Day: May 21, 2023

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, NOVENAS, PENTECOST

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts – Third Day

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts

THIRD DAY

Thou, of all consolers best,
Visiting the troubled breast,
Dost refreshing peace bestow.

The Gift of Piety

The gift of Piety begets in our hearts,
a filial affection for God as our most loving Father.
It inspires us to love and respect,
for His sake.
persons and things consecrated to Him,
as well as those, who are vested
with His authority,
His Blessed Mother and the Saints,
the Church and its visible Head,
our parents and superiors,
our country and its rulers.
He who is filled with the gift of Piety,
finds the practice of his religion,
not a burdensome duty
but, a delightful service.
Where there is love, there is no labour.

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety,
possess my heart.
Enkindle therein, such a love for God,
that I may find satisfaction
only in His service
and for His sake,
lovingly submit
to all legitimate authority.
Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary – ONCE.
Glory be to the Father – SEVEN TIMES.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees,
I, before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,
offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God.
I adore the brightness of Your purity,
the unerring keenness of Your justice
and the might of Your love.
You are the Strength and Light of my soul.
In You I live and move and am.
I desire never to grieve You
by unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept
from the smallest sin against You.
Mercifully guard my every thought
and grant that I may always watch for Your light,
listen to Your Voice
and follow Your gracious inspirations.
I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You,
by Your compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus,
looking at His Five Wounds
and trusting in His Precious Blood
and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart,
I implore You, Adorable Spirit,
Helper of my infirmity, t
o keep me in Your grace,
that I may never sin against You.
Give me grace O Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Father and the Son,
to say to You always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Your servant hears.”
Amen.

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Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PURITY

Thought for the Day – 21 May – Holy Purity

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Thought for the Day – 21 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Holy Purity

“Most Pure Virgin, Immaculate Mother of God, thou sees how many dangers and snares surround my soul.
Thou sees how weak I am and how much I need thy help.
Assist me, I beseech thee when I am tempted.
Gran, I cry unto thee, that I may die in the state of grace, rather than fall into sin. Amen”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/21/thought-for-the-day-21-may-holy-purity/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/21/thought-for-the-day-21-may-holy-purity-3/

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, MOTHER of GOD, ROSARY QUOTES, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT

Quote/s of the Day – 21 May – The Blessed Virgin Mary

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

“As breathing is not only a sign
but even, a cause of life,
so the name of Mary,
which is constantly found
on the lips of God’s servants,
both proves that they are truly alive
and, at the same time,
causes and preserves their life
and gives them, every succour . . .
may Your name, O Mother of God,
be the last sound that escapes my lips!”

St Germanus of Constantinople (c 640-733)

“… The design of the Redeemer of our race
was to bring about a birth and, as it were,
a new creation to replace the one that went before.
Therefore, just as in Paradise,
He had taken a little clay
out of the pure and spotless earth,
to fashion the first Adam (Gn 2,7),
so, at the moment of bringing about
His Own Incarnation,
He made use of another earth, so to speak,
namely, this Pure and Immaculate Virgin,
chosen from among all other beings He had created.
It is in her that He, Adam’s Creator,
has remade us in our very substance
and become a new Adam (1Cor 15,45)
that the old might be saved by the new and eternal.”

St Andrew of Crete (660-740)

“There is no sinner in the world,
however much at enmity with God,
who cannot recover God’s grace
by recourse to Mary
and by asking her assistance.”

St Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373)

“Never will anyone
who says his Rosary everyday,
be led astray.
This is a statement
that I would gladly sign
with my blood.”

St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PENTECOST, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY SPIRIT, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 May – “And you shall give testimony of Me …” – John 15:27

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One Minute Reflection – 21 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – SUNDAY within the OCTAVE of ASCENSION – 1 Peter 4:7-11, John 15:26-27; 16:1-4. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And you shall give testimony of Me …” – John 15:27

REFLECTION – “Everything has been accomplished which remained to be done on earth but it still remained necessary that we should “share and participate in the Divine nature” of the Word (2 Pt 1:4) – that is, that we should put away our life and be utterly transformed and launched on a new way of holy living… For I think, it is true to say that, while Christ was still present in bodily form among those who believed in Him, He was revealed to them as One Who conferred every good gift but since the time and the need were now calling Him to be carried up to His Father in Heaven, it was necessary for Him to be present through the Spirit, with those who worshipped Him and to “dwell in our hearts through faith” (Eph 3:17).

It is easy to prove, from the Old and New Testaments, that the Spirit changes the character of those, among whom He comes to dwell and transforms their life. The holy man Samuel, when speaking to Saul, said: “The Spirit of the Lord will come mightily upon you and you will be turned into another man” (1 Sam 10:6). Saint Paul said: “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into the same likeness from one degree of glory to another and this comes from the Lord, the Spirit; for the Lord is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:8).

You can see, then, that the Spirit re-creates, so to speak, in a new pattern, those among whom He is seen to dwell. He readily replaces their desire to think earthly thoughts, with the desire to fix their gaze only on the things of Heaven; He changes their unmanly cowardice, into the spirit of courage. We can certainly see that the disciples experienced this: the Spirit became their armour, so that they did not yield to the attacks of their persecutors but held fast to the love of Christ. And so the truth of our Saviour’s words can be seen: “It is to your advantage that I go away to Heaven” (Jn 16:7). For that was the time for the descent of the Spirit.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Saint John’s Gospel, 10).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness, both of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. 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, JESUIT SJ, MARIAN HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Ven Servant of God John A Hardon

Our Morning Offering – 21 May – St Robert Bellarmine’s Hymn to Mary the Virgin

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Our Morning Offering – 21 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

St Robert Bellarmine’s Hymn to Mary the Virgin:
Among St Robert’s extant writing, there is a short poem of twenty stanzas which he composed in the nature of a Litany to the Blessed Virgin. The text was first published in Italian some fifty years ago and to the best of the writer’s knowledge, has never been translated into English. Each verse-line begins with the name “Virgin,” joined to a title and petition to Our Lady, starting with the letter “A” and going down the Italian alphabet to “V.” Thus the first seven verses begin with the invocation: “Vergine adorna … Vergine Bella …Vergine casta … Vergine degna … Vergine eletta … Vergine felice … Vergine gradita …”

A translation to this tribute to the Virgin Mother reads as follows: – Servant of God Fr John A Hardon SJ (1914-2000).

Hymn to Mary the Virgin
By St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621)
Doctor of the Church.

Virgin adored and clothed with the sun,
grant me thine aid.
Virgin most beautiful, mystical rose,
take abode in my heart.
Virgin most chaste, all undefiled,
grant me true peace.
Virgin deserving of all honour and praise,
give me thy love.
Virgin elect and full of all grace,
lead me to God.
Virgin most blessed, star of the sea,
dispel the storms besetting me.
Virgin most virtuous, holy and sweet,
show me the way.
Virgin illustrious, with thy burning light,
enlighten thou my mind.
Virgin more precious than jewels or gold,
make reparation for me.
Virgin most worthy of all praise,
mother, daughter and immaculate spouse.
Virgin and Mother,
make me more pleasing to Jesus thy Son.
Virgin most innocent of any stain or fault,
make me more worthy of God.
Virgin enriched with every gift and grace,
obtain the remission of my sins.
Virgin most pure, grant me to enjoy
the bliss of heavenly love.
Virgin, thou lily among thorns,
I pray thee for the grace of a happy death.
Virgin more rare than the rarest dream,
bring joy to my heart.
Virgin so great, there is none like thee on earth,
bring peace to my soul.
Virgin most true, loving Mother too, Virgin Mary.
Amen.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 21 May – Saint Collen of Denbighshire (Died c600) Welsh Abbot

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Saint of the Day – 21 May – Saint Collen of Denbighshire (Died c600) Welsh Abbot and Founder of a Monastery in Wa;es, Hermit. Also known as – Gollen, Colan, Gollen.

Collen was a Monk in Wales, Brittany and Cornwall. It is believedthat he travelled to Rome too. Collen lived as a Hermit in a small cave near Glastonbury Abbey.

He became the Abbot of a Monastery in Wales. The Welsh town of Llangollen (Collen’s Enclosure), is named for him, indicating that it formed around his hermitage and Church.

Collen was at the right time and place to be a transitional figure in the folklore of the region. There are tales of him slaying a Welsh giantess to save the people of Llangollen (the Church there still has an image of him in this triumph and of fighting a duel with a Saracen in front of the Pope. Stories have him being taken to the land of faerie but always as a Christian and always showing the power of God over the old ways.

Legend says that Collen was once invited to dine with the King of the Fairies; some say he was asked by a man, some say by a fairy and some say by a talking peacock; I cannot say. The Saint declined three time but finally accepted. Although the king appeared to live in an enormous castle, wealthy and fair, surrounded by courtiers and servants and seated before a table groaning under the weight of good eatings. Collen, however, knew him for the lying spirit he was. The Saint reminded the king of the fate of the Godless, then sprinkled holy water in all directions – in an instant, there was nothing left but an angry, demonic bird, flying away from the scene!

Llangollen is internationally famous as a beauty spot, for its Eisteddfod and the 13th Century bridge, which is reckoned as one the Seven Wonders of Wales. TheParish Church has been much restored over the Centuries but it still stands on the site of the Saint’s tomb. In all the Welsh Calendars, St.Collen is commemorated on 21 May but in Cornwall his Parish keeps festival on the Sunday after the first Thursday in May. At Langolen in Brittany, his Feast is held on the second Sunday in August.

St Collen’s Church in Llangollen
Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

SUNDAY within the OCTAVE of ASCENSION, Nostra Signora degli Angeli / Our Lady of the Angels, Arcola, Italy (1556) and Memorials of the Saints – 21 May

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SUNDAY within the OCTAVE of ASCENSION

Nostra Signora degli Angeli / Our Lady of the Angels, Arcola, Italy (1556) – 21 May:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/21/nostra-signora-degli-angeli-our-lady-of-the-angels-arcola-italy-1556-and-memorials-of-the-saints-21-may/

St Adalric of Bèze
Bl Adilio Daronch
St Ageranus of Bèze
St Ansuinus of Bèze
St Antiochus of Caesarea Philippi

St Bairfhion of Killbarron
St Berard of Bèze
St Collen of Denbighshire (Died c600) Welsh Abbot
St Donatus of Caesarea
St Eutychius of Mauretania

St Genesius of Bèze

St Godric of Finchale (c 1070-1170) Hermit, Merchant, Pilgrim, Hymnist, Spiritual Advisor to Saints, both great and small, friend of all animals.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/21/saint-of-the-day-21-may-saint-godric-of-finchale-c-1070-1170/

Bl Hemming of Åbo
St Hospitius
St Isberga of Aire
Bl Lucio del Rio
St Mancio of Évora
St Nicostratus of Caesarea Philippi

Blessed Pietro Parenzo (Died 1199) Layman Martyr, Husband, Mayor of Orvieto, Reformer.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/21/saint-of-the-day-21-may-blessed-pietro-parenzo-died-1199-layman-martyr/

St Polieuctus of Caesarea
St Polius of Mauretania
St Restituta of Corsica
St Rodron of Bèze
St Secundinus of Cordova
St Secundus of Alexandria
St Serapion the Sindonite
St Sifrard of Bèze
Bl Silao
St Synesius
St Theobald of Vienne
St Theopompus
St Timothy of Mauretania
St Valens of Auxerre
St Vales
St Victorius of Caesarea

Martyrs of Egypt: Large number of Bishops, Priests, Deacons and lay people banished when the Arian heretics seized the diocese of Alexandria, Egypt in 357 and drove out Saint Athanasius and other orthodox Christians. Many were old, many infirm and many, many died of abuse and privations while on the road and in the wilderness. Very few survived to return to their homes in 361 when Julian the Apostate recalled all Christians and then many of those later died in the persecutions of Julian.

Martyrs of Pentecost in Alexandria: An unspecified number of Christian clerics and lay people who, on Pentecost in 338, were rounded up by order of the Arian bishop and Emperor Constantius and were either killed, or exiled, for refusing to accept Arian teachings. 339 in Alexandria, Egypt.