Day: September 8, 2024

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH

Thought for the Day – 8 September – CONSIDERATION IV, Third Point – The Certainty of Death: “Remember Death!”

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Thought for the Day – 8 September – 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)

CONSIDERATION IV

The Certainty of Death
“It is appointed unto men, once to die.”
(Heb ix: 27)

THIRD POINT:
Death is certain. But, God, many Christians already know
this; they believe it, they see it; how then can they live so
forgetful of death, as if they would never. have to die? If after this life, there were neither a Heaven nor a. hell, could they think less of it than they do now? And, it is on this account, they lead such wicked lives.

My brother, if you wish to lead a proper life, endeavour to live during the days which may remain to thee, keeping death ever in view.
“O death, thy judgement is good.” (Ecclus xli: 3).
Oh how well does he, who judges of things and regulates his actions, act; who judges and regulates them, with death ever in view.

The memory of death makes us lose all the affection which we feel for earthly things.
“Let the end of this life be thought upon and there will be nothing in this world, to be loved,” observes St Lawrence Justinian.
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. (St John ii: 16).
All the pleasures of the world may be reduced to the pleasures of sense, the pleasures of riches and honours but he who thinks that, within a short time he will be reduced to ashes and that, he will be food for worms under the earth, despises all the pleasures the world can give him.
And the Saints, indeed, who have kept death ever in view, have despised all the goods of this world.
To keep death ever in view, St Charles Borromeo kept a skull upon a little table, so that he might continually contemplate it.
Cardinal Baronius had these words inscribed upon his ring:
“Remember death !”
The Venerable Father Juvenal Ancina, Bishop of Saluzzo, had this motto written on a skull:
“What thou art I was once; what I am thou wilt be.” Another Saint, a Hermit, being asked when dying why he was so rejoiced, answered,
“I have kept death ever before my eyes and, therefore, now that it is come, I see nothing new in it.”

What folly would it not be for a traveller, if when travelling, he were only to think of making himself great in that country through which he only has to pass, without minding the being reduced to live miserably in that country where he will have to spend his whole life? And is he not foolish, who seeks his happiness in this world, where he has to remain but a few days,and who, by so doing, runs the risk of being unhappy in the world to come, where he will have to remain forever?

He who possesses anything which is borrowed, does not place his affections on it, knowing, as he does, within a short time, he will have to restore it. All the goods of this world are but given to us as a loan, it is indeed foolish to place our affections upon them, being obliged, within so short a time, to leave them. Death will come and deprive us of all. All the gains and the riches of this world will end in a dying gasp, a funeral and a descent into the grave. The house which you have built, within a short time you will have to give up to someone else. The tomb will be the place where your body will have to dwell until the day of judgement and, from the tomb, your body will have to pass either to Heaven or to hell, whither your soul will have gone before.

Affections andPrayers

Therefore, will all be finished for me in death?
I shall find nothing else, O my God, than that little which I have done through my love for Thee.
And what am I waiting for? Am I waiting until death shall come and find me miserable and defiled with sin, as I am now? If I were now to die, I should die restlessly and should be very dissatisfied with my past life. No, my Jesus, I do not wish to die so dissatisfied. I thank Thee that Thou hast given me time to mourn over my sins and to love Thee. I will begin from this moment. But, above all things, I grieve for having offended Thee, O my Sovereign Good but I love Thee more than anything, more than my life itself. I yield myself entirely to Thee my Jesus, from this hour I attach myself wholly to Thee. I would press Thee to my heart and from this moment, I deliver my soul into Thy keeping.

“Into Thy Hands I commend my spirit.”
I will not wait to give my soul into Thy keeping until the time shall come when it shall be commanded to leave this world with that summons:
“Go forth, Christian soul.”
I will not wait until that moment arrives to beg Thee to save me.
“O Jesus, be a Jesus to me.”
Save me now, O my Saviour, by giving me Thy pardon and by giving me the grace of Thy holy love. If this consideration which I have this day read, should be the last warning which Thou shouldst give me and the last mercy, Thou shouldst show me, then stretch forth Thy Hand and take from me all my indifference; give me fervour; grant that I may obey Thee with great love in all Thou mayst require of me.
Eternal Father, for the love of Jesus Christ, give me holy perseverance and the grace to love Thee and to love Thee and Thee alone during the life that may yet remain to me.

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MOTHER of GOD, The INCARNATION, The NATIVITY of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 September – The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 September – The Feast of theNativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child
and bear a son … ”

Matthew 1:23

“Today, the Virgin is born,
tended and formed and prepared,
for her role as Mother of God,
Who is the universal King of the ages.
… Therefore, let all creation
sing and dance and unite
to make worthy contribution
to the celebration of this day.
… Let everything, mundane things
and those above, join in festive celebration.
Today, this created world is raised
to the dignity of a holy place
for Him, Who made all things.
The creature is newly prepared
to be a Divine dwelling place for the Creator!”

St Andrew of Crete (660-740)
Bishop, Father of the Church

Praeclara Custos Virginum!
Blest Guardian of All Virgin Souls!
By Anonymous Latin, 18th Century
Trans. Fr Edward Caswall C.Orat. (1814–1878)

Blest Guardian of all virgin souls!
Portal of bliss to man forgiven!
Pure Mother of Almighty God!
Thou hope of earth and joy of Heaven!

Fair Lily, found amid the thorns!
Most beauteous Dove with wings of gold!
Rod from whose tender root there sprang
That healing Flow’r long since foretold!

Thou Tow’r, against the dragon proof!
Thou Star, to storm-toss’d voyagers dear!
Our course lies o’er a treacherous deep;
Thine be the light by which we steer.

Scatter the mists that round us hang;
Keep far the fatal shoals away
And while through darkling waves we sweep,
Open a path to life and day.

O Jesu, born of Virgin bright!
Immortal glory be to Thee!
Praise to the Father infinite
And Holy Ghost eternally.
Amen

This Hymn originated as the Hymn for Vespers in the Office of the Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is used for Matins on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Tune: “From High Heaven” Leipzig melody, 1539.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MOTHER of GOD, QUOTES on JOY, Quotes on SALVATION, The NATIVITY of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 September – ‘ … Eve mourned – Mary rejoiced! …’

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One Minute Reflection – 8 September – The Feast of theNativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God –Pentecost XVI – Proverbs 8:22-35; Matthew 1:1-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary and of her was born Jesus , Who is called Christ.” – Matthew 1:16

REFLECTION – “Dearly beloved, the day of the blessed and ever venerable Virgin Mary so long desired, is here. Let our land rejoice in the greatest exultation. Let it shine in the light of the birth of such a virgin. For she is the flower of the field, from her bloomed the precious lily of the valley. Through her birth the nature inherited from our first parents is changed. their sin is blotted out. That unhappy curse of Eve in which it was said – ‘In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children,‘ is, in the case of Mary, ended, for she bore the Lord in joy.

Eve mourned – Mary rejoiced! Eve carried tears in her womb, Mary joy. Eve gave birth to the sinner, Mary to Innocence. The mother of the human race brought punishment into the world; the mother of the Lord salvation. Eve was the source of sin, Mary of grace. Eve harmed, by bringing death, Mary aided, by giving life. The former wounded, the latter healed. Obedience replaced disobedience; fidelity atones for infidelity.

Now Mary may play melodies upon the organ. Now may the active fingers of the young mother strike the timbrels. Now may choirs sing out with joy. Now let the sweetest Songs mingle with the varying harmonies. Hear how she, our timbrel-player, sings – ‘My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid, for, behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He Who is mighty has done great things for me. The miraculous new birth conquered the prevalent error. The canticle of Mary silenced the wailing of Eve.” – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop, Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon on the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary).

PRAYER – Bestow upon Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gift of heavenly grace, that, as the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin stood for the beginning of our salvation, so may the solemn Feast of her Nativity, bring about an increase of peace. Through 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 MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, The NATIVITY of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 8 September – The Angels’ Birthday Song to Mary

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Our Morning Offering – 8 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Nativity of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary

The Angels’ Birthday Song to Mary
Unknown Author

“Thy nativity, O Virgin Mother of God,
gives joy to the whole world, because from thee
shall rise, the Sun of Justice, Christ our Lord. ”

Hail to the Flower of grace divine!
Heiress, hail of David’s line!
Hail Redemption’s heroine!
Hail to the Virgin pre-elect!
Hail to the work without defect
Of the supernal Architect!

Hail to her ordained of old
Deep in enmities untold,
Ere the blue waves of ocean rolled,
Ere the primordial founts had sprung,
Ere in ether the globe was hung,
Ere the morning stars had sung!

Welcome the beatific morn
When the mother of life was born,
Whom all lovely gifts adorn!
What a thrill of ecstatic mirth
Danced along through heaven and earth.
At the tidings of Mary’s birth!

How was hell to its centre stirred!
How sang Hades when it heard
Of her coming, so long deferred!
Happy, happy, the Angel band
Chosen by Mary’s side to stand
As her defence on either hand!

Safe beneath their viewless wings
Mother-elect of the King of kings,
Fear no harm from hurtful things!
What though Eden vanished be,
More than Eden we find in thee!
Thou our joy and jubilee!

Posted in INCORRUPTIBLES, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 8 September – Blessed Seraphina Sforza OSC (c1424-1478) Abbess, Widow

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Saint of the Day – 8 September – Blessed Seraphina Sforza OSC (c1424-1478) Abbess, Widow. Born in c1424 at Urbino, Italy as Sueva and died on 8 September 1478 at Pesaro, Italy of natural causes. Her Body is Incorrupt. Also known as – Sueva Sforza, Sveva da Montefeltro.
Additional Memorial on some calendars due to the Feast Day of the Nativity of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary – 9 September.

Anonymous 15th Century image

Seraphina, who belonged to the family of the Counts of Urbino, became an orphan at an early age. Her maternal Uncle, Prince Colonna, undertook to raise the child. During her stay in Rome, the girl’s noble disposition unfolded itself like a flower. God and virtue had the strongest attraction for her and the vanity of the world had no value in her sight.

Scarcely had she arrived at young womanhood when, at the wish of her relatives, she was betrothed to the widowed Prince Alexander Sforza, Governor of Pesaro. A difficult task awaited the young wife but she proved equal to it. The Prince had two children by his first marriage, a son and a daughter. Seraphina embraced them with as much affection as if they had been her own children and they, in turn, loved and esteemed their stepmother as their own mother. She also completely won the affection of her husband. After a few years, the Prince was obliged to take up arms to assist his brother, the Duke of Milan. He believed that he could entrust the Government to no-one better than to his young wife, for he marveLled at her wisdom and skill in the management of the household.

Detail from the Sforza Triptych showing Seraphina (possibly) and Alexander by the Workshop of Rogier van der Weyden from circa 1460

The Prince’s absence extended over a period of six years. Seraphina carried out her tasks, so perfectly that everyone admired her wise foresight and impartiality. She was loved and honoured by all for her brilliant virtues and extraordinary generosity. She sought and obtained God’s blessing on her undertakings by abundant almsgiving.

When her husband returned, it was to be expected that Blessed Seraphina Sforza would receive due credit for her success. But God sometimes permits His servants to be treated in a very different way. A woeful change had taken place in the Prince. He had abandoned himself to a dissolute life and he had become so reckless, as to bring a paramour into his home and reduce Seraphina to the condition of a servant. But she held her peace, suffered and prayed. The very presence of his lawful wife, however, was an unbearable reproach to the profligate; he aimed to take her life. When his attempts failed, he forcibly ejected her from the Palace, ordering her to hide herself in the Monastery of the Poor Clares and there Seraphina went.

Although happy to serve God in the midst of the spouses of Christ, Seraphina, nevertheless, continued to wear secular garb, so as to make it easier for the Prince to return to his duties. She prayed unceasingly for his conversion. The Prince tried to force her to take the religious Habit but, only when she was assured, it was God’s will, did she receive the Habit and take the vows. She was a perfect religious, faithful even in the most trifling ordinances.

Her perfect sacrifice brought about her husband’s conversion. At last, he realised what he had done. He came to the Convent and on his knees begged his holy wife for forgiveness. For nine years he lived on, striving to the best of his ability, to make amends for his sins and for the scandal he had given. Blessed Seraphina Sforza lived eighteen years longer in the Convent and promoted its temporal and spiritual welfare, especially during the last three years when she was appointed as the Abbess.

On the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, 8 September 1478, Blessed Seraphina Sforza went to receive her heavenly crown. Pope Benedict XIV approved the perpetual veneration paid to her. Her Incorrupt body rests in the Cathedral of Pesaro. (From: The Franciscan Book of Saints).

The Sfofza Triptycg by the Workshop of Rogier van der Weyden from circa 1460
Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, INCORRUPTIBLES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The NATIVITY of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

The Nativity of the Most Blessed and Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Marian Feast Days around the world, St Adrian, Martyr and the Saints for 8 September

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The Nativity of the Most Blessed and Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God – 8 September
On this Marian Feast Day:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/09/08/feast-of-the-nativity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-8-september/

Nuestra Senora de la Virgen de la Caridad / Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, Cuba (1612)- 8 September:
The Story:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/08/feast-of-our-lady-of-charity-of-el-cobre-cuba-8-september/

Nuestra Senora de la Covadonga, also named “La Santina” / Our Lady of Covadonga (720) – 8 September:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/08/feast-of-the-nativity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-marian-feasts-in-cuba-spain-india-andora-and-memorials-of-the-saints-8-september/

Nuestra Senora de la Meritxell / Our Lady of Meritxell (12th Century) – 8 September:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/08/feast-of-the-nativity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-marian-feasts-in-cuba-spain-india-andora-and-memorials-of-the-saints-8-september/

St Adam Bargielski
St Adela of Messines

St Adrian (Died 306) Confessor, Lay Martyr, Royal Court Guard in Roman Imperial Court at Nicomedia in Asia-Minor during the time of Emperor Maximian in the early 4th Century. Patronages – against the plague/epidemics, against epilepsy, arms dealers, butchers, guards, soldiers.
The Roman Martyrology reads this day: “At Nicomedia, St Adrian, with twenty three other Martyrs, who ended their Martyrdom on the 4th day of March by having their limbs crushed, after enduring many torments, under the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. Their remains were carried to Byzantium by the Christians and buried with due honours. Afterwards, the body of St Adrian was taken to Rome on this day, on which his festival is celebrated.”
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/08/saint-of-the-day-8-september-st-adrian-died-306-confessor-martyr/

Bl Alanus de Rupe

St Corbinian (c670–c 730) First Bishop of Freising and Founder of the Diocese, Hermit, Missionary, Confessor.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/08/saint-of-the-day-8-september-saint-corbinian-c-670-c-730/

St Disibod of Disenberg
St Isaac the Great
St Kingsmark
St Peter of Chavanon
Blessed Seraphina Sforza OSC (C1424-1478) Abbess. Her body is Incorrupt.

St Pope Sergius I (c650–701) Papal Ascension 15 December 687. B
About St Sergius:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/08/saint-of-the-day-8-september-saint-pope-sergius-i-c%e2%80%89650-701/

St Timothy of Antioch

Martyrs of Alexandria – 5 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian – Ammon, Dio, Faustus, Neoterius and Theophilus. Martyred in Alexandria, Egypt.

Martyrs of Japan – (21 Beati: A group of 21 Missionaries and Converts, who were executed together for their faith. They were: Antonio of Saint Bonaventure, Antonio of Saint Dominic, Dominicus Nihachi, Dominicus of Saint Francis, Dominicus Tomach, Francisco Castellet Vinale, Franciscus Nihachi, Ioannes Imamura, Ioannes Tomachi, Laurentius Yamada, Leo Aibara, Lucia Ludovica, Ludovicus Nihachi, Matthaeus Alvarez Anji, Michaël Tomachi, Michaël Yamada Kasahashi, Paulus Aibara Sandayu, Paulus Tomachi, Romanus Aibar, Thomas of Saint Hyacinth, Thomas Tomachi
Died on 8 September 1628 in Nagasaki, Japan
Beatified on 7 May 1867 by Pope Pius XI.