Day: August 25, 2024

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD

Thought for the Day – 25 August –Preparation for Death” Preface Part Three (Final)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 25 August – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

PREFACE
Part Three (Final)

Perhaps, with its cares and pleasures, the world is occu- pying too large a portion of our time and thoughts.
The “Consideration” upon its vanity (Chapter xiii.) will teach us, in the first place, to care chiefly for those things which we can carry away with us after death, to endeavour to gain eternal possessions.
In the second place, to weigh the things of time against those of eternity and to mark their lightness.
In the third place, to contrast time with eternity and so, to become “Consideration” rich toward God.”

Each “Consideration” opens three points for meditation and to each of these, is added an “Affection” and a “Prayer.”

The “Consideration” employ the mind, the “Affection” excites the heart; they awake in us those emotions by which it seeks to unite itself with God. It is that “affectus orationis” of which St Fulgentius makes mention. The affection is kindled by consideration and the consideration is supplemented by the affection; neither can afford to be separated the one from the other.
Whilst the “Consideration” sets forth death as the end of toil, the “Affection” urges the soul to anticipate it, to ask Heaven of Jesus, not that it may enjoy itself the more but that, it may love Him the more. The former bids us look at the consummation of our victory, the latter expresses such love, that it longs quickly to die, if such be the will of Jesus. Better far to die and so to be delivered from the danger of losing grace and from the fear of love ever growing cold! …

… This brief explanation of the plan upon which this book
has been written, naturally leads to some suggestions as to
its use. And, firstly, it maybe remarked, that only one “Consideration” should be read at the same time.
In many cases one point even, with its “Affections and Prayers” will afford sufficient employment both for the head and heart.

It must be remembered that the book is intended to be suggestive merely, not final or ample. It presents a skeleton which the devout reader is to clothe with flesh and blood and animate with the life of his own spirit. – It is an outline, the details of the picture being left to the reader to complete.

Posted in "Follow Me", QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 25 August – St Louis IX King and Confessor

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 25 August – St Louis IX (1214-1270) King and Confessor

When the Tartars spread desolation and terror throughout Hungary, Poland and Bohemia, King Louis’ Mother, Queen Blanche expressed her fears but St Louis, calmly viewed the situation:

“Madame, what have we to fear?
If these barbarians come to us,
we shall either conquer or, shall die Martyrs.”

The instructions which St Louis gave to the heir of his crown and which, he had constantly observed himself, testify to his great devotion and holiness.
These were the last admonitions of the Holy King:

  1. Love God, the Almighty, above all else.
  2. Flee sin more quickly than you would a serpent.
  3. Become not fainthearted, in adversity.
  4. Become not elevated, in the days of prosperity.
  5. Show the wounds of your soul frequently, to your spiritual physician and refuse no remedies, however bitter, to heal them.
  6. Pray diligently.
  7. Be compassionate and generous to the poor.
  8. If your mind is harassed with doubt, consult a devout man.
  9. Keep faithful and pious counsellors around you and dismiss those who are wicked.
  10. All that is good hold fast: all that is bad discard.
  11. Lend a willing ear to those who speak of God.
  12. Listen not to calumniators and slanderers.
  13. So long as you reign, leave not unpunished those who blaspheme God and the Saints.
  14. First be grateful to God, then to men.
  15. Love and protect justice and neither neglect nor despise, the complaints of the needy.
  16. In your own affairs, when they are not perfectly clear, speak and act against yourself.
  17. Refund immediately the possessions of others.
  18. Protect the clergy.
  19. Love and honour your parents.
  20. If you are obliged to war against Christians, spare the Churches and the Convents.
  21. Endeavour to terminate all contentions with kindness.
  22. Guard all your officials with a watchful eye.
  23. Ever show due reverence to the Pope.
  24. Overstep not the bounds of moderation in your expenses.
  25. When I have departed, let prayers and Masses be said for the repose of my soul.

O God, We Love Thee
Prayer inspired by St Louis’ Last Instructions
to his Eldest Son, Philip
(Perhaps Philip prayed thus)

O God, we love Thee.
We wish to do nothing to displease Thee.
If we have troubles, let us thank Thee.
If we do not, we also humbly thank Thee.
Let us pray diligently
and be compassionate and generous to the poor.
May we hold fast all that is good
and all that is bad, discard.
We thank Thee for friends,
who help us bear our burdens
and help us grow in holiness.
Let us turn away from calumniators and slanderers
and lend a willing ear to those who speak of God.
Let us always do what is right and just for those we serve
and promote peace among our neighbours.
Let us be quick to defend our Faith.
O Holy Lord, all Thy holy Saints,
defend us from all evils.
Grant us Thy grace to fulfil always,
Thy Holy Will,
so that Thou may be glorified and honoured
and so we may be with Thee forever.
Amen

St Louis IX (1214-1270) Confessor

Posted in franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 August – No man can serve two masters … – Matthew 6:24

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One Minute Reflection – 25 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Louis IX (1214-1270) King and Confessor – Pemtecost XIV – Galatians l 5:16-24; Matthew 6:24-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“No man can serve two masters …” – Matthew 6:24

REFLECTION – “I firmly believe that you know the Kingdom of Heaven is promised and given, by the Lord, only to the poor (cf Mt 5:3) because, she who loves what is temporal, loses the fruit of love.

It is not possible to serve God and mammon, for either the one is loved and the other hated, or the one is served and the other despised; one clothed cannot fight another naked because she who has something to be caught hold of, is more quickly thrown to the ground: someone who lives in the glory of earth, cannot rule with Christ; it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (cf Mt 6:24).

Therefore, you have cast aside your garments, that is, earthly riches, so that instead of being overcome, by the one fighting against you, you will be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven through the straight path and the narrow gate (cf Mt 7:13-14).” – St Clare OSC (1193-1252) Foundress of the Poor Clares (1st Letter to Saint Agnes of Prague 25-29).

PRAYER – O God, Who transported Thy blessed Confessor Louis from an earthly throne to the glory of the heavenly Kingdom, by his merits and intercession we beseech Thee, to make us of the company of the King of kings, Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on KINDNESS

Our Morning Offering – 25 August – Lord, for Tomorrow and its Needs

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 25 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Pentecost XIV

Lord, for Tomorrow and its Needs
By Sister Mary Xavier (1877)

Lord, for tomorrow and its needs
I do not pray;
keep me, my God, from stain of sin,
just for today.

Let me both diligently work
and duly pray;
let me be kind in word and deed,
just for today.

Let me no wrong or idle word
unthinking say;
set Thou a seal upon my lips,
just for today.

And if today my tide of life
should ebb away,
give me Thy Sacraments Divine,
sweet Lord, today.

So, for tomorrow and its needs
I do not pray
but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord,
just for today.
Amen

https://youtube.com/watch?v=p9XMj9jrL6s%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent
Posted in MIRACLES, NAPLES, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 25 August – St Patricia of Naples (7th Century) Virgin of the miraculous Liquifying Blood

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 25 August – St Patricia of Naples (7th Century) Virgin, Consecrated as a Religious Sister, Pilgrim. Born in Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey) and died in c665 at Naples, Italy of natural causes. Patronage – of Naples, one of a long list of Patron Saints of Naples. St Patricia is less well known than St Januarius, also a Patron Saint of the City, who attracts crowds to Naples Cathedral three times a year to witness the miracle of a small sample of his blood turning to liquid but St Patricia’s blood liquifies every Tuesday, on her Feast Day and at many other times. Also known as –
Patricia of Constantinople, Patritia of… Patrizia of…

Saint Patricia, the niece of Emperor Constantine, was born in Constantinople in the year 30 of the Christian era. Brought up in the Imperial Court and trained in the Christian religion by a pious lady named Aglaia (now Blessed), she took the vow of virginity at an early age and, to remain faithful to her vow, she fled from her paternal home. With the faithful Aglaia as a companion, she sailed to Rome, where Pope Liberius bestowed upon her the veil of Christ’s Bride.

At the death of her father, she returned to Constantinople where she renounced all her worldly possessions, distributing her wealth to the poor. Patricia then embarked with her companion, on a ship bound for the Holy Land in order to visit the places sanctified by Our Lord. During the voyage, they were overtaken by a violent storm which carried the vessel in the opposite direction, as far away as Naples, Italy. There, they landed and took refuge on a rock near the bay, afterward called Castel del’ovo. After a few months of penitential life, she fell ill and died a saintly death at the age of 21.

The Castel del’ovo, legendary site of St Patricia’s shipwreck.

She was buried at the Church dedicated to the Martyr Saints Nicandro and Marciano, thereby remaining with her spiritual daughters, the Patrician Sisters who had formed around her. In 1864 the Sisters brought her remains to the Monastery of St Gregory theArmenian when their convent was suppressed.

Inside the Church of St Gregory the Armenian

St Patricia is today venerated by numerous devout pilgrims who reverently kneel before those sacred remains and frequently witness a wonderful miracle – the liquefying of her blood which flowed from her mouth almost 600 hundred years after her death. It is believed that, in 1214, one of her teeth had been pulled by a zealous knight and blood flowed from the empty socket.

The miracle has been repeated for 12 Centuries. Not only every year on her Feast day, 25 August, every Tuesday but frequently in the presence of pious pilgrims who come to pray and beg St Patricia’s intercession..

Ecclesiastical authorities and scientists have investigated the phenomenon more than once and have come to the conclusion that the liquefaction cannot be explained by science and, therefore, is a real miracle.

In Naples, every Tuesday is dedicated to St Patricia. The Sister Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament of her Order are in charge of her Shrine.

The Shrin of St Patricia inside her Chapel in the Church of St Gregory the Armenian in Naples
Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Pentecost XIV, St Louis IX and the Saints celebrated on 25 August

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Pentecost XIV

St Louis IX (1214-1270) King of France, Confessor, Reformer, Apostle of Charity.
All about this wonderful Saint here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/08/25/saint-of-the-day-25-august-st-louis-king-of-france/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/25/saint-of-the-day-25-august-st-louis-ix-1214-1270-confessor/

https://youtube.com/watch?v=lMWnmy46Etw%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent

St Alessandro Dordi
St Andreas Gim Gwang-Ok
St Aredius of Limoges
St Ebbe the Elder
St Eusebius
St Genesius of Arles
St Genesius of Brescello
St Genesius
St Gennadius of Constantinople
St Geruntius of Italica
St Ginés de la Jara

St Gregory of Utrecht (c700-776) Bishop, Confessor, Prince, disciple of St Boniface, Abbot.
His Life of Zeal:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/08/25/saint-of-the-day-25-august-saint-gregory-of-utrecht-c700-776-bishop-confessor/

St Gurloes of Sainte Croix
St Hermes of Eretum
St Hunegund of Homblieres
St Julian of Syria
St Julius of Eretum
St Maginus (Died C304) Martyr, Hermit

St Maria Micaela of the Blessed Sacrament (1809-1865) “Mother Sacramento” was a Spanish professed Religious and the Founder of the Handmaids of the Blessed Sacrament, Apostle and martyr of charity. In 1922, Pope Pius XI, proclaimed Mother Sacramento’s heroic virtues. On 25 July 1925, he Beatified her and on 4 March 1934, he Canonised her.
Her Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/25/saint-of-the-day-25-august-saint-maria-micaela-of-the-blessed-sacrament-1809-1865/

St Menas of Constantinople
St Nemesius of Rome
St Patricia of Naples (7th Century) Virgin
St Peregrinus of Rome
St Petrus Gim Jeong-Duk
St Pontian