Day: January 31, 2025

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, Meditations on the HIDDEN LIFE, QUOTES on PRAYER, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 31 January – Meditation 7, PART ONE: The Heart of Jesus in Prayer in the Hidden Life

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Thought for the Day – 31 January – Meditations on the Hidden Life: From the 1906 Edition of The Heart of Jesus of Nazareth; it has the Imprimatur of Bishop John Baptist Butt, Diocese of Southwark, England, 5 February 1890. Author’s name known simply as Author of “The Voice of the Sacred Heart.” 
(We return to Fr Clarke for February with his Meditations on The Great Truths.)

Meditation 7: PART ONE:
The Heart of Jesus in Prayer in the Hidden Life

Let us imagine we see Jesus kneeling in the little House of Nazareth, His Sacred Hands reverently clasped, His Eyes closed or raised to Heaven. We have before us the Incarnate God praying to His Eternal Father. It will then refresh our souls, to withdraw for a while, within the silence and solitude of the Holy House and, whilst we contemplate the scene with reverence, let us endeavour to penetrate the Heart of Him, Who is praying there.

So beautiful is the picture presented to our minds by the thought of Jesus in prayer, that truly it might suffice to rivet our inward eye and claim our adoring love, without the addition of any comment.

Let us regard Him as the Wisdom of the Father, the Eternal Son, kneeling there in silent contemplation of the Divine Majesty unveiled before Him, while He pours out the eternal love, the burning prayer which consumes His Sacred Heart.
The labour of the day is over and Jesus is now free to give Himself, unrestrainedly, to that holy exercise which has not ceased to be the occupation of His Soul amidst His daily toil. How profound is the mystery of that Divine communication which passes between the Eternal Father and the Eternal Son, between the human Heart of the Man-God and the Father, in Whose Bosom He had dweltB from all eternity.
Unchecked now by the external trammels to which, in His Incarnation He had made Himself subject, He could deliver Himself to the transports of His Love and taste, in His earthly exile, His old, His eternal delight of solitude with God.

But we must not forget that we are contemplating our Divine Model in prayer; for we are not to suppose, we have chosen One too exalted for our imitation. No, indeed, Jesus prays as one of us. It is in Him, a human Heart which throbs with love and desire and He teaches us eloquently how to pray and discloses qualities, with which our prayer should be endowed. He has formally constituted Himself our Master in prayer, as in all other things.
In His Public Life and in His Passion He has taught us even the very words in which we should present our petitions, or upon which they should be formed.

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SELF-DISTRUST, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 31 January – St John Bosco

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Quote/s of the Day – 31 January – St John Bosco “Don Bosco” SDB (1815-1888) Priest, Confessor, Founder.

“Be brave and try to detach your heart
from worldly things.
Do your utmost to banish darkness
from your mind and come to understand
what true, selfless piety is.
Through confession, endeavour
to purify your heart of anything
which may still taint it.
Enliven your faith which is essential
to understand and achieve piety.”

“If one is to do good,
he must have a little courage,
be ready for sacrifice,
deal affably with all
and never slight anybody.
By following this method,
I have always had significant success,
in fact, marvellous success!”

“Your mortification should be
your diligence in doing your duties
and in putting up with
the annoyances of others.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/31/quote-s-of-the-day-31-january-st-john-bosco-3/

St John Bosco (1815-1888)

Posted in ADVENT, ADVENT QUOTES, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHILDREN, The DIVINE INFANT, The NATIVITY of JESUS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 31 January – “And whoever receives one such little child for My Sake, receives Me.” – Matthew 18:5

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One Minute Reflection – 31 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – St John Bosco “Don Bosco” SDB (1815-1888) Priest, Confessor, Founder. – Philippians 4:4-9; Matthew 18:1-5 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And whoever receives one such little child for My Sake, receives Me.” – Matthew 18:5

REFLECTION – “Could God not have made the human person perfect right from the beginning? For God, Who has always been identical with Himself and Who is not created, everything is possible. But because the existence of the created beings began after God’s, they are necessarily inferior to God, Who made them … Thus, since they are created, they are not perfect. When they have just been born, they are small children and as small children, they are neither accustomed to, nor have they had practice in, perfect conduct … Thus, God could give perfection to the human person right from the beginning but, the human person was incapable of receiving this perfection, for he was only a small child.

And that is why, in the last times, when our Lord gathered up all things in Himself (Eph 1:10), He came to us, not in His power but, in such a way, we were able to see Him. For He could have come to us in His inexpressible glory but, we were not yet able to bear the greatness of His glory. … Although the Word of God was perfect, with humankind He became a small Child, not for Himself but because of the state of childhood, in which was humankind.” – St Irenaeus (c130-202) Bishop of Lyons, Martyr, Father of the Church (Against the Heresies IV 38, 1-2).

PRAYER – O God, Who in Thy Confessor, blessed John, raised up a father and teacher of youth and willed that through him, with the help of the Virgin Mary, new religious families should bloom in the Church, grant, we beseech Thee, that , inflamed by the same fire of love, we may seek to win souls and to serve Thee alone. 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 MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 31 January – St John Bosco’s Prayer to Our Lady Help of Christians

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Our Morning Offering – 31 January – St John Bosco “Don Bosco” SDB (1815-1888) Priest, Confessor, Founder.

Most Holy Virgin Mary,
Help of Christian
By St John Bosco (1815-1888)

Most Holy Virgin Mary,
Help of Christians,
how sweet it is to come to thy feet
imploring thy perpetual aid.
If earthly mothers cease not
to remember their children,
how canst thou,
the most loving of all mothers, forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore thee
thy perpetual aid in all my necessities,
in every sorrow and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for thy unceasing assistance
for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak,
cure the sick,
convert sinners.
Grant through thy intercession,
many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked thee on earth
we may love and eternally thank thee in Heaven.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 31 January – St Julius (Late 4th Century) Priest and Confessor

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Saint of the Day – 31 January – St Julius (Late 4th Century) Priest and Confessor, Missionary, Miracle-worker. Both in Italy. Born probably in Greece and died of natural causes on the Island named after him, San Giuulio. Patronages – of Cavenago di Brianza and of Orta San Giulio,Also known as – Julius of Orta, … of Novara, Giulio….

31 January is traditionally the Feast day of St Julius, a Priest and Confessor of the later 4th Century. He is said to have been a Greek from the Island of Aegina, who, together with his brother Julian, migrated to northern Italy in the days of the Emperor Theodosius I (379-395).

The Island of St Julius (Isola di San Giulio) in the Lado d’Orta.

The 2 brothers set about evangelising the region. After they had built 99 Churches in various places, Julius chose, as the place for the 100th an Island in the middle of Lago d’Orta, a lake near Novara in the Piedmont region. But, unable to find anyone to take him to the Island which was infested with serpents, he spread his cloak on the waters and used it as a boat. Upon reaching the Island, he drove away the serpents and established his Church.

St Julius driving the serpents away

Modern archeological research has in fact confirmed that a Church was built in very ancient times on the iIland in the same place where a large Basilica now stands, dedicated to St Julius. He is also mentioned by the 8th Century historian of the Lombards, Paul the Deacon. Julius’ (presumed) Relics are preserved in the Crypt of this Basilica. Below is the exterior of the Basilica.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Apparition of Our Lady to Saint Angela de Foligno (1285), The Translation of the Relics of Saint Mark, the Evangelist, St John Bosco “Don Bosco” DAY 8 of the Candlemas Novena and Memorials of the Saints – 31 January

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NOVENA In Preparation for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Candlemas Novena – LINK DAY EIGHT, 31 January: DAY EIGHT

Apparition of Our Lady to Saint Angela de Foligno (1285) – 31 January:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/31/septuagesima-sunday-apparition-of-our-lady-to-saint-angela-de-foligno-1285-the-translation-of-the-relics-of-saint-mark-the-evangelist-and-memorials-of-the-saints-31-january/

The Translation of the Relics of Saint Mark, the Evangelist:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/31/the-translation-of-the-relics-of-saint-mark-the-evangelist-31-december/

St John Bosco “Don Bosco” SDB (1815-1888) Founder of the Society of St Francis de Sales now known as the Salesians, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Association of Salesian Cooperators. Priest, Confessor, Founder, Teacher, Writer, “Father and Teacher of Youth.” His body is incorrupt.
All about beautiful Don Bosco:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/01/31/saint-of-the-day-31-january-st-john-bosco-don-bosco-1815-1888-founder-of-the-salesians-and-the-daughters-of-mary-help-of-christians-and-the-association-of-salesian-cooperators/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/01/31/saint-of-the-day-st-john-bosco-don-bosco-sdb-1815-1888/

St Abraham of Abela
Bl Adamnan of Coldingham

St Aedan of Ferns (c550-632) the First Bishop of the Diocese of Ferns, Ireland, Founded 30 Churches and several Monasteries, miracle-worker.
St Aedan’s Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/31/saint-of-the-day-31-january-saint-aedan-of-ferns-c-550-632/

St Aiden
St Athanasius of Modon
St Bobinus of Troyes
St Eusebius of Saint Gall

St Francesco Saverio Maria Bianchi/Francis Xavier Bianchi CRSP (1743-1815) “Apostle of Naples” Priest of the Barnabite Order (The Clerics Regular of St Paul), Confessor. Canonised on 21 October 1951 by Pope Pius XII.
About St Francesco:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/31/saint-of-the-day-31-january-saint-francis-xavier-bianchi-crsp-1743-1815-apostle-of-naples/

St Geminian of Modena
St Julius (Late 4th Century) Priest and Confessor

Blessed Louise degli Albertoni TOSF (1474-1533) Widow, Mystic, Ecstatic, Apostle of the sick, the poor, the deprived, Beatified on 28 January 1671 by Pope Clement X.
Her Mystical Graces:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/31/saint-of-the-day-31-january-blessed-louise-degli-albertoni-tosf-1474-1533-widow/

Miracle-worker.

St Madoes
St Marcella
St Martin Manuel
St Nicetas of Novgorod
St Tryphaena of Cyzicus
St Tysul
St Ulphia of Amiens
St Waldo of Evreux
St Wilgils

Martyrs of Corinth – 14 Saints: A group of Christians tortured and Martyred together in Corinth, Greece in the persecutions of Decius. We know nothing about them except some names – Anectus, Claudius, Codratus, Crescens, Cyprian, Diodorus, Dionysius, Nicephorus, Papias, Paul, Serapion, Theodora, Victor and Victorinus.

Martyrs of Canope: A group of Christians tortured and Martyred together in Corinth, Greece in the persecutions of Decius. We know nothing about them except some names – Anectus, Claudius, Codratus, Crescens, Cyprian, Diodorus, Dionysius, Nicephorus, Papias, Paul, Serapion, Theodora, Victor and Victorinus.

Martyred in Alexandria, Egypt:
Cyriacus
Metranus
Saturninus
Tarskius
Thyrsus
Victor
Zoticus