Day: February 23, 2024

Posted in QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LUST, QUOTES on MEDIOCRITY, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 23 February – Of Using the Senses to Advantage in Diverse Situations (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 23 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XXIII: … Of Using the Senses to Advantage
in Diverse Situations
(Part One)

“Having now seen, by what means, we may raise the mind from sensible objects to the contemplation of the Divinity and of the Mysteries of the Incarnate Word, I will here add some aids for various subjects of meditation, that, as the tastes of souls are many and varied, so too, may their nourishment be.
This maybe *awful, not only to simple persons but also to those of higher
intellect and more advanced in the spiritual life, who, nevertheless, may not at all times be equally disposed and ready for higher contemplations.
Nor need you fear to be perplexed by the variety of the methods described, if you will only observe the Rule of Discretion and attend to the advice of others which I wish you to follow with all humility and confidence, not in this instance alone but, with regard to all other counsels which you shall receive from me.

+++ At the sight of all the things which please the eyes and are prized in the world, consider tha, all these are vile as dust, compared with heavenly riches, after which heavenly beauty do you aspire, with undivided affections, despising the whole world.

+++ When looking upon the sun, consider that your soul is brighter and more beautiful if it be in your Creator’s favour; if not, that it is blacker and more hateful than the darkness of hell.

+++ When your bodily eyes are lifted to the heavens above you, let the eyes of your mind penetrate even to the Heaven of heavens and there, fix yourself in thought, as if you are in the place prepared for your eternal and blessed abode, if you shall live a holy life on the earth.

+++ On hearing the songs of birds, or other melodious sounds, lift up your heart to the songs of Paradise, where resounds a ceaseless Alleluia and pray the Lord to make you worthy to praise Him together with those celestial spirits, forever and ever.

If you are conscious of taking delight in the beauty of the creature, remember that there, the deadly serpent lies hidden, ready and eager to wound, if not to enslaye you and say to him:
“O accursed serpent, you insidiously lie in wait to devour me!”
Then turning to your Lord God, say:
“Blessed be Thou, O my God, Who has revealed to me the hidden enemy, and delivered me from his ravenous jaws.”
Then FLY at once, from the allurement, to the Wounds of your Crucified Lord, letting your mind rest on them, considering how acutely He suffered in His most Sacred Flesh, to free you from sin and make you detest all carnal delights.
Another way of escape from this perilous allurement is, to consider what will be the condition of that object, after death, which now delights you so!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

*Proper and original meaning of “awful” – “full of awe” or “worthy of respect” or “striking with reverential awe.”

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, HYMNS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VICE, St PAUL!, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 23 February – St Peter Damian

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Quote/s of the Day – 23 February – St Peter Damian (1007-1072) Cardinal Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

“He who does not attack a vice
but rather, coddles it,
is justly judged guilty
of the death, together with those
who die by that vice!”

“Receive the Body and Blood of Christ
very frequently. The sight of a Christian’s lips
red with the Blood of Christ terrifies the enemy.
He immediately recognises the sign of his own ruin.
He cannot stand the Instrument of Divine Victory,
by which he was taken captive and cast down.”

“Truly, this vice is never to be compared
with any other vice
because it surpasses the enormity of all vices….
It defiles everything, stains everything, pollutes everything.
And as for itself, it permits nothing pure,
nothing clean, nothing other than filth!”

“No-one can fight properly
and boldly for the faith,
if he clings to a fear of being stripped
of earthly possessions.”

Have Mercy, Lord
By St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Doctor of the Church

Have mercy, Lord,
on all my friends and relatives,
on all my benefactors,
on all who pray to Thee for me
and on all who have asked me
to pray to Thee, for them.
Give them the spirit of fruitful penance,
mortify them in all vices
and make them flower
in all Thy virtues.
Amen

Paule Doctor Egregie
Let Gentiles Raise the Thankful Lay
By St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Father and Doctor of the Church
Trans. John Mason Neale, 1854

Let Gentiles raise the thankful lay
Upon their great Apostle’s Day,
Whose doctrine, like the thunder, sounds
To the wide world’s remotest bounds.

O bliss of Paul beyond all thought!
To Paradise, yet living, caught,
He hears the heav’nly myst’ries there,
Which mortal tongue can not declare.

The Word’s blest seed around he flings
And straight a mighty harvest springs
And fruits of holy deeds supply,
God’s everlasting granary.

The lamp his holy lore displays
Hath fill’d the world with glorious rays
And doubt and error are o’erthrown,
That Truth may reign, and reign alone.

Long as unending ages run,
To God the Father laud be done,
To God the Son our equal praise
And God the Holy Ghost, we raise.
Amen.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/02/23/quote-s-of-the-day-23-february-st-peter-damian-2/

St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, OUR Cross, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 23 February – ‘Be Lamps Yourselves’

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 23 February – 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
he shall delight exceedingly
in His commandments.”
Psalm 111:1

“Neither do men light a candle
and put it under a bushel
but upon a candlestick …”
Matthew 5:15

Be Lamps Yourselves

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“What sort of candlestick is this which bears such a light?
I will teach you.
Be lamps yourselves and you will have a place on this lampstand.
Christ’s Cross is one great lampstand.
Whoever wants to shine out should not be ashamed of this wooden candlestick.
Listen to me and you will get the point – the candlestick is the Cross of Christ …

“So will your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify” Glorify whom? Not yourself, since to seek your own glory is to want to be extinguished!
“Glorify your heavenly Father.” Yes, that they may glorify Him, your heavenly Father, when they see your good works…
Listen to the Apostle Paul: “May I never glory except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world” (Gal 6:14).”

Posted in "Follow Me", APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, The INCARNATION, The LAMB of GOD, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 February – ‘ … I am your Light, your Salvation and your King. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 23 February – St Peter Damian (1007-1072) Cardinal Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I am not come to destroy but to fulfil.” – Matthew 5:17

REFLECTION – “The sacrifice of the lamb, the Passover rite and the letter of the Law have reached their term in Jesus Christ, in view of Whom, everything in the ancient Law took place – and, even more so, in the new dispensation. For the Law became the Word; from being old it became new … the commandments have been transformed into grace and the foreshadowing into Truth; the lamb has become the Son, the sheep has become man and man has become God. …

God, although He was the Lord, put on our humanity; He suffered for him, who was suffering, was bound for him, who was captive, was judged for the guilty, was buried for him, who was buried. He was raised from the dead and cried out in a loud voice: “If anyone wishes to oppose Me, let us appear together” (Is 50:8). It is I Who delivered the condemned man; I Who restored life to the dead; I Who raised up those in the grave. “Who disputes My right?” It is I, He says, I Who am the Christ, I Who destroyed death, Who triumphed over the enemy, Who bound the mighty enemy and carried off man to the heights of Heaven; it is I, He says, Who am the Christ.

Come along then, every human family, full of sin as you are and receive the forgiveness of your sins. For I Myself am your forgiveness, I am the Passover of salvation, the Lamb slain for your sakes, your Redemption, Life and Resurrection; I am your Light, your Salvation and your King. It is I Who lead you to the heights of Heaven, I Who will raise you up; it is I Who will bring you to see the Father Who is from all eternity; it is I Who will raise you up by My all-powerful Hand.” – St Melito of Sardis (Died c180) Bishop of Sardis in Smyrna and Father of the Church [Paschal Homily (Passim)]

PRAYER – Grant us, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, to follow the counsel and examples of St Peter, Thy Confessor and Bishop, so that by setting earthly goods at naught we may attain everlasting happiness. 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 DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, Quotes on SALVATION, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION

Our Morning Offering – 23 February – Rescue Me, Most Merciful God

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Our Morning Offering – 23 February – Ember Friday in the First Week of Lent

Rescue Me, Most Merciful God
By Father Martin von Cochem OSFC (c 1630-1712)

Most merciful God,
remember at how great a price
Thou didst purchase me
and how much Thou didst suffer for me.
For the sake of that inestimable price,
do not permit me to be lost,
rescue me,
number me amongst the sheep
of Thy fold.
With them, I will then
praise and magnify Thy loving kindness,
to all eternity.
Amen

Fr Martin von Cochem was a German Capuchin theologian, preacher and prolific ascetic writer. Father Martin’s works embrace a great variety of subjects – a huge volume of apologetics against Protestantism, the life of Christ, lives of the Saints, edifying narratives, the setting forth of certain points in Christian asceticism, forms of prayer, methods to be followed for the worthy reception of the sacraments, etc.
The prayer above is from the renowned “The Four Last Things.”

Posted in Of BEGGARS, the POOR, against POVERTY, Of BISHOPS, SAINT of the DAY, TEACHERS, LECTURERS, INSTRUCTORS

Saint of the Day – 23 February – Saint Milo of Benevento (Died c1077) Bishop,

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Saint of the Day – 23 February – Saint Milo of Benevento (Died c1077) Bishop, Teacher, Spiritual Guide and most zealous Shepherd of his flock and a loving father to the poor, the sick and the nedy. Born in Auvergne, France and died in c1073 in Benevento, Italy of natural causes. Patronages – of Bishops, of the poor and needy, of Teachers. Also known as – Milo of Auvergne, Milon … Milone… Additional Memorial – 25 May on some calendars.

An Unknown Bishop Saint who maybe St Milo

Saint Milo was born in Auvergne, France, in the 11th Century. From a young age he was remarkable for his piety and intelligence,and, for this reason, he was initiated into the studies required for the Priesthood. He studied in Paris, where he was Ordained a Priest and became a Canon of the Cathedral.

Milo was a man of great charity and compassion. He dedicated himself passionately to his ministry and, did his utmost to help those in need. He was also a great Teacher and was responsible for the education of several young people, including Saint Stephen of Muret, who would become the Founder of the Order of Grandmont.

The Romanesque Cathedral of Benevento

The fame of Milo’s virtues and knowledge soon crossed the borders of France. In 1068, he was elected as the Bishop of Benevento in Italy. Milo accepted the Ecclesiatical honour with great humility and dedication. He committed himself to reforming the Diocese and promoting peace and justice.

Unfortunately he was able to govern the Diocese for only two years. He died in c1070 (some sources say 1076).

Saint Milo is venerated as a Patron of Bishops, Teachers and the poor and needy. His liturgical Feast is celebrated on 23 February 23 and 25 May.

Inside the huge Romanesque Cathedral of Benevento
Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, LENT, LENT 2024, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, The PASSION

EMBER FRIDAY – FAST and ABSTINENCE, Nuestra Señora de la Peña / Our Lady of the Rock (1434), The Feast of the Sacred Lance and Nails – Friday after the 1st Sunday in Lent, St Peter Damian and the Saints for 23 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

EMBER FRIDAY – FAST and ABSTINENCE
In case you have forgotten about Ember Days as they are not promoted or encouraged since Vatican II, here is a reminder:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/16/today-is-an-ember-day-did-you-remember/

The Feast of the Sacred Lance and Nails – Friday after the 1st Sunday in Lent:
The Supreme Pontiff, Innocent VI, in his Decree establishing the Feast and Office of the Lance and Nails which pierced the Body of our Crucified Lord Jesus Christ, exhorts all the faithful to have a special veneration for and devotion to, all the Sacred Instruments of our Saviour’s Passion.
The following are the Holy Father’s words:
“We should honour the most holy Passion of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, in such manner that, meditating on all the mysteries and merits of the same Passion, we venerate also each Sacred Instrument thereof.”
Then this holy and zealous Pontiff, coming more directly to the honour due to the Lance and Nails, says:
“Although the Lance and Nails and the other Sacred Instruments of the Passion, should be enerated everywhere, by the faithful of Christ and although every year the Church celebrates the Solemn Offices of the same Passion, yet, we deem it proper and fitting, that a special Solemn Feast should be instituted and celebrated in honour of those particular Instruments of the Passion, more especially, in those places wherein these salutary Instruments are preserved. Hence, we wish to encourage this devotion by a special Office and privileges.” (Innocent VI in Decret. de Fest. Lane, et Clav. Domini).

The Lance, also known as “The Spear of Longinus” is kept in the Vatican Basilica, given to Innocent VIII in 1492. The Nails were kept with the Crown of Thorns, along with a small piece of the Lance of Longinus at Saint Chapelle, France and were subsequently lost during the French Revolution. The Crown of Thorns was the only Relic saved and is now kept at Notre Dame Cathedral.

In a Leap Year, the Vigil of St Matthias, Apostel, is not announced today because it is transferred to the 24th.

St Peter Damian OSB (1007-1072) Cardinal Bishop of Ostia, Benedictine Monk, Confessor, Theologian, Reformer, Writer, Teacher, Preacher, Poet, Papal Envoy, Father and Doctor of the Church. Dante placed him in one of the highest circles of Paradiso as a great predecessor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Peter was acclaimed as “one of the most accomplished Latinists of his time, one of the greatest writers of medieval Latin.”
The wonderful St Peter here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/02/21/saint-of-the-day-21-february-st-peter-damian/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/21/saint-of-the-day-21-february-st-peter-damian-osb-1007-1072-doctor-of-the-church/

Nuestra Señora de la Peña / Our Lady of the Rock, Pena de Francia, near Salamanca, Spain (1434) – 23 February:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/23/our-lady-of-the-rock-pena-de-francia-near-salamanca-spain-1434-and-memorials-of-the-saints-23-february/

St Alexander Akimetes
St Boswell
St Dositheus of Egypt
St Felix of Brescia
St Florentius of Seville
St Giovanni Theristi (1049–1129) Monk
Bl John of Hungary

St Lazarus Zographos (c810-c 867) Priest, Monk known as “the Painter and the Iconographer.” Lazarus lived before and during the second period of Byzantine Iconoclasm.
The Roman Martyrology states of him today: “St Lazarus, a Monk, whom the Iconoclast Emperor Theophilus ordered to be put to torture for having painted holy images. His hand was burned with a hot iron but, being healed by the power of God, he painted anew the holy images which had been defaced and finally rested in peace.”
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/23/saint-of-the-day-23-february-st-lazarus-zographos-810-865/

St Martha of Astorga
St Medrald

St Milburga (Died 715) Virgin, Prioress, Abbess, Miracle-worker.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/02/23/saint-of-the-day-23-february-saint-milburga-died-715-abbess/

St Milo of Benevento (Died c1077) Bishop
St Ordonius
St Polycarp of Rome
St Romana

St Serenus the Gardener (Died 307) Martyr. Serenus was by birth a Grecian. He left his family estate, friends and country to serve God in celibacy, penance and prayer. With this design he bought a garden in Sirmium in Pannonia, which he cultivated with his own hands and lived on the fruits and herbs it produced.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/23/saint-of-the-day-23-february-st-serenus-the-gardener-died-307-martyr/

St Willigis of Mainz (c940-1011) Archbishop of Mainz, Reformer, builder of the Cathedral of Mainz and many Churches, bridges and roads throughout his Diocese, de facto Regent of Germany during the minority of Otto III, to whom he was Guardian.
About St Willigis:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/23/saint-of-the-day-23-february-saint-willigis-of-mainz-c-940-1011-archbishop/

St Zebinus of Syria

Martyrs of Syrmium – 73 Christians who were Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. We know no details about them, and only six of their names – Antigonus, Libius, Rogatianus, Rutilus, Senerotas and Syncrotas.