Thought for the Day – 22 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth
“O Queen of Angels and of Saints, my most powerful and most loving Mother, have pity on me, for I am surrounded by such great perils and need so much to advance in virtue. Although I am weak and weary, I desire ardently to imitate the shining example of thy holidness. Obtain for me, from thy Divine Son, the grace to imitate thee, as far as I am able on earth, so that one day I may share thy happiness in the Presence of God for all eternity. Amen.”
Quote/s of the Day – 22 May – St Rita of Cascia (1386-1457) Mother, Widow, Stigmatist, Consecrated Religious, Mystic
Saint Rita (1381-1457) was born at Cascia in Umbria, Italy. At the age of twelve she was forced to marry an ill-tempered nobleman, who was a heavy cross to her for many years. After his death she joined the Augustinian nuns. Our Lord sealed His love for her by piercing her brow with a thorn from His sacred Crown. Saint Rita is almost without equal as the shining model of the unmarried, of wives and mothers and of religious. Her Patronage extends to Impossible Causes and Wives in Abusive Marriages.
Indulgenced Prayer to St Rita
O God, who didst deign to communicate so great grace to Saint Rita that she imitated Thine example, in the love of enemies and bore in her heart and on her countenance, the Sacred marks of Thy love and Passion; grant, we beseech Thee, by her merits and intercession, that we may love our enemies and ever contemplate, with deep contrition, the sorrows of Thy Passion, Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. Plenary Indulgence on the usual conditions, if the daily recitation of this prayer is continued for a month.
A Prayer to St Rita When in Special Need
O powerful St Rita, rightly called Saint of the Impossible, I come to you with confidence in my great need. You know well my trials, for you yourself were many times burdened in this life. Come to my aid, speak for me, pray with me, intercede on my behalf before the Father. I know that God has a most generous heart and that He is a most loving Father. Join your prayers to mine and obtain for me the grace I desire ……………… (here mention your request). You who were so very pleasing to God on earth and are so much now in Heaven, I promise to use this favour, when granted, to better my life, to proclaim God’s Mercy and to make you more widely known and loved. Amen.
One Minute Reflection – 22 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave of Ascension – Acts 1:1-11, Mark 16:14-20 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And the Lord Jesus, after He spoke to them, was taken up into Heaven and took His seat at the Right Hand of God.” – Mark 16:19
REFLECTION – “And so, while at Easter it was the Lord’s Resurrection which was the cause of our joy, our present rejoicing is due to His Ascension into Heaven. With all due solemnity, we are commemorating that day on which our poor human nature was carried up in Christ, above all the Hosts of Heaven, above all the ranks of Angels, beyond those Heavenly Powers, to the very Throne of God the Father.
It is upon this ordered structure of Divine acts, that we have been firmly established, so that the grace of God may show itself still more marvellous when, in spite of the withdrawal from our sight of everything that is rightly felt to command our reverence, faith does not fail, hope is not shaken, charity does not grow cold. It was in order that we might be capable of such blessedness that on the fortieth day after His Resurrection, after He had made careful provision for everything concerning the preaching of the Gospel and the Mysteries of the New Covenant, our Lord Jesus Christ was taken up to Heaven before the eyes of His Disciples and so, His Bodily Presence among them, came to an end.
From that time onward, He was to remain at the Father’s Right Hand, until the completion of the period, ordained by God, for the Church’s children to increase and multiply, after which, in the same Body with which He ascended, He will come again to judge the living and the dead. And so, our Redeemer’s Visible Presence has passed into the Sacraments. Our faith is nobler and stronger because, empirical sight has been replaced by a reliable teaching, whose authority is accepted by believing hearts, enlightened from on high.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope , Great Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 74).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that as we do believe Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Saviour, to have this day, ascended into the Heavens, so we may also, in heart and mind, thither ascend and with Him continually dwell.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).
Saint of the Day – 22 May – Saint Fulgentius of Otricoli (Mid 6th Century) Bishop., Miracle-worker, remembered by St Gregory the Great in his Dialogues. Died in the mid 6th Century in Otricoli, Terni, Italy of natural causes. Also known as – Fulgenzio, Fulgencio.
In the Town of Otricoli in the Province of Terni, an ancient inscription is preserved, which recalls its Bishop, Fulgentius, who found the body of the holy Martyr Victor and built an Altar for it. The said epigraph is still preserved in the collegiate Church of St Maria, which already existed in the 12th Century.
Fulgentius, the Bishop of Otricoli, who is remembered by St Gregory the Great (535-604), in his ‘Dialogues.’ The holy Pope reports a miracle worked by Fulgentius, told to him by an old cleric, still alive when he wrote his work about him.
Totila, King of the Ostrogoths from 541 to 552, in his descent into Italy, defeating the Byzantines, passed through Otricoli and here he received some gifts from the Bishop Fulgentius, who thus tried to mitigate the insane fury of the barbarian King, so that he would spare the population of that City.
But Totila, despising the homage, had the Bishop placed in custody to then submit him to trial/ Those guarding him thus placed him within a circle traced on the ground, forbidding him to go beyond it. The Bishop suffered from the heat of the scorching sun, from which he could not shelte. Then the weather changed and it began to rain heavily but the place where Fulgentius was sitting remained dry!
This fact was reported to Totila, who then transformed his hatred into admiration.
This miracle has been told and depicted in all the hagiographic works which have come down to us. His feast day falls on 22 May.
St Boethian of Pierrepont St Castus the Martyr St Conall of Inniscoel Bl Diego de Baja Bl Dionisio Senmartin St Emilius the Martyr St Faustinus the Martyr St Fulgentius of Otricoli (Mid 6th Century) Bishop Bl Fulk of Castrofurli Bl Giacomo Soler Bl Giusto Samper St Helen of Auxerre
St Lupo of Limoges St Marcian of Ravenna St Margaret of Hulme Bl Pedro of the Assumption St Quiteria St Romanus of Subiaco St Timothy the Martyr St Venustus the Martyr
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 Thee, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Thy Purity, the unerring keenness of Thy Justice and the might of Thy Love. Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul. In Thee, I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Thy Light, listen to Thine Voice and follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee, by Thy 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 Thee, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee. Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and of the Son, to say to Thee, always and everywhere, “Speak Lord for Thine servant hears.” Amen.
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”
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.”
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).
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.
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 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.
Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts
SECOND DAY
Come. Father of the poor. Come, treasures which endure, Come, Light of all that live!
The Gift of Fear
The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God and makes us dread nothing so muc, as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell but, from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our Heavenly Father. It is the fear, which is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures, which could, in any way, separate us from God. “They who fear the Lord, will prepare their hearts and in His sight, will sanctify their souls. ”
Prayer
Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set You, my Lord and God, before my face forever, help me to shun all things which may offend You and make me worthy to appear before the pure Eyes of Your Divine Majesty in Heaven, where You live and reign, in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God world without end. 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.
Thought for the Day – 20 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Mary, the Source of Holiness
“Mary, my Mother, you are all-holy. You gave Jesus to us and received from Him the Role of Mediatrix of His graces. Ask of your Divine Son that we may always be able to avoid the slightest trace of sin and to devote all our thoughts, affections and actions to becoming holy. Amen.”
Quote/s of the Day –20 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and the Memorial of St Bernadine of Siena OFM (1380-1444) “Apostle of the Most Holy Name of Jesus,” Confessor
“You must know that when you ‘hail’ Mary, she immediately greets you! Do not think that she is one of those rude women of whom there are so many, on the contrary, she is utterly courteous and pleasant. If you greet her, she will answer you right away and converse with you!”
“The Name of God is Awesome! in it is found the ardour of the flame which consumes, the wrath which chastises, the weight which crushes – but, all these things have been tempered in the wellspring of Mercy by Jesus Christ, Who was smitten with love for us in the womb of the Virgin Mary.”
One Minute Reflection –20 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Memorial of St Bernadine of Siena OFM (1380-1444) “Apostle of the Most Holy Name of Jesus” Confessor – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11, Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And everyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29
REFLECTION – “In almost every passage of Scripture, the spiritual meaning plays an important part. But in this passage especially, we must look for spiritual depth within the thread of its meaning. … How is it that He Himself can say: “Peace I leave with you, My own peace I give you” (Jn 14:27) if He has come to divide fathers from their sons, sons from their fathers, breaking their relationship? How can we be called “cursed if you dishonour your father” (Dt 27:16) yet fervent, if we abandon him?!
If we understand that religion comes first and filial devotion second, then we will understand, this question to be clarified – for we have to pass onto the human, after the Divine. For if we have duties towards our parents, how much more to the Father of our parents, to Whom we owe thanksgiving for our parents? … He does not say, then that we must give up those we love but that, we must prefer God before all else. Besides, do we not find in another book: “Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Mt 10:37). What is forbidden is not to love your parents but to prefer them to God. For our blood relations are among God’s blessings and no-one is to love the good things they have received, more than the God Who conserves the blessings He has given!” – St Ambrose (340-397) Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, 7)
PRAYER – O Lord Jesus, Who bestowed on blessed Bernardine, T Thy Confessor, an unusual love for Thine Holy Name, we beseech Thee, by his merits and intercession, graciously pour upon us the spirit of Thy love. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 20 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and the Feast of Our Lady Queen of the Apostles
Prayer to Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles By St Vincent Pallotti SAC (1795-1850)
Immaculate Mother of God, Queen of the Apostles, we know that God’s commandment of love and our vocation to follow Jesus Christ, impels us to co-operate in the mission of the Church. Realising our own weakness, we entrust the renewal of our personal lives and our Apostolate, to your intercession. We are confident, that through God’s mercy and the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, you, who are our Mother, will obtain the strength of the Holy Spirit, as you obtained it for the Apostles, gathered in the Upper Room. Therefore, relying on your maternal intercession, we resolve, from this moment, to devote our talents, learning, material resources, our health, sickness and trials and every gift of nature and grace, for the greater glory of God and the salvation of all. We wish to carry on those activities, (which especially promote the Catholic Apostolate,) for the revival of faith and love of the people of God and so, bring all men and women, into the faith of Jesus Christ. (And if a time should come when we have nothing more to offer, serviceable to this end,) we will never cease to pray, that there will be one fold and one Shepherd, Jesus Christ. (In this way, we hope to enjoy the results of the Apostolate of Jesus Christ) for all eternity. Amen.
Saint of the Day – 20 May – St Plautilla of Rome (Died 67) A Roman Widow, Mother of St Flavia Domitilla. She was Baptised by St Peter and is believed to have seen the Martyrdom of St Paul.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, St Plautilla, wife of an ex-Consul and mother of the blessed Flavia Domitilla. She was Baptised by the Apostle, St Peter and after giving the example of all virtues, rested in peace.”
A Roman widow, reputedly the mother of St. Flavia Domitilla and the wife of Emperor Vespasian, who was exiled by Emperor Domitian for being a Christian.
It is, however, unlikely that Plautilla was Flavia’s mother, as history records her mother to be Flavia Domitilla, wife of Vespasian.
Our Saint is recorded as being converted and Baptised by St Peter and assisting St Paul during his Martyrdom. The image above shows Plautilla winding her veil around St Paul in The Martyrdom of Saint Paul by Peter Paul Ruben.
St Abercius Bl Albert of Bologna St Alexander of Edessa St Althryda St Anastasius of Brescia St Aquila of Egypt Bl Arnaldo Serra and Companions St Asterius of Edessa St Austregisilus of Bourges St Basilla of Rome St Baudelius of Nîmes St Codrato
Bl Guy de Gherardesca St Helena St Hilary of Toulouse St Lucifer of Caglieri St Marcello St Plautilla of Rome (Died 67) A Roman Widow, Mother of St Flavia Domitilla. She was Baptised by St Peter and is believed to have seen the Martyrdom of St Paul. St Talaleo of Egea St Thalalaeus of Edessa St Theodore of Pavia
Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts
Foreword
The Novena in honour of the Holy Ghost is the oldest of all Novenas, since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself, when He sent His Apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Ghost on the first Pentecost. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love, so sorely needed by every Catholic today. To encourage devotion to the Holy Spirit, the Church has granted the following indulgences:
“The faithful who devoutly assist at the public Novena in honour of the Holy Spirit, immediately preceding the Solemn Feast of Pentecost, may gain a Partial Indulgence for themselves or, as an offering for the intentions of the faithful departed.”
An Indulgence of 10 years on any (and every) day of the Novena.
A Plenary Indulgence, if they take part in at least five of the exercises and go to Confession, receive Holy Communion and pray for the Holy Father’s intentions.
“Those who make a private Novena in honour of the Holy Spirit, either before the Solemn Feast of Pentecost or at any other time in the year, may also gain a Partial Indulgence for themselves or, as an offering for the intentions of the faithful departed.”
An Indulgence of 7 years on any (and every) day of the Novena.
A Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions but, if a public Novena is held, this Indulgence is available only to those who are lawfully hindered from being part of the same.
FIRST DAY (Friday after Ascension)
Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give!
The Holy Spirit
Only one thing is important — eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared–sin. Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness and indifference. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for “The Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us.”
Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit and hast given us forgiveness of all sins, vouchsafe to send forth upon us from Heaven, Your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. 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.
Thought for the Day – 19 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” Mary, the Source of Peace
“If we wish to possess this true peace, which only God can give, we must control and regulate the movements of our passions when they rebel against the soul. In other words, as St Augustine says, our lower appetites must obey our reason and this, in its turn, must be subject to its author, God! (De Serm. Domini, 1,2). Real peace can only come to us as the result of the hard and constant labour of subordinating our passions to right reason and our reason to God. “And this is the peace,” Augustine writes, “which God gives on earth, to men of goodwill; this is the most perfect wisdom ” (Ibid).
We have found, from sad experience, that sin and the free play of the passions, cannot give us real peace because “there is no peace for the wicked” (Is 48:22). When, by the grace of God and the assistance of Our Lady, we have subdued our rebellious inclinations, it is necessary for us to go further and abandon ourselves completely into the hands of God, asking Him for a spirit of absolute conformity to Hs Will on all occasions. This is the price which we must pay to enjoy the peace which the world cannot give and which God gives only to those who do His Holy Will in all things (Cf Jn 14:27).
It may seem that the way to acquire this peace is very difficult but, there is no other way. Let us pray to Our Lady. She has won peace and victory for the Church on many occasions; for example, against the Turks at Lepanto in 1571 and at Vienna in 1683. In the same way, she will obtain for us, her children, interior peace of soul, the greatest treasure which we can possess on earth!”
Quote/s of the Day –19 May – The Memorial of St Alcuin of York (c735-804) “The Schoolmaster of Europe.” Deacon, Confessor
“You should not agree to have anything to do with weapons of war. Throw yourself upon Christ’s mercy, crying: ‘My Love and my Stronghold, my Protector and Liberator, in Whom my heart has put its hope.”
(St Alcuin, writing to the Monks in Mayo, Ireland).
“In the morning, at the height of my powers, I sowed the seed in Britain, now in the evening, when my blood is growing cold, I am still sowing in France, hoping both will grow, by the grace of God, giving some the honey of the Holy Scriptures, making others drunk, on the old wine, of ancient learning.”
“Be prudent in thought and cautious in speech. Always set your hope on God, for He never fails them whose hope is set on Him.”
(From a letter to King Charlemagne’s son).
Act of Contrition and Repentance
Almighty and merciful God, Fountain of all Goodness, Thou knows the thoughts of our hearts. We confess that we have sinned against Thee and done evil in Thy Sight. Wash us from the stains of our past sins and give us grace and power to put away all hurtful things. Deliver us from the bondage of sin that we may bring forth worthy fruits of repentance.
One Minute Reflection – 19 May – The Memorial of St Pope Celestine V (1210-1296) – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Upon this rock I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven and, whatever you loose on earth, shall be loosed in Heaven.” … Matthew 16:18-19
REFLECTION – “Peter was to receive on deposit, the keys of the Church, or rather the keys of Heaven and, he should see himself entrusted with the numerous people. What did the Lord actually say to him? “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven” (Mt 16:19). For Peter had a somewhat abrupt character; if he had been without sin what sort of forgiveness would the disciples have received from him? This is why Divine Grace allowed him to fall into a certain fault, in order that his own trial should make him benevolent towards others. Do you see how God can let someone fall into sin; this Peter, the leader of the Apostles, the unshakable foundation, indestructible rock, first in the Church, impregnable harbour, unshakable tower — this same Peter, who had said to Christ: “Even though I should have to die with Thee, I will not deny Thee” (Mt 26:35), Peter who, by a divine revelation, had confessed the truth: “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Mt 16:16). … But as I said, God arranged it in this way and allowed Peter to sin because He had it in mind, to confer numerous people upon him and He feared, that his roughness, joined to his impeccability, might make him unsympathetic towards his brothers. He gave way to sin so that, remembering his own failure and the kindness of the Lord, he might testify to others, a grace of philanthropy in accord with the divine design conceived by God. The fall had been permitted to the one who was going to see himself entrusted with the Church, the Pillar of the Church, the Harbour of the Faith; the fall had been permitted to Peter, the Doctor of the Universe, in order that, the forgiveness received, might remain the foundation of love for others.” – (Attr) St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (On the Apostle Peter and the Prophet Elijah).
PRAYER – O God, Who raised blessed Peter Celestine to the lofty dignity of Supreme Pontiff and taught him to prefer self-abasement instead; mercifully grant that by his example, we may look upon all worldly things as naught and may be worthy to reap, in joy, the rewards promised to the humble.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).
Our Morning Offering – 19 May – The Memorial of St Alcuin of York (c735-804) “The Schoolmaster of Europe.” Deacon, Confessor
Eternal Light, Shine into our Hearts By St Alcuin of York (c735-804)
Eternal Light, shine into our hearts, Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil, Eternal Power, be our support, Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance, Eternal Pity, have mercy on us that with all our heart and mind and soul and strength, we may seek Thy Face and be brought, by Thine Infinite Mercy to Thy Holy Presence; through Jesus Christ, our Lord Amen
Saint of the Day – 19 May – Saint Alcuin of York (c735-804) “The Schoolmaster of Europe.” Deacon, Confessor, Scholar, Teacher, Reformer, Defender of Catholic Doctrine, Founder of educational institutions in Monasteries and Cathedral Chapters, renowned Poet, Theologian and Writer. Accrdited with the the invention of cursive script, Alcuin established Scriptoria dedicated to copying and preserving ancient manuscripts, both pagan and Christian- that we have as much as we do, of the writings of classical Roman authors, is largely due to Alcuin and his scribes. Alcuin a;so revised and organised the Latin liturgy, preserved ancient prayers and helped develop plain chant. He advocated the Doctrine that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son jointly. Unfortunately, the East resented Blessed Charlemagne‘s assumption of the title of Holy Roman Emperor; this hardened their opposition to the Doctrine and contributed to the rift between East and West. Born in c735 at York, England and died on 19 May 804 at Tours, France of natural causes.
St Alcuin and King Charlemagne
At the invitation of the Blessed Charlemagne, he became a leading scholar and teacher at the Carolingian Court, where he remained a figure in the 780s and 790s. Before that, he was also a Court Chancellor in Aachen.
“The most learned man anywhere to be found,”according to Einhard’s Life of Charlemagne. This bold statement from Einhard, the Frankish scholar and Courtier to Charlemagne, is a touching assessment of Alcuin of York’s reach academically, spiritually and culturally. Alcuin is considered among the most important intellectual architects of the Carolingian Renaissance. Among his pupils were many of the dominant intellectuals of the era.
In the last half of the eighth century, Charlemagne presided over a revival of learning in the Frankish empire. Alcuin of York, a scholar Saint, was largely responsible for generating this cultural renewal – now called the Carolingian Renaissance. In 767, Alcuin became the Rector of the Minster school at York, where he had studied. An innovative educator, he improved the school, made its library one of England’s best and attracted outstanding students.
St Alcuin conferring with Charlemagne
Charlemagne brought Alcuin to Aachen in 781 and appointed him as his Ecclesiastical and Educational Adviser. Later, although Alcuin was not a Priest and probably was not a Monk, Charlemagne installed him as the Abbot of the Monastery of St Martin at Tours. As Head of the Palace school, Alcuin elevated the culture at Court and sponsored educational enterprises throughout the realm. And, under his guidance, the Abbey at Tours became famous as a centre of learning. Alcuin also won his reputation as a Theologian and Liturgist. He wrote and spoke against the Adoptionists, heretics who claimed that Jesus was God’s adopted son. And Alcuin conducted a Liturgical reform which left its mark on the Roman style of worship. He revised the Roman Lectionary, the book of readings used in worship and put together a new Sacramentary, the book of formulas for Baptism and the other Sacraments.
He also wrote verse, textbooks and innumerable letters. As Adviser to Charlemagne, he played a special role in the education of the Royal family. As the following letter to one of Charlemagne’s sons shows, he held his heirs to a high Christian ideal:
“I rejoice my dearest son, in your devoted goodwill regarding both your generous almsgiving and your gentle rule. All this surely pleases God and deserves the mercy of His perpetual blessing. Always work to the utmost for the honour of God Almighty. In goodness and piety, follow the example of your most excellent father, so that by Christ’s Divine Clemency, you may inherit is blessings.
Listen faithfully to the poor and judge their cause with absolute justice. Do not permit the judges under you to judge for presents and gifts. For Holy Scripture says, gifts blind the hearts of the wise and subvert the words of the just. Hold in honour those who are true servants of God, for some come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly, are ravening wolves. Be prudent in thought and cautious in speech. Always set your hope on God, for He never fails them whose hope is set on Him. ”
St Alcuin with Emperor Charlemagne
Many of the ideas discussed within the Court found themselves in Alcuin’s correspondence to Charlemagne, to other members of the Court and those he maintained contact with in England. His letters express his interest in a range of pressing Theological and social issues of the day. In total, he left behind around 300 Latin letters which are invaluable as a source for this early medieval period. In one particular correspondence he discusses his discovery of the sad fate of Lindisfarne’s status as a cultural and religious sanctuary, altered forever by the Viking raid in 793. He expressed his great sorrow and analysed the event as God’s punishment for the behaviour of the people of Northumbria.
For his vast efforts as an educational reformer, history recognises Alcuin as “The Schoolmaster of Europe.” He died at the Abbey of Tours in 804, some 10 years before the Emperor and was buried at St Martin’s Church under an Epitaph which partly read:
“Dust, worms and ashes now … Alcuin my name, Wisdom I always loved, Pray, reader, for my soul.”
St Alcuin of York (c735-804) Deacon, Confessor, Teacher, Founder of educational institutions in Monasteries and Cathedral Chapters. Accredited with the the invention of cursive script.
St Calocerus of Rome St Crispin of Viterbo St Cyriaca of Nicomedia and Companions St Cyril of Trèves St Dunstan of Canterbury St Evonio of Auvergne St Hadulph of Saint-Vaast Bl Humiliana de’ Cerchi
Thought for the Day – 18 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Ascension of Jesus
“After His glorious Resurrection from the dead, Jesus appeared to His Apostles. For forty days He instructed them concerning the Kingdom of God. When He had announced to His followers, that He would send the Holy Spirit to give them the enlightenment and courage to preach the Gospel, they gathered together on the Mount of Olives and saw Him rise upwards until a bright cloud hid Him from their view. The Mystery of the Ascension contains a lesson for us. We must be detached from the world and brought closer to Heaven, which is our true home. We are so attached to earthly things because money, reputation and pleasure are closer to our hearts than the thought of God or of eternity. We shall have to leave all these things behind soon enough, however. When death comes, the world will slip away from us and the soul will stand alone before God.
Let us begin to detach ourselves from worldly affairs and to make Heaven the object of our desires. Why should we be sorry or afraid, or both, to leave this earth? Remember the teaching of St Paul “Here we no permanent city but we seek for the city that is to come” (Heb 13:14). “For me to live is Christ,” he said, “and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21). “desiring to depart and to be with Christ, a lot by far the better” (Phil 1:23).
Let us pray in the beautiful words of the Church: “Lord, grant that while we are living in this changing world, we may aspire to the true happiness of Heaven, so that in the midst of earthly vicissitudes, our hearts maybe content in this ambition.” (Roman Breviary).
Let us not be afraid of death, for it is only the Gate of Heaven!”
Quote/s of the Day –18 May – The Ascension of the Lord
“From that time onward, He was to remain at the Father’s Right Hand, until the completion of the period, ordained by God, for the Church’s children to increase and multiply, after which, in the same Body with which He ascended, He will come again to judge the living and the dead. And so, our Redeemer’s Visible Presence has passed into the Sacraments. Our faith is nobler and stronger because, empirical sight has been replaced by a reliable teaching, whose authority is accepted by believing hearts, enlightened from on high.”
St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope , Great Father and Doctor of the Church
“… The just ascend into Heaven but not in the manner that Christ ascended, namely by His own power, for they are taken up by Christ – “Draw me, we will run after thee.” (Sg 1:3) Or indeed, we can say, that no-one but Christ has ascended into Heaven because the just do not ascend, except, insofar as they are members of Christ, Who is the Head of the Church. … ”
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus/Doctor Communis
“Perhaps, the Blessed Mother, was the last to take her eyes off the disappearing cloud which had removed Jesus from view. Her human eyes never saw again, the beloved figure of her Divine Son but, in her soul, she saw Him entering triumphantly into Heaven among choirs of Angels and sitting at the right hand of the Eternal Father. She saw and thought with infinite yearning, of the not too distant day, when she would have passed from mortal exile, into the everlasting happiness of Heaven, where she would embrace her Divine Son again, in an ecstasy of love.
We have all been called to ascend to Heaven with Jesus and Mary. Let us remember, however, that only the innocent and the repentant can be admitted into Paradise!”
One Minute Reflection – 18 May – The Ascension of the Lord – Acts 1:1-11, Mark 16:14-20 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And the Lord Jesus, after He spoke to them, was taken up into Heaven and took His seat at the Right Hand of God.” – Mark 16:19
REFLECTION – “Father, all those Thou gave Me, I would have in My company where I Am, to see this glory of Mine.” (Jn 17:24) Happy are they who now have, as their Advocate before God, their Judge in person; happy are they, who have interceding for them, the One Whom we must adore, equally with the Father, to Whom He Himself addresses this prayer. The Father cannot refuse to grant this desire which His Lips expressed (Ps 21:3), for He is united with Him in His Will, in His Power, since He is One and the Same God… “All those Thou gave Me I would have in My company where I Am.” What assurance for those who have faith, what confidence for the believers! … The saints, whose “youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps 103:5) “soar as with eagles’ wings.” (Isa 40:31) …
On that day, Christ “was lifted up before the eyes of the disciples in a cloud which took him from their sight.” (Acts 1:9) … He strove to draw their hearts to follow Him, by making Himself loved by them and He promised them, through the example of His Body that their body could be lifted up in the same way… Today, Christ in truth “mounted a cherub and flew, borne on the wings of the wind,” (Ps 18:11) which is to say, He goes beyond the power of the Angels. And yet, in His condescendence before your weakness, “as an eagle… hovering over its brood,” He wants to “receive you and to bear you up on His pinions.” (Deut 32:11) … Some people fly with Christ by means of contemplation; for you, let it at least be through love!
Brother, since Christ your Treasure was lifted up to Heaven today, may your heart also be there (Mt 6:21). Your origin is from there and that is where you will find your inheritance (Ps 16:6); from there, you are awaiting the Saviour (Phil 3:20).” – Blessed Guerric of Igny (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (Sermon for the Ascension).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that as we do believe Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Saviour to have this day ascended into the heavens, so we may also in heart and mind, ascend and with Him continually dwell. 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).
AnaStpaul 
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