Posted in QUOTES on HEAVEN, St PAUL!, The GREAT TRUTHS

Thought for the Day – 25 February – Heaven

Thought for the Day – 25 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations on “The Great Truths”
From “The Devout Year
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

25th Day – Heaven .

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither hath it entered into the heart of man,
what things God hath prepared
for those who love Him.

(1 Cor ii:9)

+1. These words convey the best idea which the Apostle who had been carried up into the Third Heaven could give, of the happiness of the redeemed.
All the loveliest things we have ever seen, are as nothing in comparison to the sight of Heaven; all the sweetest sounds are discord compared with the music of Heaven; all the joys which have made the longest hours only too short, do not deserve the name of joy, compared with the joys of Heaven. One moment of Heaven, is worth them all!

+2. Whatever God does, He does on a scale worthy of Himself.
The happiness of Heaven will be immeasurable, from the fact of its being, in union with the God of Infinite Love and Beauty. It will be a joy like the joy of Our Lord Himself, since He will say to each of the redeemed – “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
Am I doing what I can to insure those words, being addressed to me?

+3. In Heaven, all will be perfectly happy.
Even those who have the lowest places, will have all that their hearts desire. There will be no unsatisfied wish in Heaven, no craving after what we do not possess.
Everyone will have an overflowing cup of pleasure.
Oh, what fools we are not to do more to insure the joy of Heaven!
Pray that you may often think of Heaven and its eternal joys.

Posted in CARMELITES, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, INDULGENCES, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on WISDOM, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 25 February – The Seed

Quote/s of the Day – 25 February – Ferial Day – Sexagesima Week – 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9; – Luke 8:4-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

The seed is the Word of God.”

Luke 8:11

“… Blessed are they who hear
the Word of God and keep it.

Luke 11:28

Sacred Scripture is the Lord’s money!”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor of the Church

The faithful, who spend
at least a quarter of an hour,
in reading Sacred Scripture
with great reverence,
due to the Word of God,
after the manner of spiritual reading,
may gain, an Indulgence of 300 days.

St Jerome (347-419)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Scripture is perfect wisdom,
starting point and point of arrival,
to which our whole existence
should be adapted.”

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

It is above all, the Gospel
which supports me during my prayer.
There, I find all which
my poor little soul needs.
There, I always discover new lights,
hidden and mysterious meaning.
… Just when I need it, I discover lights
which I had not seen before.

St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 February – “The seed is the Word of God. ” – Luke 8:11

One Minute Reflection – 25 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – Ferial Day – Sexagesima Week – 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9; – Luke 8:4-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

The seed is the Word of God. ” – Luke 8:11

REFLECTION – “The origins of Scripture are not to be found through human research but, in the Divine Revelation coming from the “Father of Lights” “from whom every family in Heaven and on earth, is named” (Jas 1:17; Eph 3:15). From Him, through His Son Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost is poured out upon us. Faith has been given to us through the Holy Ghost, sharing and distributing His gifts to each of us, according to His Will (Heb 2:4) and, “through faith, Christ dwells in our hearts” (Eph 3:17). From this, knowledge of Jesus Christ flows, as from its source, both strength and understanding of the whole of Sacred Scripture. It is impossible, therefore, to enter into a knowledge of Scripture without first of all, possessing an infused faith in Christ, as the Light, doorway and foundation of all Scripture …

The end, or fruit, of Sacred Scripture is not without purpose; it is the fullness of life eternal. For in Scripture are to be found “the Words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68). It has been written, therefore, not only that we might believe in but that, we might also possess the eternal life in which we shall see and love and our desires will be wholly satisfied. Then, when our desires have been satisfied, we shall truly know “the love which surpasses knowledge” and so, we shall be “filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:19). It is to this fullness, Scripture tries to introduce us and, it is to this end, with this intention, Scripture ought to be studied, taught and understood.” – St Bonaventure (1221-1274) Franciscan, Doctor of the Church (Breviloquium, Prologue 2-5).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who sees how we are deprived of all strength, guard us inwardly and outwardly that in body, we may be protected against all misfortunes and in mind, cleansed of evil thoughts and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, be assisted on this earthly pilgrimage. 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 FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Our Morning Offering – 25 February – Lord Jesus, Think on Me By St Synesius

Our Morning Offering – 25 February – Sexagesima Week

Lord Jesus, Think on Me
By St Synesius of Cyrene (375-430)
Bishop of Ptolemais
, Father

Lord Jesus, think on me
and purge away my sin,
from earth-born passions set me free,
and make me pure within.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
With care and woe oppressed,
let me Thy loving servant be
and taste Thy promised rest.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
nor let me go astray,
through darkness and perplexity
point Thou the heav’nly way.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
that, when the flood is past,
I may eternal brightness see
and share Thy joy at last.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 25 February – Saint Tharasius (c730-806) Bishop

Saint of the Day – 25 February – Saint Tharasius (c730-806) Bishop of Constantinople from 25 December 784 until his death on 25 February 806, Defender of Sacred images and of the sanctity of marriage against the imperial powers. Born in c730 in Constantinople and died there in 806. Also known as – Tarasius, Tarasius of Constantinople.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Constantinople, St Tharasius, the Bishop, a man of great erudition and piety, to whom is addressed an epistle of Pope Adrian I, in defence of holy images.

Tharasius was was born and raised in the City of Constantinople. A son of a high-ranking Judge, Tharasius was related to important families, including that of St Photios. Tharasius was surrounded by earthly wealth and possessions, but lived a most austere and holy life. His virtue gained the esteem of the empire and he was made Bishop of Constantinople.

When, being elected as the Bishop of Constantinople, he consented to accept the dignity offered to him, only on condition that a General Council should be summoned, in particular to resolve the disputes concerning the veneration of Sacred images. Constantinople had been separated from the Holy See on account of the war between the Emperors. In 786, the Council was held in the Church of the Holy Apostles, in Constantinople. It met again the following year in Nice and its decrees were approved by the Pope.

The Emperor of the time, Constantine VI, became enamoured of Theodotah, a his wife’s maid and sought to divorce his wife and marry her maid. Wishing to convince Tharasius to marry him to Theodota, the Emperor sent a message to the holy man. Tharasius adamantly refused, replying to the Emperor’s Ambassador, “I would rather suffer death and all manner of torments, than consent to his design.” He continued to reject the Emperor’s requests resulting in great enmity and adversity.

Tharasius’ whole life in the Episcopacy was one of penance and prayer and of hard labour to reform his clergy and people. He occupied the See of Constantinople for 21 years and 2 months. His charity toward the poor was one of the characteristic virtues of his life. He visited in person, all the houses and hospitals in Constantinople, so that no indigent person might be overlooked in the distribution of alms.

Just before his death, Tharasius fell into a trance. As his biographer, who was an eyewitness, relates, he was heard arguing with a number of unseen accusers. Tharasius defended himself against the accusers and answered everything laid to his charge. Later, a great peacefulness came over him and Tharasius gave up his soul to God in 806.

Posted in CARMELITES, franciscan OFM, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Notre-Dame-de-Grande-Puissance / Our Lady of Great Power, Quebec (1673), St Walburga, Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio and the Saints for 25 February

Notre-Dame-de-Grande-Puissance / Our Lady of Great Power, Quebec, Canada, (1673) – 25 February:
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/25/our-lady-of-great-power-quebec-canada-1673-and-memorials-of-the-saints-25-february/

St Walburga (c710-779) Virgin, Nun and Missionary. Daughter of St Richard the King. Sister of St Willibald and St Winebald, niece of St Boniface.
The Life of St Walburga – image below with her noble and Saintly family:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/02/25/saint-of-the-day-25-february-st-walburga/

Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio OFM (1502-1600) “The Angel of Mexico,” Franciscan Lay Brother, Confessor, Ascetic, apostle of the poor, builder of roads and bridges in Mexico and thus is honoured as the founder of the transport and road system in Mexico.
About the Amazing Blessed Sebastian:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/25/saint-of-the-day-25-february-blessed-sebastian-of-aparicio-ofm-1502-1600-the-angel-of-mexico/

St Adelelmo of Engelberg
St Aldetrudis
St Ananias of Phoenicia

Blessed Avertano of Lucca O.Carm ( 1320-1380 ) Lay Brother of the Order of Carmel, Miracle-worker, Avertano had a great devotion to the Passion of Christ.
Biography:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/25/saint-of-the-day-25-february-blessed-avertano-of-lucca-o-carm-1320-c-1366/

St Caesarius of Nazianzen (c329-369) Celibate Layman, a prominent Physician and Politician, Son of Saint Gregory of Nazianzen the Elder and Saint Nonna, Brother of Saint Gorgonia and Saint Gregory of Nazianzen. Patronages – of Physicians and bachelors.
His Holy Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/25/131658/

St Donatus the Martyr
St Felix III, Pope
St Gerland the Bishop
St Gothard the Hermit
St Herena the Martyr
St Justus the Martyr

St Nestor of Side
St Riginos

Blessed Robert of Arbrissel (c1045 – 1116) Priest, Itinerant Missionary Preacher, Founder of the renowned dual Monastery of Fontevraud-l’Abbaye in Pays-de-la-Loire, France, Teacher, both a Reformer, as well as possessing the opposite virtue of being a Peacemaker. A quite astonishing man!
https://anastpaul.com/2023/02/25/saint-of-the-day-25-february-blessed-robert-of-arbrissel-c1045-1116-priest-missionary-preacher-founder/

St Tharasius (c730-806) Bishop
St Victor of Saint Gall

Martyrs of Egypt – A group oSeven f Christian men who were exiled to Egypt for their faith and were eventually Martyred for their faith in the persecutions of Numerian. We know little more than their names: Claudianus, Dioscurus, Nicephorus, Papias, Serapion, Victor, Victorinus.