Day: March 27, 2025

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on PURITY, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 27 March – St Joseph’s Purity of Heart

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Thought for the Day – 27 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

27th Day – St Joseph’s Purity of Heart

“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.”
One might almost think that Our Lord, in uttering these words, was thinking of His foster-father.
It was because of his purity of heart that he had the privilege of seeing God face-to-face under the veil of flesh, for nearly thirty years.
Let us see what this meant.

+1. It meant that St Joseph must have been free from all sin, as far as was possible, to one who did not possess, Our Lady’s singular privilege. The authority over the sinless Lamb of God, would scarcely have been entrusted to one who was sinful. The constant association, the exchange of endearing love, implied that His father was the purest of all men.
To me, too, Christ commits Himself in Holy Communion to be my guest and the food of my soul. What ought I to be!?

+2. Purity of heart involves too, a knowledge of God. Who, save His Mother, knew Jesus as Joseph did? Who watched so intensely each movement, each look, each word? Who sought to imitate them and drink in His spirit, as Joseph did? Who was modelled so perfectly after the likeness of Christ?
How distant is my likeness to Christ? Nay, how unlike am I, alas to Him?!

+3. St Joseph had the extraordinary privilege of ministering, with his own hands, to Jesus, a privilege which the Angels must needs have envied him.
His ministry to Jesus was a source of continual grace. His acts of love to Jesus, were acts of love to God. All was done for Jesus, knowing, he was doing it for God.
O happy Joseph! Teach me to minister to others for Jesus’ Sake !

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MOTHER of GOD, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The INCARNATION

Quote/s of the Day – 27 March – St John Damascene

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 March – St John Damascene (675-749) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

“By the Cross all these things have been set aright…

It is a seal that the destroyer may not strike us,
a raising up of those who lie fallen,
a support for those who stand,
a staff for the infirm,
a crook for the shepherded,
a guide for the wandering,
a perfecting of the advanced,
salvation for soul and body,
a deflector of all evils,
a cause of all goods,
a destruction of sin,
a plant of resurrection
and a tree of eternal life.”

“This woman will be the Mother of God,
the door to light, source of life.
She will reduce to oblivion the judgement
that weighed on Eve.
Daughter of David the king and Mother of God,
King of the universe, masterpiece
in whom the Creator rejoices…
thou art to be nature’s full achievement.
For thou life is not thine,
thou were not born for thyself alone
but thou life is to be God’s.
thou came into the world for Him,
thou will serve for the salvation of all people,
fulfilling God’s design, established
from the beginning …”

“You are more to be valued than the entire creation,
for from you alone the Creator received
a share in the first-fruits of our humanity.
His Flesh was made of your flesh,
His Blood of your blood;
God was nourished by your milk
and your lips kissed the lips of God. …
In His foreknowledge of your dignity,
the God of all the world, has loved you
and, in accordance with His love for you,
He predestined you and called you into being ”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/27/quote-s-of-the-day-27-march-st-john-damascene-2/

St John Damascene (675-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in LENT- 2025, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 27 March – Jesus in the Guardroom

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Lenten Meditations – 27 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Thursday after the Third Sunday in Lent
Jesus in the Guardroom

Read St Luke xxii:63-65

[63] And the men who held Him, mocked Him and struck Him. [64] And they blindfolded Him and smote His Face. And they asked Him, saying: Prophesy, who is it that struck Thee? [65] And blaspheming, many other things, they said against Him. [Luke 22:63-65]

+1. After Our Lord had been condemned to death, the Sanhedrim rose and He was handed over for custody during the night, to the soldiers and servants, who, taking the cue from their masters, treated their Prisoner with every kind of brutal ill-usage. They tied a dirty rag over His Eyes and struck Him in the Face, challenging Him, at the same time, to show His Divine Power by revealing the name of the striker.
When He was silent, they mocked and jeered at Him and at last, they spat their filthy spittle in His Sacred Face.
O my Lord, King of Heaven and earth, how couldst Thou suffer Thy Divine Majesty to be outraged by these wretches?

+2. Yet Our Lord was never more glorious than in the midst of His degradation and contempt.
If at His baptism, He was the Beloved Son of God, in Whom He was well pleased, much more now! Each blow, each gibe, each insult, added to the glory of His Sacred Humanity to all eternity.
Truly then does St Peter say:
“If you be reproached for the name of Christ, you shall be blessed.”
Wisely did the Apostles count it joy to suffer shame for His Sake.
My God, I know it is so but do I act on this principle and rejoice in the reproaches and contempt which fall to my lot?

+3. What did Christ specially atone for in the guardroom?
For all the filthy words men speak, for all the obscene jests, for all the mockery of holy things, for all the angry, cruel, uncharitable words.
Alas! my Jesus, have I not taken part in these insults poured upon Thee?

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ENVY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 March – ‘ … The nature of an envious person is such, that he makes the praises of others food for his own disease …’

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One Minute Reflection – 27 March – “The Month of Saint Joseph” – Thursday of the Third Week in Lent – St John Damascene (675-749) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church – Wisdom 10:10-17 – Luke 6:6-11 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“On another Sabbath, He entered the synagogue and was teaching and there was a man whose right hand was withered. ” – Luke 6:6

REFLECTION – “ The miracle sometimes converts to faith those who had disbelieved the word but the Pharisees watched Him to see if He would heal on the Sabbath.  The nature of an envious person is such, that he makes the praises of others food for his own disease and is wickedly maddened by their reputation.  Once more He spoke thus;  “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?”  And why did He do this? Perhaps it might be to move the cruel and unpitying Pharisee to compassion. The man’s malady [his withered hand] perhaps might shame them and persuade them to dispel the flames of their envy.

This question is most wise indeed and a most suitable statement to meet their folly. If it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath and nothing prevents the sick being pitied by God, cease picking up opportunities for fault-finding against Christ and bringing down, on your own head, the sentence which the Father has decreed, against those who dishonour the Son. You have heard the Father where He says of the Son, by the voice of David, “I will crush His foes before Him and strike down those who hate Him.” But, if it is not lawful to do good on the Sabbath and the law forbids the saving of life, you have made yourself an accuser of the law.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Father and Doctor of the Church. Doctor of the Incarnation (Known a\s the Pillar of Faith) – (Commentary on Luke, Homily 23)

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who to defend the honour paid to sacred images, filled blessed John with heavenly learning and wondrous strength of soul, grant that, by his intercession and example, we may imitate the virtues of those whose images we honour and may enjoy the help of their patronage. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY CROSS, The SIGN of the CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 27 March – Hail, Most Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord!

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Our Morning Offering – 27 March – The Feastday of St John Damascene (675-749) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

Hail, Most Precious
and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord!
By St John Damascene (675-749)
Confessor, Father
and Doctor of the Church

Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered
and let those, who hate Him,
flee from His Presence.
As smoke vanishes, let them vanish
and as wax melts by the presence of fire,
so let the demons perish by the presence
of those who love God
and who sign themselves
with the Sign of the Cross
and say in gladness:
Hail, Most Precious
and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord,
for Thou drives away the demons
by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ
Crucified on thee, Who went down to hell
and trampled on the power of the devil
and gave us thee, His venerable Cross,
for driving away all enemies.
O Most Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord,
help me, with our holy Lady,
the Virgin Mother of God
and with all the Saints, throughout the ages.
Amen.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 27 March – StAimone OSB (Died 853) Bishop of Halberstadt

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Saint of the Day – 27 March – St Aimone OSB (Died 853) Bishop of Halberstadt, in Germany, a learned Scholarly Monk, Theologian, Spiritual Writer, Teacher, Aimone became a passionate disciple of the teachings of St Alcuin, whom he sought to emulate in his writings. Also known as – Aimon, Haimo, Haymo.

The life of Aimone of Fulda, a Benedictine Monk, Theologian and the Bishop of Halberstadt, unfolds as a fascinating tapestry of study, teaching and pastoral commitment.

Having entered the famous German Monastery pf Fulda, at a young age, he formed a deep bond with the Blessed Rabanus Maurus, with whom he shared a passion for knowledge, listening to the lessons of the luminary St Alcuin, whilst the latter was in Tours.

Returning to Fulda, until 839, Aimone poured out his knowledge as a teacher, enlightening the minds of many. In 839, he was called to lead the Diocese of Hersfeld. His fame as a learned and upright man reached the Emperor Louis the German, who in 840 appointed him as the Bishop of Halberstadt.

In this capacity, Aimone actively participated in the Synods of Mainz, helping to resolve theological and disciplinary questions of primary importance for the Church of the time.

In agreement with Rabanus’ suggestions, Aimone stood aloof from the Court of King Louis the German, did not entangle himself in the affairs of the State, preached often and lived solely for the welfare of his Diocese.

His fruitful pen gave birth to numerous works, among which the commentary on the Gospel of Matthew is magnified, although not all the writings attributed to him have been confirmed as authentic. He is also the Author of an Epitome of Eusebius’s Ecclesiastical History, of a large number of sermons and of a spiritual work, De Amore Coelestis Patriae.

His earthly existence ended on 27 March 853, leaving a legacy of profound erudition and zealous service to his Master and ours, the Lord Jesus Christ and to the Church.

Halberstadt Cathedral
Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, SAINT of the DAY

Thursday in the Third Week of Lent – FAST, St John Damascene and the Saints for 27 March

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Thursday in the Third Week of Lent – FAST

St John Damascene (675-749) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church, Priest, Monk, Theologian, Writer, Defender of Iconography, Poet, a Polymath whose fields of interest and contribution included law, theology, philosophy, music, Marian devotee. Also known as Doctor of Christian Art.
Feast moved in 1969 to 4 December.
The Great St John Damascene:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/04/saint-of-the-day-4-december-st-john-damascene-675-749-father-doctor-of-the-church/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/27/saint-of-the-day-27-march-saint-john-damascene-675-749-confessor-father-doctor-of-the-church/

St Aimone (Died 853) Bishop of Halberstadt
St Amphilochius of Illyria
St Alexander of Drizipara
St Alexander of Pannonia
St Alkeld the Martyr
St Amator the Hermit

St Augusta (Died 5th Century) Virgin Martyr of Treviso
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/27/saint-of-the-day-27-march-saint-augusta-of-treviso-died-5th-century-virgin-martyr/

St Claudio Gallo
St Cronidas of Illyria
St Ensfrid of Cologne
Bl Frowin of Engelberg
St Gelasius of Armagh

St John (c305-394) Hermit of Lycopolis , Spiritual Advisor, Miracle-worker, graced with the gifts of prophecy and seeing into the hearts of men. John was known and admired by the great Saints of his time, including Saint Jerome, Saint Augustine, Saint Cassian and others.
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/27/saint-of-the-day-27-march-st-john-of-lycopolis-c305-394-hermit/

St Matthew of Beauvais
St Macedo of Illyria

Blessed Pellegrino of Falerone OFM (Died 1233) Lay Brother of the First Order of St Francis of Assisi.
Blessed Pellegrino’s life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/27/saint-of-the-day-27-march-blessed-pellegrino-of-falerone-ofm-died-1233-lay-brother/
St Philetus
St Romulus the Abbot

St Rupert (c660–710) Bishop and Abbot in Salzburg, Apostle to Bavaria and Austria.
The Life of Holy St Rupert:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/27/saint-of-the-day-st-rupert-of-salzburg-c-660-710/

St Suairlech of Fore
St Theoprepius

Martyrs of Bardiaboch: A group of Christians who were arrested, tortured and executed together for their faith during the persecutions of Persian King Shapur II. Martyrs. – Abibus, Helias, Lazarus, Mares, Maruthas, Narses, Sabas, Sembeeth and Zanitas. 27 March 326 at Bardiaboch, Persia.