to Tunisia than to Italy. Since the time of the Crusades, it has been home to a rural Shrine frequented by mariners both Christian and Muslim in the 1500s and 1600s, who kept an oil lamp burning constantly before the crude stone Statue of the Madonna and Child.

But the island was not inhabited until 22 September 1843, when two steamships of Italian colonists arrived under Governor Bernardo Maria Sanvisente. In Madonna Valley, they found the Chapel dilapidated and the mutilated Statue of the Virgin on the ground. Sanvisente ordered the Chapel and Statue to be restored and a Mass sung every year on 22 September in honour of the Madonna of Porto Salvo and the settlement of the island. During World War II, bombs destroyed the Church, but the Madonna was unhurt and no-one killed.

In 1967, the Virgin and Child were crowned but in 1979 the precious crowns were stolen. The faithful soon raised money for new ones and the Madonna of Porto Salvo was recrowned on 21 September 1980.

She is the Patron of fishermen and her celebration now lasts two weeks. On the first Sunday of September, the Statue processes from its Shrine to the main Church in town, where it is honoured with special services until the big day of the 22nd, when it processes solemnly through the City streets. Of course, the festa is the occasion for general entertainment, games and food as well. On the 23rd, a final procession returns the Madonna to the Sanctuary outside town.

St Augustinus Yu Chin-Kil
St Basilia
St Digna of Rome
St Emerita of Rome
St Emmeramus
St Florentius the Venerable
St Gunthildis of Suffersheim (Died c 1057) Laywoman

St Ignatius of Santhia OFM Cap (1686-1770) Priest and Friar of the Capuchin Franciscans, renowned Spiritual Director, servant of the Confessional, apostle of charity Known as the “Father of Sinners and the Lost”

St Irais
St Jonas
Bl Joseph Marchandon
St Lauto of Coutances
St Lindru of Partois
St Maurice & Co
Bl Otto of Freising
St Sadalberga
St Sanctinus of Meaux
St Silvanus of Levroux

St Thomas of Villanueva/Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Religious Priest of the Order of St Augustine, Confessor, Writer, Preacher, Teacher, Apostle of Charity, Mystic, Miracle-Worker often called “the Almsgiver” and “the Father of the Poor“, Reformer.

Martyrs of the Theban Legion: Martyrs (c 287)
A Roman imperial legion of 6,600 soldiers, all of whom were Christians; they had been recruited from the area around Thebes in Upper Egypt, were led by Saint Maurice and served under Emperor Maximian Herculeus. Around the year 287, Maximian led the army across the Alps to Agaunum, an area in modern Switzerland, in order to suppress a revolt by the Bagandre in Gaul. In connection with battle, the army offered public sacrifices to the Roman gods; the Theban Legion refused to participate. For refusing orders, the Legion was decimated – one tenth of them were executed. When the remainder refused to sacrifice to the gods, they were decimated again. When the survivors still refused to sacrifice, Maximinian ordered them all killed. Martyrs.
Known members of the Legion include:
• Alexander of Bergamo
• Candidus the Theban
• Chiaffredo of Saluzzo
• Exuperius
• Fortunato
• Innocent of Agaunum
• Maurice
• Secundus the Theban
• Ursus the Theban
• Victor of Agaunum
• Victor of Xanten
• Victor the Theban
• Vitalis of Agaunum
Other profiled saints associated with the Legion include:
• Antoninus of Piacenza (martyred soldier; associated by later story tellers)
• Adventor of Turin (not a member; associated by later story tellers)
• Cassius (may have been a member)
• Florentius the Martyr (may have been a member)
• George of San Giorio (not a member; associated by later story tellers)
• Gereon (not a member, but another soldier who was martyred for refusing to make a sacrifice to Roman gods)
• Octavius of Turin (not a member; associated by later story tellers)
• Pons of Pradleves (escaped the massacre to become an evangelists in northern Italy)
• Secundus of Asti (not a member but linked due to art work)
• Solutor of Turin (not a member; associated by later story tellers)
• Tiberio of Pinerolo (may have been a member)
• Verena (wife of a member of the Legion)
They were martyred c 287 in Agaunum (modern Saint-Maurice-en-Valais, Switzerland. A basilica was built in Agaunum to enshrine the relics of the Legion.

Martyrs of Valencia, Spain – Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Alfonso Lopez
• Blessed Antonio Gil-Monforte
• Blessed Antonio Sáez de Ibarra López
• Blessed Carlos Navarro Miquel
• Blessed Esteban Cobo-Sanz
• Blessed Federico Cobo-Sanz
• Blessed Félix Echevarría Gorostiaga
• Blessed Francisco Carlés González
• Blessed Francisco Vicente Edo
• Blessed Germán Gozalvo Andreu
• Blessed Josefina Moscardó Montalvá
• Blessed Luis Echevarría Gorostiaga
• Blessed María Purificación Vidal Pastor
• Blessed Miguel Zarragua Iturrízaga
• Blessed Simón Miguel Rodríguez
• Blessed Vicente Sicluna Hernández

Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 22 September – Lord, May Your Kingdom Come into My Heart

Posted on September 22, 2026September 21, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 22 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary”

Lord, May Your Kingdom Come into My Heart
By Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751)

Lord, may Your Kingdom come into my heart
to sanctify me, nourish me and purify me.
How insignificant is the passing moment,
to the eye without faith!
But how important each moment is,
to the eye enlightened by faith!
How can we deem insignificant anything,
which has been caused by You?
Every moment and every event is guided by You
and so, contains Your infinite greatness.
So, Lord, I glorify You
in everything that happens to me.
In whatever manner You make me live and die,
I am content.
Events please me for their own sake,
regardless of their consequences,
because Your action lies behind them.
Everything is heaven to me
because, all my moments,
manifest Your love.
Amen

ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 22 September – The more you receive, the more you have to account for

Posted on September 22, 2026September 21, 2026 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary”- Readings: Sir 45:30, Ps. 131:1, Sir 44:16-27; 45:3-20, Matt 25:14-23

And he who had received the five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; behold, I have gained five others in addition.’

Matt 25:14-23

REFLECTION – The man in travelling into a far country is our Redeemer, who ascended into heaven in that flesh which He had taken upon Him. For the proper home of the flesh is the earth, and it, as it were, travels into a foreign country, when it is placed by the Redeemer in heaven.

Otherwise; The five talents denote the gift of the five senses, that is, the knowledge of things without; the two signify understanding and action, the one talent understanding only.

There are also some who though they cannot pierce to things inward and mystical, yet for their measure of view of their heavenly country they teach rightly such things as they can, what they have gathered from things without, and while they keep themselves from wantonness of the flesh, and from ambition of earthly things, and from the delights of the things that are seen, they restrain others also from the same by their admonitions.

Again, there are some who by their understanding and their actions preach to others, and thence gain as it were a twofold profit in such merchandize. This their preaching bestowed upon both sexes is thus a talent doubled.

To hide one talent in the earth is to devote the ability we have received to worldly business.

This lesson from this Gospel warns us to consider whether those who seem to have received more in this world than others shall not be more severely judged by the Author of the world; the greater the gifts, the greater the reckoning for them. Therefore should every one be humble concerning his talents in proportion as he sees himself tied up with a greater responsibility.

St Gregory the Great

PRAYER – O God of love, You sent Your beloved Son to the world to proclaim the Good News of Salvation, to heal every illness and to cure all infirmity of body and soul. Help us to continue the mission of the merciful Christ in the service towards our neighbour, preaching the Gospel and offering our help in whatever way we can. May the example of suffering of our Blessed Mother Mary, teach us how to love and serve You. Through her intercession, grant us the grace to go forth in love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

CATHOLIC Quotes

Quote/s of the Day – 22 September – St Thomas of Villanova

Posted on September 22, 2026September 21, 2026 by AnaStpaul

The first house is Eve in a state of innocence, beautiful, comely, innocent, wise; the second house is the Virgin Mary, lowly and mortal. But do not grieve, O sinners: Great shall be the glory of this last house more than of the first. The first killed us, the last gave us life. The first led us to death, the last to life. The first is the creation of God, the last the Mother of God. The first is the world’s destruction, the last the world’s salvation.

Do you suppose that the Virgin suffers only a slight loss if you say that she was the captive of sin for only a moment? That she was a daughter of perdition, subject to an evil spirit, infected by the universal stain? How did she bruise the devil’s head, if she was first bruised by it? God forbid, God forbid, that we should impute such a stain to the glory of our sinful nature!

The Virgin is called an unspotted mirror (Wis 7:26). For just as a mirror contains two things, glass and lead, which allow it to reflect a likeness, so the Virgin contains the glass of purity and the lead of humility, by virtue of which the visible likeness of God the Father appeared in her in the flesh. Bernard says: the royal Virgin rises above all.

The most holy Virgin is first in worthiness. Anselm says, Nothing is equal to you, O Lady, nothing is comparable; for all that exists is either above you, and this is God; while that which is below you — and that is everything — is not God.

How was the Virgin created from the beginning? The answer: It does not say from the beginning of time, but as a condition of manner; not that she was created from the beginning, but that she followed the manner and condition of creatures who were created first and from the beginning, because they were without defect and sin.

For as the sun surpasses all the lights of heaven by virtue of its distinguished renown, so Mary surpasses all rational creation, after the Son, by the splendor and fairness of virtue and grace. And the moon under her feet. For every defect, and whatever weakness or corruption that exists, is beneath the Virgin, who rises above and surpasses creatures by virtue of a certain most excellent loftiness beyond all others; so that the moon may rightly be said to be under her feet.

SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS

Thought for the Day – 22 September – Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors

Posted on September 22, 2026September 21, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Father Sebastian

LITANY OF THE SEVEN DOLOURS OF
THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Lord have mercy on us. Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us. Lord have mercy on us.
Christ hear us. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the World, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Mother of Dolours, Pray for us.

Thou who didst find no room in the inn, Pray for us.
Who wast forced to take refuge in a stable, Pray for us.
Who didst lay thy first-born in a manger, Pray for us.

Who didst witness the circumcision of thy Son, Pray for us.
Who didst hear that thy Son was set as a sign that should be contradicted, Pray for us.

Who didst hear that thy own soul should be pierced with a sword, Pray for us.
Who didst fly into Egypt with thy Son, Pray for us.
Who didst grieve for the murder of the Innocents, Pray for us.
Who for three days didst seek sorrowing thy Son, lost in the
Temple when He was twelve years old, Pray for us.
Who didst note the constant hatred of the Jews against Him, Pray for us.
Who on the day of the last Supper didst bid farewell to thy Son going to Jerusalem to die. Pray for us.

Who didst learn that He was betrayed by Judas, and led away captive, Pray for us.
Who didst see Him delivered us as a malefactor by the chief priests, Pray for us.
Who didst hear that He was falsely accused, Pray for us.
Who didst learn that his blessed face was struck, Pray for us.
Who didst learn that He was most cruelly treated by the Jews and
the soldiers, Pray for us.

Who didst hear thy Son rejected for Barabbas, Pray for us.
Who didst behold Him beaten with scourges and crowned with thorns, Pray for us.
Who didst hear sentence pronounced against Him, Pray for us.
Who didst go to meet thy Son loaded with the Cross, Pray for us.
Who didst see his blessed hands and feet pierced with nails, Pray for us.
Who didst receive the last words of Jesus upon the Cross. Pray for us.
Who didst stand by Him in his agony, Pray for us.

Who didst receive into thy bosom the lifeless Body of thy Son taken down from the Cross, Pray for us.
Who after the Body of Jesus was buried didst return home all sad and desolate. Pray for us.
O Queen of Martyrs,
O Mirror of the afflicted,
Ο Comfort of the weak,
O Strength of the fearful,
Refuge of Sinners.
Through the most bitter Passion and Death of thy Son,

Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.
Through the most poignant sorrow
of thy heart, Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.
Through thy exceeding sadness and desolation, Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.
Through thy extreme anguish, Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.
Through thy groans and tears, Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.
Through thy maternal compassion, Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.

Through thy most powerful patronage, Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.

From immoderate sadness, Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.
From a pusillanimous spirit, Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.
From every occasion and danger of sin, Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.
From the snares of the devil, Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.
From hardness of heart, Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.
From impenitence, Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.
From sudden and unprovided death, Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.
From eternal damnation, Deliver us from sin and evil, O Queen of Martyrs.
We sinners,
Beseech thee hear us.
That thou wouldst vouchsafe to preserve us by thy patronage in true faith, hope, and charity,
We beseech thee hear us.
That thou wouldst vouchsafe to obtain for us perfect sorrow and repentance for our sins, We beseech thee hear us.
That thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring consolation and assistance to those who call upon thee, We beseech thee hear us.
That thou wouldst vouchsafe to succour us in the agony of death, We beseech thee hear us.
That thou wouldst vouchsafe to obtain for us a happy death, We beseech thee hear us.
Mother of God, We beseech thee hear us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us, O Lord.
Christ hear us,
Christ graciously hear us.
Lord have mercy on us,
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
V. In all our tribulations and
afflictions,
R. Succour us, O Virgin Mary,

PRAYER.
Write, O afflicted Mother, on my repentant heart thy Seven Dolours and the five bleeding Wounds which thy dear Son bore, that I may read therein sorrow and true love; sorrow, to endure for Jesus and for thee every sorrow; love, to despise every love for Him and for thee. Live, crucified Jesus and heartbroken Mary, for ever and ever! Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Memorare Triste.
Remember, O Virgin Mary, most sorrowful of the afflicted daughters of suffering Eve, that from all ages it has never been known that anyone imploring thy assistance failed to gain thy compassion and protection. Animated with the confidence which this inspires, to thee, O Queen of Martyrs and Virgin Mother, I come, as a contrite sinner, weeping and kneeling. Do not, O Mother of Jesus crucified, despise my suppliant voice, but hear and grant my prayer. Amen.

MARIAN TITLES

Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Beata Vergine del Tresto / The Blessed Virgin of Tresto, Ospedaletto Euganeo, Italy (1468) and Memorials of the Saints – 21 September

Posted on September 21, 2026September 19, 2026 by AnaStpaul

St Matthew – Apostle and Evangelist (Feast)

Beata Vergine del Tresto / The Blessed Virgin of Tresto, Ospedaletto Euganeo, Italy (1468) – 21September:

The complex of the Sanctuary of Tresto was built in the place of the miraculous Marian apparition to the boatman Giovanni di Bartolomeo Zielo da Ponso on the night of 21 September 1468, in the locality of Tresto, current fraction of the Municipality of Ospedaletto Euganeo near Padua, from where he was returning. Reaching Este in the evening, the man had stopped to sleep in the boat under the Borini bridge. Around midnight he was awakened by a female voice who called him three times. The man saw two beautiful ladies who enjoined him to follow them.

Strangely finding the drawbridge of the City lowered, they walked towards the countryside where, in the locality of Tresto, one of the two ladies sat on the bank of a ditch and told the other to fetch her a bunch of grapes. Then she asked Giovanni if he knew her. To his negative answer she said that she was Mary, the Mother of God. She then enjoined him not to amend his life and to do his best to have a Church built on that place according to the plan and the measures she illustrated to him.

But Giovanni objected saying that because of his poverty and ignorance, he would not be believed. Then Mary gave him a knife, instructing him to stick it into the ground and then to remove it. Giovanni obeyed and when he removed the blade from the ground, blood gushed. After having blessed him, the Madonna disappeared with her companion. T he next day Giovanni, afraid of not being believed, did not carry out the commands he had received but only confided in three friends. Losing his peace of mind, he eventually went with some people to the site of the apparition, where he tried to stick the knife into the ground, pulling it back wet with blood. Others wanted to try: the incredulous could not move the blade from the ground, while the others withdrew it bloody.

The miraculous event, renewed several times, convinced everyone to work together to erect the required Church. At the halfway point, due to the exceptional drought that had hit the area, there was no water. Everyone then invoked the help of Mary, who caused a spring appear next to the construction site. This spring since then, over the centuries, has been a source of miraculous cures just like the one at Lourdes. The custody of the Church, built in 9 months, was entrusted by the Paduan clergy to a Congregation of Mendicants of whom Giovanni wore the habit in a lay state.

The Sanctuary of Tresto became and remains a site of devotion and pilgrimage with the powerful and healing waters of the miraculous Spring, bringing many sick seeking cures. The Sanctuary preserves several works of art among which the painting on wood depicting the Virgin and Child shown above, stands out, a masterpiece attributed to Jacopo da Montagnana who created it between 1475 and 1480.

St Alexander of the Via Claudia
Bl Diego Hompanera París
St Eusebius of Phoenicia
St Francisco Pastor Garrido
St François Jaccard
St Gerulph
St Herminio García Pampliega
St Iphigenia
St Isaac of Cyprus
Bl Jacinto Martínez Ayuela
St Jacques Honoré Chastán
St Johannes Ri
St Jonah the Prophet
Bl José María Azurmendi Mugarza
Bl Josep Vila Barri
St Landelino of Ettenheim
Bl Manuel Torró García
Blessed Mark Scalabrini of Modena OP (c 1420-1498)
St Maura of Troyes
St Meletius of Cyprus
Bl Nicolás de Mier Francisco
St Pamphilus of Rome
St Pierre Philibert Maubant
St Tôma Tran Van Thien
Bl Vicente Galbis Gironés
Bl Vicente Pelufo Orts
—
Martyrs of Gaza – 3 saints: Three brothers, Eusebius, Nestulus and Zeno, who were seized, dragged through the street, beaten and murdered by a pagan mob celebrating the renunciation of Christianity by Julian the Apostate. They were burned to death in 362 on a village garbage heap in Gaza, Palestine.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Diego Hompanera París
• Blessed Jacinto Martínez Ayuela
• Blessed José María Azurmendi Mugarza
• Blessed Josep Vila Barri
• Blessed Manuel Torró García
• Blessed Nicolás de Mier Francisco
• Blessed Vicente Galbis Gironés
• Blessed Vicente Pelufo Orts

SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 21 September – Saint Jonah the Prophet

Posted on September 21, 2026September 19, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Saint Jonah the Prophet, also known as Ionas, Jonas, Yona, Yunaan, Yunus, was an Old Testament patriarch and prophet. Hero of the Book of Jonah, he was so reluctant to deliver his prophecy against the city of Nineveh that God had to have him swallowed by a giant fish and then spat out on the city’s shore.

Jesus calls himself “greater than Jonah” and promises the Pharisees “the sign of Jonah” when referring to his resurrection. Jonah is viewed as a type of Jesus.

He died in 761 B.C. Tradition says he was buried in a tomb in modern Mosul, Iraq. The tomb was enclosed in a shrine in the 8th century BC. The tomb and shrine were destroyed by Muslims in July 2014.

Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 21 September – O Matthew, Christ Just Bade You Come

Posted on September 21, 2026September 19, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

O Matthew, Christ
Just Bade You Come

The glory that surrounds your name,
O blessed Levi, is a proof
Of God’s all loving clemency
Besides a sign of hope for us.

While seated at your counting board,
O Matthew, Christ just bade you come,
Without a word of all the wealth
Of grace He had in store for you.

Your heart no hesitation knew,
From then your house became His own,
In following, you gave up all
To earn the triumph of the Twelve.

The life the Son of David led,
The words He spoke, you stored as gold,
Which, handed down the centuries,
Have fed and taught the Christian world.

You spread the Gospel fearlessly;
Until at last you shed your blood,
In witness to your faith in Christ
And pledge of your undying love.

Apostle and evangelist
With Martyrdom as final crown,
Bring us to heaven, that with you
God’s praises we may ever sing.
Amen.

ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – The man got up and followed him

Posted on September 21, 2026September 19, 2026 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist- Readings: Ps 36:30-31, Ps 36:1, Ezek 1:10-14, Matt 9:9-13

At that time, Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting in the tax-collector’s place, and said to him, Follow Me. And he arose and followed Him.

Matt 9:9-13

REFLECTION – Seated at his customs post, this unfortunate publican was in an even worse situation than the paralytic about whom I spoke to you the other day – the one who was lying on a stretcher. The latter was afflicted with bodily paralysis but this man with paralysis of soul. Where the first was concerned, all his members were deformed, but in the case of the second, all his powers of judgement were in disarray. The former was lying a prisoner of his own flesh; the latter was seated, captive in soul and body. The paralytic fell a prey to suffering in spite of himself, but as for the publican, it was with full consent that he was a slave of evil and sin. This latter, innocent in his own eyes, was accused of covetousness by others; the former, in the midst of his sores, knew himself to be a sinner. This man piled up his gains, all of which were sinful; the other wiped out his sins while groaning in misery. Hence the words addressed to the paralytic were absolutely just: “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven you”, since by his sufferings he was making up for his offences. As for the publican, these were the words he heard: “Come, follow me,” which is to say: “You will make reparation by following me, you who were lost by following after money.”

Someone may say: Why did the publican, apparently the more culpable, receive a higher gift? Straightaway he becomes an apostle. He himself received forgiveness and grants to others the remission of their sins; he illumines the whole earth with the brightness of the preaching of the Gospel. Whereas the paralytic is barely accounted worthy even to receive forgiveness. Would you like to know why the publican obtained greater graces? It is because, according to the apostle Paul’s words: “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more,”.

St Peter Chrysologus

PRAYER – We thank You, heavenly Father,
for the witness of Your Apostle
and Evangelist, Matthew,
to the Gospel of Your Son, our Saviour
and we pray that, after his example,
we may with ready wills and hearts,
obey the calling of our Lord, to follow Him;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

CATHOLIC Quotes

Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – The Calling of St Matthew

Posted on September 21, 2026September 19, 2026 by AnaStpaul

“He said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him.”

Matthew 9:9

“Our Lord chose Matthew, the tax collector,
to encourage his fellows to join him.
He looked on sinners, called them
and brought them to sit beside Him.
What a wonderful sight!
Angels stand trembling,
while publicans, seated, rejoice!”

St Ephrem

“Why did Jesus not call Matthew
at the same time as He called Peter
and John and the rest?
He came to each one
at a particular time
when He knew that they would respond to Him.
He came at a different time to call Matthew
when He was assured
that Matthew would surrender to His call.
For He Who is acquainted
with our inmost hearts
and knows the secrets of our minds,
knows when each one of us is ready
to respond fully.”

St John Chrysostom

SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS

Thought for the Day – 21 September – Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors

Posted on September 21, 2026September 19, 2026 by AnaStpaul

Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Father Sebastian

ROSARY OF THE SEVEN DOLORS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

I. The heartrending anguish which Mary felt in her pure soul when she heard from the prophetic lips of Holy Simeon the future sufferings of her Son.
One Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

II. The sword of grief which transfixed Mary’s heart during the flight into Egypt.
One Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

III. Mary’s misery and woe when Jesus was lost for three days.
One Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

IV. Mary meets Jesus carrying his cross, and she faints at his feet.
One Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

V. Mary stands beneath the cross, beholds Him die, and falls into the arms
of St. John, with a broken heart. One Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

VI. Mary recovers from her swoon, and receives on her lap the corpse of her Son. One Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

VII. Mary with tears in her eyes follows her Son to the tomb and sees Him buried. One Our Father and seven Hail Marys.

In honour of the tears Mary shed during her Dolours.
Three Hail Marys.

V. Pray for us, O sorrowful Mother of Jesus.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

PRAYER.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the Blessed Virgin thy Mother may intercede for us with thy clemency, now and at the hour of our death; who, in the hour of thy Passion, was pierced in her most holy soul by a sword of sorrow ; grant this, O Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

INDULGENCES FOR THE ABOVE ROSARY.

I. 200 days for each Our Father and Hail Mary, when recited in the churches of the Order of the Servants of Mary.

II. 200 days for each Our Father and Hail Mary, when recited on Friday, on all the days of Lent, and on the Feast and Octave of the Seven Dolours, in any place whatever.

III. 100 days for each recital, in any place or at any time, together with seven years and seven quarantines.

IV. Plenary, with confession and communion, for those who have said it daily for a month.

V. 100 years for each recital.

VI. 150 years for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

VII. Plenary once a year for those who recite it at least four times a week.

VIII. 200 years for those who recite it after confession.

IX. For those who frequently recite this Rosary, and have one about their persons, an indulgence of ten years each time they assist at Mass, hear sermons, accompany the Blessed Sacrament to the sick, bring sinners to repentance, &c., &c.; and the same indulgence for those who perform some
spiritual or corporal work in honour of our Blessed Lord, the Blessed Virgin, or their patron Saints, reciting at the same time seven Our Fathers and seven Hail Marys.

All these indulgences are applicable to the dead.

	Saint of the Day – 2… on Saint of the Day – 25 Septembe…
	24 ta’ Marzu:… on Saint of the Day – 24 Ma…
	22 ta’ Marzu:… on Saint of the Day – 22 Ma…
	20 ta’ Marzu:… on Saint of the Day – 20 Ma…
	hughie1 on Our Lady of Walsingham / Virgi…

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Feast of the Holy Bishops of Milan – a 1st Century Diocese!

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Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Father Sebastian

OF THE SCAPULAR AND THE ROSARY OF OUR LADY OF SEVEN DOLOURS.

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Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Father Sebastian

A SHORT METHOD OF MEDITATING ON THE SEVEN DOLOURS

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Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Father Sebastian

THE WAY OF THE MOTHER

STATION I. FIRST DOLOUR

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Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Father Sebastian

LITANY OF THE SEVEN DOLOURS OFTHE BLESSED VIRGIN

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Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Father Sebastian

ROSARY OF THE SEVEN DOLORS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

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LITANY OF THE SEVEN DOLOURS OF
THE BLESSED VIRGIN