Thought for the Day – 16 July – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
CHARITY Meditations for a Month
Charity, a Love of Benevolence
By love of complacency, we take personal pleasure in the good of our friend, by love of benevolence, we desire to see that good increased. The benevolence of charity consists in an ever-present desire that the glory of God, may be promoted by all men who live upon the earth, that His Kingdom may spread, that the number of the Saints may receive continual additions and that sinners may be converted to Him. This is the chief wish of our hearts and it is ever-present in our minds – that the interests of God will be advanced everywhere.
This love of benevolence includes too, a feeling of grief and sorrow, whenever we hear of anything which is an insult to God’s honour or which diminishes His eternal glory. All the sins of men cause pain, to those in whose hearts supernatural charity is present. All sacrileges, impieties, or forgetfulness of God which they witness, hurts them and causes them to suffer. Above all, they are compassionate to the Sacred Sufferings of Jesus and the Agony, of Body and Mind which our sins caused Him.
Charity, moreover, requires that we shall not be satisfied with a mere feeling of goodwill. Our benevolence must be a practical one. We must do our part to add to God’s glory. In proportion to our charity, will be our devotion of every act and word and thought, to the glory of God. When Saint Paul said, ‘Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God,’ he was but inculcating a precept of charity. What do I do to promote God’s glory? Alas, how much less than I ought!
Quote/s of the Day – 16 July – The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 24:23; Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Blessed is the womb which bore Thee ”
Luke 11:27
“O Mother blest! And chosen Shrine wherein the Architect Divine, Whose Hand contains the earth and sky vouchsafed in hidden guise to lie; Blest in the message Gabriel brought; blest in the work, the Spirit wrought; Most blest, to bring to human birth, the long desired of all the earth!”
St Venantius Fortunatus (c530–c609)
“Taking up the newborn Emmanuel, Mary beheld a Light incomparably fairer than the sun and saw a Fire, which water cannot quench. She received, in the covering of Flesh Whom she had borne, the Light, Who enlightens all things and she was worthy,, to carry in her arms, the Word, Who carries the universe!”
St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159) Bishop, Cistercian Monk
“The Blessed Virgin was chosen to be the Mother of God and, therefore, it is not to be doubted, but that God fitted her for it by His graces.”
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis
“It is through the most Blessed Virgin Mary that Jesus Christ came into the world and, it is also through her that He will reign in the world.”
One Minute Reflection – 16 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 24:23; Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Blessed is the womb which bore Thee … But He said, rather, blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it. ” – Luke 11:27-28
REFLECTION – “Stretching out His Hand over His disciples, the Lord Christ declared: ‘Here are My mother and My brothers; anyone who does the Will of My Father Who sent Me, is My brother and sister and My mother.’ I would urge you to ponder these words. Did the Virgin Mary, who believed by faith and conceived by faith, who was the chosen one from whom our Saviour was born among men, who was created by Christ before Christ was created in her — did she not do the Will of the Father? Indeed the blessed Mary certainly did the Father’s Will and so, it was for her, a greater thing to have been Christ’s disciple than to have been His Mother and, she was more blessed, in her discipleship, than in her motherhood. Hers was the happiness, of first bearing in her womb, Him Whom she would obey as her Master.
Now listen and see if the words of Scripture do not agree with what I have said. The Lord was passing by and crowds were following Him. His miracles gave proof of Divine Power and a woman cried out: ‘Blessed is the womb which bore Thee,’ blessed is that womb! But the Lord, not wishing people to seek happiness in a purely physical relationship, replied: ,’More blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it.‘ Mary heard God’s Word and kept it and so, she is blessed. She kept God’s Truth in her mind, a nobler thing than carrying His Body in her womb. The Truth and the Body were both Christ — He was kept in Mary’s mind, insofar as He is Truth, He was carried in her womb, insofar as He is Man but what is kept in the mind, is of a higher order, than what is carried in the womb.
The Virgin Mary is both holy and blessed and yet, the Church is greater than she. Mary is a part of the Church, a member of the Church, a holy, an eminent — the most eminent — member but still, only a member of the entire Body. The Body, undoubtedly is greater than she, one of its members. This Body has the Lord for its Head and Head and Body together, make up the whole Christ. In other words, our Head is Divine — our Head is God.
Now, beloved, give me your whole attention, for you also are members of Christ; you too are the Body of Christ. Consider how you, yourselves, can be among those of whom the Lord said: ‘Here are My mother and My brothers.’ Do you wonder how you can be the mother of Christ? He himself said: ‘Whoever hears and fulfils the Will of My Father in Heaven, is My brother and My sister and My mother.’ As for our being the brothers and sisters of Christ, we can understand this because, although there is only one inheritance and Christ is the Only Son, His mercy would not allow Him to remain alone. It was His wish that we too should be heirs of the Father and co-heirs with Himself.
Now having said that all of you are brothers of Christ, shall I not dare to call you His mother? Much less would I dare to deny His own words. Tell me how Mary became the mother of Christ, if it was not by giving birth to the members of Christ? You, to whom I am speaking, are the members of Christ. Of whom were you born? “Of Mother Church,” I hear the reply of your hearts. You became sons of this mother at your Baptism, you came to birth then, as members of Christ. Now you, in your turn, must draw to the Font of Baptism, as many as you possibly can. You became sons when you were born there yourselves and now, by bringing others to birth in the same way, you have it in your power to become the mothers of Christ!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (An excerpt from Sermon 25).
PRAYER – O God, Who honoured the Order of Carmel with the special title of the most blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Thy Mother, graciously grant, that we, who this day honour her commemoration with solemn rites, defended by her care, may be found worthy to attain everlasting happiness.Through the same Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 16 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
“The Flos Carmeli The Flower of Carmel” By St Simon Stock (1165-1265)
O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein that thou art my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech thee from the bottom of my heart, to succour me in this my necessity. There are none that can withstand thy power. O show me herein, that thou art my Mother. Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for those who have recourse to thee. (Repeat three times)
Sweet Mother, I place this cause in thy hands. (Repeat three times)
This prayer, the “Flos Carmeli” (“The Flower of Carmel”), was composed by St Simon Stock (1165-1265), a Carmelite, so-called because he and other members of his Order lived atop Mount Carmel in the Holy Land. St Simon Stock was visited by the Blessed Virgin Mary on 16 July 1251, at which time, she bestowed upon him a scapular, or habit, (commonly called “the Brown Scapular”) which became part of the Liturgical clothing of the Carmelite Order. Oral tradition tells of St Simon Stock praying, with a passionate intensity to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, during a time of great distress and hardship for the Order. With fervour and faith, he prayed his prayer, the Flos Carmeli, for the first time. And Our Lady answered his prayer. Thus, for seven centuries the Flos Carmeli continues to be prayed to the Blessed Mother with the firm faith that she she will answer its petition, with her powerful assistance.
Saint of the Day – 16 July – Blessed Arnulf of Hildesheim (Died 1180) Abbot of Saint Godehard Monastery in Hildesheim. Died on 16 July 1180 at his Monastery of natural causes. Also known as – Arnoldus, Arnold, Arnoldo. His Body is/was Incorrupt.
St Godehard Monastery Church, now a Minor Basilica
Arnulf lived in the 12th Century in Germany. Sadky, we can find no details of his life beyond these few facts. He became a Benedictine Monk in the Fulda Monastery in Germany.
From there he was called to the Monastery of St Godehard in Hildesheim where he was appointed as the Abbot.
St Godehard Interior
He died on 16 July 1180. His body was found intact during translations in the years 1400 and again in 1473, when his cult was confirmed.
St Andrew the Hermit St Antiochus of Sebaste Bl Arnold of Clairvaux Blessed Arnulf of Hildesheim (Died 1180) Abbot. His Body is/was Incorrupt. St Athenogenes of Sebaste
St Bartholomew of Braga OP – ArchBishop of Braga also known as Bl Bartholomew of the Martyrs (Bartolomeu Fernandez dei Martiri Fernandes) (1514-1590) Portuguese Dominican Friar and Priest, Writer, Theologian, Advisor, Teacher and Catechetical writer, Apostle of Charity founding a series of hospitals and hospices in Braga and surrounds. St Bartholomew: https://anastpaul.com/2018/07/16/saint-of-the-day-16-july-blessed-bartholomew-of-the-martyrs-1514-1590/
St Generosus of Poitou St Gobbán Beg St Gondulf of Tongeren-Maastricht St Gondolf of Saintes St Grimoald of Saintes
St Helier of Jersey (Died c555) Martyr, Hermit, Missionary from Belgium, Hermit, Ascetic, Miracle-worker. PATRONAGES – St Helier is the Patron Saint of Jersey and in particular of the Diocese and Capital City of Jersey, named for him – Saint Helier, he is invoked against and for the cure of EYE diseases and skin disorders, His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2023/07/16/saint-of-the-day-16-july-st-helier-of-jersey-died-c555-martyr-missionary-hermit/
Bl Irmengard St Landericus of Séez Bl Madeleine-Françoise de Justamond Bl Marguerite-Rose de Gordon Bl Marguerite-Thérèse Charensol Bl Marie-Anne Béguin-Royal Bl Marie-Anne Doux
St Marie-Madeline Postel (1756-1846) Religious Sister and Founder of the Sisters of Christian Schools of which she is the Patron, Teacher, Franciscan tertiary. Pope Pius X later signified on 22 January 1908 his approval to two investigated miracles attributed to her intercession and so Beatified her on 17 May 1908. Pope Pius XI confirmed two additional miracles and Canonised Blessed Marie-Madeline on 24 May 1925. Her Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/07/16/saint-of-the-day-16-july-st-marie-madeline-postel-
Bl Marie-Rose Laye Bl Milon of Thérouanne St Monulphus of Tongeren-Maastricht Bl Ornandus of Vicogne
Martyrs of Antioch – 5 Saints: Five Christians who were Martyred together. No details about them have survived by the names – Dionysius, Eustasius, Maximus, Theodosius and Theodulus. They were Martyred in Antioch, Syria, date unknown.
Thought for the Day – 15 July – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
CHARITY Meditations for a Month
Charity, a Love of Complacency
Charity is also a love, distinguished by the complacency or pleasure which it takes in the welfare of whomever is its object. Let us apply this to the supernatural charity which has God for its object.
Charity takes pleasure in thinking of God’s Infinite perfections. It rejoices in His unapproachable Majesty. The continual joy of the Angels in Heaven and of the Church on earth is:
Gloria in Excelsis Deo. Charity rejoices in His Infinite holiness; Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth; in His Power, His Wisdom and His Eternity. Does my heart rejoice in the thought of God’s Power and Glory and in my complete subjection to Him?
Charity also thinks with complacency of the homage paid to God by Angels and by men. It thinks of the honour He derives from the holiness of the Saints, from the Immaculate purity of His Holy Mother, from the obedience of the Son of God to His Eternal Father and, from the Sacrifice on Calvary, whereby the world was made once more, the Kingdom of God and filled with tens of thousands of saints. For all this, do I render thanks to God and rejoice in the glory He derives therefrom. I thank Thee, O my God, that Thou hast on earth, so many faithful servants who give glory to Thy Name.
Charity, moreover, rejoices exceedingly in the honour done to God, whenever a sinner is reconciled to Him. The Angels rejoice over the sinner doing penance, not so much for his own sake, as because God’s Kingdom is thereby enlarged and His glory increased. So, too, we ought to rejoice in the conversion of every sinner and all the more because we are sinners. As sinners, we can appreciate better, the injury done to God by sin and the honour He receives when sin is blotted out and the sinner is reconciled to Him. Do I rejoice in the conversion of sinners and recognise that conversion has increased God’s Kingdom and His glory?
Quote/s of the Day – 15 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Watch” over your life. … Sheep will turn into wolves and love into hatred. With the increase of iniquity, people will hate, persecute and betray each other. Then the world deceiver will appear in the disguise of God’s Son. He will work “signs and wonders” and the earth will fall into his hands. He will commit outrages such as have never occurred before. Then humankind will come to the “fiery trial“ and many will fall away” and perish.”
Unknown 1st Century Author [ACW- Ancient Christian Writer] (Didache 16)
“Blessed are those servants whom the Master, on His return, shall find watching.” Luke 12:37
“Blessed are those who watch for Him and so, make themselves like the Angels, whom we call “Watchers.” A man asleep is worth nothing, no more than if he were dead. But, whoever has the light, keeps watch and “darkness does not overcome him” (Jn 1:5) neither does sleep. Whoever has been illumined is, therefore, wakened to God and such a person is alive, “for what came to be in him was life.” (Jn 1:4) “Happy the man,” says Wisdom, “who obeys me and happy those who keep my ways, happy the man watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts” (Pr 8:34).”
St Clement of Alexandria (c150- c215) Father of the Church,
“She did not leave the temple, serving with fastings and prayers, night and day.” Luke 2:37
“If, in holy Scripture, Christ is the true Sun and the true Day, there is no hour when Christians should not adore God frequently and constantly, so that we, who are in Christ, that is, in the true Sun and true Day, should be persevering, throughout the whole day, in our petitions and prayer. And when, in the course of time, the revolving night returns, there can be no harm from the nocturnal shades, for those who pray because, to the sons of Light (1 Thes 5:5), even in the night there is day! For when is he without light who has Light in his heart? Or when does he not have sun and day to whom Christ is Sun and Day?”
St Cyprian of Carthage (200-258) Martyr, Father of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 15 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Henry II (972-1024) Confessor, Holy Roman Emperor. – Ecclesiasticus 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, as 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 on this day took Henry, Thy Confessor, to the everlasting Kingdom from the throne of an earthly empire; we humbly beseech Thee, that as Thou enabled him, protected by the abundance of Thy grace, to overcome the temptations of the world, so grant that we, in emulation of him, may shun the allurements of this world and come to Thee with pure hearts.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).
Our Morning Offering – 15 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Feast of the the “Divisio Apostolorum – the Division of the Apostles” also known as (‘Dispersion’)
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen
Saint of the Day – 15 July – Blessed Ceslas Odrowaz OP (c1180-1242) Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, receiving the Habit from St Dominic himself. Ceslas was almost certainly Saint Hyacinth’s (1185-1257) older brother. Doctor of Divinity and Law, Missionary, in time, Ceslas became the Provincial Father of the Order for all of Poland. Born in c1180 at Krakow, Upper Silesia (modern Poland) and died on 15 or 17 July 1242 at Wroclaw, Poland of natural causes. Patronage – of Wroclaw, Poland. Also known as – Ceslas of Cracow, Ceslaus of Krakow, Ceslas of Poland, Ceslas of Wroclaw, Ceslaus…Czeslaw…Ceslao… Additional Memorials – 17 July (Dominicans), 20 July (Wroclaw, Poland), 4 July on some calendars, 16 July on some calendars.
Painting by Tomasz Jan Muszyński (1665)
Ceslas was born in Silesia probably in 1180. He spent his youth in Krakow in a Poland which had recovered from the Mongol invasions, growing again in that Christianity introduced two centuries earlier by King Mieszko I and which would then have had its great flourish under King Casimir the Great.
His studies began in Krakow and continued at the Universities of Paris and Bologna, the major and renowned places of study at that time. Ceslas was Ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Vincent Kadlubek of Krakow, iwhere he had matured in his intellectual and spiritual vocation. Ceslas was then entrusted with the Collegiate Church of Sandomierz.
In 1220, the great opportunity of his life arose. Divine Providence desired that he should accompany, together with St Hyacinth, the Bishop of Krakow, Ivo Odrowaz to Rome. There, he met St Dominicand witnessed the miraculous resurrection of the young Napoleon, nephew of Cardinal Stephen, by the intercession of St Dominic himself.
Both Ceslas and Hyacinth decided to enter St Dominic’s Order of Preachers. , They were sent to Bologna where they remained for a certain time in the Dominican Convent there.
In 1221 his Superiors in Bologna sent Ceslas, together with other Friars, to Poland to erect new foundations. On the return journey, he stopped in Prague where he founded the Dominican House at the Church of St Clement. Returning to Krakow, he worked for many years at the Church of the Holy Trinity, in the Monastery recently founded there.
From there he went to Wroclaw, where he remained for 7 years and thereafter Ceslas was appointed as the Superior. In 1232 he was honoured with the Office of Provincial Father of Poland.
He travelled for another four years throughout Silesia and Poland founding Houses, until in 1236 he resigned, forced by exhaustion, from all his responsibilities. In 1241, upon returned to Wroclaw, Ceslas took part in the liberation of the City from the siege of the Tartars. He died on 15 or 17 July 1242 and was buried in the Church of St Adalbert. Pope Clement XI confirmed the cult on 27 August 1712 and, in 1748, Pope Benedict XIV set the day of his celebration on 20 July. The Dominican Order remembers him on 17 July while the Martyrologium Romanum indicates it on 15 July.
St Henry II (972-1024) Holy Roman Emperor. Henry was well known for his Missionary spirit and for his protection of the Pope in times of trouble. Henry ruled with a spirit of great humility and always sought to give the glory to God. He used his position to promote the work of the Church and the peace and happiness of the people. Another Saints whose Feast was moved in 1969 from today, 15 July to 13 July. Biography: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/07/13/saint-of-the-day-13-july-st-henry-ii-holy-roman-emperor/
St Abundantia of Spoleto St Abudemius of Bozcaada St Adalard the Younger
Blessed Anne-Mary Javouhey (1779-1851) “The Mother of the Slaves,” Religious Sister, Missionary and Founder of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Cluny. Imagine a Mother Teresa in the France of Napoleon’s day and you will have a picture of Anne-Marie Javouhey. Nanette, as she was called, was a “velvet brick,” a thin layer of gentleness covering her determined core. A competent leader, Nanette dominated every scene in her adventurous life. Blessed Anne-Marie was Beatified on 15 October 1950 by Pope Pius XII. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2019/07/15/saint-of-the-day-15-july-blessed-anne-mary-javouhey-1779-1851/
St Apronia
St Athanasius of Naples (c830-c 872) Confessor, Bishop of Naples from 849 until his death, Papal Legate, Reformer and restoring of Monasteries, he built a Hospice for pilgrims and a new Monastery, a man of austerity and prayer. This Athanasius should not be confused with his nephew, Athanasius II, also the Bishop of Naples. About this St Athanasius, a Patron of Naples among +70 Patrons: https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/15/saint-of-the-day-15-july-st-athanasius-of-naples-c-830-c-872/
St Antiochus of Sebaste St Benedict of Angers
Blessed Bernard of Baden TOSF (1428-1458) Margrave of Baden, Germany (Margrave was originally the medieval title for the military commander assigned to maintain the defence of one of the border provinces of the Holy Roman Empire.) Tertiary of the Order of St Francis, Apostle of the poor and the needy. Bernard was Beatified on 16 September 1769 by Pope Clement XIV. His Canonisation process continues, at present, the second miracle required is being investigated. Blessed Bernard’s Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/15/saint-of-the-day-15-july-blessed-bernard-of-baden-tosf-1428-1458/
St David of Sweden St Donivald St Eberhard of Luzy St Edith of Tamworth St Eternus St Felix of Pavia St Gumbert of Ansbach St Haruch of Werden St Jacob of Nisibis St Joseph Studita of Thessalonica Bl Peter Aymillo St Plechelm of Guelderland Bl Roland of Chézery St Valentina of Nevers St Vladimir I of Kiev
Martyred Jesuit Missionaries of Brazil – 40 Beati: A band of forty Spanish, Portugese and French Jesuit Missionaries Martyred by the Huguenot pirate Jacques Sourie while en route to Brazil. They are – Aleixo Delgado • Alonso de Baena • álvaro Borralho Mendes • Amaro Vaz • André Gonçalves • António Correia • Antônio Fernandes • António Soares • Bento de Castro • Brás Ribeiro • Diogo de Andrade • Diogo Pires Mimoso • Domingos Fernandes • Esteban Zuraire • Fernando Sánchez • Francisco Alvares • Francisco de Magalhães • Francisco Pérez Godoy • Gaspar Alvares • Gonçalo Henriques • Gregorio Escribano • Ignatius de Azevedo • Iõao • João Fernandes • João Fernandes • Juan de Mayorga • Juan de San Martín • Juan de Zafra • Luís Correia • Luís Rodrigues • Manuel Alvares • Manuel Fernandes • Manuel Pacheco • Manuel Rodrigues • Marcos Caldeira • Nicolau Dinis • Pedro de Fontoura • Pedro Nunes • Simão da Costa • Simão Lopes • They were Martyed on 15 and 16 July 1570 on the ship Santiago near Palma, Canary Islands. They were Beatified on 11 May 1854 by Pope Pius IX.
Martyrs of Alexandria – 13 Saints: Thirteen Christians who were Martyred together. We know the names of three, no details about them and the other ten were all children. – Narseus, Philip and Zeno. Martyred in the early 4th-century in Alexandria, Egypt.
Martyrs of Carthage – 9 Saints: A group of nine Christians who were Martyred together. We know nothing else but their names – Adautto, Catulinus, Felice, Florentius, Fortunanziano, Januarius, Julia, Justa and Settimino. They were Martyred in Carthaginian and their relics at the Basilica of Fausta at Carthage.
Martyrs of Pannonia – 5 Saints: Five 4th-century Martyrs killed together. No information about them has survived except the names – Agrippinus, Fortunatus, Martialis, Maximus and Secundinus.
Thought for the Day – 14 July – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
CHARITY Meditations for a Month
Charity, a Love of Friendship
Charity is primarily a love for God and a love of friendship which is the highest kind of love. All true friendship implies that the love exists on both sides. Men are not friends unless each of them possesses and recognises the love of the other. If we are really the friends of God, we shall recognise His Love and find, in all which happens to us, a proof of His Love and Friendship, not complaining nor wishing He had acted otherwise but, being fully convinced that He never does anything, nor permits anything which is not intended for our good. Until we do this, our friendship is an imperfect one.
Friendship also requires that we declare our love to God. He knows if we have declared our love for Him and the exact degree in which it is present in our hearts. However, He likes to listen to our assurance of the love we bear Him. Our love is prone to wax cold unless it finds expression in words and, it is a pleasure to those who are close friends, to share their mutual sentiments of friendship. God does not spare, in His written Word, to give us the strongest assurances of His undying love to man. Do we in return, assure Him of our grateful love for Him, the best and dearest Friend we have in Heaven or on earth?!
Whatever words we use, they cannot surpass God’s Messages of Love to us. He says, ‘if a woman can forget the son of her womb, He will not forget us‘ (Isaias 49:1). He says ‘He loves us so dearly that He spared not even His own Son but delivered Him up for us‘ (Romans 8:32) and, therefore, can ‘refuse us nothing for which we ask.’ (John 16:23,24) What have we to say to Him, as a counterpart of loving words like these?
Quote/s of the Day – 14 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church
“As “pride is the beginning of all sin,” (Eccl. 10:15) so humility is the foundation of all virtue. Learn to be really humble and not, as the hypocrite, humble merely in appearance.”
“When we pray, the voice of the heart must be heard , more than that proceeding from the mouth.”
“The best perfection of a religious man, is to do common things, in a perfect manner. A constant fidelity, in small things, is a great and heroic virtue.”
“Every creature is a Divine Word because it proclaims God.”
“Chastity without charity is a lamp without oil.”
“In beautiful things St Francis saw Beauty itself and through His vestiges imprinted on creation, he followed his Beloved everywhere, making, from all things, a ladder, by which he could climb up and embrace Him, Who is utterly desirable.”
One Minute Reflection – 14 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church – Pentecost VIII – – Romans 8:12-17; Luke 16:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves with deceitful wealth, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the everlasting dwellings.” – Lukr 16:9
REFLECTION – “A servant cannot serve two masters.” Not that there are two; there is only one Master. For, even if there are some, who serve money, it has no inherent right to be a master; they themselves, are the ones who assume the yoke of this slavery. In fact, money has no rightful authority but constitutes an unjust bondage. That is why Jesus says: “Make friends for yourselves with deceitful money,” so that, by generosity to the poor, we will win the favour of Angels and Saints.
The steward is not blamed. By this we learn that we are not masters but rather stewards of other’s wealth. He was praised, even though he was in the wrong because, in paying out to others in his master’s name ,he won support for himself. And how rightly Jesus spoke of “deceitful wealth” because love of money so tempts our desires with its various seductions that we consent to become its slaves. That is why He said: “If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?” Riches are alien to us because they exist outside of our nature; they are not born with us, they do not follow us in death. But Christ, to the contrary, belongs to us because He is Life! … So do not let us become slaves of exterior goods because Christ is the only One we should acknowledge as our Lord.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Saint Luke’s Gospel No 7).
PRAYER – O God, Who gave to Thy people, blessed Bonaventure, as a minister of salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we who cherished him on earth as a teacher of life, may be found worthy to have him as an intercessor in heaven. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 14 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Pentecost VIII – St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church
My Lord, I am Unworthy! Prayer before Holy Communion By St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church
My Lord, Who art Thou and who am I, that I should dare to take Thee into my body and soul? A thousand years of penance and tears, would not be sufficient to make me worthy to receive, so Royal a Sacrament even once! How much more am I unworthy of it, who fall into sin daily, I, the incorrigible, who approach Thee so often without due preparation! Nevertheless, Thy mercy infinitely surpasses my unworthiness. Therefore, I make bold to receive this Sacrament, trusting in Thy love. Amen
Saint of the Day – 14 July – Blessed Richard Langhorne (c1624-1679) Martyr Layman, Barrister. Born in c1624 in Little Wymondley, Hertfordshire, England and died on 14 July 1679 (aged 54–55) at Tyburn Tree, London, England by being hanged on a false charge of treason as part of the fabricated Popish Plot. He fell under suspicion because he was a Roman Catholic and because, he had acted as legal adviser to the Jesuits at a time of acute anti-Catholic hysteria.
Richard was the third son of William Langhorne, a Barrister and his wife, Lettice Needham, of Little Wymondley in Hertfordshire. He was admitted to the Inner Temple in May 1647 and called to the Bar in November 1654. He was a Catholic and provided legal and financial advice to the Society of Jesus in London. During the wave of anti-Catholic hysteria which followed the Great Fire of London of 1666, he was briefly arrested but quickly released.
His wife, Dorothy Legatt, was a Protestant from Havering in Essex. His sons, Charles and Francis were both Priests. When, in October 1677, Titus Oates was expelled from the English College at St Omer “for serious moral lapses” Charles Langhorne nevertheless, entrusted Oates with a letter to his father. Oates returned to St Omer with a letter from Richard thanking the Jesuits for all they had done for his sons.
When Oates and Israel Tonge, one of his accomplice, in September 1678, unleashed their entirely fictitious Popish Plot, a non-existent Catholic conspiracy to kill King Charles II, three Jesuits and a Benedictine were arrested. Following a detailed search of their papers (which failed to uncover any evidence of treason), Langhorne’s role as legal adviser to the Jesuits was discovered almost at once – he was arrested a week after the four Priests, although there was no evidence in the Priests’ papers that he had committed any crime. He was imprisoned at Newgate and charged with treason. Oates claimed and was corroborated by the notorious informer and confidence trickster, William Bedloe, that Langhorne’s earlier correspondence dealt with the conspiracy to kill the King.
He was tried on 14 June 1679. He was forced to defend himself, as a person charged with treason had no right then to Defence Counsel (this rule was not changed until the passage of the Treason Act in 1695). His main defence consisted of an attack on the character of the Crown’s principal Witnesses, Oates and Bedloe but since the Judges were well aware of the deplorable past lives of both men, this seems to have made little impression.He also called a number of students from St Omer to prove that Oates had been at the College on the crucial dates when he claimed to be in London but the public mood was so hostile to Catholics that the Witnesses were barely able to make themselves heard above the roar of the crowd and some of them were assaulted as they left the Court. Ironically, some of the same Witnesses appeared for the prosecution at Oates’ own trial for perjury in 1685, where the crowd treated them courteously and the Jury was told to weigh their evidence with the greatest seriousness. (Such evil contradicitions and treachery within the Courst of Justic [!] within the space of 6 years!)
William Scroggs, the Lord Chief Justice, although violently prejudiced against Catholic Priests, was relatively tolerant of Catholic laymen. His summary was reasonably fair, by the standards of the time and he did warn the Jury that on no account should an innocent man’s life be taken away. Nonetheles, Langhorne was found guilty of High Treason.
As the result of a petition by his wife, a ‘true Protestant’ he received a month’s reprieve to tidy the affairs of his clients. Some suggest that the Crown was still hoping that he would confess and it seems he was offered a Royal Pardon if he did so. Langhorne was prepared, presumably with the consent of the Jesuit Fathers, to give the Crown a list of all the Jesuit properties in England, (which turned out to be much less extensive than the Crown, misled by Oates’s wild exaggeration of the Jesuits’ wealth, had expected) but, he steadily maintained his innocence.
Richard wrote a lengthy Devotion of Prayers and Meditations in verse, which was later published. He was executed at Tyburn Tree, London, on 14 July 1679.
His last words to his Executioner were:
“I am desirous to be with my Jesus. I am ready and you need stay no longer for me.”
Public opinion was slowly turning against the Plot and Langhorne’s courageous death made a favourable impression on the watching crowd.
The Martyr’s wife, Dorothy, although a militant Protestant, who even sometimes provided information against the Catholics, remained faithful to her husband until the end and perhaps later converted to Catholicism, as suggested by Burnet in his emorandum of the Popish Conspiracy.
Langhorne’s Memorial remains, containing the story of his arrest and imprisonment, written in Newgate and published, by his son, Father Richard, three months after his death, together with the Prayers and Meditations he composed while awaiting the supreme hour, (London 1679). Father Richard later also published , written by his father in defence of Charles II’s declaration of 15 March 1672. We also have some letters of the Martyr preserved by two of his friends, the Protestant Lord Christopher Hatton and the Catholic William Blundell.
Begun in Rome on 9 December 1886 by order of Pope Leo XIII, the cause for Langhorne’s Beatification was concluded under the Pontificate of Pope Pius XI, with his inscription in the catalogue of the Blesseds on 15 December. 1929
Blessed Gaspar de Bono OM (1530– 1604) Spanish Priest, Friar of the Order of Minims, Vicar Provincial of the Order. He was noted for his particular devotion to the Passion of Christ, carrying his Crucifix everywhere as a means of evangelisation and to be able to constantly immerse himself in his Saviour’s sufferings. His Loving Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/14/saint-of-the-day-14-july-blessed-gaspar-de-bono-om-1530-1604/
Bl Giorgio of Lauria Bl Hroznata of Bohemia Bl Humberto of Romans St Idus of Ath Fadha St Just St Justus of Rome St Liebert St Marciano of Frigento St Marchelm Bl Michael Ghebre St Optatian of Brescia St Papias of Africa Blessed Richard Langhorne (c1624-1679) Martyr Layman Bl Toscana of Verona St Ulric of Zell St Vincent Madelgaire
Thought for the Day – 13 July – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Today we begin a new seriest with Fr Clarke having completed “Patience.” I believe we still have a week or so of “Humility” to complete.
CHARITY Meditations for a Month
The Definition of Charity What is Charity?
Charity is an infused virtue, by which we love God for His own sake and above all things and our neighbour as ourselves, for the love of God. It is the best gift which God Himself can give, the gift compared to which, all other gifts are insignificant and worthless. It is the end and aim, the perfection and the crown of the Christian life. If we possess it, we have all things; if we possess it not, we have nothing; we are miserable and wretched and poor and blind and naked before God. Pray that God may teach you to know and to love His Divine gift.
Charity is called an infused virtue, because we can only obtain it, if God shall please to pour it into our soul. No amount of practice can make it ours. No natural benevolence will develop into charity, unless God adds that supernatural character which alone can render it pleasing in His sight and meritorious of eternal life. We must carefully distinguish natural from supernatural charity and we must beware of being satisfied with the former.
Charity is one of the virtues called “Christian virtues,” inasmuch, as their model and type, is the Life of Christ upon earth because, they unite us to Christ and make us like unto Him. It is true that charity is, in itself, pre-eminently the Christian virtue and when Saint Paul says, “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14), he refers alone to the virtue of charity, with which we must be clothed, if we are to be the servants and followers of our Lord. Can I say I am clothed with charity, so all around me see it? Do they not too often detect in me, a lamentable want of this virtue?
Quote/s of the Day – 13 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Anacletus (c25-c89) 3rd Bishop of Rome and Martyr – 1 Petet 5:1-4; 5:10-11: Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And I say to thee: That thou art Peter and upon this rock, I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Matthew 16:18
“… About the fourth watch of the night, He came towards them, walking upon the sea …”
Mark 6:48
“In the expression “fourth watch of the night” we find the number corresponding to the signs of His care. Thus, the first watch was that of the Law; the second, that of the Prophets; the third, that of His coming in the flesh; the fourth is situated in His return in glory. But He will find the Church declining and hemmed in by the spirit of the Antichrist and all the distresses of this world. He will come when anxieties and afflictions are at their height … The disciples will be terrified even by the coming of the Lord, fearing the images of a reality distorted by Antichrist and by the deceitful imaginations infiltrating their sight. But our good Lord will speak to them directly, casting out their fear and saying: “It is I”, dispersing their fear of imminent shipwreck by faith in His coming! ”
St Hilary (315-368) Bishop of Poitiers, Father & Doctor of the Church
“We, as Catholics, are not permitted to believe anything of our own will, nor to choose, what someone has believed, of his [own will]. We have God’s Apostles as authorities, who did not themselves, of their own wills, choose anything of what they wanted to believe but faithfully transmitted, to the nations, the teachings of Christ.”
St Isidore of Seville (c560-636) Father & Doctor of the Church
“Let us trust in Him. Who has placed this burden upon us. What we ourselves cannot bear, let us bear, with the help of Christ. For He is All-powerful and He tells us: ‘My yoke is easy and my burden light.’”
St Boniface (c672-754) Martyr
“Thus we do not say that the Pope cannot err in his private opinions, as did John XXII; or be altogether a heretic, as perhaps Honorius was. Now, when he, [the Pope], is explicitly a heretic, he falls ipso facto, from his dignity and OUT of the Church! …
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection –13 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Anacletus (c25-c89) 3rd Bishop of Rome and Martyr – 1 Petet 5:1-4; 5:10-11: Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And I say to thee that thou art Peter and upon this rock I sgall build My Church …” – Matthew 16:18
REFLECTION – “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I shall build My Church.” He was given this name of ‘Peter’ because he was the first to set the foundations of the faith among the nations and because, he is the indestructible rock on which rests the judgement seat and the whole edifice, belonging to Christ Jesus. It was on account of his faithfulness that he was called Peter, whereas our Lord receives the same Name on account of His power according to Saint Paul’s words: “They drank from a spiritual Rock which followed them and that Rock ,was the Christ” (1 Cor 10:4). Yes, the Apostle chosen to be His co-worker merited to share the same Name as Christ. They built the same building together – Peter does the planting, the Lord gives the increase and it is the Lord, too, Who sends those who will do the watering (cf 1 Cor 3:6).
As you know, my beloved, it was following on from his own failure, when our Saviour suffered that blessed Peter was raised up. It was after he had denied the Lord that he became the first next to Him. Rendered more faithful when he wept over the faith he had betrayed, he received a still greater grace than the one he had lost. To him, Christ confided his flock, so that he might guide it like a good shepherd and he, who had been so weak, would now become the support of all. He, who had fallen, when questioned about his faith, must now establish the others on the unshakeable foundations of faith. Hence, he is called the foundation-stone of the piety of the Church.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon attributed to Saint Augustine).
PRAYER – Look forgivingly on thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Anacletus thy Martyr and Sovereign Pontiff, whom thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church.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).
Saint of the Day – 13 July – Saint Arno of Würzburg (Died 892) Bishop Martyr. Born at an unknown location in the 9th Century and died on 13 July 892 at Chemnitz, Saxony (in modern Germany). Also known as – Artno, Arn. His name means ‘the eagle‘ in old high German.
Arno was a student of the Bishop of Würzburg, Gozbald. In 855 he was made Bishop of Würzburg by the King of the East Frankish Empire, Louis the German.
Arno had the Cathedral built there which was then dedicated to St Kilian and was constructed on the site of the the Cathedral of the Saviour which had burned down in 855.
Under Arno’s Episcopal leadership, 9 new Churches were built in 10 years, mostly situate in the east of his Diocese, . He repeatedly took part in Imperial conferences and Imperial Synods and also participated in four of the King’s military campaigns: against the Bohemians , the Moravians , the Normans and against the Sorbs. During the latter campaign he was killed by pagan Sorbs – during the celebration of Holy Mass.
Würzburg Cathedral
Arno died near Chemnitz in Saxony, in the district of Klaffenbach an old Stone Cross marks the possible place of death. Another possible place is Herrenhaide – a district of Burgstädt near Chemnitz – where a Memorial was erected in 2006. According to tradition, his Grave was in the – now demolished – Jacobi Church near the Castle in Colditz. Today his Gravestone is kept in the nearby Church of St Aegidien. Formal recognition of his cult was finally approved in the 18th Century although it had been highly active especially in the Franconia region for centuries.
Our Morning Offering – 13 July – Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary
Mother Mary, Queen Most Sweet! Attrib. to St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor Italian Hymn Trans. Fr Edmund Vaughan CSSR (1827-1908)
Mother Mary, Queen most sweet! Joy and love my heart inflame; Gladly shall my lips repeat Every moment thy dear name.
Ah! that name, to God so dear, Has my heart and soul enslaved; Like a seal it shall appear Deep on heart and soul engraved.
When the morning gilds the skies, I will call on Mary’s name; When at evening twilight dies, Mary, still will I exclaim.
Sweetest Mary, bend thine ear: Thou my own dear mother art; Therefore, shall thy name so dear Never from my lips depart.
If my soul is sore oppress’d By a load of anxious care, Peace once more will fill my breast When thy name re-echoes there.
Waves of doubt disturb my peace, And my heart is faint with fear; At thy name the billows cease, All my’terrors disappear.
When the demon hosts invade,— When temptation rages high, Crying, “Mary, Mother! aid!” I will make the tempter fly.
This shall be my comfort sweet, When the hand of death is nigh, Mary! Mary! to repeat Once again—and then, to die.
This Hymn is an Anonymous Hymn belonging to the Redemptorist tradition but Hymnary.org attributes it to St Alphonsus Liguori. “Hymns and Verses on Spiritual Subjects” (1863) notes that this is one of two Hymns, translated in that book, mentioned above, which come from a Neapolitan published collection of Mission Hymns which are attributed to St Alphonsus.
Bl Anne-Andrée Minutte St Arno of Würzburg (Died 892) Bishop Martyr Bl Berthold of Scheide St Dogfan Bl Élisabeth Verchière St Esdras the Prophet St Eugene of Carthage St Giustina of Arzano
St Iosephus Wang Kuiju
Blessed James of Voragine OP (c1226 – 3 or 16 July 1298) Italian Archbishop of Genoa, Author of the ‘Golden Legend’ (a collection of lives of Saints and treatises on Christian festivals, one of the most popular religious works of the Middle Ages and is still published and referred to today – completed 1265), Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers of St Dominic, Writer, Scholar of great genius, Prior and Provincial General of the Order. Blessed James was Beatified on 11 May 1816 by Pope Pius VII. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/13/saint-of-the-day-13-july-blessed-james-of-voragine-op-c-1226-1298-author-of-the-golden-legend/
Bl Jean of France St Joel the Prophet Bl Marie-Anastasie de Roquard Bl Marie-Anne Depeyre Bl Marie-Anne Lambert
St Muritta of Carthage St Myrope St Salutaris of Carthage St Sarra of Egypt St Serapion of Alexandria Serapion of Macedonia St Silas (1st Century) Disciple of Sts Paul and Barnabas Bl Thérèse-Henriette Faurie Bl Thomas Tunstal
Martyrs of Cyprus – 300 Saints: 300 Christians who retired to Cyprus to live as cave Hermits, devoting themselves to prayer and an ascetic life devoted to God. Tortured and Martyred for their faith and their bodies thrown into the various caves in which they had lived. We know the names of five of them but no other details even about them – Ammon, Choulélaios, Epaphroditus, Eusthénios and Héliophotos. They were beheaded in the 12th century on Cyprus and their bodies dumped in the cave where they had lived and only rediscovered long afterwards.
Martyrs of Philomelio – 31 Saints: 31 soldiers Martyred for their faith in the persecutions of prefect Magno, date unknown. The only name that has come down to us is Alexander. In Philomelio, Phrygia (in modern Turkey).
Thought for the Day – 12 July – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
PATIENCE Meditations for a Month Today is the Last Meditation
The Third Fruit of Patience: – Joy
‘As it were, sorrowing yet always rejoicing.‘ (2 Cor 6 : 10) This is St Paul’s description of the ministers of Christ, labouring for the salvation of souls. What is true of them, is true of all faithful servants of God. On the surface ,apparent misery but down in the depths of the soul, intense joy. Of this joy, St Paul says: ‘I am filled with comfort and exceedingly abound with joy. in all our tribulation. (2 Cor 7 : 4) What is it that works this charm? Patience!. Patient endurance, humble submission to the Will of God, resignation to His Providence.
How is it that out of sorrow, joy can come? The reason is that if we are living for God and in dependence upon Him and seeking to promote His glory, then, although in the natural order we may be crushed down with pain and suffering, we shall be full of joy by reason of the supernatural gladness which God bestows upon us. ‘Your joy,‘ says our Lord to His Apostles, ‘no man shall take from you.’ (St John 16 : 22) Have I any experience of this joy? If so, I shall thank God for it; if not, I must wait patiently and see whether there may not be some hindrance to it, on my part.
Whence comes this joy? From Heaven. This is why it surpasses all earthly joy and makes earthly sufferings sweet. It is the first faint reflection of the Light of Heaven, amid the clouds and darkness of earth – the first foretaste of the joy into which the just will be welcomed by their Lord at the Gate of Heaven. If one drop of it sweetens all bitterness on earth and makes all sufferings light, what must be the intensity of joy which will inebriate all those who have here endured tribulation and suffering for Christ’s sake?
Quote/s of the Day – 12 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St John Gualbert (c985-1073) Abbot, “The Merciful Knight”– Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6, Matthew 5:43-48 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But I say to you, love your enemies …” Matthew 5:44
St John Gualbert said to his enemy, “I cannot refuse what you ask in Christ’s Name. I grant you your life and I give you my friendship. Pray that God may forgive me my sin.”
St John Gualbert (c985-1073) “The Merciful Knight”
“What is the surest kind of witness? “Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ came among us in the flesh” (cf 1 Jn 4:2) and who keeps the commands of the Gospel… How many there are, each day, of these hidden martyrs of Christ who confess the Lord Jesus! … So be faithful and courageous in interior persecutions, so that you may also win the victory in exterior persecutions.”
St Ambrose (340-397) Father & Doctor of the Church
“… Every man is both debtor and creditor… A beggar asks you for alms but you, too, are God’s beggar, for when we pray we are all beggars of God. We stand – or rather, prostrate ourselves – at our Father’s door (cf Lk 11:5); we beseech Him with groans, anxious to receive a grace from Him and this grace is God Himself! What does the beggar ask of you? Bread. And what is it that you are asking of God but Christ, Who said: “I am the Living Bread come down from Heaven” (Jn 6:51).”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“You must be reconciled to your enemies, speak to them, as if they had never done you anything but good, all your life, keeping nothing in your heart but the charity, which the good Christian should have, for everyone, so that we may all appear with confidence, before the tribunal of God.”
One Minute Reflection – 12 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St John Gualbert (c985-1073) Abbot – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6, Matthew 5:43-48 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But I say to you, Love your enemies …” Matthew 5:44
REFLECTION – “Let us pay attention, all my brothers, to what the Lord says: “Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you,” for our Lord Jesus Christ, Whose footprints we must follow (cf 1 Pt 2:21), called His betrayer “friend” (Mt 26:50) and gave Himself willingly to those who Crucified Him. Our friends, then, are all those who, unjustly afflict upon us, trials and ordeals, shame and injuries, sorrows and torments, martyrdom and death! We must love them greatly, for we will possess eternal life because of what they bring upon us.” – St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226) Founder of the Friars Minor (Earlier Rule, #22).
PRAYER – May the intercession of the blessed Abbot John commend us to Thee, O Lord, so that through his merits we may obtain that which we cannot accomplish by our own. 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).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).
Our Morning Offering – 12 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood”and a Friday of the Passion
Constant Prayer to the Precious Blood of Jesus By St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church
Precious Blood, Ocean of Divine Mercy, Flow upon us! Precious Blood, Most Pure Offering, Procure us every grace! Precious Blood, Hope and Refuge of sinners, Atone for us! Precious Blood, Delight of holy souls, Draw us! Amen
Saint of the Day – 12 July – Saint Viventiolus of Lyons (c460–524) Bishop, Scholar, Spiritual Writer, Monk of Condat, an Abbey which boasted an important school. He was a teacher there and his knowledge was great. Born in Lyons in c460 and died there in 524 of natural causes. Also known as – Juventiole, Vivientol, Viventiole, Vivenziolo.
Lyons Cathedral Basilica
Viventiolus and his brother Rusticus were the sons of Aquilinus (c430-c470), a nobleman of Lyons and friend of St Sidonius Apollinaris. Aquilinus was a Priest of a Province in Gaul between 423 and 448 under Apollinaris, the father of Sidonius.
Through his paternal grandmother, Tullia, Viventiolus was the great-grandson of Saint Eucherius.
Viventiolus was a Monk in Jura, where he was elected Prior. Due to our Saint’s great learning and leadership abilities, St Avitus the Archbishopof Vienne, recommended him for the See of Lyons and his own Episcopal school there.
The Interior of the Apse of Lyons Cathedral Basilica
In 516-517, he and St Avitus presided over the Council of Agaune. From this Council we have received a large part of the speech he made there. Viventiolus speaks, with great finesse and great mystical depth, of the cloisters from which he desired reform, in order to eradicate the ignorance prevalent amongst the Monks.
He is also the Author of a book “The Lives of the Jura Fathers” which described the beginnings of monasticism in that region.
Bl Conrad of Maleville Bl David Gonson St Epiphana St Faustus the Soldier St Felix of Milan * Commemorated with St Nabor St Fortunatus of Aquileia (1st Century – Died c66) Deacon St Hermagorus of Aquileia (1st Century – Died c 66) Bishop, Disciple of St Mark the Evangelist Bl Guy Vignotelli St Hilarion of Ancyra St Jason of Tarsus Bl Jeanne-Marie de Romillon
Bl Madeleine-Thérèse Talieu Bl Marguerite-Eléonore de Justamond Bl Marie Cluse St Menas the Soldier St Menulphus of Quimper St Nabor of Milan * Commemorated with St Felix St Paternian of Bologna St Paulinus of Antioch St Phêrô Khan St Proclus of Ancyra St Proculus of Bologna St Uguzo of Carvagna St Ultán
St Viventiolus of Lyons (c460–524) Bishop
Three Holy Exiles: Three Christian men who became Benedictine Monks at the Saint James Abbey in Regensburg, Germany, then Hermits at Griestatten and whose lives and piety are celebrated together. – Marinus, Vimius and Zimius.
Martyrs of Rome – Four members of the Imperial Roman nobility. They were all soldiers, one or more may have been officers, and all were Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian – Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor and Nazarius. Died in c 304 outside Rome, Italy and were buried there along the Aurelian Way.
Martyrs of Nagasaki – 8 Beati: Additional Memorial – 10 September as one of the 205 Martyrs of Japan Eight lay people, many them related to each other, who were martyred together: Catharina Tanaka, Ioannes Onizuka Naizen, Ioannes Tanaka, Ludovicus Onizuka, Matthias Araki Hyozaemon, Monica Onizuka, Petrus Araki Chobyoe, Susanna Chobyoe, 12 July 1626 in Nagasaki, Japan. Beatified on 7 May 1867 by Pope Blessed Pius IX.
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