Day: August 18, 2023

Posted in CONFESSION, HOLY COMMUNION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 18 August – Two Paths to Heaven

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Thought for the Day – 18 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Two Paths to Heaven

“The second path to Heaven, however, demands sacrifice on our part.
Our repentance must be practical and supernatural.
It should lead us to confess our sins in the Sacrament of Penance and to regain God’s friendship in Holy Communion.
After that, our way must be one of self-mortification: “Unless you repent,” Jesus warns us, “you will all perish” (Lk 13:51).

The first penance which we must perform, is to offer to God, all the physical and moral sufferings which are in store for us during life and at the hour of death.
Then, we must add our own voluntary acts of self-denial.
The generosity of the Saints, in this regard, was rewarded by the lasting friendship of God.
As for ourselves, we should remember that Jesus, Himself, has warned us that we shall be lost if we neglect to do penance (Ibid).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/26/thought-for-the-day-26-august-two-paths-to-heaven-part-one/
PART TWO: https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/17/thought-for-the-day-17-march-two-paths-to-heaven-part-two/

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, TOTAL Consecration to JESUS through MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 18 August – Always Mary!

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Quote/s of the Day – 18 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Within the Octave of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven

“Mary is the new Tree of Life,
who, instead of the bitter fruit picked by Eve,
gives to mankind that Sweet Fruit
on which the whole world is fed.”

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Mary was placed by God
in the centre of history
and we can say
that everything was made
through her
and with her
and in her.”

“In the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I trust.
Look to the Star, call upon Mary!
In danger, in difficulty or in doubt,
think of Mary, call upon Mary.
Keep her name on your lips,
never let it pass out of your heart.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

“Mary is the divine Page
on which God the Father
wrote the Word of God, His Son.
Let us draw near to her and read her!”

St Albert the Great OP (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Church

“The most efficacious means
to foster devotion
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
is through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690
Visionary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUEENSHIP of MARY, THE ASSUMPTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 August – ‘ … Mother of life, Source of mercy … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 18 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Within the Octave of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin – Judith 13:22-25; 13:15; 13:10, Luke 1:41-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Most blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” – Luke 1:42

REFLECTION – “Let us honour the Queen of Heaven, Mother of life, Source of mercy, overflowing delights, leaning on her Beloved. Let us praise her, knowing full well that our praise will be insufficient.

Risen above the tallest trees of paradise and exalted above the highest peaks of mountains, she will penetrate Heaven with incredible majesty accompanied by the singing of the choirs of celestial Angels and surrounded by the dancing of Angels. Happy are those who dwell in Thy house, O Lord, they will praise Thee without end! In you we praise not Eve who introduced the poison but Mary who gave life, who is the Mother and nursemaid of all, the life of all the living. In you we praise even our own mother.

May all hear and rejoice, the humble Virgin rises, crowned, to the throne of glory, may the humble rejoice.May those who exalt themselves in their presumption fall. Mary, who gives herself as a holocaust to the fullness of grace. 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) Bishop, Cistercian Monk (Marian Homily VIII).

PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, forgive the transgressions of Thy servants and, forasmuch as by our own deeds, we cannot please Thee, may we find safety through the prayers of the Mother of Thy Son and our Lord. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 18 August – To Thee, O Master

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Our Morning Offering – 18 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Memorial of St Macarius the Wonder-Worker (Died 850)

To Thee, O Master
Morning Offering
By St Macarius the Wonder-Worker (Died 850)

To Thee, O Master,
who loves all mankind
I hasten on rising from sleep.
By Thy mercy,
I go out to do Thy work
and I make my prayer to Thee.
Help me at all times and in all things.
Deliver me from every evil thing of this world
and from pursuit by the devil.
Save me and bring me to Thy eternal Kingdom,
For Thou art my Creator,
Thou inspire all good thoughts in me.
In Thee is all my hope
and to Thee I give glory,
now and forever.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 18 August – Blessed Leonard of Cava (1232-1255) Abbot

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Saint of the Day – 18 August – Blessed Leonard of Cava (1232-1255) Abbot, an Administrator par excellence, a Peace-maker, a Monk devoted to the Rule of St Benedictine. He was known as a man of extraordinary gentleness and peace.

Portrait of a Benedictine Monk by Sir Anthony van Dijk

Successor of Blessed Balsamus, at the helm of the Benedictine Abbey of Trinità di Cava, he was elected on 13 December 1232, governing the Monastery for 23 years.

He was a sweet and peaceful man, wise and a skilled administrator. During the struggle between the Pope and the Emperor Frederick II which characterised the whole period, Leonard was able to manage all issues intelligently and highly effectively, without antagonising anyone, thus saving the Abbey from the prospect of closure and protecting its financial resources and treasures too.

In fact, Leonard was elected, by the Emperor in 1245, together with other Ecclesiastics, to plead his cause before the Council of Lyons – the Emperor himself and the Popes, Innocent IV and Alexander IV, multiplied the concessions and privileges to the Abbey, which assumed a notable role and importance throughout the Middle Ages.

A beautiful artwork of Trinità di Cava

He led by example and his brother Monks became known for their devotion to the Benedictine Rule. The Monks also generously assisted the people affected by the war. In 1249, the City of Benevento destroyed by the Germans, entrusted the Abbey with the custody of the Relics of St Bartolomew and the Diocesan treasury. When the Relics were returned to their rightful home, a portion of the head was donated and enshrined in the Abbey as a gift of appreciation.

The worthy and holy Abbot died on 18 August 1255 and was buried in the ‘Arsicia’ cave, the place incorporated into the Abbey Church, which was used by the Founder, St Alferius, as his initial hermitage.

In 1641 he was given a different burial in front of the choir door; currently his Relics are kept in a side Altar of the Abbey Church. His cult was confirmed by Pope Pius XI on 16 May 1928 – his liturgical Feast is celebrated on the date of his entrance into eternal life, 18 August.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Within the Octave of the Assumption of Our Lady. St Helena (c 250 – c 330) and all the Saints for 18 August

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Within the Octave of the Assumption of Our Lady

St Agapitus the Martyr (c 259- c 274) Roman Youth aged 15: Born in c259 in Palestrina, Italy and died in c 274 by being thrown to wild animals in the arena. When the animals would not touch him, he was beheaded at Palestrina, Italy.
His Short Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/18/saint-of-the-day-18-august-st-agapitus-the-martyr-c-259-c-274/

St Helena (c 250 – c 330) Empress, Mother of Saint Constantine, Founder of the True Cross of Christ. 
St Helena’s Story:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/08/18/saint-of-the-day-18-august-st-helena-c%e2%80%89250-c-%e2%80%89330/

St Macarius the Wonder-Worker (Died 850) Monk, Abbot, Defender of Icons, Miracle worker
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/18/saint-of-the-day-18-august-saint-macarius-the-wonder-worker-died-850/

St Crispus of Rome
St Daig Maccairaill
Bl Domenico de Molinar
St Eonus of Arles
St Ernan
St Evan of Ayrshire
St Firminus of Metz
St Florus of Illyria
Bl Francis of Francavilla
Bl Gaspar di Salamanca
St Hermas of Rome
St John of Rome
St Juliana of Myra
St Juliana of Stobylum
St Laurus of Illyria
St Leo of Myra
Blessed Leonard of Cava (1232-1255) Abbot
St Maximus of Illyria
Bl Milo of Fontenelle
St Polyaenus of Rome
St Proculus of Illyria

Blessed Rinaldo of Concorezzo (c 1245 – 1321) Bishop of Vicenza from 1296 until his 1303 appointment as the Archbishop of Ravenna-Cervia holding that until his death, Doctor of Canon Law, Papal envoy, Arbitrator and Peace-maker. Archbishop Rinaldo was also a close friend of Dante Alighieri.
His Courageous Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/18/saint-of-the-day-18-august-blessed-rinaldo-of-concorezzo-c-1245-1321/

St Ronan of Iona
St Serapion of Rome

Massa Candida: Also known as Martyrs of Utica and the White Company: Three hundred 3rd Century Christians at Carthage, who were ordered to burn incense to Jupiter or face death by fire. Martyrs. Saint Augustine of Hippo and the poet Prudentius wrote about them. They were forced to cast themselves into a pit of burning lime c 253 at Carthage, North Africa.