Day: May 5, 2025

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, The IMITATION of MARY

Thought for the Day – 5 May – The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 5 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Extracts from The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

I am thrilled to explore this little book with you during Our Lady’s Month of May.

Extracts from The Imitation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
Imprimatur 17 February 1947

PREFACE TO THE FRENCH EDITION

The Imitation of Christ, the most beautiful of books coming from the hand of man, ought to have, as a counterpart, The Imi¬ tation of Mary. However, we do not have it in a completely finished form; we only possess it scattered throughout the works of Thomas à Kempis.
The century which brought forth The Imitation of Christ— the 15th—is the century which saw completed, the greater part of the Gothic Churches dedicated to the Virgin in France and the Low Countries, from Notre Dame of Paris to the Cathedral of Cologne.
This is the most flourishing epoch of the cult of the Virgin, the golden age of devotion to Mary. The name of Mary is found ever at the side of that of Jesus, as, for example, on the standard of Jeanne d’Arc.

Besides, we notice with sorrow that the Author of The Imitation of Christ, does not speak a single te time of devotion to the Virgin Mary in this divine book which treats of all the subjects of Christian Mysticism.

Was it forgetfulness or negligence? Neither one nor the other.
Thomas à Kempis, Canon of Cologne and Abbe of Mount St Agnes, whose Church is dedicated to the Virgin, has written entire chapters on devotion to Mary in his divers works.
But the copyists who transcribed the first Books of The Imitation, finished by Kempis, thus leaving the fourth incomplete, did not know how to arrange the passages treating of the devotion to the Virgin Mary in the immense production of the Author.

The present work which is only the work of an analyst, we
have undertaken. We have been able to extract from the different works of Kempis, whole chapters on the devotion to Mary written in the same poetic and rhythmic language as is The Imitation. Everything seems to indicate that they were destined to form a Fifth Book of the Treatise on the Interior Life, following that of the Eucharist. One finds in it, the same doctrine of elevated theology and the same grace of poetry in its forms.

We have arranged this work according to the Mysteries of the life of Mary; joyous mysteries, sorrowful mysteries, glorious mysteries.
The reading of it will thus be easier. It is especially fitting to recall the advice of the Author: “You must read, not only with the mind but, above all, with the heart.”
We have tried to enclose our heart in that of our Mother.
Likewise, may you do, all you who shall read this book!

Dr Albin de Cigala
Faculty of Paris, 1947
Doctor of Theology and Philosophy

NOTE: The sermons and meditations are the work of Dr de Cigala who comments on the Extract of Kempis in order to aid the reader to more fully derive its fruits.

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, PAPAL MESSAGES, PAPAL PRAYERS, PAPAL SERMONS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Quote/s of the Day – 5 May – St Pius V (1504-1573)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 5 May – St Pius V OP (1504-1573) Pope, Confessor

“All the evils of the world,
are due to lukewarm Catholics.”

“O Lord, increase my sufferings
and my patience!”

“Following the example of our predecessors,
seeing that the Church Militant
which God has placed in our hands,
in these our times, is tossed this way and that
by so many heresies and,
is grievously troubled and afflicted by so many wars
and by the depraved morals of men,
we also raise our eyes, weeping but full of hope,
unto that same mountain,
whence every aid comes forth
and we encourage and admonish,
each member of Christ’s faithful
to do likewise in the Lord.”

St Pius V (1504-1573)

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 May – ‘ … Jesus is the Sun of Justice; He surpasses all the beauties of the earth …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 5 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Pius V OP (1504-1573) – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11 – Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:16

REFLECTION – “God presents Himself to us as an object of faith, especially in the person of Jesus Christ. He desires that we believe firmly that the Infant born of Mary, the Tradesman of Nazareth, the Master disputing with the Pharisees, the Man Who was Crucified on Calvary –,is truly His Son, His Equal and that, we adore Him as such. The great work, God has appointed to Himself in the economy of salvation, is to establish among men, faith in the Incarnate Word (cf. Jn 6:29). Nothing can take the place of this faith in Jesus Christ, true God, consubstantial with the Father, Whose Envoy He is. It is the synthesis of all our belief because, Christ is the synthesis of all Revelation! …

The life of the Church presupposes, in everything and in all things, the adoration of her Divine Spouse. In the face of the world which denies Him and disowns Him, she repeats unceasingly, with Saint Peter: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16). This penetrating vision of faith, which pierces the veil of the Humanity of Christ and pierces the depth of His Divinity, is wanting to many intellects. They see Jesus, they reach Him but, like the crowds of Galilee, they see only the externals, their approach is superficial and does not transform souls. For others, on the contrary, Jesus is transfigured; grace illuminates their faith in His Divinity. For them, Jesus is the Sun of Justice; He surpasses all the beauties of the earth and His vision delights their hearts so much, no other attraction can separate them from His Love. They can say with Saint Paul: “I am convinced, neither death, nor life… nor any other creature, will be able to separate me from the love which God shows us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Rm 8:38). .

Such faith truly fixes Jesus Christ in our hearts. It is not a simple adherence of the mind; it involves love, hope, the total consecration of oneself to Christ, to live His Life, participate in His Mysteries, imitate His Virtues.” – Abbot Columba Marmion OSB (1858-1923) a Benedictine Irish Monk and the 3rd Abbot of Maredsous Abbey in Belgium. He was one of the most popular and influential Catholic Authors of the 20th Century. His books are considered spiritual classics. (This excerpt from a compilation ‘To Live by Faith, Christ the Ideal of the Priest’).

PRAYER – O, God, Who graciously chose the blessed Pius as Supreme Pontiff, to crush the enemies of Your Church and to restore divine worship, grant that we may be guarded by his help and remain so steadfast in Your service, that, having overcome the snares of all enemies, we may enjoy a lasting peace. T hrough 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, DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The LITTLE OFFICE of MARY

Our Morning Offering – 5 May – Regina Caeli Laetari

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 5 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Regina Caeli Laetari
Eastertide from Holy Saturday
until Trinity Sunday
(in case you forget to replace the praying
of the Angelus).

Anthem to the Blessed Virgin

Regina Caeli Laetari
Queen of Heaven Rejoice!

O Queen of Heaven, rejoice, Alleluia.
For He Whom thou didst merit to bear, Alleluia.
Hath risen as He said, Alleluia.
Pray for us to God, Alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary! Alleluia.
R. For the Lord is truly risen, Alleluia.

Let us pray

O God, Who by the Resurrection of Thy Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
hast vouchsafed to make glad
the whole world, grant, we beseech Thee,
that, through the intercession
HIs Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary,
we may attain the joys of eternal life.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen

There is a venerable tradition connected with this joyous Anthem. It is related that a fearful pestilence raged in Rome, during one of the Easters of the Pontificate of St. Gregory the Great. In order to propitiate the anger of God, the holy Pope prescribed a public procession of both people and clergy, in which was to be carried the portrait of our Blessed Lady painted by St Luke.

The procession was advancing in the direction of Saint Peter’s and as the holy Picture, followed by the Pontiff, (it is said that he processed with bare feet), was carried along, the atmosphere became pure and free from pestilence. Having reached the bridge which joins the City with the Vatican, a choir of Angels was heard singing above the Picture and saying: “Rejoice, O Queen of Heaven, Alleluia! for He Whom thou deservedst to bear, Alleluia! hath risen, as He said, Alleluia!” As soon as the heavenly music ceased, the saintly Pontiff took courage, and added these words to those of the Angels: “Pray to God for us, alleluia!”

Thus was composed the Paschal Anthem to our Lady. Raising his eyes to heaven, Gregory saw the destroying Angel standing on the top of the Mole of Hadrian and sheathing his sword.

In memory of this apparition, the Mole was called the Castle of Saint Angela and on the dome was placed an immense statue representing an Angel holding his sword in the scabbard.

( “The Sovereign Pontiff Benedict XIII, by a brief, Injuntae nobis, 14 September 1724, amended by the Sacred Penitentiary Apostolic, 20 February 1933, granted a Plenary Indulgence, once a month, to all the faithful who, everyday, in the morning (6.00), at noon and in the evening at sunset (6.00), shall devoutly say, the Angelus Dominie, with the Hail Mary, three times, or at Eastertide the Regina Caeli, on any day when, being truly penitent, after Confession and Communion, they shall pray for peace and union among Christian Princes, for the extirpation of heresy and for the triumph of Holy Mother Church. Also an indulgence of ten years, on all the other days in the year, every time they shall devoutly say these prayers.”)

Regina caeli, laetare, Alleluia.

Qua quem meruisti portare, Alleluia.
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, Alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum, Alleluia.

V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, Alleluia.
R. Qua surrexit Dominus vere, Alleluia.

Oremus

Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui,
Domini nostri, Jesu Christi,
mundum laetificare dignatus es, praesta,
quaesumus, ut per ejus
Genitricem Virginem Mariam
perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae:
per eumdem Christum, Dominum nostrum.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 5 May – St Maximus (Died c350) Bishop of Jerusalem and Confessor

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 5 May – St Maximus (Died c350) Bishop of Jerusalem and Confessor, Defender of the Faith. He was the third Maximus to become the Bishop of the See of Jerusalem. Also known as – Maximus III (of Jerusalem)..

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Jerusalem, the Bishop and confessor, whom the Caesar, Maximian Galerius, condemned to work in the mines, after having plucked out one of his eyes and branded him on the foot with a redhot iron.”

Our Saint today St Maximus, lived during a turbulent period for the early Church, under the reign of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. In a climate of fierce persecution against Christians, he did not hesitate to publicly confess his faith, drawing upon himself the wrath of the persecutors.

He was a Priest in Jerusalem and it is said that he was so popular among the people for good character and for being a confessor that, when Saint Macarius attempted to appoint him as the Bishop of Lydda, the populace insisted upon his retention in Jerusalem. Upon St Macarius’ death, Maximus became the Bishop of Jerusalem and was present in 335 at the first Council of Tyre. During St Athanasius’ return from exile, circa 346, Maximus convoked a Council in Jerusalem of sixteen Bishops who welcomed Athanasius. Socrates Scholasticus recorded that Maximus “restored communion and rank” to Athanasius, Athanasius receiving support against the Arians and Maximus advancing the desire of the Bishops of Jerusalem to have their See become equal in status, to the metropolitan See of Caesarea, a desire later achieved in 451.

For his unshakable faith, Maximus was subjected to cruel torture – one of his eyes was gouged out and one of his feet burned with a redhot iron. Despite the atrocious suffering, he would never renounce his faith in Jesus Christ, truly demonstrating admirable strength of spirit and resistance.

With the advent of the Constantinian peace, Maximus was finally freed from slavery and able to return to Jerusalem. In recognition of his heroic resistance, he was elected Bishop of the City, succeeding St Macarius (St Macarius is he who accompanied St Helena in her search for the True Cross and arranged and superintended all in relation to the True Cross. See image below). His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/10/saint-of-the-day-10-march-saint-macarius-died-c-335/

During his Episcopate, Maximus found himself facing the theological controversies of the time, in particular the Arian heresy. At first, he was a little deceived by the heretical positions of Arius but soon, thanks to careful study and judgement, he realised the serious error contained in the Arian position on the Natures of Christ and the Trinity.

Saint Maximus died in peace in Jerusalem in c350, leaving as a legacy to the Church, a shining example of fidelity to Christ and courage in the face of persecution. His memory is venerated on 5 May, the day of his Liturgical Feast.

St Jerome says Maximus’ intended successor was Heraclius, whom Maximus had named upon his death bed but that Acacius (the Arian Bishop of Caesarea) and St Cyril deposed Heraclius and Ordained St Cyril as the Bishop. Regardless of how the succession came about, St Cyril and St Acacius would become bitter enemies during the next few years, disagreeing both in the Arian controversy and in terms of the precedence and rights of each See.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Nuestra Señora de Europa / Our Lady of Europe, Gibraltar (1492), St Pius V OP (1504-1573) Pope and Confessor, The Conversion of Saint Augustine (354-430) and Memorials of the Saints – 5 May

Posted on by AnaStpaul

May The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary

St Pius V OP (1504-1573) changed in 1969 this Feast which had been celebrated on this day of his birth into Heaven since 1713.
Bishop of Rome, Ruler of the Papal States, Pope of the Council of Trent, the Counter-Reformation, the Battle of Lepanto, the Holy Rosary and the Pope who declared St Thomas Aquinas as a Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial)
The Roman Martyrology states of St Pius V today: “At Rome, Pope St Pius V, of the Order of Preachers, who laboured zealously and successfully for the re-establishment of Ecclesiastical discipline, the extirpation of heresies, the destruction of the enemies of the Christian name and, governed the Catholic Church by holy laws and the example of a saintly lfe.”
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/30/saint-of-the-day-saint-pope-pius-v-1504-1572/
Lepanto by G K Chesterton:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/30/lepanto-30-april/

Nuestra Señora de Europa / Our Lady of Europe, Gibraltar (1492) – 5 May:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/05/nuestra-senora-de-europa-our-lady-of-europe-gibraltar-1492-and-memorials-of-the-saints-5-may/

The Conversion of Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/05/saint-of-the-day-5-may-feast-of-the-conversion-of-st-augustine-354-430/
ALSO HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/28/the-memorial-of-saint-augustine-servant-of-god-28-august/

St Angelus of Jerusalem O.Carm (1185-1220) Priest, Martyr, Hermit, Mystic, Reformer, Thaumaturge, Missionary, convert from Judaism and a professed Priest of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel – The 800th Anniversary of his death – 5 MAY 2020..
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/05/saint-of-the-day-5-may-the-800th-anniversary-of-the-martyrdom-of-saint-angelus-of-jerusalem-o-carm-1185-1220-priest-martyr/

St Avertinus of Tours
Bl Benvenuto Mareni
St Britto of Trier

Blessed Caterina Cittadini (1801-1857) Italian Sister from Bergamo who established the Ursuline Sisters of Saint Jerome Emiliani.
Her Devoted Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/05/saint-of-the-day-5-may-blessed-caterina-cittadini-1801-1857/

St Crescentiana
St Echa of Crayke
St Eulogius of Edessa
St Euthymius of Alexandria
St Geruntius of Milan
St Godehard of Hildesheim
Bl Grzegorz Boleslaw Frackowiak

St Hilary (c 400-449) Bishop of Arles, Monk, learned Scholar and Writer, Reformer and although extremely gentle and kind, Hilary was also a strict leader of his flock, Miracle-worker. Born in c 400 at Lorraine, France and died in 449 of natural causes.
The Roman Martyrology states: “At Arles in France, the blessed Bishop Hilary, noted for his great learning and holiness.”
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/05/saint-of-the-day-5-may-saint-hilary-of-arles-c-400-449-hilary-of-holy-memory/

St Hydroc
St Irenaeus of Thessalonica
St Irenes of Thessalonica
Bl John Haile
St Jovinian of Auxerre
St Jutta Kulmsee
St Leo of Africo
St Maurontius of Douai
St Maximus (Died c350) Bishop of Jerusalem and Confessor
St Nectarius of Vienne
St Nicetas of Vienne

St Nunzio/Nuntius Sulprizio (1917-1836) Aged 19
St Nunzio’s very short life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/05/05/saint-of-the-day-5-may-saint-nunzio-sulprizio-1917-1836/

St Peregrinus of Thessalonica
St Sacerdos of Limoges
St Sacerdos of Saguntum
St Silvanus of Rome
St Theodore of Bologna
St Waldrada of Metz