Day: March 4, 2023

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 4 March – The Imitation of the Saints

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Thought for the Day – 4 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Imitation of the Saints

“Sacred Scripture says of Jesus, that He “did and taught” (Acts 1:11).
We should reflect on these words.
Very often we come across thinkers, who teach but do nothing.
Sometimes they even act contrary to their own precepts and then their work is futile and harmful!
Many unfortunate young people are the victims of the false ideas and bad example of their teachers.
It was not so with Jesus, nor was it so with the Saints, His faithful followers.

We can learn much from their writings and still more from their example.
For this reason we should read about their lives.
People read so many books and articles which teach them nothing and many others which arouse their lower instincts and smother their high ideals.
A good Christian should read the Lives of the Saints, as well as those books which it is his duty to know.
The highest and most useful school of learning for a sincere Christian, is the reading of the Gospel and The Lives of the Saints.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/02/thought-for-the-day-2-april-the-imitation-of-the-saints/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MARIAN HYMNS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 March – St Casimir

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 March – The Memorial of St Casimir (1458-1484) Confessor, Prince

“I would rather die than not live as a virgin.
If I had a thousand lives,
I would sacrifice them all to remain a virgin.”

“But above all these things have charity,
which is the bond of perfection …”

Colossians 3:14

“By the power of the Holy Ghost,
Casimir burned with a sincere
and unpretentious love for Almighty God
which was almost unbelievable in its strength.
So rich was his love
and so abundantly did it fill his heart
that it flowed out from his inner spirit
toward his fellow men.
As a result, nothing was more pleasant,
nothing more desirable for him,
than to share his belongings
and even to dedicate and give, his entire self,
to Christ’s poor, to strangers, to the sick,
to those in captivity and all who suffer.
To widows, orphans and the afflicted,
he was not only a guardian and patron
but a father, son and brother!”

From the Biography of Saint Casimir,
written by a contemporary.

St Casimir called the Blessed Virgin his dear mother and he loved her as a child. In her honour he sang frequently a touching Hymn which is in use even at the present day. It begins thus: “Daily, Daily Sing to Mary.”
He repeated this many times everyday and asked to have it placed in the grave with him.
When his grave was opened after 120 years, both his body and this written Hymn, were untainted by any sign of corruption.

Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary
By Bernard of Cluny (12th Century)
Trans. Fr Henry Bittleshon C.Orat. (1818-1886)

Daily, daily sing to Mary,
Sing, my soul, her praises due.
All her glorious actions cherish,
With the heart’s devotion true.
Lost in wond’ring contemplation,
Be her majesty confessed!
Call her Mother, call her Virgin,
Happy Mother, Virgin blest!

She is mighty to deliver,
Call her, trust her lovingly.
When the tempest rages round thee,
She will calm the troubled sea.
Gifts of Heaven she has given,
Noble Lady, to our race;
She, the Queen, who clothes her subjects,
With the Light of God’s own grace.

Sing, my tongue, the Virgin’s honours,
Who for us, her Maker bore,
For the curse of old inflicted,
Peace and blessings to restore.
Sing in songs of praise unending,
Sing the world’s majestic Queen;
Weary not nor faint in telling,
All the gifts that earth has seen.

All my senses, heart, affections,
Strive to sound her glory forth.
Spread abroad the sweet memorials
Of the Virgin’s priceless worth.
Where the voice of music thrilling,
Where the tongues of eloquence,
That can utter hymns befitting
All her matchless excellence?

All our joys do flow from Mary,
All then join her praise to sing.
Trembling, sing the Virgin Mother,
Mother of our Lord and King.
While we sing her awesome glory,
Far above our fancy’s reach,
Let our hearts be quick to offer
Love the heart alone can reach.

Bernard of Morlaix, or of Cluny, for he is equally well known by both titles, was an Englishman by extraction, both his parents being natives of this country. He was, however, born in France very early in the 12th Century, at Morlaix, Bretagne. Little or nothing is known of his life, beyond the fact that he entered the Abbey of Cluny, of which at that time Peter the Venerable, was the Abbot, who filled the post from 1122 to 1156. There, as far as we know, he spent his whole life and there he probably died, although the exact date of his death, as well as of his birth, is unrecorded.

St Casimir (1458-1484) Confessor, Prince

Posted in CATECHESIS, CATHOLIC Quotes, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, Of PILGRIMS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WATCHING, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, ST FRANCIS de SALES, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 4 March –

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Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 4 March – The Memorial of St Casimir (1458-1484) Confessor, Prince – Saturday of Ember Week in Lent – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 31:8-11,Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The just shall flourish like the palm tree,
he shall grow up, like the cedar of Lebanon.”
Psalm 91:13

“Stay dressed for action
and keep your lamps burning … ”
Luke 12:35-36

VIGILANT FAITH AND CHARITY
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“IT WORKS THE SAME WAY with faith as with charity.
We know by the works which charity performs, whether faith is dead or dying. When it produces no good works, we conclude that it is dead and when they are few and sluggish, that, it is dying.
But just as there is a dead faith, there must also be a living one which is its opposite.
It is excellent. Joined and United with charity and vivified by it, it is strong, firm and Constant. It performs many great and good works which deserve the praise: “Oh, how great is your faith! Let all that you desire be done.” …

It is great because of the good works it performs and also because of the many virtues which accompany it and which it governs. … So charity united to faith is not only followed by all the virtues but, as a queen, she commands them and all obey and fight for her and, according to her will. From this, results the multitude of good works, of a living faith.

There is a vigilant faith which, again, depends on its union with charity.
But there is also one which is sluggish, dull and apathetic and, it is the opposite of vigilant faith. It is lax in applying itself to the consideration of the Mysteries of our Religion.
It is completely torpid and, for this reason, it does not penetrate revealed Truths at all. It sees them, to be sure and knows them, because its eyes are not altogether closed.
It is not asleep but it is drowsy or dozing. It resembles weary people who, although their eyes are open, see almost nothing and although they hear talking, they neither know nor understand what is said. Why? Because they are quite overcome with sleepiness. …

But vigilant faith not only performs good works, like living faith, it also penetrates and understands revealed Truths quickly and with great depth and subtlety of perception.
It is active and diligent, in seeking and embracing those things which can increase and strengthen it.
It watches and perceives from afar, all its enemies.
It is always on the alert to discover the good and to avoid evil.
It guards itself against anything which could ruin it.
Vigilant, it walks firmly and easily keeps from falling over precipices.

This vigilant faith is accompanied by the Four Cardinal Virtues: Fortitude, Prudence, Justice and Temperance.
It uses them as an Armoured Breastplate to put its enemies to flight, or to remain among them firm, invincible and unshaken.
So great is its strength that it fears nothing because, not only is it strong but also, it is aware of its strength and by Whom it is supported—Truth itself!” (Sermon for Thursday after the First Sunday of Lent, 17 February 1622).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on WATCHING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 March – ‘… Run to meet the Sun of that Eternal Light …’

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One Minute Reflection – 4 March – The Memorial of St Casimir (1458-1484) Confessor, Prince – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 31:8-11,Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.” – Luke 12:35-36

REFLECTION – “God, the Word, stirs up the lazy and arouses the sleeper. For indeed, someone who comes knocking at the door is always wanting to come in. But it depends on us, if He does not always enter or always remain… May your door be open to Him Who comes; open your soul, enlarge your spiritual capacities that you may discover the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace and sweetness of grace. Expand your heart; run to meet the Sun of that Eternal Light that “enlightens everyone” (Jn 1,9). It is certain that this true Light shines for all but, if anyone shuts their windows, then they themselves, shut themselves off from this Eternal Light.

So even Christ remains outside, if you shut the door of your soul. It is true, that He could enter but He does not want to use force, He does not put those who refuse under pressure. Descended from the Virgin, born from her womb, He shines throughout the universe to give light to all. Those who long to receive the light which shines with an everlasting brightness, open up to Him. No night comes to intervene. Indeed, the sun we see each day, gives way to night’s darkness but the Sun of Justice (Mal 3,20) knows no setting, for Wisdom is not overcome by evil.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan and Father and Doctor of the Church (12th Sermon on Psalm 118).

PRAYER – O God, Who strengthened St Casimir with the virtue of steadfastness amid the luxuries of a Royal Court and the allurements of the world, we beseech Thee that through his intercession, Thy faithful may treat earthly things as naught and ever aspire to those of Heaven. 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).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The FIVE FIRST Saturdays

Our Morning Offering – 4 March – Say Not, Merciful Virgin By St Francis de Sale

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Our Morning Offering – 4 March – Saturday of Ember Week in Lent and the First Saturday of the Month

Say Not, Merciful Virgin
By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622
Doctor Caritatis

Say not, Merciful Virgin,
that you cannot help me,
for your Beloved Son
holds all power in Heaven
and on earth.
Say not, that you ought not
to assist me,
for you are the Mother
of all poor children of Adam
and my Mother in particular.
Since, then, Merciful Virgin,
you are my Mother
and you are all-powerful,
what excuse can you offer
if you do not lend your assistance?
See, my Mother, see,
you are obliged to grant me what I ask
and to yield to my entreaties.
Amen.

Posted in MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 4 March – St Lucius I (Died 254) Pope and Martyr.

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Saint of the Day – 4 March – St Lucius I (Died 254) Pope and Martyr. The 22nd Bishop of Rome from 25 June 253 to his death on 5 March 254. He was banished soon after his consecration but gained permission to return. Patronage – Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, on the Appian Way. during the persecution of Valerian, the birthday of St Lucius, Pope and Martyr, who was first exiled for the Faith of Christ but, being permitted by Divine Providence to return to his Church, he suffered Martyrdom by decapitation, after having combated the Novatians. His praises have been published by the blesseed Saint Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage(200-258).”

Lucius was born in Rome. Nothing is known about his family except his father’s name, Porphyrianus. He was elected probably on 25 June 253. His election took place during the persecution which caused the banishment of his predecessor, Cornelius, and he also was banished soon after his consecration but succeeded in gaining permission to return.

Lucius is praised in several letters of Cyprian (see Epist. lxviii. 5) for condemning the Novationists for their refusal to readmit to communion Christians who repented for having lapsed under persecution.

His feast did not appear in the Tridentine Calendar of Pope Pius V. In 1602, it was inserted under the date of 4 March, into the General Roman Calendar. With the insertion in 1621 on the same date of the feast of Saint Casimir,

Lucius I’s Tombstone is still extant in the Catacomb of Callixtus. His Relics were later brought to the Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, along with the Relics of St Cecilia and others. His head is preserved in a reliquary in St. Ansgar’s Cathedral in Copenhagen, Denmark. This Relic was brought to Roskilde around the year 1100, after Lucius had been declared Patron Saint of the Danish region Zeeland.

According to tradition, there had been demons at large at the Isefjord at Roskilde City and, as they declared that they feared nothing but Lucius’ skull, this had to be brought to Denmark, whereupon peace took reign of the fjord again. After the Reformation, the skull was taken to the exhibition rooms of King Frederik III in Copenhagen, where it was on exhibit and then returned to the Cathedral. The skull remained in Roskilde Cathedral but in 1910 it was enshrined at St Ansgar’s Cathedral. It is one of the few Relics to have survived the Reformation in Denmark.

St Lucius I skull inside the Reliquary at St Ansgar’s Cathedral in Copenhagen
Posted in MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY, THE FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTION

Saturday of Ember Week in Lent, First Saturday, Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde / Our Lady of the Guard , Marseille, France (1221), St Casimir, Confessor, Prince and Memorials of the Saints – 4 March

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Saturday of Ember Week in Lent – Fast and Abstinence or Partial Abstinence

FIRST SATURDAY

Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde / Our Lady of the Guard , Marseille, France (1221) – 4 March:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/04/notre-dame-de-la-garde-our-lady-of-the-guard-marseille-france-1221-and-memorials-of-the-saints-4-march/

St Casimir (1458-1484) Confessor, Prince, Celibate, Ascetic, Apostle of Prayer, Apostle of Charity and Mercy, Marian Devotee, Eucharistic Adorer, Confessor. His Body is Incorrupt.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/03/04/saint-of-the-day-4-march-st-casimir/

St Lucius I (Died 254) Pope and Martyr

St Adrian of May
St Adrian of Nicomedia
Bl Alexander Blake
St Appian of Comacchio
St Arcadius of Cyprus
St Basinus of Trier
Bl Christopher Bales
St Felix of Rhuys
St Gaius of Nicomedia
Bl Humbert III of Savoy
St Leonard of Avranches
Bl Nicholas Horner
St Nestor the Martyr
St Owen
Bl Paolo of Brescia

St Peter of Pappacarbone (c 1038-1123) Bishop, Abbot, Reformer. He was Canonised in 1893 by Pope Leo XIII.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/04/saint-of-the-day-4-march-saint-peter-of-pappacarbone-c-1038-1123/

Blessed Placida Viel SSC (1815—1877) Virgin, Virgin, Religious Sister of the Sisters of the Christian Schools of Mercy, which focused on the education of girls. Placida was Beatified on 6 May 1951 by Pope Pius XII.
Bl Placida’s Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/04/saint-of-the-day-4-march-blessed-placida-viel-ssc-1815-1877/

Bl Rupert of Ottobeuren

Martyrs on the Appian Way – 900 Saints: Group of 900 Martyrs buried in the Catacombs of Saint Callistus on the Appian Way, Rome, Italy.c 260

Martyrs of Nicomedia – 20 Saints: A group of 20 Christians murdered together for their faith. The only details about them to survive are three of their names – Archelaus, Cyrillos and Photius. Nicomedia, Bithynia (in modern Turkey)

Martyrs of the Crimea – 7 Saints: A group of 4th century missionary Bishops who evangelised in the Crimea and southern Russia and were Martyred for their work. We know little else beyond the names – Aetherius, Agathodorus, Basil, Elpidius, Ephrem, Eugene and Gapito.