Day: January 8, 2024

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, SELF-DISTRUST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 8 January – I: Distrust of Self

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Thought for the Day – 8 January – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

The First Two Weapons
of the Spiritual Combat

I: Distrust of Self (Diffidence)

“So necessary is self-distrust in this conflict that, without it, you will be unable, I say, not to achieve the victory desired but even to overcome the very least of your passions!
And let this be well impressed upon your mind; for our corrupt nature too easily inclines us to a false estimate of ourselves; so that, being really nothing, we account ourselves to be something and presume, without the slightest foundation, upon our own strength.
This is a fault, not easily discerned by us but very displeasing in the sight of God.
For He desires and loves, to see in us, a frank and true recognition of this most certain truth — that all the virtue and grace which is within us, is derived from Himself alone, Who is the Fountain of all good and that nothing good can proceed from us, no, not even a thought which can find acceptance in His sight.

And, although this very important self-distrust is, itself, the work of His Divine Hand and is bestowed upon His beloved, now by means of holy inspirations, now by sharp chastisements and violent and almost irresistible temptations and by other means which we, ourselves, do not understand; still, it is His will that we, on our part, should do all in our power to attain it.
I, therefore, set before you four methods, by the use of which, in dependence always on Divine grace, you may acquire this gift. …

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in CARMELITES, CHRIST the LIGHT, CONTEMPLATIVE Prayer, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for the NEW YEAR, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HEART, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 January – Advice for 2024 from St John of the Cross

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 January – Advice for 2024 from St John of the Cross

“What we need most,
in order to make progress,
is to be silent before this great God
with our appetite and with our tongue,
for the language He best hears
is silent love.”

“Contemplation is nothing else
but a secret, peaceful
and loving infusion of God
which, if admitted,
will set the soul on fire
with the Spirit of love.”

“Take God for your spouse and friend
and walk with Him continually
and you will not sin
and will learn to love
and, the things you must do,
will work out prosperously for you.”

“The endurance of darkness
is the preparation for great light!”

“Strive to preserve your heart in peace;
let no event of this world, disturb it.”

Lord God, Lift Me Up
By St John of the Cross (1542-1591)

Lord God, my Beloved,
if Thou art still mindful of my sins
and wilt not grant my petitions,
let Thy will be done,
for this is my main desire.
Show Thy goodness and mercy
and Thou shalt be known for them.
If Thou art waiting for me
to do good works
and upon their performance,
Thou wilt grant my petitions,
cause them to be accomplished in me, O Lord!
Send also, the punishment for my sins,
which is acceptable to Thee.
For how will I raise myself up to Thee,
born and bred as I am, in misery,
unless Thou, O Lord,
wilt lift me up
with the Hand which made me?!
Amen

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Mystical Doctor of the Church

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WISDOM, St PAUL!, The DIVINE INFANT, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The EPIPHANY Prayers, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 January – ‘ … Mad? Yes, they have become so in order to be wise. …’ St Bernard

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One Minute Reflection – 8 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family”– Within the Octave of The Epiphany –Isaias 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Falling down they adored Him” – Matthew 2:11

REFLECTION – “God’s intention was not only to come down to earth but to become known there; not only to be born but to be recognised. In fact, it is with this recognition in mind that we hold this celebration of the Epiphany, the great day of His manifestation. For it was today that the Magi came from the East in search of the Sun of Justice at its rising (Mal 3:20), He of Whom we read: “Behold a Man Whose name is the Orient,” (Zec 6:12 Vul.). Today they have adored the Virgin’s newborn Child, following the guidance of a New Star. What great cause for joy do we not find here, my brethren, as also in those words of the Apostle Paul: “The kindness and generous love of God our Saviour have appeared,” (Tit 3:4)…

What is this you are doing, you Magi? What is this you are doing? Are you adoring an Infant at the breast in a wretched hovel, wrapped in miserable rags? Can a Child such as this really be God? Yet, “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in Heaven.” (Ps 11:4) while you are looking for Him in a common stable, held in His Mother’s arms! Whatever are you doing? Why are you offering Him gold? Could such a One as this be King? Where, then, is His Royal Court, His Throne, His crowd of courtiers? Can a stable be a palace, a crib a throne, Mary and Joseph members of His Court? How on earth could wise men be so foolish as to adore a Baby, as contemptible by reason of His age, as for the poverty of His Family?

Mad? Yes, they have become so in order to be wise. The Holy Spirit has taught them already what the Apostle Paul would later proclaim: “Whoever would be wise, let him become a fool. For since the world, in all its wisdom, did not come to know God in His Wisdom, it has pleased God to save those who believe, through the foolishness of the Gospel we proclaim, (Cf 1 Cor 1:21)… And so, they prostrate themselves before this poor Child; they do Him homage as to a King; they adore Him as a God. He Who outwardly guided them by a Star, has cast His Light into the interior of their hearts!” – St Bernard (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, Father and Doctor of the Church (1st Sermon for the Epiphany).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who by the guidance of a star this day revealed Thy Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may come to behold Thee in glory. 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 DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The DIVINE INFANT

Our Morning Offering – 8 January – O Dearest Infant

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Our Morning Offering – 8 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – With the Octave of The Epiphany

O Dearest Infant
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

O dearest Infant,
tell me what You came on earth to do.
Tell me whom You are seeking.
Ah, yes, I now understand…
You have come to die for me, a lost sheep,
in order that I may no more
hide from You but love You.
O Jesus, my treasure,
my life, my love, my all,
if I do not love You,
then whom shall I love?
Where can I find a mother or father,
a friend, or a spouse more loving than You?
And who has ever loved me more than You have?
I am sorry that I have lived so many years in this world
and yet still love You so little,
even having offended You
and sometimes forgotten You.
Amen

Posted in GOUT, KNEE PROBLEMS, ARTHRITIS, etc, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 8 January – Saint Albert of Cashel (Died c600) Bishop(?), Missionary

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Saint of the Day – 8 January – Saint Albert of Cashel (Died c600) Bishop(?), Missionary.  Born in England and died in 800 at Regensburg, Germany of natural causes. Patronages – against arthritis, of Cashel, Ireland, the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, Ireland. Also known as – Albert of Regensburg, Alberto. The name ‘Albert’ means “shining through nobility” (From the Old High German). Canonised on 19 June 1902 by Pope Leo XIII.

Traditionally held to be an Englishman who worked in Ireland and then Bavaria in modern Germany, together with St Erhard of Regensburg who died in the 7th Century and is believed to have been Albert’s brother.

Albert worked mainly around the City of Cashel, in Ireland and itraditionally held to have been the Bishop of that City and today he is reverred as the City’s and the Diocesan Patron Saint. There is a chronilogical error regarding Albert’s life in that the Diocese of Cashel was only founded in 1111.

In a legendary 12th Century Vita, he is called “natione Anglus, conversatione Angelicus – by race an Angle, in manners an Angel!”

Our Saint and St Erhard of Regensburg, evangelised and went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land together. They separated when Albert went to Ireland and Erhard remain in Regensburg. According to tradition, Albert became Archbishop of Cashel in County Tipperary in Ireland. Out of longing for his brother Erhard, Albert finally returned to Regensburg, where Erhard had since died. Albert prostrated himself crying at his grave in what was then the Niedermünster Monastery. Albert died soon after and his grave is next to Erhard ‘s.

Albert was Canonised by the confirmation of his cult on 19 June 1902 (the group “Albert , Asicus and Carthagus – Bishops, and their 22 Irish companions”) by Pope Leo XIII. His memorial day is 8 January in the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly but 19 January is also mentioned. He is celebrated all over Ireland. It is recorded that Albert suffered from arthritis, hence his patronage of this illness.

St Albert’s Reliquary in the Church of the Niedermünster Monastery in Regensburg.
Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Within the Octave of The Epiphany, Our Lady of Prompt Succour, New Orleans, USA (1809) and Memorials of the Saints – 8 January

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Third Day of Octave of The Epiphany Octave

Our Lady of Prompt Succour, New Orleans, USA (1809) – 8 January and 15 January:
Such wonderful miracles – read about the Marian Patron of Louisiana here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/01/08/memorials-of-the-saints-8-january/

St Abo of Tblisi
St Albert of Cashel (Died c600) Bishop

St Apollinaris the Apologist (Died 2nd Century) Confessor, Defender of the True Faith against heretics, Writer, renowned Scholar. Bishop, Apologist.
The Roman Martyrology states: “In Hierapolis in Phrygia, in today’s Turkey, Saint Apollinaris, Bishop, who shone under the Emperor Marcus Aurelius for doctrine and holiness.”
A Courageous and Zealous Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/08/saint-of-the-day-8-january-saint-apollinaris-the-apologist-died-2nd-century/

St Athelm of Canterbury
St Atticus of Constantinople
St Carterius of Caesarea
Bl Edward Waterson
St Ergnad of Ulster
St Erhard of Regensburg
St Eugenian of Autun
St Garibaldus of Regensburg
St Gudule of Brussels
St Helladius
St Julian of Beauvais
St Lucian of Beauvais
St Maximian of Beauvais
St Maximus of Pavia
Bl Nathalan of Aberdeen
St Patiens of Metz
St Pega of Peakirk

St Peter Thomas OCD (1305-1366) Carmelite Priest and Friar, Archbishop of Crete, Latin Patriarch of Constantinople, noted Preacher, Papal legate, the Carmelite Order’s Procurator-General to the Papal Court, Teacher, Marian devotee, miracle-worker.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/08/saint-of-the-day-6-january-st-peter-thomas-ocd-c-1305-1366/

St Severinus of Noricum (c 410-482) Abbot, Hermit, Missionary, the “Apostle to Noricum” (Noricum is the Latin name for the Celtic Kingdom or Federation of Tribes which included most of modern Austria and part of Slovenia). He established Monasteries and refuge centres for those stricken by war. Severinus was graced with the gifts of prophecy and miracles.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/08/saint-of-the-day-8-january-saint-severinus-of-noricum-c-410-482-the-apostle-to-noricum/

St Theophilus the Martyr
St Thorfinn
St Wulsin of Sherborne

Martyrs of Greece – 9 Saints: A group of Christians honoured in Greece as Martyrs, but we have no details about their lives or deaths – Euctus, Flix, Januarius, Lucius, Palladius, Piscus, Rusticus, Secundus and Timotheus

Martyrs of Terni – 4 Saints: A group of Christian soldiers in the imperial Roman army. Executed during the persecutions of Emperor Claudius. Martyrs. – Carbonanus, Claudius, Planus and Tibudianus. They were martyred in 270 in Terni, Italy.