Day: July 14, 2022

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on The HUMAN SOUL

Thought for the Day – 14 July – The Enemies of the Soul

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 14 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Enemies of the Soul

“It is Christian teaching that we have three enemies which are a constant threat to our salvation.
The first, is the devil, an invisible but very powerful foe.

The devil was once an Angel of beauty.
He had gifts superior to those of men and was in a state of happiness.
But God required from him, a proof of his fidelity before he could merit the everlasting reward for which he had been destined.

Lucifer was proud of his beauty and power.
Believing that he was equal to the Most High God, he rebelled against his Creator and drew with him, into eternal ruin, innumerable bands of disloyal Angels.
Their sin was greater than ours because they had been endowed with a superior intellect and their will was not subject to the pull of the sensitive appetites of a material body.
This is why God did not give them time to repent but condemned them immediately to the everlasting torments of Hell.
It is false to imagine, however, that they are confined, as it were, in one place.
Being pure spirit, they can, with God’s permission, wander throughout the world, carrying their hell within themselves.
Moreover, they can endanger, in a thousand ways, our eternal salvation.
The Gospel often speaks of diabolical temptations and obsessions and, St Peter warns us to be continually on our guard against the onslaughts of the enemy.
“Be sober,” he says, “be watchful. For your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same suffering befalls your brethren all over the world” (1 Peter 5:8).

It is the same now as it was in the time of Jesus and His Apostles.

We do not see this infernal spirit but, we feel his presence.
Let us remember what St Augustine wrote about him.
“The devil,” he said, “is a mastiff in chains. He can bark but, he cannot bite, unless we yield to his evil suggestions and approach him. Watch and pray!””

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FRANCISCAN OFM, NOTES to Followers, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL

Quote/s of the Day – 14 July – St Bonaventure

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 14 July – “The Month of the Precious Blood” – The Memorial of St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church
(No images until later. We are being subjected to constant Power Cuts again – they can be up to 8 hours per day.)

“Since happiness is nothing else
than the enjoyment of the Supreme Good
and the Supreme Good is above us,
no-one can enjoy happiness,
unless he rises above himself.”

“As “pride, is the beginning
of all sin,” (Eccl. 10:15)
so humility, is the foundation of all virtue.
Learn to be really humble and not,
as the hypocrite, humble merely in appearance.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/15/quote-s-of-the-day-15-july-st-bonaventure-2/

St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", ARMOUR of CHRIST, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 July – ‘A good soldier of Christ Jesus’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 14 July – “The Month of the Precious Blood” – The Memorial of St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Matthew 5:13-19

“You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:14

REFLECTION – “I shall always love and reverence the Apostles sent by Christ and their successors, in sowing the seed of the Gospel, those zealous and tireless co-operators in propagating the Word, who may justly say of themselves: Let a man so account of us as the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the mysteries of God. For Christ, like a most watchful and most faithful householder, wished that the Gospel lamp should be lighted by such ministers and delegates, with fire sent down from Heaven and once lighted, should not be put under a measure but set upon a candlestick, so that it may spread its brightness far and wide and put to flight, all darkness and error, rife among both Jews and Gentiles.

Now it is not enough for the Gospel teacher to be a brilliant speaker in the eyes of the people; he must also be as a voice crying in the desert and endeavour, by his eloquence, to help many to lead good lives, lest, if he omit his duty of speaking, he be called the dumb dog that is not able to bark, spoken of by the prophet. Yes, he should also burn, in such a way, that, equipped with good works and love, he may adorn his evangelical office and follow the leadership of Paul. He indeed, was not satisfied with bidding the Bishop of the Ephesians: Thus command and teach: conduct thyself in work as a good soldier of Christ Jesus but he unflaggingly preached the Gospel to friend and foe alike and, said with a good conscience to the Bishops gathered at Ephesus: You know how I have kept back nothing that was for your good but have declared it to you and taught you in public and from house to house, urging Jews and Gentiles to turn to God in repentance and to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Such should be the shepherd in the Church who, like Paul, becomes all things to all men, so that the sick may find healing in him; the sad, joy; the desperate, hope; the ignorant, instruction; those in doubt, advice; the penitent, forgiveness and comfort and finally, everyone, whatever is necessary for salvation. And so Christ, when He wished to appoint the chief teachers of the world and of the Church, did not limit Himself to saying to His disciples: You are the light of the world but also added these words: A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a measure but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all who are in the house. Those churchmen err, who imagine that it is by brilliant preaching, rather than by holiness of and all-embracing love, they fulfil their office.” – St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church (Sermon excerpt).

PRAYER – O God, Who gave to Thy people, blessed Bonaventure, as a minister of salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we who cherished him on earth as a teacher of life, may be found worthy to have him as an intercessor 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).

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, DOCTORS of the Church, FRANCISCAN OFM, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY SPIRIT

Our Morning Offering – 14 July – Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit By St Bonaventure

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 14 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” and the Memorial of St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church

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

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

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

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

Posted in INCORRUPTIBLES, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 14 July – Blessed Boniface of Canterbury O.Cart. (c 1207-1270)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 14 July – Blessed Boniface of Canterbury O.Cart. (c 1207-1270) Carthusian Monk and Prior, the forty sixth Archbishop of Canterbury. Reformer, Mediator. Born in c 1207 near Sainte-Hélòne-du-Luc in the Savoy region of modern France and died on 18 July 1270 at the Sainte-Hélòne des Milliere Castle in Hautecombe, Savoy, France of natural causes. Also known as – Boniface of Savoy. Beatified on 7 September 1838 by Pope Gregory XVI. His body is incorrupt.

Born to the nobility as a member of the Ducal House of Savoy. Boniface was the eleventh child of Count Thomas of Savoy and the brother of Queen Beatrix of Savoy, as well as the Uncle of Queen Eleanor of England.

Boniface became a Carthusian Monk at the Grande Chartreuse at a very young age. As a young man he was appointed as the Prior of the Carthusian Monastery in Natua, France.

In 1233, as a Sub-Deacon, he was elected Bishop of Belley in Burgundy and, in 1241, Boniface administered the Diocese of Valence, as well. In 1245, Boniface was chosen as the forty sixth Archbishop of Canterbury, England by Pope Innocent IV. In the same year, he attended the Council of Lyon.

As the Archbishop, Boniface revised the Court, eliminated unnecessary offices in the Archdiocese and worked to solve the fiscal problems of the nearly bankrupt Diocese. Boniface exerted diplomacy and mediation in order to reduce the Royal interference in the Church’s internal affairs and the control of Eccleasiastical appointments.

Boniface proceeded to implement reforms in a number of the Monasteries in his Diocese but many refused to recognise him or permit his visits. Some of the disputes actually led to violence and he was forced to excommunicate some Clerics in order to implement compliance. Others, however, welcomed his reform efforts, and were impressed with his personal piety, his charity, and his simple lifestyle.

In 1258 he was chosen the leader of a group of the King‘s Counsellors who represented the interests of the English Barons against the King. In May 1261 he called a Council at Lambeth Castle which led to declarations explaining that the Church had the right to oppose worldly forces and interventions. However, Pope Urban IV needed the support of King Henry and refused to ratify these Decrees.

Boniface went into voluntary exile in France from 1262 to 1266, administering his Archdiocese as best he could, from across the Channel and continued to oppose Henry’s unilateral appointments to Ecclesiastical offices and his taxation of Church property. But he sided with the King on other matters, especially when the Barons resorted to civil war. On the triumph of the King’s party in 1265, he returned to England, arriving there in May 1266.

Boniface even briefly served as Regent of England and accompanied the King on diplomatic expediations to France.

Boniface died while trying to settle family business and end feuds between family factions. Later English historians complained of his excessive involvement in worldly politics and his family affairs but. in France, he was far more appreciated by those who knew his true holiness and zeal for the Church of Christ.

Boniface was buried with his family in the Cistercian Abbey of Hautecombe in Savoy. In his will, he left legacies to all the houses of the Franciscans and Dominicans in the Diocese of Canterbury. His will had differing provisions for his burial depending on whether he died in England, France, or near the Alps.

After his death, Boniface’s tomb was the center of a cult, and when the tomb was opened in 1580, his body was found to be perfectly preserved

A very unclear image of St Boniface’s Tomb
Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, INCORRUPTIBLES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Mare de Déu de Canòlich / Mother of God of Canòlich, Canòlich, Spain, (1223) and Memorials of the Saints – 14 July

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Mare de Déu de Canòlich / Mother of God of Canòlich, Canòlich, Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra, Spain (1223) – 14 July and 4th Saturda\y of May:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/14/mare-de-deu-de-canolich-mother-of-god-of-canolich-canolich-sant-julia-de-loria-andorra-spain-1223-and-memorials-of-the-saints-14-july/

St Bonaventure of Bagnoregio OFM (1221-1274) – Seraphic Doctor of the Church, Confessor, Friar of the Friars Minor Order of St Francis, Bishop, Cardinal, Theologian, Philosopher, Writer, Mystic, Preacher, Teacher. One of the eaqrly Biographers of St Francis.(Memorial)
St Bonaventure!
https://anastpaul.com/2018/07/15/saint-of-the-day-15-july-st-bonaventure-o-f-m-1221-1274-doctor-of-the-church/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/07/15/saint-of-the-day-15-july-st-bonaventure-seraphic-doctor/

Blessed Angelina di Marsciano
Blessed Boniface of Canterbury O.Cart. (c 1207-1270) Carthusian Monk and Prior, Archbishop of Canterbury. Beatified on 7 September 1838 by Pope Gregory XVI. His body is incorrupt.

St Colman of Killeroran
St Cyrus of Carthage
St Deusdedit of Canterbury
St Donatus of Africa

St Francisco Solano y Jiménez OFM (1549 – 1610) Priest , Spanish Friar of the Order of Friars Minor, Missionary, Musician, Preacher, Miracle worker, Apostle of the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Virgin Mother and of Prayer, Polyglot – “The Wonder Worker of Whe New World.” Canonised on 27 December 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII.
A wonderful Saint:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/14/saint-of-the-day-14-july-saint-francisco-solano-ofm-1549-1610-the-wonder-worker-of-the-new-world/

Blessed Gaspar de Bono OM (1530– 1604) Spanish Priest, Friar of the Order of Minims, Vicar Provincial of the Order. He was noted for his particular devotion to the Passion of Christ, carrying his Crucifix everywhere as a means of evangelisation and to be able to constantly immerse himself in his Saviour’s sufferings.
His Loving Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/14/saint-of-the-day-14-july-blessed-gaspar-de-bono-om-1530-1604/

Bl Giorgio of Lauria
Bl Hroznata of Bohemia
Bl Humberto of Romans
St Idus of Ath Fadha
St Just
St Justus of Rome
St Liebert
St Marciano of Frigento
St Marchelm
Bl Michael Ghebre
St Optatian of Brescia
St Papias of Africa
Bl Richard Langhorne
Bl Toscana of Verona
St Ulric of Zell
St Vincent Madelgaire