Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on WISDOM, The GOOD SHEPHERD

Quote/s of the Day – 29 March – Hear and Obey

Quote/s of the Day – 29 March –Wednesday in Passion Week – Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-19, 25, John 10:22-38 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

My sheep hear My Voice;
I know them and they follow Me.

John 10:27

Peace in us is the result
of two kinds of necessary obedience,
the obedience to right reason
of the lower faculties
and the obedience of right reason
to God, our Creator.
“This is the peace which God
gives on earth to men of goodwill;
this is the most perfect wisdom,

St Augustine (356-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

Do all through love,
nothing through constraint.
Love obedience more
than you fear disobedience.

(Letter to Madame de Chantal)

To find the Saviour
outside obedience’
is to lose Him altogether!

(Letters to Persons in Religion, VI, 22)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

Advertisement
Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LENT 2023, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, Quotes on SALVATION, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 29 March – WEDNESDAY IN PASSION WEEK – “He has become all ours, to make us all His.”

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 29 March – Wednesday in Passion Week

He has become all ours,
to make us all His.

St Francis de Sales

WEDNESDAY IN PASSION WEEK
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“Since Our Lord has so much loved us, that He has equally redeemed all, bedewed us with His Divine Blood and called us to Himself, without excluding anyone; since He has become all ours, to make us all His, giving us His Death and His Life to deliver us from eternal death and to procure us the joys of eternal life, that we may belong to Him in this mortal life and yet more perfectly, in the next.

What remains, what conclusion have we to draw, unless that living, we should no longer live for ourselves but for Jesus Christ, Who died for us; that is, we should Consecrate to Him, every moment of our life, referring to His glory our works, our thoughts and our affections?” – (Consoling Thoughts of St Francis de Sales).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 March – “I and the Father are One.”- John 10:30

One Minute Reflection – 29 March –Wednesday in Passion Week – Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-19, 25, John 10:22-38 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

I and the Father are One.”- John 10:30

REFLECTION – “The Father is Who He Is and we must believe that. As for the Son, our mind gets discouraged in trying to reach Him and with every word we hesitate to make it heard. For He Is begotten of the One Who Is not begotten, the Only-Begotten of the One Who Is the One and Only, Truth come forth from Truth, the Living born of the Living, the perfect One Who comes from the perfect One, Power from Power, Wisdom from Wisdom, Glory from Glory, “the Image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15)…

How shall we understand the Only Son’s being begotten by the One Who Is not begotten?… This begetting is not a break or a division…“ The Father is in Me and I am in the Father.” (Jn 10:38) He is not adopted, for the Son is the true Son of God and says:Whoever sees Me sees the Father.” (Jn 14:9) He did not come into existence like other beings, obeying a command, for… He has life in Himself as the One Who begot Him has life in Himself (Jn 5:26)… The One Who comes from the Perfect One, is Perfect, since the One Who possesses everything, gave everything to Him. The Father and Son each possess the secret of that birth.” – St Hilary (315-368) Bishop of Poitiers, Father and Doctor of the Church (De Trinitate II:8).

PRAYER – In Thy mercy, O Lord, may this hallowing fast enlighten the hearts of Thy faithful people and since Thou have given them the desire to serve Thee, lend a gracious ear to their prayers.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LENT 2023, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on REPARATION, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 29 March – A Lenten Offering By St Thérèse

Our Morning Offering – 29 March – Wednesday in Passion Week

A Lenten Offering
By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus
and the Holy Face of Lisieux (1873-1897)

O my God!
I offer Thee all my actions of this Lent
for the intentions and for the glory
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart,
my every thought,
my simplest works,
by uniting them to Its Infinite Merits
and I wish to make reparation for my sins,
by casting them into the furnace
of Its Merciful Love.
O my God!
I ask of Thee for myself
and for those whom I hold dear,
the grace to fulfil perfectly Thy Holy Will,
to accept for love of Thee,
the joys and sorrows of this passing life,
so that we may one day
be united together in Heaven,
for all eternity.
Amen

Posted in PATRONAGE - EYES, QUOTES on PHYSICAL SICKNESS, ILLNESS, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 29 March – St Eustasius of Luxeuil (c560–c626)

Saint of the Day – 29 March – St Eustasius of Luxeuil (c560–c626) the Second Abbot of Luxeuil Monastery, (after its Founder, St Columbanus) Missionary and Founder of another Monastery in Bavaria, Miracle-worker, Disciple of St Columban. Patronages – against blindness and eye diseases, of all illness and sick people. Also know in Francen as Eustace.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In the Monastery of Luxeuil, the decease of the Abbot, St Eustasius, a disciple of St Columban, who had under his guidance, nearly six hundred Monks. Eminent in sanctity, he was also renowned for miracles.

Luxeuil

Eustasius was born in Burgundy and became a Monk at Luxeuil Monastery. When Columbanus, the Founder of Luxeuil, was banished from the Kingdom of Burgundy, on account of his reproving the morals of King Theuderic II, he recommended his community choose Eustasius as his successor. At the time, Eustasius was head of the Monastery School, which under his direction, had established and renowned reputation for learning, devotions and excellence. St Columbanus travelled to Italy and settled in Bobbio, founding a new Monastery there. After the death of Theuderic, Clothaire II sent Eustasius to Bobbio in Italy, to ask St Columbanus to return but the exiled Abbot declined.

Luxeuil Monastery with Statues of St Columban

Under the administration of Eustasius, the Monastery flourished and acquired renown as a seat of learning and sanctity. Through the royal patronage, its benefices and lands were increased, King Clotaire II devoting a yearly sum, from his own revenues, towards its support. Eustasius and his Monks devoted themselves to preaching in remote districts, not yet evangelised, chiefly in the north-eastern extremities of Gaul. Their missionary work extended even to Bavaria. Between the Monasteries of Luxeuil in France and that of Bobbio in Italy (both founded by Columbanus), connection and intercourse seem to have long been maintained,

Seventh-century Lectionary produced at Luxeuil

During his Abbacy, the Monastery increased in vocations and contained about 600 Monks and produced both Bishops and Saints, including the Saints Acarius, Amatus, Audomar and Romaric. Eustasius was noted for his humility, continual prayer, and fasting. Eustasius undertook great missionary journeys to the Variscans on the river Doubs and as far as Bavaria. Around 625 he founded a Monastery on the island of Herrenchiemsee in southern Bavaria. He was succeeded as Abbott by St Waldebert.

Eustasius cured St Sadalberga, the Duke of Alsace’s daughter, of blindness. Upon returning from Bavaria, her father, Gundoin, Duke of Alsace, provided hospitality to the Abbot on his travels. Duke Gundoin and his wife brought two of their sons for the Abbot’s blessing but were hesitant to present the blind child. Through the prayers of Eustasius. the child was cured of her blindness. He also cured for St Burgundofara from a deadly illness and assisted her escape from marriage. With Eustasiu’ support and the approval of Bishop Gundoald of Meaux, Burgundofara established an Abbey on her father’s lands and became its first Abbess.

Luxeuil
Posted in MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Wednesday in Passion Week, Apparition of Our Lady to St Bonitus (7th Century) and Memorials of the Saints – 29 March

Wednesday in Passion Week – FAST

Apparition of Our Lady to St Bonitus (7th Century) – 29 March:
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/29/apparition-of-our-lady-to-st-bonitus-7th-century-and-memorials-of-the-saints-29-march/

St Acacia of Antioch
St Archmimus of Africa
St Armogastes of Africa
St Barachasius

Blessed Bertold of Mount Carmel (Died 1195) Priest, Monk, Hermit, Crusader.
His Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/29/saint-of-the-day-29-march-blessed-bertold-of-mount-carmel-died-1195/

St Constantine of Monte Cassino

St Eustachio of Naples (3rd Century) Bishop
The little we know about St Eustachio:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/29/saint-of-the-day-29-march-saint-eustachio-of-naples-3rd-century/

St Eustasius of Luxeuil (c560–c626),Abbot, Disciple of St Columban
St Firminus of Viviers

St Gladys (Sixth Century) Welsh Queen and Hermit, Mother and Widow.
Her Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/29/saint-of-the-day-29-march-saint-gladys-sixth-century/

St Gwynllyw
Bl Hugh of Vaucelles
St Jonas of Hubaham
St Lasar

St Ludolf of Ratzeburg O.Praem. (Died 1250) Bishop and Martyr, Preacher and founder of a community of Norbertine Sisters, Reformer and Counseller. St Ludolf was a Priest of the Premonstratensian (Norbertines) Order, particularly invoked as a Martyr for the freedom of the Church.
Biography:

https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/29/saint-of-the-day-29-march-st-ludolf-of-ratzeburg-o-praem-died-1250-martyr/

St Mark of Arethusa
St Masculas of Africa
St Pastor of Nicomedia
St Saturus of Africa
St Simplicius of Monte Cassino
St Victorinus of Nicomedia
St William Tempier (Died 1197) Bishop

Martyrs of Nicomedia: Seven Christians who were Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. We know nothing else about them but the names of two – Pastor and Victorinus.

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 28 March – TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 28 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

TEMPTATION

Why does God allow us to endure tempations?
According to spiritual writers, there are two main reasons.

(1) because God wishes us to be humble and not to depend too much on ourselves.
Before he was tempted, St Peter boasted that he would never deny his Master.
When he was tempted, he fell and recognised his weakness.

(2) Because by resisting temptations, we can show our love for Jesus and our readiness to sacrifice everything for Him

Temptations, therefore, can teach us humility, teach us to rely on God alone and can help us to store up merit for our souls.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/31/thought-for-the-day-31-march-temptation/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/26/thought-for-the-day-26-july-temptation/

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, OUR Cross, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, St PAUL!, The WORD, THOMAS a KEMPIS

Quote/s of the Day – 28 March – ‘… He gives all for all and has all in all, …’

Quote/s of the Day – 28 March – Tuesday in Passion Week and the Memorial of St John of Capistrano OFM (1386-1456) Confessor – Wisdom 10:10-14, Luke 9:1-6 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Take nothing for your journey,
neither staff, nor bag,
nor bread, nor money;
neither have two tunics.

Luke 9:3

Pursue justice, godliness,
faith, charity, patience, mildness.
Fight the good fight of the faith,
lay hold on the life eternal,
to which you have been called …

1 Timothy 6:11-12

The love of Jesus is noble and generous,
it spurs us on to do great things
and excites us to desire always,
that which is most perfect.
Love will tend upwards
and is not to be detained by things beneath.
Love will be at liberty
and free from all worldly affections…
for love proceeds from God
and cannot rest but in God,
above all things created.
The lover flies, runs and rejoices,
he is free and not held.
He gives all for all and has all in all,
because he rests in One Sovereign Good above all,
from Whom all good flows and proceeds.

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
(Book III, Chapter V, 3-4)

Entrust yourself entirely to God.
He is a Father
and a most loving Father at that,
Who would rather let Heaven
and earth collapse,
than abandon anyone
who trusted in Him.

St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775)

Crosses, contempt,
sorrows and afflictions,
are the real treasures
of the lovers of Jesus Christ Crucified.

St Margaret Mary Alacoque
(1647-1690)

ST JOHN OF CAPISTRANO QUOTES:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/28/quote-s-of-the-day-28-march-st-john-of-capistrano/

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, LENT 2023, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on VOCATIONS, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The PASSION

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 28 March – TUESDAY IN PASSION WEEK –“Arrows of Love”

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 28 March

“Arrows of Love”
St Francis de Sales

TUESDAY IN PASSION WEEK
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

HE WISHED, even after His death, to have His side opened, that we might see the thoughts of His Heart, which were all thoughts of love and that we might go to Him with confidence, in order to hide ourselves in His side and to receive, from Him, an abundance of graces and benedictions.

In this manner, from the first moment of His life until the present hour, has the kind Jesus been continually drawing arrows, if we may so speak, from the quiver of His love, with which to wound the souls of His lovers, showing them clearly, that they can never love Him nearly as much as He deserves.

My God, could He show more love to sinners than to become a perfect holocaust for their sins?
Ah! if we could see the Heart of Jesus, such as it is, we should die of love for Him, since we are mortal, as He died of love of us, while He was mortal and as He would die again, if He were not now immortal.
Nothing has as much power to wound a loving heart, as to see another heart wounded for love of it.
” – (Consoling Thoughts of St Francis de Sales).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 March – ‘ … Leave behind earthly sandals. …’ St Ambrose

One Minute Reflection – 28 March – Tuesday in Passion Week and the Memorial of St John of Capistrano OFM (1386-1456) Confessor – Wisdom 10:10-14, Luke 9:1-6 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor sack, nor bread, nor money; neither have two tunics.” – Luke 9:3

REFLECTION – “This is a great vision. But if you wish to see it, remove the sandals from your feet. Remove every chain of sin. Remove the chains of the world. Leave behind earthly sandals. Jesus sent the Apostles without sandals, without money, gold and silver, so that they would not carry earthly things with them. The one who seeks to do good is praised, not for his sandals but for the swiftness and grace of his feet. The Scripture says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, of those who bring glad tidings of good things!” Therefore, remove the sandals from your feet, that they may be beautiful for preaching the Gospel!” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church (Flight From the World 5).

PRAYER – O God, Who, through blessed John, made Thy faithful people conquer the enemies of the Cross by the power of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, grant, we beseech Thee, that by his intercession we may avoid the snares of our spiritual enemies and may be found worthy to receive from Thee, the crown of justice. Through esus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, OUR Cross, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 28 March – O My God, I Thank Thee, An Act of Abandonment

Our Morning Offering – 28 March – Tuesday in Passion Week

O My God, I Thank Thee
An Act of Abandonment
to the Divine Will
By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

O my God, I thank Thee
and I praise Thee
for accomplishing Thy Holy and all-lovable Will
without any regard for mine.
With my whole heart,
in spite of my heart,
do I receive this cross I feared so much!
It is the cross of Thy choice,
the cross of Thy Love.
I venerate it;
nor for anything in the world
would I wish it had not come,
since Thou hast willed it.
I keep it with gratitude and with joy,
as I do everything which comes from Thy Hand
and I shall strive to carry it
without letting it drag,
with all the respect
and all the affection
which Thy works deserve.
Amen.

Posted in FRANCISCAN OFM, PATRONAGE - IN-LAW PROBLEMS, PATRONAGE - SPOUSAL ABUSE / DIFFICULT MARRIAGES / VICTIMS OF ABUSE, PATRONAGE - WIDOWS, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 28 March – Blessed Jeanne Marie de Maille TOSF (1331-1414) Virgin, Widow,

Saint of the Day – 28 March – Blessed Jeanne Marie de Maille TOSF (1331-1414) Virgin, Widow, Recluse Born on 14 April 1331 at the Castle of La Roche, France and died on 28 March 1414 at Tours France of natural causes. Patronages – abuse victims, against in-law problems, against the death of parents, of exiles, people ridiculed for their piety, widows. Also known as – Jane Mary de Maille. Jeanne Marie was Beatified on 27 April 1871 by Pope Pius IX .

Jeanne, the daughter of the wealthy Baron of Maille, was born at the chateau of her father near St Quentin in France. Because she possessed, from her earliest youth, a tender devotion and love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, she was given the additional name of Marie at Confirmation and from then on, she always used it with her Baptismal name. Under the direction of a Franciscan, who conducted the divine services at the chateau, she strove earnestly to attain perfection. Self-denial, mortification, prayer and works of charity towards her neighbour were the special means she employed.

Jeanne Marie was scarcely fifteen years old when her father died. She was placed under the guardianship of her grandfather, who was already quite advanced in years and who, therefore, believed it his duty to see his grandchild settled in life, as soon as possible. He chose as her husband Baron Robert of Silly, a man who was noble both by birth and by virtue. On the evening of their wedding day the grandfather died suddenly. This made such an impression on the pious husband that he readily yielded to the wish of his young wife to live in virginity.

The young couple’s first concern was to order their household in a Christian fashion. Only virtuous and God-fearing persons were admitted as their servants; all had to observe the commandments of God and of the Church faithfully; frivolous conversations, cursing and swearing, as well as games of chance, were not tolerated. In everything their Master and Mistress set the best example. Jeanne Marie interested herself too, in all the needs of her people and never sent a needy person away from her door without giving him assistance.

But the cross is the real test of all true fidelity to God;and it was not to be wanting in this home either. A terrible war broke out between England and France. The Baron of Silly and his vassals took the field in defence of their country but the war was disastrous for France.

Mortally wounded, the young Baron was brought to his chateau but hardly had he arrived there, when the English took possession of it and led him away as a prisoner. Through the efforts of his faithful wife, he obtained his freedom but he died not long afterwards.

Her in-laws were unkind to her and blamed her for her husband squandering his fortune for charitable ends and so deprived her of her widow’s inheritance and cut ties with her. completely. She first went to seek shelter at the home of an old ex-servant but the servant treated her with harshness, when realising she was poor. She went to reside with her mother but left when the latter tried to pressure her into finding another husband. Now Jeanne Marie withdrew entirely from the world. She moved to a little house near the Franciscan Church in Tours. Dressed in the ash-grey habit of the Third Order, she went out to nurse the sick and the poor. The remaining time she spent in prayer.

She prayed especially that God might bless the labours of Priests, particularly those who preached the Divine Word. She prayed most of all for the Universal Church, which at that time had to endure one of its severest trials. Christendom was divided into two groups – one pope resided in Italy, another in France and even saintly people did not know which one was the rightful head of the Church. Confusion and many scandals were the inevitable results. Had the Church been the work of human hands, it must certainly have gone to ruin. In answer to the prayers of many pious souls, God came to the assistance of the Church and Jeanne Marie had the consolation, before her death, of seeing the Church again united under one head.

Blessed Jeanne Marie de Maille died in the year 1414, at the age of eighty-two years. When her remains, clothed in the habit of the Third Order, were brought into the Church, the body appeared to have the freshness of youth. The veneration paid to her since her death was approved by Pope Pius IX.

The Shrine of Blessed Jeanne Marie de Maille
Posted in FRANCISCAN OFM, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Tuesday in Passion Week, Nuestra Senora de Castelbruedo / Our Lady of Castelbruedo, Spain and Memorials of the Saints – 28 March

Tuesday in Passion Week – FAST

Nuestra Senora de Castelbruedo / Our Lady of Castelbruedo, Catalonia, Spain – 28 March:
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/28/palm-sunday-2021-our-lady-of-castelbruedo-catalonia-spain-and-memorials-of-the-saints-28-march/

St John of Capistrano OFM (1386-1456) Priest and Friar of the Friars Minor, Confessor and Preacher. Famous as a Preacher, Theologian and Inquisitor, trained Lawyer, he earned himself the nickname ‘the Soldier Saint’ when in 1456 at age 70 he led a Crusade against the invading Ottoman Empire at the Siege of Belgrade. He was Beatified on 19 December 1650 by Pope Innocent X and Canonised on 16 October 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII.
Feast Day moved from 28 March in 1969.
Biography:

https://anastpaul.com/2017/10/23/saint-of-the-day-23-october-st-john-capistrano-ofm-1386-1456-the-soldier-saint/

St Alkelda of Middleham

Blessed Antonio Patrizi OSA (c 1280-1311) Priest, Friar of the Order of St Augustine, Prior, Hermit. He was Beatified in 1804 by Pope Pius VII (cultus confirmation).
His Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/28/saint-of-the-day-28-march-blessed-antonio-patrizi-osa-c-1280-1311-priest/

St Castor of Tarsus

Blessed Conon of Naso (1139-1236) Monk, Hermit and Abbot of the order of St Basil of Caesarea, Miracle-worker.
His Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/28/saint-of-the-day-28-march-blessed-conon-of-naso-1139-1236/

St Cyril the Deacon
St Dorotheus of Tarsus
St Gundelindis of Niedermünster

St Guntramnus (c 532-592) King of the Kingdom of Orléans and Burgundy from 561 until his death in 592, Confessor, Apostle of the needs of the Church and of the poor and sick, Penitent.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Chalons in France, the demise of St Gontran King, who devoted himself to exercises of piety, renounced the pomps of the world and bestowed his trasures on the Church and the poor,

https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/28/saint-of-the-day-28-march-saint-guntramnus-died-597/

St Hesychius of Jerusalem
St Hilarion of Pelecete
Blessed Jeanne Marie de Maille (1331-1414) Widow, Recluse
St Proterius of Alexandria
St Rogatus the Martyr
St Successus the Martyr
St Tutilo of Saint-Gall

Blessed Venturino of Bergamo OP (1304-1346) Priest, Friar of the Order of Preachers of St Dominic, Preacher, Missionary Preacher of the Crusades, Writer.
Biography:

https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/28/saint-of-the-day-28-march-blessed-venturino-of-bergamo-op-1304-1346/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 27 March – The Passion of Our Lord

Thought for the Day – 27 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Passion of Our Lord

Meditation on the Passion of Jesus” writes St Albert the Great, “is more profitable than fasting on bread and water or than scourging ourselves.

This is because, when we meditate with love and gratitude on the Passion of our Redeemer, we have the experience of being transformed and set aglow with charity.
We realise the truth of St Paul’s words, “The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, that will be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18)).

Let us cast ourselves, therefore, into the merciful arms of God and be prepared to suffer everything, even death, for the love of Jesus.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/01/thought-for-the-day-1-april-the-passion-of-our-lord/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/27/thought-for-the-day-27-march-the-passion-of-our-lord/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Quote of the Day – 27 March – The Night Prayers before Retiring, St John Damascene

Quote of the Day – 27 March – The Feast of St John Damascene (675-749) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

The Night Prayers before Retiring
The Examination of Conscience,
Act of Contrition and Resolutions
By St John Damascene (675-749)
Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

“ (To be said pointing at the bed:)
O Lord, Lover of men, is this bed to be my coffin,
or wilt Thou enlighten my wretched soul with another day? Here the coffin lies before me
and here death confronts me.
I fear, O Lord, Thy Judgement and the endless torments,
yet I cease not to do evil.
My Lord God, I continually anger Thee
and Thy immaculate Mother,
and all the Heavenly Powers
and my holy Guardian Angel.
I know, O Lord, that I am unworthy of Thy love
but deserve condemnation and every torment.
But, whether I want it or not, save me, O Lord.
For to save a good man is no great thing
and to have mercy on the pure is nothing wonderful,
for they are worthy of Thy mercy.
But show the wonder of Thy mercy to me, a sinner.
In this, reveal Thy love for men,
lest my wickedness prevail over
Thy unutterable goodness and mercy.
And order my life as Thou wilt.
(As sleep is the image of death,
at night we pray for the departed)
With the Saints give rest, O Christ,
to the souls of Thy servants where there is no pain,
no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.

Kiss your Crucifix
and make the Sign of the Cross
from the head to the foot of the bed
and from two sides
and then say the Prayer
:

Hail, Most Precious
and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord!

Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered
and let those, who hate Him,
flee from His Presence.
As smoke vanishes, let them vanish
and as wax melts by the presence of fire,
so let the demons perish by the presence
of those who love God
and who sign themselves
with the Sign of the Cross
and say in gladness:
Hail, Most Precious
and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord,
for Thou drives away the demons
by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ
Crucified on thee, Who went down to hell
and trampled on the power of the devil
and gave us thee, His venerable Cross,
for driving away all enemies.
O Most Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord,
help me with our holy Lady,
the Virgin Mother of God
and with all the Saints throughout the ages.
Amen.

(When about to lie down in bed, say:)
Lighten my eyes, O Christ God, lest I sleep in death
and lest my enemy says: I have prevailed over him.

Glory be to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost.
Be my soul’s Defender, O God,
for I step over many snares.
Deliver me from them
and save me, O Good One,
in Thy love for men.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
Let us not silently hymn
the most glorious Mother of God,
holiest of holy Angels
but confess her with heart and mouth
to be the Mother of God, for she truly bore
God Incarnate for us
and prays without ceasing for our souls.
Amen.

(Just before closing your eyes, say:)
Into Thy hands, O Lord Jesus Christ, my God,
I surrender my spirit and body;
bless me, save me and grant me eternal life.
Amen.

Before retiring, The Examination of Conscience:
(or if one prefers, before beginning prayers)
go through all the points
suggested below in your mind and memory.

  1. Give thanks to Almighty God for granting you during the past day, by His grace, His gifts of life and health.
  2. Examine your conscience by going through each hour of the day, beginning from the time you rose from your bed and recall to memory – where you went, how you acted and reacted towards all persons and other creatures and what you talked about. Recall and consider with all care, your thoughts, words and deeds from morning until the evening.
  3. If you have done any good, do not ascribe it to yourself but to God Who gives us all the good things and thank Him.
    Pray that He may confirm you in this good and enable you to do other good works.
  4. But if you have done anything evil, admit that this comes from yourself and your own weakness, from bad habits or weak will. Repent and pray to the Lover of men that He may forgive you and promise Him firmly, never to do this evil again.
  5. Implore your Creator with tears, to grant you a quiet, undisturbed, pure and sinless night and to enable you, in the coming day, to devote yourself wholly to the glory of His holy Name.
  6. If you find a soft pillow, leave it and put a stone in its place, for Christ’s sake. If you sleep in winter, bear it, saying – Some did not sleep at all!”

St John Damascene (675-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on TRUTH

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 27 March – MONDAY IN PASSION WEEK – “In love, by love, for love and of love”

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 27 March – Monday of Passion Week

In love, by love, for love and of love
St Francis de Sales

MONDAY IN PASSION WEEK
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

THE SWEET JESUS was scourged, crowned, condemned, mocked and rejected as man, devoted, destined and dedicated to carry out and endure, the opprobriums and ignominies due in punishment to all sins and He served as a general sacrifice for sin, being made, as it were, an anathema, separated from and abandoned by His Eternal Father.

The Divine Saviour wished to die in the flames of love because of the Infinite Charity He bore towards us and, by the force and power of love, that is to say, He would die in love, by love, for love and of love.
This is what He Himself says:
No-one takes away My life but I lay it down of Myself, for I have power to lay it down and to take it up again” .—He was offered, says Isaias because He wished it.” – (Consoling Thoughts of St Francis de Sales).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 March – ‘… You heard the words of the Lord, saying, “Stretch forth your hand.” …’

One Minute Reflection – 27 March – Monday of Passion Week and the Feast of St John Damascene (675-749) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church, Confessor, Priest, Monk, Theologian, Writer, Defender of Iconography, Polymath. – Wisdom 10:10-17, Luke 6:6-11 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

On another sabbath, he went into the synagogue and taught and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.” … Luke 6:6

REFLECTION – “Are you angry at me because I have healed the whole man on the Sabbath day?”   In this place He revivified,, with the salutary strength of good works, the hand which Adam stretched out to pluck the fruit of the forbidden tree.   The hand which had withered through a crime, was healed by good deeds.   Christ thereby rebuked the Jews who violated the precepts of the law with evil interpretations.   They thought that they should rest even from good works on the Sabbath, since the law prefigured in the present, the form of the future, in which indeed, the days of rest from evils, not from blessings, would come.

Then you heard the words of the Lord, saying, “Stretch forth your hand.”   That is the common and universal remedy.   You, who think that you have a healthy hand, beware lest it is withered by greed or by sacrilege.   Hold it out often.   Hold it out to the poor person who begs you.   Hold it out to help your neighbour, to give protection to a widow, to snatch from harm one whom you see subjected to unjust insult.   Hold it out to God for your sins.   The hand is stretched forth, then it is healed.   Jeroboam’s hand withered when he sacrificed to idols, then it stretched out when he entreated God.” …  St Ambrose (340-397)-  One of the 4 original Doctors of the Latin Church – Exposition on the Gospel of Luke, 5

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who to defend the honour paid to sacred images, filled blessed John with heavenly learning and wondrous strength of soul, grant that, by his intercession and example, we may imitate the virtues of those whose images we honour and may enjoy the help of their patronage. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY WEEK, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The SIGN of the CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 27 March – Hail, Most Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord!

Our Morning Offering – 27 March – The Feast of St John Damascene (675-749) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

This Prayer is part of a very long
and most beautiful Night Prayer
by St John which I will post shortly.

Hail, Most Precious
and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord!
By St John Damascene (675-749)
Confessor, Father

and Doctor of the Church

Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered
and let those, who hate Him,
flee from His Presence.
As smoke vanishes, let them vanish
and as wax melts by the presence of fire,
so let the demons perish by the presence
of those who love God
and who sign themselves
with the Sign of the Cross
and say in gladness:
Hail, Most Precious
and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord,
for Thou drives away the demons
by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ
Crucified on thee, Who went down to hell
and trampled on the power of the devil
and gave us thee, His venerable Cross,
for driving away all enemies.
O Most Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord,
help me with our holy Lady,
the Virgin Mother of God
and with all the Saints throughout the ages.
Amen.

Posted in Uncategorized

Saint of the Day – 27 March – St John of Lycopolis (c305-394) Hermit,

Saint of the Day – 27 March – St John of Lycopolis (c305-394) Hermit, Spiritual Advisor, Miracle-worker. graced with the gifts of prophecy and seeing into the hearts of men. John was known and admired by the greats of his time, including Saint Jerome, Saint Augustine, Saint Cassian and others. Born in c305 at Assiut, Egypt and died in 394 of natural causes. Also known as – Johannes av Egypt, John of Egypt, John of the Thebaid, John the Anchorite, John the Egyptian, John the Hermit.

John’s parents were poor and he trained as a carpenter. At the age of 25, he became a Hermit under the guidance of an elderly Recluse He spent a decade with this Hermit, taking direction from him and learning from him. St John Cassian recounts a tale that this spiritual counsellor directed John to water a dry stick every day for a year. After this test of obedience, his superior threw the stick away. When the older Hermit died, John spent the next five years travelling and visiting Monasteries.

John was noted for performing seemingly absurd acts such as rolling rocks from place to place and cultivating dead trees. Finally, he withdrew to the top of a cliff near Lycopolis, Egypt, where he could avoid all human contact. There he carved three small cells within the rock, one for sleeping, one for work and the last for praying. Then he walled them up with himself inside, leaving only a small opening.

He communicated through this opening to those who brought him food and water twice a week. Crowds would gather on those two days to hear him preach.

John never ate until sunset and lived on a diet of dried fruit and vegetables for fifty years. He refused bread and never ate anything cooked. He lived this way well into his nineties.

He possess the spiritual gift of prophecy and often predicting the future and knowing the details of persons he had never met. He predicted future victories to the Emperor Theodosius the Great who became his student, coming to him for advice and counselling.

He avoided seeing women, in particular, to avoid temptation but, he avoided all people for the last fifty years of his life. Saint Augustine wrote that John was tempted by devils and that he performed miraculous cures. St Augustine records that John cured a woman of blindness and then appeared to her in a vision to avoid seeing her in person.

John prayed incessantly and foreseeing his own death, he asked that no-one visit him for three days. He spent these last three days of his life without food or drink or any interaction except with God through prayer. He was discovered dead in his cell, with his body in a position of prayer.

John’s multi-roomed cell was re-discovered in the early 1900s.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Monday in Passion Week, St John Damascene and Memorials of the Saints – 27 March

Monday in Passion Week – FAST

St John Damascene (675-749) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church, Confessor, Priest, Monk, Theologian, Writer, Defender of Iconography, Poet, a Polymath whose fields of interest and contribution included law, theology, philosophy, music, Marian devotee. Also known as Doctor of Christian Art.
Feast moved in 1969 to 4 December.
Biography:

https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/04/saint-of-the-day-4-december-st-john-damascene-675-749-father-doctor-of-the-church/

Bl Aimone of Halberstadt
St Amphilochius of Illyria
St Alexander of Drizipara
St Alexander of Pannonia
St Alkeld the Martyr
St Amator the Hermit

St Augusta of Treviso (Died 5th Century) Virgin Martyr
Her Life and Death:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/27/saint-of-the-day-27-march-saint-augusta-of-treviso-died-5th-century-virgin-martyr/

St Claudio Gallo
St Cronidas of Illyria
St Ensfrid of Cologne
Bl Frowin of Engelberg
St Gelasius of Armagh

St John of Lycopolis (c305-394) Hermit, Spiritual Advisor, Miracle-worker.

St Matthew of Beauvais
St Macedo of Illyria
Bl Panacea de’Muzzi of Quarona

Blessed Pellegrino of Falerone OFM (Died 1233) Lay Brother of the First Order of St Francis of Assisi.
Blessed Pellegrino’s life:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/27/saint-of-the-day-27-march-blessed-pellegrino-of-falerone-ofm-died-1233-lay-brother/

Bl Peter Jo Yong-sam
St Philetus
St Romulus the Abbot

St Rupert of Salzburg (c 660–710) Bishop and Abbot Apostle to Bavaria and Austria.
Biography of St Rupert:

https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/27/saint-of-the-day-st-rupert-of-salzburg-c-660-710/

St Suairlech of Fore
St Theoprepius

Martyrs of Bardiaboch: A group of Christians who were arrested, tortured and executed together for their faith during the persecutions of Persian King Shapur II. Martyrs. – Abibus, Helias, Lazarus, Mares, Maruthas, Narses, Sabas, Sembeeth and Zanitas. 27 March 326 at Bardiaboch, Persia.

Posted in GOD is LOVE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES, The HOLY CROSS

Thought for the Day – 26 March – THE CRUCIFIX

Thought for the Day – 26 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

THE CRUCIFIX

Let us weep for our sins and increase in love for our Divine Redeemer.
When we are oppressed by the weight of our own cross, we shall look at the Crucifix and find comfort.
When we are tempted, we shall grasp the Crucifix and turn away with horror from thoughts of sin and ingratitude.

The Crucifix will teach us, as it taught the Saints, the lesson of charity towards God and towards our neighbour.
It will teach us to hate sin and to love virtue.
If we cherish it during life, it will be our consolation to kiss the Crucifix at the moment of death.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/04/thought-for-the-day-4-august-the-crucifix/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/25/thought-for-the-day-25-september-the-crucifix/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, Quotes on SALVATION, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 March – … If anyone keep My word, he will never see death. John 8:51

Quote/s of the Day – 26 March – Passion Sunday – Hebrews 9:11-15, John 8:46-59 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Amen, amen, I say to you,
if anyone keep My word,
he will never see death
.”

John 8:51

We must live a dying life
and we must die a living death
in the life of our Lord
.”
(The Spirit of St. François de Sales, XV, 6 )

Unhappy is death,
without the love of Christ;
unhappy is love,
without the Death of Christ
!”
(Treatise on the Love of God,
Book 12, Chapter 13)

We are dying,
little by little;
so, we are to make
our imperfections die
with us, day by day.

(Letters to Persons in the World I:5)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, The LAST THINGS, The PASSION, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 26 March – DEATH

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 26 March – Passion Sunday – Hebrews 9:11-15, John 8:46-59 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… By means of His death,
… they, who have been called,
may receive the eternal inheritance,
according to the promise,
in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 9:15

Amen, amen, I say to you,
if anyone keep My word,
he will never see death.”

John 8:51

DEATH
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

CONSIDER THE UNCERTAINTY of the day of your death. One day, my soul, you must depart from this body. When will it be? In winter or summer? In town or country? At home or afar? During the day or the night? With or without warning? As a result of illness of accident? Shall I have a chance to go to Confession? Shall I be assisted by a Priest? Will I be prepared? Unhappily, I know the answer to none of these things. Only one thing is certain – that I shall die and sooner than I imagine.”

Consider that then, the world will come to an end, as far as you are concerned. You will have no more part in it. It will turn upside down before your eyes, for worldly joys and pleasures and the things you loved in vain, will turn into empty dreams and shadows.
Fool that I am to offend God for the sake of such trifling vanities. I have forsaken God and for what – for nothing!
On the other hand, devotion and good deeds will be seen as desirable and delightful and you will ask yourself – why did I not take this beautiful and pleasant path of everlasting joy?
At that hour, your sins – which at the time seemed so s
mall – will appear as vast as mountains and your devotions truly small.

Pray to God and cast yourself into His arms.
O my God, take me into Thy care on that terrible day; may all other days be sad, if only that single day will be a happy one!

Thank God for inspiring these resolutions and offer them to Him, imploring Him to grant you the grace of a Happy Death, through the merits of His Son and through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints.
Carry with you always a small Happy Death Crucifix, properly blessed, to obtain a Plenary Indulgence at the hour of death and meditate upon it often.” – (Introduction to the Devout Life – Excerpt from The Fifth Meditation on Death).

The Complete Fifth Meditation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Muoe86JLRA

WHAT IS A HAPPY DEATH CRUCIFIX?
A Crucifix which displays the “Skull and Crossbones” preferably at the Feet of Jesus.
The skull and bones have many symbolic meanings. All Catholics are encouraged to meditate on the “Four Last Things – Death and Judgement, Heaven and Hell” so that they will live in a state of grace and prepare themselves for Heaven.
The skull is a great reminder of human mortality. Jesus Christ was Crucified on Golgotha – “the place of the skull,”
There is a tradition that Christ, the New Adam, Who conquered sin and death, was Crucified on the gravesite of the first man, Adam, who brought sin and death into the world through his disobedience to God.
The skull is a symbol of Adam’s grave.
Most important of all, the skull and bones are placed beneath Jesus’ Feet, to show that He triumphed over death and sin on our behalf.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, Quotes on SALVATION, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 March – Abraham rejoiced to see My day

One Minute Reflection – 26 March – Passion Sunday – Hebrews 9:11-15, John 8:46-59 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, he saw it and was glad.” – John 8:56

REFLECTION – “Since Abraham was a Prophet he saw the day of the Lord’s coming in the Spirit, as also the designs of His Passion, through which, both he and all those like him, who believed in God, would be saved. And he was seized with great joy. Thus, the Lord was not unknown to Abraham, since he longed to see His day… He longed to see His day, so that he, too, might clasp Christ to himself and having seen Him prophetically in the Spirit, he rejoiced.

That is why Simeon, who was of his descendants, fulfilled the Patriarch’s joy and said: “Now, Master, Thou may let Thy servant go in peace, according to Thy Word, for my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou prepared in sight of all peoples”… And Elizabeth said : “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.” Abraham’s rejoicing descended, as it were, on those who were watching and who saw Christ and believed in Him. And this rejoicing returned to Abraham through his children.

So it was altogether fitting that our Lord bore witness to him when He said: “Your father, Abraham rejoiced to see My day,. he saw it and was glad.” Nor was it only with regard to Abraham that He said this but of all those who, from the beginning, had come to know God and prophesied of Christ’s coming. For they had received this revelation from the Son Himself that Son, Who, in these the last days, became visible and palpable and talked with men, so that He might raise up sons from Abraham out of stones and make his posterity to be like the stars of the heaven.” – St Irenaeus (c130-c202) Martyr, Father of the Church, Bishop of Lyons, Theologian (Against the heresies IV, 5-7).

PRAYER – Look graciously upon Thy household, Almighty God, we beseech Thee that by Thy grace, we may be governed in body and by Thy protection, safeguarded in mind. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.Amen (Collect).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY WEEK, LENT 2023, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 26 March – Prayer to Christ in His Passion and Death By St Francis de Sales

Our Morning Offering – 26 March – Passion Sunday

Hail, Sweet Jesus!
Prayer to Christ
in His Passion and Death
By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

Hail, sweet Jesus!
Praise, honour and glory be to Thee, O Christ,
Who, of Thou own accord, embraced death,
and recommending Thyself to Thy heavenly Father,
bowing down Thy venerable Head,
did yield up Thy Spirit.
Truly thus giving up Thy life for Thy sheep,
Thou hast shown Thyself, to be the Good Shepherd.
Thou died, O Only-begotten Son of God.
Thou died, O my beloved Saviour,
that I might live forever.
O how great hope,
how great confidence have
I reposed in Thy Death and Thy Blood!
I glorify and praise Thy Holy Name,
acknowledging my infinite obligations to Thee.
O good Jesus,
by Thy bitter Death and Passion,
give me grace and pardon.
Give unto the faithful departed,
rest and life everlasting.
Amen.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 26 March – St Barontius of Pistoia (Died c725) Monk, Hermit.

Saint of the Day – 26 March – St Barontius of Pistoia (Died c725) Monk, Hermit. Barontius was a French nobleman who had been a Courtier at the Court of King Thierry II. Also known as – Barontus, Baronce, Baronto, Baronzio. Barontius

With his son, he had became a Monk at Saint-Pierre de Longoret in the Diocese of Bourges, now the Monastery of Saint-Cyran-du-Jambot.

Barontius received a vision of Heaven and hell around 678 in which as demons clawed and kicked at him. Accompanied by the Archangel St Raphael, Barontius journeyed through the four levels of Heaven, although he continues to be tormented by the demons, who want to pull him down to hell.

He meets people he has known, including fellow Monks from Longoreto. St Raphael asks another Angel to bring Saint Peter to them, so that Peter may evaluate Barontius.

The demons bring their evidence against Barontius, going “over all the sins that [Barontius] had committed from infancy onwards, including those which [he] had totally forgetten.” However, the demons get so annoying that St Peter smacks them with his keys, sending them away. St Peter then decides to send Barontius back to earth via hell, where Barontius sees all of the souls in torment. before returning to earth. When he recovers, he is asked to tell of his vision and writes an account thereof, a large manuscript known as Visio Baronti Monachi Longoretensis.

This vision led to Barontius’ decision to become a Hermit in Italy and he established himself near Pistoia with Desiderius, also a former Monk. They lived an austere, prayerful life and were joined by many disciples.

Barontius died around 725. Both he and Desiderius ‘ names appear in the Martyrologium Romanum as Saints, for celebration today.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Passion Sunday and Memorials of the Saints – 26 March

Passion Sunday

Notre-Dame de Soissons / Our Lady of Soissons, France (1128) In the Abbey, one of Our Lady’s slippers is kept – 26 March:
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/26/our-lady-of-soissons-france-1128-and-memorials-of-the-saints-26-march/

St Barontius of Pistoia (Died c725) Monk, Hermit

St Basil the Younger (Died c952) Confessor, Hermit, Mystic, Miracle-worker.
His Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/26/saint-of-the-day-26-march-saint-basil-the-younger-died-c-952/


St Bathus
St Bercharius

St Braulio (590-651) Bishop of Saragossa, Spain, Monk, Confessor, Reformer, Scholar, Advisor, Writer, eloquent Preacher, Apostle of Charity. Saint Braulio was friend and disciple to Saint Isidore of Seville (560-636) Doctor of the Church ) and a prolific writer of letters, hymns, martyrologies, hagiographies and history. He fought against heresy and provided both strength and encouragement in the faith to his congregation.
Biography:

https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/03/26/saint-of-the-day-26-march-braulio-590-651/

St Castulus of Rome (Died c 288) Martyr, Layman, married to Saint Irene of Rome (the woman who assisted St Sebastian after he had been wounded by the Imperial archers), Military Officer and he was the Chamberlain (or officer, valet) of Emperor Diocletian.
His Life and Death:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/26/saint-of-the-day-26-march-saint-castulus-of-rome-died-c-288-martyr/

St Desiderius of Pistoia
St Eutychius of Alexandria
St Felicitas of Padua
St Felix of Trier (c 386–c 399) Bishop
St Garbhan
St Govan

St Ludger (c 742-809) Bishop, Missionary, Founder, Abbot, Writer. Following in the footsteps of the English missionary St Boniface, St Ludger, who was a native Netherlander, brought the faith to the people of Frisia in Holland and the Saxons of north-west Germany. He founded the Werden Abbey and was the first Bishop of Münster in Westphalia, Germany.
About St Ludger:

https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/26/saint-of-the-day-26-march-st-ludger-c-742-809/

St Maxima the Martyr
St Mochelloc of Kilmallock
St Montanus the Martyr
St Sabino of Anatolia
St Sincheall of Killeigh
St Wereka

Martyrs of Rome – 5 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together. The only details to survive are the names – Cassian, Jovinus, Marcian, Peter and Thecla. Rome, Italy, date unknown.

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MODESTY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VANITY, The ANNUNCIATION

Thought for the Day – 25 March – The Annunciation

Thought for the Day – 25 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Annunciation

“Consider Mary’s reaction to the reverence and praise with which the Angel greets her.
Is she carried away by delight and exaltation at this solemn moment?
Nothing of the sort!
In her humility and modesty, she is disturbed by the Angel’s salutation and wonders what the reason is for it.
She was troubled at his word and kept pondering what manner of greeting this might be” (Lk 1:29).

How do we behave when we receive praise from our superiors or from our friends and acquaintances?
We are pleased and overcome perhaps by feelings of vanity.

We smile to ourselves and are convinced that we are of more consequence than we really are.
We even feel the need to reveal our thoughts to others and, thereby, seek further aggrandisement!

There is a world of difference between the simplicity and humility of the Blessed Virgin and our vain hunger for praise and honour.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING

Quote/s of the Day – 25 March – The Annunciation

Quote/s of the Day – 25 March – The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Isaias 7:10-15, Luke 1:26-38 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

By a woman,
came the flood of our ills
and by a woman too,
our blessings,
have their spring.

St Gregory Thaumaturgus (c213-c270)
“the Wonder-Worker,” Bishop, Confessor

Blessed Virgin Mary,
Receive Our Gratitude!
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of Grace

Blessed Virgin Mary,
who can worthily repay you
with praise and thanks
for having rescued a fallen world
by your generous consent!
Receive our gratitude
and by your prayers,
obtain the pardon of our sins.
Take our prayers into the Sanctuary of Heaven
and enable them to make our peace with God.
Holy Mary, help the miserable,
strengthen the discouraged,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for your people,
plead for the clergy,
intercede for all women consecrated to God.
May all who venerate you
feel now your help and protection.
Be ready to help us when we pray
and bring back to us,
the answers to our prayers.
Make it your continual concern
to pray for the people of God,
for you were blessed by God
and were made worthy
to bear the Redeemer of the world,
Who lives and reigns forever.
Amen

And Mary said,
‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be to me according to your word.’

Luke 1:38

The price of our salvation
is offered to you.
We shall be set free at once, if you consent.
In the eternal Word of God, we all came to be
and behold, we die.
In your brief response,
we are to be remade.
in order to be recalled to life.

Answer quickly, O Virgin.
Reply in haste to the Angel,
or rather, through the Angel to the Lord.
Answer with a word,
receive the Word of God.
Speak your own word,
conceive the Divine Word.
Breathe a passing word,
embrace the Eternal Word!

St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
The Last Father and the Mellifluous Doctor

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LENT 2023, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MOTHER of GOD, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The ANNUNCIATION

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 25 March – CHASTITY and HUMILITY

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 25 March – The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Isaias 7:10-15, Luke 1:26-38 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Hail, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee,
blessed art thou amongst women!

Luke 1:28

And Mary said to the Angel:
How shall this be done
as I know not man?

Luke 1:34

CHASTITY and HUMILITY
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

VIRGINITY AND ABSOLUTE CHASTITY, is an angelic virtue but, although it belongs, more especially to Angels than to men, yet the purity of Our Lady infinitely surpassed that of the Angels, having three great perfections above theirs, even that of the Cherubim and Seraphim…that of the Angels is sterile and can produce no fruit.
On the contrary, that of our glorious Mistress was not only fruitful because she produced, for us, this sweet Fruit of Life, Our Lord and Master but, in the second place, she has begotten many virgins.
It is it in imitation of her, as we have said, that virgins have vowed their virginity …

But she was not only virgin par excellence above all others, Angels as well as men – she was also more humble than all others. This was manifest excellently on the day of the Annunciation.
She then made the greatest act of humility that was ever made, or ever will be made, by a pure creature; for seeing herself exalted by the Angel, who saluted her, saying she was full of grace and that she would conceive a Son Who would be both God and Man…Our Lady, being reassured by the Angel and having learned what God willed to do with her and in her, made this supreme act of humility, saying:
I am the servant of the Lord.
Let it be done to me as you say.

She saw herself raised to the highest dignity that ever was or will be, for although it should please God to create anew many worlds, He could never make a pure creature be greater than the Mother of God.

Our Lady humbled herself and acknowledged herself unworthy of being raised to the high dignity of Mother of God, therefore, she was made to be His Mother, for she had no sooner uttered the protestation of her littleness, than, having abandoned herself to Him, by an act of incomparable charity, she became the Mother of the Most High, Who is the Saviour of our souls!” (Sermon on 25 March 1621at a religious Profession).