Posted in MARIAN TITLES

Solemnity of Christ the King, Vigil of All Saints Day, Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Río Blanco, Argentina and Memorials of the Saints – 31 October

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Solemnity of Christ the King – Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost

Vigil of All Saints Day or All Hallow’s Eve: Eve of the Feast of All Hallows, that is, All Saints Day.

Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Río Blanco y Paypaya de Jujuy / Our Lady of the Rosary of Rio Blanco (of the White River) and Paypaya, Argentina , 17th Century – 31 October:

In the Province of Jujuy, Our Lady of the Rosary is the main Patron, who was added the title of “Paypaya and White River.” Local tradition tells that the Virgin defended the City from attacks by the Indians.

The most beautiful devotion is the procession which takes place on 31 October, the day on which the image is removed from its precious altar next to the nave of the Cathedral of Jujuy and is taken to the Sanctuary of the White River…The people displaying their deep religious faith, expressed in their great devotion to the Virgin “Our Lady of the Rosary of White River and Paypaya,” the history refers to the colonial era of the mid-seventeenth century.

Entering through the side entrance of the court, located next to the Cathedral of San Salvador de Jujuy, in the centre of the long nave, is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary of White River and Paypaya, a clothed image 60 cm. height. There is another Statue is in the Chapel of the City of Rio Blanco.

Commemoration of All Holy Relics (Dominicans)
—

St Alphonsus Rodriguez SJ (1532-1617) Spanish Lay Brother of the Society of Jesus, Doorkeeper, Mystic, Visionary, Apostle of Charity and of Prayer, Spiritual Adviser.

St Ampliatus
St Antoninus of Milan
St Apelles of Eraclea Sintica
St Arnulf of Novalesa
St Begu of Hackness
Bl Christopher of Romagna
Bl Dominic Collins
St Epimachus of Melusio
St Erth of Cornwall
St Foillan of Fosses (Died 655) Bishop Martyr, Missionary, Abbot
Bl Irene Stefani
St Jesús Miquel Girbau
Bl Leon Nowakowski
St Lucilla of Rome
Bl Maria de Requesens
Bl Modesta Moro Briz
St Narcissus
St Notburga of Cologne
St Quentin
Bl Pilar Isabel Sánchez Suárez
St Stachys of Constantinople

Blessed Thomas Bellacci TOSF (1370-1447) Lay Friar and Third Order Franciscan, Penitent, Confessor, renowned Missionary Preacher, Papal Legate, Novice Master and Vicar General of the Order.

St Urban

St Wolfgang of Regensburg (c 934 –994) “The Great Almoner,” Bishop, Monk, Missionary, Ascetic, Apostle of Charity. He is regarded as one of the three great German saints of the 10th century, the other two being Saint Ulrich and Saint Conrad of Constance.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 31 October – Saint Quentin

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Saint Quentin, also known as Quintin, Quintinus, was a Roman martyr. The son of a Roman senator called Zeno, he was a convert to Christianity. Becoming a missionary to Gaul with Saint Lucian of Beauvais and others (the martyrs Victoricus and Fuscian are said to have been Quentin’s followers), his preaching, miracles, and example won many converts in Amiens.

He was arrested in 286 by Prefect Rictius Varus during the Maximian persecution. The saint was manacled, tortured repeatedly, but refused to abjure his faith. The prefect left Amiens to go to Reims, the capital of Gallia Belgica, where he wanted Quentin judged. But, on the way, in 287, in a town named Augusta Veromanduorum (now Saint-Quentin, Aisne), Rictiovarus interrupted his journey to pass sentence: Quentin was tortured again, then beheaded and thrown by the soldiers into the marshes around the Somme. His body was recovered and buried by people he had helped convert, his tomb becoming known as a site for miracles. A blind woman named Eusebia, born of a senatorial family, came from Rome (following a divine order) and miraculously discovered the body, and a certain blind woman recovered her sight by the sacred relics. A small chapel was built nearby.

His relics were later re-discovered by Saint Eligius. When the relics were discovered, together with the great nails with which the body had been pierced, Eligius distributed these nails, the teeth, and hair in other places, and enclosed the rest of the sacred treasure in a rich shrine of his own work, which he placed behind the high altar of the church he rebuilt.

Patronage: bombardiers, chaplains, locksmiths, porters, tailors, and surgeons. Invoked against coughs, sneezes, and dropsy.

Hierax said, I was a Christian, and will be a Christian. And Pæon stood up and said, I too am a Christian.

The Martyrdom of Justin

Posted in Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 31 October – I am Thine and born for Thee

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I am Thine and born for Thee,
What wilt Thou do with me?
By St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of Prayer of the Church

Sovereign Lord, upon Thy Throne,
Endless Wisdom, One and Whole,
Goodness that dost feed my soul,
Good and great, One God alone,
As I sing my love for Thee.
What wilt Thou do with me?

Thine I am, for Thou didst make me;
Thine, for Thou alone didst save me;
Thine – Thou couldst endure to have me;
For Thine own, didst deign to take me.
Never once, didst Thou forsake me.
Ruined were I, if not for Thee:
What wilt Thou do with me?

What, O good and loving Lord,
What wilt Thou have this creature do?
This Thy slave, a sinner too,
Waiting till she hears Thy word?
With Thy will in close accord,
Sweetest Love, I come to Thee:
What wilt Thou do with me?

Take, O Lord, my loving heart:
See, I yield it to Thee whole,
With my body, life and soul
And my nature’s every part.
Sweetest Spouse, my life Thou art;
I have given myself to Thee:
What wilt Thou do with me?

Let me live or let me die;
Give me sickness, give me health;
Give me poverty or wealth;
Let me strive or peaceful lie.
Weakness give or strength supply –
I accept it all of Thee:
What wilt Thou do with me?…

I am Thine and born for Thee,
What wilt Thou do with me?

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 31 October – Mary traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah

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One Minute Reflection – 31 October – The last day of the “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Sedulius, Ps 44:2, Ecclus 24:14-16, Luke 11:27-28

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Lk 1:28; 1:42

REFLECTION – By his voice alone Christ, to begin with, is recognized by his Church. For he first sent her his voice ahead of him through the prophets, and so, although he was not seen, he was heard. And he was heard through the things they proclaimed about him while the Bride, that is the Church, which has been gathered together since the beginning of time, heard his voice only until the time when she saw him with her eyes and said: “Behold, here he comes, leaping upon the mountains!”

Now every soul — if any there be who is constrained by love for the Word of God— is made happy and consoled when it feels the presence of the Bridegroom whenever some riddle or obscure saying of the Law or the Prophets hem it in. When he has begun to draw closer and closer to her senses and to illuminate things that are obscure then she sees him “leaping upon the mountains and the hills” so that this soul can rightly say: “Behold, he comes!” Certainly, the Bridegroom promises and tells his Bride, that is, his chosen disciples: “Behold, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world”.

Nevertheless he tells her elsewhere that he is going away to seek a kingdom for himself; and yet again it is said with reference to the absent Bridegroom that at midnight there was a cry made: “Behold, the Bridegroom comes!”. Thus the Bridegroom is sometimes present and teaching, and sometimes He is said to be absent and then He is desired. So also is it with the soul. When she is trying to understand something and desiring to know some obscure and secret matters, so long as she cannot find what she is looking for the Word of God is surely absent from her. But when the thing she seeks comes to meet her, and appears to her, who doubts but that the Word of God is present, illuminating her mind and offering to her the light of knowledge? If, then, we too want to see the Word of God, the Bridegroom of the soul, “leaping upon the mountains and skipping over the hills,” we must first hear his voice and then we shall be able to see him.

Origen

PRAYER – Lord God, You gave the peoples of the world as the inheritance of Your only Son; You crowned Him as King of Zion, Your holy city and gave Him Your Church to be His Bride. As He proclaims the law of Your eternal kingdom, may we serve Him faithfully and so share His royal power forever. We make our prayer, through Him and with Him and in Him, our King and our Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS

Quote/s of the Day– 31 October – The Blessed Virgin

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Exult, exult! oh my soul ! said St. Bonaventure, who was so assiduous in proclaiming the praises of Mary, and rejoice in her, because many good things are prepared for those who praise her; and since all the Holy Scriptures, he added, speak in praise of Mary, let us endeavor always with heart and tongue to celebrate this our divine mother, that we may be conducted by her to the kingdom of the blessed.

St Alphonsus Liguori

The children of Belial, the slaves of Satan, the friends of the world (for it is the same thing), have always up to this time persecuted those who belong to our Blessed Lady, and will in future persecute them more than ever; just as of old Cain persecuted his brother Abel, and Esau his brother Jacob, who are the figures of the reprobate and the predestinate. But the humble Mary will always have the victory over that proud spirit, and so great a victory that she will go the length of crashing his head, where his pride dwells. She will always discover the malice of the serpent. She will always counterwork his infernal mines and dissipate his diabolical counsels, and will guarantee even to the end of time her faithful servants from his cruel claw.

St Louis de Montfort

We are told in the revelations of St. Bridget, that the blessed Emingo, Bishop, being accustomed to begin his sermons with the praises of Mary, the Virgin herself appeared one day to the saint, and said to her: “Tell that prelate who is accustomed to commence his discourses with my praises, that I will be his mother, and that I will present his soul to God, and that he shall die a good death;” and he indeed died like a saint, in prayer and in celestial peace.

St Alphonsus Liguori

If you follow Mary, you will not swerve from the right path, if you pray to her, you will not fall into despair, if she holds you, you will not fall, if she protects you, you need not fear, if she leads you, you will never weary, and if she befriends you, you will be safe.

St Bernard

As far as the advantage of the people is concerned, St. Anselm says, that the sacred womb of Mary having been made the way of salvation for sinners, sinners cannot but be converted and saved by discourses in praise of Mary.

St Alphonsus Liguori

All Christians have a great devotion to Mary except those old and hardened sinners who, for a very long time, having lost the faith, wallow in the slime of their brute passions. The Devil tries to keep them in this state of blindness until that moment when death opens their eyes. Ah! If they had but the happiness to have recourse to Mary they would not fall into Hell, as will happen to them! No, my dear children, let us not imitate such people! On the contrary, let us follow the footsteps of all those true servants of Mary.

St John Vianney

And if then you are greatly alarmed and lose courage in view of the sins you have committed, she will come to comfort you as she came to Adolphus, Count of Alsace, who, having quitted the world and become a Franciscan, as the chronicles relate, was very devoted to the mother of God. His last days arrived, and at the remembrance of the life he had led in the world, and the rigor of divine justice, he began to fear death and doubt of his salvation. Then Mary, who never sleeps when her faithful servants are in trouble, accompanied by many saints, appeared to him, and encouraged him with these tender words of consolation : “My dear Adolphus, thou art mine, thou hast given thyself to me, then why dost thou so greatly fear death?” The servant of Mary was consoled by these words, every fear disappeared, and he died in great peace and contentment.

St Alphonsus Liguori

There is no nation, no state or condition which has not called Mary ‘Blessed’. We may safely say that heaven resounds with her glory, and the universe re-echoes its praises. All nations who adore God, pay honours to the wonders done to her: Europe, Asia, Africa, America, have all been struck with astonishment at the ‘great things that He that is mighty hath done to her’.

Henri-Marie Boudon

They that explain me shall have life everlasting.

The Blessed Virgin

Posted in OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS

Thought for the Day – 31 October – The Glories of the Holy Angels

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The Glories of the Holy Angels

Venerable Henri Boudon, Archdeacon of Evreux

OCTOBER TWENTY-NINTH.
The Angels who favoured particular Saints.

Let us consecrate this day to ‘those blessed Spirits who specially favoured some of the Saints; as the Angels who released St. Peter from his prison, and revealed to St. John the secrets of futurity ; those who gave the monastic rule to St. Pachomius: who imprinted the holy stigmas in the body of St. Francis; wounded the heart of St. Teresa; and those who gave the holy communion to St. Stanislas Kotska; who conversed with St. Rose, and conferred on St. Thomas the gift of perfect chastity. Thus we will please those great servants of God, and obtain their intercession.

Practice—Three spiritual communions in honour of these Angels.

Asp.—O all ye holy Saints and Angels ! intercede for us.

OCTOBER THIRTIETH.
All the Angels because they assist us in Death

We are born but to live—we live but to die—and our lot for eternity depends on the manner in which we breathe our last. We ought, then, to “make for ourselves friends,” for that critical moment, of the holy Angels, by a true, sincere, persevering devotion to them. If we do, it is then indeed they will show how they loved us.

Practice—Prayer to the Blessed Virgin for a happy death.
Asp.—O holy Angels—-Spirits of God ! pray for us now and at the hour of our death—Amen.”

OCTOBER THIRTY-FIRST.
All the Angels because they will contribute to our happiness in eternity.

When the figure of this world shall have passed away—when the earth and all that is in it shall have been burnt up, and the elements melted with heat when, in fine, the Son of Man shall appear on a cloud to judge the living and the dead — the Angels, at his command, having separated the good from the bad, will encompass the former as a tower of defence against the evils which will cause the latter to exclaim— Mountains fall upon us ! hills cover us !” And when the final sentence seals man’s eternal doom, and that the Supreme Arbiter, having locked, on their respective inmates, the gates of heaven and of hell, has flung the keys into the ocean of eternity, these blessed Spirits will seat us down at the table of the Lamb, rejoicing that our sorrow is changed into joy, and that the days of our mourning are ended. Let us love these holy Angels, but let us love them perseveringly. Perseverance crowns the work. If they deserved our homage yesterday, they as well and better deserve it to day.

Practice—Excite others to be devout to the Angels.
Asp.—Alleluia! Salvation to our God, that sits upon the throne: and may all his Angels say, Amen.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES

Madonna della Mondovi / Our Lady of Mondovi, Piemonte, Italy – 16th Century and Memorials of the Saints – 30 October

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Madonna della Mondovi / Our Lady of Mondovi, Piemonte, Italy – 16th Century – 30 October:

Our Lady of Mondovi, also known as the Madonna della Mondovi, is located at Vicoforte, in Piedmont, Italy. There a picture was found upon which a tile-maker had painted and placed on a brick pillar which he had erected for that purpose. This pillar has since been enclosed in a Church which was built in the year 1645 at the behest of Maria Cristina of France. The request was made in memory of the miraculous rescue of a child from the river, which took place in 1644 through the invocation of the image of the Blessed Virgin. Since that time there have been many miracles which have been wrought and continue to attract a great concourse of people.

The peasant folk especially venerated Our Lady at this Shrine and obtained numerous favours in answer to their prayers.
The Church was enlarged in 1779 and equipped with a Baptistery in 1807. Inside, enriched with precious furnishings donated by the Savoy Princes and frescoes by Bartolomeo Guidobono and others. On the Altar, the miraculous image of the Blessed Mother is kept. The original image has been almost completely repainted in twentieth-century restorations.

St Angelo of Acri OFM Cap (1669-1739) Priest of the Franciscan Capuchins, Confessor, Preacher, Missionary, Evangeliser, Miracle-Worker, Apostle of Charity and Mercy to the sick, Mystic with the gifts of prophecy, bi-location, visions and the ability to see into men’s souls in Confession. His body is incorrupt and is enshrined in in the Basilica dedicated to him in Acri.

St Arilda
St Asterius of Amasea

Blessed Benvenuta Bojani OP (1254-1292) Member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic, Mystic, Repentant. miracle-worker.

St Egelnoth the Good
St Eutropia of North Africa
St Gerard of Potenza

St Germanus of Capua (Died c 541) Bishop of Capua, Italy, Confessor, Papal Legate. St Germanus was a close friend of St Benedict of Nursia. The Roman Matyrology states: St Germanus, Bishop and Confessor, a man of great sanctity, whose soul, at the hour of death, was seen by St Benedict taken to heaven by angels.

St Herbert of Tours
Bl Jean-Michel Langevin
Bl John Slade
St Lucanus of Lagny
St Marcellus the Centurion
St Marcian of Syracuse
St Maximus of Cumae
St Nanterius of Saint-Mihiel
Bl Oleksa Zarytsky (1912-1963) Martyr
Bl Raymond of Cardona
St Saturninus of Cagliari
St Serapion of Antioch
St Talarica of Scotland
Bl Terrence Albert O’Brien
St Theonestus of Philippi (Died 425) Bishop, Martyr
St Zenobia of Aegea
St Zenobius of Aegea
—
Martyrs in Africa: A group of 100 to 200 Christians murdered in the early persecutions, and about whom we know nothing except that they died for their faith.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 30 October – Saint Marcellus the Centurion

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Saint Marcellus the Centurion, also known as Marcellus of Tangier, was a Roman centurion at Tangiers (in modern Morocco). During a celebration of the Emperor Maximian’s birthday, Marcellus refused to participate in the pagan offering ceremony. He threw away his arms and armour and symbol of his rank, openly declared himself a Christian, and was condemned to death.

Saint Cassian, the official shorthand writer, was so angry at the sentence that he refused to record the court proceedings and was martyred as well.

St. Marcellus’s relics were later brought to and enshrined at what now is León, Spain, and he became a patron saint of the city. The Plaza de San Marcelo in this city is named for him.

Then said the prefect Rusticus to Chariton, Tell me further, Chariton, are you also a Christian? Chariton said, I am a Christian by the command of God. Rusticus the prefect asked the woman Charito, What say you, Charito? Charito said, I am a Christian by the grace of God. Rusticus said to Euelpistus, And what are you? Euelpistus, a servant of Cæsar, answered, I too am a Christian, having been freed by Christ; and by the grace of Christ I partake of the same hope.

The Martyrdom of Justin

Posted in Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 30 October – To Our Lady of the Rosary By St Amadeus of Lausanne

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Through Thee, to Us, our Saviour Came
To Our Lady of the Rosary
By St Amadeus of Lausanne O.Cist (1108-1159)

Through thee, to us, our Saviour came,
Through thee, to Him, we fain would go.
Our lives are marred by wrong and shame,
Yet, confidence in thee we know.
The friendship thou dost give to all
Who love thy name, shall ever be
Assurance thou wilt hear our call,
Sweet Lady of the Rosary!

Thou art our Strength upon the way,
Our Morning Star, to cheer and guide;
Our Beacon Light to show the day,
And lead us to the Saviour’s Side;
A Comforter in ev’ry pain
We find, O Mother blest, in thee,
And seek we, never, thee in vain,
Fair Lady of the Rosary!

Thy praises, Mary, we would sing,
And all our faculties employ,
That unto thee our hearts might bring
A glory-crown of love and joy.
Bless thou each humble effort made
In thy regard and grant that we,
May by thy influence be swayed,
Our Lady of the Rosary!

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 30 October – Becoming a true image of God

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One Minute Reflection – 30 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” and Mary’s Day – Readings: Ps 129:3-4, Ps 129:1-2, Phil 1:6-11, Matt 22:15-21

Then Jesus said to them, Whose are this image and the inscription?

Matt 22:15-21

REFLECTION – “Therefore give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” We are to give back to each their due. Now this is a saying that is truly full of wisdom and heavenly understanding because it teaches us that there are two sorts of power, one earthly and human, the other heavenly and divine. It teaches us that we are bound in this way to a twofold form of obedience, one to human laws and the other to divine. We are to pay Caesar with the coin bearing the image and inscription of Caesar and God with what has received the seal and image of the divine likeness: “The light of your countenance, O Lord, is signed upon us”.

We have been created in the image and likeness of God. You are a man, O Christian. So you are the money in the divine treasure-chest, a coin bearing the image and inscription of the divine emperor. From now on if I ask with Christ: “Whose image and inscription are these?”, you reply: “God's”. And I answer: “So why do you not give back to God what is his?”

If we truly want to be God's image then we must resemble Christ, since he is the image of God's goodness and “the very imprint of his being”. And God “predestined those he foreknew to be conformed to the image of his Son”. Christ truly gave back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. He observed in the most perfect way possible the precepts contained in the two tablets of the divine law “becoming obedient unto death, even death on a cross”. Thus he was adorned in the highest degree with all virtues, both manifest and concealed.

St Lawrence of Brindisi

PRAYER – Lord Jesus, help us to appreciate and live Your spiritual virtues and give them the first place in our hearts. Grant that we may always seek them first and remain forever united with You. Send Your Spirit with His gifts and blessings and may the Mother of all Virtue, assist us in our need. Help us to follow the path of humility, the Blessed Virgin so splendidly taught us and may we always beseech Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, for her intercession, that we may obtain from You, a place in Your Kingdom. Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, pray for us. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God now and for all times, amen.

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes

Quote/s of the Day – 30 October – For You do not regard the person of men

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S. Vincent Ferrer observes, that the riches of this world are external, they enter not into the heart. “They are waters which do not enter space, where there is thirst.” The sinner may wear a beautiful embroidered robe, he may have a costly diamond on his finger, he may feast according to his desire, but his poor heart will remain filled with bitterness ; and therefore he will be, notwithstanding all his riches, pleasures, and amusements, ever restless ; and when anything opposes his will, he will become furious and angry like a dog that is mad.

St Alphonsus Liguori

When things go wrong with him who loves God, he resigns himself to the will of God, and therefore there is no need for him to quiet himself. The unhappy sinner, serves the devil serves a tyrant who repays him with sorrow and bitterness. What does not that revengeful man suffer, after he is revenged? that dishonest one, after he has fulfilled his design ? that ambitious one ? that avaricious one? Oh how many there are, who, if they suffered for God that which they suffered to bring themselves to condemnation, would become great saints.

St Alphonsus Liguori

Scripture speaks of a converted man as a new man, because, in fact, it produces a wonderful renewal in a regenerated creature. He is no longer himself, he is another man, another being, everything is changed. He cannot recognise the past, on whatever side you look, you find a new man.

Pere Vincent Houdry

I called and you rejected Me, I also in My turn, will laugh you to scorn. This is, at the same time, a reproach and a threat, which God makes to sinners.

Massillon

Woe to me! if I am so badly advised as to use my soul thus, woe to me! if I delay to the last moment of my life, that which should have been the occupation of my life.

De la Colombiere, SJ

Do not, I implore you, delay your conversion to God, for you know not the day appointed to carry you off. You tell me that God has given His grace to be converted, to some when they have reached to extreme old age. Does it follow from this that He will grant you the same favour? Perhaps He will grant it to me. Why add, perhaps? Because it has sometimes happened. What! does the question of your salvation depend on a perhaps?

St John Chrysostom

Posted in OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS

Thought for the Day – 30 October – Day by day

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The Glories of the Holy Angels

Venerable Henri Boudon, Archdeacon of Evreux

OCTOBER TWENTY-FIFTH.
St. Gabriel

This blessed Spirit was the ambassador of the Most High when about to operate the greatest of all his mysteries, the Incarnation of his Son; and he it was that revealed it to Daniel many ages before. He is supposed to have been the tutelary of the holy family—the Angel who invited the shepherds to the manger—who warned St. Joseph to flee into Egypt—and, in fine, he who consoled Jesus in his agony. His name, Gabriel, signifies “ power of God.” His peculiar grace is to imprint in hearts the knowledge and love of Jesus and Mary. Let us be devout to him, and he will render us this service so desirable.

Practice—Say in honour of this blessed Angel seven times in his own words to the Blessed Virgin—Hail Mary ! &c.
Asp.—O Angel of the Lord!” extend in all hearts the empire of Jesus and Mary.

OCTOBER TWENTY-SIXTH.
St. Michael

“When Lucifer raised his rebellious head, and sought to be like to the Most High, Michael, the prince of the Seraphim, and the first of “ the Seven Spirits who stand before the Throne,” opposed his haughty pretensions and overthrew him in the contest. Saint Thomas supposes this blessed Spirit to be the breath of the Saviour, which will destroy Antichrist. He is the patron of the Church—the protector of the dying—he, in fine, who on the last day will seize the trumpet, and with a Surgite Mortui, “ Arise, ye dead !” will arraign all men before the Judge of the Living and the Dead. He is then entitled to singular love and veneration.

Practice—Nine Gloria Patria, in honour of St. Michael, as chief of the Nine
Choirs.
Asp.— O holy Michael the Archangel! defend us in the combat, lest we perish in the Day of Judgment.

OCTOBER TWENTY-SEVENTH.
The Angels of bad and ignorant Catholics.

That there are numbers who belong to the one fold of Jesus Christ, unmindful of their duty to those holy Angels, whom they know to be their guardians and protectors, and many more altogether ignorant of this consoling truth—is as undeniable as it is afflicting. Let us this day supply their deficiency by our homage and respect.

Practice.—Assist at Mass in honour of these Angels.
Asp.—For all who despise or forget you, I love and venerate you, holy Angels.

OCTOBER TWENTY-EIGHTH.
The Angels who visit and console the souls in Purgatory.

The charity of the Angels does not end with our existence here; if condemned after death to the purifying flames of Purgatory—they visit and console us in a manner which considerably diminishes the sense of suffering. They have often appeared to persons on earth, to incite them to relieve by prayers and good works, the souls detained in Purgatory.

Practice—Sacrifice something at meals in honour of these Angels.
Asp.—Holy Angels, I thank you.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES

Nostra Signora di Oropa / Our Lady of Oropa, Piedmont, Italy, (3rd Century) and Memorials of the Saints – 29 October

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Nostra Signora di Oropa / Our Lady of Oropa, Piedmont, Italy (3rd Century) – 29 October:

This image, of cedar wood, six feet high, is in a Chapel which Saint Eusebius, Bishop of Vercelli (c 283-371), caused to be built. He often retired there during the troubles caused by the Arians.

The Sanctuary of the black Virgin of Oropa, high in the Alps north of Biella, is traditionally associated with Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, who died in 371 but the circumstances of the story are anachronistic. Yet the Shrine is certainly an old one, and throughout the Middle Ages was associated with a Community of Canon Regulars.

The vast range of buildings there today were begun by the Dukes of Savoy, early in the seventeenth century and form one of the most complete pilgrimage centres in the world (there is even a theatre). It is recorded that here in 1895, contemplating the space and beauty of the mountains, Marconi heard the first call to his life’s work.

The black cedar-wood Statue has been crowned four times, the last time in 1920 – the three superimposed diadems (the fourth is represented by a halo of twelve stars) can hardly be said to add to the beauty of the image.

Discovery of the Statue of Our Lady of Oropa at Jerusalem – Saint Eusebius who had been exiled to Syria because of his differences with the Arians, died in the year c 371. While in exile, the Emperor Constantine permitted him some freedom. Eusebius discovered among some ruins in Jerusalem three Statues of Our Lady. On his triumphant return after the Arians had been temporarily overthrown, he gave two of the Statues away . The third he kept for himself, placing it in a little hermitage at Oropa which he often visited.

In the 5th and 6th centuries when Arianism again reared its ugly head, the faithful Catholics took refuge at the Shrine of Our Lady of Oropa. At one time it was decided to transport the Statue to another place. As the procession marched along, the Statue became so heavy that the men who carried it could not move on. Only when they decided to take Our Lady back to her original Shrine at Oropa were they able to move.

The last addition to the sanctuary was the Upper Basilica, a monumental Church built between 1885 and 1960 due to the large number of pilgrims visiting Oropa. It can hold 3000 people and its dome is 80 metres high.

In 1617, the complex of the Sacro Monte di Oropa (literally Sacred Mount of Oropa) was built not far from the Sanctuary. It is a devotional path now composed of twelve Chapels (plus another seven nearby) containing groups of Statues representing scenes from the story of the Virgin Mary’s life.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Oropa is a beautiful one and thousands of pilgrims today make their way there as they have done over the centuries.
The Holy See asked the authorities in 1856 to make a list of the miracles recorded at the Shrine. It is long and impressive. Then, as now, Our Lady of Oropa has a way with her Divine Son.

St Abraham Kidunaia (c 296-c 366) Priest, Hermit. The Vita of St Abraham was written by his friend, St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church.
St Abraham of Rostov
St Achahildis of Wendelstein
St Anne of Mount Olympus

St Colman of Kilmacduagh
St Dodone of Wallers-en-Fagne
St Donatus of Corfu
St Ermelinda of Meldaert
St Eusebia of Bergamo
St Felician of Carthage

St Gaetano Errico (1791-1860) Priest, Founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in 1836, Teacher, Confessor, Apostle of Charity, Eucharistic Adorer.

St Honoratus of Vercelli
St John of Autun
St Kennera
St Mary of Edessa
St Narcissus of Gerona

St Narcissus of Jerusalem (c 99-c 215) Bishop of Jerusalem, miracle-worker.

St Sigolinus of Stavelot
St Stephen of Cajazzo
St Terence of Metz
St Theodore of Vienne
St Zenobius of Sidon
—
Martyrs of Douai – (160 saints and beati): 160 priests, laymen and religious who studied at the English College in Douai, France, then returned to minister to covert Catholics in England during a period of government persecution of the Church, and were murdered for their work.

Martyrs of Lucania – (4 saints): A group of Christians executed together for their faith. Only their names have survived – Felician, Hyacinth, Lucius and Quintus. Their martyrdom occurred in Lucania, southern Italy.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Arsenio Merino Miguel
• Blessed Benito Paradela Novoa
• Blessed Joaquina Rey Aguirre
• Blessed José Ruiz Bruixola
• Blessed Maurilio Tobar González
• Blessed Ponciano Nieto Asensio
• Blessed Victoria Arregui Guinea

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 29 October – Saint Abraham of Rostov

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint Abraham of Rostov, also known as Averkii, Avraamii, was a Russian convert from paganism and a monk, taking the name Abraham. Born in the 10th century in Galich, Russia, as a young man Abraham was struck down by a nearly fatal illness, then cured by prayer.

Becoming a travelling evangelist and preacher in Rostov, Russia, he had a vision of Saint John the Divine, who gave him his own staff, which Abraham used to smash the pagan stone idol of Veles (god of the underworld in Slavic paganism) in Rostov; he then built the monastery of the Theophany on the site of the old pagan temple, and the staff was later carried into battle by Ivan the Terrible who hoped to benefit from its holy power. Upon the successful defeat of the Kazan khans he returned it and ordered the construction of the stone Cathedral of the Theophany in 1553- 1555.

The saint built two parish churches, one dedicated to Saint John, and started charitable organizations. Chosen abbot, he led by doing the most menial tasks, and serving all others. Convinced by his preaching, many pagans were baptized

He died at the monastery of Rostov, Russia of natural causes and was buried at the church of the Theophany monastery.

Posted in Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 29 October – O Lord, Have Mercy upon Me, a Sinner

Posted on by AnaStpaul

O Lord,
Have Mercy upon Me, a Sinner
By St Wulfstan (c 1008–1095)
Bishop of Worcester

O Lord,
have mercy upon me, a sinner.
Establish my heart in Your will.
Grant me true repentance for my sins,
give a right faith
and true charity,
patience in adversity
and moderation in prosperity.
Help me and all my friends and family,
all who ask for and trust in my prayers.
Show mercy to all who have done me good
and helped me to the knowledge of good
and grant everlasting forgiveness
to all who have spoken or thought
evil against me.
To You, my God and to all Your holy ones,
be praise and glory forever,
for all the benefits which You have granted me
and for all Your mercy,
shown to me, a sinner.
Amen

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 29 October – Let the light of your countenance shine upon us

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One Minute Reflection – 29 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Ps 129:3-4, Ps 129:1-2, Phil 1:6-11, Matt 22:15-21

If You, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with You is forgiveness, O God of Israel.

Ps 129:3-4

REFLECTION –Just as this coin bears the image of Caesar, so our soul is in the image of the Blessed Trinity, as one of the psalms says: “The light of thy countenance has been imprinted upon us”. Lord, the light of your countenance, that is to say the light of your grace that sets your image within us and makes us become like you, has been imprinted upon us, that is to say imprinted in our rational faculty, which is the highest power of our soul and receives this light as wax receives the mark of a seal. God’s countenance is our reason because, just as we recognize someone by his face, so we recognize God through the mirror of reason. However, this reason has been deformed by human sin since sin sets us against God. The grace of Christ has put our reason right. Hence, the apostle Paul says to the Ephesians: “Be renewed in your minds”. The light in question in this psalm is thus the grace that restores God’s image imprinted in our nature.

The whole Trinity has marked mankind with its likeness. With the memory it resembles the Father; with the understanding it resembles the Son; by love it resembles the Holy Spirit. From the beginning of creation man was made “in the image and likeness of God”. The image in his understanding of truth, the likeness in his love of virtue. The light on God's countenance is thus the grace that justifies us and brings to light once again our created image. This light constitutes man's whole good, his true good; it sets its mark on him just as the emperor's image marked the coin. That is why the Lord adds: “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar”. It was as if he said: Just as you repay Caesar with his image so repay God with your soul, beautified and marked by the light of his countenance.

St Anthony of Padua

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, shed the light of Your glory on the peoples who are living in the shadow of death, as You did long ago, when our Lord Jesus Christ, the Sun of Justice, came among us from on high. As He taught us the way to life may we keep the precepts and finally reach our everlasting home. May the Mother of Jesus, our Lord and our always loving and merciful Mother, keep us forever in her prayers. With Jesus our Lord and our God, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You now and for all eternity, amen.

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes

Quote/s of the Day – 29 October – That you may approve the better things

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Twentieth Century Christians should soak themselves in the Church Fathers. There, already, they will find difficulties they are tempted to think insoluble overcome by utter fidelity to God’s Word. All Christians, even those personally called to different vocations, must think with the Church and find in the Church’s judgment a criterion for their own scales of value.

J.M Perrin OP

I ask, then, what is the meaning of men’s obstinate determination to shut their eyes and to refuse to look on what is as clear as day? I have said that there are diversities of gifts in the Church, and that virginity is one gift and wedlock another. And shortly after I have used the words: I allow marriage also to be a gift of God, but there is a great difference between gift and gift.

St Jerome

The one sufficient way of praising virginity will be to show that that virtue is above praise, and to evince our admiration of it by our lives rather than by our words. A man who takes this theme for ambitious praise has the appearance of supposing that one drop of his own perspiration will make an appreciable increase of the boundless ocean, if indeed he believes, as he does, that any human words can give more dignity to so rare a grace; he must be ignorant either of his own powers or of that which he attempts to praise.

St. Gregory of Nyssa

For whosoever is truly righteous, his works testify concerning his faith, that he is truly a believer, with a faith which is great, a faith which is perfect, a faith which is in God, a faith which shines in good works, that the Father of all may be glorified through Christ. Now, those who are truly virgins for the sake of God give heed to Him who has said, Let not righteousness and faith fail you; bind them on your neck, and you shall find favour for yourself, and devise good things before God and before men.

St Clement

Those who lead a life of chastity possess the sanctifying grace of the Holy Ghost in abundant measure, they will be happy here on earth, and will enjoy special distinction in heaven hereafter.

Fr Francis Spirago

It is not I, but the Son of God Himself, who assures us that the pure and chaste will be like unto the angels in heaven, and at this we need not be astonished if such souls are placed in the rank of angels, souls who have for their spouse, the King and Lord of angels.

St Ambrose

Virginity brings us nearer to God. It seeks for a model in God Himself, says St Ambrose, for the eternal Father is virgin and Father. God also has an extraordinary love and tenderness for pure souls, it is to these, in particular, that He confers or reveals His secrets, or on whom He deigns to bestow his favours.

St Astere

He that can take, let him take it.

Jesus Christ

Posted in OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS

Thought for the Day – 29 October – Holy angels I revere you

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Glories of the Holy Angels

Venerable Henri Boudon, Archdeacon of Evreux

OCTOBER NINETEENTH.
The Angels of our Family and Relations.

Honour the Angels of your family and relations; they often render services which yo would not receive from your own Angels, perhaps because of some advantage which is derived from some good which you do for those of whom they have charge.

Practice—A communion in honour of these Angels.
Asp.—Holy Angels! I revere you.

OCTOBER TWENTIETH.
The Angels of our Friends and Benefactors.

Pay particular respect to those holy Spirits who are entrusted with the guardianship of your friends and benefactors, knowing that the services which they render to you are often prompted by these blessed Angels. Your Confessor being your best friend, his Angel deserves special devotion and affection.
Practice—Pay a visit to these Angels : read 3d Motive, 1st part of the preceding work.
Asp.—Lord ! charge thy Angels to keep us in all our ways.

OCTOBER TWENTY-FIRST.
The Angels of our City and Kingdom.

That God has appointed certain Angels, to watch over and defend kingdoms and provinces, we are assured of in the Book of Genesis. Towns and cities too have their respective Angels. We ought often and earnestly recommend these places to their guardian care, and beg, while we thank them for past protection, so that they would arrest by their prayers the torrent of vice and immorality, which so loudly demands vengeance.

Practice—Say the Office of the Angels
Asp.—In sight of thy Angels, O Lord! will I sanctify thy name.

OCTOBER TWENTY-SECOND.
The Angels of our Parish.

Invoke the Angels of your parish, that they may avert from it the wrath of the Most High, excited by the continual offences committed against him. Father le Fevre, first companion of St. Ignatius, used to invoke the Angels of the different places in which he preached, that they might dispose the people to profit by his sermons,

Practice—Say the Litany of the Angels, for the reign of God in your parish.
Asp.—O Holy Angels ! preserve us from all evil, especially that of sin.

OCTOBER TWENTY-THIRD.
The Angels of Heretics and Infidels.

Spend this day in making reparation to the Angels for the ill return made for all their cares by Heretics and Infidels. The former blaspheme against them, whilst the latter are in total ignorance or disbelief of them.

Practice—Interiorly salute the Angels of all whom you meet.

Asp.—May every creature praise the Angels!

OCTOBER TWENTY-FOURTH.
St. Raphael.

The name of this blessed Angel whom we have particular reason to honour to-day, as being appointed by the Church for his festival, signifies cure of God. He is, according to his own testimony to Tobias, one of the seven Spirits who stand before the Throne of God. From having so safely conducted that good man in his journey to Rages, and the many helps afforded by him during his stay in that city, he should be invoked by travellers and voyagers, persons about to contract the sacred matrimonial engagement, as well as those engaged in trade and commerce. Indeed all should beg his assistance, all being strangers and pilgrims upon earth, and standing in greater or lesser need of it.

Practice—Consult St. Raphael on all your affairs, and say the 90th Psalm.
Asp.—O Angel of God, illumine, defend and preserve me this day, and for ever.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 28 October – Saint Diomedes the Younger

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Saint Diomedes the Younger, was born in 4th century Leucopolis, Cyprus. He was a student of Saint Trifillio and a miracle worker. When Cyprus was being attacked by Saracens, Diomedes made the sign of the cross at them and they converted from Islam to Christianity.

Leucopolis (Nicosia)
Posted in MARIAN TITLES

Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles of Christ, Lord of Miracles/Señor de los Milagros de Nazarenas, Notre-Dame de Vivonne / Our Lady of Vivonne, Savoy, France and Memorials of the Saints – 28 October

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Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles of Christ

Lord of Miracles/Señor de los Milagros de Nazarenas – A mid-17th-century painting of the Crucifixion that is venerated in Lima, Peru and its celebration involves one of the largest processions in the world.

It was painted by an unnamed African taken to Peru as a slave from what is now Angola. Above the Cross is the Holy Spirit and God the Father. Below and to the right of Jesus, is His mother, the Virgin Mary with her heart pierced by a sword of sorrow. Kneeling and weeping at the foot of the cross is St Mary Magdalene.

The name originated on 13 November 1655 when everything around it was destroyed in an earthquake that left the painting standing and undamaged. Christ is shown enduring the pain of Crucifixion. Every year in October, hundreds of thousands of devotees from all races and economic backgrounds participate in a procession honouring the image through the streets of Lima. Boulevards are decorated in purple on 18,19 and the final Feast 28 October to celebrate the Lord of Miracles.

Notre-Dame de Vivonne / Our Lady of Vivonne, Savoy, France – 28 October:

The Abbot Mathieu Orsini wrote: “Our Lady of Vivonne, in Savoy, where a miraculous image is venerated, which was found by a ploughman while preparing his field for the spring planting.”

Vivonne is a village in France having a population of somewhat less than 5,000 inhabitants and located about 20 kilometers south of Poitiers. It is situated on a rocky height looking down upon the three rivers that flow through the region. There are apparently two Churches in the village, the better known church being the Church of Saint George, on which construction began in the twelfth century. The other Church is Our Lady of Sais-les-Vivonne.

According to tradition, a farmer was ploughing his field when he overturned something peculiar in the sod. To his great surprise, the man found the object was a Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The good farmer took the Statue, now known as Our Lady of Vivonne, or Notre-Dame de Vivonne, to his home. After lovingly cleaning the debris from the Statue, the farmer took it to the local Church and gave it to the Parish Priest. The Priest immediately placed the Statue in the Church later that same day.

The next morning when he returned to the Church, he found that the Statue was missing. After much inquiry and searching the farmer found the Statue was once again in his field. The man returned it to the Church but once again it disappeared from its place, only to be found again in the field. This occurred a total of three times before it was decided to build a Shrine where it had been found. The strange phenomenon brought people from near and far to the Shrine. Soon the image proved to be miraculous and pilgrimages began. The Church which was built to honour the image of Our Lady was given to the Carmelite Order. I can find no images of this Church online.

St Abdias of Babylon
St Abraham of Ephesus
St Alberic of Stavelot
St Anastasia the Elder
St Anglinus of Stavelot
St Cyril of Rome
St Cyrilla of Rome
St Diomedes the Younger
St Dorbhene of Iona
St Eadsin of Canterbury (Died 1050) Archbishop of Canterbury
St Elius of Lyon
St Faro of Meaux

St Fidelis of Como (Died c 304) Soldier-Saint Martyr

St Genesius of Thiers
St Gioan Dat
St Godwin of Stavelot
St Maria Ascuncion
St Remigius of Lyons
St Rodrigo Aguilar Aleman
St Salvius of Amiens
—
Martyrs of Avila – 3 saints: Two sisters and a brother who, during a period of persecution, fled Talavera de la Reina, Spain, were caught and executed. Martyrs: Christeta, Sabina and Vincent. 303 in Avila, Spain.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Claudio Julían García San Román
• Blessed Maria Asuncion

Posted in Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 28 October – O Fathers of Our Ancient Faith

Posted on by AnaStpaul

O Fathers of Our Ancient Faith

O Fathers of our ancient faith,
With all the heav’n, we sing your fame
Whose sound went forth in all the earth
To tell of Christ and bless His name.

You took the gospel to the poor,
The Word of God alight in you,
Which in our day is told again,
That timeless Word, forever new.

You told of God, who died for us
And out of death triumphant rose,
Who gave the Truth which made us free
and changeless through the ages goes.

Praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Whos gift is faith that never dies,
A light in darkness now, until
The Day-Star in our hearts arise.

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 28 October – “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you”

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One Minute Reflection – 28 October – Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles and Martyrs – Readings: Ps 138:17, Ps 138:1-2, Eph. 4:7-13, John 15:17-25

Remember the word that I have spoken to you: No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also; if they have kept My word, they will keep yours also.

John 15:17-25

REFLECTION – I rejoice with you greatly in our Lord Jesus Christ that you welcomed the copies of true love [Ignatius of Antioch and his companions] who were encumbered with saintly chains, which are the diadems of those truly chosen by God and our Lord. And I rejoice because the deep root of your faith, which has been renowned from early times, still lasts and bears fruit to our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sins endured even facing death, and whom “God raised, releasing him from the throes of death”. “Though you have not seen him, you believe with unutterable, triumphant joy”. “He who raised him from the dead will raise us also”, if we do his will and live by his commands and love what he loved. Let us be imitators of his endurance, and if we suffer for his sake, let us glorify him. For he set us this example himself, and this is what we have believed.

So I beg you all to obey the message of uprightness and to exhibit all endurance, such as you saw with your own eyes not only in the blessed Ignatius and Zosimus and Rufus, but also in others of your number, and in Paul himself and the rest of the apostles, being assured that all these “have not run in vain”, but in faith and uprightness, and that they are in the place that they have deserved with the Lord, with whom they suffered. For they did not “love the present world”, but Christ who died for us and was raised up by God for our sakes.

St Polycarp

PRAYER – Lord God, You taught us to call upon Your name, through the preaching of the Apostles. Open our eyes each day, grant that we may see Jesus Your Son at our side, open our ears that we may hear His voice, open our mouths, that we may beg forgiveness and proclaim the good news, as we follow the way Your Son carved out for us. At the intercession of Sts Simon and Jude, may Your Church continue to grow and to hope in Your love. We make our prayer through Jesus our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes

Quote/s of the Day – 28 October – If you were of the world, the world would love what is its own

Posted on by AnaStpaul

But the style is so barbarous, and the language so vile and such a heap of blunders, that I could neither understand what he was talking about, nor by what arguments he was trying to prove his points. At one moment he is all bombast, at another he grovels: from time to time he lifts himself up, and then like a wounded snake finds his own effort too much for him. Not satisfied with the language of men, he attempts something loftier.

St Jerome

You ask me why drunken people are so rarely converted. This is the reason: it is that they have neither faith, nor religion, nor pity, nor respect for holy things. Nothing is able to touch them or to open their eyes to their unhappy state.

St John Vianney

First Point – When great evils oppress the sinner, the thought of hell ought to be a powerful motive of patience. Ought the sinner to complain of any evil, however great it may appear, when he realizes that he has deserved the pains of hell, that is to say, an infinite, an eternal evil? If a lost soul could exchange places with you, you who murmur on account of your evils, he would esteem himself happy; your state would be paradise to him.

Fr François Nepveu

The remorse of conscience is, even in this life, a torment so great that some, to free themselves from it, have deliberately deprived themselves of life. Such an one was Judas, who, as we all know, went and hanged
himself.

St Alphonsus Liguori

And since that time have not Celsus, Porphyry, Julian the Apostate, Mahomet – the greatest enemies Jesus Christ ever had in the world- have they not honestly confessed that He was a man of miracles, thereby giving testimony of His doctrine, His merit, and consequently of His Divinity?

La Pere Dozennes

I ask, if some one were taken to a musical festival, or to a ball, or to a feast, and there had to be suspended by the feet, with his head downwards, would he enjoy this amusement? Even such is that man who lives with his soul turned upside down, living in the midst of the riches of this world, but without God. He may eat, he may drink, he may dance, he may wear that rich dress, he may receive those honours, he may obtain this post, that possession ; but he will never find peace. ” There is no peace unto the wicked.” Peace can be obtained alone from God, and God grants this peace to His friends, but not to His enemies.

St Alphonsus Liguori

Posted in OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS

Thought for the Day – 28 October – Veneration of the angels

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Glories of the Holy Angels

Venerable Henri Boudon, Archdeacon of Evreux

OCTOBER FIFTEENTH.
Let us devote thin day to the veneration of the Angels who appeared at the Sepulchre of Jesus.

We may piously imagine, that after the body of our crucified King was laid in the tomb, the holy Angels stood and guarded the sacred deposit, quite motionless at this his prodigious annihilation, until the morning of the Sabbath, when the Maries, on coming to the door of the monument, found the stone rolled away, and an Angel sitting thereon, whose countenance was as lightning, and his garments like snow.” This conduct of the Angels should make us like the great saint of this day, St. Teresa, most assiduous in visiting Jesus in his holy Sacrament, the tomb of his love. He is there night and day, suffering with infinite patience the irreverences of some, and the total forgetfulness of almost all.

Practice—A visit to the Holy Sacrament, to beg a great devotion towards it, and the Angels.
Asp.—Ah ! blessed Angels ! teach us to honour Jesus in the Sacrament of his love.

OCTOBER SIXTEENTH.
Let us this day honour the Angels who appeared at the Ascension of Jesus Christ.

The time being come in which Jesus was to pass out of the world, and ascend to his Father, he led his disciples to Olivet, and having given them his last instructions, he was taken up into heaven, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And as they continued to look after him, two men stood by them clothed in white, who said. “You men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus, whom you have seen ascend there, will one day return.” It is not by a devotion merely speculative, as those Angels insinuated, we are to prepare for this coming. We must pray, act, suffer, lest we be found with our hands empty when the Lord will descend to judge us.

Practice—Examine for five minutes if your devotion be in accordance with the Spirit of God—whether it show itself by the subjection of the passions, &c., or in mere external forms only.
Asp.—O ! blessed Spirits ! render us adorers in spirit and truth.

Lecture—10th Motive

OCTOBER SEVENTEENTH.
This day is dedicated to our good Angel.

Blessed for ever be that infinite goodness, which, not content with all that it has done for us, has deputed an Angel for our guide—and woe be to us if insensible to the favour. It is indeed true that “God has given his Angels charge of us that they are always at our side, that they “ bear us up in their hands’ and lose not sight of us day or night. Let us be grateful to these blessed Guardians, and, as St. Bernard recommends, demonstrate respect for their presence, affection for their services, confidence in their guardianship. Let each of us often say to his Guardian Angel, with sincere regret for past indevotion—too late have I loved you, O, good Angel!

Practice—The Litany of the Angel Guardian.
Asp.—O Blessed Angel! I love you, and I wish to love you more.
Lecture—Half 5th Motive

OCTOBER EIGHTEENTH.
The Angel of our Patron Saint.

Let us this day honour the Angel Guardian of our Patron, as this blessed Intelligence has done so much for his or her sanctification. It is gratifying to them that we may pay them our respects; they will not fail to acknowledge it.

Practice—Visit the Angel of your Patron, to thank him, and beg his intercession.
Asp.—Holy Angel of my Patron; I venerate you.
Lecture—Finish yesterday’s Motive in preceding work.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES

Vigil of Saints Simon and Jude, Dedication of the Basilica of Auxilium Christianorum / Our Lady Help of Christians, Turin, Italy, built by St John Bosco (1868) and Memorials of the Saints – 27 October

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Vigil of Saints Simon and Jude

Dedication of the Basilica of Auxilium Christianorum / Our Lady Help of Christians, Turin, Italy, built by St John Bosco (1868) – 27 October:

The vast and magnificent Basilica of Our Lady in Turin, Italy, built by Saint John Bosco (1815-1888) between 1863 and 1868, was inspired by a dream-vision which he had in October 1844. The Blessed Virgin showed Don Bosco a vast and lofty Church and said:

“This is my house; from it my glory shines forth. You will understand everything when, with your material eyes, you will see in actual fact, what you now see with the eyes of your mind.”

Nineteen years later, Don Bosco finally set to work on the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians. Our Lady, in a second vision, chose the location as that of the place of the Martyrdom of Saint Adventer Solutor and Saint Octavious, who were both soldiers under the Emperor Maximianus in the fourth century.

When the foundation of the Church was laid, Don Bosco went to the contractor, Charles Buzzetti and told him:

“I want to pay you at once for this fine work. I don’t know if it will be much but this is all I have.”

He then took out his little purse and emptied the contents into the hand of the contractor, who was expecting a handful of gold coins. His jaw dropped in dismay when he saw in his hand only eight pennies.

“Do not be alarmed,” Don Bosco quickly added with a smile, “the Madonna will see to the payment of her Church. I am just the instrument, the cashier.” And to those standing by he concluded, “You will see!”

“The whole Church was put up by means of graces granted by Mary,” Don Bosco often said. One sixth of the cost, about one million lire in those days, was borne by the generous contributors, devout persons; the rest came from the small offering of those, who had been aided by Mary.

“Every stone, every ornament, represents one of her graces,” insisted Don Bosco. The original contractor, who received the eight cents, later testified that, “The Church was paid for to the last cent.”

Among the monuments of the Church, the most splendid is the painting above the main Altar. Our Blessed Lady Help of Christians occupies the central position and is surrounded by symbols – God the Father, the Holy Spirit, the Apostles and Evangelists. It measures more than 28 metres square and is bordered with gold.

There was much opposition to the project of building a Church dedicated to and in honour of Our Lady Help of Christians but Don Bosco insisted. It appears he had a supernatural knowledge, that the future of his own congregation and that of the whole world in the not too distant future, depended on the powerful protection of Mary, Help of Christians, just as it had needed and obtained that protection at Lepanto on 7 October 1571 and at Vienna, on 12 September 1683.

Don Bosco, with the gracious assistance of the Blessed Virgin Moher, succeeded and the vast Church was Consecrated and dedicated on 9 June 1868 with the crowing on 27 October. The dedication festivities lasted nine days and on each day a Bishop preached while another took part in the ceremonies.

By the turn of the nineteenth century, the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians in Turin had become famous and in 1911, Pope Saint Pius X gave it the crowning glory by raising it to the rank of a Basilica – The Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians!

The Feast Day of Our Lady Help of Christians is 24 May and was instituted by Saint Pius V in 1573, in thanksgiving for the decisive victory of Christianity over Islamism at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.

St Abban of Magh-Armuidhe
St Abraham the Poor

Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza OP (c 1200–1271) Bishop, Confessor, Dominican Friar, renowned Preacher, Defender of the Faith, Writer, Theologian, diplomatic peacemaker.

St Capitolina
St Colman of Senboth-Fola
St Colman of Templeshambo
St Desiderius of Auxerre
St Elesbaan of Ethiopia (Died c 555) King, Confessor, Penitent Hermit and Monk

St Emeline of Boulancourt (c 1115-c 1178) Virgin, Lay Sister, Hermit.

St Erotheides
St Florentius of Trois-Châteaux

St Frumentius (Died c 383) “Apostle to Ethiopia,“ Bishop, Confessor.

St Gaudiosus of Naples
Bl Goswin of Clairvaux
St Namatius of Clermont
St Odrian of Waterford
Bl Salvador Mollar Ventura
St Thraseas of Eumenia
St Uni

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 27 October – Saint Abbán of Magh-Armuidhe

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint Abbán of Magh-Armuidhe, also known as Eibbán and Moabba, was a son of Cormac, King of Leinster, Ireland. Born in 570, Abban was a nephew and disciple of Saint Ibar. He founded churches in Wexford, and monasteries in Magheranoidhe and Kilabbain. He died in 620 of natural causes.

Location of Leinster
Saint Ibar
Posted in Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 27 October – Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christians

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 27 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary”

She, who stands at the Altar of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, without many of us today, will always be our help, most especially in these times of increasing persecution. Although deprived of the Sacraments, we will never be deprived of her Perpetual Succour.

Most Holy Virgin Mary,
Help of Christians
By St John Bosco (1815-1888)

Most Holy Virgin Mary,
Help of Christians,
how sweet it is to come to thy feet
imploring thy perpetual help.
If earthly mothers cease not
to remember their children,
how can thou,
the most loving of all mothers, forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore thee
thy perpetual help in all my necessities,
in every sorrow and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for thy unceasing help
for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak,
cure the sick,
convert sinners.
Grant through thy intercession,
many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked thee on earth
we may love and eternally thank thee in Heaven.
Amen

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 27 October – “Whose image is this?”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 27 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Ps 129:3-4, Ps 129:1-2, Phil 1:6-11, Matt 22:15-21

Then Jesus said to them, Whose are this image and the inscription?

Matt 22:15-21

REFLECTION – At the beginning of the world all things were made by the Word of God “and without him nothing came to be”. Now man, too, had his existence from the Word of God because of the principle that there should be nothing without that Word. “Let us make man,” God said before he created him, and added, “with our hand” to express his pre-eminence so that he might not be compared to the rest of creation.“ And God,” says Scripture, “formed man”.

”And God formed man from the clay of the earth.” He now became man who was hitherto clay. That poor, paltry material, clay, found its way into the hands of God, happy enough at being merely touched by them. But why this honour? Was it that, without any further labour, the clay had instantly assumed its form at the touch of God? The truth is, a great matter was in progress out of which the creature under consideration was being fashioned. It is honoured whenever it experiences the hands of God, when it is touched by them, and pulled, and drawn out, and moulded into shape. Imagine God wholly absorbed in it: in his hand, his eye, his labor, his purpose, his wisdom, his providence and, above all, in his love, which was dictating the lineaments of this creature. For whatever was the form and expression given to the clay, Christ was in God’s thoughts as one day to become man, because the Word, too, was to be both clay and flesh even as the earth was then.

This is the meaning of the Father’s first words to his Son: “Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness”. God made man, the creature which he moulded and fashioned, in the image of God, in other words of Christ. Thus, that clay that was even then putting on the image of Christ who was to come in the flesh, was not only the work but the pledge and surety given by God.

Tertullian

PRAYER – Shed Your clear light on our hearts, Lord, so that walking continually in the way of Your commandments, we may never be deceived or misled. Grant that the prayers of our Blessed Mother, who always holds Your Light up for others to see by, give us strength. Through Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes

Quote/s of the Day – 27 October – Sharers in my joy

Posted on by AnaStpaul

I have you in my heart, all of you, alike in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel, as sharers in my joy.

Phil 1:6-11

The Good Master was born in the stable only to die on the Cross, His life, which I should study continuously, would show me all the riches of His love, I should see herein all the profound mysteries of His incarnation and redemption, I should discover what I have cost, I should appreciate the beauty and goodness of Jesus, and I shall then cry out. “O happy fault which has procured us such a Redeemer!”

St Anthansius

He alone is capable of elevating lowliness, of aggrandising that which is nothing, of filling with honour and dignity that which was contemptible.

Louis de Granada

To glory in adversity is not hard for the man who loves, for this is to glory in the cross of the Lord. But the glory given or received of men is short lived, and the glory of the world is ever companioned by sorrow. The glory of the good, however, is in their conscience and not in the lips of men, for the joy of the just is from God and in God, and their gladness is founded on truth.

The Imitation of Christ

The person in the Transforming Union is now ready for Heaven and thus for death. The purifications are complete and there is an identity of wills, divine and human. All is ready for the Lord’s coming.

The Fire Within

Here I should end this book, if I had not still to say a few words about Catherine’s patience, which is a thing more highly esteemed by the Church Militant than miracles in its saints, as St Gregory so rightly says, it is greater than prodigies and miracles.

Bl Raymond of Capua

Let us love Jesus and Mary, and become Saints, we can neither expect nor hope anything better. Farewell, then, until we meet in Paradise, at the feet of this most sweet Mother and of this most loving Son, there to praise them, to love them face to face for all eternity.

St Alphonsus Liguori

Posted in OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS

Thought for the Day – 27 October – The angels continued

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Glories of the Holy Angels

Venerable Henri Boudon, Archdeacon of Evreux

OCTOBER TWELFTH.
The Angels of the Ancient People of God.

Let us this day venerate the Angels who guarded the ancient people of God. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, were often favoured with their visits. It was one of these blessed Spirits who gave the law on Mount Sinai, and conducted the Israelites through the desert, in the pillar of a’cloud. The Saints of those times were so convinced of their continual protection, that even when they gave no sensible proof of their presence, they attributed to them the success of their affairs. “ It is the Angel of the Lord’ said they, “ who hath done this.”

Practice—The “ Benedicite,” in thanksgiving for this protection of the Angels.
Asp.—Holy Angels ! “ leaders of the house of Israel,” intercede for us.

OCTOBER THIRTEENTH.
The Angels who adored Jesus at the moment of his Incarnation and Nativity.

Let us this day venerate the Angels who adored Jesus at the moment of his Incarnation, and when he appeared in the flesh. No sooner did he assume our nature, at Mary’s Fiat, than her chamber is filled with troops innumerable of these blessed Spirits, all vying with each other in adoring the Son, and in greeting the Mother; and on that ever blessed night, when he appeared wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger, they again descend and rend the air with “Glory be to God on high, and peace on earth to men of good will.”

Practice—In honour of these Angels the “ Gloria in excelsis,” and hymn “Alma Redemptoris.”
Asp.—Glory be to God—honour to the Angels, and peace to men of good will!

OCTOBER FOURTEENTH.
Let us this day venerate the Angels who ministered to Jesus Christ after his fast in the desert.

The time being come in which the Saviour of men was to manifest himself to Israel—having prepared for his mission by “a fast of forty days and forty nights, he was,” says the Evangelist, “ afterwards hungry, and Angels came and ministered to him.” Happy—thrice happy Spirits! whom the Lord of Heaven and Earth—“he who gives food to the raven, when her young ones cry for meat—who opens his hand, and fills every living creature,” permitted to minister to him in his necessities. It rests with us to be sharers in their happiness, for Jesus is still upon earth, in the persons of his poor—and what we do for them, he considers as done for himself.

Practice—Give some alms in the spirit of these Angels ministering to our Lord.
Asp.—Holy Angels, ministering spirits to Jesus Christ, intercede for us.