Month: October 2024

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN

Thought for the Day – 31 October – CONSIDERATION XXIX, On Heaven

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 31 October – 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 XXIX

On Heaven
“But your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”
(John xvi: 20)

FIRST POINT:
LET us now endeavour to endure patiently the afflictions of this life, offering them to God in union with the pains which Jesus Christ endured for our sakes and. let us encourage ourselves with the hope of Paradise.
All these afflictions, sorrows, persecutions and fears, will one day come to an end and when we are saved, they will become joys and pleasures for us in the Kingdom of the blessed.
Even thus does the Lord encourage us: “Your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”

Let us, therefore, reflect today somewhat upon Paradise. But what can we say of this Paradise, if the Saints who had more knowledge than we, were unable to make us understand the joys which God has in store for His faithful servants and David could only express his praise of it by saying, that Paradise is a rest which is very desirable: “Oh, how amiable are Thy dwellings, Thou Lord of Hosts.” (Ps Ixxxiv: I)
But thou, at least, our holy Paul, thou who hadst the happy chance of being ravished at the sight of heaven, “caught up into Paradise, tell us something of what thou hast seen. No, says the Apostle, it is not possible to explain that which I have seen. The delights of Paradise are “unspeakable words which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (2 Cor xii: 4).
They are so great that they cannot be described unless they are enjoyed. I can tell you nothing more, says the Apostle, than “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for those who love Him.” (i Cor ii: 9).

We are unable to understand the joys of Paradise because we have no conception except of the joys of this earth. … Even thus do we form notions of the joys of Paradise. It is beautiful to see, on a summer’s night, the sky all glittering with stars and how delightful, in the time of spring, to stand on the sea-coast when the sea is calm, so that the rocks within can be seen all covered with seaweed, and the fishes which glide nimbly by and, it is very delightful to be in a garden full of fruit trees and flowers, surrounded by running fountains and with birds which fly about and sing as they fly. Some might say: “Oh, what a paradise!”
What a paradise? Do you say, What a paradise?
Very different are the joys of Paradise.

In order to understand something, although obscurely, of Paradise, let us remember that the Omnipotent God is there, Who is ever engaged in delighting the souls who love Hun.
St Bernard says: “Dost thou wish to know what there is in Paradise? There is nothing which thou wouldst not have but everything that thou wouldst have, there.”

O God, what will the soul say upon entering into that blessed Kingdom?
Let us imagine that some young girl and youth, who, having consecrated themselves to the love of Jesus Christ, are dying; the hour of death having arrived, the spirit quits this earth. The soul is presented before the Judgment Seat, the Judge embraces her and makes known to her that she is saved. Her Guardian Angel comes to meet her and rejoices with her; she thanks the Angel for the assistance given to her and the Angel then says: “Take courage, beautiful soul, rejoice, for thou art now saved. Come and see the Face of thy Lord.”
Behold, the soul now passes through the clouds, the heavens
and the stars. She enters Heaven. O God, what will she say when she enters for the first time that blessed country and when she looks for the first time upon that City of delights?
The Angels and the Saints will come to meet her and they will welcome her with shouts of joy. What consolation she will have in meeting again those relations or friends, who entered Paradise before her. The soul will then wish to kneel before them and to worship them but they will say to her: “See thou do it not, for I am thy fellow-servant.” (Apoc xxii: 9). Then the soul will be led to Jesus, Who will receive her as His spouse and will say to her: “Come with Me from Lebanon, My spouse.” (Cant iv: 8). Rejoice greatly, My spouse, all thy tears, griefs and fears are now forever ended, receive the everlasting crown which I have obtained for thee by My Blood. Jesus Himself will then lead her to receive the
blessing of His Divine Father, Who, embracing her, will bless her, saying: “Enter thou into the joy of Thy Lord.” (Matt xxv: 21) and He will bless her with the same beatitude which He Himself enjoys.

Affections andPrayers

Behold, my God, at Thy Feet one ungrateful, who was created by Thee for Heaven but who, often for miserable pleasures, has renounced it to Thy Face and has chosen to be condemned to hell!
But I hope even now, Thou hast forgiven all the injuries I have committed, of which I repent endlessly and will continue to repent until death. I desire that Thou ever wouldst renew my pardon.

But, O my God, although Thou hast already pardoned me, it will yet be ever true that I had no disposition to embitter Thee, my Redeemer, Who, to bring me to Thy Kingdom, hadst given Thine Life. But may Thy compassion, O my Jesus, be ever praised and blessed, for with so great patience Thou hast borne with me and in place of chastisements, Thou
hast increased graces, lights and calls.
I see, my dear Saviour, that Thou didst will my special salvation and in Thy country to love Thee eternally but Thou desirest firsly that I should love Thee on earth. Yes, I will love Thee, and this, even were there no Heaven, while I live, with all my soul and with all my might.
It is enough for me to know that Thou, my God, desirest to be loved by me! My Jesus, assist me with Thy grace and do not abandon me.

… My Jesus, Thy merits are my hope. I place all my trust in Thy intercession. Thou didst deliver me from hell when I was in sin; now that I desire Thee, do Thou save me and make me
holy.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, Hail MARY!, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, ROSARY QUOTES, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Quote/s of the Day – 31 October – Goodbye October

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Quote/s of the Day – 31 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Goodbye October

“You should be aware, the word
“Angel” denotes a function,
rather than a nature.
Those holy Spirits of Heaven have,
indeed, always been spirits.
They can only be called Angels
when they deliver some message.
Moreover, those who deliver messages
of lesser importance are called Angels
and those. who proclaim messages
of supreme importance are called Archangels.”

St Gregory the Great (540-604)
Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church

“ They are there at your side, then,
not just with you but for you.
They stand beside you to protect and help you.
What return will you make to the Lord
for all the good He has done for you? (Ps 115:31).
It is to Him, alone, we should give thanks
and honour for their aid; it is He,
Who has commanded them.
“Every perfect gift,” (Jas 1:17)
comes from Him alone.
But we are, on no account,
to fail in thanksgiving regarding the Angels,
in view of the great charity, with which they obey Him and the great need we have of their assistance!”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father & Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

“You must know that when you
‘hail’ Mary, she immediately greets you!
Do not think that she is one of those rude women
of whom there are so many, on the contrary,
she is utterly courteous and pleasant.
If you greet her, she will answer you right away
and converse with you!”

St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)

The Fifteen Promises is a tradition held by the Order of Preachers that the Blessed Virgin Mary made Fifteen specific Promises through Saint Dominic (1170-1221) and Blessed Alain de la Roche (1428-1475), to those who faithfully pray the Rosary.

The 15 Promises of The Most Holy Rosary
Given by The Blessed Virgin Mary

  1. Those who faithfully serve me, by the recitation
    of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.
  2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces,
    to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
  3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell.
  4. It will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies.
    It will cause virtue and good works to flourish.
    It will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God.
    It will withdraw the hearts of men
    from the love of the world and its vanities
    and will lift them to the desire of eternal things.
    Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
  5. The soul which recommends itself to me
    by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.
  6. Whoever shall recite my Rosary devoutly,
    applying himself to the consideration
    of its Sacred Mysteries, shall never
    be conquered and never overwhelmed by misfortune.
    God shall not chastise him in His justice,
    he shall not perish by an unprovided death
    Sinners shall convert.
    The just shall grow in grace
    and become worthy of eternal life.
  7. Whoever shall have a true devotion
    to the Holy Rosary,
    shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.
  8. Those who are faithful, in reciting the Rosary,
    shall have, during their life and at their death,
    the Light of God and the plenitude of His graces.
    At the moment of death,
    they shall participate in the merits
    of the Saints in paradise.
  9. I shall deliver from Purgatory,
    those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
  10. The faithful children of the Rosary,
    shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.
  11. You shall obtain all you ask of me,
    by the recitation of the Rosary.
  12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary,
    shall be aided by me, in their necessities.
  13. I have obtained from my Divine Son,
    that all the advocates of the Rosary,
    shall have for intercessors,
    the entire Celestial Court during their life
    and at the hour of death.
  14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons
    and brothers of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
  15. Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

THE SEVEN BLESSINGS OF THE HOLY ROSARY
“The Rosary, recited with meditation on the mysteries, brings about the following marvellous results:

It gradually gives us a perfect knowledge of Jesus Christ;
It purifies our souls, washing away sin;
It gives us victory over all our enemies;
It makes it easy for us to practice virtue;
It sets us on fire with love of Our Blessed Lord;
It enriches us with graces and merits;
It supplies us with what is needed to pay,
all our debts to God and to our fellow men
and finally, it obtains all kinds of graces for us from Almighty God.”

St Louis Marie Grignion De Montfort (1673-1716)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the POOR, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 31 October – “We possess nothing and yet, we have everything!”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 31 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – The Vigil of All Saints – Apocalypse 5:6-12; Luke 6:17-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Be glad in that day and rejoice, for behold, your reward is great in Heaven,” – Luke 6:23

REFLECTION – “Only Christians have a true sense of values; their joys and sorrows are not the same as other people’s. The sight of a wounded combatant wearing a victory crown would make someone, ignorant of the games, think only of the fighter’s wounds and how painful they must be. Such a person would know nothing of the happiness the crown gives. And, it is the same when people see the things we suffer, without knowing why we do so. It naturally seems to them to be suffering pure and simple. They see us struggling and facing danger but, beyond their vision, are the rewards, the crowns of victory — all we hope to gain, through the contest! As Paul said: “We possess nothing and yet, we have everything!” (2 Cor 6:10)…

We too, then, when we suffer anything for Christ’s sake, should do so not simply with courage but even with joy. If we have to go hungry, let us be glad, as if we were at a banquet. If we are insulted, let us be elated, as though we had been showered with praises. If we lose all we possess, let us consider ourselves the gainers of all. If we provide for the poor, let us regard ourselves as the recipients! … Above all, remember, that your struggles, are for the sake of the Lord Jesus. Then, you will easily rise above them and live out your lifetime in happiness; for nothing brings more happiness than a good conscience.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father & Doctor of the Church (Sermon on Second Corinthians, 12: 4).

PRAYER – Multiply Thy grace upon us, O Lord our God and grant that by following in holiness of life, those whose glorious festival we anticipate, we may attain to their bliss. 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 AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CONSECRATION Prayers, Hail MARY!, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, THE FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTION, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Our Morning Offering – 31 October – The Holy Rosary

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Our Morning Offering – 31 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Goodbye October

The Holy Rosary
By Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

Accept, mighty Maid, we beseech thee,
This prayer with its fragrance of flowers;
With one soul we seek thus to reach thee
And hail thee, God’s Mother and ours.

Thy heart is made glad by our praying;
Thy bounty is generous and wise;
Thy hands are enriched for conveying
What God’s tender Mercy supplies.

We kneel at thy Shrines in the Churches;
Oh, gently look down from above,
And welcome the heart that then searches
For worthy expressions of love.

Let others present precious caskets
Of gems, or heap Altars with gold;
Slight prayer-beads shall serve us for baskets
To bring thee the garland they hold.

With violets lowly we fashion
This wreath and with these combined
Red roses–our faith in the Passion
With Chastity’s lilies entwined.

Our minds, as the Mysteries vary,
Are active, our hands play their part
And always thy name, Holy Mary!
Oft-uttered, rejoices the heart.

Be with us, we trust thee to guide us
Through life and when labouring breath
At the last, seeks thine aid, be beside us
To help at the hour of our death.
Amen

Posted in Against SORE THROATS, COUGHS, WHOOPING COUGH,, DOCTORS, / SURGEONS / MIDWIVES., PATRONAGE - LUNG and RESPIRATORY illness, PATRONAGE - OEDEMA/DROPSY, PATRONAGE - POLICE, SOLDIERS, PRIESTS, all CLERGY, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 31 October – Saint Quentin (Died c287) Martyr,

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Saint of the Day – 31 October – Saint Quentin (Died c287) Martyr, Roman Senator, Missionary. Died in c287 after horrible torments he was finally beheaded. Patronages – against coughs, whooping courgh, colds, against dropsy, against sneezing, of bombardiers, of Chaplains, locksmiths, porters, surgeons, tailors, of Amiens in France, of Monticelli Terme in Italy. Also known as – Quentin of Vermand, Quentin of Amiens, Quinten… Quintin…Quintino… Quintinus… Additional Memorials – 24 June on some calendars, 3 January (discovery of his body), 25 October (translation of the body). In art Quentin is often depicted as a Deacon.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Saint Quentin, in France, St Quintinus, a Roman citizen and Senator, who endured Martyrdom under the Emperor Maximian. By the revelation of an Angel, his body was found incorrupt after the lapse of 55 years.”

Quentin belonged to a Roman senatorial family and came to Gaul under the Emperor Maximian to work with St Lucian who was later also Martyred near Beauvais in c290, as a missionary of faith in the area around Amiens.

The Life os St Quentin Unknown Dutch Master

He was arrested in Vermand and finally beheaded near what is now St-Quentin. According to later tradition, he was pricked with nails, doused with hot pitch and his body thrown into the River Somme. Around 55 years later, the blind Roman noblewoman, Matron Eusebia had the body recovered from the Somme following a vision and buried in a Chapel she had built.

The Martyrdom of St Quentin – Unknown artist

According to St Gregory of Tours, Quentin was already being venerated in the 6th Century. Around 641, St Eligius of Noyon found the Relics and made a richly decorated Tomb (St Eligius being a renowned craftsman and goldsmith) – the first recorded story of the Passion of St Quentin dates from that time.

Due to the large stream of pilgrims to the Church dedicated to the Martyr , the Town of St-Quentin developed on this site. The Church, which was renovated between 813 and 826 and again in the 13th Century, contains Quentin’s Tomb and today is a very large Basilica and is still a place of pilgrimage and miracles, so much so, that a new Church, the current Basilica, had to be erected to accommodate the faithful. The Processional Bust and Reliquary below might be that crafted by St Eligius (?).

St Quentin’s Relics in the Basilica at St Quentin

In 881, because of the Norman invasions, the Relics were taken to Laon. In Parma, the Church of San Quintino is dedicated to our Saint which dates to an old Oratory which was built outside the City walls.

the processional Religuary of St Quentin kept in the Basilica

The Martyrs Sts Victoricus and Fuscian were St Quentin’s followers.

 
Basilica of St-Quentin in St-Quentin
Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Vigil of All Saints Day or All Hallow’s Eve, Nuestra Señora del Rosario / Our Lady of the Rosary, Argentina, 17th Century and Memorials of the Saints – 31 October

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Vigil of All Saints Day or All Hallow’s Eve:
Eve of the Feast of All Hallows, that is, All Saints Day.
Halloween is a day on which many quaint customs are revived. It is popular in the United States and Scotland and in the US has become the second largest secular holiday of the year.

Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Río Blanco y Paypaya de Jujuy / Our Lady of the Rosary of Rio Blanco (of the White River) and Paypaya, Argentina, 17th Century – 31 October:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/31/solemnity-of-christ-the-king-vigil-of-all-saints-day-nuestra-senora-del-rosario-de-rio-blanco-argentina-and-memorials-of-the-saints-31-october/

Commemoration of All Holy Relics (Dominicans)

St Ampliatus
St Antoninus of Milan
St Apelles of Eraclea Sintica

St Arnulf of Novalesa (Died 840) Monk, Martyr.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/31/saint-of-the-day-31-october-saint-arnulf-of-novalesa-osb-died-c840-martyr/

St Begu of Hackness

Blessed Christopher of Romagna OFM (Died 1272) Priest, Friar of the Order of Friars Minor during the life of St Francis, Missionary, sent by St Francis to preach against the heretic Albigensians in France.and Founder of Franciscan Monasteries there. … He was Beatified in 1905 by Pope Pius X.
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/31/saint-of-the-day-31-october-blessed-christopher-of-romagna-ofm-died-1272/

St Epimachus of Melusio
St Erth of Cornwall

St Foillan of Fosses (Died 655) Bishop Martyr, Missionary, Abbot
St Foillan’s Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/31/saint-of-the-day-31-october-st-foillan-of-fosses-died-655/

St Lucilla of Rome
Bl Maria de Requesens
St Narcissus

St Quentin (Died c287 Martyr


St Stachys of Constantinople

Blessed Thomas Bellacci TOSF (1370-1447) Lay Friar and Third Order Franciscan, Penitent, Confessor, renowned Missionary Preacher, Papal Legate, Novice Master and Vicar General of the Order. Thomas was Beatified by Pope Clement XIV in 1771.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/31/saint-of-the-day-31-october-blessed-thomas-bellacci-tosf-1370-1447/

St Urban

St Wolfgang of Regensburg (c934 –994) “The Great Almoner,” Bishop, Monk, Missionary, Ascetic, Apostle of Charity. He is regarded as one of the three great German Saints of the 10th Century, the other two being Saint Ulrich and Saint Conrad of Constance. He was Canonised in 1052 by Pope Leo IX.
St Wolfgang’s life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/31/saint-of-the-day-31-october-saint-wolfgang-of-regensburg-c-934-994/

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on REPENTANCE

Thought for the Day – 30 October – CONSIDERATION XXVIII, The Remorse of the Lost

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 30 October – 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 XXVIII

The Remorse of the Lost
“Where their worm dieth not
and the fire is not extinguished.”
(Mark ix: 46-47)

FIRST POINT:
BY the worm that does not die, St Thomas Aquinas thinks, is signified, that remorse of conscience, by which the lost will be eternally tormented in hell.
The remorse will be manifold, with which conscience will gnaw the heart of the reprobate but, three forms of it will be the most afflicting – firstly, the thought of the little for which they are lost, then, the little which was required for their salvation and lastly, the great good which they have lost!

The first wound, then, which the lost will experience, will be the thought of, for how little he is lost. After Esau had eaten of that pottage of lentils, for which he had sold his birthright, Holy Scripture says, that, through grief and remorse, “He cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry.” (Gen xxvii: 34) Oh, how the lost will howl and roar, when he thinks that for a few momentary and hurtful gratifications he has lost an eternal Kingdom of joy and has to see himself, eternally condemned to a perpetual death. Whence, he will weep much more bitterly than Jonathan did, when he found himself condemned to death by Saul, his own father, for having eaten a little honey, “I did but taste a little honey … and lo, I must die. (i Sam xiv: 43).

… And does the sinner by chance, who lives without God, ever delight in his sins? How long do the pleasures of sin last? They endure but moments and all the rest of the time in which the sinner lives, devoid of the Grace of God, is a time of pains and torments. Now, what indeed will these moments of pleasure appear to the poor condemned one, and what, in particular the last moment and last sin, through which he was lost? Then he will say, for a wretched animal pleasure which endured but for a moment and which, as soon as possessed, disappeared as the wind: “I shall have to continue to burn in this flame despised and abandoned by all, whilst God shall be God for all eternity.”

Affections and Prayers

Lord, enlighten me that I may know the wrong which I have committed in offending Thee and the eternal punishment which I have deserved on this account.
My God, I feel great sorrow for having offended Thee but this sorrow consoles me, for, if Thou hadst sent me to hell as I deserved, this remorsewould have been the hell
of my hell!
But now, this remorse consoles me, since it gives me the courage to hope for pardon from Thee, Thou Who hast promised, to pardon those who repent.
Yes, my Lord, I repent of having outraged Thee. I embrace this sweet grief, I even pray Thee to increase it and to preserve it within me, until death that so, I may ever weep
bitterly over the displeasure I have caused Thee.

My Jesus, pardon me. O my Redeemer, Who, although having pity upon me, hadst no pity for Thyself, condemning Thyself to die of grief to liberate me from hell, have pity upon me.
Grant, then, the remorse of having offended Thee may keep me ever sorrowful and, at the same time, may inflame me wholly with love of Thee, Who has so greatly loved me, and Who hast, with so much patience, borne with me.
… I thank Thee for these Graces, O my Jesus. I love Thee : I love Thee more than myself, I love Thee with my whole heart.
… “Cast me not away from Thy Presence.”

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, OUR Cross, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 30 October – St Alphonsus Rodriquez

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Quote/s of the Day – 30 Octoberber – St Alphonsus Rodriquez SJ (1532-1617)

“You must strive, with all possible care,
to please God, in such a manner,
as neither to do, nor behold anything,
without first consulting Him
and in everything,
to seek Him alone and His glory.”

“I put myself in spirit before our Crucified Lord,
looking at Him full of sorrow,
shedding His Blood
and bearing great bodily hardships for me.

As love is paid for in love,
I must imitate Him,
sharing in spirit all His sufferings.
I must consider how much I owe Him
and what He has done for me.

Putting these sufferings between God
and my soul, I must say,
‘What does it matter, my God,
that I should endure for Thy love,
these small hardships?
For Thou, Lord, endured so many
great hardships for me.’

Amid the hardship and trial itself,
I stimulate my heart with this exercise.
Thus, I encourage myself,
to endure for love of the Lord, Who is before me,
until I make what is bitter, sweet.
In this way, learning from Christ our Lord,
I take and convert the sweet into bitter,
renouncing myself and all earthly
and carnal pleasures, delights
and honours of this life,
so that my whole heart
is focused solely on God.”

“I’m Coming, Lord”

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

St Alphonsus Rodriguez (1532-1617)

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 October – ‘ … Nothing but a dream. …’ St Hilary

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 30 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Ferial Day –Philippians 3:17-21, 4:1-3; Matthew 9:18-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… The girl is not dead but sleepeth.” – Matthew 9:24

REFLECTION – “This synagogue Official can be understood as representing the Law of Moses who, when interceding on behalf of the crowd he had nurtured for Christ, by preaching the expectation of His coming, asks the Lord to restore a dead girl to life … The Lord promised to help him and, to assure him of it, he followed him.

First of all, however, the mass of pagan sinners was saved, together with the Apostles. The gift of life reverted, in the first place, to the elect predestined by the Law and yet, before that, salvation was bestowed on publicans and sinners, in the image of the woman. That was why, this woman was confident that, coming upon the Lord as He passed by, she would be healed of her haemorrhage at the touch of the Lord’s garment … In her faith, she was in haste to touch the fringe of His garment, that is to say, to attain, together with the Apostles, the gift of the Holy Ghost emanating from Christ’s Body after the manner of a fringe. She was swiftly healed. Thus, the cure intended for the one, was also granted to the other, whose faith and perseverance the Lord praised, since what had been prepared for Israel had been received by the Gentiles … The healing power of the Lord contained, in His Body spread even to the fringes of His garments. For indeed, God is neither divisible nor graspable, in such a way, as to be enclosed within a Body. He Himself shares out His gifts in the Spirit but is not divided among His gifts. In every place His power is touched by faith because, it exists everywhere and, is never absent anywhere. The Body He took did not restrict His power but His power took on the weakness of a body to redeem it …

Then, the Lord entered the Official’s house, otherwise called the synagogue … and many people mocked Him. Effectively, they did not believe in the God-Man and laughed to hear Him preach the resurrection from the dead. Taking the young girl’s hand, the Lord restored her to life, whose death, where he was concerned, was nothing but a dream.” – St Hilary (315-368) Bishop of Poitiers, Father and Doctor of the Divinity of Christ (Commentary on Saint Matthew’s Gospel 9: 5-8 )

PRAYER – O God, our refuge and our strength, the very source of holiness, heed the devout prayers of Thy Church and grant that what we seek in faith, we may obtain in fact. 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 ArchAngels and Angels, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY

Our Morning Offering – 30 October – My Oldest Friend

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 30 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”

My Oldest Friend
By John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

My oldest friend, mine from the hour
When first I drew my breath,
My faithful friend, that shall be mine,
Unfailing, till my death….

Mine when I stand before the Judge,
And mine, if spared to stay
Within the golden furnace, till
My sin is burn’d away.

And mine, O Brother of my soul,
When my release shall come,
Thy gentle arms shall lift me then,
Thy wings shall waft me home.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 30 October – St Marcian of Syracuse (1st Century) Bishop Martyr

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Saint of the Day – 30 October – St Marcian of Syracuse (1st Century) the 1st Bishop of Syracuse, Martyr. Disciple of St Peter and sent by the Apostle to Italy. Born in Antioch and died in Syracuse. Sicily, Italy. Patronages – the City and Archdiocese of Gaeta, the Archdiocese of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy. Also known as – Marcianus. Marciano, Martian. Additional Memorials – 2 June (City of Gaeta, Italy) 14 June (Archdiocese of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy) 31 October on some calendars.

Statue of St. Marcian in the Syracuse Cathedral

According to tradition, Marcian was the f1st Bishop of Syracuse and a disciple of the Apostle Peter. He is considered the first bishop of the West, as he arrived in Sicily while the Apostle was still in Antioch.

Sources on Marcian are considered late, as they are found only from the Byzantine era (7th century) onward.

The oldest image of Marcian is found in the catacombs of St. Lucy in Rome. It is a fresco dating from the 8th Century. Another depiction of him was found inside the crypt of St. Marcian, a Basilica built over an ancient early Christian complex that tradition has identified as the saint’s dwelling and later as his Tomb. However, his Relics are not found in Syracuse; they are kept in the cities of Gaeta and Messina.

Statue of St Marcian on the top of the Syracuse Cathedral
Posted in franciscan OFM, JESUIT SJ, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Madonna della Mondovi / Our Lady of Mondovi, Italy (16th Century) and the Saints for 30 October

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Madonna della Mondovi / Our Lady of Mondovi, Piemonte, Italy (16th Century) – 30 October:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/30/madonna-della-mondovi-our-lady-of-mondovi-piemonte-italy-16th-century-and-memorials-of-the-saints-30-october/

St Alphonsus Rodriquez SJ (1532-1617) a Spanish Lay Brother of the Society of Jesus, Doorkeeper, Mystic, Visionary, Apostle of Charity and of Prayer, Spiritual Adviser. Canonised o 6 September 1887 by Pope Leo XIII.
His Feast Day was moved in 1969.
Wonderful St Alphonsus:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/10/31/saint-of-the-day-31-october-st-alphonsus-rodriguez-sj-1532-1617/

Blessed Angelo of Acri OfM.Cap. (1669-1739) Priest and Friar of the Friars Minor Capuchin.
His Life of Grace:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/10/30/saint-of-the-day-30-october-st-angelo-of-acri-ofm-cap/

St Arilda
St Asterius of Amasea

Blessed Benvenuta Bojani OP (1254-1292) Member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic, Mystic, Repentant. Miracle-worker.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/30/saint-of-the-day-30-october-blessed-benvenuta-bojani-op-1254-1292/

St Egelnoth the Good
St Eutropia of North Africa

St Gerard of Potenza (Died 1119) Bishop of Potenza, Miracle-worker.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/30/saint-of-the-day-30-october-saint-gerard-of-potenza-died-1119/

St Germanus of Capua (Died c541) Bishop of Capua, Italy, Confessor, Papal Legate. St Germanus was a close friend of St Benedict of Nursia. The Roman Martyrology states: St Germanus, Bishop and Confessor, a man of great sanctity, whose soul, at the hour of death, was seen by St Benedict taken to heaven by angels.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/30/saint-of-the-day-30-october-saint-germanus-of-capua-died-c-541/

St Herbert of Tours

Blessed John Slade (Died 1583) Layman Martyr. Beatified on 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI.
The Roman Martyrology: “At Winchester in England, blessed John Slade, Martyr, who was hanged on the gallows and cruelly disemboweled for having refused the power of Queen Elizabeth I in spiritual matters.”
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/30/saint-of-the-day-30-october-blessed-john-slade-died-1583-layman-martyr/

St Lucanus of Lagny
St Marcellus the Centurion
St Marcian of Syracuse (1st Century) Bishop Martyr
St Maximus of Cumae
St Nanterius of Saint-Mihiel
Bl Raymond of Cardona
St Saturninus of Cagliari
St Serapion of Antioch
St Talarica of Scotland
Bl Terrence Albert O’Brien
St Theonestus of Philippi (Died 425) Bishop, Martyr
St Zenobia of Aegea
St Zenobius of Aegea

Martyrs in Africa: A group of 100 to 200 Christians murdered in the early persecutions and about whom we know nothing except that they died for their faith.

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HELL

Thought for the Day – 29 October – CONSIDERATION XXVII, The Eternity of Hell

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Thought for the Day – 29 October – 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 XXVII

The Eternity of Hell
“And these shall go into everlasting punishment.”
(Matt xxv: 46)

FIRST POINT:
IF hell were not eternal it would not be hell ,for that pain which does not last long, is not very great. … When a pain lasts for a long time, even should it be a very light one, … it becomes unbearable. But why do I speak of pain? For a comedy or a concert which lasted very long, even for a day, would not be borne for weariness; how would it be if it lasted for a month or for a year?

What then will hell be? in which it is not the hearing of the same comedy or music, or the suffering the toothache, or the swelling; nor is it suffering the torture of … red-hot irons but there will be all torments, all pains and for how long? Through all eternity, “Shall be tormented day and night, forever and ever.” (Apoc xx: 10).

The belief in this eternity, is an Article of Faith it is not only a certain opinion but is a Truth witnessed to us by God in many places of Holy Scripture: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.” (Matt xxv: 41) “And these shall go into everlasting punishment.” (Matt xxv: 45) “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction.” (2 Thess i: 9) “Everyone shall be salted with fire.” (Mark ix: 48) As salt preserves, so the fire of hell, in the very time in which it torments the lost, performs the office of salt, preserving life to them. St Bernard says: “There, the fire consumes, that it may always, preserve.”

Now, what madness would it be of anyone, who, to obtain one day of pleasure, should condemn himself to be shut up in a pit some twenty or thirty years. If hell were to last a hundred years .. if it should not last more than two or three years, still it would be great madness for a moment of vile pleasure, to condemn oneself to two or three years of burning. But it does not treat of thirty, of a hundred, of a thousand, or of a million years but of eternity; it is a question of suffering fo ever, the same torments which will never end, never be lightened even for a moment!

The Saints, therefore, had reason, whilst they were in this life and even in danger of being condemned, to weep and to tremble. The blessed Isaiah, although living in the desert in fasting and penitence, wept, saying, “Alas, unhappy me, for I am not yet delivered from the fire of hell.”

Affections andPrayers

O my God, hadst Thou sent me to hell, as truly many times I have deserved to be sent and Thou, through Thy pity, hadst afterwards delivered me from it, how greatly would I have remained indebted to Thee? and from thenceforth, what a holy life I should have begun to live?

Now, with still greater mercy. Thou hast preserved me from falling into it, what shall I do Shall I turn again and offend and provoke Thee to scorn, in order that Thou mayest properly send me to burn in that prison of Thy rebels, where so many indeed truly burn for lesser sins than mine?
Oh, my Redeemer, so have I acted in time past; instead of serving Thee in the time which Thou hast given me to weep over my sins, I have spent it in still further provoking Thee to anger.
I thank Thy Infinite Goodness which has borne with me so long; if it had not been Infinite, how could it ever have so borne with me? I thank Thee for having ,with so great patience, waited for me until now and I thank Thee especially for the light which Thou now givest me, by which Thou teachest me to know my madness and the wrong I have done … My Jesus, I detest them and I repent with my whole heart.

Pardon me by Thy Passion and so assist me by Thy Grace that I may never offend Thee more.
… Oh, my Lord, I pray Thee, place before my eyes this just fear of being abandoned by Thee, whenever the devil may tempt me to offend Thee gain.
My God, I love Thee, never will I lose Thee again. Assist mw by Thy Grace that I may never more sin against Thee.

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, IMMACULATE HEART Quotes, QUOTES on CHILDREN, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY, ROSARY QUOTES, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Quote/s of the Day – 29 October – Let not even one day pass …

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”

“The Rosary is the scourge of the devil.”

Pope Adrian VI (1459-1523)

“Commend your children
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
When parents pray the Rosary,
at the end of each Decade,
they should hold the Rosary aloft
and say to her:
‘with these beads, bind our children
to thy Immaculate Heart’ –
our Holy Mother will attend to their souls!”

St Louise de Marillac DC (1591-1660)

“If there were one million families
praying the Rosary everyday,
the entire world would be saved.”

St Pope Pius X (1835-1914)

“The Rosary is a powerful weapon
to put the demons to flight
and to keep oneself from sin…
If you desire peace in your hearts,
in your homes
and in your country,
assemble each evening to recite the Rosary.
Let not even one day pass without saying it,
no matter how burdened you may be
with many cares and labours.”

Pope Pius XI (1857-1939)

“There is no surer means
of calling down God’s blessing
upon the family,
than the daily recitation
of the Rosary.”

Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on The SOUL, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 October – ‘ … But every man is afraid of the death of the flesh; few, of the death of the soul! …

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One Minute Reflection – 29 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Pentecost XXIII– Resumed Mass of Sunday – Philippians 3:17-21, 4:1-3; Matthew 9:18-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold, a certain ruler came up and adored Him, saying: Lord, my daughter is even now dead but come, lay Thy Hand upon her and she shall live. ” – Matthew 9:18

REFLECTION – “The hour is coming, in which all who are in their graves ,shall hear His Voice and shall come forth” (Jn 5:28)… We have read in the Gospel, of three dead persons who were raised to life by the Lord and, let us hope, to some good purpose. For surely ,the Lord’s deeds are not merely deeds but signs … We were listening with wonder… in the reading of the Gospel, how Lazarus was restored to life (Jn 11). If we turn our thoughts to the still more wonderful works of Christ, everyone who believes, rises again – if we all consider and understand that more horrifying kind of death which everyone who sins dies.

But every man is afraid of the death of the flesh; few, of the death of the soul! … Man, destined to die, labours to avert his dying and yet, man, destined to live forever, labours not, to cease from sinning! … Oh that we could arouse men and be ourselves aroused along with them, to be, as great lovers of the life that abides, as men are of that, which passes away.! … Who has had it said to him: “Be off to sea, if you would escape with your life” and has delayed to do so? Who has had it said to him: “Set to work if you would preserve your life” and has continued a sluggard? It is but little that God requires of us that we may live forever and we neglect to obey Him?! …

If, then, the Lord in the greatness of His Grace and Mercy, raises our souls to life that we may not die forever, we may well understand, that those three dead persons whom He raised in the body, have some figurative significance of that resurrection of the soul, which is effected by faith.” – St Augustine (354-430), Father and Doctor of Grace of the Church (Sermons on Saint John’s Gospel, no.49, 1-3).

PRAYER – Forgive, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the sins of Thy faithful people, so that by Thine Goodness we may be released from the net of sin in which we have been caught by our weakness. 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 CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the KING Prayers, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 29 October – Be Thou My Vision

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Our Morning Offering – 29 October

Be Thou My Vision
By St Dallan Forgaill (c530- 598)
Martyr

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy Presence my Light.

Be Thou my Wisdom and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my Battle-shield, Sword for my fight,
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.
Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower.
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and Thou only, First in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Son,
Heart of my heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

St Dallan here:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/01/29/saint-of-the-day-29-january-st-dallan-forgaill-c-530-598/

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 29 October – Saint Theodore of Vienne (Died c575) Abbot

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Saint of the Day – 29 October – Saint Theodore of Vienne (Died c575) Abbot, Priest, Hermit, Miracle-worker, disciple of St Caesarius of Arles (470-543). He passed his whole life in the doing of good works and to him the Diocese of Vienne owes the erection of several Churches and Monasteries. Also known as – Theuderius or Theuderis, Theudar, Theodore, Cherf, Chef, French: Theudère de Vienne.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Vienne, the departure from this world of the blessed St Theodore, Abbot.”

Theodore was born in the 6th Century of one of the best families of the City of Vienne, in Arcisse, near the modernTown of Saint-Chef. By the interior call of the Holy Ghosti he wished to enter Lérins Abbey on the French Riviera as a Monk. However, his teacher, St Caesarius the Bishop of Arles led Ordained him Priest.

Thus he returned to Vienne where a group of disciples gathered round him, for whom he established at least one Monastery, although it is believed that he had established a few others nearby, as well as Churches.

Theodore spent the last twelve years of his life in a walled up cell in the Church of Saint Lawrence, Vienne, where he died around 575. He was known as a miracle worker.

Theodore is celebrated in the Diocese of Grenoble-Vienne on 29 October. The Village of Saint-Chef was called Saint-Theudère by the Church of Vienne in the earliest days of Christianity. The Village may be called Saint-Chef today because of a tradition that the head (caput, chef) of the Saint was kept there.

The Church of Saint-Theudère de Saint-Chef
Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Nostra Signora di Oropa / Our Lady of Oropa, Italy (3rd Century), Beata Vergine delle Grazie / The Blessed Virgin of Grace, Udine, Italy (1479) and the Saints we remember today 29 October

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Nostra Signora di Oropa / Our Lady of Oropa, Piedmont, Italy (3rd Century) – 29 October:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/29/nostra-signora-di-oropa-our-lady-of-oropa-piedmont-italy-3rd-century-and-memorials-of-the-saints-29-october/

Beata Vergine delle Grazie / The Blessed Virgin of Grace, Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy (1479) – Fourth Sunday of October:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/24/twenty-second-sunday-after-pentecost-beata-vergine-delle-grazie-the-blessed-virgin-of-grace-udine-friuli-venezia-giulia-italy-1479-and-memorials-of-the-saints-24-october/

St Abraham Kidunaia (c296-c366) Priest, Hermit. The Vita of St Abraham was written by his friend, St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/29/saint-of-the-day-29-october-saint-abraham-kidunaia-c-296-c-366/

Saint Achahildis (Died c970) Married Laywoman, Apostle of the poor, Miracle-worker, she built the Church in Wendelstein, Germany.
Her Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/29/saint-of-the-day-29-october-saint-achahildis-died-c-970/

St Abraham of Rostov
St Anne of Mount Olympus
St Colman of Kilmacduagh
St Dodone of Wallers-en-Fagne
St Donatus of Corfu
St Ermelinda of Meldaert
St Eusebia of Bergamo
St Felician of Carthage
St Honoratus of Vercelli
St John of Autun
St Kennera
St Mary of Edessa
St Narcissus of Gerona

St Narcissus of Jerusalem (c99-c215) Bishop of Jerusalem, Miracle-worker.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/29/saint-of-the-day-29-october-st-narcissus-of-jerusalem-c-99-c-215/

St Sigolinus of Stavelot
St Stephen of Cajazzo
St Terence of Metz
St Theodore of Vienne (Died c575) Abbot
St Zenobius of Sidon

Martyrs of Douai – 160 Saints and Beati: 160 Priests, Laymen and Religious who studied at the English College in Douai, France, then returned to minister to covert Catholics in England during a period of government persecution of the Church and were murdered for their work.

Martyrs of Lucania – 4 Saints: A group of Christians executed together for their faith. Only their names have survived – Felician, Hyacinth, Lucius and Quintus. Their Martyrdom occurred in Lucania, southern Italy.

Posted in DOCTRINE, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 28 October – CONSIDERATION XXVI, Of the Pain of Hell

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Thought for the Day – 28 October – 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 XXVI

Of the Pain of Hell
“And these shall go into everlasting punishment.”
(Matt xxv: 46)

FIRST POINT:
THE sinner, when he sins, commits two evils – he leaves God, the highest Good and, he turns to the creature. “For My people have committed two evils – they have forsaken Me. the Fountain of Living Waters and hewed cisterns, broken cisterns which can hold no water.” (Jer ii: 13). Since then, the sinner turns to the creature, with a loathing of God – by those very creatures –he shall be justly tormented in hell, by the fire and by demons, this forms the pain of the senses. But since his greatest guilt,in which the sin consists, lies in his turning away from God, so the chief punishment … will be the pain of loss, that is, the pain of having lost God.

Let us consider, in the first place, the pain of the senses.
It is an Article of Faith that there is a hell.
This prison is reserved in the middle of the earth, for the punishment of the rebels against God.
What is this hell? It is a place of torments.
“This place of torment,” (Luke xvi: 28), as the condemned glutton called hell. A place of torments, where all the senses and the powers of the condemned, will each have their especial torment and, in proportion, as one sense has especially offended God, so also will be its peculiar punishment.
“That wherewithal a man sinneth, by the same also,shall he be punished.” (Wisd xi: 16).
“As much as she hath glorified herself and lived in delicacies, so much torment and sorrow give ye to her because, she saith in her heart, I sit a queen and am no widow and sorrow I shall not see.” (Apoc xviii: 7)

The sight will be tormented with darkness.
“The land of darkness and the shadow of death.” (Job x: 21). What compassion should we feel for a poor man who remained shut up in a dark pit for the remainder of his life, for forty or fifty years! Hell is a pit, shut in on every side, in which no ray of the sun or any other light will ever enter. “Man …. shall never see light.” (Ps xlix: 20).
The fire which enlightens on earth, in hell, will be altogether dark.
“The Voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire.” (Ps xxix: 7) Which expression St Basil explains, of the Lord dividing the fire from the light, so that it will suffice to burn only and not to illuminate; or as Albert the Great expresses it: “He will divide the glowing from the heat.” The very smoke which leaves this fire, will form that “ blackness of darkness,” which St Jude says is reserved forever for the wicked. ( Jude 13).
St Thomas Aquinas says, there will be reserved for the wicked, light, “as much as suffices for men to see those things which torment them.” They will see in that glimmer of light, the ugliness of the other reprobates and of the demons, who, to frighten them the more, will assume horrible forms.

The sense of smell too, will be tormented.
What torment would it be, to be shut up in a room with a putrid corpse!?
“Their stench shall come out of their carcases.” (Isa xxxiv: 3).
The lost will have to remain in the midst of so many millions of lost nes, alive as to pain but corpses by the odour which they emit.

But some foolish one may say: “If I go to hell, I shall not be alone.” Wretched one! By how many more there are in hell, by so much more will they suffer!
As St Thomas Aquinas says: “There the society of the wretched, will not lessen but increase, the misery” they will suffer all the more, I say, from the smell, the cries, the confinement since in hell, they will be upon each other like sheep are penned together in the winter. “They live in hell like sheep.” (Ps xlix: 14).
Nay more, they will be as grapes, pressed under the press of the wrath of God. “He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath ofAlmighty God.” (Apoc xix: 5). They shall have from this also, the pain of permanence. “They shall be as still as a stone.” (Exod xv: 1 6). Thus the lost, as they fall into hell at the last day, so will they remain without ever changing their place and be unable to move, either foot or hand, whilst God shall be God.

The sense of hearing will be tormented with the ceaseless howling and wailing of those poor desperate ones. The demons will make continual dins. “A dreadful sound is in his ears.” (Job xv: 21). What pain this, when one wishes to sleep, to hear the continual moaning of the sick, the barking of a dog, or the crying of an infant? Unhappy lost ones! who are condemned to ever hear, for all eternity, the groans and cries of those who are tortured.

The appetite too, will be tormented by hunger; the lost ones will experience a rabid hunger, “grin like a dog …. and grudge if they be not satisfied.” (Ps lix: 14, 15).
But they shall not have a crumb of bread.
The thirst will be so great that all the water of the sea would not suffice for it, nevertheless, they shall not have one drop!
The rich man asked for one drop but this he has not yet had it and. will never have it never ever!

Affections andPrayers

Ah, my Lord, behold at Thy Feet one who has made small account, both of Thy grace and of Thy chastisements. Poor me, if Thou, my Jesus, hadst not had pity upon me, for how many years should I have been in that fearful furnace, where truly are now burning so many like myself.
Oh, my Redeemer, how is it, that whilst thinking upon this I do not burn with Thy love?
How shall I ever be able to think of offending Thee anew. Oh, may it never be, my Jesus Christ; grant me rather to die a thousand deaths. … Thou hast delivered me from the ruin of my many sins and with so great love, Thou hast called me to love Thee. Ah, grant now. that this time which Thou hast given me, I may spend wholly for Thee.

How would the lost desire one day, nay, one hour of the time which Thou hast granted to me and I, what shall I do? Shall I continue to spend it on things which displease Thee? No, my Jesus! do not allow this by the merits of that Blood which hitherto has delivered me from hell.
I love Thee, O Highest Good and because I love Thee, I repent of having offended Thee.
I desire to offend Thee no more but ever to love Thee. Grant that I may obtain the gift of perseverance and of Thy holy love.

Posted in PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Quote/s of the Day – 28 October – Prayers to Sts Simon and Jude

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Quote/s of the Day – 28 October – The Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Prayer to Sts Simon and Jude
From the Liturgical Year, 1903

Great evils surround us!
is there any hope left to the world?
The confidence of thy devout clients
proclaims thee, O Jude,
the Patron of desperate cases
and for thee, O Simon,
this is surely the time
to prove thyself Zelotes, full of zeal.
Deign, thou both,
to hear the Church’s prayers
and aid her, with all thy Apostolic might,
to re-animate faith,
to rekindle charity
and to save the world!
Amen

Prayer to St Jude
Patron of Impossible Causes

It is a beautiful tradition,
associated with prayer to St Jude,
to leave a copy of the prayer in a Church
or before his Statue, Image or Shrine,
for someone else, who is in great need, to find.

Most holy Apostle, St Jude,
faithful servant and friend of Jesus,
the Church honours and invokes you universally,
as the patron of hopeless causes,
of things almost despaired of.
Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone.
Help me, I implore you,
by that particular privilege given to you,
to bring visible and speedy help
where help is almost despaired of.
Come to my assistance in this great need,
that I may receive the consolation
and help of Heaven in all my necessities,
tribulation and sufferings,
particularly ………………… (state request)
and that I may praise God with you
and all the elect forever.
I promise, O blessed St Jude,
to be ever mindful of this great favour,
to always honour you as my special and powerful patron
and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ANGELS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 October – ‘ … Let us fight the good fight with brave hearts and solid faith!’

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One Minute Reflection – 28 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles – Ephesians 4:7-13, John 15:17-25 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If you had been of the world, the world would love its own but because, you are not of the world, I have chosen you out of the world, therefore, the world hateth you.” – John 15:19

REFLECTION – “Our Lord’s Will is that we should rejoice and leap for joy when we are persecuted (Mt 5:12) because, when persecutions come, it is the, crowns are given for faith (cf Jas 1:12), it is then, Christ’s soldiers prove themselves, then the heavens open to their witness. We are not employed in God’s force only to think of quiet, running away from service when the Teacher of humility, patience and suffering, has Himself provided the same service before us. What He taught, He first of all, carried out and if He exhorts us to stand firm, it is because He Himself suffered before us and on our behalf.

If we are to take part in competitions in the stadium we exercise and train ourselves and think ourselves highly honoured if, before the eyes of the crowd, we have the happiness of receiving the prize. But here is a trial which is both noble and outstanding in another way, in which God watches us – His children – take part in the combat and Himself gives us a heavenly crown ( 1 Cor 9:25). The Angels watch us too and Christ comes to our aid. So let us arm ourselves with all our might; let us fight the good fight with brave hearts and solid faith!” – St Cyprian (200-258) Bishop of Carthage, Martyr, Father of the Church (Letter 56).

PRAYER – O God, Who has given us a way of coming to know Thy Name through Thy blessed Apostles Simon and Jude, grant us to honour their everlasting glory, by becoming more holy and to become more holy by honouring it. 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 HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 28 October – Exsultet Orbis! Let the World Rejoice! – Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

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Our Morning Offering – 28 October – Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Exsultet Orbis!
Let the World Rejoice!
Unknown Author

Now let the earth with joy resound,
And Heaven the chant re-echo round;
Nor Heaven nor earth too high can raise
The great Apostles’ glorious praise.

O ye who, throned in glory dread,
Shall judge the living and the dead,
Lights of the world forever more!
To you the suppliant prayer we pour.

Ye close the Sacred Gates on high.
At your command apart they fly.
O loose for us the guilty chain
We strive to break and strive in vain.

Sickness and health your voice obey,
At your command they go or stay.
From sin’s disease our souls restore;
In good confirm us more and more.

So when the world is at its end.
And Christ to Judgment shall descend,
May we be called, those joys to see
Prepared from all eternity.

Praise to the Father, with the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One;
As ever was in ages past
And so shall be while ages last.
Amen

(Roman Breviary for the Common of Apostles)
An Office Hymn that was traditionally prescribed for Vespers and Lauds on the Feasts of Apostles and Evangelists outside Easter time. The Hymn is found as early as the tenth century in a hymnal of Moissac Abbey.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 28 October – Saint Honoratus of Vercelli (c330-415) Bishop

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Saint of the Day – 28 October – Saint Honoratus of Vercelli (c330-415) the 3rd Bishop of Vercelli, Disciple of St Eusebius of Vercelli, the 1st Bishop of Vercelli and a close friend of the great Father and Doctor of the Church, St Ambrose (340-397). Born in c330 in Vercelli in the region of Piedmont in northern Italy and died on 28 or 29 October 415 (records vary) at his See and hometown of Verelli of natural causes. Also known as – Honoratius. Additional Memorial – 29 October.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Vercelli, St Honoratus, the Bishop.”

St Honaratus Fresco administering the Last Rites to St Ambrose seen in the Vercelli Cathedral

Honoratus was a disciple of St Eusebius and trained in the spiritual and Ecclesiastical life by the City’s first Bishop (from c340-371).

In 355 he accompanied his master in exile, to Scythopolis and in his wanderings through Cappadocia, Egypt and Illyria.

In 396, Honoratus was elected as the new Bishop of Vercelli after Lidmenius (Limenio). The election took place on the recommendation of Saint Ambrose of Milan, who personally Concecrated him.

At Easter 397, Honoratus was in Milan to visit and minister to St Ambrose who was very ill. On Good Friday St Amrose lay, with his arms outstretched in the form of a cross for many hours, while moving his lips in constant prayer. Honoratus was resting in another room when he seemed to hear a voice calling out three times to him: “Get up! Hurry up! He’s dying!” He went immediately and administered the Last Rites and soon after, the holy Bishop was dead, early in the morning of Easter Eve, 4 April 397, not yet sixty years old.

Honoratus died on 28 or 29. October 415. He was buried next to Eusebius and Lidmenius. His memorial day is October 28 or 29.

St Honoratus’ Relics at the Cathedral in Vercelli
Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles of Christ, Lord of Miracles/Señor de los Milagros de Nazarenas, Notre-Dame de Vivonne / Our Lady of Vivonne, Savoy, France and the Saints remembered on 28 October

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Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles of Christ:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/10/28/feast-of-the-apostles-sts-simon-and-jude-28-october/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/28/feast-of-saints-simon-and-jude-apostles-of-christ-28-october
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/28/saints-of-the-day-28-october-feast-of-saints-simon-and-jude/

Lord of Miracles/Señor de los Milagros de Nazarenas – A mid-17th-century painting of the Crucifixion which is venerated in Lima, Peru and its celebration involves one of the largest processions in the world.
It was painted by an unnamed African taken to Peru as a slave from what is now Angola. Above the Cross is the Holy Ghost and God the Father. Below and to the right of Jesus, is His mother, the Virgin Mary with her heart pierced by a Sword of Sorrow. Kneeling and weeping at the foot of the Cross is St Mary Magdalene.
The name originated on 13 November 1655 when everything around it was destroyed in an earthquake which left the painting standing and undamaged. Christ is shown enduring the pain of Crucifixion.
Every year in October, hundreds of thousands of devotees participate in a procession honouring the imag,e through the streets of Lima. Boulevards are decorated in purple from 18 or 19 and the final Feast 28 October, to celebrate the Lord of Miracles.

Notre-Dame de Vivonne / Our Lady of Vivonne, Savoy, France – 28 October:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/28/feast-of-saints-simon-and-jude-apostles-of-christ-lord-of-miracles-senor-de-los-milagros-de-nazarenas-notre-dame-de-vivonne-our-lady-of-vivonne-savoy-france-and-memorials-of-the-saints-28-oc/

St Abdias of Babylon
St Abraham of Ephesus
St Alberic of Stavelot
St Anastasia the Elder
St Anglinus of Stavelot
St Cyril of Rome
St Cyrilla of Rome
St Diomedes the Younger
St Dorbhene of Iona

St Eadsin of Canterbury (Died 1050) Archbishop of Canterbury from 1038 to 1050, Monk. He crowned St Edward the Confessor as King of England in 1043.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/28/saint-of-the-day-28-october-saint-eadsin-of-canterbury-died-1050/

St Elius of Lyon
St Faro of Meaux

St Fidelis of Como (Died c 304) Soldier-Saint Martyr
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/28/saint-of-the-day-28-october-saint-fidelis-of-como-died-c%e2%80%89304-martyr/

St Ferrutius

St Gaudiosus of Naples (Died c453) Bishop of Abitinae in North Africa, Monk and founder of a Monastery where he introduced the Rule of St Augustine.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Naples, St Gaudiosus, an African Bishop, who came to Campania because of the persecution of the Vandals and closed his holy career peacefully in a Monastery near that City.”
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/28/saint-of-the-day-28-october-saint-gaudiosus-of-naples-died-c453-bishop/

St Genesius of Thiers
Bl Germain of Talloires
St Godwin of Stavelot
St Honoratus of Vercelli (c330-415) Bishop
St Maria Ascuncion
St Remigius of Lyons
St Rodrigo Aguilar Aleman
St Salvius of Amiens

Martyrs of Avila – 3 Saints: Two sisters and a brother who, during a period of persecution, fled Talavera de la Reina, Spain, were caught and executed. Martyrs: Christeta, Sabina and Vincent. 303 in Avila, Spain.

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING

Thought for the Day – 27 October – CONSIDERATION XXV, The General Judgement

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Thought for the Day – 27 October – 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 XXV

The General Judgement
“The Lord is known to execute judgement.”
(Ps ix: 16)

FIRST POINT:
IF now we consider well, there is no person in the world more despised than Jesus Christ. We take more account of a peasant than we do of God because, we fear, if we have offended others, lest he being filled with wrath, should avenge himself but we commit offences against God over and over again as if God were not able to avenge Himself whenever it pleases Him!

… But, therefore, it is that the Redeemer has appointed a day which will be the day of General Judgement, called, even in Holy Scripture, “The day of the Lord,” in which Jesus Christ will be known to be that Sovereign Lord, Who indeed He is. “The Lord is known to execute judgement.” (Ps ix: 16). Hence, such a day is no longer called a day of mercy and pardon but “a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of waste and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess.” (Zeph i: 15). Yes, for then will the Lord, very justly, redeem to Himself the honour which sinners, during this life, have sought to deprive Him of.

Let us try to imagine, in what way, the judgement of that great day will come to pass.
Before the Judge shall come, “there shall go a fire before
Him.” (Ps xcvii: 3). Fire shall come from Heaven which will burn the earth and all the things of the earth, “The earth also and the works which are therein, shall be burned.” (2 Pet iii: 10). So that palaces, Churches, Towns, Cities, Kingdoms, all, will become a pile of ashes. This house, all polluted as it is with sin, will be purged with fire. Behold the end which all the riches, the pomps and the pleasures of this world, will have.
For those who are dead, the trumpet will sound and they will all arise. “For the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised.” (i Cor xv: 52).

St Jerome observes: “As often as I reflect upon the Day of Judgement, I tremble – that trumpet seems ever to resound in my ears, Arise, ye dead and come to judgement.”
At the sound of that trumpet the beautiful souls of the Blessed, will descend, to be united to their bodies, with which they have served God in this life but the miserable souls of the lost,“ will ascend from hell, to be united to those accursed bodies with which they have offended God.
Oh, what a difference will there be, then, between the bodies of those who are Blessed and the bodies of those who are lost.
The Blessed will appear beautiful, lovely and more resplendent than the sun. “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun.” (Matt xiii: 43). O happy he, who in this life knows how to mortify his flesh by refusing pleasures which are forbidden and who, in order to keep it more under control, refuses it even the lawful pleasures of the senses and ill-treats it as the Saints have done! Oh, what happiness will he derive from it on that day!

On the other hand, the bodies of the lost, will appear deformed, black and offensive. Oh, what anguish will the lost soul feel upon being united to its body! The soul will exclaim: “Accursed body, in order to please thee I am lost!” And the body will reply: “Accursed soul, when thou hadst reason in thy power, wherefore didst thou grant me those pleasures which have caused both thee and I to be lost for all eternity!?”

Affections andPrayers

Ah, my Jesus and my Redeemer, Thou Who one day will be my Judge, do Thou pardon me before that day shall arrive.
“Cast me not away from Thy presence.” (Ps li: 11) .
Now Thou art a Father to me and as that Father do Thou receive into Thy favour, a son, who returns repentant to Thy feet.
My Father, I ask pardon from Thee. I have offended Thee unjustly, I have left Thee wrongfully. Thou didst not deserve to be treated as I have treated Thee. I repent and I grieve with all my heart. Pardon me. Do not turn away Thy face from me, do not drive me from Thee as I deserve …
Remember the Blood which Thou hast shed for me and have mercy upon me. My Jesus, I desire no other Judge than Thee.

St Thomas of Villanova said: “I willingly submit to the Judgement of Him Who died for me and, that I might not be condemned, suffered Himself to be condemned to the Cross!”
And before him, St Paul said: “Who is he Who condemneth? It is Christ Who died …. for us.” (Rom viii: 34) .

My Father, I love Thee and for the time to come, I wish never more to leave Thy feet.
Do Thou forget the wrongs I have committed against Thee and give me a great love towards Thy goodness. …
Jesus, make me live a life ever grateful to Thy Love, so that in that day, I may be found “in the valley, amongst the number of Thy lovers.”

Posted in "Follow Me", APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the KING Prayers, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, Quotes on SALVATION, The HOLY NAME, The RESURRECTION, The SECOND COMING

Quote/s of the Day – 27 October – The Feast of Christ the King

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 October – The Feast of Christ the King

“Wake up then, believer
and note what is stated here:
“In My Name.”
That [Name] is Christ Jesus.
Christ signifies King, Jesus signifies Saviour.
Therefore, whatever we ask for
that would hinder our salvation,
we do not ask in our Saviour’s Name
and yet, He is our Saviour,
not only when He does what we ask
but also, when He does not.
When He sees us ask anything
to the disadvantage of our salvation,
He shows Himself our Saviour by not doing it.
The physician knows
whether what the sick person asks for,
is to the advantage or disadvantage of his health.
And [the physician] does not allow
what would be harmful to him,
although the sick person himself, desires it.
But the physician looks to his final cure.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace of the Church

“Our Lord Jesus Christ
Has appeared to us from the bosom of the Father.
He has come and drawn us out of the shadows
And enlightened us with His joyful Light.

Day has dawned for humankind,
Cast out the power of darkness.
For us, a Light from His Light has arisen
That has enlightened our darkened eyes.

Over the world He has made His glory arise
And has lit up the deepest depths.
Death is no more, darkness has ended,
The gates of hell are shattered.

He has illumined every creature,
All the shades from times long past.
He has brought about salvation and given us Life;
Next He will come in glory.

Our King is coming in His great glory:
Let us light our lamps
and go out to meet Him (Mt 25,6);
Let us be glad in Him, as He has been glad in us
And gives us gladness, with His glorious Light.

My friends, arise! make yourselves ready
To give thanks to our Saviour King,
Who will come in His glory and make us joyful
With His joyous Light in the Kingdom.”

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father of the Church
(Hymn I on the Resurrection)

“Let us not strive for the rewards of Heaven,
valuable though they may be
but live, so as to please the God of Heaven.
If God were not in Heaven,
all its beauty, riches and sweetness,
would be dull rather than delightful.
By faith, we know, God already dwells within us.
But in Heaven, we will see God face-to-face.
May we so live that one day,
we will be in Heaven praising
and praying eternally,
before our Lord and Saviour!”

St Jane Frances de Chantal VHM (1572-1641)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the KING Prayers, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on VANITY, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 October – “My Kingdom is not of this world.”

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One Minute Reflection – 27 Octoberber – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” –The Feast of Christ the King – Pentecost XXIII – Colossians 1:12-20; John 18:33-37– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Pilate, therefore, said to Him, Thou are then a King?” – John 18:37

REFLECTION – “What a stupendous thing it was for the King of the ages to become King of men! For Christ did not become King of Israel to exact tribute, to equip armies with swords, to subdue visible foes. He became King of Israel that He might rule over men’s souls, counsel them about eternity that, He might lead to the Kingdom of Heaven, those, who would believe in Him, hope in Him and love Him. Accordingly, it was not to increase His power–it was condescension on His part which made Him,, the Son of God, co-equal with the Father, the Word by Whom all things were made–wish to become King of Israel. It was an indication of His mercy; it did not augment His power. He, Who on earth was called King of the Jews, in Heaven is called, Lord of the Angels. But is Christ King of the Jews only and not King of the Gentiles, too? When, in prophecy He said, “But I have established My Kingdom upon Sion, My holy mountain. I will make known the decree of the Lord,” He added immediately, so that the mention of Mount Sion, might not lead men to believe He had been anointed King of the Jews, solely: “The Lord has said to Me – Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee. Ask of Me and I will give Thee the Gentiles for Thy inheritance and the ends of the earth, for Thy possessions.”

Jesus answered – “My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My followers would have fought, that I might not be delivered to the Jews. But as it is, My Kingdom is not from here.” This is what the good Master wished us to know. First, we had to learn, how vain was the notion of His Kingdom that it should be hostile, either to the Romans or to the Jews. When the Roman governor asked Jesus “Art thou King of the Jews?” the Lord could have answered: “My Kingdom is not of this world.” But Christ asked in His turn, ”Dost thou say this of thyself, or have others told thee of Me?” because, He wished to show, from Pilate’s answer, that He, Jesus, had been charged with this, as a crime by the Jews, before Pilate. Thus He laid bare to us the thoughts of men which He knew and which were vain. After the reply of Pilate, Jesus replied to them, to both Jews and Gentiles, more fittingly and more opportunely, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon on Christ the King) Roman Breviary

PRAYER – Almighty and eternal God, Who willed to restore all things in Thy beloved Son, the King of the Universe, graciously grant that the peoples of the earth torn asunder by the wound of sin, may submit to His most gentle rule.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 BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the KING Prayers, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 27 October – Te Saeculorum Principem, Thee, Lord of Every Age, We Sing

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Our Morning Offering – 27 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – The Feast of Christ the King

Te Saeculorum Principem
Thee, Lord of Every Age, We Sing
Breviary Hymn for Christ the King (1925)_
By Fr Vittorio Genovesi SJ (1887-1967)
Trans: Alan G McDougall ( 1895-1965)

Thee, Lord of every age, we sing
Thee, Christ, we hail the nations’ King,
Confess Thy right Thy realm to find
Within the hearts of all mankind.

The hate-swayed mob cries, pride-enticed,
They will not have Thy kingdom, Chris;
But we exultant round Thy Throne
Thy reign o’er all creation own!

O Christ, our Prince, Who bringest peace,
Let every rebel impulse cease
And gather into Thy One Fold
The wanderers whom Thy Love doth hold.

For this Thine arms wide-stretched in plea
Hung bleeding on the atoning Tree;
For this the spear’s revealing dart
Laid bare Thy Love-enflamèd Heart.

For this Thou didst Thy glory hide,
Outpouring from Thy piercèd side
The riches of Thy Love Divine
Beneath the veils of bread and wine.

May realms and they that rule them vie
With solemn rites to raise Thee high;
May laws and arts Thy servants be,
All life be sanctified in Thee.

Their kingly gear and royal state
Kings to their King shall consecrate;
Subjects their all before Thee lay
In service of Thy gentle sway.

Jesu, to Thee, beneath Whose sway
All earth shall bow, all praise we pay;
With Father and with Spirit be
All glory Thine eternally!

℣. His empire shall be multiplied.
℟. And there shall be no end of peace.

(Post Vaticasn II, Stanzas 2 and 6 have been removed!)

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 27 October – Saint Abraham the Poor (Died c372) Hermit.

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Saint of the Day – 27 October – Saint Abraham the Poor (Died c372) Hermit. Born in Menuf, Egypt and died in
c372 of natural causes. Also known as – Abraham the Child, Abraham the Simple, Abraham the Hermit.

Born in the Town of Menuf in Egypt, Abraham became a disciple of Pachomius (Died c348), who founded Monastic community, in the delta region of the Nile River.

There Abraham remained a disciple of Pachomius for 23 years until the death of his Master, after which he spent the following years of his life as a Hermit, dwelling alone in a cave.

His nicknames ‘the poor’ ‘the simple’ and ‘the child’ refer to his trusting and simple life and his childlike faith. “Amen I say to you, unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself, as this little child, he is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven. ” (Matthew 18:3-4. His Feast Day is celebrated on 27 October.

Posted in CHRIST the KING, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

CHRIST the KING, PENTECOST XXIII, Dedication of the Basilica of Auxilium Christianorum / Our Lady Help of Christians, built by St John Bosco (1868) and Memorials of the Saints – 27 October

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CHRIST the KING
“Therefore, by our Apostolic authority, we appoint the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, annually, on the last Lord’s day in the Month of October that is to say, on the Sunday which immediately precedes
the Feast of All Saints, to be observed everywhere in the world.
Likewise we enjoin, that the dedication of the human race to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be annually renewed upon that selfsame day.”
From the Encyclical Letter of Pope Pius XI
Quas Primas; 11 December 1925
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/25/25-november-the-solemnity-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-king-of-the-universe/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/30/30-october-christ-the-king/

PENTECOST XXIII

Dedication of the Basilica of Auxilium Christianorum / Our Lady Help of Christians, Turin, Italy, built by St John Bosco (1868) – 27 October:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/27/88503/

St Abban of Magh-Armuidhe
St Abraham the Poor (Died c372) Hermit.

Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza OP (c 1200–1271) Bishop, Confessor, Dominican Friar, renowned Preacher, Defender of the Faith, Writer, Theologian, diplomatic peacemaker.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/27/saint-of-the-day-27-october-blessed-bartholomew-of-vicenza-op-c-1200-1271/

St Capitolina
St Colman of Senboth-Fola
St Colman of Templeshambo
St Desiderius of Auxerre

St Elesbaan of Ethiopia (Died c555) King of Ethopia, Confessor, Penitent Hermit and Monk
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/27/saint-of-the-day-27-october-saint-elesbaan-of-ethiopia-died-c-555/

St Emeline of Boulancourt (c1115-c1178) Virgin, Lay Sister, Hermit.
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/27/saint-of-the-day-27-october-saint-emeline-of-boulancourt-c-1115-c-1178/

St Erotheides
St Florentius of Trois-Châteaux

St Frumentius (Died c383) “Apostle to Ethiopia,“ Bishop, Confessor.
St Frumentius’ Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/10/27/saint-of-the-day-27-october-st-frumentius-died-c-383-apostle-to-ethiopia/

Bl Goswin of Clairvaux

St Namatius of Clermont (Died c462) Bishop, the Eighth or Ninth Bishop of Clermont (then called Arvernis) from 446 until his death in 462 and founded Clermont’s first Cathedral, bringing the Relics of Saints Vitalis and Agricola from Bologna, Italy, to enshrined therein.dedicating the Cathedral to them.
This good Sheoherd:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/27/saint-of-the-day-27-october-saint-namatius-of-clermont-died-c462-bishop/

St Odrian (Died c563) Bishop of Waterford, Ireland, Abbot, Missionary
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/27/saint-of-the-day-27-october-saint-odrian-c-died-563-bishop/

Bl Salvador Mollar Ventura
St Thraseas of Eumenia
St Uni