Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH

Thought for the Day – 31 May – Pray for Us … at the Hour of Our Death

Thought for the Day – 31 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Pray for Us … at the Hour of Our Death

O Mary, my tender Mother, be at my side throughout my life but especially at the hour of death.
Shelter me beneath thy maternal mantle and never let me be far apart from thee.
Grant that I may have a calm and peaceful death like thine own, a death made easy by a great love for Jesus and for thee, by the reception of the Holy Sacraments and by thy special blessing and presence, amen.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/31/thought-for-the-day-31-may-pray-for-us-at-the-hour-of-our-death/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/31/thought-for-the-day-31-may-pray-for-us-at-the-hour-of-our-death-2/

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Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The INCARNATION, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER

Quote/s of the Day – 31 May – The Queenship of Mary

Quote/s of the Day – 31 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Queenship of Mary

She is the eldest daughter of the Great King.
If you enjoy her favour,
she will introduce you
to the Monarch of the Universe.
No-one has so great an interest with Him than Mary,
who was the occasion of His coming down from Heaven
to become man, for the redemption of mankind.

St John the Merciful (c 552-c 616)

Just as Mary surpassed in grace
all others on earth,
so also, in Heaven, is her glory unique.
If eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
nor the human heart conceived
what God has prepared
for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9),
who can express, what He has prepared,
for the woman who gave Him birth
and who loved Him,
as everyone knows,
more than anyone else?

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

The Angels rejoiced to see their Queen,
the Apostles rejoiced to see their lady
and both obeyed her, with loving devotion.
… Therefore, when the Virgin of virgins
was led forth by God and her Son,
the King of kings. amid the company of exulting Angels
and rejoicing Archangels,
with the Heavens ringing with praise,
the prophecy of the psalmist was fulfilled,
in which he said to the Lord:
At your right hand stands the Queen,
clothed in gold of Ophir.

St Amadeus of Lausanne O.Cist (1108-1159)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 31 May – ‘ … This woman, alone of her kind, chosen by the world’s Creator … ‘

One Minute Reflection – 31 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Queenship of Mary – Eccli 24:5; 14:7; 14:9-11; 24:30-31, Luke 1:26-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Hail, full of grace!”– Luke 1:28

REFLECTION – “The degeneration caused by sin had obscured the beauty of our original nobility. But when the mother of supreme Beauty is born, our nature finds its purity once more and sees itself moulded according to the perfect model, worthy of God (Gn 1:26)… We had all preferred the world below to that above. There no longer remained any hope of salvation. The state of our nature cried aloud to Heaven to come to the rescue… Then, at last, in His good pleasure, the world’s Divine Artificer determined to make a new world appear, a different world full of harmony and youth.

Now, was it not fitting, that a most pure virgin without stain, should place herself at the service of this mysterious plan, first of all?… And where was this virgin to be found if not in this woman, alone of her kind, chosen by the world’s Creator before all generations? Yes, she indeed is Mother of God, divinely named Mary, whose womb gave birth to God Incarnate and whom, He Himself, had supernaturally prepared as His temple…

In this way, then, the design of the Redeemer of our race was to bring about a birth and, as it were, a new creation to replace the one that went before. Therefore, just as in Paradise He had taken a little clay, out of the pure and spotless earth, to fashion the first Adam (Gn 2:7), so, at the moment of bringing about His own Incarnation, He made use of another earth, so to speak, namely this pure and immaculate Virgin, chosen from among all other beings He had created. It is in her that He, Adam’s Creator, has remade us in our very substance and become a new Adam (1 Cor 15:45) that the old might be saved by the new and eternal.” – St Andrew of Crete (660-740) Bishop, Father (Sermon 1 for the Nativity of the Mother of God).

PRAYER – Grant we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we who keep the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Queen, safe under her protection, may be worthy to have peace now and glory, in the future. 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).Through the same 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 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, DOCTORS of the Church, FRANCISCAN OFM, Our MORNING Offering, PENTECOST, PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY SPIRIT

Our Morning Offering – 31 May – Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Ghost by St Bonaventure

Our Morning Offering – 31 May – Pentecost Wednesday

Prayer for the Gifts
of the Holy Ghost
By St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

We beg the All-Merciful Father through Thee,
His Only-Begotten Son, made Man for our sake,
Crucified and Glorified for us,
to send upon us, from His treasure-house,
the Spirit of Sevenfold Grace,
Who rested upon Thee in all His fullness.

The Spirit of Wisdom,
enabling us to relish the fruit of the tree of life,
which is indeed Thyself.
The Gift of Understanding,
to enlighten our perceptions.
The Gift of Prudence,
enabling us to follow in Thine Footsteps.
The Gift of Strength,
to withstand our adversary’s onslaught.
The Gift of Knowledge,
to distinguish good from evil,
by the light of Thine holy teaching.
The Gift of Piety,
to clothe ourselves with charity and mercy.
The Gift of Fear,
to withdraw from all ill-doing
and live quietly in awe
of Thy Eternal Majesty.

These are the things for which we petition.
Grant them for the honour of Thy Holy Name,
to which, with the Father and the Holy Ghost,
be all honour and glory, thanksgiving, renown
and Lordship, forever and ever.
Amen

Posted in MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 31 May – St Petronilla (1st Century) Virgin Martyr.

Saint of the Day – 31 May – St Petronilla (1st Century) Virgin Martyr. Born in the 1st Century as a Roman citizen and died in the same Century. Her Relics reside at Saint Peter’s Basilica Rome. Patronages – against fever, heirs of the Throne [Dauphins] of France, mountain travellers, treaties between Popes and Frankish Emperors, Acciano, Italy. Also known as – Petronilla of Rome, Aurelia Petronilla, Pernelle, Perolin, Perrenotte, Perrette, Perrine, Perronell, Petronella, Peyronne, Peyronnelle, Pierrette, Pérette, Périne, Pétronille.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Rome in the cemetery of Domitilla on the Via Ardeatina, Saint Petronilla, Virgin and Martyr.

As for many Saints of the early Christian era, even in this case there are conflicting reports or ‘Vitas.’ Also for Petronilla, despite the fact that she has had such a widespread cult, we have dubious legends about her.

What is certain is that she was buried in the Domitilla Cemetery near or within the underground Basilica of the Catacombs. Archaeological sources indicate the oldest testimony in a 4th Century fresco which still exists behind the apse of the underground Basilica, built by Pope Siricius between 390 and 395. The fresco depicts the blessed introduced into a paradise full of roses, held by the hand of a girl with her head covered and on whose side is written “Petronilla Mart(yr).

Fresco of the mid-4th Century, with the Martyr Petronilla on the right, leading a young woman named Veneranda into the garden of Paradise.

Petronilla is traditionally identified as the daughter of the Apostle St Peter, although this may stem simply from the similarity of their names. It is believed she may have been a converted by St Peter (and thus a “spiritual daughter”or his disciple or servant. It is said that Peter cured her of paralysis.

Many stories found in the writings of St Marcellus (and retold in The Golden Legend) say that Peter, who thought his daughter too beautiful, asked God to afflict her with a fever, of which he refused to cure her until she began to be perfected in the love of God.

She is said to have refused Count Flaccus’ hand in marriage. Traditions say she died a natural death but accounts of her Martyrdom can be found.

Petronilla is thought to have been Aurelia Petronilla, a scion of the gens Flavius, the family of Vespasian and Domitian. She was also related to St. Domitilla, who was exiled in the 1st Century to Pandateria, whose property on the Via Ardentina became a Catacomb Cemetary. Inscriptions there describe Petronilla as a Martyr.

During the Papacy of Siricius (384-399), a Basilica was built on the site of her tomb. In the 8th Century, Pope Gregory III established a place of public prayer in the Basilica and her Relics were translated o St Peter’s, where a Chapel was dedicated in her honour.

The Burial and Reception of St Petronilla into Heaven by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (Guercino)

Emperors Charlemagne (died 814) and Carlomen (died 771) were considered adopted sons of St Peter and they, along with the French Monarchs who succeeded them, considered Petronilla their sister. Her Chapel became the Chapel of the Kings of France. Her emblem, like that of St. Peter, is a set of keys.

St Petronilla Statue on the Colonnade of St Peter’s Basilica, Rome
Posted in EMBER DAYS, MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, SAINT of the DAY

Pentecost Wednesday, Ember Day of Fast and Abstinence, The Queenship of Mary and Memorials of the Saints – 31 May

Pentecost Wednesday

Ember Day of Fast and Abstinence:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/16/today-is-an-ember-day-did-you-remember/

The Queenship of Mary – 31 May:
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/31/the-queenship-of-mary-and-memorials-of-the-saints-31-may/

St Alexander of Auvergne

St Camilla Battista da Varano OSC (1458-1524) Virgin, Italian Princess, Poor Clare Nun and Abbess, Mystic, Spiritual Writer, Stigmatist. Both Saint Philip Neri and St Alphonsus Liguori recorded their admiration for her. On 8 April 1821 Pope Leo XIII approved the acts of the process for her Canonisation. She was Beatified by Pope Gregory XVI on 7 April 1843, following recognition of her long-standing public cult. On 4 February 1893 her writings were also approved. On 17 October 2010 Pope Benedict XVI Canonised her, along with five others.
Biography:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/31/saint-of-the-day-31-may-saint-camilla-battista-da-varano-osc-1458-1524/

St Crescentian of Sassari
St Donatian of Cirta
St Felice of Nicosia
St Galla of Auvergne
St Hermias of Comana

Blessed James Salomoni OP (1231-1314) Priest of the Order of Preachers, “Father of the Poor,” “Apostle of the Afflicted,” Miracle-worker graced with the ability to cure sickness. Patronages – cancer patients, of the sick.
He died on 31 May 1314, in his eighty-third year. His relics now lie in the Basilica of Sts John and Paul in Venice. Devotion to Blessed James has been approved and encouraged by several Popes. In 1526 he was officiallt Beatified by Pope Clement VII
Biography:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/31/saint-of-the-day-31-may-blessed-james-salomoni-op-1231-1314-apostle-of-the-afflicted/

St Juan Moya Collado
Bl Kasper Gerarz
St Lupicinus of Verona
St Mancus of Cornwall
Bl Mariano of Roccacasale
St Mechtildis of Edelstetten
St Myrbad of Cornwall
Bl Nicholaus of Vangadizza
Bl Nicholaus of Vaucelles
St Nowa Mawaggali
St Paschasius of Rome
St Petronilla of Rome (1st Century) Virgin Martyr
St Silvio of Toulouse
Bl Vitalis of Assisi
St Winnow of Cornwall

Martyrs of Aquileia – 3 Saints: Three young members of the imperial Roman nobility and who were raised in a palace and had Saint Protus of Aquileia as tutor and catechist. To escape the persecutions of Diocletian, the family sold their property and moved to Aquileia, Italy. However, the authorities there quickly ordered them to sacrifice to idols; they refused. Martyrs all – Cantianilla, Cantian and Cantius. They were beheaded in 304 at Aquae-Gradatae (modern San-Cantiano) just outside Aquileia, Italy.

Martyrs of Gerona – 29 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together in Gerona, Catalonia, Spain, date unknown. No details about them have survived but the names – • Agapia• Amelia• Castula• Cicilia• Donatus• Firmus• Fortunata• Gaullenus• Germanus• Honorius• Istialus• Justus• Lautica• Lupus

  • Maxima• Paulica• Rogate• Rogatus• Silvanus• Tecla• Teleforus• Tertula• Tertus• Victoria• Victurinus• Victurus

Martyrs of the Via Aurelia – 4 Saints: Four Christians Martyred together. No information about them has survived except their names – Justa, Lupus, Tertulla and Thecla. The martyrdom occurred in 69 on the Via Aurelia near Rome, Italy.

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PENTECOST, QUOTES on GRACE, Quotes on SALVATION, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HOLY SPIRIT

Thought for the Day – 30 May – Bearer of the Treasures of Grace

Thought for the Day – 30 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Bearer of the Treasures of Grace

“The Apostles were completely transformed after the Feast of Pentecost.
They had ben ignorant rustics, timid and vacillating.
They had hardly understood at all, the lofty teachings of Christ, for they were hoping still for an earthly kingdom in which they would occupy the highest posts.

When they received the Holy Spirit, however, their minds were flooded with supernatural light and they became heroic in their resolution.
Ignorant, though they had been, they became masters of Truth, far superior to the sages of Athens or the philosophers of Rome!
They were no longer timid and hesitating but, fearlessly encountered the power of the Sanhedrin, the whips of the soldiery, the dangers of long voyages and, Martyrdom itself.

We too have received the illumination and favours of the Holy Spirit.
Many times, when we have invoked Him, He has inspired and consoled us.
But we may not have responded with the same fervour and self-denial as the Apostles.
Let us remember that, to neglect God’s gifts, is to risk our eternal salvation!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/30/thought-for-the-day-30-may-bearer-of-the-treasures-of-grace/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD

Quote/s of the Day –30 May – St Joan of Arc

Quote/s of the Day – 30 May – The Memorial of St Joan of Arc (1412-1431) “The Maid of Orléans” Holy Virgin

Go forward bravely.
Fear nothing.
Trust in God – all will be well.

All battles are first won
or lost,
in the mind!

“It is better to be alone with God.
His Friendship will not fail me,
nor His Counsel,
nor His Love.
In His Strength, I will dare
and dare and dare,
until I die.

LOTS MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/30/quote-s-of-the-day-30-may-st-joan-of-arc/

St Joan of Arc (1412-1431)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOMINICAN OP, QUOTES on TRUTH, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY SPIRIT, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 May – ‘ … The Holy Ghost is the Doorkeeper… because all Truth. understood and expressed, comes from Him…’

One Minute Reflection – 30 May – “Pentecost Tuesday – Acts 8:14-17, John 10:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

I am the Door. By Me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved and he shall go in and go out and shall find pastures.” – John 10:9

REFLECTION –I am the Door of the sheep” our Lord says He is the Door of the sheepfold. Now what is this sheepfold, the pen into which Christ is the Door? It is the Father’s Heart, into which and of which, Christ, Who has unsealed and opened for us, the Heart hitherto closed to humankind, is indeed our most lovable Door. All the Saints are gathered inside this fold. The Shepherd is the eternal Word; the Door, the humanity of Christ – by the sheep in this house, we understand human souls. But Angels, too, belong to the sheepfold… the Holy Ghost is the Doorkeeper… because all Truth, understood and expressed, comes from Him…

O with what love and goodness He opens the Door of the Father’s Heart to us and grants us access, unceasingly, to the hidden treasure, the inmost dwelling places and all the wealth, of this house! No-one could imagine or comprehend, how welcoming God is, always ready to receive, yes, longing and thirsting to do so and how He precedes us at every moment and each hour… O my children, how obstinately deaf we remain, to this loving invitation… so often we refuse Him our acceptance of this invitation! How many of the Holy Ghost’s summons and appeals are repulsed; we refuse them on the grounds of all kinds of things here below. So often we want something else and not the place God where wants us!” – Fr Johnnes Tauler OP (c1300-1361) Dominican Friar, renowned Preacher and Theologian , leaving us more than 80 sermons. (Sermon 27, 3rd for Pentecost).

PRAYER – Let the power of the Holy Ghost be present within us, O Lord, graciously to cleanse our hearts and to guard us from all harm. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PENTECOST, PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Our Morning Offering – 30 May – Come O Holy Spirit! By St Alphonsus

Our Morning Offering – 30 May – Pentecost Tuesday

Come O Holy Spirit!
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

You made Mary full of grace
and inflamed the hearts of the Apostles
with a holy zeal,
enflame our hearts with Your love.
You are the Spirit of goodness,
give us the courage to confront evil.
You are Fire,
set us ablaze with Your Love.
You are Light,
enlighten our minds,
that we may see what is truly igood and true.
You are the Dove,
give us gentleness.
You are a Soothing Breeze,
bring calm to the storms which rage within us.
You are the Tongue,
may our lips ever sing God’s praises
You are the Cloud,
shelter us under the shadow of Your protection.
O Holy Spirit, melt the frozen,
warm the chilled
and enkindle in us,
an earnest desire to please You.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Posted in JESUIT SJ, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 30 May – Blessed Thomas Cottam SJ (1549-1582) Priest Martyr

Saint of the Day – 30 May – Blessed Thomas Cottam SJ (1549-1582) Priest of the Society of Jesus, Martyr. Born in 1549 in Dilworth, Lancashire, England and died by being hanged on 30 May 1582 at Tyburn, London, England – another victim of Elizabeth I’s reign of terror. Additional Memorials – 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai, 1 December as one of the Martyrs of Oxford University.. Blessed Thomas was Beatified on 29 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII .

Thomas Cottam was sentenced to death at the same trial as St Edmund Campion but had to wait six months to follow his more famous companion to Martyrdom. His ministry was very limited because English spies in France targeted him before he even left for England and he was arrested as soon as he arrived.

Thomas was born of Protestant parents and received a good education, earning a Bachelor’s Deegree from Oxford in 1569. He became a schoolmaster in London, where he also became a Catholic and was encouraged to become a Priest. In May 1577 he left England for Flanders to attend the English College at Douai. After he was Ordained a Deacon, he travelled to Rome and entered the Society in April 1579. He wanted to become a missionary to India but became ill so his Physician suggested that he first return north to recover his health.

A brief stay in Lyons, France, did not improve his physical condition but it set the stage for his eventual arrest because he met there a man named Sledd, an Englishman who sought to identify Priests who would be returning to England. Sledd pretended to befriend the young Jesuit and travelled with him as far as Rheims before leaving him to give the English Ambassador in Paris a detailed description of Thomas.

Thomas was Ordained a Priest at Soissons, France, on 28 May 1580 and departed for England a week later. Port authorities were waiting to arrest him because of the information from Sledd and they recognised the young Jesuit Priest immediately. Thomas was able to escape because the lawyer who was responsible for accompanying him to London, allowed him to get away. That act of kindness put the lawyer in peril, so Cottam turned himself in, to save the lawyer.

He was charged with being a Priest, which led to his imprisonment in the Tower of London where he suffered horrible tortures. He was tried along with Father Campion and condemned to die but he had to wait six more months for the sentence to be executed. On 30 May 1582, Thomas and three Diocesan Priests were dragged to Tyburn to be hung and quartered. The Jesuit had to watch his three companions die before his own turn came. Afterwards the four bodies were cast into vats of boiling water so that bystanders could not take relics.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Pentecost Tuesday, Dedication of the Church of MonteVergine, near Naples, Italy (1126) and Memorials of the Saints – 30 May

Pentecost Tuesday

Dedication of the Church of MonteVergine, near Naples, Italy (1126) – 30 May:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/30/dedication-of-the-church-of-montevergine-near-naples-italy-1126-and-memorials-of-the-saints-30-may/
AND – The story of Our Lady of MonteVergine here:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/01/1-september-the-memorial-of-our-lady-of-montevergine/

St Pope Felix I (Died 274) Martyr, the 26th Bishop of Rome from 5 January 269 to his death in 274.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Rome on the Aurelian road, the birthday of St Felix, Pope and Martyr, who was crowned with Martyrdom under the Emperor Aurelian.
His Life and Death:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/30/saint-of-the-day-30-may-saint-felix-i-died-274-pope-martyr/

St Ferdinand III of Castile (1199-1252) King of Castile and Toledo, Knight, a man of great virtue and goodness who sought sanctity in all things, a man of great justice who sought to elevate even those he conquered, a man who was a great father, bringing his children up in the fear and love of God alone, a diplomatic genius because of his great goodness, a unifier of all, he had a great devotion to Our Lady – born in 1198 near Salamanca, Spain and died on 30 May 1252 at Seville, Spain of natural causes. Patronages – authorities, governors, rulers, engineers, large families, magistrates, parenthood, paupers, poor people, prisoners, Spanish monarchy, tertiaries, Seville, Spain
The Life of the Holy St Ferdinand:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/30/saint-of-the-day-30-may-st-ferdinand-iii-of-castile-1199-1252/

St Joan of Arc (1412-1431) “The Maid of Orléans” Holy Virgin. The Church officially remembers Joan of Arc not as a Martyr but as a Virgin—the Maid of Orleans. Of course, Joan was a Martyr, but not in the technical sense. Yes, she died because she did what she thought God wanted her to do. But she was killed for her politics, not for her faith. Pagans did not execute her for refusing to worship their gods. Infidels did not slay her for defying them. Political enemies burned her at the stake for defeating them at war.
St Joan!

https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/30/saint-of-the-day-30-may-st-joan-of-arc-1412-1431/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/05/30/saint-of-the-day-30-may-st-joan-of-arc/

St Anastasius II of Pavia
St Basil the Elder
St Crispulus of Sardinia
Bl Elisabeth Stagel
St Emmelia
St Euplius
St Exuperantius of Ravenna
St Gamo of Brittany
St Gavino of Sardinia
St Isaac of Constantinople
Bl Lawrence Richardson
St Luke Kirby
St Madelgisilus
St Reinhildis of Riesenbeck
St Restitutus of Cagliari
Bl Richard Newport
Blessed Thomas Cottam SJ (1549-1582) Priest of the Society of Jesus, Martyr
St Venantius of Lérins
St Walstan of Bawburgh
Bl William Filby
Bl Willilam Scott

Martyrs of Aquileia – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together. We have no other details than their names – Cantianus, Euthymius and Eutychius. Aquileia, Italy.

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 29 May – The Great Exile

Thought for the Day – 29 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Great Exile

Holy Mary my Mother, grant that God may rule my mind and that thou may be always in my thoughts.
Help me to live always in the Presence of God and to dedicate all my thoughts, desires ands affections to Him.
Grant that all the actions of my poor life, may be in accordance with His Holy Will.
Amen

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/29/thought-for-the-day-29-may-the-great-exile/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/29/thought-for-the-day-28-may-the-great-exile/

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on WISDOM, ST FRANCIS de SALES

Quote/s of the Day –29 May – The 7 Gifts

Quote/s of the Day –29 May – Pentecost Monday

These Gifts are not only inseparable from charity
but they are, the principal virtues,
properties and qualities of charity.

WISDOM
is nothing else, than the love
which relishes, tastes and experiences,
how sweet and gentle God is.

UNDERSTANDING
is nothing else, than love attentive to consider
and penetrate the beauty of the truths of faith.

KNOWLEDGE
is simply the same love
keeping us attentive to know ourselves
and creatures, to obtain a more perfect knowledge
of the service we owe to God.

COUNSEL
is also love, as it renders us careful,
attentive and skilled
in choosing the means proper
to serve God in a holy manner.

FORTITUDE
is love which encourages and animates the heart,
so as to carry out, that which Counsel
has determined must be done.

PIETY
is the love which sweetens labour
and makes us, with good heart,
gratitude and filial affection,
do works that please God our Father.

FEAR
is simply love as it causes us to fly
and shun what is displeasing to God’s majesty.

(Treatise on the Love of God, Book 11, Chapter 15)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PENTECOST, The HOLY SPIRIT, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 May – But he who does the truth comes to the light … John 3:21

One Minute Reflection – 29 May – Pentecost Monday – Acts 10:34, 42-48, John 3:16-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

But he who does the truth comes to the light that his deeds may be made manifest, for they have been performed in God.” – John 3:21

REFLECTION – “Being Baptised, we are illuminated; illuminated, we become children; being made children, we are made perfect; being made perfect, we are made immortal. God says: “I have said you are gods and all children of the Most High” (Ps 81:6).

This work of Baptism is variously called grace, illumination, perfection and washing. Washing, by which we cleanse away our sins; grace, by which the punishment owing to our sins is remitted; illumination, by which the holy light of salvation is beheld, so that we see clearly the divine things; perfection, because nothing is lacking. For what is yet lacking to one who knows God? Or how could we call “God’s grace” something that is not perfect? Being perfect Himself, God only bestows perfect gifts…

Therefore, we have hardly been regenerated than, as the name suggests, we have been “illuminated” set free from darkness and, in the same instant, filled with light… We are relieved of the sins which concealed the divine Spirit like a cloud and, behold, the eye of the Spirit is set free, uncovered and full of light – that eye which alone enables us to contemplate divine things.” – St Clement of Alexandria (c150- c215) Theologian and Philosopher, Professor who taught at the Catechetical School of Alexandria. (The Instructor [Paedagogus] 1:6).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who gave the Holy Spirit to Thy Apostles, grant that the devout prayers of Your people may be effective and, as Thou hast given us faith, also grant us peace. Through Jesus Christ Thy Son, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 29 May – Breathe in Me, O Holy Spirit By St Augustine

Our Morning Offering – 29 May – Pentecost Monday

Breathe in Me, O Holy Spirit
By St Augustine (354-420)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
that I always may be holy.
Amen

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, MYSTICS, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 29 May – St Bona of Pisa OSA (c1156-1207) Virgin

Saint of the Day – 29 May – St Bona of Pisa OSA (c1156-1207) Virgin, Augustinian Tertiary, Pilgrim, Mystic. Born in 1156 at Pisa, Italy and died in 1207 at Pisa, Italy of natural causes. Patronages – Pisa, Italy, of aeroplan staff, couriers, travel guides, pilgrims, travellers.

The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Pisa, Saint Bona, virgin, who made frequent pilgrimages with devotion to the Holy Land, to Rome and to Compostela.”

Bona was born around 1156 in the parish of San Martino in the district of Kinzica in Pisa, in the region of Tuscany in central Italy. Her mother, Bertha came from Corsica and after she settled in Pisa, she met the merchant Bernhard. They married and Bona was their only child. Bernhard left when Bona was only three years old and never returned and Bertha, therefore, suffered great financial difficulties as a stranger and solely responsible parent for the family.

From her earliest childhood Bona was blessed with mystical gifts – visions, the ability to read hearts and intentions. At the age of seven, she had her first encounter with Jesus. The figure on the Crucifix held out His Hand to her. Later, at another Church, she saw a vision of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and three Saints, including James the Greater. She was frightened by the light around these figures and ran away. St James followed her and led her back to the image of Jesus. Bona observed a very pronounced devotion to James for the rest of her life.

Thanks to Fr Johannes from the Augustinian Canons, at the age of ten, she was able to devote herself to a life as a Tertiary according to St Augustine ‘s rule and she lived in the Church of St Martin to live a communal life together with the Canons as a devoted sister.

She chose to subject her body to increasingly harsh physical penance and she began to wear a metal belt with sharp spikes after a new vision of Jesus.

In 1170, Bona set out on her first journey as a fourteen-year-old, when she went to Jerusalem. There Jesus revealed to her that her father lived there and fought in the Crusades. When her father tried to prevent her from disembarking from the ship, she sought refuge with a Hermit named Ubald, who became her spiritual father. In 1175, on her way home, she was captured by Saracen pirates in the Mediterranean, wounded and imprisoned. But she was rescued by a fellow Christian from Pisa and finally arrived home to her little room in San Martino in Pisa.

There she received new visions and in one of them St James came together with Jesus and asked her to join the pilgrims who made the pilgrimage to his tomb in Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain. Not long after, she set off and this time she took with her a large group of pilgrims on the journey of over 150 miles which was covered in nine months.

From then on, she became one of the official guides on the famous pilgrimage route to Compostela under the protection of the Knights of St James. She made the journey nine times, “full of energy, helpful and selfless, always ready to give courage to the sick with her smile” She also often went to Rome and to the Shrine of the ArchangelMikael on Monte Gargano .

She was already ill when she attempted a final pilgrimage and she collapsed not far from home. She managed to return to Pisa, where she died on 29 May 1207 (or 1208) in her small room near the Church of San Martino. She was buried in the Church of San Martino. Her memorial day is the day of her death on 29 May.

In recent times, Bona has begun to be considered the patron saint of travellers along with Saint Christopher. John XXIII (1958-1963) appointed her on 2 March 1962, as the Patron Saint of Italian tour guides, guides and flight attendants. In her tireless pilgrimages, she can be compared to Saint Godric of Finchale (died 1170) or Saint Benedict Joseph Labre (died 1783).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CARMELITES, INCORRUPTIBLES, MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

,Pentecost Monday, Notre-Dame des Ardents / Our Lady of Ardents, Arras, France (1095) and Memorials of the Saints – 29 May

Pentecost Monday

Notre-Dame des Ardents / Our Lady of Ardents, Arras, France (1095) – 29 May:
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/29/sunday-within-the-octave-of-ascension-notre-dame-des-ardents-our-lady-of-ardents-arras-france-1095-and-memorials-of-the-saints-29-may/

St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi O.Carm (1566-1607) Carmelite Nun and Mystic, Ecstatic, she bi-located and was the intercessor of many miracles, Stigmatist. She was Beatified in 1626 by Pope Urban VIII. At her Canonisation in 1668, her body was declared miraculously incorrupt. Her Feast day is today 29 May but was moved in 1969 to 25 May.
Biography:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/25/saint-of-the-day-25-may-saint-maria-magdalena-de-pazzi-o-carm-1566-1607/

St Bona of Pisa OSA (1156-1207) Virgin, Augustinian Tertiary, Pilgrim, Mystic.
St Conon the Elder
St Conon the Younger
St Daganus
St Eleutherius of Rocca d’Arce
St Felix of Atares
St Gerald of Mâcon
Bl Gerardesca of Pisa
Bl Giles Dalmasia
St Hesychius of Antioch
St John de Atarés

St Maximinus of Trier (Died c 346) the Sixth Bishop of Trier and Confessor, Defender of the True Faith, Miracle-worker.
About St Maximinus:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/29/saint-of-the-day-29-may-st-maximinus-of-trier-died-c-346-confessor-defender-of-the-true-faith/

St Maximus of Verona
St Restitutus of Rome
Bl Richard Thirkeld
St Theodosia of Caesarea and Companions
St Votus of Atares

Martyrs of Toulouse: A group of eleven Dominicans, Franciscans, Benedictines, clergy and lay brothers who worked with the Inquisition in southern France to oppose the Albigensian heresy. Basing their operations in a farmhouse outside Avignonet, France, he and his brother missioners worked against heresy. Murdered by Albigensian heretics while singing the Te Deum on the eve of Ascension. They were beaten to death on the night of 28 to 29 May 1242 in the church of Avignonet, Toulouse, France and Beatified on 1 September 1866 by Pope Pius IX (cultus confirmation).

  • Adhemar
  • Bernard of Roquefort
  • Bernard of Toulouse
  • Fortanerio
  • Garcia d’Aure
  • Pietro d’Arnaud
  • Raymond Carbonius
  • Raymond di Cortisan
  • Stephen Saint-Thibery
  • William Arnaud
  • the Prior of Avignonet whose name unfortunately has not come down to us.
    The Church in which they died was placed under interdict as punishment to the locals for the offence. Shortly after the interdict was finally lifted, a large statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was found on the doorstep. Neither the sculptor nor the patron was ever discovered, nor who delivered it or how. The people took it as a sign that they were forgiven but that they should never forget and should renew their devotion to Our Lady. They referred to the image as “Our Lady of Miracles.”
    There is a ceremony in the Church on the night of the 28th May, the Anniversary of the Martyrdom. Called “The Ceremony of the Vow” Parishioners would gather in the Church, kneel with lit candles and process across the Church on their knees, all the while praying for the souls of the heretics who had murdered the Martyrs.

Martyrs of Trentino: Three missionaries to the Tyrol region of Austria, sent by Saint Ambrose and welcomed by Saint Vigilius of Trent. All were Martyred – Alexander, Martyrius and Sisinius. They were born in Cappadocia and died in 397 in Austria.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PENTECOST, QUOTES on TRUTH, The HOLY SPIRIT

Thought for the Day – 28 May – The Feast of Pentecost

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

The Feast of Pentecost

“Let us pray fervently to the Holy Ghost.
Let us pray with the Church:
Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us recollect ourselves in prayer before the Spirit of God on this day of Pentecost.
Let us renew our resolutions and entrust them to Him so that He may help us to carry them out.

Aspiration: Come into our hearts, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/05/thought-for-the-day-5-june-the-feast-of-pentecost/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/23/thought-for-the-day-22-june-the-feast-of-pentecost/

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PENTECOST, The HOLY SPIRIT

Quote/s of the Day – 28 May – ‘…As the soul is the life of the body,so the Holy Spirit is the life of our souls. …’

Quote/s of the Day – 28 May – Pentecost Sunday

His action is preceded
by the beaming rays of His Light and knowledge.
He comes with the truth of the real Protector;
for He comes to save, to lead, to teach, to counsel,
to strengthen, to console,
to illumine in the first place the mind of the person
who receives Him
and through that person‘s works,
the minds of others.

St Cyril of Jerusalem (c 313-386)
Father and Doctor of theChurch

Remember, then, that you received a spiritual seal,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence,
the spirit of holy fear.
Keep safe what you received.
God the Father sealed you,
Christ the Lord strengthened you
and sent the Spirit into your hearts
as the pledge of what is to come.

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father & Doctor of the Church

He pours light into our minds,
arouses our desire
and gives us strength…
As the soul is the life of the body,
so the Holy Spirit is the life of our souls.

St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Father and Doctor of the Church

May it please the Divine Majesty
to grant us, the Gift of Fear
that we may serve Him filially;
the Gift of Piety,
to revere Him as our most loving Father;
the Gift of Knowledge,
to know the good we ought to do
and the evil we ought to avoid;
the Gift of Fortitude,
to overcome, courageously,
all difficulties in the practice of virtue;
the Gift of Counsel,
to discern and to choose,
the true way of perfection;
the Gift of Understanding,
to realise the beauty and benefit,
of the Mysteries of faith
and of the Truths of the Gospel;
finally, the Gift of Wisdom,
to taste how good God is,
to savour and experience,
the sweetnesses of His incomprehensible benignity.

Oh! How happy shall we be,
if we receive these priceless Gifts,
for doubtless, they will lead us to the summit
of this Mystical Ladder, where we shall be received
by our Divine Saviour, Who awaits us there
with open arms, to make us participants
of His glory and felicity.

(Sermon for the Feast of Pentecost)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

The Holy Spirit leads us along,
as a mother leads her two year old child by the hand,
as a sighted person leads a blind one.
We should say each morning:
“Oh my God, send me Your Holy Spirit
who will make me understand
what I am and what you are …”
A soul who possesses the Holy Spirit
enjoys an exquisite taste in prayer,
it never loses the holy presence of God
.”

St John Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, PENTECOST, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection –28 May – Pentecost Sunday

One Minute Reflection –28 May – Pentecost Sunday – Acts 2:1-11. John 14:23-31. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you.” – John 14:26

REFLECTION – “The Apostles were sitting there in the Cenacle, the Upper Room, waiting for the Holy Ghost’s coming. Like torches, they were present there, ready and waiting to be set alight by the Holy Ghost so as to illumine the whole creation with their teaching… They were there like farm hands carrying seed in their coat pocket, waiting for the order to go out and sow. They were there like sailors whose boat is tied up in the harbour of the Son’s commandment and who are waiting for the gentle wind of the Spirit. They were there like shepherds who have just received their staff from the Chief Shepherd of the fold and who are waiting for the flock to be divided among them.

And they began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” O Cenacle, kneading trough into which has been thrown the leaven, leavening the whole world! O Cenacle, mother of all the Churches, who have witnessed the miracle of the burning bush (Ex 3). O Cenacle, amazing Jerusalem with a wonder far greater than that of the burning furnace which astonished the inhabitants of Babylon (Dn 3). The fire of the furnace burned all those around it but protected those in its midst – the flames of the Cenacle gather together those outside who wish to see them, while bringing comfort to those who receive them. O fire, whose coming is word, whose silence is light! O fire, establishing hearts in thankfulness!…

Some people, who were opposed to the Holy Ghost, said: “These people have had too much new wine; they are drunk.” Indeed, you speak truly! However, it is not as you think it is. It is not wine from the vineyard they have drunk. It is a new wine that flows from Heaven – a wine newly pressed on Golgotha. The Apostles caused it to be drunk and thus they inebriated all creation. This is wine that was pressed on the Cross!” – St Ephrem (306-373) Deacon in Syria, Father and Doctor of the Church [Added by Pope Benedict XV in 1920] – (On the outpouring of the Holy Ghost).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who on this day have taught the hearts of the faithful by the Light of the Holy Spirit, grant us by that Holy Spirit Himself, to know what is right and ever to rejoice in His consolation. 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).

Veni Sancte Spiritus
The Golden Sequence

Come, Holy Spirit and bring from above
The splendour of Thy light.
Come, Father of the poor, come, Giver of graces,
Come, Light of our hearts.
Best of Consolers, sweet Guest of the soul,
And Comfort of the weary.
Thou rest in labour, relief in burning toil,
Consoling us in sorrow.
O blessed Light, fill the innermost hearts
Of those who trust in Thee.
Without Thy indwelling, there is nothing in man,
And nothing free of sin.
Cleanse what is sordid, give water in dryness,
And heal the bleeding wounds.
Bend what is proud, make warm what is cold,
Bring back the wayward soul.
Give to the faithful, who trustingly beg Thee
Thy seven Holy Gifts.
Grant virtue’s reward, salvation in death,
And everlasting joy.
Amen.
Alleluia!

“Veni Sancte Spiritus,” the “Golden Sequence”, is a sequence prescribed in the Roman Liturgy for the Masses of Pentecost and its Octave, exclusive of the following Trinity Sunday. It is usually attributed to either the Thirteenth-Century Pope Innocent III (c1160 – 1216) or to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal Stephen Langton (c1150 – 1228).

Posted in BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Our MORNING Offering, PENTECOST, PRAYERS, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on FAITH, The HOLY SPIRIT

Our Morning Offering – 28 May – Patris et Filii Concordia, Come Holy Spirit, Love of Father and Son.

Our Morning Offering – 28 May – Pentecost Sunday

Patris et Filii Concordia
Come Holy Spirit,
Love of Father and Son.

By St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O COME to me, my only Hope,
O Lord my God.
Come to me, true Light,
Father, Almighty God.
Come, Light from Light,
both Word and Son of God,
God Almighty.
Come Holy Spirit, Love of Father and Son,
One God Almighty.
Come One Almighty God,
Father and Son and Holy Spirit.

Teach faith, stir up hope, pour out love.
Thy will is present with me
(yet not from me but from Thee)
to leave the world and the earth
and to seek the Heavens.
But this will is a feeble feather, without Thy help.
Give wings of faith
that I might fly on high to Thee.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 28 May – Saint William of Gellone (755-812) Monk

Saint of the Day – 28 May – Saint William of Gellone (755-812) Monk, Knight and cousin of Charlemagne, Count of Toulouse, Duke of Aquitaine, Founder of a Monastery, where he retired and finally died. Born in 755 in France and died in 812 of natural causes in the Monastery later renamed “Saint William in the Desert” in his honour. Also known as – William in the Desert, William of Aquitaine, William of Orange, William of Toulouse, Willliam Fierabrace, Guglielmo…, Guillaume…, Marquis au court nez. William was Canonidrf in 1066 by Pope Alexander II.

The Roman Martyrology reads: “In the Monastery of Gellone in Narbonne Gaul, now in France, Saint William, a Monk, who, a personality of absolute prestige in the Emperor’s Court, united with Saint Benedict of Aniane by a deep bond of affection, wore the monastic habit with great honesty of morals.

William was born in northern France in the mid-8th Century,to Thierry IV, Count of Autun and his wife Aldana. They wereclose relatives of Charlemagne. As a kinsman and trusted Knight, he spent his youth in the court of Charlemagne.

He was regarded as the exemplar of Christian Knighthood. He was named Duke of Aquitaine and chosen to lead a campaign against the Saracens in southern France. He defeated the Islamic Saracens in this campaign. Throughout his military career, he displayed exemplary chivalry and was honoured as the ideal Knight.

However, he gave up the sword and became dedicated to the promotion of the Faith. William founded a Monastery at Gellone, near Aniane and with Charlemagne’s permission, entered the cornmunity as a Monk and eventually William died there. When he died, the bells at Orange rang of their own accord.The Abbey was later renamed Saint Guilhem-du-Desert in his honour.

Gellone remained under the control of the Abbots of Aniane. It became a subject of contention, however, as the reputation of William grew. So many pilgrims were attracted to Gellone that his corpse was exhumed from the modest site in the narthex and given a more prominent place under the choir. The Abbey was a major stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

Romanesque apse of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, originally Gellone, the monastery William founded in 804 and entered in 806

William was also the subject of several medieval romances, including “La Prised Orange – The Prized Orange” and Aliseans. He was Canonised in 1066.

St William of Gellone, Guillaume d’Orange, William of Aquitaine by Guercino
Posted in DOMINICAN OP, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, INCORRUPTIBLES, MARTYRS, MYSTICS, SAINT of the DAY

Pentecost Sunday, Alleluia! St Augustine of Canterbury and Memorials of the Saints – 28 May

Pentecost Sunday, Alleluia!
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/05/pentecost-sunday-5-june/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/20/the-solemnity-of-pentecost-20-may/

St Augustine of Canterbury (Died c 605) He is consideredthe Founder of the English Church and “The Apostle to the English.” He is the first Archbishop of Canterbury, Confessor, Missionary, Father of the Church.
For the life of St Augustine here:

https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/05/27/saint-of-the-day-27-may-st-augustine-of-canterbury/

St Accidia
Bl Albert of Csanád
St Caraunus of Chartres
St Caraunus the Deacon
St Crescens of Rome
St Dioscorides of Rome
St Eoghan the Sage
St Gemiliano of Cagliari

St Germanus of Paris (c 490-576) Bishop, Monk, Teacher, Reformer, Writer, “Father of the Poor.”
Biography:

https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/28/saint-of-the-day-28-may-st-germanus-of-paris-c-496-576-father-of-the-poor/

Bl Heliconis of Thessalonica
St Helladius of Rome
St Herculaneum of Piegaro
Bl John Shert
St Justus of Urgell

Blessed Lanfranc OSB (c 1005-1089) Archbishop of Canterbury, Benedictine Abbot, celebrated Jurist, Scholar, Professor, Spiritual Writer, Reformer, Negotiator.
His Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/28/saint-of-the-day-28-may-2020-blessed-lanfranc-of-canterbury-osb-c-1005-1089/

St Luciano of Cagliari

Blessed Margaret Plantagenet Pole (1473-1541) Martyr, Laywoman, Countess. Margaret was declared Blessed, with many of the rest of the English Martyrs, by Pope Leo XIII, on 29 December,1886.
Her Life and Death:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/28/saint-of-the-day-28-may-blessed-margaret-pole-1473-1541-martyr/

Blessed Maria Bartolomea Bagnesi OP (1514-1577) Virgin, Third Order Dominican, Mystic, Ecstatic, with the gift of levitation. Her body is incorrupt.
Her Life Story:

https://anastpaul.com/2017/05/28/saint-of-the-day-28-may-blessed-maria-bartholomew-bagnesi-t-o-s-d/

Bl Mary of the Nativity
St Moel-Odhran of Iona
St Paulus of Rome
St Phaolô Hanh
St Podius of Florence
Bl Robert Johnson
St Senator of Milan
Bl Thomas Ford
St Ubaldesca Taccini
St William of Gellone (755-812) Monk

Martyrs of Palestine: A group of early 5th century Monks in Palestine who were Martyred by invading Arabs.

Martyrs of Sardinia – 6 Saints: A group of early Christians for whom a Church on Sardinia is dedicated; they were probably Martyrs but no information about them has survived except the names Aemilian, Aemilius, Emilius, Felix, Lucian and Priamus. Patrons of the Diocese of Alghero-Bosa, Italy.

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, NOVENAS, PENTECOST, The HOLY SPIRIT

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts – NINTH DAY 

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts

NINTH DAY

Thou, on those who evermore
Thee confess and Thee adore
In Thy sevenfold Gifts, descend.
Give them comfort when they die,
Give them life with Thee on high,
Give them joys which never end.

THE FRUITS of the HOLY SPIRIT

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
perfect the supernatural virtues,
by enabling us to practice them
with greater docility to Divine inspiration.
As we grow in the knowledge and love of God,
under the direction of the Holy Spirit,
our service becomes more sincere and generous,
the practice of virtue becomes more perfect.
Such acts of virtue
leave the heart filled with joy and consolation
and are known as Fruits of the Holy Spirit.
These Fruits, in turn,
render the practice of virtue
more attractive and become
a powerful incentive for still greater efforts,
in the service of God,
to serve Whom is to reign
!

Prayer

Come, O Divine Spirit,
fill my heart with Your heavenly fruits,
Your charity, joy,
peace, patience,
benignity, goodness,
faith, mildness and temperance,
that I may never weary
of the service of God
but by continued faithful submission,
to Your inspiration,
may merit to be united eternally with You,
in the love of the Father
and the Son.
Amen

Our Father and Hail Mary – ONCE.
Glory be to the Father – SEVEN TIMES.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees,
I, before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,
offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God.
I adore the brightness of Your purity,
the unerring keenness of Your justice
and the might of Your love.
You are the Strength and Light of my soul.
In You I live and move and am.
I desire never to grieve You
by unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept
from the smallest sin against You.
Mercifully guard my every thought
and grant that I may always watch for Your light,
listen to Your Voice
and follow Your gracious inspirations.
I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You,
by Your compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus,
looking at His Five Wounds
and trusting in His Precious Blood
and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart,
I implore You, Adorable Spirit,
Helper of my infirmity, t
o keep me in Your grace,
that I may never sin against You.
Give me grace O Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Father and the Son,
to say to You always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Your servant hears.”
Amen

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HOPE

Thought for the Day – 27 May – Mary, Our Hope

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

Mary, Our Hope

O Mary, my Mother, I place my trust in you because I know, that your intercession, is all-powerful with your Divine Son, Jesus.
Help me to detach myself completely from sin and, to conquer my rebellious inclinations.
Grant that I may imitate the shining example of your sanctity in such a way, that you may be truly my hope and my sure refuge, now and at the hour of my death.
Amen
.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/13/thought-for-the-day-13-may-mary-our-hope/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/29/thought-for-the-day-29-october-mary-our-hope/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on VANITY, QUOTES on WISDOM, The HOLY FACE

Quote/s of the Day – 27 May – St Bede the Venerable

Quote/s of the Day – 27 May – The Feast of St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

Christ is the Morning Star,
Who, when the night of this world is past,
gives to His saints, the promise of the Light of Life
and opens everlasting day.

We abide in God
insofar as we do not sin.

All the ways of this world
are as fickle and unstable
as a sudden storm at sea.

“If one of us has a conscience
polluted by the stain of avarice,
conceit, vain-glory, indignation,
irascibility, or envy and the other vices,
he has “a daughter badly troubled by a demon”
like the Canaanite woman.”

“Those who refuse to be humble cannot be saved.
They cannot say with the prophet:
See, God comes to my aid;
the Lord is the helper of my soul.
But anyone who makes himself humble,
like a little child,
is greater in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

And I pray Thee, loving Jesus
that as Thou hast graciously given me
to drink in with delight,
the words of Thy knowledge,
so Thou wouldst mercifully grant me
to attain one day to Thee,
the Fountain of all Wisdom
and to appear forever before Thy Face.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/27/quote-s-of-the-day-27-may-st-bede-the-venerable/

St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, The HOLY SPIRIT, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 May – ‘ … Everything is cold without the Holy Spirit …’

One Minute Reflection – 27 May – The Vigil of Pentecost and the Feast of St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church – Acts 19:1-8, John 14:15-21. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you and will be in you.” – John 14:16-17

REFLECTION – “ We are nothing of ourselves but we are a great deal with the Holy Spirit. The human person is all earthly, wholly animal, only the Holy Spirit can raise the soul and elevate it on high.

Like those kinds of spectacles which magnify things, the Holy Spirit makes us see both the good and the bad enlarged. With the Holy Spirit one sees everything enlarged – the greatness of the least action done for God and the greatness of the least fault. As a clockmaker can distinguish with his spectacles the smallest parts of a watch, so, with the light of the Holy Spirit, we can see every detail of our poor lives.

Everything is cold without the Holy Spirit and so, whenever we feel our fervour fading, we should make a novena to the Holy Spirit to ask for faith and love!” – St Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)
Priest, Curé of Ars (The spirit of the Curé d’Ars in his Instructions, Sermons and Conversations).

PRAYER – O God, Who enlightened Your Church with the learning of blessed Bede, Your Confessor and Doctor, graciously grant that Your servants may ever be enlightened by his wisdom and helped by his merits. 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 HOLY SPIRIT, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 27 May – Almighty God, Open Thou My Heart – A Prayer for Guidance By St Bede

Our Morning Offering – 27 May – The Vigil of Pentecost and the Memorial of St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

Almighty God, Open Thou My Heart
A Prayer for Guidance
By St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

ALMIGHTY God,
open Thou my heart
and enlighten me with the grace of the Holy Spirit,
to see those things which are well-pleasing to Thy will.
Direct my thoughts and understanding
to those things which it is proper to meditate upon
and to take in hand;
in such fashion, as by fitting character
and deeds, I might be found worthy
of the eternal joy of heavenly life.
Direct my acts to Thy commandments,
that I might, by labour
so unbrokenly study to bring them to fulfilment,
as to attain to an everlasting reward.
Amen

Posted in MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 27 May – St John I (Died 526) Pope and Martyr

Saint of the Day – 27 May – St John I (Died 526) Pope and Martyr, Bishop of Rome from 13 August 523-his death on 18 May 526. He died in prison as a result of the harsh treatment.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “The birthday of St John, Pope and Martyr, who was called to RFavenna by the Arian King if Italy, Theodoric and after languishing a long time in prison for the True Faith, terminated his life.

John was a native of Siena in Tuscany in Italy, He was elected Pope while he was still an Archdeacon upon the death of Pope Hormisdas in 523.

At that time, the ruler of Italy was Theodoric, the Goth who subscribed to the Arian heresy but had tolerated and even favoured his Catholic subjects during the early part of his reign. However, about the time of St John’s accession to the Papacy, Theodoric’s policy underwent a drastic change, as a result of two events – the treasonable (in the sovereign’s view) correspondence between ranking members of the Roman Senate and Constantinople and the severe edict against heretics enacted by the Emperor Justin I, who was the first Catholic on the Byzantine throne in fifty years.

Spurred on by the appeals of Eastern Arians, Theodoric threatened to wage war against Justin but ultimately decided to negotiate with him through a delegation of five Bishops and four senators. At its head he named Pope John – much against the latter’s wishes. Little is known for certain about the nature of the message which the Pope bore and the manner in which he carried out his mission. What is known is that he succeeded in persuading the Emperor to mitigate his treatment of the Arians and thus avoid reprisals against the Catholics in Italy.

The Pope’s visit also brought about the reconciliation of the Western and Eastern Churches which had been plagued by a schism since 482 when Zeno’s Henoticon had been published. However, Theodoric had been becoming more suspicious with each passing day. While waiting for the delegation to return, he ordered the execution of the philosopher Boethius (a great friend of our Saint) and his father-in-law, Symmachus on a charge of treason and, as he got word of the friendly relations between the Pope and the Emperor, he concluded that they were plotting against him. Hence, on the delegation’s return to the capitol city of Ravenna, Pope John was imprisoned by order of Theodoric and died a short time later as a result of the treatment he experienced there.