Month: February 2024

Posted in BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY NAME, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Our Morning Offering – 12 February – Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky, We Lift our Hearts to God on High

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 12 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity”

Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky,
We Lift our Hearts to God on High
By St Ambrose (340-397)
Great Latin Father and Doctor of the Church
Trans J M Neale (1818-1866)

Now that the daylight fills the sky,
We lift our hearts to God on high
That He, in all we do or say,
Would keep us free from harm today,

Would guard our hearts and tongues from strife,
From angry words, would shield our life,
From evil sights, would turn our eyes
And close our ears to vanities.

So we, when this new day is gone
And night in turn is drawing on,
With conscience by the world unstained,
Shall praise His Name for vict’ry gained.

“All praise to You, Creator Lord!
All praise to You, eternal Word!
All praise to You, O Spirit wise!”
We sing as daylight fills the skies.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 12 February – St Anthony Kauleas of Constantinople (c829-901) Bishop, Confessor

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 12 February – St Anthony Kauleas of Constantinople (c829-901) Bishop, Confessor, Defender of orthodoxy. Anthony was a pious man exercising mortification and penances. He generously endowed monastic foundations and founded or re-founded the Kauleas Monastery with the support of the emperor, who preached at the Church’s dedication. Buried in the Church of his Monastery, Anthony was held responsible for many miracles. Born in c829 near Constantinople and died on 12 February 901 of natural causes.
Also known as – Anthony Cauleas, Antony Cauleas, Antony Kauleas, Antony II of Constantinople, Antonius of Constantinople.

The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Constantinople, St Anthony, a Bishop in the time of the Emperor Leo VI.”

Anthony was born near Constantinople, in a place where his parents had retreated, for fear of iconoclastic persecution. Upon the death of his mother, Anthony, then just twelve years old, entered a Monastery in the Byzantine imperial Capital. There, in the course of time, he became the Abbot with the name of “Anthony II Kaukeas” (having been preceded by Antonio I Cassimatas, 821-837). Anthony’s father too entered Anthony’s Monastery and received the religious Habit directly from his son’s hands.

The Eastern Church was, at that time, in a state of great confusion, after the Emperor had expelled the legitimate Constantinopolitan Bishop, Saint Ignatius and, in 867, had imposed the ingamous Photius on the Episcopal throne. However, in 886, he too was forced to leave the Episcopal Seat probably pushed by the new Emperor Leo VI who wanted to install his younger brother Stephen. Photius did not resist and retired to a Monastery, while the followers of St Ignatius did not recognise the legitimacy of Stephen’s election, as he was Ordained Deacon by Photius himself. In this context, upon Stephen’s death in 893 Anthony was elected as the Bishop of Constantinople.

His work was immediately characterised by multiple efforts aimed at reconciling the two factions, finally managing to persuade the Archbishop, Stiliano Mapas, leader of the Ignatians, to put an end to the schism. It is not historically clear ,whether the intervention of the Bishop of Rome was necessary to resolve the dispute or whether he simply sanctioned the solution already reached by Anthony. The fact is that both Churches, both Rome and Constantinople, recognised “Ignatius, Photius, Stephen and Anthony” as an authentic and valid succession of Bishops of the Byzantine See. Peace was officially stipulated in 899 and Anthony died shortly afterwards, in 901.

Apart from his particular role in the universal history of the Church, as described so far, there is not much further information on Anthony’s life, other than what his contemporaries have passed down — his great spirit of mortification, prayer and penance. He founded a splendid Monastery in which he wanted to be buried which was later renamed in his honour “tou koulea, or tou kyr antoniou.”

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Madonna del Pilerio, Italy (12th Century), Notre-Dame-de- Argenteuil / Our Lady of Argenteuil, Paris, France (c 500), The Seven Holy Founders and the Saints for 12 February

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Madonna del Pilerio, Italy (12th Century) – 12 February:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/12/madonna-del-pilerio-our-lady-of-argenteuil-paris-france-and-memorials-of-the-saints-12-february/

Notre-Dame-de- Argenteuil / Our Lady of Argenteuil, Paris, France (c 500) – 12 February: Cathedral of Our Lady of Argenteuil, Paris, built by King Clovis I containing a portion of the Seamless Garment of Christ.
All about this Marian Title:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/12/feast-of-our-lady-of-argenteuil-and-the-seamless-tunic-12-february/

The Seven Holy Founders of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary (the Servites)
Pope Leo XIII Canonised them all on 15 January 1888. After the Canonisation of the Seven Founders, their Feast was inserted in the General Roman Calendar for celebration on 11 February, the anniversary of the granting of canonical approval to the order in 1304. In 1909, 11 February became the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Feast of the seven founders was moved to 12 February.
In 1969 the Feast was moved to 17 February.
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/02/17/saints-of-the-day-17-february-the-seven-holy-founders-of-the-servite-order-osm-formation-on-15-august-1233/

St Alexius of Kiev
St Ammonius of Alexandria
Bl Anthony of Saxony
St Anthony Kauleas of Constantinople (c829-901) Bishop

St Benedict of Aniane OSB (747-821) “The Second Benedict,” Monk. Next to St Benedict himself, St.Benedict of Aniane influenced the shape of Benedictine monasticism in the West more than anyone else.
About St Benedict:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/12/saint-of-the-day-12-february-st-benedict-of-aniane-747-821-the-second-benedict/

Bl Benedict Revelli
St Damian of Africa
St Damian of Rome
St Ethelwald of Lindisfarne

St Eulalia of Barcelona (c 290-c 303) Virgin Martyr
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/12/saint-of-the-day-12-february-saint-eulalia-of-barcelona-c-290-c-303-virgin-and-martyr/

St Gaudentius of Verona (Died c465) Bishop

St Goscelinus of Turin (Died 1053) Abbot
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/12/saint-of-the-day-12-february-saint-goscelinus-of-turin-osb-died-c-1053/

Bl Gregory of Tragurio
Bl Humbeline of Jully
St Julian of Alexandria

St Julian the Hospitaller / St Julian the Poor – Layman
About St Julian:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/02/12/saint-of-the-day-12-february-st-julian-the-hospitaller/
Bl Ladislaus of Hungary
Bl Ludan

St Meletius of Antioch (Died 381) Bishop of Antioch, Confessor.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/12/saint-of-the-day-12-february-saint-meletius-of-antioch-died-381-bishop-of-antioch/

St Modestus of Alexandria
St Modestus of Carthage
St Modestus the Deacon
Bl Nicholas of Hungary
St Sedulius
Bl Thomas of Foligno

Martyrs of Albitina – 46 Saints:
During the persecutions of Diocletian, troops were sent to the churches of Abitina, North Africa on a Sunday morning; they rounded up everyone who had arrived for Mass and took them all to Carthage for interrogation by pro-consul Anulinus. The 46 who proclaimed their Christianity were executed. We know some of their names and stories. They were tortured to death in 304 in prison at Albitina, North Africa.

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, OUR Cross, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior), The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 11 February – Of the Way to Resist Sudden Impulses of the Passions

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Thought for the Day – 11 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XVIII: … Of the Way to Resist
Sudden Impulses of the Passions

“Until we have become habituated to ward off sudden strikes, whether of insult or other adverse circumstances, it is well, in order to acquire such a habit, to anticipate them and desire to suffer them, over and over again and so, to await them with a mind prepared.

The way to anticipate them is, to consider the passion to which you are most inclined and also, the places wherein and the persons with whom, you are wont to converse; whence you may readily conjecture what is likely to befall you.
And should you meet with any other untoward circumstance which you have not foreseen, although you will find your soul strengthened by having been prepared to meet the other evils which you did foresee, yet may you also avail yourself of the following additional help.

At the very first touch of the insult or ‘trial,’ whatever it be, rouse yourself at once and lift up your heart to God, reflecting on His ineffable goodness and love, which sends you this affliction that, by enduring it for the love of Him, you may thereby be more purified and brought nearer and united unto Him.
And, knowing, how greatly He is pleased that you should suffer it, turn next to yourself and with a sharp rebuke, say, “O, why will you refuse to bear this cross which is sent to you, not by man but by your Father Who is in Heaven!”
Then turn to the cross and embrace it with all possible patience and joy, saying, “O cross, formed by Divine Providence before I was born; O cross, endeared to me by the dear love of my Crucified Lord, nail me now to youself that so I may give myself to Him, Who died on you for my redemption!”

And if, at first the passion should prevail against you and you should be wounded and unable to raise your heart to God, strive even then, to do, as at the beginning and fight as if still unwounded.

The most effectual remedy, however, against these sudden impulses, is to remove the cause from whence they proceed.
Thus, if you discover that, through your affection for any object, you
are thrown into a sudden agitation of mind, as often as it is presented to you, the remedy is, by persevering efforts, to withdraw your affection from it.

But, if the agitation proceeds from a person, who is so disagreeable to you that every little action of his annoys and irritates you, the remedy here, is to force yourself to love and cherish him, not only as a creature formed by the same Sovereign Hand, with yourself and created anew by the same Divine Blood but also becaus. he offers you an opportunity, if you will accept it, of becoming like your Lord, Who is kind and loving unto all men!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, DOGMA, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on GRACE, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 11 February – Apparition of the Immaculate Conception

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 February – Apparition of the Immaculate Conception, the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes

“I am the Immaculate Conception.”

Our Lady to St Bernadette
at Lourdes on 25 March 1858

This Virgin Mother
of the Only Begotten of God,
is called Mary,
worthy of God,
Immaculate of the Immaculate,
One of the One.”

Origen (c 185-253)

“Come, then and search out Thy sheep,
not through Thy servants or hired men
but do it Thineself.
Lift me up bodily and in the flesh,
which is fallen in Adam.
Lift me up, not from Sarah but from Mary,
a Virgin, not only undefiled
but a Virgin, whom grace had made inviolate,
free of every stain of sin.”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“He came down into the Virgin’s womb,
a womb unstained, unspotted,
hallowed by the touch of Divine unction.”

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 February – How then does he call Him the Son of David?

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One Minute Reflection – 11 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” – Quinquagesima Sunday and the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes – 1 Cor.13:1-13; Luke 18:31-43 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And he cried out, saying, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” – Luke 18:38

REFLECTION – The blind man must have understood, that the sight of the blind cannot be restored by human means but requires, on the contrary, a divine power and an authority such as God only possesses. With God nothing, whatsoever, is impossible. The blind man came near to Him as to the omnipotent God. How then does he call Him the Son of David? What can one answer to this? The following is perhaps the explanation. Since He was born and raised in Judaism, of course, the predictions contained in the law and the holy prophets concerning Christ, had not escaped his knowledge. He heard them chant that passage in the book of the Psalms, “The Lord has sworn in truth to David and will not annul it, saying: ‘of the fruit of your loins I will set a king upon your throne.’” The blind man also knew, that the blessed Prophet Isaiah said, “There will spring up a shoot from the root of Jesse and from his root a flower will grow up.” Isaiah also said, “Behold, a virgin will conceive and bring forth a son,and they will call his name Emmanuel, which, being interpreted is, God with us.” He already believed that the Word, being God, of His own will, had submitted to be born in the flesh of the holy Virgin. He now comes near to Him, as to God and says, “Have mercy on me, Son of David.” Christ testifies, that this was his state of mind in offering his petition. He said to him, “Your faith has saved you.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Archbishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor of the Incarnation (Commentary on Luke, Homily 126)

PRAYER – O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Thy Son, we humbly beseech Thee that, recalling the apparition of the same Virgin, we may obtain health for both soul and body. 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 FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, QUEENSHIP of MARY

Our Morning Offering – 11 February – Hail! all Hail! Great Queen of Heaven, Notre Dame de Lourdes

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Our Morning Offering – 11 February – Apparition of the Immaculate Virgin Mary at Lourdes

Hail! all Hail! Great Queen of Heaven,
Notre Dame de Lourdes
Unknown Author
First Published in 1905

Hail! all Hail! great Queen of Heaven,
Hail sweet Notre Dame de Lourdes,
‘Neath whose care our weary exile,
Is from countless ills secured.

Refrain:
Then let men and angels praise thee,
Fount of grace to all assured,
While in gladsome strains we are singing,
Hail! sweet Notre Dame de Lourdes
Hail! sweet Notre Dame de Lourdes.

Blessed thou above all others,
Mary Mistress of the spheres,
Star of hope, serenely beaming
Through this darksome vale of tears.
Refrain

Happy angels joy to own thee,
O’er their choirs exalted high,
Throned in blissful light and beauty,
Empress of the starry sky.
Refrain

As the fount is still unsealing
Its pure treasures softly fair,
May each drop be fraught with healing,
Dearest Mother, at thy prayer.
Refrain

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 11 February – St Severinus of Agaunum (Died c507) Abbot

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Saint of the Day – 11 February – St Severinus of Agaunum (Died c507) Abbot, Miracle-worker, gifted with Prophecy and healing the sick. Born in Burgundy, France and died in c507 at Chateau-Landon in Gatinais, of natural causes whilst travelling towards his Monastery. Patronage – of Agaunum, Switzerland.

The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Chateau-Landon, St Severin, Abbot of the Monastery of Aqaunum, by whose prayers the Christian King Clovis, was deliovered from a long sickness.”

Severinus, of a noble family in Burgundy, was educated in the Catholic faith at a time when the Arian heresy reigned supreme in that region. He forsook the world in his youth and dedicated himself to God in the Monastery of Saint-Maurice-en-Valais at Agaunum, which consisted only of scattered cells until, some time later, the Catholic King, Sigismund, built there the great Abbey of Saint-Maurice.

Severinus became the holy Abbot of Saint-Maurice, with its distinct Convents for men and women, all of whom, bore voluntarily, the yoke of penance and celibacy, without solemn vows. The Abbot had governed his community for many years in the exercise of penance and charity, when, in 504, Clovis, the first Christian King of France, who was lying ill of a fever, sent his Chamberlain to conduct the Saint to Court. After his Physicians had, for two years endeavoured, without success, to cure him, Clovis was told that the sick from all parts recovered their health by the prayers of our Saint Severinus. The Abbot, therefore, took leave of his Monks and Nuns and told them he would never see them again in this world.

The Monastery of Saint-Maurice-en-Valais at Agaunum

On his journey he healed Eulalius, Bishop of Nevers, who had been deaf and dumb for some time; he also healed a leper at the gates of Paris. And coming to the Palace, he immediately restored the King to perfect health, by covering him with his own cloak. He cured many other sick persons at the Court and in Paris. The King, in gratitude, distributed large alms to the poor and released all his prisoners.

Saint Severinus, returning toward Agaunum, stopped at Chateau-Landon in Gatinais, where two Priests served God in a solitary Chapel. Foreseeing his imminent death, he asked admittance among them and they received this stranger, whom they soon greatly admired for his sanctity. His death followed shortly after, in 507. This site became the Abbey of Saint Severinus, with a beautiful Church dedicated to him. His Relics were later scattered, when this Church was plundered during the French Revolution.

Posted in LENT, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Quinquagesima Sunday, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Saints for 11 February

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Quinquagesima Sunday:
This Season is seventeen (17) days long and includes the three Sundays before Ash Wednesday.
The length of the Season never changes but the start date is dependent on the movable date of Easter, which can fall between 22 March-25 April.
For many early Christians Quinquagesima marked the time after which meat was forbidden. In many places, this Sunday and the next two days, were used to prepare for Lent by a good Confession; hence in England, we find the names Shrove Sunday and Shrovetide. Shrove is a form of the English word “shrive,” which means – to obtain absolution for one’s sins by way of Confession and doing penance..
As the days before Lent were frequently spent in merry-making, Pope Benedict XIV by the Constitution “Inter Cetera” (1 January 1748) introduced a Forty Hours’ Devotion to keep the faithful from dangerous amusements and to make some reparation for sins committed.
Quinquagesima also means, the time between Easter and Pentecost, or from the Saturday after Easter to the Sunday after Pentecost; it is then called Quinquagesima Paschae paschalis, or laetitae.

Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes / Our Lady of Lourdes (11 February and 16 July of 1858) – (Optional Memorial)
Our Lady of Lourdes:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/11/our-lady-of-lourdes-and-memorials-of-the-saints-11-february/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/02/11/the-memorial-of-the-apparitions-of-our-lady-of-lourdes-our-lady-of-the-immaculate-conception-and-the-26th-world-day-of-prayer-for-the-sick/

St Ampelius of Africa
St Ardanus of Tournus
Bl Bartholomew of Olmedo

St Caedmon (Died c680) Monk and the is the earliest English known Poet of Sacred verse,
Biography of St Caedmon:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/11/saint-of-the-day-11-february-st-caedmon-died-c-680/

St Calocerus of Ravenna
St Castrensis of Capua
St Dativus the Senator
Bl Elizabeth Salviati
St Etchen of Clonfad
St Eutropius of Adrianopolis
St Felix the Senator

St Gobnata (6th Century) Abbess, Founder of a Convent and ‘Order’ of Sisters, Miracle-worker, Apostle of the sick. Patronages – of bees, beekeepers.
About St Gobnata or Abigail:

St Pope Gregory II (669-731) Bishop of Rome from 715-731, Pope Gregory was a man of immense intellect and used his talents in negotiating peace in times of war and fought for the truth of the faith against heresies. He was a miracle-worker who placed all his trust in God ‘s Divine Providence.
About “The Defender of Icons”
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/11/saint-of-the-day-11-february-saint-pope-gregory-ii-669-731-defender-of-icons/

St Helwisa
St Jonas of Muchon

St Lazarus of Milan (Died 449) Archbishop of Milan.
About this St Lazarus:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/11/saint-of-the-day-11-february-saint-lazarus-of-milan-died-449-archbishop-of-milan/

St Lucius of Adrianople
St Pedro de Jesús Maldonado-Lucero
St Saturninus of Africa
St Secundus of Puglia
St Severinus of Agaunum (Died c507) Abbot
St Simplicius of Vienne (Died c417) Bishop
St Theodora the Empress

Guardians of the Sacred Scriptures: Also known as – Anonymous Martyrs in Africa – Martyrs of Africa – Martyrs of Numidia – Martyrs of the Sacred Books
A large number of Christians tortured and murdered in Numidia (part of modern Algeria) during the persecutions of Diocletian but whose names and individual lives have not survived. They were ordered to surrender their sacred books to be burned. They refused. Martyrs. c 303 in Numidia.

Martyrs of Africa – 5 Saints: A group of five Christians who were Martyred together; we know nothing else but the names of four of them – Cyriacus, Oecominius, Peleonicus and Zoticus.

Posted in QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VICE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 10 February – Of the Order to be Observed in the Conflict with our Evil Passions

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Thought for the Day – 10 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XVII: … Of the Order to be Observed
in the Conflict with our Evil Passions

“It is of great importance that we should know how to observe a due order in this combat, lest, as too many do, to their own great injury, we should fight in a casual or desultory manner.

The order to be observed in the warfare against your enemies and evil inclinations should be as follows:

Look well into your heart and search diligently until you have discovered, by what thoughts and affections it is surrounded and, by what passion it is most tyrannically swayed,
Then, against this vice, first take up arms and direct your attack. If, meanwhile, you should be assaulted by other enemies, turn against the one nearest to you and which, at the moment threatens you but fail not, to return afterwards, to the prosecution of your principal enterprise.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, EVENING and NIGHT Prayers, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING

Quote/s of the Day – 10 February – Watch, O Lord!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 10 February – St Scholastica (c482-547) Virgin Nun, St Benedict’s twin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Watch, therefore because you know
not the day, nor the hour.”

Matthew 25:13

Watch, O Lord!
With Those Who Wake,
or Watch, or Weep Tonight
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

Watch, O Lord,
with those who wake,
or watch,
or weep tonight
and give Thy Angels and Saints,
charge over those who sleep.
Tend Thy sick ones, O Lord Christ.
Rest Thy weary ones.
Bless Thy dying ones.
Soothe Thy suffering ones.
Pity Thy afflicted ones.
Shield Thy joyous ones.
And all, for Thine Love’s sake.
Amen

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 February – ‘ … Does not the example of the ten virgins make us tremble? …’

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One Minute Reflection – 10 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” – St Scholastica (c482-547) Virgin Nun, St Benedict’s twin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold, the Bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet Him!” – Matthew 25:6

REFLECTION – “My brothers, there is a time for sowing and a time for harvesting, a time for peace and another for war, a time for labour and another for rest (Cf Eccl 3). But, for the salvation of the soul, all times are right and every journey is worthwhile, at least, if we wish it to be. Therefore, let us always be moving towards the good, ready to move, full of eagerness, putting words into deeds. For, says the Apostle Paul, “it is not those who hear the law, who are just in the sight of God; rather, those who observe the law, will be justified” (Rom 2:13) … Is this the time for spiritual warfare? Then we should fight vigorously and pursue, with God’s aid, the devilish thoughts that rise up inside us. If, on the other hand, it is time for spiritual harvest, we should enthusiastically gather in the crops and collect together, into spiritual barns, provisions for eternal life…

It is always the time for prayer, for tears, for repentance after a failing, always time to take the Kingdom of Heaven by storm! Why delay? Why set aside till later? Why put off our improvement, from day to day? “For the world, in its present form, is passing away” (1 Cor 7:31) … Are we going to live forever? … Does not the example of the ten virgins make us tremble? “The Bridegroom is coming,” says the Gospel, “go out to meet Him.” And the wise virgins went out to meet him with lamps alight and went into the wedding feast — whereas, the foolish virgins, delayed by their lack of good works, cried out: “Lord, Lord, open the door for us. But He said in reply: Amen, I say to you, I do not know you” and He added: “Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” So we should stay awake and rouse the soul to soberness, compunction, holiness, purification and illumination, so as to prevent death from shutting the door and no-one being there to open it to us or help us!” – St Theodore the Studite (750–826) Father, Abbot, Theologian, Writer at Constantinople (Small Catechism No 130).

PRAYER – O God, Who, to show us the way of innocence, caused the soul of Thy Virgin, blessed Scholastica, to fly up to heaven in the likeness of a dove, grant us, through her merits and prayers, to live innocently, so that we may be found worthy to reach everlasting joys. 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 BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 10 February – Ave Regina CaelorumQueen of Heaven Enthroned

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 10 February

Ave Regina Caelorum
Queen of Heaven Enthroned

Hail, O Queen of Heaven enthroned.
Hail, by Angels mistress owned.
Root of Jesse, Gate of Morn
Whence the world’s true Light was born,
Glorious Virgin, Joy to thee,
Loveliest whom in Heaven they see;
Fairest thou, where all are fair,
Plead with Christ, our souls to spare.

V. Vouchsafe that I may praise thee,
O sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thine enemies.

Let us pray:
We beseech thee, O Lord,
mercifully to assist our infirmity,
that like, as we do now
commemorate the Blessed Mary
Ever-Virgin, Mother of God;
so by the help of her intercession
we may die to our former sins
and rise again to newness of life.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen

“Ave Regina caelorum” is one of the Marian antiphons said or sung in the Liturgy of the Hours at the close of compline. In the Roman Breviary as revised by Pope Pius V in 1569 it was assigned for this use from compline of 2 February until compline of Wednesday of Holy Week.
The original author is unknown – it has been found in a manuscript from the twelfth-century.
It has been set to music by various composers including Hyden and many others.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 10 February – Saint Soteris the Martyr (Died c304) Virgin Martyr

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Saint of the Day – 10 February – Saint Soteris the Martyr (Died c304) Virgin Martyr. Her name is derived from the Greek and means saviour. Also known as – Soteris of Rome, Soteres.

The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Rome, on the Appian Way, St Soteres, Virgin and Martyr, who was descended of a noble race, as St Ambrose testifies but for the love of Christ, set at naught the consular and other dignities of her family. On her refusal to sacrifice to the gods, she was, for a long time, cruelly buffeted. After she had overcome varioys other torments, she was struck with the sword and joyfully went to her heavenly Spouse.”

Soteris was a woman of very great beauty, who, in contrast to the women of her station at that time, dressed modestly and consecrated her virginity to Christ. She was arrested on account of her faith and underwent torture, before being finally beheaded around 304 during the persecutions of Diocletian.

Her remains were buried in the Catacombs of Callixtus along the Appian Way which also contained the remains of Saint Cecilia and many other Martyrs. In the same region, a great Basilica was erected in her honour.

Saint Ambrose has told us that he and his siblings, were descended from St Soteris’ family and he has left us some writings regarding our Saint.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Nostra Signora delle Colombe / Our Lady of the Doves (Bologna, Italy), St Scholastica and the Saints for 10 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Nostra Signora delle Colombe / Our Lady of the Doves (Bologna, Italy) – 10 February:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/10/our-lady-of-the-doves-bologna-italy-and-memorials-of-the-saints-10-february/

St Scholastica (c482-547) Virgin Nun.
About this twin of St Benedict:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/02/10/saint-of-the-day-10-february-st-scholastica/

Bl Alexander of Lugo
St Andrew of Bethlehem
St Aponius of Bethlehem

St Austrebertha of Pavilly OSB (630–704) Abbess, Benedictine Nun and Abbess of Pavilly, France, miracle-worker.
Her Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/10/saint-of-the-day-10-february-saint-austrebertha-of-pavilly-osb-630-704/

St Baldegundis
St Baptus of Magnesia
St Charalampias

Blessed Clare Agolanti of Rimini OSC (1282-1346) Married, Widowed, Nun, Penitent, Mystic.
Blessed Clare’s Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/10/saint-of-the-day-10-february-blessed-clare-agolanti-of-rimini-osc-1282-1346/

St Erluph of Werden

Blessed Hugh of Fosse OPraem (c1093-1164) Priest of the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, also known as the Premonstratensians, the Norbertines and the White Canons. Hugh was one of St Norbert’s first disciples and later became the first Abbot of Prémontré. Blessed Hugh was Beatified on 13 July 1927 by Pope Pius XI.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/02/10/saint-of-the-day-10-february-blessed-hugh-of-fosse-opraem-c1093-1164-priest-abbot/

St Paganus
Bl Paul of Wallachia
Bl Pierre Frémond
St Porfirio
St Prothadius of Besançon
St Salvius of Albelda
St Silvanus of Terracina
St Soteris the Martyr (Died c304) Virgin Martyt
St Troiano of Saintes
St Trumwin of Whitby

St William the Hermit (Died 1157) Hermit, Penitent, Spiritual Director, Miracle-worker, gifted with the charism of Prophecy.
About St William:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/10/saint-of-the-day-10-february-saint-william-the-hermit-died-1157/

Martyred Soldiers in Rome: A group of ten Christian soldiers who were Martyred together for their faith. We know little more about them but four of their names – Amantius, Hyacinth, Irenaeus and Zoticus. • 120 at Rome, Italy. They were buried on the Via Lavicana outside RomeAmantius, Hyacinth, Irenaeus, Zoticus.

Posted in "Follow Me", ArchAngels and Angels, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 9 February – The Soldier of Christ Must Prepare for Battle, Early in the Morning (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 9 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XVI: … The Soldier of Christ Must Prepare
for Battle, Early in the Morning (Part Two)

‘Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.’ – Zechariah 4:6,

“Begin the combat in the Name of the Lord, with the weapons of Self-distrust and Trust in God, of prayer and spiritual exercises and challenge your foe to the battle, that is, that inclination, whatever it be, which, according to the order above laid down, you have resolved to conquer.
Do this, now by open resistance, now by deep abhorrence, or again, by acts of the contrary virtue, wounding him again and again, even unto death, to give pleasure to your Lord, Who is looking on, with the whole Church Triumphant, to behold your conflict!

I tell you again, you must not weary of the struggle but, remember the obligation which lies on us all, to serve and please God and the absolute necessity of fighting in this battle, from which none can escape, without wounds or death.

I tell you, moreover, that if, as a rebel you would fly from God,and give
yourself over to the world and the delights of the flesh, you will still be forced, in spite of yourself, to labour by the sweat of your brow, against many and many an adversary, who will pierce your heart with deadly anguish.

Consider, then, what folly it would be to incur all this toil and trouble, which does but lead to greater toil and endless trouble and spiritual death, in order to avoid that which will soon be over and which will lead us to eternal and infinite blessedness in the everlasting enjoyment of our God.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/08/thought-for-the-day-8-february-the-soldier-of-christ-must-prepare-for-battle-early-in-the-morning-part-one/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY GHOST, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 9 February – St Cyril of Alexandria

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 February – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” “Doctor of the Incarnation,” Bishop,Confessor, Father and Doctor, of the Church

“He who receives Communion is made holy
and Divinised in soul and body,
in the same way, that water, set over a fire,
becomes boiling…
Communion works like yeast
which has been mixed into dough,
so that it leavens the whole mass. …
Just as by melting two candles together
you get one piece of wax, so, I think,
one who receives the Flesh and Blood of Jesus,
is fused together with Him, by this Communion
and the soul finds that he is in Christ
and Christ is in him.”

“Since the Holy Spirit when He is in us,
effects our being conformed to God
and, He actually proceeds from the Father and Son,
it is abundantly clear that He is of the Divine Essence,
in It in Essence and proceeding from It.”

“Therefore, as the father of sin had, as it were,
shut up the sheep in hell, giving them to death to feed on,
as it is written in the Psalms (Ps. 48:16),
He died for us, as truly Good and truly our Shepherd,
so that the dark shadow of death is driven away,
He might join us ,to the company,
of the blessed in Heaven and, in exchange
for abodes which lie far in the depths of the pit …
grants us mansions in His Father’s House above.
Because of this, He says to us in another place:
Fear not, little flock, for it has pleased your Father
to give you a Kingdom (Luke 12:32).
Do you listen attentively to the Voice
of the Good Shepherd and obey His Word?”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/02/09/quote-s-of-the-day-9-february-st-cyril-of-alexandria-2/

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on WATCHING, The BEATITUDES, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 February – Salt and Light – Matthew 5:13, 14

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One Minute Reflection – 9 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” “Doctor of the Incarnation,” Bishop,Confessor, Father and Doctor, of the Church – Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Jesus said to His disciples: “You are the salt of the earth.
… You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:13, 14

REFLECTION – “You are the salt of the earth. It is not for your own sake, He says but for the world’s sake that the word is entrusted to you. I am not sending you into two cities only or ten or twenty, not to a single nation, as I sent the prophets of old but across land and sea, to the whole world. And that world is in a miserable state. For when He says: You are the salt of the earth, He is indicating, that all mankind had lost its savour and had been corrupted by sin. Therefore, He requires of these men, those virtues which are especially useful and even necessary, if they are to bear the burdens of many. For the man who is kindly, modest, merciful and just will not keep his good works to himself but will see to it, that these admirable fountains send out their streams, for the good of others. Again, the man who is clean of heart, a peacemaker and ardent for truth, will order his life so as to contribute to the common good. …

Then He passes onto a more exalted comparison – You are the light of the world. Once again, “of the world,” not of one nation or twenty cities but of the whole world. The light He means, is an intelligible light, far superior to the rays of the sun we see, just as the salt is a spiritual salt. First salt, then light, so that you may learn how profitable sharp words may be and how useful, serious doctrine. Such teaching holds in check and prevents, dissipation, it leads to virtue and sharpens the mind’s eye. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do men light a lamp and put it under a basket. Here again, He is urging them to a careful manner of life and teaching them, to be watchful, for they live under the eyes of all and have the whole world for the arena of their struggles.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Archbishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from his Homily on Matthew).

PRAYER – King of heaven and earth, Lord God, rule over our hearts and bodies this day. Sanctify us and guide our every thought, word and deed according to the commandments of Your law, so that now and forever, Your grace may free and save us. Teach us Lord to walk in the ways of the Cross of Your Son, our Saviour, longing for and rejoicing always in our heavenly home as St Cyril of Alexandria so lovingly and willingly inspires us to do. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God, forever, amen. (Collect)

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Quotes on SALVATION, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The INCARNATION, The RESURRECTION

Our Morning Offering – 9 February – Hail, O Mary, Mother of God By St Cyril of Alexandria

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Our Morning Offering – 9 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” – Feast of St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” “Doctor of the Incarnation”& “Seal of all the Fathers” Bishop,Confessor, Father and Doctor, of the Church.

Adapted from a sermon preached by St Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria, presiding as representative of the Holy See at the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus, in 431. In refuting Nestorianism, he is called “Doctor of the Incarnation.”

Hail, O Mary, Mother of God
By St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Virgin and Mother!
Morning Star, perfect vessel.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Holy Temple in which God
Himself was conceived.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Chaste and pure dove.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
who enclosed the One
Who cannot be encompassed
in your sacred womb.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
From you flowed the true light,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Through you the Conqueror
and triumphant Vanquisher
of hell, came to us.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Through you, the glory
of the Resurrection blossoms.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
You have saved every faithful Christian.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 9 February – Saint Ansbert of Rouen (Died c695) Bishop

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 9 February – Saint Ansbert of Rouen (Died c695) Bishop of Rouen, Abbot of Fontenelle Abbey, Scholar of renown, Defender and Protector of the poor. Born at Chaussy-sur-Epte, France and died in 695 at Hainaut then in France, now part of modern Belgium, of natural causes,. The Name Amsbert Name means: “the one who shines through God” (Old High German). Also known as – Ansbert of Fontenelle, Ansberto… Aubert… Additional Memorial – 1 March – a collective Feast Day for all the Saints of Fontanelle Abbey.

Window of St Ansbert in Rouen Cathedral

Ansbert, a member of an important Neustrian family close to the King and was highly educated. He had a significant professional career in the King’s Court and is said to have served as a senior member of the Court of the Merovingian King, Clotaire III. As such, he was both Chancellor and referendary.

In 673, the same year Clotaire died, Ansbert renounced his secular pursuits and became a Monk of the Benedictine order. Six years later, he was elevated to Abbot of his Monastery, the illustrious Fontenelle Abbey. He followed two other Saints in that Office – Wandrigisil, the Abbey’s Founder and first Abbot and Lambert, the second Abbot, who vacated the office when he was named the Bishop of Lyons.

He was Ordained a Priest in Rouen and appointed the third Abbot of his Monastery after Lambert around 677. He held the office until 679. Under his leadership, Fontenelle prospered. His enterprises included a great expansion and refinement of the Abbey’s library and the establishment of local hospitals for the poor.

During his time as Abbot, Ansbert served as the Confessor to King Theodoric III. After several years, in either 683 or 684, Ansbert was appointed as the Archbishop of Rouen following the death Bishop, Saint Ouen. His former mentor, Saint Lambert, performed his Consecration and Ansbert was succeeded as Abbot at Fontenelle by Hildebert (Died 701), who is also venerated as a Saint.

Despite his high office and eminent reputation, Ansbert was removed from the Bishopric around the year 690. By “a false accusation or slanderous lie,” the powerful Chancellor of the Frankish Court, Pepin of Heristal, arranged his dismissal, either because of some kind of political opposition or because Ansbert’s “holy zeal was not well-received” and “his austere life caused offence.” He was sent into exile at the Monastery of Hautmont, where he stayed until his death, sometime between 692 and 695. At some time during that period, Pepin reconsidered his actions and agreed renege and to allow Ansbert to return but sadly Ansbert died before he was able to return to his See.

Window of St Ansbert at the Church of St Quen in Rouen

Ansbert’s body was returned to Fontenelle and buried there . At the beginning of the 8th Century, Abbot Bainus of Fontenelle transferred his Relics to St-Pierre. While fleeing from the Normans, the Relics were moved several times. In 944 they were in Boulogne-sur-Mer , then they were transferred with those fof St Wandregisil to the Abbey of Saint-Pierre-au-Mont-Blandin in Ghent , where they remained up to their destruction by the Protestants in 1578.

St Ansbert’s first Vita or life story was written around 800. A collective day of remembrance for all the many Saints associated with Fontenelle Abbey is celebrated on 1 March. Saint Ansbert’s own annual Feast Day is 9 February on which date he is mentioned in the Roman Martyrology.

The Cloister and courtyard of Fontanelle Abbey
Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Notre-Dame-des-Cloches / Our Lady of the Bells, Cathedral of Saintes, France, St Cyril of Alexandria and the Saints for 9 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Notre-Dame-des-Cloches / Our Lady of the Bells, Cathedral of Saintes, France – 9 February:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/09/our-lady-of-the-bells-cathedral-of-saintes-france-and-memorials-of-the-saints-9-february/

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” & “Seal of all the Fathers,”, Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor, Doctor Incarnationis (Doctor of the Incarnation) Added by Pope Leo XIII in 1883.
St Cyril’s Feast Day is today 9 February (1882–1969 – moved after Vatican II to 27 June).
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/27/saint-of-the-day-27-june-st-cyril-of-alexandria-doctor-father-of-the-church-the-pillar-of-faith-seal-of-all-the-fathers-doctor-incarnationis-doctor-of-the-incarnation/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/02/09/saint-of-the-day-9-february-st-cyril-of-alexandria-376-444-bshop-confessor-father-and-doctor-of-the-church/

St Apollonia of Alexandria (Died c249) Virgin Martyr, Deaconess.
St Apollonia’s Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/09/saint-of-the-day-9-february-st-apollonia-of-alexandria-died-c-249/

St Scholastica Novena – The LAST DAY:
CLICK on the LINK BELOW:
St Scholastica Novena

St Alexander of Rome
St Alexander of Soli
St Alto of Altomünster
St Ammon of Membressa
St Ammonius of Soli
St Ansbert of Rouen (Died c695) Bishop
St Attracta of Killaraght
St Brachio of Auvergne
St Cuaran the Wise
St Didymus of Membressa
St Donatus the Deacon
St Eingan of Llanengan
St Emilian of Membressa
Bl Erizzo
Bl Francisco Sanchez Marquez
Bl Godeschalk of Želiv
St Lassa of Membressa
Bl Marianus Scotus
St Maro
St Nebridius of Egara
St Nicephorus of Antioch
St Poëmus of Membressa
St Primus the Deacon

St Raynald of Nocera (c1150-1217) Bishop of Nocera, Umbria, Italy, Hermit, Monk, Abbot. His body is incorrupt.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Nocera Umbra, St. Rainaldo, Bishop, formerly a Camaldolese Monk of Fonte Avellana, who, while carrying out the Episcopal office, firmly preserved the habits of monastic life.”
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/09/saint-of-the-day-9-february-saint-raynald-of-nocera-c-1150-1217/

St Romanus the Wonder Worker
St Ronan of Lismore
St Sabino of Abellinum

St Sabinus of Canosa (c461–566) Bishop, Confessor, Benedictine Monk, Papal Legate, miracle-worker, graced with the charism of prophecy, Defender of the Faith against heretics, friend of Saint Benedict of Nursia, builder of Churches and Monasteries, following the Benedictine discipline of Ora et labora.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/09/saint-of-the-day-9-february-saint-sabinus-of-canosa-c-461-566-bishop/

St Teilo of Llandaff

Martyrs of Alexandria: An unknown number of Christians who were massacred inthe 4th Century Alexandria, Egypt by Arian heretics for adhering to the true Faith.

Martyrs of Membressa: A group of 44 Christians Martyred together. We know little else about them some names – Ammon, Didymus, Emilian, Lassa, Poemus
They were Martyred in Membressa in Africa.

Posted in QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 8 February – The Soldier of Christ Must Prepare for Battle, Early in the Morning (Part One)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

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

XVI: … The Soldier of Christ Must Prepare
for Battle, Early in the Morning (Part One)

‘Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.’ – Zechariah 4:6,

“On awaking in the morning, the first thing to be observed by your inward sight, is the field of battle in which you are enclosed, facing the enemy and bound by the law of the combat – either fight or die!

Here picture to yourself, on one side, your enemy (that evil inclination which you are already pledged to conquer) now standing before you, ready armed to wound and slay you.
See also, on the right hand, your victorious Captain, Jesus Christ, with His most holy Mother the Virgin Mary and her beloved Spouse Saint Joseph and innumerable hosts of Angels, especially Saint Michael the Archangel and, on the left hand, the infernal demon, with all his armies, ready to excite this passion and to persuade you to yield to it.

Then shall you seem to hear a voice as of your Guardian Angel addressing you:

“You are to fight this day against this and your other enemies.
Let not your heart fail, nor your spirit faint.
Yield not on any account, neither for fear nor any other cause; for our Lord, your Leader, stands beside you with all His glorious hosts and will do battle for you against all your enemies and will not suffer them to prevail against you or to overcome you.

Only stand firm – do violence to yourself and endure the pain such violence will cause you.
Cry unceasingly from the depths of your heart and call upon the Lord and so assuredly, shalt you gain the victory.
If you are weak and inexperienced, if your enemies are strong and manifold, manifold more, are the succours of Him Who created and redeemed you and mightier beyond all measure and comparison, is your God and more willing to save you, than are all your enemies to destroy you.

Fight valiantly then and be not loathe to suffer; for it is this toilsome resistance to your evil inclinations, this painful struggle against evil habits which shall gain you the victory and win for you a treasure wherewith to purchase the Kingdom of Heaven and unite your soul to God forever.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in POETRY, SAINT of the DAY, The SIGN of the CROSS

Quote of the Day – 8 February – The Mantle of St John de Matha – A Legend of “The Red, White and Blue”

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Quote of the Day – 8 February –St John of Matha O.SS.T (1160-1213) Confessor, Priest, Founder of The Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives

Excerpt from
The Mantle of St John de Matha
A Legend of “The Red, White and Blue”
(1154–1864)
By John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892).

A STRONG and mighty Angel,
Calm, terrible and bright,
The Cross in blended red and blue
Upon his mantle white!

Two captives by him kneeling,
Each on his broken chain,
Sang praise to God who raiseth
The dead to life again?

Dropping his Cross-wrought mantle,
“Wear this” the Angel said;
“Take thou, O Freedom’s Priest, its sign,—
The white, the blue and red.”

Then rose up John de Matha
In the strength the Lord Christ gave,
And begged through all the land of France
The ransom of the slave.

The gates of tower and castle
Before him open flew,
The drawbridge at his coming fell,
The door-bolt backward drew.

For all men owned his errand
And paid his righteous tax;
And the hearts of lord and peasant
Were in his hands as wax.

At last, outbound from Tunis,
His bark her anchor weighed,
Freighted with seven-score Christian souls
Whose ransom he had paid!

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on WATCHING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 February – Let your … lamps burn in your hands.

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 8 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” – St John of Matha (1160-1213) – Confessor, Priest, Founder – Sirach 31:8-11; Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Jesus said to His disciples: Let your … lamps burn in your hands.” – Luke 12:35

REFLECTION – “Prayer offered during the hours of night possess great power, even more than that offered during the day. That is why all the Saints were in the habit of praying at night, combating the body’s drowsiness and the sweetness of sleep and overcoming their bodily nature.  The Prophet also said: “I am wearied with sighing; every night I flood my bed with weeping” (Ps 6:7) as he uttered heartfelt sighs in impassioned prayer.  And elsewhere: “At midnight I rise to give Thee thanks because of Thy just ordinances, O just God” (Ps 118:62). For every request for which the Saints desired to importune God, they armed themselves with nocturnal prayer and, at once received that which they besought Him.

Satan himself fears nothing as much as prayer offered during the night watches. Even if they are accompanied by distractions, it does not return fruitless, so long as something inappropriate is not being asked for. That is why Satan engages in severe combat against those who keep watch at night, so as to deter them from this practice if he can, especially if they show themselves to be persevering. But those who are in any way defended against his pernicious wiles and have tasted the gifts God grants at these times of vigil and have had personal experience of the greatness of the help God gives them, wholly despise him, he and all his craftiness.” – St Isaac the Syrian of Nineveh (c613-c700) Bishop of Nineveh, Monk at Mosul, Father of the Church (Ascetical Discourses)

PRAYER – O God, Who graciously and by Divine means founded, through blessed John, the Order of the Most Holy Trinity to ransom captives from the hands of the Saracens, grant, we beseech Thee that through Thy help and the merits of his prayers, we may be freed body and soul from captivity. 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 ACT of CONTRITION, ADVENT PRAYERS, BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD the FATHER, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The DIVINE INFANT, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 8 February – An Act of Thanksgiving By St Gertrude

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Our Morning Offering – 8 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity”

An Act of Thanksgiving
By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)
(Excerpt from her Revelations)

May my soul bless Thee,
O Lord God my Creator,
may my soul bless Thee!
From the very core of my being,
may all Thy merciful gifts sing Thy praise.
Thy generous care, for Thy daughter,
has been rich in mercy;
indeed, it has been immeasurable
and as far as I am able,
I give Thee thanks.
I praise and glorify,
Thy great patience which bore with me.
I offer Thee, most loving Father,
all the sufferings of Thine Beloved Son,
from that first Infant cry
as He lay on the hay in the manger,
until that final movement, when,
bowing His Head, with a mighty Voice,
Christ gave up His Spirit.
I think, as I make this offering,
of all that He underwent,
His needs as a Babe,
His dependence as a young Child,
the hardships of Youth
and the trials of early Manhood.
To atone for all my neglect,
I offer, most loving Father,
all that Thine Only-begotten Son did
during His Life,
whether in thought, word or deed.
And now, as an act of thanksgiving,
I praise and worship Thee Father,
in deepest humility,
for Thy most loving kindness and mercy.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 8 February – Saint Stephen of Muret (c1046-1124) Abbot

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Saint of the Day – 8 February – Saint Stephen of Muret (c1046-1124) Abbot, Founder of the Abbey of Grandmont (the Mother House) and the Order of Grandmont. Born in c1046 at Thiers, Auvergne, France and died on 8 February 1124 at his Monastery in Muret, France of natural causes. St Stephen was Canonised in 1189 by Pope Clement III. Also known as – Stephen of Grandmont, Stephen of Thiers, Étienne de…

The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Muret, near Limoges, the birthday of the Abbot, St Stephen, Founder of the Order of Grandmont, celebrated for his virtues and miracles.”

The early life of Stephen, a native of Thiers, France, is uncertain due to historical inaccuracies in the medieval biography of the Saint. We do know that he was born of a noble family, being the son of the the Viscount of Thiers and that he was educated in Italy possibly by Milo, the Archbishop of Benevento for a certain time.

After returning to France and finding his parents had died, Stephen undertook the consecrated life as a Hermit. Having built a small Hermitage in the forests of Muret, Stephen vowed himself to God thus:
“I, Stephen, renounce the devil and all his pomps
and offer myself to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
the one true God in three Persons.”

He also prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary, declaring:
“Holy Mary, Mother of God,
I commend my body, soul,and senses to thou Son and to thee.”

Thereafter, Stephen spent the next forty-eight years of his life in this wilderness, devoting himself to prayer and penitential self-denial. When on one occasion two Papal Legates visited him, they inquired as to whether he was a Monk, a Hermit, or a Canon. He replied, “I am a sinner.”

Other men intending to imitate Stephen came to join him, so that the Hermitage of Muret grew into a monastic community and a new Religious Congregation which would later be known as the Order of Grandmont.

Although Stephen certainly established the Order of Grandmont, a religious order of “extreme austerity and poverty,” he did little for his disciples except offer them the example of his holy life and it was not until after his death that the Order was firmly established.

St Stephen’s Relics are preserved in the Parish Church of St Sylvestre, Canton of Laurière. below we see the Reliquary housing St Stephen’s head. In 1167, he was initially honoured by Bishop Gerald II of Limoges and formally Canonised by Pope Clement III in 1189.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Abbey of Notre-Dame du Lys / Our Lady of the Lily, Melun, France (13th Century), St John of Matha and the Saints for 8 February

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Abbey of Notre-Dame du Lys / Our Lady of the Lily, Melun, France (13th Century) – 8 February:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/08/abbey-of-our-lady-of-the-lily-melun-france-13th-century-and-memorials-of-the-saints-8-february/

St John of Matha O.SS.T (1160-1213) – Priest, Founder of The Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives, also known as the Order of the Most Holy Trinity or the Trinitarians,
Feast day is today – moved in 1969 to 17 December.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/17/saint-of-the-day-17-december-st-john-of-matha-o-ss-t-1160-1213/

St Scholastica Novena
CLICK on the LINK BELOW:
St Scholastica Novena

St Cuthman of Steyning (Died 8th Century) Hermit, builder of Churches, Miracle-worker.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/02/08/saint-of-the-day-8-february-saint-cuthman-of-steyning-died-8th-century/

St Cyriacus of Rome
St Dionysus of Armenia
St Elfleda of Whitby
St Emilian of Armenia
St Giacuto
St Gisela
St Honoratus of Milan
St Inventius of Pavia
Bl Jacoba de Settesoli
St Kigwe
St Laureatus of Rome
St Lucius of Rome
St Meingold
St Mlada of Prague
St Nicetius of Besançon
St Oncho of Clonmore
St Paul of Rome

St Paul of Verdun (c576-c648) Bishop of Verdun, in the Lorraine region of France from 630 until his death., Abbot. The Roman Martyrology states: “At Verdun in France, St Paulus, Bishop renowned for miracles.”
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/08/saint-of-the-day-8-february-st-paul-of-verdun-c-576-c-648/

Blessed Pietro Igneus OSB Vall. (c1020 – 1089) Cardinal Bishop of Albano, Reformer – particularly against simony, Papal Legate and peace-maker.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/08/saint-of-the-day-8-february-blessed-pietro-igneus-osb-vall-c-1020-1089-cardinal-bishop/

St Sebastian of Armenia
St Stephen of Muret (c1046-1124) Abbot

Martyrs of Constantinople: Community of 5th Century Monks at the Monastery of Saint Dius at Constantinople. Imprisoned and Martyred for loyalty to the Vatican during the Acacian Schism. 485 in Constantinople.

Martyrs of Persia: An unknown number of Christians murdered in early 6th-century Persia. Legend says that so many miracles occurred through the intercession of these Martyrs that the King decreed an end to the persecution of Christians.

Posted in "Follow Me", QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 7 February – Of the Enemies We are to Engage and the Courage Necessary to Fight (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 7 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XV: … Of the Enemies We Are to Engage
and the Courage Necessary to Fight (Part Two)

“Therefore, you must never be dismayed, although at times, your enemy seems to be strengthening his array against you, although the struggle threatens to last your whole lifetime and although, almost certain falls menace you on every side! – for know assuredly, that the whole strength and wisdom of our enemies, is in the Hands of our Divine Captain, in Whose honour the battle is arrayed – Who, prizing us beyond measure, sure and having Himself imperatively called us to the conflict, will never suffer you to be overcome!

Nay more, He will Himself fight on your right hand and will not fail, in His own good time, to subdue your foes before you and this, to your greater reward, if He should delay to give you the victory, until the last day of your life!
This alone is your concern, to fight manfully, and never, however numerous your wounds, to lay down your arms or take to flight.

Lastly, that you fail not to fight courageously, bear in mind that this is a conflict whence there is no escape and, that he who will not fight must needs be captured or slain!
Moreover, we have to deal with enemies so powerful and so filled with
deadly hate, as to leave us no hope of either peace or truce.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/06/thought-for-the-day-6-february-of-the-enemies-we-are-to-engage-and-the-courage-necessary-to-fight-part-one/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 7 February – St Romuald

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Quote/s of the Day – 7 February – St Romuald, Abbot (c951-1027)

“Sit in the cell as in paradise;
cast all memory of the world behind you;
cautiously watching your thoughts,
as a good fisher watches the fish.”

“Above all, place yourself
in the presence of God
with fear and trembling …”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/02/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-february-st-romuald-2/

St Romuald (c951-1027)

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on the POOR, St Francis de Sales, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 February – Shall receive a hundredfold … Matthew 19:29

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One Minute Reflection – 7 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” – St Romuald (c951-1027) Abbot – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6, Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… Shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29

REFLECTION – “The possessions which we have, are not our own: God has given them to us to cultivate and He wishes us to render them fruitful and profitable … Always deprive yourself, therefore, of some part of your means, giving them to the poor with a willing heart … It is true that God will return it to you, not only in the next world but also in this, for there is nothing which makes a person prosper, in temporal matters, so much, as almsgiving. But until such time as God shall repay it, you will always be impoverished to that extent. Oh! how holy and rich is the impoverishment which is caused by almsgiving.

Love the poor and poverty, for by this love you will become truly poor, since, as Scripture says: “We become like the things that we love” (cf Hos 9:10). Love makes those who love, equal to one another: “Who is weak and I am not weak?” says St Paul (2 Cor 11:29). He might have said: “Who is poor, with whom I am not poor?” For love made him become, such as those whom he loved. If, then, you love the poor, you will be truly participating in their poverty and poor like them. Now, if you love the poor, be often among them; be pleased to see them in your house and to visit them in theirs; associate willingly with them; be glad that they are near you in the Churches, in the streets and elsewhere. Be poor in speech with them, speaking to them as their equal but be rich in deed, giving them of your goods, as one who possesses more abundantly.

Will you do even more? … Become a servant of the poor; go to serve them … with your own hands … and at your own expense. This service has more glory in it than a throne!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church (Introduction to the devout life, Part three Ch 15).

PRAYER – May the intercession of the Blessed Abbot Romuald, commend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, so that what we do not deserve by any merits of our own, we may obtain by his patronage. 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).