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Catherine and Sharyn, on Wednesday 22 January
Suzette and Hugh, on Thursday 23 January
Laracel, on Friday 24 January
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Holy Mass will be offered for all those who assist.
Thought for the Day – 21 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Humility is the most difficult of all the virtues, because it requires us to deny ourselves.
Jesus warns us, that anyone who wishes to follow Him, must deny himself. “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself” (Mt 16:24).
Humility is necessary if we wish to go straight to Jesus, Who was the first to humble Himself by becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the Cross (Phil 2:8).
The Imitation of Christ contains some profound remarks upon this subject. “Seldom do we find anyone so spiritual as to be stripped of all things… If a man gives his whole substance, still it is nothing. And if he do great penance, it is but little. And if he attain to all knowledge, he is far off still. And if he have great virtue and very fervent devotions, there is still much wanting to him, namely, the one thing which is supremely necessary for him. What is that? That having left all things else, he leave also himself and wholly go out of himself and retain nothing of self-love.” (Bk II c 2:4).
When he has done all this, remember, he has only given God all that he received from Him.
He has given nothing which was really his.
He has only fulfilled an obligation of restitution.
When he has arrived at this stage of humility, therefore, he should repeat the words of Jesus. “When you have done everything that was commanded you, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants, we have done what it was our duty to do'” (Lk 17:10).
This is genuine humility, as preached in the Gospel.”
Quote/s of the Day – 21 January – Tuesday of the Second week in Ordinary Time, Year A and the Memorial of St Agnes (c 291- c 304) – Virgin Martyr
Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?”
They said to him, “We can.”
“You may stain your sword with
my blood but you will never profane
my body that I have consecrated to Christ.”
“The tyrant dies and his rule is over,
the martyr dies and his rule begins.”
The Journals of Kierkegaard
“Deceitful are the ephemeral pleasures
and joys of this world.
Our supreme comfort in this life, is to die to the world
that we may live with Jesus crucified.
Let others seek gold and other earthly treasures.
I already possess the immortal treasure
of holy poverty on the Cross of Jesus crucified.
The angelic virtue, growing like a pure, fragrant lily
in the hidden beauteous garden of the cloister,
adorns the forehead with heavenly tints,
for it has roots in the Cross of Jesus crucified.
A third crown completes my oblation,
it is the seal of glory,
whereby the obedient, spotless Lamb gained victory.
Obedience is the secure science
of living with Jesus crucified.
With this triple treasure,
I can hope to pass beyond
the fleeting confines of mortal man,
by living poor on this earth and rich in heaven,
united with Jesus crucified.”
“One doesn’t suffer
when one suffers
for Christ.”
One Minute Reflection – 21 January – Tuesday of the Second week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 89:20-22, 27-28, Mark 2:23-28 and the Memorial of St Agnes (c 291- c 304) – Virgin Martyr
“…so the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath.”...Mark 2:28
REFLECTION – “From the first, the law of the Sabbath conferred many and great benefits, for instance, it made the Jews gentle and humane towards those of their own household, it taught them God the Creator’s providence and wisdom… hence God gave the law for the Sabbath He said… that He would have them refrain from evil works only when he said: “You must do no work, except for what is necessary for life” (Ex 12:16 LXX).
And in the temple, too, everything continued with more diligence than ever. Thus even by means of the very shadow, He was secretly opening the full light of truth (cf. Col 2:17).
Did Christ then do away with so highly profitable a thing? Far from it, He greatly enhanced it. For it was unnecessary… that we should learn from it, that God made all things or that we should be made kind by it, who are called to imitate God’s own love. For He says: “Be merciful, as your heavenly Father is merciful”(Lk 6:36). It was no longer necessary to fix a day of festival for those who are commanded to keep a feast all their life long. For: “Let us keep the feast,” Saint Paul writes, “not with old leaven, neither with leaven of malice and wickedness but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1Cor 5:8)…
So now, why is any sabbath required for Christians who are always keeping the feast and whose conversation is in heaven? Yes, my brethren, let us celebrate that continual, heavenly sabbath.”…St John Chrysostom (c 345-407) Father & Doctor
PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, You choose what is weak in the world to shame what is strong. Grant that, as we celebrate the martyrdom of St Agnes, we may follow her example of steadfastness and trust in faith. We pray that through her intercession, we may grow in holiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.
Our Morning Offering – 21 January – Tuesday of the Second week in Ordinary Time, Year A
Only What You Will or Will Not
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
Grant me Your grace,
most merciful Jesus,
so that it may be with me
and work with me
and persevere with me to the end.
Grant that I may always want
and desire that which is
most acceptable and pleasing to You.
Let Your will be mine
and let my will always follow Yours
and be in perfect accord with it.
Let me always will or not will,
the same with You
and may I not be able to will
or not will
anything, except
what You will or will not.
Amen
Saint of the Day – 21 January – Blessed Josefa María Inés de Benigánim OAD (1625–1696) born as Josefa María Albiñana Gomar on 9 February 1625 at Benigánim, Valencia, Spain and died on 21 January 1696 at Benigánim, Valencia, Spain of natural causes. She was a Spanish professed religious of the Discalced Augustinian Nuns with the religious name of “Josefa María of Saint Agnes,” Virgin, Mystic, gifted with the charism of prophecy and counsel. She became known for her profound spiritual and theological insight as well as for her severe austerities she practised during her life. Her body is incorrupt.
Josefa María was born to the poor Lluís Albiñana and Vicenta Gomar in Spain in 1625. Her father died during her childhood. The town mayor – her uncle Bartomeu Tudela – aided the family following the death of her father; she also suffered from epilepsy during her childhood. She received her Confirmation at the age of eight.
At the age of 13-14, she went out to the river to wash clothes and had a vision of Jesus Christ who called her to embrace Him and seek the religious life. She refused a marriage offer to do this – though the enraged suitor killed himself.
She entered the Discalced Augustinian convent in her hometown on 25 October 1643 and assumed her religious name – that of “Josefa María of Saint Agnes” – upon the profession of her vows and vesting in the habit on 26 June 1644; she made her solemn profession on 27 August 1645. Blessed Josefa began to practice severe austerities that characterised her life and her time amongst her fellow religious.
She became known for prophetic gifts, which prompted people to consult her for her spiritual insights. Though her formal education was minimal, her gifts of counsel and theological understanding were very evident, to the extent that she was admitted among the choir sisters in 1663 and was consulted for spiritual guidance and clarification on theological issues.
All of Josefa’s religious life was marked by the workings of grace. While her demeanour was simple and humble and her efforts dedicated to the service of the community, she possessed a remarkable spirit of contemplation.
Blessed Josefa died in 1696 – on the feast of Saint Agnes – after having received the sacraments for the last time. Her remains are incorrupt and in the Spanish Civil War her tomb was desecrated though later restored.
After the investigations and approval of two miracles, Blessed Josefa was Beatified on 26 February 1888, at Saint Peter’s Basilica by Pope Leo XIII.
St Agnes (c 291- c 304) Virgin and Martyr (Memorial)
Detailed biography of St Agnes:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/01/21/saint-of-the-day-21-january-st-agnes-c-291-c-304/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/01/21/saint-of-the-day-21-january-st-agnes-c-291-c-304-virgin-and-martyr/
Our Lady of Altagracia – 21 January – Also known as: Our Lady of Grace – Our Lady of High Grace – Protector and Queen of the hearts of the Dominicans – Tatica from Higuey – Virgen de la Altagracia – Virgin of Altagracia.
A portrait of the Virgin Mary in a Nativity scene. It is 13 inches (33 centimeters) wide by 18 inches (45 centimeters) high and is painted on cloth. It is a primitive work of the Spanish school, painted c 1500. The Spanish brothers Alfonso and Antonio Trejo, two of the first European settlers on Santo Domingo, brought the portrait to the island some time prior to 1502 and eventually donated it to the parish church at Higuey. It’s first shrine was finished in 1572 and in 1971 it was moved to its present Basilica. The image was crowned on 15 August 1922 during the pontificate of Pius XI. Due to its age, centuries of handling by the faithful and exposure to candle smoke, it was in sad shape, and was restored in 1978. On 25 January 1979 St Pope John Paul II crowned the image with a gold and silver tiara, his gift to the Virgin. It’s frame is made of gold, enamel and precious stones and was constructed by an unknown 18th century artisan.
The Dominicans see the image as exemplifying Our Lady watching over the island and the growth of Christianity there. The feast day is marked by services, all-night vigils, singing, dancing and festivals in many of the towns.
Legend says that the pious daughter of a rich merchant asked her father to bring her a portrait of Our Lady of Altagracia from Santo Domingo but no-one had heard of that title. The merchant, staying overnight at a friend’s house in Higuey, described his problem as they sat outdoors after dinner. An old man with a long beard, who just happened to be passing by, pulled a rolled up painting from his cloak, gave it to the merchant and said, “This is what you are looking for.” It was the Virgin of Altagracia. They gave the old man a place to stay for the night but by dawn he was gone, not to be seen again. The merchant placed the image on their mantle but it repeatedly disappeared only to be found outside and the family finally returned it to the church.
St Agnes of Aislinger
St Alban Bartholomew Roe
St Anastasius of Constantinople
St Aquila of Trebizond
St Brigid of Kilbride
St Candidus of Trebizond
Bl Edward Stransham
St Epiphanius of Pavia
St Eugenius of Trebizond
Bl Franciscus Bang
St Gunthildis of Biblisheim
Blessed Josefa María Inés de Benigánim OAD (1625–1696)
St John Yi Yun-on
St Lawdog
St Maccallin of Waulsort
St Meinrad of Einsiedeln
St Nicholas Woodfen
St Patroclus of Troyes
St Publius of Malta
Bl Thomas Reynolds
St Valerian of Trebizond
St Vimin of Holywood
St Zacharias the Angelic
—
Blessed Martyrs of Laval – 19 beati: Fifteen men and four women who were martyred in Laval, France by anti-Catholic French Revolutionaries.
• Blessed André Duliou
• Blessed Augustin-Emmanuel Philippot
• Blessed François Duchesne
• Blessed François Migoret-Lamberdière
• Blessed Françoise Mézière
• Blessed Françoise Tréhet
• Blessed Jacques André
• Blessed Jacques Burin
• Blessed Jean-Baptiste Triquerie
• Blessed Jean-Marie Gallot
• Blessed Jeanne Veron
• Blessed John Baptist Turpin du Cormier
• Blessed Joseph Pellé
• Blessed Julien Moulé
• Blessed Julien-François Morin
• Blessed Louis Gastineau
• Blessed Marie Lhuilier
• Blessed Pierre Thomas
• Blessed René-Louis Ambroise
The were born in French and they were martyred on several dates in 1794 in Laval, Mayenne, France. They were beatified on 19 June 1955 by Pope Pius XII at Rome, Italy.
Martyrs of Rome – 30 saints: Thirty Christian soldiers executed together in the persecutions of Diocletian. They were martyred in 304 in Rome, Italy.
Martyrs of Tarragona: Augurius, Eulogius, Fructuosus
AnaStpaul 
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