Month: September 2024

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on DEATH

Thought for the Day – 25 September – CONSIDERATION X, Second Point – How We Must Prepare for Death – ‘Examine what you have done …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 25 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 X

How We Must Prepare for Death
“Prepare to meet thy God.”
(Amos iv.:12)

SECOND POINT.
Therefore, my brother, as it is certain that you will have to die, lose no time in casting yourself at the feet of your Crucified Lord; thank Him for the time, He, in His Mercy, gives you, to make your conscience clear in His Sight and then take all the wickedness of your past life in review, especially the wickedness committed in youth!

Glance over the Divine commands; examine what you have done, the society you have been in the habit of visiting; make a note of all your failings and make a general confession of your whole life …
Oh, how much a good general confession assists a Christian in living a holy life!
Consider that these are examinations for eternity and, therefore, make them as if you were on the point of being examined by Jesus Christ, Who will be your Judge.

Drive away from your heart, every unholy affection, every spiteful feeling; remove now! every scruple concerning the property of others, characters taken away, scandals spread abroad and make up your mind to fly those occasions in which you may be in danger of losing God.
Consider that which seems difficult to you now, at the moment of death will seem to be impossible!

It is of the greatest importance that you should make a resolution to practise eveiy means to preserve yourself in the grace of God – namely, to attend daily Celebration [of the Mass], to meditate upon the eternal truths, to go to Confession and to Communicate at least every week, to examine your conscience every night and, above all, to commend yourself very often to God, calling upon the most Holy Name of Jesus, and this, particularly at the time of temptation.
By so doing we may at least hope to die a happy death and to obtain our eternal salvation.

And, as for the past, you must trust in the Blood of Jesus Christ, Who gives you these lights now because He wishes you to be saved. By living thus and trusting in Jesus, God gives us His assistance and our souls gain strength!
Therefore, make haste, dear reader and give yourself to God, Who thus calls you and you will begin to taste that peace, of which your sin until now has deprived you.
And what greater peace can anyone feel than being able to say, when lying down to rest at night: “If I should die this night, I hope to die in the grace of God,”
If we are awaiting death with resignation when it is God’s Will, it is even consoling to hear the thunders roaring and to feel the earth trembling.

Affections andPrayers

Ah, my Lord, how I thank Thee for the Light Thou givest
me. I have so often left Thee and turned away from Thee but
Thou hast never left me. If Thou hadst, I should have remained blind, as I was willing to be during the years past; I
should have remained obstinate in my sin; I should neither
have felt the wish to leave it, nor the desire to love Thee. Now
I feel very grieved for having offended Thee and a great desire
to remain in Thy grace.
I feel a great aversion to those wretched pleasures which caused me to lose Thy friendship.
All these feelings of sorrow for past sins are graces which come from Thee and make me hope that Thou art willing to pardon and to save me.

Since, therefore, with all my sins, Thou hast not abandoned me but hast wished to save me, behold, Lord, I give myself entirely to Thee. I repent beyond every other evil, of having offended Thee and I would give my life many times over, if it were possible, rather than lose Thy grace. I love Thee, my Highest Good; I love Thee, myJesus, Who died for me and I hope, through Thy Blood Thou wilt nevermore permit me to be separated from Thee. No, my Jesus, nevermore would I lose Thee. I would ever love Thee in life, I would love Thee in death and I would love Thee for all eternity.
Do Thou ever keep me and do Thou increase my love towards
Thee and this I ask through Thy merits.

Posted in "Follow Me", JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 25 September – St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824)

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Quote/s of the Day – 25 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824) Bishop

Prayer Before The Crucifix
(The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass)
By St Vincent Strambi (1745-1824)

Jesus, by this Saving Sign,
bless this listless soul of mine.
Jesus, by Thine Feet nailed fast,
mend the missteps of my past.
Jesus, with Thine riven Hands,
bend my will to Love’s demands.
Jesus, in Thine Heart laid bare,
warm my inner coldness there.
Jesus, by Thine thorn-crowned Head,
still my pride till it is dead.
Jesus, by Thine muted Tongue,
stay my words that hurt someone.
Jesus, by Thine tired Eyes,
open mine to faith’s surprise.
Jesus, by Thine fading Breath,
keep me faithful until death.
Yes, Lord, by this Saving Sign,
save this wayward soul of mine.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/25/quote-s-of-the-day-25-september-st-vincent-strambi/

St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824)

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

One Minute Reflection – 25 September – “Seeing their faith …” – Matthew 9:2

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One Minute Reflection – 25 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” –St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824) Bishop, Priest of the Passionist Order of St Paul of the Cross – Ferial Day –1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Matthew 9:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Seeing their faith …” – Matthew 9:2

REFLECTION – “He came into His own town and behold, they brought to Him one sick of the palsy, lying in a bed.” (Mt 9:1-2). Jesus, the Gospel tells us, seeing the faith of these people, said to the paralytic: “Courage, son, thy sins are forgiven thee.” The paralytic hears these words and remains silent. He offers no word of thanks. He wanted the healing of his body more than that of his soul. He lamented the transitory pain of his sick body but, the eternal torment of his soul, whose sickness was even greater, this he did not mourn. He judged his present life to be more precious to him than the life to come!

Christ was wise to take account of the faith of those who brought the sick man to Him and to pay no attention to the latter’s stupidity. Thanks to his neighbours’ faith, the paralytic’s soul would be cured before his body. “When He saw their faith,” the Gospel says. Take note here, my brethren, God is not concerned with what the foolish want; He does not expect to find faith among the ignorant; He does not analyse the foolish desires of a sick man. On the other hand, He does not refuse to come to the aid of another’s faith. Such faith is a gift of grace and is in harmony with the Will of God.” – St Peter Chrysologus (400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father & Doctor of sermons of the Church (Sermon 50).

PRAYER – From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and by the intercession of the blessed and gloriosus Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, the blessed Vincent Strambi, Thy Confessor and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors, being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The LITTLE OFFICE of MARY, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR

Our Morning Offering – 25 September – Alma Redemptoris Mater

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Our Morning Offering – 25 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast Day of Blessed Herman of Reichenau (1013–1054) Benedictine Monk, Confessor, Scholar, Scientist, Writer, Hymnist, Poet, Musical Composer, Teacher.

Alma Redemptoris Mater
Loving Mother of the Redeemer
By Blessed Herman Contractus of Reichenau OSB (1013–1054)

Loving Mother of the Redeemer!
Hear thou thy people’s cry,
Star of the deep
and portal of the sky!
Mother of Him
Who thee from nothing made,
Sinking we strive
and call to thee for aid;
Oh, by that joy
which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last,
let we thy mercy see.

Alma Redemptóris Mater,
quæ pérvia cæli
Porta manes, et stella maris,
succúrre cadénti,
Súrgere qui curat pópulo:
tu quæ genuísti,
Natúra miránte,
tuum sanctum Genitórem
Virgo prius ac postérius, Gabriélis ab ore
Sumens illud Ave,
peccatórum miserére.

Marian Antiphon Traditionally said from Advent to the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Blessed Herman is the Author of the Salve Regina, the Veni Sancte Spiritus and the Alma Redemptoris Mater amongst others.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 25 September – Saint Anathalon of Milan, Bishop

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Saint of the Day – 25 September – Saint Anathalon of Milan 1st Century Bishop of Milan, Italy, Consecrated by Saint Barnabas. Also known as – Anatalone, Anatelon, Anatalo, Anatolo, Anatolio, Anatalofle, Anatelofl, Anatolofle, Anatolius. Additional Memorial – 24 September in the Diocese of Brescia.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “St Anathalon, Bishop, who was a disciple of the blessed Apostle Barnabas and succeeded him in the See of Milan.”

This window resides in the Church of Ablis, Yvelines, France.

Anathalon is regarded as the first Bishop of Milan. Having been the assistant and disciple of St Barnabas, the Apostle, he was designated and Consecrated by the latter to become the Bishop of Milan.

A later tradition makes our Saint the first Bishop of Brescia too, as that City certainly came under the jurisdiction of Milan. In Brescia his Feast day is celebrated on 24 September.

Nothing is known about the life and Episcopate of Anathalon, except that he had a Greek name, that he was bishop of Milan and that he died during a pastoral trip to Brescia which was under his jurisdiction.

The older place of veneration for this Saint was the Basilica ad Concilia Sanctorum in Milan, today no more extant, near the present Church of San Babila. In 1268 his Relics were discovered in Brescia and translated to the Church of Saint Florian. In 1472 his Relics were translated to the Old Cathedral of Brescia where they still reside today (see the Cathedral below).

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Divina Pastora de las Almas ‘ The Divine Shepherdess of Souls, Spain (1703) and the Saints remembered on 25 September

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Divina Pastora de las Almas ‘ The Divine Shepherdess of Souls, Cantillana, Sevilla, Andalucía, Spain (1703) – Fourth Saturday of September or 25 September:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/25/feasts-of-our-lady-and-memorials-of-the-saints-25-september/

Saint Cleopas (First Century) Disciple of Christ – one of the two Disciples of the Way to Emmaus. Martyr.
St Cleophas:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/25/saint-of-the-day-25-september-saint-cleopas-first-century-disciple-of-christ/

Blessed Herman of Reichenau/the Cripple (1013–1054) Benedictine Monk, Confessor, Scholar, Scientist, Writer, Hymnist, Poet, Musical Composer, Teacher. In his own day, the heroic cripple who achieved learning and holiness was called ‘The Wonder of His Age.’
Composer of the “Salve Regina” Hail Holy Queen, “Veni Sancte Spiritus” Come Holy Spirit and “Alma Redemptoris Mater” amongst many others.
His Amazing Life and Works:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/25/saint-of-the-day-blessed-herman-of-reichenau-the-cripple-osb-1013-1054-the-wonder-of-his-age/

St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824) Bishop, Priest of the Passionist Order of St Paul of the Cross, Apostle of Charity, Preacher, Teacher, Writer. Beatified on 26 April 1925 at Saint Peter’s Basilica, by Pope Pius XI and Canonised on 11 June 1950 by Pope Pius XII.
Biography here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/25/23731/
AND MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/25/saint-of-the-day-25-september-st-vincent-strambi-c-p-1745-1824/

St Anacharius of Auxerre
Saint Anathalon of Milan 1st Century Bishop of Milan, Italy, Consecrated by Saint Barnabas (see his name listed below).


St Aurelia of Macerata
St Caian of Tregaian

St Ceolfrid (642-716) Abbot and Guardian of the Venerable St Bede. CEOLFRID is the same Teutonic name as Geoffrey and signifies “Joyful.”
The Amazing St Coelfrid:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/25/saint-of-the-day-25-september-saint-ceolfrid-642-716-abbot/

St Egelred of Crowland
St Ermenfridus of Luxeuil
St Firminus of Amiens

St Finbar (c550– 623) Bishop of Cork and Abbot
About St Finbar:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/25/saint-of-the-day-25-september-saint-finbar-of-cork-c-550-623/

St Fymbert

Blessed Marco Criado Guelamo OSsT (1522-1569) Trinitarian Priest Martyr, renowned Preacher, Missionary. Born as Marcus Criado Guelamo on 25 April 1522 in Andujar, Spain and died by being stoned to death on 25 September 1569 (aged 47) near La Peza, Spain.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/25/saint-of-the-day-25-september-blessed-marco-criado-osst-1522-1569-trinitarian-priest-and-martyr/

St Mewrog
St Neomisia of Mecerata
St Paphnutius of Alexandria
St Principius of Soissons
St Solemnis of Chartres

Martyrs of Damascus: A Christian family of six who were tortured to death in a persecution by Roman authorities. They were: Eugenia, Maximus, Paul, Rufus, Sabinian and Tatta. They were tortured to death in Damascus, Syria, date unknown.

The Holy Bishops of Milan: Imagine being part of a Diocese in which 36 of your past Bishops are Saints and some are also Doctors of the Church and Popes (and others being considered for Sainthood)!
Today, the Church in Milan commemorates these holy Bishops.
They are:
Blessed Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster
Blessed Andrea Carlo Ferrari
Pope Pius XI
Saint Ambrose of Milan
Saint Ampelius of Milan
Saint Anathalon of Milan
Saint Antoninus of Milan
Saint Auxanus of Milan
Saint Benedict Crispus of Milan
Saint Benignus of Milan
Saint Calimerius of Milan
Saint Castritian of Milan
Saint Charles Borromeo
Saint Datius of Milan
Saint Dionysius of Milan
Saint Eugene of Milan
Saint Eusebius of Milan
Saint Eustorgius II of Milan
Saint Eustorgius of Milan
Saint Gaius of Milan
Saint Galdinus of Milan
Saint Geruntius of Milan
Saint Glycerius of Milan
Saint Honoratus of Milan
Saint John Camillus the Good
Saint Lazarus of Milan
Saint Magnus of Milan
Saint Mansuetus of Milan
Saint Marolus of Milan
Saint Martinian of Milan
Saint Mirocles of Milan
Saint Mona of Milan
Saint Natalis of Milan
Saint Protasius of Milan
Saint Senator of Milan
Saint Simplician of Milan
Saint Venerius of Milan

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 24 September – CONSIDERATION X – How We Must Prepare for Death

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Thought for the Day – 24 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 X

How We Must Prepare for Death
“Prepare to meet thy God.”
(Amos iv.:12)

FIRST POINT:
ALL confess that they must die and die but once and that there is nothing of greater consequence than this; for our eternal happiness, or our eternal unhappiness, depends upon the moment of death.
We all know a happy or an unhappy death depends upon the life we have led. And yet, how is it, nearly all Christians live as if they would never have to die and, as if dying a happy or an unhappy death, could be of little importance?

Truly we lead a wicked life because we think not upon death. “In all thy works remember thy last end and thou shalt never sin.” (Ecclus vii: 40).
We must be persuaded that the hour of death is not the proper time to set our accounts in order, nor to make the great concern of our eternal salvation secure. The wise ones of this world, in worldly matters, take every precaution at the proper time towards obtaining that gain, that post, that matrimonial alliance; when the health of their body is concerned, they lose no time before applying the needful remedies. What would you say of anyone who, having undertaken an academic contest, would defer preparing himself for it until the time had arrived?
Would not that general indeed be mad, who should wait until besieged, to lay in stores of provisions and arms?
Would not that pilot be mad, who should forget to provide himself with cable and anchors, until the time of the tempest?

That Christian is even in this state, to whom the hour of death arrives before his conscience is made clean in the sight of God.
“When your fear cometh as desolation … then shall they call upon Me but I will not answer, therefore, shall they eat of the fruit of their own way.” (Prov i: 27, 28, 31).
The time of death is a time of tempest and confusion; then will
sinners call upon God to help them but only for fear of hell, to
which they see themselves so near and without a sincere conversion and, therefore, God will not hear them.
Therefore, also, very justly, they shall then reap the fruits of their evil life! Alas for them, it will not be enough to take the Sacraments.
It is necessary to die hating sin and loving God beyond all things but how can he hate forbidden pleasures, who, until that time, has loved them, so much? and how can he love God beyond all things, who, until that time, has loved the creature more than God?
The Lord called those virgins foolish and, indeed, they were so, who wished to prepare their lamps when the bridegroom was nigh.

A sudden death is dreaded by all because there is then no time to settle our accounts. All confess that the Saints were indeed wise because they prepared for death before it came.
And what are we doing? Do we wish to find ourselves in danger of being obliged to prepare for death when death is already near? therefore, now is the time in which we must do that which we shall wish we had done, when death is nigh.
Oh, what anguish will the memory of the time we have lost, and even more, the time that has been badly spent, then cause us – a time given by God to make ourselves worthy,but a time that is past and will never return!
What anguish will it then give us to hear: “Thou canst be no longer steward.”
There will be no more time for repentance, to frequent the
Sacraments, to hear sermons and to pray. What will be done, will be done. We shall then require a sounder mind, a quieter time, to make our confession as it should be made, in order to resolve many points of grave scruple and thus to ease our conscience but, “time will be no longer.”

Affections andPrayers

Ah, my God, if I had died during one of those nights, of which Thou knowest, where now should I have been?
I thank Thee for having waited for me and I also thank Thee for all those moments which would have been spent in everlasting punishment from that time when I first offended Thee.

Ah, give me Thy Light and make me to understand the great wrong I have done Thee, by willingly losing Thy grace which Thou hast merited for me, in sacrificing Thyself upon the Cross for me.
Ah, my Jesus, pardon me, for I repent with my whole heart, above every other evil, of having despised Thy Infinite Goodness. I hope that Thou hast already pardoned me. Ah, help me, O my Saviour, so that I may never lose Thee more.

Ah, my Lord, if again I should offend Thee as I used to do, after having received so many lights and graces from Thee, should I not deserve a special place of torment? Ah, through the merits of that Blood which Thou hast shed through love of me, never permit this. Give me holy perseverance, give me Thy Love.
I love Thee, O my Sovereign Good and I wish never to cease to love Thee, even until my death.
My God, have mercy upon me for the love of Jesus Christ.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on MERCY

Quote/s of the Day – 24 September – Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes / Our Lady of Mercy / Our Lady of Ransom

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 September – Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes / Our Lady of Mercy / Our Lady of Ransom

“She is Virgin and Mother,
what will she not be hereafter?
Holy in body, all beautiful in soul,
pure of mind, upright in intelligence,
perfect in feeling, chaste and faithful,
pure of heart and filled with virtue.
… Mary is the new tree of life who,
instead of the bitter fruit picked by Eve,
gives to mankind that sweet fruit
on which the whole world is fed!”

St Ephrem (306-373)
Deacon in Syria,
Father and Doctor of the Church

“I want, very much, to have a little house
built here for me, in which I will show Him,
I will exalt Him and make Him manifest.
I will give Him to the people
in all my personal love,
in my compassion,
in my help, in my protection
because, I am truly your merciful Mother,
yours and all the people who live
united in this land and of all the other people
of different ancestries, my lovers,
who love me, those who seek me,
those who trust in me.”

Our Lady of Guadalupe
to Juan Diego
1531

O Mary, Twice Mother of Mercy
By St Jerome Emiliani (1486–1537)

O Mary,
thou art twice Mother of Mercy
because thou hast been made
Mother of our most merciful Saviour,
and, furthermore because,
thou hast given to us
so many signs
of thy maternal care and love.
Turn upon us, we beseech thee,
thy glance of compassion
and grant, that we may always
live free from sin,
which is the only impediment
to receiving the fruits
of the Divine Mercies.
Amen.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, The INCARNATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 September – “ … You made open the way of the Tree of Life. ,,, ”

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One Minute Reflection – 24 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Our Lady of Ransom – Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16; Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed is the womb that bore Thee ” – Luke 11:27

REFLECTION – “Once indeed, God ejected the mortals and first parents of the human race from the paradise of Eden, when they had drunk deeply from the wine of disobedience and had become so affected by the hangover of sin, through the intoxication of that transgression which led to the sleepiness of the mind’s eye. …

Then Adam and Eve, the founders of our race, exclaimed with a loud voice in great rejoicing: “Blessed are you, O daughter, who bore for us the penalties of the commands that had been broken. When you had gained a mortal body from us, you gave birth to a covering of immortality for us. You repaid us ,so that it might be well with us, since you received birth from our loins. From beyond the grave, you have called us back to our ancient seat: we closed paradise for ourselves but you made open the way of the Tree of Life. Through our actions, sadness came forth from happiness; through you, even more joyful things have returned, from sorrow. In what possible way could you be acceptable to death, O Immaculate one? You are the bridge of life and the ladder to Heaven; you are a boat over the sea of death, reaching to immortality.”

But the woman herself, as she did not shrink from the truth, said: “Into Your hands, my Son, I commend my spirit. Receive this soul which is dear to You, which You have preserved free from any sin. I hand over my body, not to the earth but to You. Take me to Yourself, that where You are, You, the Child of my womb, so there I also may be Your companion. I am hastening to You, Who have often come to me on this side of that long distance.”

When she had said this, she heard in reply: “Come to My rest, My blessed Mother: arise, come, My Beloved, most blessed among all women. Behold, the winter is ended. You are all fair, My Beloved and there is no spot of stain found in you: the odour of your ointments are more precious than all other aromas.” – St John Damascene (675-749) Father and Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from his Homily 9: On the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

PRAYER – O God, Who for the deliverance of Christians from the power of the pagans, graciously willed to enrich Thy Church by a new religious offspring through the most glorious Mother of Thy Son; grant, we beseech Thee, that by the merits and intercession of her, whom we piously venerate, as the founder of so great a work, we may be delivered from all our sins and from the captivity of the devil. 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).

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Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on DEATH

Our Morning Offering – 24 September – Supplication to Our Lady of Ransom

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Our Morning Offering – 24 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of Our Lady of Ransom

Supplication to Our Lady of Ransom
To Obtain the Favour of her Patronage until Death.
Unknown Author

Sweet Mother! turn those gentle eyes
Of pity down upon me;
Oh! hear thy suppliant’s tearful cries,
My humble prayer, do not despise,
Star of the pathless sea!

In dark temptation’s dreary hour,
To thee, bright Queen, we flee;
Oh! then exert a mother’s power,
When storms are rough and tempests lower;
Star of the raging sea!

Through all my joys and cares, sweet Maid,
May I still look on thee,
Who bore the Price our ransom paid,
And ne’er the suppliant’s cry hath stayed;
Star of the azure sea!

And when my last expiring sigh,
My soul from earth shall free,
Do thou, bright Queen of Saints, stand by
And bear it up to God on high,
Star of the boundless sea!

Say the Hail Mary three times
followed by
the Hail Holy Queen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 24 September – Saint Isarnus (Died 1043) Abbot

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Saint of the Day – 24 September – Saint Isarnus (Died 1043) Abbot of of Saint-Victor near Toulouse, Reformer, Apostle of the destitute and deprived. Born in Marseilles, Provence (in modern France) and died there on 24 September in 1043 of natural causes. Also known as – Isarnus of Marseilles, Isarn, Isarnus of Toulouse, Isarno of… Ysarn of…

Little is known of the life of Saint Isarnus, Abbot of Saint Victor Monastery in Marseilles. We do not know the date of his birth but the date of his death has been handed down to us.

Originally from Toulouse, he was educated by the Canons of Saint Anthony of Pamiers. He received the monastic Habit, during his stay in Agde, from the hands of Stephen II, the Bishop of the City.

His appointment as the Abbot of the Monastery of Saint-Victor is singular. Upon the death of Abbot Geoffrey, in 1021, the Monks were unable to reach an agreement on the appointment of a successor. During the Chapter meetings, Abbot du Montmajour, the acting President of the Assembly, asked the youngest of the Oblates to propose a name. The Oblate named Isarnus, who immediately received the Abbey blessing.

Abbey Saint-Victor

Isarnus’ reputation for virtue and particularly, his charity and supernatural gifts, attracted many vocations. He reformed the Abbey and carried this reformation to numerous Monasteries in the centre of France and in Catalonia.

Saint Isarnus was a man of prayer and during his government, he particularly distinguished himself for his generosity towards the poor. Saint Odilo of Cluny, his friend, used to enumerate the eight virtues practiced by Isarnus: chastity, humility, mercy, patience, the inclination to fasting, vigils, prayers and contempt for vainglory.

We know that Saint Isarnus went to Spain to ransom some Monks of the community of Lérins, who had been captured by the Arabs and, that he died shortly after his return to Marseilles.

This might be the Tomb of St Isarnus. Anyway it resides in the Chapel of St Isarnus at St-Victor’s Abbey

He was buried in the Monastery Church, his Tomb is located in the Crypt of the Abbatial Church.In the second half of the 14th Century, his Relics were translated in the presence of Pope Urban V, who then also Canonised him. A biography has been written about Saint Isarnus which presents itself as the work of an anonymous pilgrim who passed through Saint Victor of Marseilles. But it is very likely that it was written by a Monk of the Abbey. The work, which contains many edifying facts about Saint Isarnus, was written in a period very close to the events narrated, so it is believed that the historic details corresponds to the truth.

Interior of the Abbey Church of St-Victor

Although in memory of Saint Isarnus, is set on 25 September 25 in the Diocese of Pamiers and on the 26th in that of Marseilles, his Feast was set on the day of his death, 24 Septembe.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes / Our Lady of Ransom, Spain (1218), Our Lady of Walsingham / Virgin of the Sea (1061) and the Saints for 24 September

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes / Our Lady of Mercy / Our Lady of Ransom, Barcelona, Spain (1218) – 1 August, 10 August – The Founding of the Mercedarian Order and 24 September:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/24/our-lady-of-mercy-our-lady-of-ransom-our-lady-of-walsingham-virgin-of-the-sea-24-september-and-memorials-of-the-saints/

Our Lady of Walsingham / Virgin of the Sea (1061) – 24 September:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/24/our-lady-of-walsingham-virgin-of-the-sea-1061-marian-feasts-and-memorials-of-the-saints-24-september/


St Andochius of Autun
St Chuniald
Bl Colomba Matylda Gabriel
St Coprio
St Erinhard
St Felix of Autun

St Gerard Sagredo OSB (980-1046) Bishop and Martyr, “The Apostle of Hungary,” Venetian nobleman, Benedictine monk, Prior of San Giorgio, Missionary to Hungary, Adviser to King Saint Stephen, Tutor to Prince Saint Emeric, Hermit, Bishop of Csanád, Writer, Reformer
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/24/saint-of-the-day-24-september-saint-gerard-sagredo-osb-980-1046-bishop-and-martyr-the-apostle-of-hungary/

St Geremarus (c608-658) French Priest, Abbot, Founder of Monasteries.
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/24/saint-of-the-day-24-september-st-geremarus-c608-658-priest-abbot/

St Gislar
St Isarnus of Toulouse (Died 1043) Abbot
St Lupus of Lyons

St Pacificus of Severino OFM (1653-1721) Priest, Franciscan Friar, Mystic, Miracle-worker, Missionary, Superior of the Friary of San Severino and joyful sufferer for Christ. He was Beatified on 4 August 1786 by Pope Pius VI and Canonised on 26 May 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI.
About St Pacificus:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/24/saint-of-the-day-24-september-saint-pacificus-of-severino-ofm-1653-1721/

St Paphnutius of Egypt

St Rusticus (Died 446) The 7th Bishop of Clermont in Auvergne, concerning whose election Saint Gregory of Tours relates that it was brought about by a special intervention of Divine Providence. Confessor.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/24/saint-of-the-day-24-september-saint-rusticus-of-clermont-died-446-bishop-and-confessor/

St Terence of Persaro (c 210-c 247) Martyr Layman, Soldier.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/24/saint-of-the-day-24-september-saint-terence-of-persaro-c-210-c-247-martyr/

St Thyrsus of Autun
St Ysarn of Saint Victor

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FEAR, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Thought for the Day – 23 September – CONSIDERATION IX, Third Point – The Peace Felt by a Just Man When Dying – “He cannot die badly who has lived well!”

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Thought for the Day – 23 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 IX

The Peace Felt by a Just Man When Dying
“The souls of the just are in the Hands of God
and the torment of death, shall not touch them.
In the sight of the unwise, they seemed to die,
…. but they are at peace.”
(Wisd iii: 1-3)

THIRD POINT:
How is it then, that he can fear death who hopes to be crowned after death?
St Cyprian says, “We cannot fear to die, who await our crown when we are killed.”
How can anyone fear death, who knows that dying in grace, his body will become immortal: “This mortal must put on immortality.” (i Cor xv: 53).
He who loves God and desires to see Him, regards life as a pain and death as a joy: “He lives patiently, he dies delightedly,” says St Augustine.
St Thomas of Villanova says: “death, if it finds a man sleeping, comes as a thief, robs him, kills him and casts him into the pit of hell but, if death finds a man vigilant, it salutes him as the ambassador of God and says: ‘The Lord expects thee at the nuptial feast; come and I shall lead thee to the blessed Kingdom which thou hast desired.”

Oh with what joy does he await death who is in the grace of God, hoping, as he does, soon to see Jesus Christ and to hear Him say: “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.” (St Matt xxv: 21).
Oh how well then will he understand the force of the repentance, the prayers, the alienation from the things of this world and all that he has done for God!
“Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruits of their doings.” (Isa iii: 10).
Then will he, who has loved God, enjoy the fruit of all his good works.
Therefore, did Father Hippolitus Durazzo, when a friend of his, a religious, was dying, with every sign of salvation, rejoice and not weep. For how absurd it would be, remarks St John Chrysostom, to believe in an eternal Heaven and yet, to pity anyone who goes there! What joy it will bring to him, who has loved Jesus Christ and who has often received Jesus Christ in the Holy Communion, to see this same Jesus enter his room at the most solemn hour of death, to accompany him in his journey to the other life.
Oh happy he who can then say with St Philip Neri: “Behold my Love, behold my Love.”

But some will say: “Who can tell what fate will be mine?
Perhaps, after all, my end will be an unhappy one!”
But, to those who thus speak, I ask: “What is it that makes death dreadful?” Sin only – therefore, it is sin we ought to fear and not death!
St Ambrose observes, “ it is clear, the bitterness is not from death but from sin; fear is not to be referred to death but to life!”
Therefore, if you desire not to fear death, live in holiness: “To him who fears the Lord. it will be well in his last hour.”
Father Colombiere considered it quite impossible, for him, who has been faithful to God all his life long, to die an unhappy death.
And, before him, St Augustine has remarked: “He cannot die badly who has lived well!”
He who is prepared for death, does not fear it, although it should be sudden. “But the just man, if he be presented with death, shall be at rest.” (Wisd iv: 7).

And since we are unable to go to enjoy God, except we die, St John Chrysostom exhorts us “to offer to God that which we are bound to render to Hun.” And let us understand, he who offers his death to God, performs the most perfect act of love which can be done towards God; for, by willingly embracing that death, which it pleases God to send us and that time and manner of death which God wishes, he makes himself like unto the holy Martyrs.
He who loves God, ought to long and sigh for death because death unites us eternally to God and frees us from the danger of ever losing Him again.
It is a sign that we love God but little, if we have no desire soon to go to see Him, feeling certain that we shall never be able to love Him more.

For the meantime, let us love God as much as we can in this life. For this alone should we live, to increase in our love for Him; the measure of love for God in which death will find us, will be the measure of our love for God in a blessed eternity.

Affections andPrayers

Bind me, my Jesus, to Thyself, so that I may never more be
severed from Thee. Make me wholly Thine before I die, so
that, when I behold Thee for the first time, I may behold Thee
in peace.
Thou hast sought me when I was fleeing from Thee; oh, do not drive me from Thee now that I seek Thee.
Pardon
me whatever displeasure I may have caused Thee. From this
day forward I wish to think of serving and loving Thee only.
I am already too much indebted to Thee.
Thou didst not refuse to shed Thy Blood and give Thy Life throughLlove of me. I would wish to be entirely consumed for love of Thee, as Thou wert for me.
O God of my soul, I would love Thee much in this life, so as to
love Thee much in the life to come.

Eternal Father, draw my whole heart to Thee, take from it all earthly affections, wound it, enflame it with Thy holy Love. Hear me, through the merits of Jesus Christ. Give me holy perseverance and give me the grace ever to ask it of Thee.

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The INCARNATION, The WORD, THEOLOGICAL

Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – Thou art the Christ, Whom we love above all things …

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11; Matthew 16:13-19– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God!”

Matthew 16:16

“Truly blessed is he who cleaves,
with his thought, to the Prayer of Jesus,
constantly calling to Him in his heart,
just as air cleaves to our bodies,
or the flame to the candle.”

St Hesychius of Jerusalem (Died c450)
Priest, Exegete, Father

“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

“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.”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

(The Definition of Charity
What is Charity?)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on WATCHING, St PETER!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 September – “Upon this rock I will build My Church” – Matthew 16:18

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One Minute Reflection – 23 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Pope Linus (c10 – c76) Successor to St Peter – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11; Matthew 16:13-19– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Upon this rock I will build My Church” – Matthew 16:18

REFLECTION – “Brothers, when it comes to fulfilling my duties as Bishop, I discover that I am weak and slack, weighed down by the weakness of my own condition, while at the same time, I want to act generously and courageously. However, I draw my strength from the untiring intercession of the almighty and eternal Priest, Who, like us but equal to the Father, lowered His Divinity to the level of man and raised humankind to the level of God. The decisions He made, give me a just and holy joy. For, when He delegated many shepherds to care for His flock, He did not abandon watching over His beloved sheep. Thanks to that fundamental and eternal assistance, I in turn, have received the protection and support of the Apostle Peter, who also does not abandon his function. This solid foundation, on which the whole of the Church is built, never grows tired of carrying the whole weight, of the building which rests on it.

The firmness of faith, for which the first of the Apostles was praised, never fails. Just as everything which Peter professed in Christ remains, so that which Christ established in Peter, remains … The order willed by God’s Truth remains. Saint Peter perseveres in the solidity which he received; he has not abandoned the governance of the Church which was placed in his hands. That, my brothers, is what that profession of faith, inspired by God the Father, obtained in the heart of the Apostle. He received the solidity of a rock which no assault can shake. In the entire Church, Peter says everyday: “Thou art the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon on the anniversary of his Consecration as Bishop).

PRAYER – Look forgivingly on Thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in Thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Linus Thy 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).

Posted in "Follow Me", JESUIT SJ, OUR Cross, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 23 September – This is My Joy, To Follow My Saviour

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 23 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”

This is My Joy, To Follow My Saviour
A Prayer to Seek the Consolation of the Cross
By St Alphonsus Rodriguez SJ (1532-1617)

Jesus, love of my soul,
centre of my heart!
Why am I not more eager to endure pains
and tribulations for love of Thee,
when Thou, my God,
have suffered so many for me?
Come, then, every sort of trial in the world,
for this is my delight,
to suffer for Jesus.
This is my joy,
to follow my Saviour
and to find my consolation
with my Consoler on the Cross.
This is my happiness,
this my pleasure –
to live with Jesus,
to walk with Jesus,
to converse with Jesus,
to suffer with and for Him,
this is my treasure!
Amen

Posted in INCORRUPTIBLES, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 23 September – Blessed Peter Acotanto (1108-1187) Hermit

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 23 September – Blessed Peter Acotanto (1108-1187) Hermit, Apostle of the poor, the most deprived and desparate peoples of Venice. Born in 1108 in Venice, Italy and died there in on 23 September1187 of natural causes. Patronage – of Venice, Italy. His Body is Incorrupt.

According to the Venetian tradition based on a manuscript preserved in the Church of St Basil Peter Acotanto was born in 1108 to the noble Acotanto family, a family which could boast very ancient origins. The same Church of the district where the Acotanto family lived, St Basil, had been built by their family in the 10th Century.

Peter practiced charity in an eminent way – in the poor he saw Christ and in almsgiving – a manifestation of faith, even if many times the poor people took advantage of it. They besieged his house before he went out, they guarded the door when he had to return, they interrupted his walk on the street with importunate requests but Peter patient and generously, welcomed everyone and did not let anyone leave disconsolate or in tears.

In the darkest night, to hide from the sight and applause of men and known only to God, Who assisted him, with his own hands, Peter loaded his little domestic boat with bread, wood, oil, clothes and other necessary items for the poor, the miserable and the deprived. Peter pushed his boat alone through the troubled and angry waters and in the midst of raging winds and with continuous danger to his health and his life, he went here and there, to various distant districts of the City, in search of the most derelict poor and made a generous distribution to them of the abundant load, saving them in this way from the imminent misfortune of having to die from cold or hunger.

Peter pushed his boat alone through the troubled and angry waters, assisting the poor wherever he found them

For the poor Peter became poor himself. He sold everything he had and did not even keep enough for himself to live on. Peter then retired to San Giorgio Monastery among the Benedictines who had been his life teachers. He wore very poor clothes and wished to do the humblest services for the Monks, such as cultivating the vegetable garden and carrying water to the Monastery kitchen after drawing it with difficulty from the well. He was content with very little food and often fasted completely. The example of virtue which he displayed to the Monks was such that, on the death of Abbot Pasquale, they wished to appoint him as their Superior but Peter instead obtains permission to live as a Hermit next to the Monastery. With his own hands he builds a small hut and between fasting and mortification he spent the last years of his life alone in his little hut.

He died on 23 September 1187, the date he had predicted for his death, surrounded by his brothers. He was buried in the Church of San Basilio (commonly known as San Basegio) in Venice where he enjoyed a reputation for sanctity for the miracles performed through his intercession and the incorruption of his body, found in 1250.

In 1305 the body was transferred to another tomb in the nearby cemetery and, in 1340, it was finally transferred inside theChurch, above the Altar of the Crucifix. Recognised as a miracle worker, Pope Clement XIII declared Peter Blessed in 1759.

In 1810, following the Napoleonic suppression of the Church of San Basiio , his relics were transferred to the nearby Church of San Sebastiano and then, in 1821, to the Church of Saints Gervasio and Protasio where they are still venerated today.

In 1946, Prof. Peter Leonardi founded the Blessed Peter Acotanto Charity to assist the evicted from Giudecca and Terese. About 500 of the most needy families were assisted. He worked for human promotion, especially for young people, by opening recreation centers, schools and refectories, where children from the assisted neighbourhoods were welcomed and entertained with games, songs, readings, and food. He set up professional courses and carpentry workshops to teach a trade to abandoned children. The Peter Acotanto Charity ceased its activities in 1964.

Blessed Peter Acotanto on the Church of San Rocco in Venice
Posted in INCORRUPTIBLES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

 Nuestra Senora de Valvanera / Our Lady of Valvanera, Spain (9th Century), St Pope Linus, St Thecla and the rest of the Saints for 23 September

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Nuestra Senora de Valvanera / Our Lady of Valvanera, La Rioja, Spain (9th Century) – 23 September:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/23/nuestra-senora-de-valvanera-our-lady-of-valvanera-la-rioja-spain-9th-century-and-memorials-of-the-saints-23-september/

St Pope Linus (c 10 – c 76) Successor to St Peter. Papacy lasted from c 67 to his death as a Martyr. Among those to have held the position of Pope, Peter, Linus and Clement are specifically mentioned in the New Testament. Linus is mentioned in the closing greeting of the Second Epistle to Timothy as being with Paul in Rome near the end of Paul’s life.
The Life and Death of St Linus:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/23/saint-of-the-day-23-september-st-pope-linus-c-10-c-76-successor-to-st-peter/

St Thecla (1st century) Virgin Martyr, Disciple of St Paul.
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/23/saint-of-the-day-23-september-st-thecla-1st-century-virgin-and-martyr/

St Adamnan of Iona/Eunan of Iona (c 628-704) Relative of Saint Columban. Monk at Drunhome, Donegal, Ireland. Abbot of Iona in 679. President-general of all the Columban houses in Ireland. Hagiographer and Spiritual Writer, Poet, Statesman, Canon Lawyer. Canonised on 11 July 1898 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmed).
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/23/saint-of-the-day-23-september-saint-adamnan-of-iona-or-st-eunan-of-iona-c-628-704/

St Cissa of Northumbria
St Constantius of Ancona


Blessed Elena Duglioli (1472-1520) Widow. Beatified on 26 March 1828 by Pope Leo XII. Her body is Incorrupt.
Her Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/23/saint-of-the-day-23-september-blessed-elena-duglioli-1472-1520-widow/

Blessed Guy of Durnes O.Cist. (Died c1157) Abbot
Blessed Peter Acotanto (1108-1187) Hermit
St Polyxena

St Sosius (275-305) Confessor, Deacon and Martyr. His holiness and wisdom drew many Prelates to his feet, seeking spiritual assistance. St Sosius was a Deacon of Misenum, an important naval base of the Roman Empire in the Bay of Naples.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Capo Miseno in Campania, St Sosius, Deacon and Martyr, who, as Pope St Symmachus reports, wishing to save his Bishop from death, instead found death together with him, obtaining equal glory at the same price.”
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/23/saint-of-the-day-23-september-saint-sosius-275-305-confessor-deacon-and-martyr/

Posted in DYING / LAST WORDS, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM

Thought for the Day – 22 September – CONSIDERATION IX, Second Point – The Peace Felt by a Just Man When Dying – ‘O beloved death! …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 22 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 IX

The Peace Felt by a Just Man When Dying
“The souls of the just are in the Hands of God
and the torment of death, shall not touch them.
In the sight of the unwise, they seemed to die,
…. but they are at peace.”
(Wisd iii: 1-3)

SECOND POINT:
“The souls of the just are in the Hands of God and the torment of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise, they seemed to die … but they are at peace.”
It seems, in the sight of the unwise that the servants of God die with sorrow and unwillingly, even as the worldly do but no, for God knows well how to comfort His children when they are dying and amidst the pains of their death, He makes them feel a certain incomparable sweetness, as a foretaste of Paradise which, within a short time, He will bestow upon them.
Like those who die in sin, who even upon their death-bed experience certain foretastes of hell, such as remorse, fear and
despair; so, on the contrary, do the Saints, by the acts of love
which, at that time they often make to God, by the desire
and by the hope which is within them, of very soon enjoying God, begin even before death, to feel that peace which they will afterwards fully enjoy in Heaven.

Death to the Saints is not a punishment but a reward. “For so He giveth His beloved sleep.” (Ps cxxvii: 3).
The death of him, who loves God, is not called death but sleep, so he can truly say: “I. will lay me down in peace and take my rest.” (Ps iv: 9).
Father Saurez died in such peace that whilst dying he was
able to say: “I did not think it was so sweet to die.”
Cardinal Baronius having been advised by his physician not to think so much about death, replied: “And why? Is it perchance that I fear it? I do not fear but I love it!”

Cardinal St Fisher, as Saunders relates, when about to die for the Faith, put on the best clothes he had, saying, he was going to a wedding.
When he came in sight of the scaffold he cast away his staff,
saying: “Make haste my feet, make haste, for we are not far from Paradise.” And before dying he sang Te Deum, in returning thanks to God, Who had allowed him to die a Martyr’s death, for the holy Faith and thus being filled with joy, he placed his head under the axe.

St Francis of Assisi sang while dying and invited the others to sing too. One, Brother Elias, made answer saying: “We ought to weep, Father and not to sing when we are dying.” But the Saint replied: “I cannot do less than sing, seeing that, within so short a time, I am going to enjoy God.”

A Teresian Nun dying when she was young and seeing the
other Nuns begin to weep, she said to them: “ O God, wherefore do you weep, I am going to find my Jesus; if you love me rejoice with me!”
Father Granada relates that a certain hunter found a solitary leper singing when dying: “Why is it,” said the hunter, “that thou canst sing when, in this condition?” The hermit answered, saying: “Brother, between me and God there is only the wall of this my body, now I can see falling into pieces that which was my prison and I am going to see God and, therefore, I comfort myself and sing.”

This longing to see God, made St Ignatius the Martyr say, that if the wild beasts did not come to take away his life, he would irritate them and thus, provoke them to devour him.

St Catherine of Genoa would not allow anyone to consider death a misfortune, for she said: “O beloved death! how ungraciously art thou welcomed! and why do thou not come to me, when I call upon thee day and night?”
St Teresa desired death so much that she considered it death, not to die and accordingly she composed the celebrated Hymn: “I die because 1 do not die”
Even such is death to the Saints!

Affections andPrayers

Ah my Sovereign Good, my God! if during the years that are
past, I have not loved Thee, now will I be converted to Thee. I
bid farewell to every creature and I choose to love Thee alone,
my sweetest Saviour.
Tell me what Thou wishest me to do that I may do it.
I have already committed offences enough against Thee. The life remaining to me, I would wish to spend it all in pleasing Thee.
Give me strength, in some way to atone, with my love, for the ingratitude which, until now, I have shown Thee.
I have deserved, all these years, to be cast into everlasting punishment. Thou hast sought me so many tunes, now at last, Thou hast drawn me to Thee; let me now burn with the fire of Thy holy love.

I love Thee, O Thou Infinite Good,
Thou wishest me to love Thee only and with reason, for Thou
hast loved me more than all and Thou alone art worthy to be
loved and I will love Thee only, for I would do all I can to
please Thee. Do with me as Thou wilt. It is enough that I
love Thee and that Thou lovest me.

In the Tower by TPS
Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, MODESTY, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the POOR, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE

Quote/s of the Day – 22 September – St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor.

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 22 September – St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor.

“Humility is the mother of many virtues
because, from it are born:
obedience, fear, reverence, patience,
modesty, meekness and peace.
He who is humble easily obeys everyone,
fears to offend anyone,
is at peace with everyone,
is kind to all!”

“If you wish God to anticipate your wants,
provide those of the needy
without waiting for them to ask you.
Especially anticipate the needs of those
who are ashamed to beg.
To make them ask for alms
is to make them buy it.”

“Rejoice, then, you poor folks;
shout for joy, you needy ones
for even if the world
holds you in contempt,
you are highly valued
by your Lord God and the Angels.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/22/quote-s-of-the-day-22-september-st-thomas-of-villanova/

St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on JUDGING, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 September – ‘ … Here He gives us a complete image of the Resurrection …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor – 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Matthew 9:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic,
Take courage, son, thy sins are forgiven thee.” – Matthew 9:2

REFLECTION – “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic: ‘Thy sins are forgiven thee,‘” The Lord is great! for the sake of the former he forgives the latter! He answers the prayer of the first and pardons the sins of the second.
O men, why is it that today your fellow traveller is unable to do anything for you, when, with the Lord, His servant has the right to intervene and to receive?

You who judge, learn to pardon and you who are ill, learn to beseech. If you have no hope of immediate pardon for grave sins, turn to intercessors, turn to the Church who will pray for you. Then, for her sake, the Lord will grant you the pardon He might have denied you. We do not ignore the historical truth of the paralytic’s cure but, above all, we acknowledge the healing of his interior self, whose sins are forgiven. …

The Lord wants to save sinners; He demonstrates His Divinity by His knowledge of what is secret and, by the wonders of His deeds. “Which is easier to say,” he asks: “’Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Rise and walk’?” Here He gives us a complete image of the Resurrection since, in curing the wounds of soul and body … the whole man is healed!” – St Ambrose (340-397) ArchBishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Saint Luke’s Gospel V, 11-13).

PRAYER – O God, Who endowed blessed Bishop Thomas with the virtue of special pity for the poor, we beseech Thee, through his intercession, generously to pour forth the riches of Thy mercy upon all those who pray to Thee.ThroughJesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in ACT of LOVE, ACT of REPARATION, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, EUCHARISTIC ADORATION and Nocturnal, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 22 September – Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to make amends for the outrages He suffers in the Blessed Sacrament

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 22 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Pentecost XVIII

Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
to make amends for the outrages He suffers
in the Blessed Sacrament
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Grant me, O Sacred Heart,
by Thine own sweetness
and boundless mercy,
the pardon which I ask for,
and give me grace to keep
the resolution, which I now make,
to do all I can in the future ,
to pay Thee, in the Sacrament of Thy Love,
the profound adoration which I owe Thee
and to show Thee that gratitude
and love which are justly due to Thee.
I resolve to repair my past faults
by the modesty of my deportment
in Thy churches,
by my constancy in visiting Thee,
my devotion and fervo.r in receiving Thee
and, in fulfilment of Thy desire,
I impose upon myself the duty of often
repeating Acts of Reparation
in Thy Presence, as Thou hast deigned to direct,
in order, as far as I can, to atone
for the injuries done Thee by others
and of which Thy very love
makes Thee the Victim in this Divine Sacrament.

Bless, I beseech Thee, this resolve
and give me grace to keep it faithfully.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 22 September – St Emmeramus of Regensburg, Bishop Martyr

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 22 September – St Emmeramus of Regensburg (also historically known as Ratisbon) (Died c690) Bishop Martyr, Missionary Born in Poitiers, France and died on 22 September c652 in Feldkirchen near Munich in Bavaria by being murdered. Patronages – of Poitiers in France and of the City and Diocese of Regensburg in Germany. Also known as – Emmeran, Emmeranus, Emmerano, Emeran, Heimrammi, Haimeran, Haimhramm,or Heimeran.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Ratisbon, in Bavaria, St Emmeramus, Bishop and Martyr, who, to deliver others, endured patiently a most cruel death, for the sake of Our Lord.”

Painting in the Parish Church in Aschheim near Munich

Emmeramus was a Monk and Bishop of Poitiers, left the Kingdom of the Franks at the end of the 7th Century to evangelise in Regensburg, Bavaria, where he was received with benevolence by Duke Theodo. The latter wanted to keep him as the Bishop of his territory or, at least, as the Abbot of a Monastery there.

It is not known how long Emmeramus exercised his pastoral ministry at the Duke’s Court or whether he founded a Monastery near the church of St George.

When leaving for Rome, Emmeramus was unjustly accused of having kidnapped Uta, the Duke’s daughter. To avenge this dishonour, Lambert, the girl’s brother, pursued Emmeramus with an armed troop and caught up with him at Klein-helfendorf, near Aibling (Diocese of Freising). Wishing to protect the real culprit, Emmeramus did not defend himself and received numerous wounds. The Clerics who accompanied him carried him to Ascheim where death put an end to his cruel sufferings. His tortures had involved a ladder, different tortures being applied for each rung thereon. At his death, a heavenly ladder was seen being extended to the Martyr for his final climb to his his great Lord.

The body of the Saint was brought back to Regensburg and buried in the Church of St George. The famous Monastery which takes his name, was built on his tomb and his cult eclipsed that of Everard, the oldest Bishop of the City. Bishop Gaubald (739-761) attended to the solemn elevation of the Relics and built a new Church in his honour. In the same way, Bishop Erembert of Freising (739-747) had a Church built on the site of his torture, in Klein-helfendorf.

In 1898, in the Monastery of St Emmeramus a tomb was discovered containing a skeleton that immediately crumbled to dust and some believed that they were in the presence of the ancient Martyr; another tomb had in fact been erected in the upper Church around 1340.

The oldest evidence of veneration is found in the Waldendorff fragment of a Regensburg Sacramentary from the time of St Boniface. Emmeramus’ Feast is celebrated on 22 September the date on which he is mentioned in the oldest Martyrologies. A monastic Office of his own was composed by Arnold of Vohrburg.

Emmeramus’ life and suffering was written around 772 by Arbeo of Freising. According to recent research, Emmeramus fell victim to a massive court intrigue against Duke Theodo. The date of his Martyrdom is also given as either 685, 692 and around 715.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

PENTECOST XVIII, Madonna di Porto Salvo / Our Lady of Porto Salvo, Italy (1843), St Thomas of Villanova, St Maurice and Companions and all the Saints for 22 September

Posted on by AnaStpaul

PENTECOST XVIII

Madonna di Porto Salvo / Our Lady of Porto Salvo, Lampedusa, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy (1843) – 22 September:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/22/madonna-di-porto-salvo-our-lady-of-porto-salvo-lampedusa-agrigento-sicily-italy-1843-and-memorials-of-the-saints-22-september/

St Thomas of Villanueva/Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor, Religious Priest of the Order of St Augustine,Writer, Preacher, Teacher, Apostle of Charity, Mystic, Miracle-Worker often called “the Almsgiver” and “the Father of the Poor“, Reformer. Canonised on 1 November 1658 by Pope Alexander VII.
About St Thomas here:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/09/22/saint-of-the-day-22-september-st-thomas-of-villanova-o-s-a/

St Maurice & Companions:
Martyrs of the Theban Legion: + Martyrs (c 287)
A Roman imperial legion of 6,600 soldiers, all of whom were Christians; they had been recruited from the area around Thebes in Upper Egypt, were led by Saint Maurice and served under Emperor Maximian Herculeus. Around the year 287, Maximian led the army across the Alps to Agaunum, an area in modern Switzerland, in order to suppress a revolt by the Bagandre in Gaul. In connection with battle, the army offered public sacrifices to the Roman gods; the Theban Legion refused to participate. For refusing orders, the Legion was decimated – one tenth of them were executed. When the remainder refused to sacrifice to the gods, they were decimated again. When the survivors still refused to sacrifice, Maximinian ordered them all killed. Martyrs.
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/22/saints-of-the-day-22-september-st-maurice-and-the-martyrs-of-the-theban-legion-martyrs-c-287/

Bl Alfonso da Cusco
St Basilia
St Digna of Rome
St Emerita of Rome
St Emmeramus of Regensburg (Died c690) Bishop Martyr
St Florentius the Venerable

St Gunthildis of Suffersheim (Died c 1057) Laywoman,  Apostle of the poor, the sick and the needy.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/22/saint-of-the-day-22-september-saint-gunthildis-of-suffersheim-died-c-1057/

St Irais
St Jonas
St Lauto of Coutances
St Lindru of Partois

Blessed Otto of Freising O.Cist. (c1111-1158) Bishop of Freising, Cistercian Priest and Abbot Historian, Reformer, Diplomatic Peace-maker, Defender of the Church, Crusader. Born between 1111 and 1114 in Klosterneuburg near Vienna, Austria and died at Morimond, Champagne, France, on 22 September, 1158 at the young age of 47 at the most.
Holy Man of Many Talents St Otto:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/22/saint-of-the-day-22-september-blessed-otto-of-freising-o-cist-c1111-1158-bishop/

St Sadalberga
St Sanctinus of Meaux

St Septimius of Jesi (Died c 307) the first Bishop of Jesi in Italy, Confessor, Martyr., Miracle-worker .
His Lif and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/22/saint-of-the-day-22-september-saint-septimius-of-jesi-died-c-307-bishop-confessor-martyr/

St Sigfrid of Wearmouth
St Silvanus of Levroux
St Symphorian

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 21 September – CONSIDERATION IX, The Peace Felt by a Just Man When Dying

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Thought for the Day – 21 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 IX

The Peace Felt by a Just Man When Dying
“The souls of the just are in the Hands of God
and the torment of death, shall not touch them.
In the sight of the unwise, they seemed to die,
…. but they are at peace.”
(Wisd iii: 1-3)

FIRST POINT:
“The souls of the just are in the Hand of God.”
If God holds the souls of the just in His Hand, who is it that can pluck them out of it? It is true that hell never ceases to tempt and to insult the Saints, even when they are dying but God never ceases to assist them and, when, as St Ambrose observes, His faithful servants are placed in more danger, then. does He give them more assistance.

When the servant of Elisha saw the City surrounded by enemies, he was affrighted but the Saint encouraged him, saying: “Fear not, for they who be with us, are more than they who be with them.” (2 Kings vi: 16). And Elisha then prayed and the young man’s eyes were opened and he saw an army of Angels sent by God to defend them!
The devil will indeed come to tempt the dying man but his Guardian Angel will also come to comfort him. St Michael, who is appointed by God to defend His faithful servants in this their last combat with hell but, above all, Jesus Christ will come to keep this His penitent and innocent sheep, for whose salvation He once gave up His life. He will give thy soul that confidence and strength which, in such a combat, it will stand in need of, so that He will exclaim with all courage: “Lord, be Thou my helper.” (Ps xxx: 10).

“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom then shall I fear?” (Ps xxvii: I) God, as Origen observes, cares much more about our eternal salvation than the devil does about our eternal ruin because, God Loves us much more than the devil hates us.
God is faithful, observes the Apostle and will not suffer us to be tempted above that which we are able (i Cor x: 13).
But you will say: “Many Saints have died in great fear concerning their eternal salvation.” I answer, few are the examples of those who, having led a holy life, have afterwards died in great fear.

Belluacensis observes, the Lord permits this in some Saints, in order to purge them when dying from some defect. Besides, do we not read that almost all God’s servants have died with a smile upon their lips?
To all, the Divine Judgment gives fear of death but where sinners pass from fear to desperation, the Saints pass to assurance.
St Antoninus narrates that St Bernard, being ill, was tempted to fear but, thinking upon the merits of Jesus Christ, he dismissed every fear, saying: “My merits are Thy Wounds.”
St Hilarion at first was afraid but later he said, rejoicing: “Go forth, my soul, of what art thou afraid? For well nigh seventy years thou hast served Christ and dost thou now fear death?” As if he wished to say, my soul, what dost thou fear after having served a God Who is faithful and
Who will never abandon him, who has been faithful to Him in life?

Father Joseph Scamacca being asked if he felt he was dying with confidence, answered: “What! have I been serving Mahomet all my life that I should now doubt the goodness of my God as to whether He may wish me to be saved?”
If the thought of having once offended God at any time should torment us in death, we know the Lord has promised to remember no more, the sins of the penitent.
“If the wicked will turn from all his sins which he hath committed, … they shall not be mentioned unto Him.” (Ezelc xviii: 21, 22).
But some will say, how can we be sure that God has pardoned us? St Basil even, asks this question and replies: “If we can say, I hate and abominate my sin because he who hates sin, may rest secure that God has pardoned him already.”

The heart of man cannot exist without love; it either loves the creature, or it loves God; if it does not love the creature, then it loves God. And who is it that loves God? Even he who keeps His commandments.
“He who hath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is who loveth Me.” (St John xiv: 21).
He, therefore, who dies, observing God’s commands, dies loving God and he who loves God shall not fear for “perfect love casteth out fear.” (i St John iv: 18).

Affections andPrayers.

Ah, my Jesus, when will that day come when I shall be able
to say, “My God, never more shall I be able to lose Thee?”
When will that day come when I shall see Thee face-to-face,
and shall rest secure of loving Thee, with all my strength for all eternity?

Ah my Sovereign Good, my only love, as long as I live I shall stand in danger of offending Thee and of losing Thy blessed grace!
There was once an unhappy time when I loved Thee not and when I despised Thy Love but now, I repent with all my heart and hope Thou hast already pardoned me; for now I love Thee with all my heart and I desire to do all I can, to love Thee and to please Thee but I am still in danger of not loving Thee, and of again turning away from Thee.
Ah, my Jesus, my Life, my Treasure, do not permit me to do this. Rather than allow this dreadful misfortune to befall
me, let me now die the most painful death it may please Thee to send me. I am content with it and I pray for it.

Eternal Father, for the love of Jesus Christ, give me not over to this
great ruin. Punish me as Thou wilt, I deserve it and I accept
it but deliver me from the punishment of ever beholding myself deprived of Thy grace and of Thy Love.
My Jesus, for Thine own sake have mercy upon me!

Posted in QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, St JOHN the BAPTIST, St PETER!, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Martyr

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Martyr

“He said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him.”

Matthew 9:9

“You are the light of the world
you are the salt of the earth…”

Matthew 5:14

“But I say to you,
love our enemies
and pray for those
who persecute you”

Matthew 5:44

“Why are you fearful,
O you of little faith?
Then he arose and rebuked the wind
and the sea
and there came a great calm.”

Matthew 8:25

“According to your faith,
be it done to you …”

Matthew 9:30

“Amen I say to you.
there hath not risen
among them that are
born of women,
a greater than
John the Baptist.”

Matthew 11:11

“Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona
because flesh and blood
hath not revealed it to thee
but my Father,
Who is in Heaven….”

Matthew 16:17

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/21/quote-s-of-the-day-21-september-the-feast-of-st-matthew/

Posted in APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, Quotes on SALVATION, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The INCARNATION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – ‘ …The Resurrection reclined at this table …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Martyr – Ezekiel 1:10-14; Matthew 9:9-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners? ” – Matthew 9:11

REFLECTION – “Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners?” God is accused of bending down to man, of sitting next to the sinner, of being hungry for his conversion and thirsty for his return; of consenting to eat the food of compassion and drink from the cup of goodness. But Christ, my brethren, came to this meal – Life came amongst these guests that those who were going to die, might live with Him, the same Life as He. The Resurrection reclined at this table that those who lay in death, might rise from their tombs; Grace stooped down to raise sinners up, to forgiveness; God came to man that man might attain to God; the Judge came to the meal of the guilty, to release humankind from the sentence of condemnation; the Doctor came to the sick, to restore their depleted strength by eating with them; the Good Shepherd bent down to carry the lost sheep back to salvation’s fold (Lk 15:l3) …

“Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners?” But who is the sinner, if not the one who refuses to see himself as sinful? Is it not, to sink in one’s sins and, if the truth be told, identify oneself with sin by not recognising oneself to be a sinner? And who is unrighteous if not the one who thinks himself righteous? … Come along, you Pharisee, confess your sin and you will be able to come to Christ’s Table! Christ will become Bread for your sake, the Bread to be broken for the forgiveness of your sins! Christ will become Drink for your sake, the Drink which will be shed for the remission of your offences!Come along, you Pharisee, share the meal of sinners that you may eat your meal with Christ. Acknowledge yourself a sinner and Christ will eat with you. Go in to the Lord’s Feast along with sinners and you will be able to be a sinner no more. With the forgiveness of Christ, enter into the House of Mercy.” – St Peter Chrysologus (400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father & “Doctor of Sermons”of the Church (Sermon 30).

PRAYER – May we be helped, O Lord, by the prayers of the blessed Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew that what we ourselves cannot obtain, maybe granted by his intercession. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 21 September – O Matthew, Martyr ever blest,Apostle, great Evangelist!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 21 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

O Matthew, Martyr ever blest,
Apostle, great Evangelist!
By Dom Anselmo Lentini,OSB (1901-1989)
Tune: DEO GRACIAS

O Levi, blest with great renown,
the glory which surrounds thee now
is praise of God’s most faithful Love
and Mercy, leading us to hope.

For as thou sat with anxious care
and counted money at thy post,
Christ called: O Matthew, follow me.
What riches he prepared for thee!

Thy heart is seized with burning love,
thou greets the Master as thy guest;
by making known His gracious Words,
thou rise a prince in heaven’s realm.

Thou gather all the Words of Life
and Deeds of David’s glorious Son;
and leave the world, rich heav’nly food
of writings framed in words of gold.

Proclaiming Christ through all the earth,
thou seal thy witness with thy blood,
and so thou honour Him and give,
the highest pledge of zealous love.

O Matthew, Martyr ever blest,
Apostle, great Evangelist!
may we with thee through ev’ry age
sing glory to the Name of Christ.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 21 September – St Maura (c827-850) Virgin

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 21 September – St Maura (c827-850) Virgin, Apostle of prayer and of the poor and needy, devoted carer of the needs of the Church, acting in the role of a Sacristan, Miracle-worker.
Born in c827 at Troyes, Champagne, France and died there in 850 of natural causes. Also known as – Maura of Troyes.

Maura was born to a noble family in Troyes, France, in around 827 and, from a young age devoted herself to prayer. As a young girl, her prayers converted her father, Mauranus who had previously lived a worldly life. After his death, Maura continued to live at home, praying, serving the poor, and caring for her mother, who was named either Seluca or Sedulia. Maura’s prayers and example were also credited with her brother, Eutropius’ strong faith and he later became the Bishop of Troyes.

When not praying or serving the poor, Maura greatly enjoyed meeting the material needs of local Priests and the Troyes Cathedral, later, the Seat of her brother. She would make Sacred Vestments, trim the candles, fill oil lamps and prepare wax for the Altar. In fact, Bishop Prudentius of Troyes, a personal friend, wore an Alb spun and woven by her. In other words, she acted as the Sacristan and as Religious Sisters do.

Maura spent every morning in Church, praying. She fasted on Wednesday and Friday, sustaining herself only on small amounts of bread and water. Sometimes, she would walk several miles to visit her Spiritual Director at his Monastery. She was known to produce copious amounts of tears while praying, considered a gift from God. She also performed miracles but asked the people she assisted by her intercession, not to make these gifts known.

She died on 21 September 850, at the age of 23. She was buried in the Cemetery of Château-Nore-de-Troyes.

At least three known posthumous miracles are attributed to Maura . After her death, her body was washed but the water was claimed to have changed into milk. A young man was believed to have been cured of “a burning fever” after drinking this milk. A young woman, whose husband disliked a large birthmark on her cheek, also drank the milk and the birthmark disappeared.

Maura was declared a Saint by all the community, who honoured her annually on the day of her death, her Feast Day.+

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

St Matthew – Apostle, Evangelist and Martyr, Beata Vergine del Tresto / The Blessed Virgin of Tresto, Italy (1468) and Memorials of the Saints for 21 September

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St Matthew – Apostle and Evangelist and Martyr
St Matthew!:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/21/saint-of-the-day-21-september-the-feast-of-st-matthew-apostle-and-evangelist-martyr-and-a-prayer-to-st-matthew-as-your-patron-saint/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/21/feast-of-st-matthew-apostle-and-evangelist/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/21/saint-of-the-day-21-september-the-feast-of-st-matthew-apostle-and-evangelist-2/
AND:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/21/saint-of-the-day-21-september-the-feast-of-st-matthew-

Beata Vergine del Tresto / The Blessed Virgin of Tresto, Ospedaletto Euganeo, Italy (1468) – 21September:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/21/feast-of-st-matthew-apostle-and-evangelist-beata-vergine-del-tresto-the-blessed-virgin-of-tresto-ospedaletto-euganeo-italy-1468-and-memorials-of-the-saints-21-september/

St Alexander of the Via Claudia
St Eusebius of Phoenicia
St Gerulph

St Iphigenia of Ethiopia 1st Century) Virgin converted by St Matthew, the Apostle and Evangelist and sharing his Feast day today.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Ethiopia, St Iphigenia, virgin, who being Baptised and Consecrated to God by the blessed Apostle, St Matthew, ended her holy life in peace.”
Her Life of Grace:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/21/saint-of-the-day-21-september-saint-iphigenia-of-ethiopia-1st-century-virgin-converted-baptised-and-consecrated-to-god-by-st-matthew-apostle-and-evangelist/

St Isaac of Cyprus – Bishop and Martyr in Cyprus. Martyr. No further information has survived.
St Jonas the Prophet
St Landelino of Ettenheim

Blessed Mark Scalabrini of Modena OP (c 1420-1498) Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, Prior, Miracle-worker. Blessed Mark was Beatified on 10 September 1857 by Pope Pius IX.
Biograohy:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/21/saint-of-the-day-21-september-blessed-mark-scalabrini-of-modena-op-c-1420-1498/

St Maura (c827-850) Virgin
St Meletius of Cyprus – Bishop and Confessor in Cyprus. Martyr. No further information has survived.

Martyrs of Gaza – 3 Saints: Three brothers, Eusebius, Nestulus and Zeno, who were seized, dragged through the street, beaten and murdered by a pagan mob celebrating the renunciation of Christianity by Julian the Apostate. They were burned to death in 362 on a village garbage heap in Gaza, Palestine.