Month: January 2017

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 24 January

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 24 January

“Nothing makes us so prosperous in this world
as to give alms.”

“Man is the perfection of the Universe.
The spirit is the perfection of man.
Love is the perfection of the spirit
and charity that of love.
Therefore, the love of God is the end,
the perfection of the Universe.”

“There are no galley-slaves in the royal vessel of divine love – every man works his oar voluntarily! “

“All the pains in a hundred thousand million Hells suffered with the greatest perfection possible to a human creature would have been nothing compared to the smallest sigh of Our Lord, to the smallest drop of blood that he shed for love of us.”

“Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear;  rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them.   He is your keeper.   He has kept you hitherto.   Do you but hold fast to his dear hand and he will lead you safely through all things;  and, when you cannot stand, he will bear you in his arms.  Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow.   Our Father will either shield you from suffering, or he will give you strength to bear it.”

“A quarrel between friends, when made up, adds a new tie to friendship.”

“Friendships begun in this world will be taken up again, never to be broken off. “

~~~ St Francis de Sales

nothing-st-f-de-sman-is-the-perfection-of-the-universe-st-francis-de-salesst-f-de-s-no-galley-slavessaint-francis-de-saless-quotes-3

do-not-look-foward-st-f-de-sfriends-st-f-de-sales

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

One Minute Reflection – 24 January

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 24 January

Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart……….Mt 11:29-30

REFLECTION – “If there was something better than meekness, God would certainly have told us.
But He exhorts us above all to be meek and humble of heart.”………..St Francis de Sales (Saint of the Day)

PRAYER – Lord Jesus, teach me what true meekness entails. Inspire me to practise it after Your example in all circumstances of my life. St Francis de Sales, you learnt the true meaning of humility and meekness, please pray for us, amen!

matthew-11-29-30st-f-de-s-meek-and-humble-of-heartst-francis-de-sales-pray-for-us-1

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 24 January

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Our Morning Offering – 24 January

An Act of Abandonment
by ST FRANCIS de SALES

O my God, I thank You and I praise
You for accomplishing Your holy
and all-lovable will without any regard for mine.
With my whole heart,
in spite of my heart,
do I receive this cross I feared so much!

It is the cross of Your choice,
the cross of Your love.
I venerate it;
nor for anything in the world
would I wish that it had not come,
since You willed it.

I keep it with gratitude and with joy,
as I do everything that comes from Your hand;
and I shall strive to carry it without letting it drag,
with all the respect
and all the affection which Your works deserve.
Amen.

st-francis-de-sales-act-of-abandonment

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 24 January – St Francis de Sales – Doctor of the Church

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Saint of the Day – 24 January – St Francis de Sales CO, OM, OFM (Cap)- Doctor of the Church / “The Gentleman Saint” (1567-1622 aged 55) Bishop of Geneva – Patron of  against deafness, authors, writers (proclaimed on 26 April 1923 by Pope Pius XI), Catholic press, confessors, deaf people, journalists (proclaimed on 26 April 1923 by Pope Pius XI), teachers, educators, Champdepraz, Aosta, Italy, 8 dioceses – Also known as “The Gentle Christ of Geneva”, Francis of Sales, Franz von Sales – His motto ‘Non-excidet’ – (no failure)

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He became noted for his deep faith and his gentle approach to the religious divisions in his land resulting from the Protestant Reformation.   He is known also for his writings on the topic of spiritual direction and spiritual formation, particularly the Introduction to the Devout Life  and the Treatise on the Love of God.

Francis de Sales was born on 21 August 1567 in the Château de Sales into the noble Sales family of the Duchy of Savoy, in what is today Thorens-Glières, Haute-Savoie, France., the eldest of 13 children.    His father was François de Sales, Lord of Boisy, Sales and Novel.   His mother was Françoise de Sionnaz, the only child of prominent magistrate, Melchior de Sionnaz and a noblewoman.   He was baptised Francis Bonaventura, after two great Franciscan saints. His father wanted him, the first of his six sons, to attend the best schools in preparation for a career as a magistrate.   He therefore enjoyed a privileged education in the nearby town of La Roche-sur-Foron and at the age of eight, at the Capuchin college in Annecy.

From early youth, Saint Francis de Sales had a great desire to devote himself entirely to the service of God, although his father had other plans for him.   With the pious Abbe Deage as his tutor, Francis was a student at the University of Paris from his fourteenth to his twentieth year;  and after studying jurisprudence at the University of Padua for four more years, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Law.   Francis was also a skilled swordsman who enjoyed fencing, an expert horseman and a superb dancer.   Then Francis studied at the University of Padua and received a doctorate in civil and canon law.  His father wanted him to marry but Francis desired to be a priest.   In 1593 he finally obtained the consent of his father to enter the sacred ministry;  and since he had devoted much time to the study of theology during his student years, he was ordained a priest six months later.

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Not long afterwards Saint Francis de Sales volunteered for the difficult and dangerous task of leading the people of the province of Chablais back to the fold of the Church, after the protestant reformation.   Several times he miraculously escaped death at the hands of assassins.   But he persevered in his heroic and patient efforts and after four years succeeded in converting a large number of Calvinists.  It was here that Francis began to write and distribute a weekly essay, explaining some doctrines of faith.  For two years, he and his friends had these essays printed.   Francis preached with power and charm in simple, clear language.   His gentleness and love drew many hearts to God.   The majority of the Chablais inhabitants accepted the Catholic faith.

In 1599 he was appointed coadjutor to his bishop and in 1602 he became bishop of Geneva, a position which he filled in an exemplary manner for twenty years.  When Francis was appointed bishop of Geneva, he not only wrote for and encouraged priests, but he also took an interest in the candidates for priesthood. Francis even conducted the examinations to see if the candidates were fit for this vocation. He also trained laypeople to teach catechism. Francis often gave spiritual guidance to people.

At Dijon, in 1604, Saint Francis de Sales became acquainted with St Jane de Chantal, for whom and through whom he founded the nursing and teaching order known as Visitation Nuns. He died at Lyons on December 28, 1622.

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Francis de Sales and Jane Frances de Chantal, medal 1867

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The body of the holy bishop was exhumed ten years after his death and was found perfectly preserved. When the body was once again exhumed at a later date, only bones and dust remained.

St Frances de Sales was beatified in 1661, and canonized in 1665. He was declared a doctor of the Church in 1877

 

 

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saints & Memorials – 24 January

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St Francis de Sales (Memorial) – Doctor of the Church
Our Lady of Tears
—
St Anicet Hryciuk
St Artemius of Clermont
St Bartlomiej Osypiuk
Bertrand of Saint Quentin
St Daniel Karmasz
St Exuperantius of Cingoli
St Felician of Foligno
St Filip Geryluk
Bl Francesc de Paula Colomer Prísas
St Guasacht
St Ignacy Franczuk
Bl John Grove
St Julian Sabas the Elder
St Luigj Prendushi
St Macedonius Kritophagos
Bl Marcolino of Forli
Bl Marie Poussepin
Bl Paula Gambara Costa
St Projectus
St Sabinian of Troyes
St Suranus of Sora
St Thyrsus
Bl William Ireland
—
Martyrs of Asia Minor – 4 saints
Martyrs of Podlasie – 13 beati
Martyrs of Antioch
Babylas
Epolonius
Prilidian
Urban

Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to Blessed Benedict Daswa- Day One – 23 January

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Novena to Blessed Benedict Daswa

We are encouraging people in all the Dioceses of Southern Africa (SACBC region) to pray for the favours and graces they need during the nine days prior to the Feast on 1 February. This novena will commence on 23 January and conclude on 31 January.   We also invite people to make three acts of kindness each day of the Novena in remembrance of the three acts of charity which Blessed Benedict performed the day he was martyred.

DAY ONE

BAPTISED IN CHRIST – The eldest of five children, Tshimangadzo Samuel Benedict Daswa was born on 16 June 1946, in the village of Mbahe near Thohoyandou. Growing up in the African Traditional Religion, he belonged to the Bakali clan of the Lemba tribe, who regard themselves as descendants of the Jews. They live mainly among the Venda tribe but are also found among the Northern Sotho and Tsonga tribes in the Province of Limpopo, South Africa. As a high school student Tshimangadzo took instruction in the Catholic faith from his catechist, the late Father Benedict Risimati. He was greatly influenced by this man of deep faith and as a result chose Benedict for his baptismal name. He made his own the motto of St Benedict, “Pray and Work”, which inspired his whole life as a Christian. On 21 April 1963 he was baptised by Father Augustine O’Brien MSC and received his First Holy Communion. Three months later he was confirmed by Rt Rev Abbot/Bishop F C Van Hoeck OSB, Bishop of Pietersburg Diocese. After completing High School, Benedict trained as a Primary School teacher.

Word of God – We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. (Romans 6,4-5)

Deepening of Faith …since Baptism is a true entry into the holiness of God through incorporation into Christ and the indwelling of his Spirit, it would be a contradiction to settle for a life of mediocrity, marked by a minimalist ethic and a shallow religiosity. To ask catechumens:”Do you wish to receive Baptism?” means at the same time to ask them: “Do you wish to become holy?” It means to set before them the radical nature of the Sermon on the Mount:”Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”(Mt 5,48). (NMI 3)

Reflection – What does the baptism I have received mean to me? Do I really wish to become holy, as God is holy?

Prayer – You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name. Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and your staff give me courage. I will dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (Psalm 23, 2b-4.6)

NOVENA PRAYER:

O Blessed Trinity,
I believe that you dwell in me through my baptism.
I love You, I adore You and I worship You.
I give you thanks for Blessed Benedict,
Whom you chose to bear witness unto death for his faith
In Jesus Christ, my Saviour and my Lord.

Almighty Father, You filled the heart of Blessed Benedict,
With great love and zeal in building up your kingdom.
You gave him the courage and the strength
To stand up for his faith without fear, even the fear of death.

Loving God, keep me free from all deeds of darkness.
Protect me from evil spirits and the powers of evil.
Make me a true apostle of life in my family and in society.
May Your light, O Lord, shine upon me and through me.

Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Blessed Benedict,
I ask that I may follow his example
Of always being ready to forgive in a Christian spirit.
You know all about my many problems and worries
And my great fears when I look to the future.
I draw strength and courage from the life of Blessed Benedict.

I come to You now, Lord, and through his intercession
I ask for this very special favour………
(mention your request/s)
if it is according to Your will.

Help me always to follow the good example of Blessed Benedict.
By daily prayer and regular attendance at Church,
Help me to love You, O Lord, above all things
And to love others as You love me.
Amen.

day-one-benedict

 

Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to St John Bosco – Day Two – 23 January

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2nd Day (January 23) – Devotion to Our Blessed Mother

O Saint John Bosco,
you loved the Blessed Virgin, Mary Immaculate Help of Christians,
taking her as your Mother and Guide
and becoming her apostle.
Pray for us that,
inspired by your example,
we may grow in true and enduring love
for this sweetest of mothers
and may thus win her powerful protection in life
and especially at the hour of our death.
Through your intercession
may God grant me the following grace………………..
[mention your intention]
so that together with others
I may assist in bringing all, especially the youth,
to the love of Mary Our Help, amen.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory to the Father…
St John Bosco, Pray for us!

day-2-john-bosco

Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to St Paul – Day EIGHT – 23 January

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January 25 – The Conversion of St Paul

Novena to St Paul – 23 January

Day EIGHT

“In the ancient Church Baptism was also called “illumination”, because this Sacrament gives light; it truly makes one see.   In Paul what is pointed out theologically was also brought about physically: healed of his inner blindness, he sees clearly.   Thus St Paul was not transformed by a thought but by an event, by the irresistible presence of the Risen One whom subsequently he would never be able to doubt, so powerful had been the evidence of the event, of this encounter…………….This encounter is a real renewal that changed all his parameters.   Now he could say that what had been essential and fundamental for him earlier had become “refuse” for him; it was no longer “gain” but loss, because henceforth the only thing that counted for him was life in Christ.”  Pope Benedict XVI 2008

LET US PRAY:

Glorious St Paul,
your conversion is a powerful witness to the world
that God loves us and does not give up on us,
no matter how far we stray.
May every circumstante of my life be an occasion
to change my way of thinking,
to renounce self-will and
to surrender myself to the wisdom and tenderness of Jesus Christ
who is acting to make me His saint.
Pray St Paul, that I too may be able to acclaim
“It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
Pray that I may love God’s will and providence for me.
In this confidence, I entrust to you, St Paul,
these, my intentions
(mention your request)
I ask this through Christ, Our Lord, amen.
St Paul Pray for us!

day-8-st-paul

Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to St Francis de Sales – Day E – 23 January

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Novena to St Francis de Sales

Day NINE
“Think for a moment of the piety of the Madonna when the angel told her that the Spirit would overshadow her.   What sentiments of humility, confidence and courage!   At the very moment when she understood that God had given her His heart, that is, His Son, she gave herself to God.   Her soul was flooded with charity, so she could say with the sacred spouse,   “…My heart trembled within me and I grew faint when he spoke.” [Sg:5:4]   As far as we are concerned, we receive a similar grace in Communion, because not an angel but Jesus Christ Himself assures us that in it the Holy Spirit descends on us.   Heavenly power covers us with its shadow and the Son of God really comes to us.   He can say that He is conceived and born in us.   Truly then, the soul can respond with the Madonna, “I am the servant of the Lord; let is be done to me as you say.” [Lk 1:38] (St Francis de Sales Spiritual Directory, Art. 12)

O blessed Francis de Sales,
who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbour,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people, especially ……………………..
(names of those whom you wish to include)
may experience the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven
even as I walk each day with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble
in my attempt to follow Christ and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny: eternal life with God. Receive also this particular need or concern that I now lift up in prayer………………………………
(mention your particular need).
O God, for the salvation of all,
You desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many along the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we,
infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.

day-9-st-francisdesales

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 23 January

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Thought for the Day – 23 January

In 1888, Mother Marianne and two sisters went to Molokai to open a home for “unprotected women and girls” there.   The Hawaiian government was quite hesitant to send women for this difficult assignment; they need not have worried about Mother Marianne!   On Molokai she took charge of the home that Saint Damien de Veuster had established for men and boys.   Mother Marianne changed life on Molokai by introducing cleanliness, pride and fun to the colony.   Bright scarves and pretty dresses for the women were part of her approach.

Awarded the Royal Order of Kapiolani by the Hawaiian government and celebrated in a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, Mother Marianne continued her work faithfully.   Her sisters have attracted vocations among the Hawaiian people and still work on Molokai.

The government authorities were reluctant to allow Mother Marianne to be a mother on Molokai. Thirty years of dedication proved their fears unfounded. God grants gifts regardless of human short-sightedness and allows those gifts to flower for the sake of the kingdom.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Poem for Saint Marianne Cope

To the Reverend Sister Marianne,
Matron of the Bishop Home, Kalaupapa.

To see the infinite pity of this place,
The mangled limb, the devastated face,
The innocent sufferers smiling at the rod,
A fool were tempted to deny his God.
He sees and shrinks; but if he look again,
Lo, beauty springing from the breasts of pain!
He marks the sisters on the painful shores,
And even a fool is silent and adores.

St Marianne Cope Pray for us!

cope-pray-for-usst-marianne-cope-jan-23

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 23 January

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Quote of the Day – 23 January

“Creep down into the heart of Jesus.
He alone can comfort you in your
supreme hour of sorrow.”

~~~ St Marianne Cope (Saint of the Day)

creep-down

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 January

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One Minute Reflection – 23 January

Do not grow slack but be fervent in spirit;
he whom you serve is the Lord………….Romans 12:11

REFLECTION – “Let us make the very best use of the precious moments and do all in our power for His dear sake and for His greater honour and glory…………I do not think of reward; I am working for God and do so cheerfully.”….St Marianne Cope (Saint of the Day)

PRAYER – Loving Father, grant me to have a true fervour in Your service. Help me to become a zealous worker for Your honour and glory, in imitation of your Son and of your holy saints. St Marianne Cope, ntercede for us all, that we may go forth unafraid to serve the most needy of our Father’s children. Please pray for us, amen!

romans-12-11let-us-makest-marianne-pray-for-us

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 23 January

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Our Morning Offering – 23 January

Twenty-four Hour Prayer of St John Chrysostum

[1]    O Lord, deprive me not of Your heavenly blessings.
[2]    O Lord, deliver me from eternal torment.
[3]    O Lord, if I have sinned in my mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me.
[4]    O Lord, deliver me from every ignorance and heedlessness, from pettiness of the soul and stony hardness of heart.
[5]    O Lord, deliver me from every temptation.
[6]    O Lord, enlighten my heart darkened by evil desires.
[7]    O Lord, I, being a human being, have sinned; You, being God, forgive me in Your loving kindness, for You know the weakness of my soul,
[8]    O Lord, send down Your grace to help me, that I may glorify Your holy Name.
[9]    O Lord Jesus Christ, inscribe me, Your servant, in the Book of Life and grant me a blessed end.
[10]   O Lord my God, even if I have done nothing good in Your sight, yet grant me, according to Your grace, that I may make a start in doing good.
[11]   O Lord, sprinkle on my heart the dew of Your grace.
[12]   O Lord of heaven and earth remember me, Your sinful servant, cold of heart and impure, in Your kingdom.
[13]   O Lord, receive me in repentance.
[14]   O Lord, leave me not.
[15]   O Lord, save me from temptation.
[16]   O Lord, grant me pure thoughts.
[17]   O Lord, grant me tears of repentance, remembrance of death and the sense of peace.
[18]   O Lord, grant me mindfulness to confess my sins.
[19]   O Lord, grant me humility, charity and obedience.
[20]   O Lord, grant me magnanimity and gentleness.
[21]   O Lord, implant in me the root of all blessings, the fear of You in my heart.
[22]   O Lord, vouchsafe that I may love You with all my heart and soul and that I may obey in all things Your will.
[23]   O Lord, shield me form evil persons and devils and passions and all other lawless matters.
[24]   O Lord, who knows Your creation and that which You have willed for it, may Your will also be fulfilled in me, a sinner, for You are blessed forevermore. Amen.

24-hour-prayer-no-2

 

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 23 January – St Marianne Cope TOSF (1838-1918)

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Saint of the Day – 23 January – St Marianne Cope TOSF (1838-1918) also known as Saint Marianne of Molokaʻi- (Born Maria Anna Barbara Koob in 1838-died 1918 aged 80) Virgin, Religious, Missionary to lepers – Patron of Lepers, outcasts, those with HIV/AIDS, Hawai’i.

St Marianne was a German-born American nun who was a member of the Sisters of St Francis of Syracuse, New York and administrator of its St. Joseph’s Hospital in the city. Known also for her charitable works, in 1883 she relocated with six other Sisters to Hawaiʻi to care for persons suffering Hansen’s Disease on the island of Molokaʻi and aid in developing the medical infrastructure in Hawaiʻi.st marianne cope - 23 jan

In November 1888, Cope moved to Kalaupapa. She cared for the dying Fr. Damien of Molokai (pictured) who was already known internationally for his work in the leper colony and began to take over his burdens.   She had met him shortly after her arrival in Hawaii. When St. Damien died on 15 April  1889, the government officially gave Cope charge for the care of the boys of Kalaupapa, in addition to her existing role in caring for the female residents of the colony.

father_damien_on_his_funeral_bier_with_mother_marianne_cope_by_his_side
Despite direct contact with the patients over many years, Cope did not contract the disease.   She died from natural causes at the age of 80.   In 2005 Cope was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI and declared a saint by the same pope on October 21, 2012, along with St. Kateri Tekawitha. 

Mother Marianne Cope (in wheelchair) with other nuns and the women and girls of Bishop Home in Kalaupapa, Hawaii, shortly before her death in 1918.
Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saints 23 January

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St Marianne Cope
—
St Abel the Patriarch
St Agathangelus
St Amasius of Teano
St Andreas Chong Hwa-Gyong
St Aquila the Martyr
St Asclas of Antinoe
St Clement of Ancyra
St Colman of Lismore
St Dositheus of Gaza
St Emerentiana
St Eusebius of Mount Coryphe
Bl Henry Suso
St Ildephonsus
Bl Joan Font Taulat
St John the Almsgiver/the Mericiful
Bl Juan Infante
St Jurmin
St Lufthild
St St Maimbod
Bl Margaret of Ravenna
Martyrius of Valeria
St Messalina of Foligno
St Ormond of Mairé
St Parmenas the Deacon
St Severian the Martyr

Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to St John Bosco – Day One – 22 January

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St John Bosco is the Patron of Christian apprentices, editors, publishers, schoolchildren, young people, magicians, juvenile delinquents.  Choose ALL young people or your own children.  Or simply Pray the 9 days for your own intention.

Novena to St John Bosco

1st Day (January 22) – Love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament

O Saint John Bosco,
you loved Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
and zealously promoted this devotion
by encouraging participation in the Holy Eucharist,
reception of Holy Communion and daily Visits
to Our Lord in the Tabernacle.
Pray for us that, inspired by your example,
we may grow in this love,
so that we may end our days strengthened
and comforted by the Heavenly Food of the Most Holy Eucharist.

Through your intercession
may God grant me the following grace………………….
[mention your intention]
so that together with others
I may assist in bringing all, especially the young,
to the love of Christ in the Eucharist, amen.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory to the Father…
St John Bosco, Pray for us!

 

day-one-novena-johnbosco

 

Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to St Paul – Day SEVEN – 22 January

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January 25 – The Conversion of St Paul

Novena to St Paul – 21 January

Day SEVEN

“Make no mistake, my brothers, if anyone joins a schismatic he will not inherit God’s Kingdom.   If anyone walks in the way of heresy, he is out of sympathy with the Passion. Be careful, then, to observe a single Eucharist.   For there is one flesh of our Lord, Jesus Christ and one cup of His blood that makes us one and one altar, just as there is one bishop along with the presbytery and the deacons, my fellow slaves.   In that way whatever you do is in line with God’s will.”………………St Ignatius of Antioch

LET US PRAY:

Glorious St Paul,
your conversion is a powerful witness to the world
that God loves us and does not give up on us,
no matter how far we stray.
Help me to cling to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament
help me to fully participate at every Holy Mass
help me to understand, that this IS He
who showed us the way
gave us the light to follow it in Holy Mother Church
who is His bride and shows us the only truth.
May every circumstante of my life be an occasion
to change my way of thinking,
to renounce self-will and
to surrender myself to the wisdom and tenderness of Jesus Christ
who is acting to make me His saint.
Pray that I may love God’s will and providence for me.
In this confidence, I entrust to you, St Paul,
these, my intentions
(mention your request)
I ask this through Christ, Our Lord, amen.
St Paul Pray for us!

day-7-novena-st-paul

 

Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to St Francis de Sales – Day Eight – 22 January

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Novena to St Francis de Sales

Day EIGHT

“One of the greatest proofs of love that Jesus displayed on the cross was putting up with the imperfections of His neighbour.   There He showed us that He has a heart that loves us tenderly and watches over us kindly.   He even showed His love for those who put Him to death.   In those dire moments the Saviour expressed thoughts of love even for his executioners, pardoning them in the very act of sinning!   How petty-minded we are when we cannot bring ourselves to forget some injury received, even after a long time!   Whoever sincerely pardons another calls down abundant blessings and perfectly imitates Christ.”   (St Francis de Sales Spiritual Treatises IV; O. VI, pp. 65-66)

O blessed Francis de Sales,
who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbour,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people, especially ……………………..
(names of those whom you wish to include)
may experience the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven
even as I walk each day with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble
in my attempt to follow Christ and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny: eternal life with God. Receive also this particular need or concern that I now lift up in prayer………………………………
(mention your particular need).
O God, for the salvation of all,
You desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many along the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we,
infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.

day-8-novena-st-francisdesales

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 22 January

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 22 January

There is a certain genius that comes from the faith and we saw it in our day in St Mother Teresa.   The saints tackle great and difficult things and accomplish wonders because they did NOT and do NOT depend on their OWN strength and effort.   They KNOW that all things are possible with and in God – they take Him at His word – they ask for miracles and receive them!   They are never disappointed – this is the genius of faith!

St Vincent Pallotti, pray for us!

st-v-de-pallotti-pray-for-us

Posted in MORNING Prayers

Quote of the Day – 22 January

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Quote of the Day – 22 January

“You must be holy in the way that God asks you to be holy.
God does not ask you to be a Trappist monk or a hermit.
He wills that you sanctify the world and your everyday life.”

~~~ Saint Vincent Pallotti (saint of the Day)

you-must-be-holy-st-vincent-pallotti

 

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD
Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 January

In him who is the source of my strength, I have strength for everything…………Phil 4:13

REFLECTION – “Remember that the Christian life is one of action; not of speech and daydreams. Let there be few words and many deeds and let them be done well ………….By myself I can do nothing but in union with God, I can do all things. Out of love for God, I want to do all things”
~~~ St Vincent Pallotti (Saint of the Day)

PRAYER – God of all might, grant that I may place myself in Your hands and never despair. Let me not shrink from even the hardest of tasks – for with Your help I can do anything. St Vincent Pallotti, you who accomplished so much for the Glory of the Kingdom of God, please pray for us, amen!

phil-4-13st-vincent-pallotti-remember-that-the-christian-lifest-vincent-pallotti-pray-for-us

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 22 January

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 22 January

Not the intellect, but God
Not the will, but God
Not the heart, but God
Not taste, but God
Not touch, but God
Not food and drink, but God
Not clothing but God
Not tranquillity, but God
Not the worldly goods, but God.
Not riches, but God.
Not honours, but God.
Not distinction, but God.
Not dignities, but God.
Not advancement, but God.
God in all
God always.
– Saint Vincent Pallotti (written by him before his first Holy Mass)

st-vincent-pallotti-prayer-before-his-first-mass

 

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 22 January – St Vincent Pallotti

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 22 January – St Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850)  Missionary, Priest, Founder – Patron of the Pallottines and Catholic Action

St Vincent  was an Italian ecclesiastic, born in Rome of a noble family.   He was the founder of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate later to be known as the “Pious Society of Missions” (the Pallottines).   The original name was restored in 1947.   He is buried in the church of San Salvatore in Onda.   He is considered the forerunner of Catholic Action.

This unpretentious man, Saint Vincent Pallotti, who out of respect for God omnipresent always went bareheaded, is one of the glories of the Catholic clergy, the pillars of the Church in troublesome times and the successful apostles of the people.

From earliest childhood he evinced tender love for the Blessed Mother of God and the decree on the heroic nature of his virtues emphasizes the following facts: “He possessed an exceptional love for poverty and penance and was therefore especially devoted to St Francis of Assisi.   Because various obstacles were in the way of his entering the First Order, he desired at least to belong to the Third Order.   It was his constant endeavour to imitate and venerate St Francis.”

Vincent became a Tertiary in the Franciscan church of Aracoeli on November 29, 1816.   He distinguished himself not only by his piety but also by his brilliant intellect.   In time he received the degrees of doctor of philosophy and of theology.   He was overwhelmed with joy when on May 16, 1818, he was ordained to the holy priesthood.   Then his apostolate began.   With prayer and penance, with his labours in the pulpit and the confessional, with his efforts on behalf of the sick and the endangered and especially on behalf of young clerics in the Roman seminary, he did a measureless amount of good.   .During the cholera plague in 1837, Pallotti constantly endangered his life in ministering to the stricken.   In fact, it is well known that the saint often bi-located so as to be able to reach more souls when necessary.

To his apostolic zeal must be ascribed the foundation of the Pious Society of the Missions, also called the Pallottine Fathers.   The purpose of the society was to arouse faith and charity among Catholics and to propagate these virtues among heretics and infidels. Vincent placed his organization under the protection of the Immaculate Mother of God and under perfect submission to the Holy See.

During the Christmas Season, a nativity scene that Saint Vincent made himself is put on display at the Vatican, in the Basilica’s square, before the Christmas tree.   Vincent promoted the celebration of the Octave of the Epiphany as an act of unity with his Orthodox brethren who celebrated Christmas on that day.

God glorified His humble servant by the gift of miracles both during his lifetime and after his death in 1850.   There was a strange and marvelous scent, a heavenly perfume, that was noted about the saints body and in his room at the time of his death. That scent lingered in the room in which he had died for a month, even through the window to the room was left open.   St Vincent Pallotti was comparatively young when he was called to eternity, but in that short span he had accumulated a wealth of merits. He was beatified in 1950, and canonized in 1963.

The body of Saint Vincent Pallotti was exhumed in 1906 and 1950, and his body was found to be completely incorrupt.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saints for 22 January

Posted on by AnaStpaul

3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (2017)
St Vincent of Saragossa (Optional Memorial)
St Vincent Pallotti (Optional Memorial)
—
St Anastasius the Persian
St Antonio della Chiesa
Bl Bernard of Vienne
St Blaesilla of Rome
St Brithwald of Ramsbury
St Caterina Volpicelli
St Dominic of Sora
Bl Esteve Santacana Armengol
St Francis Gil de Frederich de Sans
Bl Giuseppe Nascimbeni
St Guadentius of Novara
Bl Ladislao Batthyany-Strattmann
Bl Laura Vicuna
Bl Maria Mancini
St Mateo Alonso de Leciñana
St Valerius of Saragossa
St Vincent Pallotti
Bl Walter of Himmerode
Bl William Joseph Chaminade
Bl William Patenson
—
Martyrs of Puigcerda
Orontius
Victor
Vincent

Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to St Paul – Day SIX – 21 January

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January 25 – The Conversion of St Paul

Novena to St Paul – 21 January

Day SIX

Various daily acts cause our conversion and ultimately our sanctification to grow:  examining our conscience and admitting our faults;  undertaking works of penance and reconciliation;  receiving the correction others give us with an open and humble heart;  reaching out to the poor;  standing up for what is right and just;  accepting the suffering and persecution that come our way;  desiring to better our life (see CCC1435).

LET US PRAY:

Glorious St Paul,
your conversion is a powerful witness to the world
that God loves us and does not give up on us,
no matter how far we stray.
Help me to live a life of ongoing conversion.
True conversion means converting my life to the
design of God, the plan He has for me right now.
Pray for me, that I may be filled with passion
for the evangelisation of all those around me,
that my life may be a beacon of the light of Christ.
May the witness of my life inspire other sinners to conversion.
May faith move me to believe that God can
and will change the things in me that seem impossible to rectify.
In this confidence, I entrust to you, St Paul,
these, my intentions ………………..
(mention your request)
I ask this through Christ, Our Lord, amen.
St Paul Pray for us!

day6stpaul

 

Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to St Francis de Sales – Day Seven – 21 January

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Novena to St Francis de Sales

Day SEVEN

“Our intellect is ordinarily full of ideas, opinions and considerations suggested by self-love.   This is the root of many conflicts within the soul, putting before us all sorts of reasons dictated by human prudence to justify our pretensions.   People who make use of this false prudence, instead of enlightening their intellect, obscure it.   They reject advice given to them and let those reasons prevail in their minds which support their own opinions, even wrong ones.   Make use of the virtue of prudence because it is good but make good use of it.   Employ it only rarely, with simplicity and solely for the glory of God.”  (St Francis de Sales – Sermons 30; O. IX, pp. 297-298)

O blessed Francis de Sales,
who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbour,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people, especially …………………..
(names of those whom you wish to include)
may experience the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven
even as I walk each day with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble
in my attempt to follow Christ and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny:
eternal life with God.
Receive also this particular need or concern that I now lift up in prayer.
(mention your particular need).
O God, for the salvation of all, You desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many along the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we,
infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.

day-7-stfrancisdesales

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 21 January

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Thought for the Day – 21 January

St. Agnes’s death was “a new kind of martyrdom!” (St Ambrose).   She taught us adults the meaning of valor while she was still a child.    Agnes hurried to the place of her execution more joyfully than a bride goes to her wedding.    And she was adorned not with plaited hair, but with Christ himself.   Agnes is a symbol that holiness does not depend on length of years, experience, or human effort.   It is a gift God offers to all.

St Agnes, Pray for us!

st-agnes-jan-21

st-agnes-pray

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 21 January

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Quote of the Day – 21 January

“You may stain your sword with
my blood but you will never profane
my body that I have consecrated to Christ.”

~~~ St Agnes (Saint of the Day)

st-agnes-in-prison-1641-jusepe-de-ribera-jpgquote

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 January

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 21 January

After I have been with you all this time, you still do not know me?……….John 14:9

REFLECTION – Jesus Christ is very little known by those who claim to be His friends.
We observe them seeking in Him – not His sorrows – but their own consolation……St John of the Cross

PRAYER – Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know You. Grant me the grace to follow You in Your sorrows, accepting all the sorrows of my life for Your sake. Help me to learn from this child Martyr, Agnes, who understood so much more than I do, who joined her pain to Yours, accepting them for love of You. St Agnes, teach me and pray for us all, amen!

john-14-9

quote-st-john-of-the-cross-21-janbernardo-lorente-german-sevilla-1680-sevilla-1759-saint-agnes-jpg-pray-for-us

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 21 January

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 21 January

O Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ,
source of all virtues, lover of virgins,
most powerful conqueror of demons,
deign to cast Your eyes upon my weakness
and through the intercession of Mary
most blessed, Mother and Virgin
and of Your beloved spouse St. Agnes,
glorious virgin and martyr,
grant me the aid of Your heavenly grace,
in order that I may learn to despise all earthly things
and to love what is heavenly;
to oppose vice and to be proof against temptation;
to walk firmly in the path of virtue,
not to seek honours,
to shun pleasures,
to bewail my past offenses,
to keep far from the occasions of evil,
to keep free from bad habits,
to seek the company of the good
and persevere in holiness,
so that, by the assistance of Your grace,
I may deserve the crown of eternal life,
together with St. Agnes and all the saints,
forever and ever, in Your kingdom. Amen.

(Traditional)

morning-prayer-st-agnes