Day: August 15, 2023

Posted in DANTE ALIGHIERI!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on VIRTUE, THE ASSUMPTION

Thought for the Day – 15 August – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 15 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Assumption of
the Blessed Virgin Mary

“After she had risen, Mary was gloriously taken up into Heaven.
Jesus has ascended into Heaven by His own power but Mary was borne aloft by the Angels, whose Queen she was soon to be proclaimed.
She reigns in Heaven with her Divine Son and looks down in love and mercy on her exiled children, whom she is ever ready to assist.

She was the humblest and most exalted of creatures (Dante, Paradiso XXXIII 2), for, when told that she was to be the Mother of God, she desired to be called His handmaid.

Humility is the Mother of all the virtues, even as pride is the source of all the vices.
If we wish to share in Mary’s triumph, we must first of all share in her humility.

“Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled” Jesus has said “and he who humbles himself shall be exalted” (Lk 14:11).
“God resists the proud,” we are reminded by the Apostle James “but gives grace to the humble” (Js 4:6).

The glorious Assumption of Mary contains a lesson in humbility for all of us!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/15/thought-for-the-day-15-august-the-assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/15/__trashed-21/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOGMA, franciscan OFM, MARIAN POETRY, PAPAL DECREE, THE ASSUMPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 15 August – The Assumption

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 15 August – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven

“May the Blessed Virgin,
unique in her merits,
stand in the presence of her Creator,
interceding always in our favour.
She will be radiant in the fullness of glory,
she, who brought forth
from her virginal womb.
the King of glory.”

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)

The Praises of Mary
“Assumption”
Poem by Saint Anthony (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

O how wondrous is the dignity
of the glorious Virgin!
She merited to become the mother of Him
who is the strength and beauty of the Angels
and the grandeur of all the Saints.

Mary was the seat of our sanctification,
that is to say,
the dwelling place of the Son
Who sacrificed Himself for us.

“And I shall glorify the place
where my feet have stood.”
The feet of the Saviour signify His human nature.
The place where the feet of the Saviour stood
was the Blessed Mary,
who gave Him His human nature.

Today the Lord glorifies that place,
since He has exalted Mary
above the choirs of the Angels.
That is to say,
the Blessed Virgin,
who was the dwelling of the Saviour,
has been assumed bodily into Heaven.

“In their sermons and speeches
on the Feast day of the Assumption of the Mother of God,
the holy Fathers and the Great Doctors of the Church,
were speaking of something which the faithful already knew
and accepted – all they did, was to bring it out into the open,
to explain its meaning and substance in other terms.
Above all, they made it most clear,
that this Feast commemorated, not merely the fact
that the Blessed Virgin Mary did not experience bodily decay
but also, her triumph over death
and her heavenly glory,
following the example of her only Son, Jesus Christ.”

Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)
From the Apostolic Constitution
“Munificentissimus Deus”
Defining the DOGMA of the Assumption
1 November 1950

“Jesus willed, however, that the Immaculate body
of His Mother would remain intact.
It was only her great love
and intense desire of being reunited with her Son,
which gradually consumed her mortal life.
Her ever-increasing love for God,
broke the bonds of her mortal frame
until she went to sleep at last, in the Lord.
If only our death could be the same!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/15/quote-s-of-the-day-15-august-the-assumption-3/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, THE ASSUMPTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 August – ‘ … On this day,we turn our souls towards the hope you represent for us …

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 15 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven – Judith 13:22-25; 15:10, Luke 1:41-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord … … my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” – Luke 1:46-47

REFLECTION – “O Mother of God, ever Virgin, your holy departure from this world, is in truth, a way and an entry into the dwelling place of God. Leaving this material world, you enter into “a better country” (Heb 11:16) where the heavenly powers greet you with sacred canticles and joyous praise, saying: “Who is this most pure creature who rises up, shining like the dawn, beautiful as the moon, radiant as the sun?” (Sg 8:5; 6:10)… “The King has brought you into His chambers” (Sg 1:4) and Angels magnify her who, according to God’s design, is their true Mother, by nature and grace, of their very Lord…

The Apostles bore your stainless body, the true Ark of the Covenant,and laid it in its holy tomb. And there, as though across another Jordan, you came to the real Land of promise, I might even say, to the “Jerusalem above,” mother of believers, (Gal 4:26) of which God is the architect and builder. Your soul most certainly “did not go down into the netherworld, nor has your flesh itself experienced corruption” (Ps 15:10; Acts 2:31). Your pure and spotless body was not left within the earth but you, Queen, Sovereign, Lady, Mother of God, true Godbearer, have been lifted to the dwellings of the heavenly Kingdom…

We approach you, O our Queen, Mother of God and Virgin, on this day, we turn our souls towards the hope you represent for us … We wish to honour you with “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Eph 5:19). In thus honouring the servant, we express our dedication to our common Lord … Cast your eyes upon us, O Queen, Mother of our kind Sovereign; guide our way into the calm harbour of God’s good will.” – St John Damascene (675-749) Monk, Theologian, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon I on the Dormition 11-14).

PRAYER – Almighty, everlasting God, Who took up, body and soul, the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Thy Son, into heavenly glory, grant, we beseech Thee, that, always devoting ourselves to heavenly things, we may be found worthy to share in her glory. 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 FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, THE ASSUMPTION

Our Morning Offering – 15 August – Prayer in Honour of the Assumption

Posted on by AnaStpaul

“The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Prayer in Honour of the Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)

O Immaculate Virgin,
Mother of God
and Mother of men,
we believe with all the fervour of our faith,
in thy triumphal Assumption,
both body and soul, into Heaven,
where thou art acclaimed as Queen
by all the Choirs of Angels
and all the legions of the Saints.
And we unite with them,
to praise and bless the Lord,
who has exalted thee
above all other pure creatures
and to offer thee,
the tribute of our devotion
and our love.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 15 August – Blessed Alberto Berdini OFM Conv. (1385– 1450)

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Saint of the Day – 15 August – Blessed Alberto Berdini OFM Conv. (1385– 1450) Priest and Friar of the Friars Minor Conventual, known as the “King of Preachers – Rex Praedicatorum” Disciple and companion of St Bernardine of Siena in his Missionary work in Italy., often called upon to assist in peace discussions between warring Cities. Born in 1385 in Sarteano, Tuscany, Italy and died on 15 August 1450 in Milan, Italy of natural causes. Also known as – Alberto Berdini, Alberto of Sarteano.

Alberto entered the Order of Friars Minor Conventuals in 1405 and took up studies as a Novice in Florence. In 1422, he went to Verona to continue his studies in the classics. In July 1423, he met St Bernardine of Siena, who was preaching in Treviso. Alberto became desirous of following a stricter Rule of St Francis, closer to the original which St Bernardine was promoting and he transferred to the Observant Friars, becoming one of the companions of the Apostle of the Holy Name of Jesus, St Bernardine.

Alberto was a speaker of learned eloquence and under the guidance of St Bernardine, his fame as an orator became so renowned that he was commonly known as the “King of Preachers” (Rex Praedicatorum). Upon hearing him preach, Blessed Caterina Moriggi was moved to take up the ascetic life. One of his main themes was peace and he would become personally involved in peace-making in Modena, Perugia, Arezzo, Brescia and Ferrara.

Pope Eugene IV commissioned him as Apostolic Delegate for the Middle East and parts of Africa – Ethiopia, India, Egypt and Jerusalem. Alberto was accompanied on his missions by Tommaso Bellacci.

In 1439 he was sent by the Pope to deliver a letter to the Coptic Church in Egypt, an invitation to participate in the Council of Florence and thus take part in the ongoing efforts to unite all Christian Churches. He returned to Italy on 26 August 1441 with four Coptic Bishops, although eventually the efforts at reunion proved fruitless.

The panel of the bronze Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica, in Rome, in which Filarete sculpted the scene of the presentation of the Copts and Ethiopians, also handed down the image of Alberto alongside the Papal throne – perhaps this is Panel 8 – SEE HERE – (https://stpetersbasilica.info/Interior/DoorFilarete/DoorFilarete.htm. The entire door was then inserted in the new Vatican Basilica, during the pontificate of Paul V.

Alberto was elected as Acting General of the Order of Friars Minor, due to the sudden death of the incumbent of the Office. Alberto served for a year, from 1442-1443 until a new Minister General was elected.

Alberto died in Milan, Italy, on 15 August 1450.

Alberto, along with his teacher, St Bernardine, is considered among the four great pillars of the Observant reform within the Order of Friars Minor.

Posted in franciscan OFM, SAINT of the DAY, THE ASSUMPTION

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven and Memorials of the Saints – 15 August

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven
(Feast instituted by Pope Leo IV in 847) The Patronal Feast of South Africa
https://anastpaul.com/2018/08/19/the-solemnity-of-the-assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-19-august/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/15/solemnity-of-the-assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-and-memorials-of-the-saints-15-august-4/

St Alypius of Thagaste (Died 430) Bishop Bishop of the See of Thagaste (in what is now Algeria) in 394, Confessor, Reformer, Defender of the Faith against heresy, Lawyer, teacher, spiritual advisor. He was a lifelong disciple and friend of Saint Augustine of Hippo and joined him in his conversion (in 386; Confessions 8.12.28) and life in Christianity. He is credited with helping establish Augustine’s Monastery in Africa. Most of what is known about him comes from Augustine’s autobiographical Confessions.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/15/saint-of-the-dy-saint-alypius-of-thagaste-died-430/

Blessed Alfred of Hildesheim OSB (Died 874) Bishop, Benedictine Monk, Confessor, Founder of Essen Abbey, Hildesheim Cathedral, many Convents, Schools and Seminaries, Royal Spiritual Adviser to the East Frankish King Louis the German, Diplomatic Peacemaker, he was know for his great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
His Lifestory:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-blessed-alfred-of-hildesheim-osb-died-874-bishop/

Blessed Aimo Taparelli OP (c 1395-1495) Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, widower and father, Reformer, spiritual writer. He served as an Inquisitor-General for his Order in the Lombard and Liguria regions of Italy and became a travelling preacher in Northern Italian Cities. His name means “defends the house with the sword.” Aimo was Beatified on 29 May 1856 by Pope Pius IX.
Blessed Aimo’s zealous Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-blessed-aimo-taparelli-op-c-1395-1495/

Blessed Alberto Berdini OFM Conv. (1385– 1450) Priest and Friaer of the Friars Minor Conventual, known as the “King of Preachers.”
St Arduinus of Rimini
St Napoleon of Alexandria

St Simplician (c 320-c 401) Archbishop of Milan and Successor of St Ambrose (340-397) Doctor of the Church in the Archdiocese of Milan, Teacher, Catechist, Writer, Mystic.
St Ambrose used to call Simplician father, as a sign of spiritual relationship but they were also great friends. Simplician took also an active part in the conversions of both Alypius of Thagaste and Augustine of Hippo. The meeting between Augustine and Simplican occurred in Milan in 386 and it is recorded in Augustine’s Confessions. After his conversion, Augustine also called Simplician father and in 397 he dedicated to Simplician two books on the issue of predestination, known as De Diversis Quaestionibus ad Simplicianum. St Augustine, remembered and referred to him with deep gratitude, calling him the “spiritual father of my soul” and would submit his own writings to him to review and comment.
Details of the life of St Simplician here: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-st-simplician-of-milan/

St Tarcisius (3rd century) Martyr of the Eucharist – Patronages – Altar boys, First Communicants.
About St Tarcisius:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-st-tarcisius-3rd-century-martyr-of-the-eucharist/

Martyrs of Nicomedia – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together. No details survive but the names – Eutychian, Philip and Straton. They were martyred in Nicomedia, Bithynia (in modern Turkey).