Day: January 12, 2025

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on PRAYER, The DIVINE INFANT, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 12 January – “Their Gifts (2) Frankincense”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 12 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Their Gifts (2) Frankincense”

+1. The offering of Frankincense to anyone has always been regarded, by the common consent of mankind, as an acknowledgment of inherent Deity. When the Christians were commanded to throw a grain of incense on the altar of Jupiter or Minerva, it was in acknowledgment of their divinity. The Magi, then, by this offering to Christ of Incense, were the first Gentile witnesses to His Divinity. They made thereby, an implicit Act of Faith in His Godhead and proved the honour they paid Him to be that highest honour which belongs to God alone.

+2. Frankincense is, moreover, a symbol of all which is sweetest and most fragrant.
What is so sweet to Jesus, as the complete offering of ourselves to Him, implied in the homage paid to Him as God! Jesus, my God, my all, I offer Thee my heart, my soul, myself!

+3. Frankincense is the material symbol under which prayer is indicated in Holy Scripture.
In the Apocalypse, the Angel offers the prayers of the Saints in a golden censer and there continually appears, from earth, the cloud of prayers as a cloud of Incense. Among them, my prayers arise. Are they such as will be fragrant and pleasing to God?

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Holy Family PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, PAPAL DECREE, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES on the POOR, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 January – Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

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Quote/s of the Day – 12 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – Within the Octave – Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:42-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And He went down with them
and came to Nazareth
and was subject to them.”

Luke 2:51

“EVERY FAMILY
should have a room where
CHRIST is welcome in the person
of the hungry and thirsty STRANGER.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“So, taking Christ’s genealogy from Joseph –
a husband in chastity,
he was father in the same way. …
Are you saying that he did not conceive Jesus
through the operation of nature?
Well then, what the Holy Spirit operated,
He did for them both.
For Joseph was “a just man,” Matthew tells us (1:19).
Both husband and wife were just.
The Holy Spirit dwelt within their mutual justice
and gave each of them, a Son!”

“Peace in Society
depends on peace
in the Family.”

(Marriage and concupiscence 1,11; Sermon 51)

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

“God, to whom Angels submit themselves
and who principalities and powers obey,
was subject to Mary
and not only to Mary
but Joseph atoo, for Mary’s sake.
God obeyed a human creature –
this is humility without precedent.
A human creature commands God;
it is sublime beyond measure!”

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

“To all fathers of families,
Joseph is verily the best model
of paternal vigilance and care.
In the most holy Virgin Mother of God,
mothers may find an excellent example of love,
modesty, resignation of spirit
and the perfecting of faith.
And in Jesus, Who was subject to His parents,
the children of the family, have a Divine Pattern
of obedience which they can admire,
reverence and imitate.”

Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

Apostolic Letter,
“Breve Neminem Fugit” 1892

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 January – “When Jesus was twelve years old …” – Luke 2:42

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – Within the Octave – Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:42-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“When Jesus was twelve years old …” – Luke 2:42

REFLECTION – “The public teaching of the Lord, had as we read, its beginnings from His twelfth year, for herein should be foreshadowed the number of those announcing the faith that was to be preached. Nor was it that He was heedlessly unmindful of His parents according to the flesh, who in the flesh was filled with grace and wisdom, that He was found in the temple after three days but ,for a sign that was believed dead, would present Himself to our faith, risen in heavenly glory and divine honour, after the three days of that triumphal passion.

“How is it that you sought me. Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business.” (Lk 2:49) There are two generations in Christ: the one is Paternal, the other Maternal; that which is Paternal is more Divine, the Maternal, that whereby He has stooped to our need and benefit. And, therefore, what was accomplished in the manner above nature, above age, above what was usual, must not be ascribed to His human excellence but must be referred to the power of His Divinity.
Elsewhere, His Mother pleads with Him for a miracle, here she requires of Him a reason, since she still looks to the things that are human. But while here, He is described as being but twelve years old, there, He is spoken of as having disciples. See how the Mother has learnt to know her Son, so that she seeks a miracle from Him now, in His full strength, Who was astonished at this wonder in His Boyhood.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Great Latin Father and Doctor of the Church (Writings Octave of the Epiphany).

PRAYER – O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Who while subject to Mary and Joseph, hallowed family life with virtues beyond description, grant us by their combined intercession, that, having been taught by the example of the Holy Family, we may attain unto their everlasting companionship. Who lives and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, CHRISTMASTIDE!, Holy Family PRAYERS, HYMNS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Our Morning Offering – 12 January – O House of Nazareth The Blest

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Our Morning Offering – 12 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” and the Feast of the Holy Family

O Gente Felix
O House of Nazareth The Blest
Prayer In Honour of the Holy Family
By Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

O house of Nazareth the blest,
Fair hostess of the Lord,
The Church was nurtured at thy breast
And shared thy scanty hoard.

In all the spreading lands of earth.
The wandering sun may see
No dearer spot, no ampler worth
Than erst was found in thee!

We know thy humble tenement
Was heaven’s hermitage:
Celestial heralds came and went
In endless embassage.

There, whatsoever Joseph asks
Christ hastens to fulfil;
While Mary loves the household tasks
That wait her joyous will.

There, Joseph toileth at her side
Her joys and griefs to share,
With thousand ties knit to his bride,
Of love and work and prayer.

Yet how their bosoms constant burn
And deeper ardours prove
In love of Christ, whose eyes return
Tokens of mutual love.

O then, in all the homes of earth,
Be Love the bond of life:
May it enthrone at every hearth
The peace that husheth strife.

All praise to thee, O Jesus,
Who parents dost obey;
Praise to the sovereign Father
And Paraclete for aye.
Amen.

Posted in INCORRUPTIBLES, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 12 January – Blessed Lucia (1370-1430) Consecrated Virgin

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Saint of the Day – 12 January – Blessed Lucia (1370-1430) Consecrated Virgin, Founder of a Community of Nuns known as the “Poor Sisters of St Chiara” adopting the original Rule of St Clare of Assisi. Born in 1370 in Norcia, Perugia, Umbria, Italy and died on 12 January 1430 of natural causes at her Convent in Valcaldara di Norcia. Patronage – of Valcaldara. Also known as – Lucia of Norcia and Lucia of Valcaldara di Norcia. Her body is Incorrupt.

Lucia, born into a wealthy family in Norcia, consecrated herself totally to the Lord when she was only fifteen years old. With seven companions, she founded a religious Community which took up residence in her father’s house.
Their choice of life was a great example to the entire City and on 28 January 1386 the City Council decided to help them. Previously, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Ferdinand, administrator of the Diocese of Spoleto-Norcia (1370-1390), had recognised them as a valid Community, naming the Convent after Saint Jerome.

In 1390, Lucia founded another Convent and the Church of Santa Maria in Valcaldara (a hamlet of Norcia). With her companions she submitted to the Bishop’s obedience, “they wore ash and eremitic habits, lived a community life and observed the evangelical norm, not professing for many years any Rule approved by the Church”. In 1407 the two Convents united, with the approval of Bishop Augustine, giving life to the Convent of St Chiara. They called themselves the “Poor Sisters of St Chiara” expressing their desire to follow her Rule, although they could not officially observe it as it had been replaced by the Rule of Urban IV.

Lucia died in Valcaldara on 12 January 1430 and was immediately venerated and invoked as a Saint. Her body, still incorrupt today, kept in its shrine of 1637, is exhibited in the Church of the Poor Clares of Santa Maria della Pace, the nametaken by the Convent took after the earthquake of 1703. In Valcaldara, the celebrations in honour of their Patron Saint are solemnly celebrated with great festivities.

Posted in INCORRUPTIBLES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Feast of the Holy Family, Within the Octave of The Epiphany, Nuestra Señora La Conquistadora / Our Lady the Conqueror, Santa Fe, New Mexico, St Benedict Biscop and the Saints for 12 January

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Within the Octave of The Epiphany

Feast of the Holy Family: In 1921, Pope Benedict XV added this Feast to the General Roman Calendar and appointed it on the Sunday within the Octave of the Epiphany, that is to say, on the Sunday between 7 January through 13 January , all inclusive.
https://anastpaul.com/2017/12/31/31-december-feast-of-the-holy-family-and-the-seventh-day-of-the-octave/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/30/feast-of-the-holy-family-of-jesus-mary-and-joseph-30-decembe/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/29/feast-of-the-holy-family-of-jesus-mary-and-joseph-fifth-day-of-the-christmas-octave/

Nuestra Señora La Conquistadora / Our Lady the Conqueror, Santa Fe, New Mexico – 12 January:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/12/our-lady-of-conquest-santa-fe-new-mexico-and-memorials-of-the-saints-12-january/

St Benedict Biscop OSB (c 628-690) – Confessor, Bishop and Abbot of Wearmouth, who introduced Stained Glass windows to England and raised the child, the Venerable Saint Bede.
This wonderful Saint:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/12/saint-of-the-day-12-january-st-benedict-biscop-osb-c-628-690/

St Arcadius of Mauretania (Died c302) Martyr, Hermit.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/12/saint-of-the-day-12-january-saint-arcadius-of-mauretania-died-c-302-martyr/

Bl Bartholomew Alvarez
Bl Bernardo de Plano
St Biccianus


Blessed Bernard of Corleone OFM Cap (1605-1667) Lay Brother of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.
Blessed Bernard’s Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/01/12/saint-of-the-day-12-january-blessed-bernard-of-corleone-ofm-cap-1605-1667/

St Caesaria of Arles
St Caroticus
Bl Emmanuel d’Abreu
St Eutropius
St Ferreolus of Grenoble Bishop Martyr
Bl John Gaspard Cratz
St John of Ravenna
Blessed Lucia (1370-1430) Virgin. Her Body is Incorrupt.
St Martinian of Belozersk
St Peter of Abessala
St Probus of Verona
St Quinctus the Soldier
St Satyrus

St Tatiana of Rome (Died c 226) Virgin, Martyr. Patronage – students, school children.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome in the time of the Emperor Alexander, St Tatiana, Martyr who was torn with iron hooks and combs, thrown to the beasts and cast into the fire but, having received no injury, was beheaded and thus, went to Heaven.”
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/12/saint-of-the-day-12-january-saint-tatiana-of-rome-died-c-226-virgin-martyr/

St Tigrius
St Victorian of Asana
Bl Vincent da Cunha

Martyrs of Africa – 44 Saints: A group of 44 Christian soldiers murdered together for their faith in Africa. The only details that survive are four of their names – Castulus, Modestus, Rogatus and Zoticus.

Martyrs of Ephesus – 42 Saints: Forty-two Monks Martyred at a Monastery in Ephesus (modern Turkey) during the persecutions of the Iconoclast Byzantine Emperor Constantine V. Their names have not come down to us. Martyred c 762.

Martyrs of Iona – 38 Saints: Thirty-eight Monks Martyred in Iona, Ireland. Their names have not come down to us. They were Martyred in 750 at Iona, Ireland.