It’s 1 May Let us Rejoice in our Mother Mary! The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“Bright Mother of our Maker, Hail! Thou Virgin ever blest, the Ocean’s Star by which we sail and gain the port of rest!” (Anonymous 8th Century Latin Hymn)
Visits to the Altar of Our Lady On the Love of Mary for Her Children (Imprimatur, 1867)
Mary loves us because we are her children. A loving and tender Mother is never wearied by the importunities of her little ones and Mary, who is the most loving and tender of all mothers, will never weary of hearing and answering our petitions. The one great thing which she desires, for all her children is that they should become like her Son Jesus. He is the only Child Who never disobeyed her or grieved her. It is for His love that she loves us. How great must be His love for us, when He inspires Mary with such a love! The best return we can make Him is to have a perfect trust and confidence in His Blessed Mother. Those who are not devout to Mary cannot really understand the great Mystery of the Incarnation and do not love Jesus as they should – for, if they loved Him, they would love His Mother too, even a tiny bit as much as He loves her.
Let us try, then, during this Month of May, to become more like Jesus. Let us consider what spiritual grace we need most, in order to attain this great end and let us ask it with confidence everyday. Let us also try to induce others, to honour Mary, by special devotion to her during this most beautiful month.
Tis the Month of Our Mother, the Sweet Month of May! Unknown Author An Old French Hymn
The blessed and beautiful days, When our lips and our spirits, are glowing with love and with praise.
Refrain: All Hail! to thee, dear Mary, the guardian of our way; To the fairest of Queens, Be the fairest of seasons, sweet May.
Oh! what peace to her children, mid sorrows and trials to know, that the love of their Mother, Hath ever a solace for woe.
And, what joy to the erring, The sinful and sorrowful soul; That a trust in her guidance, will lead to a glorious goal.
Let us sing then, rejoicing that God hath so honoured our race, as to clothe with our nature, Sweet Mary, the Mother of Grace.
Thought for the Day – 1 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)
“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5
LVI: … Concerning Spiritual Communion
“Although actual reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist is limited to once a day, you are, nevertheless, at liberty to communicate in spirit every hour. And nothing except your own negligence can prevent you from receiving the inestimable benefits to be derived from such a union with Him. It is worth noting that, Spiritual Communion is sometimes of greater benefit to the soul and more acceptable to God, than many Sacramental Communions received with little preparation and less affection.
When, therefore, you are properly disposed to receive the Son of God spiritually, be assured that He is ready thus to come to you as food and nourishment. By way of preparation, think of Jesus and after contemplating the multitude of your offences, declare to Him your sincere sorrow for them. Then, with profound respect and unshaking faith, beg Him to graciously condescend to enter your heart; entreat Him to replenish it with grace as a remedy against its inherent weaknesses and, as a shield against the violence of its enemies. Everytime you succeed in mortifying your passions, or in performing an act of virtue, take that opportunity of preparing your heart for the Son of God, as He has commanded. Then, addressing yourself to Him, fervently beg the blessings of His Presence, both as the Physician of your soul and as its Protector. Ask Him ever to dwell within your soul and so to take possession of it as to repel its would-be destroyers.
Recall too, your last Sacramental Communion and inflamed with love for your Saviour, say to Him: “When, O God, shall I receive Thee again? When will that happy day return, when once again Thou wilt dwell within my heart?” If, however, you desire to communicate spiritually with an increase of devotion, begin to prepare for it overnight. Let every mortification and every act of virtue, tend to make your soul a more fitting abode for His spiritual Presence. In the morning, as you awake, meditate upon the innumerable advantages to be derived from Holy Communion. Recall that the soul regains her lost virtues, recovers her pristine purity and is rendered worthy to partake of the merits of the Cross. The very reception of the Sacrament is highly pleasing to the Eternal Father, Who desires everyone to enjoy this Divine Gift. Later endeavour, to excite within your soul, an ardent desire of receiving Him in compliance with His holy will. Let your words match the sentiment as follows: “O Lord, since I am not permitted the joy of Thy Sacramental Presence this day, let Thy Goodness and Omnipotence decree the cleansing of my soul from the stain of sin that healed of my wounds, I may deserve to receive Thee in spirit. Everyday and every hour, fortified anew by Thy grace, may I courageously resist my enemies, particularly that failing against which, for the love of Thee, I wage unceasing war.”
Quote/s of the Day – 1 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” –The Feast of St James the Lesser and St Philip Apostles – Wisdom 5:1-5 – John 14:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”
John 14:6
“Be imitators of God, as very dear children and walk in love, as Christ also Loved us and delivered Himself up for us …”
St Paul … Ephesians 5:1-2
“… There is one Road and one only, well secured against all possibility of going astray and, this Road is provided by One, Who is Himself both God and Man. As God, He is the Goal, as Man, He is the Way.”
“But the wise took oil in their vessels”
Matthew 25:4
“The wise ones’ lamps were burning, from the oil inside them, from the assurance of their consciences, from their inner boast, from their deepest charity.”
St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of Grace
“Father, forgive them.” With this prayer, He wanted to make us understand the Love He bore us, undiminished by any suffering and to teach us how our heart should be toward our neighbour.”
One Minute Reflection – 1 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” –The Feast of St James the Lesser and St Philip Apostles – Wisdom 5:1-5 – John 14:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know Me, Philip? Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? …” – John 14:9
REFLECTION – “In the Church, I know of only one image, is, the image of the unseen God. God has said about this image, “Let us make man [humankind] in our image.” Of this image it is written that Christ is the “effulgence of the glory and impress of His hypostasis.” In that image, I perceive the Father, as the Lord Jesus Himself has said, “Th e one who has seen me has seen the Father.” For this image is not separated from the Father, which indeed, has taught me the unity of the Trinity, saying, “I and the Father are one” and again, “All things whatever the Father has are mine.” [In this image, also perceive] the Holy Spirit, seeing that the Spirit is Christ’s and has received of Christ, as it is written, “He shall receive of mine and shall announce it to you.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan, Father and one of the original four Doctors of the Latin Church( – Sermon Against Auxentius, 32)
PRAYER – Lord God, each year You grant us the blessing of celebrating with joy, the feast day of Your Apostles and Martyrs Saints Philip and James. Make us partners with them by their prayers, in the Passion and Resurrection of Your only-begotten Son, so that we may come, with them, to the eternal vision of Your glory. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever, amen.
Our Morning Offering – 1 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”
Alma Redemptoris Mater Loving Mother of the Redeemer By Blessed Herman Contractus of Reichenau OSB (1013–1054)
Loving Mother of the Redeemer! Hear thou thy people’s cry, Star of the deep and portal of the sky! Mother of Him Who thee from nothing made, Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid; Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee, Thou Virgin first and last, let we thy mercy see.
Alma Redemptóris Mater, quæ pérvia cæli Porta manes, et stella maris, succúrre cadénti, Súrgere qui curat pópulo: tu quæ genuísti, Natúra miránte, tuum sanctum Genitórem Virgo prius ac postérius, Gabriélis ab ore Sumens illud Ave, peccatórum miserére.
Marian Antiphon Traditionally said from Advent to the Purification of the Blessed Virgin. Blessed Herman is the Author of the Salve Regina, the Veni Sancte Spiritus and the Alma Redemptoris Mater amongst others.
Saint of the Day – 1 May – Saint Amator (344-418) Bishop and Confessor of Auxerre, France, the Bishop of Auxerre from 388 until his death on 1 May 418. A married man who lived in complete chastity with his wife Martha, he was granted the grace of Miracles and expelling demons. A tireless shepherd, he worked to totally eradicate paganism from his region. Patronages of Auxerre, agaubst Epilepsy, of the mentally ill. Also known as – Amatore, Amatre, Amatus, Amadour.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Auxerre, St Amator, Bishop and Confessor.”
According to his Life, contained in a 9th Century manuscript but believed to have been written in the 7th Century by a Monk, Stephen Africanus, Amator was born in Auxerre in 344 of a wealthy merchant family and was educated by St Valerian, the City’s Bishop.
Although married by his parents’ will to the noble and wealthy Martha of the City of Langres, he lived with her in perfect chastity and became a Deacon.
St Amator performed many miracles and expelled the demons which inhabited the ruins surrounding the City. Upon the death of Helladius, St Valerian’s successor, he was elected as the Bishop and carried out his ministry with determination, eradicating the last traces of paganism from his See and miraculously overcoming the resistance of a certain Rutilius to cede his lands for the construction of the new Cathedral, dedicated to St Stephen the First Martyr.
A journey to Antioch to acquire the Relics of Saints Cyrus and Julitta and the selection of St Germanus, his successor, as Deacon and then Bishop, complete the picture of a zealous and far-sighted shepherd.
St Amator’s death on 1 May 418, after 30 years of Episcopate, gave rise to a cult which rapidly pread to Catalonia where Charlemagne sent a Relic of St Amator. The ancient Church, built over his Tomb in Rhe was destroyed during the Revolution and some of his Relics were dispersed.
Reliquary of St Amator
St Amator is invoked above all as a healer of the mentally ill and of epileptics, who would lie on his Tomb seeking his intercession in prayer.
St Aceolus of Amiens St Acius of Amiens St Aldebrandus of Fossombrone St Amator (344-418) Bishop and Confessor of Auxerre St Ambrose of Ferentino St Andeolus of Smyrna Bl Arigius of Gap St Arnold of Hiltensweiler St Asaph of Llanelwy St Augustine Schöffler
St Benedict of Szkalka OSB (Died 1012) Monk and Hermit
St Ceallach of Killala St Cominus of Catania Evermarus of Rousson Bl Felim O’Hara St Grata of Bergamo St Isidora of Egypt St Jeremiah the Prophet St John-Louis Bonnard Bl Klymentii Sheptytskyi St Marculf St Orentius of Auch St Orentius of Loret St Patientia of Loret
St Peregrine Laziosi OSM (1260-1345) The “Angel of Good Counsel,” Priest of the Servite Order (The Order of Servants of Mary), Apostle of the poor and the sick, Miracle-worker, Spiritual Advisor. Patronages – against cancer, against breast cancer, against open sores, against skin diseases, AIDS patients, sick people, Diocese of Forli-Bertinoro, Italy, City of Forli, Italy. St Peregrine’s body is Incorrupt. Beautiful St Peregrine: https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/01/saint-of-the-day-1-may-saint-peregrine-laziosi-osm-1260-1345-today-is-the-675th-anniversary-of-his-death/
Bl Petronilla of Moncel
St Richard Pampuri OH (1897-1930) aged 33 – Italian Religious of the Hospitallers of St John of God, Medical Doctor, Founder of the Band of Pius X (a Youth movement) which he dedicated to the medical care of poor people, Third Order Franciscan. He was an outstanding lover of the Holy Eucharist in Adoration and an avid Marian devotee, as well as living out his short but faith-filled life in total charity to all the needy and poor. His Zealous Service: https://anastpaul.com/2019/05/01/saint-of-the-day-1-may-saint-richard-pampuri-oh-1897-1930/
Thought for the Day – 30 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)
“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5
LV: … The Role of the Eucharist in Increasing Our Love of God (Part Four)
“After Communion strive to be deeply recollected, shutting out from your heart the multiple petty encroachments of worldly distractions. Entertain the Divine Guest with such sentiments as are expressed in the following prayer:
“O Sovereign Lord of Heaven, what has brought Thee from celestial heights to the depths of earthly hearts?” His answer will be simply, “Love.” And you must reply: “O Eternal Love, what is it you ask of me?”
And He will answer again: “Nothing but love. I would have no other fire within thee but charity, the ardent flames of which will conquer the impure flames of passion and make thee pleasing in My sight. Long have I wished that thou wert all Mine and I all thine. And long have I desired that surrender of thy will ever solicitous for frivolous liberty and worldly vanities, for only when thy will is attuned to Mine can the first wish be realised. Know, then that I would have thee die to self, that you might live to Me. I would have thee give Me thy heart that I might make it like unto Mine which broke on Calvary out of love for mankind. Thou knowest Who I Am and yet thou knowest that, in some measure, I have made thee My equal in an excess of love. When I give Myself entirely to thee, I ask nothing but thyself in return. Be Mine and I shall be satisfied. Will nothing, think nothing, understand nothing, see nothing but Me and My Will. Let thy nothingness be lost in the depths of My Infinity and find there thy happiness, as I find repose in thee.”
Finally, offer to the Eternal Father, His Only-Begotten Son: First in thanksgiving for the unspeakably great favours He has rendered, in bestowing them on you. In petition for such things as are needed by you and those for whom you are obligated to pray; remember also, in your petitions, the Souls in Purgatory. Let this entire offering be made in commemoration of and in union with, the offering made by Christ on Calvary’s hill, when bleeding on the Cross, He offered Himself to His Eternal Father. Similarly, you may offer for the same intention, the Sacrifice of the Mass, wherever it may be celebrated that day, throughout the Catholic world.”
Quote/s of the Day – 30 April – – St Catherine of Siena OP (1347-1380) Virgin
“Rejoice and be happy! Persevere to the end and prefer to die rather than abandon the post, to which God has called you!”
“Speak the truth in a million voices. It is silence that kills!”
“Embrace, then, Jesus Crucified, raising to Him the eyes of your desire! Consider His burning Love for you which made Jesus pour out His Blood from every part of His Body! Embrace Jesus Crucified, loving and beloved and in Him, you will find true life because He is God made Man. Let your heart and your soul burn with the fire of love drawn from Jesus on the Cross! … You will have no other desire than to follow Jesus! Run, … do not stay asleep because time flies and does not wait one moment! Dwell in God’s sweet Love!”
One Minute Reflection – 30 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – St Catherine of Siena OP (1347-1380) Virgin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2 – Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“ … The Bridegroom came and they, who were ready, went in with Him … ” – Matthew 25:10
REFLECTION – “In this world, which is to say, in the Church, wholly following Christ, He says to all of us: “Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself.” This command is not being directed to virgins but not married women, to widows but not wives, to Monks but not husbands, to Priests but not laity. It is the whole Church, the whole Body of Christ with all its members, differentiated and divided according to their proper functions which is, to follow Christ. May she wholly follow Him, she who is one alone, the dove, the bride (Sg 6:9); may she follow Him, she who has been redeemed and endowed with the Blood of her Bridegroom. Virginal purity has its place here; the continence of widows has its place here; wedded chastity has its place here…
These members who have their place here should follow Christ, each according to their category, each according to their status, each after its fashion. Let them deny themselves, that is to say, let them not rely on themselves. Let them carry their cross that is to say, bear, for Christ’s sake in the world, all that the world inflicts on them. May they love Him, He, the Only One, Who never deceives or is deceived, the Only One ,Who is not mistaken. May they love Him because, what He promises is true. Yet because, He does not give it to us now, our faith falters. Keep going, persevere, bear and accept this delay and you have carried His Cross!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 96:9)
RAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that we which do keep the birthday of Thy blessed Virgin Catherine and do year by year renew her memorial with solemn gladness in Thy presence, may likewise be conformed to the pattern of her saintly walk with Thee. 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).
Saint of the Day – 30 April – St Donatus (4th Century) Bishop of Evraea in modern Albania, Miracle-worker. Renowned for his great sancity and many miracles.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Eurea in Epirus, St Donatus, a Bishop, who was eminent for sanctity in the time of the Emperor Theodosius.”
St Donatus is venerated as a Saint for his outstanding sanctity and miracles.
Although the details of his life are confused with those of Saint Donatus of Arezzo in Italy. His fame as a Miracle-worker is attested by Sozomen, who recounts his victory over a dragon which terrorized the region and his miraculous creation of a spring.
St Donaturs is celebrated on 30 April in the Roman Martyrology and his cult spread widely across in many regions and over many Centuries, with Emperor Justinian dedicating two fortresses to him.
Donatus died around 387 and became the Patron Saint of ancient Epirus. It is said that his Relics were brought to the Convent of Our Lady on the Island of Murano, near Venice.
Our Morning Offering – 30 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – St Catherine of Siena OP (1347-1380) Virgin
Constant Prayer to the Precious Blood of Jesus By St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Precious Blood, Ocean of Divine Mercy, Flow upon us! Precious Blood, Most Pure Offering, Procure us every grace! Precious Blood, Hope and Refuge of sinners, Atone for us! Precious Blood, Delight of holy souls, Draw us! Amen
Bl Hildegard the Empress St Lawrence of Novara St Louis of Córdoba St Mariano of Acerenza St Maximus of Ephesus St Mercurialis of Forlì St Peter of Córdoba St Pomponius of Naples St Quirinus of Rome St Rodopiano of Aphrodisias St Sophia of Fermo St Swithbert the Younger Bl Ventura of Spello
Martyrs of Montpellier: A group of 70 Mercedarian Friars, led by Blessed Luigi Puell, who were Martyred by Huguenots for trying to bring people back to the Catholic Church. They were Martyred in 1567 in Montpellier, France.
Thought for the Day – 29 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)
“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5
LV: … The Role of the Eucharist in Increasing Our Love of God (Part Three)
“When the time itself draws near, we must consider, attentively, Who it is we are about to receive – for our Guest is to be the Son of the living God, the august Majesty before Whom the heavens and the powers of Heaven tremble in awesome fear!
Our Guest is to be the Saint of Saints, Mirror without blemish, Purity itself, before Whom all is unclean in comparison. This is Divinity become Man – One looked upon as the very outcast of men, Who was pleased to be spat upon, struck, reviled and Crucified out of love for us.
You are indeed about to receive God Himself, in Whose Hand is the destiny of the universe. On the other hand, think of your own utter insignificance and your vile sinfulness which has reduced you below the level of the brute and made you worthy of being the sport and slave of devils! Consider your acknowledgment of the Infinite favours you have received from your Saviour – you have insulted the Redeemer and trampled upon His Precious Blood, displaying a most absolute ingratitude.
But even human ingratitude cannot overcome Divine charity – capricious fickleness is no match for unchanging Love. Still the gracious Lord summons you to the Divine banquet and rather than rebuffing you for your obvious inadequacies, bids you come under pain of death. The arms of the merciful Father are always open to receive you, be you leprous, lame, blind, squandering, or possessed by devils.
He demands of you these few requisites alone:
To be sincerely sorry for having so grievously offended Him. To hate sin of all kinds with an unquenchable vigour. To consecrate yourself to cheerful acceptance of His Divine Will, whatever it may be. To have a firm confidence that He will forgive your sins, cleanse your soul of all taint and defend you against all your enemies.
Encouraged by this ineffable Love of the Lord for you and all penitent sinners, approach the Holy Table with a prudent fear, tempered by hope and love, saying:
“After so many grievous offences, I am not worthy to receive Thee, not having fully satisfied Thy Justice. No, my God, I am unworthy of Thee, sullied as I am by an inordinate attachment to creatures and a reluctance to serve Thee completely, with my whole heart and my whole strength. O my omnipotent Lord, be mindful of Thy goodness and Thy promise; through the Divine alchemy of Love and Faith, make my heart a worthy dwellingplace for Thy Divine Son.”
One Minute Reflection – 29 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – The Octave Day of the Patronage of St Joseph – Genesus 49:22-26 – Luke 3:21-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And Jesus, Himself, was beginning about the age of thirty years, being – (as it was supposed) – the Son of Joseph … ” – Luke 3:23
REFLECTION – “How faithful in humility was the great Saint we are celebrating! That cannot be said in all its perfection for, in spite of what he was, in what poverty and lowliness he lived all the days of his life, a poverty and lowliness beneath which he kept hidden and concealed his great virtues and dignity!… Truly, I have no doubt at all, that the angels came, beside themselves with admiration, rank upon rank, to behold and wonder at his humility, while he sheltered that dearest Child, in the poor workshop where he worked at his employment, so as to feed the little Boy and the mother entrusted to him.
There is no doubt at all, that Saint Joseph was braver than David and wiser that Solomon, [who were his ancestors]. Nevertheless, seeing him reduced to the exercise of carpentry, who could have discerned this, unless they were enlightened by a heavenly light, so hidden did he keep the remarkable gifts, with which God had favoured him?
And what wisdom did he not have? For God gave him, His most glorious Son to care for… the universal Prince of heaven and earth… Nevertheless, you can see how low and humbled he was brought, more than can be said or imagined… he went to his own country and town of Bethlehem and none but he, was turned away from all those inns…
Notice how the Angel turns him about with both hands. He tells him he has to go to Egypt and he goes, he orders him to return and he returns. God wants him to be always poor… and he submits to it with love and not only for a while, for he was poor his whole life long.”- St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church – Conferences, no. 19) .
PRAYER – God, Who in Thine unspeakable foreknowledge didst choose thy blessed servant Joseph, to be the husband of Thine Own most holy Mother; mercifully grant now that he is in Heaven with Thee, we who on earth do reverence him for our Defender, may worthily be aided by the succour of his prayers, to Thee on our behalf. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 29 April – The Octave Day of the Patronage of St Joseph
Ad Te, Beate Joseph To Thee, O Blessed Joseph By Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)
O most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ. O most loving father, ward off from us, every contagion of error and corrupting influence. O our most mighty protector, be propitious to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness and, as once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die holy and to obtain eternal happiness in Heaven. Amen
Saint of the Day – 29 April – Saint Paulinus (Died c545) Bishop and Confessor of Brescia in Italy. St Paulinus served his flock and the Church at Brescia for 21 years.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Brescia, St Paulinus, Bishop and Confessor.”
St Paulinus was Consecrated as the Bishop of Brescia in 524, thus making his service as the shepherd of his See for 21 years until his death in around 545.
Little is known of his life, although he is presumed to have been a zealous defender of both his flock and the Church, both its doctrine against heresies and its physical presence in the region.
St Paulinus’ Relics are enshrined and venerated in the Church of San Pietro in Oliveto which is the old Cathedral of the See.
St Peter Martyr/ of Verona OP (1205–1252) Martyr, Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, , a celebrated Preacher, Miracle-worker, Marian devotee. He served as Inquisitor in Lombardy, was murdered by an assassin and was Canonised 11 months after his death, making his the fastest Canonisation in history. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/29/saint-of-the-day-29-april-st-peter-of-verona-op-1205-1252/
Abbots of Cluny: A feast that recognises the great and saintly early Abbots of Cluny Abbey:
Saint Aymardus of Cluny
Saint Berno of Cluny
Saint Hugh of Cluny
Saint Mayeul
Saint Odilo of Cluny
Saint Odo of Cluny
Saint Peter the Venerable
St Ava of Denain St Daniel of Gerona St Dichu St Endellion of Tregony St Fiachan of Lismore
St Hugh of Cluny (1024-1109) St Hugh the Great, Priest and Royal Prince, Abbot of Cluny from 1049 until his death., Founder-builder of numerous Monasteries, Convents , Hospitals and the biggest Church in Europe (the Abbey Church at C luny) prior to the building of St Peter’s, apostle of the poor, the sick, the marginalised by the feudal system, ecclesiastical Reformer, holy father to his Monks and servant to all who needed him,. He was one of the most influential leaders of the monastic orders from the Middle Ages. St Hugh the Great: https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/29/saint-of-the-day-29-april-st-hugh-of-cluny-1024-1109-st-hugh-the-great/
St Gundebert of Gumber St Juan Vargas St Paulinus (Died c545) Bishop and Confessor of Brescia Bl Robert Gruthuysen St Senan of Wales
St Severus of Naples (Died 409) Bishop of Naples for 46 years, Confessor, friend of St Ambrose, constructor of four Basilicas and the first Baptistry in the West. The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Naples, St Severus, Bishop, loved by St Ambrose, as a brother and, by his Church ,as a father.” Fascinating fact: The City of Naples has more than 50 official Patron Saints, although its principal Patron is the Martyr Bishop, Saint Januarius.(Died c 304). His life here: https://anastpaul.com/2017/09/19/saint-of-the-day-19-september-st-januarius/ St Severus is one of those 50 and the full list is contained in his biography, below. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/29/saint-of-the-day-29-april-saint-severus-of-naples-died-409/
St Theoger St Torpes of Pisa St Tychicus St Wilfrid the Younger
Martyrs of Cirta: A group of Clergy and Laity Martyred together in Cirta, Numidia (in modern Tunisia) in the persecutions of Valerian. They were – Agapius, Antonia, Emilian, Secundinus and Tertula, along with a woman and her twin children whose names have not come down to us.
Martyrs of Corfu: A gang of thieves who converted while in prison, brought to the Faith by Saint Jason and Saint Sosipater who had been imprisoned for evangelising. When the gang announced their new Faith, they were Martyred together. They were – Euphrasius, Faustianus, Insischolus, Januarius, Mammius, Marsalius and Saturninus. They were boiled in oil and pitch in the 2nd century on the Island of Corcyra (modern Corfu, Greece. Also known as: Martyrs of Corcyra, Seven Holy Thieves, Seven Holy Robbers, Seven Robber Saints.
Thought for the Day – 28 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)
“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5
LV: … The Role of the Eucharist in Increasing Our Love of God (Part Two)
“Meditating on this truth, let each man say within himself:
“Who could have imagined, O Lord, that a God of such Infinite greatness would bestow His affections on such an abject and insignificant creature as myself! What could be Thy design, O King of glory? What canst Thou expect of me who am but dust? I see clearly, O my God, by the Light of Thy burning charity which enlightens me with knowledge and enkindles me with love that Thy design, was one divorced from all self-interest. For Thy wish in so graciously bestowing this Sacrament, is to transform me into Thee that I may live in Thee and Thou in me. Such an intimate union will ultimately remake my heart, fashioning from a vessel of earth, a delicate instrument attuned to things Divine!”
Then, full of joy and wonder at the indications of Divine Love given us by Christ and aware that His only purpose is the transformation of our hearts from things of earth, to things of Heaven, let us offer a sacrifice, and consecrate the will, the memory and understanding, to the sole task of pleasing Him in the gracious acceptance of His Holy Will.
After this, recognising our incapacity to dispose ourselves properly, unaided by His Grace for proper reception of the Eucharist, let us strive earnestly to obtain that Grace by ejaculations such as the following:
“O heavenly food, when shall I be united to Thee, to be consumed joyfully in the fire of Divine Love? O Divine charity, when shall I live in Thee, by Thee and for Thee alone? O heavenly manna, Sovereign good, joy of my heart, when shall I, loathing all other food, seek Thee alone? O life of eternal joy, when shall I dwell in Thee alone? O my Loving And almighty Lord, free my heart from the tyranny of its passions and vicious attachments; adorn it with Thy heavenly virtues and with gentle compulsion, force it to rejoice in loving and pleasing Thee. Then O Lord, will I open my heart and bid Thee enter; then shalt Thou come, my only Treasure, to transform my heart by Thy Divine Presence.”
Such are the tender and affectionate sentiments which we should form on the evening before and, on the morning of, reception of Holy Communion.”
Quote/s of the Day – 28 April – The Feast of St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775) Confessor, Found and St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)
“Happy the soul which detaches itself from its own pleasure, from its own will, from its own understanding. A sublime lesson is this and God will teach it, to all those who place their happiness in the Cross of Jesus Christ.”
“Whatever may happen to us, we ought not to be disturbed. Let us calmly and quietly say: ‘the Will of God be done’– let us leave all to God – the Lord be blessed forever – what He Wills, I will, in time and in eternity.”
St Paul of the Cross CP (1604-1775)
“[Jesus] is our only Master, Who must teach us; our only Lord, on Whom we must depend; our only Head, to Whom alone we should belong; our only Model, Whom we should imitate; our only Physician, Who must heal us; our only Shepherd, Who must feed us; our only Way, Who must lead us; our only Truth, Whom we must believe; our only Life, Who must be our life and our sole sufficiency in all things that, in Him, we may have all in All. Except the Name of Jesus, there is no other name given under Heaven, whereby we must be saved and apart from Jesus Christ, God has given us no other foundation of our salvation, our perfection and our glory! ”
“Never will anyone who says his Rosary everyday, be led astray. This is a statement that I would gladly sign with my blood.”
Hail Mary, Queen of Our Hearts, Our Mother Prayer in Honour of Mary By St Louis Marie de Montfort (1673-1716)
Hail Mary, Daughter of God the Father! Hail Mary, Mother of God the Son! Hail Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit! Hail Mary, Temple of the Most Holy Trinity! Hail Mary, our mistress, our wealth, our mystic rose. Queen of our hearts, our Mother, our life, our sweetness and our dearest hope! We are all Thine and all we have is thine. O Virgin, blessed above all things, may thy soul be in us, to magnify the Lord, may thy spirit be in us, to rejoice in God. Place thyself, O faithful Virgin, as a seal upon our hearts, that in thee and through thee, we may be found faithful to God. Grant, most gracious Virgin, that we may be numbered among those, whom thou art pleased to love, to teach and to guide, to favour and to protect, as thy children. Grant that with the help of thy love, we may despise all earthly consolations and cling to heavenly things, until through the Holy Spirit, thy faithful spouse and through thee, His faithful spouse, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, be formed within us for the glory of the Father. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 28 April – St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775) Confessor, Founder – 1 Corinthians 1:17-25, Luke 10:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest that He send labourers into His harvest. ” – Luke 10:2
REFLECTION – “One day I was pondering over what I could do to save souls – a phrase from the Gospel showed me a clear light: Jesus said to His disciples, pointing to the fields of ripe corn, “Look up and see the fields ripe for harvest” (Jn 4:35) and a little later, “The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few; so ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers.” How mysterious it is! Is not Jesus all-powerful? Do not creatures belong to Him, Who made them? Why then does Jesus say: “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers …”? Why? …
Ah! Jesus has so incomprehensible a Love for us that He wants us to have a share with Him in the salvation of souls. He wants to do nothing without us. The Creator of the Universe waits for the prayers of a poor little soul to save other souls, redeemed like itself at the price of all His Blood.
Our vocation, yours and mine, is not to go harvesting in the fields of ripe corn. Jesus does not say to us: “Lower your eyes, look at the fields and go and reap them,” our mission is still loftier. Here are Jesus’ words: “Lift up your eyes and see…. ” See how, in My Heaven, there are places empty; it is for you to fill them … each one of you is My Moses praying on the mountain (Ex 17:8) ask Me for labourers and I shall send them, I await only a prayer, a sigh from your heart!” – St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897) Carmelite, (Letter 135).
PRAYER – Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst gift Thine holy servant Paul, with great love that he might preach the Mystery of Thy Cross and hast been pleased that through him, a new family should grow up in Thy Church, grant unto us at his prayers that upon earth, we may so call Thy sufferings to mind, as worthily to gain the fruit thereof in Heaven. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 28 April – The Memorial of St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775) Confessor, Priest, Founder
Oh Jesus, My Love By St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775)
Oh Jesus, my Love, may my heart be consumed in loving Thee. Make me humble and holy, giving me childlike simplicity, transform me into Thy holy Love. O Jesus, Life of my life, Joy of my soul, God of my heart, accept my heart as an altar, on which I will sacrifice to Thee, the gold of ardent charity, the incense of continual, humble and fervent prayer and the myrrh of constant sacrifices! Amen
Saint of the Day – 28 April – Saint Pamphilus (Died c700) Bishop of Sulmona-Valva, Italy, a man of great chairty, especially to the poor and needy, a zealous shepherd to his sheep and a faithful missionary of the Gospel of Christ, also a prodiguous Miracle-worker. Patronage – the Cities of Scerni, Spoltore and Sulmona , Italy, the Diocese of Sulmona-Valva, Italy,.Also known as – Panfilo, … of Solmona-Valva, … of Sulmona.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Pelino, in Abruzzo, St Pamphilus, Bishop of Valva, illustrious for his charity towards the poor and the gift of miracles. His body was buried at Solmona.”
Born in the 7th Century in Abruzzo near the village of Pacile, located 988 metres above sea level on the Mitra hill. Pamphilus was the son of a pagan who rejected and despised him when he converted to Christ.
In 682Pamphilus was elected as the Bishop of Sulmona-Valva. He is described as a very generous and kind soul and committed to the spread of the Gospel particularly among the Lombards
He died in Corfinio a City within his See near the Basilica of San Pelino da Brindisi Co-Cathedral of the of See of Sulmona-Valva.
He was immediately venerated by the faithful and buried outside the walls in a field on which the Cathedral of San Panfilo was later built. His Relics rest in a Sarcophagus in the Crypt of the new 18th Century Cathedral.
He is the Patron Saint of the City of Ocre, Scerni , Spoltore and Sulmona , where there are Churches dedicated to him.
One of Pamphilus many miracles is recorded as follows: his father ordered him to climb onto a cart and descend from Pacile down the steep descent to the valley below. At that point the mountain descent was impossible to navigage in a car. Instead, the wheels of the cart were sunk into the rock, so that Pamphilus could slowly descend into the valley. The tracks of the oxen and the grooves produced by the wheels can be seen on the mountaside still today!
Thought for the Day – 27 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)
“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5
LV: … The Role of the Eucharist in Increasing Our Love of God (Part One)
“If our motive in receiving Holy Communion be a desire of increasing our love of God, we should recall the Love which God has for us. The preparation consists in an attentive contemplation of this Sovereign Lord of boundless Power and Majesty, Who, not satisfied with creating us to His Image and Likeness, nor with the immolation of His only Son on our behalf, left this Son to us in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, to be our food and support in all our necessities. Consider well the greatness and uniqueness of this Love in the following manner:
In its duration we find that God’s Love for us is eternal and unceasing; for, as He is eternal in His Divinity, so is He eternal in His Love. Before time was, God determined to give His Son to mankind in this marvellous manner. Let these words, then, echo joyfully within your heart: “In the abyss of eternity, my littleness was so loved by the most high God that He thought of me and with Love ineffable, wished to give me His Son to be my food and my nourishment!”
Our strongest passions for earthly things recognise certain limits which they cannot exceed but, the Love of God for us, is limitless. The advent of His Son, equal to Himself in Majesty and Perfection, was a testimony to that boundless Love. Thus is the Gift equal to the Love and the Love to the Gift and both are Infinite, beyond the borders of human understanding.
In Loving us God was not constrained by any power or necessity but heaped innumerable benefits upon us out of the magnitude of Divine Love.
Neither have human merit or previous good works, rendered us worthy of this remarkable Gift. If God has loved to excess or given of Himself unstintingly, it is rather to be attributed to the immensity of Divine charity.
God’s Love for us is untainted by the blemish of the self-interest present in human affections. For what is the totality of human greatness to Him, the Source of all happiness and glory? How could we possibly add glory to Glory itself? The advantages, then, are all on the side of man.”
Quote/s of the Day – 27 April – St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1597) Confessor, Doctor of the Church
This 16th Century Saint, known as the second Apostle of Germany, followed in the giant footsteps of St Boniface, who evangelised Germany a thousand years earlier. He was also active at the Council of Trent and wrote much on the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The first half of the Hail Mary, of course, comes from Scripture. What many Catholics do not know, is that the second half of this Catholic prayer is due to the intervention of St Peter Canisius at the Council of Trent. St Peter began adding onto the scriptural part of the Hail Mary the second half of this familiar prayer: “Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death.” It was the Fathers of Trent who officially accepted this addition and included it in their famous Catechism of the Council of Trent in 1566.
“For the sake of obtaining that eternal life, no works of piety, ought to seem too difficult to a true believer, no toil too heavy, no pain too bitter, no time spent in labour and suffering, too long or too wearisome. For, if nothing is sweeter, or more desirable, than this present life which is so full of calamities, how much more desirable, must that other life be deemed which is so far removed from all sense of evil, or fear of it, which will, in every conceivable way, always abound in the unspeakable and unending joys, delight and happiness of Heaven.”
St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1597) Confessor, Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 27 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and The Blessed Sacranebt” – St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) Confessor, Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:14
REFLECTION – “In his epistle, Saint John rightly states: ‘God is Light‘ and “whoever remains in God” is “in the Light, just as God Himself is in the Light” (1 Jn 1:5,7; 3:24). Because we have had the good fortune to be freed from the darkness of error, we should always “walk in the Light” like “children of the Light” (Eph 5:8)… And so the Apostle Paul says: “Among them you shine as Lights in the world, holding fast the Word of Life” (Phil 2:15-16). But if we do not do this, it will be clear that we are, so to speak, covering up and shading this essential Light by our lack of faith…
Therefore, that shining Light which has been lit, for our salvation must always shine in us. For we possess the lamp of the heavenly commandments and of the spirit of Grace, of which David said: “Thy law is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps 118:105)… We must not, then, hide this lamp of the law and of faith but should always set it up on the Church, as on a lampstand, for the salvation of many. In this way, we too may enjoy the Light of Truth itself and all who believe. may be enlightened.” – St Chromatius of Aquilaea (Died c407) Bishop, Father of the Church (Homilies on Saint Matthew’s Gospel No 5).
PRAYER – O God, Who didst give strength and learning to blessed Peter Thy Confessor for the defence of the Catholic Faith, mercifully grant that by his example and teaching, the erring may be saved and the faithful remain constant, in the confession of Truth. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 27 April – St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) – Confessor, Doctor of the Church, Dutch Priest of the Society of Jesus, Reformer, Teacher, Writer, Apostle of Charity.
The Universal Prayer By St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church
Almighty, Eternal God, Lord, heavenly Father, look with Thine eyes of undeserved compassion on our sorrow, misery and need. Have mercy on all the Christian faithful, for whom Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, was content to give Himself into the hand of sinners and shed His Precious Blood on the wood of the Holy Cross. For the sake of the Lord Jesus, most gracious Father, avert our well-deserved punishments, present danger and future threats, harm and outrage, arms and warfare, dearth and misfortune, sickness and sorrowful, miserable times. Enlighten and strengthen, in all goodness, our spiritual leaders and earthly rulers that they may do everything to further Thine honour as God, our salvation, the common peace, and the welfare of all Thy people. Grant us, O God of peace, a true unity in faith, free of all division and separation. Convert our hearts to true repentance and amendment of life. Kindle in us the fire of Thy love; give us hunger and zeal for justice in all things, so that we, as obedient children through life unto death, may be pleasing to Thee and find favour in Thy sight. We pray too, O God, as Thou willed that we should pray, for our friends and enemies, for the healthy and the sick, for all Christians in sadness and distress, for the living and the dead. To Thee, O Lord, be entrusted, whatever we do, whatever our path, our work and our dealings, our living and dying. Let us delight in Thy grace, here in this world and attain the next, with all Thy chosen ones, to praise, honour and extol Thee, in unending joy and blessedness. Grant us this, O Lord, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy Beloved Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, forever and ever. Amen
Saint of the Day – 27 April – Saint Tertullian (Died c490) Bishop and Confessor of Bologna Italy.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Bologna, St Tertullian, Bishop and Confessor.”
sS Peter’s Cathedral in Bologna
St Tertullian was the 8th Bishop of Bologna in Italy.
We have not received any information of his Ecclesiastical or his personal history except the approximate date of his death and the fact that he served during the time of the collapse of the Roman Empire.
He was called to protect the Church within his See from the harsh conditions ensuing from the tumultuous times which he fulfilled with zeal and faithful courage thus earning the triumphant title of Confessor.
St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1597) – Known as “The Hammer of Protestantism,” “Second Apostle of Germany” – Confessor, Doctor of the Church, Dutch Priest of the Society of Jesus, Reformer, Teacher, Writer, Apostle of Charity. Patronages – Catholic Press, Germany, Catechists. The restoration of the Catholic Church in Germany after the Protestant Reformation is largely attributed to the work there of the Society of Jesus, which he led. “Peter Canisius was the first publisher, the first author, the first editor of the Society of Jesus. By now, Jesuits have followed in his footsteps to the tune of having published in 400 years, thousands of books. From the time of Canisius, and his name is first in the bibliography of Jesuit writers, from Peter Canisius to the end of the l9th century, that is to 1900, there are about twenty volumes of bibliography, each volume about two inches thick, stands about eighteen inches high, filled just with authors and titles, thousands and thousands and thousands, no other religious institute in the Church publishes as much as members of the Society. It was all started by Peter Canisius.” (Ven Servan of God Fr John A Hardon SJ) His Feast day is 27 April (General Roman Calendar, 1926–1969. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2017/12/21/saint-of-the-day-21-december-st-peter-canisius-s-j-1521-1397-doctor-of-the-church/ AND: https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/21/saint-of-the-day-21-december-st-peter-canisius-s-j-1521-1397-the-second-apostle-of-germany-doctor-of-the-church/
St Adelelmus of Le Mans St Asicus of Elphin St Castor of Tarsus St Enoder St Floribert of Liege
Blessed Jakov Varingez OFM (c1400–1496) Croatian professed religious of the Order of Friars Minor, Apostle of charity, Mystic with a great devotion to the Cross of Christ, Marian devotee, he was noted as a miracle worker and levitated. He was Beatified on 29 December 1700 by Pope Clement XIH.His body is incorrupt. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/27/saint-of-the-day-27-april-blessed-jakov-varingez-ofm-c-1400-1496/
St Peter Armengol OdeM (c1238-1304) “The Martyr who Wasn’t,” “The Unconquerable Martyr of Jesus Christ,” “The Gangster Saint,”Spanish Priest of the Mercedarian Friars, Penitent, Mystic. Beatified on 28 March 1686, by Pope Innocent XI and Canonised on 8 April 1687, by the same Pope. His body was incorrupt until it was destroyed during the horrors of the Spanish Civil War. A Miraculous Life: https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/27/saint-of-the-day-27-april-saint-peter-armengol-odem-c-1238-1304-the-martyr-who-wasnt/
St Pollio of Cybalae St Simeon of Jerusalem St Stephen of Tarsus St Tertullian (Died c490-) Bishop and Confessor of Bologna St Theophilus of Brescia St Winewald of Beverley
St Zita of Lucca (1212-1272) Virgin, Laywoman, Apostle of the Poor. – Her reputation was such that Dante in the Inferno referred to the City of Luccam, her birthplace and home, as “Santa Zita.” Patronages – housewives, butlers, housemaid, domestic servants (proclaimed by Pope Pius XII), housemaid, eys, manservants, people ridiculed for their piety, rape victims, servers, single laywomen, waiters, Lucca, Italy. Her body is incorrupt. Lovely St Zita:. https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/04/27/saint-of-the-day-27-april-st-zita-of-lucca/
Martyrs of Nicomedia: A group of Christians murdered together for their faith. In most cases all we have are their names – Dioscurus, Evanthia, Felicia, Felix, Germana, Germelina, Johannes, Julius, Laetissima, Nikeforus, Papias, Serapion and Victorinus. They died at Nicomedia, Bithynia, Asia Minor (modern Izmit, Turkey).
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