Thought for the Day – 5 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Mortification and Penance
“There are many simple acts of mortification which we can all do for our spiritual welfare. For example, we can remain silent when there is no need to speak; we can deprive ourselves of dainties at table and we can act humbly, when oyer pride is hurt or patiently when we think we have been offended. These are easy ways in which men of goodwill can practise mortification.
But, there are times when we must be ready, like the Martyrs and the Saints, to make heroic sacrifices, rather than offend God. When we are tempted, for example, we must be determined, even to die, rather than fall into sin. Let us think about this, strengthen our resolutions and praying for the grace of total commitment to our Crucified Saviour.”
First Saturday of Lent – 5 March – Our Lenten Journey with the Great Fathers
“Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid. And He got into the boat with them and the wind fell.”
Mark 6:50-51
“If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness and the gloom shall become for you,like midday…”
Isaiah 58:10
[My father] actually treated his own property, as if it were another’s, of which he was but the steward, relieving poverty, as far as he could and expending, not only his superfluities but his necessities — a manifest proof of love for the poor, giving a portion, not only to seven, according to the injunction of Solomon but, if an eighth came forward, not even in his case being mi8serly but, more pleased to dispose of his wealth, than we know others are to acquire it.
THIS IS WHAT MOSTpeople do – they give indeed but without that readiness, that is a greater and more perfect thing than the mere offering. For he thought it much better to be generous, even to the undeserving, for the sake of the deserving, than from fear of the undeserving to deprive those who were deserving. And this seems to be the duty of casting our bread on the waters, since it will not be swept away or perish in the eyes of the just Investigator but, will arrive yonder where all that is ours is laid up and will meet with us in due time, even though we think it not.
But what is best and greatest of all – [my father’s] magnanimity was accompanied by freedom from ambition!– St Gregory of Nazianzen (330-390) Archbishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (On the Death of His Father [Oration 18], 20).
Quote/s – 5 March – The First Saturday of Lent – Isaiah 58:9-14, Mark 6:47-56
“Thus says the Lord God: If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech. if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness and the gloom shall become for you,like midday; then the Lord will guide you always and give you plenty, even on the parched land. He will renew your strength and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails.”
Isaiah 58:9-11
“… If you hold back your foot on the Sabbath from following your own pursuits on My holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s Holy Day honourable; if you honour it, by not following your ways, seeking your own interests, or speaking with malice – then you shall delight in the Lord …”
Isaiah 58:13-14
“Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid. And He got into the boat with them and the wind fell.”
One Minute Reflection – 5 March – The First Saturday of Lent – Isaiah 58:9-14, Mark 6:47-56
“And wherever He went, into village or hamlet or town, they laid the sick in the market places, and entreated Him to let them touch but the tassel of His cloak and as many as touched. Him were saved. ” – Mark 6:56
REFLECTION – “Let us set before our interior consideration, someone gravely wounded who is about to breathe his last. … Now, the soul’s wound is sin, of which Scripture speaks in these terms: “Wound and welt and gaping gash, not drained or bandaged or eased with salve” (Is 1:6). Oh you who are wounded, recognise your Physician within you and show Him the wounds of your sins. May He understand your heart’s groaning, Who already knows its secret thoughts. May your tears move Him. Go as far as a little shamelessness in your beseeching (cf. Lk 11:8). Bring forth deep sighs to Him, without ceasing, from the depth of your heart. May your grief reach Him so that He may say to you also : “The Lord has pardoned your sin” (2 Sam 12:13). Cry out with David, who said: “Have mercy on me, O God, in … the greatness of your compassion” (Ps 50[51]:3). It is as though one were to say: “I am in great danger because of an enormous wound, that no doctor can cure, unless the all-powerful Physician comes to help me.” For this all-powerful Physician, nothing is incurable. He heals without charge, with one word, He restores to health. I would have despaired of my wound, were it not that I placed my trust in the Almighty.” – St Pope Gregory the Great (c 540-604) Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Psalm 50[51])
PRAYER – Hear, O Lord, our humble prayers and grant that we may devoutly keep this fast that has been established to cure our souls and bodies. 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 – 5 March – The First Saturday of Lent
Shelter Me Under Thy Mantle, Refuge of Sinners By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
Most holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary, to thee, who art the Mother of my Lord, the Queen of the Universe, the Advocate, the Hope, the Refuge of sinners, I, who am the most miserable of all sinners, have recourse this day. I venerate thee, great Queen and I thank thee for the many graces thou hast bestowed upon me, even unto this day, in particular, for having delivered me from the hell which I have so often deserved by my sins. I love thee, my dearest Lady and because of that love, I promise to serve thee willingly forever and to do what I can to make thee loved by others. I place in thee all my hopes for salvation, accept me as thy servant and shelter me under thy mantle, thou, who art the Mother of Mercy. And since thou are so powerful with God, deliver me from all temptations, or at least, obtain for me the strength to overcome them until death. From thee, I implore, a true love for Jesus Christ. Through thee, I hope to die a holy death. My dear Mother, by thy love for Almighty God, I pray thee to assist me always but most of all, at the last moment of my life. Forsake me not then, until thou shalt see me safely in Heaven, there to bless thee and sing of thy mercies, throughout all eternity. Such is my hope. Amen
Saint of the Day – 5 March – Saint Kieran (Died c 530) Bishop, one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland born in Corca-Laighde (modern Cape Clear), Ireland and died c 530 of natural causes. Patronage – Diocese of Ossory, Ireland. Also known as – Kieran of Saighir, Kieran of Seirkeiran, Kieran the Elder, Kieran Saighir, Kieran mac Luaigne, First-born of the Saints of Ireland, Ceran, Chierano, Ciarán, Ciarano, Ciaranus, Kenerin, Kerrier, Kevin, Kieren, Kiernan, Kieron, Kyran, Queran, Queranus. Additional Memorial ON 6 January as one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. Kieran is the first person born in Ireland to be Canonised.
Kieran was born in Ireland, possibly on Cape Clear Island. Historians disagree on his date of birth, although most sources place him in the fifth or sixth century. His father’s name was Laighne and his mother was Liadain. At that time, the Irish were pagans. Many legends exist concerning the events of Kieran’s life. One says that when his mother was pregnant with Kieran, she had a dream that a star fell from heaven and came to rest upon her. People said this meant tthat he baby she carried would have a special purpose.
When Kieran was a child, he was kind and gentle. He loved animals and they, in turn, trusted him. Several of the stories about Kieran tell of his ability to tame wild animals and he is often shown with a badger, a doe and a fox.
Kieran wanted to learn more about God, so when he was thirty years old he went to Rome, the centre of Christianity. He spent several years there, studying. Kieran was Baptised a Christian and later Ordained a Priest. Legends disagree about whether Kieran was Consecrated a Bishop in Rome or later in Ireland. Many stories say that St. Patrick (c 386-461) met with Kieran in Rome and commissioned him to return to Ireland and build a Monastery. One legend tells of St. Patrick giving Kieran a bell that rang for the first time when he reached the sight of a holy well in Saighir and there he built his Church. This became renowned as a holy place and many of the ancient Kings of Ossory were buried there.
Legend tells that Kieran had hoped to live a life of solitude and upon his return to Ossary he dwelt in a cave where he spent much of his time in prayer. As the story goes, he befriended the animals who come to him when they were ill or hurt. People began to hear of his powers of healing. He ministered to the people and soon had a following. Kieran built a Monastery in Ossary and the Town of Saighir grew up around it. Kieran served the people as Bishop of Ossory until his death.
The ruins of the original Church, the well round the fountain and other holy sites related to St Kieran can be seen today in Saighir, Ossory, Ireland. In Ireland, his name is spelled Ciaran, pronounced “Kigh-ran” of “Sigh-gear.” He is also called St. Kieran the Elder, to distinguish from Saint Kieran of Clonmacnoise.
St Adrian of Caesarea St Caron St Carthach the Elder Bl Christopher Macassoli of Vigevano St Clement of Santa Lucia St Colman of Armagh St Conon of Pamphylia Bl Conrad Scheuber St Eusebius of Cremona St Eusebius the Martyr St Gerasimus Bl Giovanna Irrizaldi Bl Ion Costist
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