Day: March 8, 2024

Posted in GOOD RESOLUTIONS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PRESUMPTION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 8 March – On the Delusions of Some, Who Consider Themselves on the Way to Perfection

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

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

XXX: … On the Delusions of Some, Who
Consider Themselves on the Way to Perfection

“Our malignant foe, thus repulsed in his first and second assault and stratagem, has recourse to a third which is, to turn away our attention from the enemies who are close at hand to injure and assail us and to fill us with resolutions and desires, after higher degrees of perfection.

Hence, we are continually being wounded; yet, we pay no attention to our wounds and looking upon these resolutions, as already fufillled, we take pride in them in various ways.

Therefore, at the very time when the least contradiction or affront upsets us, we amuse ourselves with grandiose dreams of being ready to suffer the greatest torments or the pains of Purgatory itself, for the love of God.
And because our inferior part feels no repugnance at these things in the distance, we flatter ourselves, miserable creatures, as we are, into the conceit that we belong to the class of patient and heroic sufferers!
To avoid this snare, resolve to fight manfully against the enemies who are close at hand and actually waging war against you.

You will thus discover whether your resolutions are real or imaginary, weak or strong and so, you will go onto virtue and perfection, by the beaten and Royal Road.

But, against enemies who are not wont to trouble you, I do not advise you to take up arms, unless there appear a probability of their making an attack at some future time.
In this case it is lawful to make resolutions beforehand that you may be found
strong and prepared.

Do not, however, judge of your resolutions by their effects, even though you should have long and faithfully exercised yourself in virtue but, be very humble with regard to them; fear yourself and your own weakness and trust in God and seek His help by frequent prayer to strengthen and preserve you in all dangers and especially from the very slightest presumption or self-confidence.
For in this case, although we may not be able to overcome some slight defects which our Lord sometimes leaves in us, in order to greater, humility and self-knowledge and for the protection of some virtue, we may yet be permitted to form purposes of aspiring to higher degrees of perfection.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 8 March – St John of God

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 8 March – St John of God OH (1495-1550) Confessor, Founder of the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God

Lord be Blessed!
(A Prayer of Thanksgiving and Self-oblation)
By St John of God (1495-1550)

Lord be blessed!
for in Thy great kindness to me,
who art such a great sinner,
having performed so many wicked things,
yet Thou seest fit to set me free,
from such a tremendous temptation
and deception into which I fell,
through my own sinfulness.
Thou hast brought me into a safe harbour,
where I shall endeavour to serve Thee
with all my strength.
My Lord, I beg Thee, with all my might,
give me the strength of Thine grace
and always let me see Thine clemency.
I wish to be Thy slave,
so kindly show me what I should do.
Give peace and quiet to my soul
which greatly desires this.
O most worthy Lord,
may this creature of Thine,
serve and praise Thee.
May I give my whole heart
and mind, to Thee.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/08/quote-s-of-the-day-8-march-st-john-of-god-oh-1495-1550/

St John of God (1495-1550)

Posted in CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 8 March – The Lord Asks of Us Only Two Things

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 8 March – Friday in the Second Week of Lent – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 31:8-11, Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
he shall delight exceedingly
in His commandments. …”
Psalm 111:3

“‘You shall love the Lord your God
with your whole heart
and with your whole soul
and your whole mind.’
This is the greatest and first commandment.
And the second is like it,
‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ”
Matthew 22:37-39

The Lord Asks of Us Only Two Things

St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582)
Carmelite, Doctor of the Church

“The Lord asks of us only two things – love of His Majesty and love of our neighbour. These are what we must work for. By observing them with perfection, we do His will and so, will be united with Him. But how far, as I have said, we are from doing these two things, as we ought, for so great a God! May it please His Majesty to give us His grace, so that we might merit, if we wish to reach this state that lies within our power.

The most certain sign, in my opinion, as to whether or not we are observing these two laws, is whether we observe well, the love of neighbour. We cannot know whether or not we love God, although there are strong indications for recognising that we do love Him but, we can know, whether we love our neighbour. And be certain that the more advanced you see you are, in love for your neighbour, the more advanced you will be in the love of God, for the love His Majesty has for us, is so great that to repay us for our love of neighbour, He will, in a thousand ways, increase the love we have for Him. I cannot doubt this. That is why, it is important for us to walk, with careful attention, to how we are proceeding in this matter, for if we practice love of neighbour with great perfection, we shall have done everything. I believe that, since our nature is bad, we will not reach perfection in the love of neighbour, if that love does not rise from love of God, as its root.” – (Interior Castle, Fifth Dwelling Places Ch 3).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 March – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.” – Matthew 22:34-46

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 8 March – Friday in the Second Week of Lent – The Memorial of St John of God OH (1495-1550) Confessor, Founder of the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 31:8-11, Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Master, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” … Matthew 22:36

REFLECTION – “O Lord, what is it that you require of Your servants? “Take my yoke upon you,” you say. And what sort of yoke is this? “My yoke is easy and my burden light.” Now who would not willingly bear a yoke that does not press down but gives strength; a burden that does not weigh heavily but refreshes? As You rightly added: “And you will find rest” (Mt 11:29). And what is this yoke of Yours that does not tire but gives rest? It is the first and greatest of the commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.” What could be easier, better or more agreeable than to love the goodness, beauty and love that is most perfectly Yours, O Lord my God?

Do You not offer a reward to those who keep the com­mandments, which are “more desirable than a heap of gold and sweeter than honey from the comb?” (Ps 19[18]:11) So in every way, You offer a very ample reward, as James the Apostle says: “The Lord has prepared the crown of life for those who love him” (Jas 1:12) …And Paul quotes these words from Isaiah: “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9).

That first and great commandment is not only profitable for the man who keeps it or for God Who commands it – the other commandments of God also make perfect him who obeys them, improves him, instructs him and makes him illustrious; in a word, they make him good and holy. If you understand this, realise that you have been created for the glory of God and for your own eternal salvation; this is your end, this is the object of your soul and the treasure of your heart. You will be blessed if you reach this goal but miserable if you are cut off from it.” – St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Doctor of the Church (The Ascent of the Mind to God, 1).

PRAYER – O God, Who caused blessed John, when burning with love for Thee, to walk unharmed through the midst of flames and through him, enriched Thy Church with a new religious family; grant by the help of his merits, our sins may be burned away by the fire of Thy love and eternal remedies may come to us. 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 HOLY WEEK, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The PASSION, The SEVEN PASSION Feasts

Our Morning Offering – 8 March – Excerpt from the Prayer to the Five Wounds of Jesus By St Clare of Assisi

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 8 March – Friday of the Third Week in Lent and the Feast of the Five Holy Wounds

Excerpt from the Prayer
to the Five Wounds of Jesus
By St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)

I pray Thee, O most gentle Jesus,
that having redeemed me
by Baptism from original sin,
so now, by Thy Precious Blood,
which is offered and received,
throughout the world,
deliver me from all evils,
past, present and to come.
And by Thy most bitter Death,
give me a lively faith,
a firm hope
and perfect charity,
so that I may love Thee
with all my heart and all my soul
and all my strength.
Make me firm and steadfast in good works
and grant me perseverance in Thy service,
so that I may be able to please Thee always.
Amen.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 8 March – Saint Julian of Toledo (642-690) Bishop and Confessor,

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 8 March – Saint Julian of Toledo(642-690) Bishop and Confessor, Monk and Abbot, Scholar and prolific Writer. Born in c642 in Toledo, Spain and died there in 690.

The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Toledo, in Spain, the demise of the blessed Saint Julian, Bishop and Confessor, most celebrated for his sanctity and learning.”

Julian was well educated at the Cathedral school, was a Monk and later Abbot at Agali, a spiritual student of Saint Eugene II his predeccesor as the Archbishop of Toledo.

Julian was the first Bishop to have primacy over the entire Iberian Peninsula and he helped centralise the Iberian Church in Toledo.

He presided over several Councils and Synods and revised the Mozarabic Liturgy.

A voluminous writer, his works include Prognostics, a volume on death (and his most influential work); a history of King Wamba’s war with dux Paul in Septimania (a Sallustian work, and one of the few examples of historical writing from the late Visigothic Kingdom) and, a book on the future life in Heaven (687). A lost work, apparently dedicated to King Erwig, dealt with the issue of Jews owning Christian slaves.

He died at Toledo in 690 of natural causes.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, The SEVEN PASSION Feasts

FEAST OF THE FIVE HOLY WOUNDS, Friday of the Third Week in Lent, Nossa Senhora das Virtudes / Our Lady of Virtues, Portugal (15th Century), St John of God and all the Saints for 8 March

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Friday of the Third Week in Lent – FAST & ABSTINENCE

FEAST OF THE FIVE HOLY WOUNDS
Celebrated on Friday after the Third Sunday in Lent
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/17/the-feast-of-the-five-holy-wounds-17-march/

Nossa Senhora das Virtudes / Our Lady of Virtues, Lisbon, Portugal (15th Century) – 8 March:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/08/nossa-senhora-das-virtudes-our-lady-of-virtues-lisbon-portugal-15th-century-and-memorials-of-the-saints-8-march/

St John of God OH (1495-1550) Confessor, Founder of the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God, a worldwide Catholic religious institute dedicated to the care of the poor, sick and those suffering from mental disorders.
Beautiful St John:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/03/08/saint-of-the-day-8-march-st-john-of-god/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/08/saint-of-the-day-8-march-st-john-of-god-oh-1495-1550/

St Apollonius of Antinoë
St Arianus of Alexandri
St Arnulf of Chartres Abbot
St Beoadh of Ardcarne
St Duthus of Ross

St Felix of Burgundy (Died 647) Bishop, “The Apostle of East Anglia” Missionary in East Anglia and particularly in the Port Town now known as Felixstowe, in Suffolk, England. Amongst being the Founder of countless Churches. a famouse Monastery of Bury Saint Edmunds, he is also the Founder of what is now the University of Cambridge.
This wonderful “Apostle of East Anglia”
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/08/saint-of-the-day-8-march-st-felix-of-burgundy-died-647-bishop-the-apostle-of-east-anglia/

St Humphrey of Prüm
St Julian of Toledo (c642-690) Bishop and Confessor
St Litifredus of Pavia
St Philemon of Antinoë
St Pontius of Carthage
St Provinus of Como
St Quintilis of Nicomedia
St Rhian

St Senan of Scattery (c488-541) Monk, Abbot, Founder of many Monasteries and Churches, Miracle-worker, one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. Saint Patrick foretold his birth and saintliness.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/08/saint-of-the-day-8-march-saint-senan-of-scattery-c-488-541/

St Stephen of Obazine
St Theophylact of Nicomedia
St Theoticus of Alexandria
St Veremundus of Irache

Blessed Vincent Kadlubek O.Cist (c 1160-1223) Bishop, Cistercian Monk, noted Historian, prolific Writer and renowned Precher. His Episcopal mission was to reform the Diocesan Priests and to re-invigorate the faithful. Beatified on 18 February 1764 by Pope Clement XIII.
About Bl Vincent:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/08/saint-of-the-day-8-march-blessed-vincent-kadlubek-o-cist-c-1160-1223-bishop/

Martyrs of North Africa – 9 Saints: A Bishop and some of his flock who were Martyred together in North Africa. The only details that have survived are nine of the names – Beata, Cyril, Felicitas, Felix, Herenia, Mamillus, Rogatus, Silvanus, Urban.