Day: May 7, 2025

Posted in Hail MARY!, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SIMPLICITY, QUOTES on WATCHING, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HEART, The IMITATION of MARY, Thomas a Kempis, To JESUS through MARY

Thought for the Day – 7 May – The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Thought for the Day – 7 May – The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

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

PART ONE
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
Chapter I
The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

i. Many young girls, says the Author of Wisdom, have amassed riches but thou, O Mary, thou surpass them all greatly.
Children, be faithful imitators of Jesus and perfect imitators of Mary.
It matters a great deal, it matters for your salvation, for the honour of Jesus and the glory of Mary, that you always be devout in your prayers, sober in your words, discreet in your looks.
In brief, be scrupulously disciplined in all your deeds.

ii. Do you wish to praise Mary worthily; do you wish to praise her in all magnificence?
Be simple, like the simple children of God, without deception, without envy, without criticism, without murmuring and without any suspicion.
Support all adverse things with charity, with great patience and great humility.
For Jesus, for Mary and, in order to imitate the Saints, watch here below, watch and be yourselves saints!
To one who knows how to offer his life to the Divine Trinity, all which is bitter here on earth appears sweet and all which seems heavy, appears very light.
Such is the fruit of the remembrance of Mary and Jesus.

iii. Prayer: When the Heart Says: Ave Maria!

O Mary, O sweet Mother of my Jesus,
I beg you, deign to open to thy poor servant,
both thy maternal compassion and thy love,
laden with sweetness.
Pour into my heart, one drop of thy tenderness
so that I may love thee with a pure heart,
thee, O Mother, the sweetest of all mothers,
so that I may imitate thee and Jesus.
Listen to me, Mother, listen to me, Mary,
kneeling I salute thee: Ave Maria!
The sky rejoices and the earth smiles
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
Satan flies afar and all hell shudders
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
The world seems small and the flesh trembles,
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
Sadness flees and happiness reigns,
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
Lukewarmness disappears and love reappears
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
Devotion grows and compunction is born,
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
Hope gushes forth and consolation increases,
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
The whole soul rekindles and love grows tender,
when the heart says: Ave Maria!
So rich and so great is the sweetness of this prayer
that it could not be expressed in words.
Thus, again I kneel before thee,
O Mary, O Virgin, O Mother
filled with goodness and I say to thee,
over and over, with reverence and devotion:
Hail, Mary, Hail!
Receive this pious salutation and with it receive me,
O Mother, within your bosom.

(Thomas à Kempis– Discourse XXV)

Posted in ABOUT - Meditations with Fr RICHARD F CLARKE SJ, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DEATH, St JOSEPH, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Quote/s of the Day – 7 May – The Solemnity of the Patronage of St Joseph

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 7 May – The Solemnity of the Patronage of St Joseph

“The Almighty has concentrated in St Joseph,
as in a sun of unrivalled lustre,
the combined light and splendour
of all the other Saints.”

St Gregory Nanzianzen (330-390)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Since we all must die,
we should cherish a special devotion to St Joseph
that he may obtain for us a happy death.”

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“ St Joseph is also the protector of all his clients.
In their temporal affairs how trusty a friend,
saving them in circumstances apparently hopeless!
In spiritual necessities how prompt to aid,
how unfailing in resource!
Oh, trust in St Joseph, wait patiently for him
and he will obtain for thee
the desires of thy heart.”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 May – ‘ … Every soul who is not united with Christ, as a branch to the stem of the vine, will fall off, wither and become fit only for the fire. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 7 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Solemnity of the Patronage of St Joseph – Genesis 49:22-26 – Wisdom 5:1-5 – John 15:1-7 – Luke 3:21-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Abide in Me and I in you.” – John 15:4

REFLECTION – “ [Jesus] is our only Master, Who must teach us; our only Lord, on Whom we must depend; our only Head, to Whom alone we should belong; our only Model, Whom we should imitate; our only Physician, Who must heal us; our only Shepherd, Who must feed us; our only Way, Who must lead us; our only Truth, Whom we must believe; our only Life, Who must be our life and our sole sufficiency in all things that in Him, we may have all in All. Except the Name of Jesus, there is no other name given under Heaven, whereby we might be saved and apart from Jesus Christ, God has given us no other foundation of our salvation, our perfection and our glory: “for other foundation no man can lay but that which is laid; which is Christ Jesus” (1 Cor 3:11). Every house which is not built upon this firm Rock, is founded on the shifting sands and will inevitably fall, sooner or later. Every soul who is not united with Christ, as a branch to the stem of the vine, will fall off, wither and become fit only for the fire. If we are in Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ in us, we need not fear damnation; neither Angels in Heaven, nor men on earth, neither demons in hell, nor any other creature, can harm us because they cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (cf. Rm 8:38-39).” – St Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716) Priest, Renowned Preacher, Founder of Religious Communities [Treatise on the true devotion to the Blessed Virgin (Article one; First Truth)]

PRAYER – God, Who in Thine unspeakable foreknowledge didst choose thy blessed servant Joseph, to be the husband of Thine Own most holy Mother; mercifully grant now that he is in Heaven with Thee, we who on earth do reverence him for our Defender, may worthily be aided by the succour of his prayers, to Thee on our behalf. 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 HYMNS, PRAYERS & NOVENA to St Joseph, PRAYERS TO St Joseph, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, St JOSEPH

Our Morning Offering – 7 May – Hail, Holy Joseph, Hail!

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Our Morning Offering – 7 May – The Solemnity of the Patronage of St Joseph, Wednesday preceding the Third Sunday after Easter

Hail, Holy Joseph, Hail!
By Father Frederick W Faber CO (1814-1863)

Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
Chaste spouse of Mary hail!
Pure as the lily flow’r
In Eden’s peaceful vale.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
Prince of the house of God!
May His best graces be
By thy sweet hands bestowed.

Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
Comrade of Angels, hail!
Cheer thou the hearts that faint,
And guide the steps that fail.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
God’s choice wert thou alone!
To thee the Word made flesh,
Was subject as a Son.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
Teach us our flesh to tame
And, Mary, keep the hearts
That love thy husband’s name.
Mother of Jesus! bless,
And bless, ye Saints on high,
All meek and simple souls
That to Saint Joseph cry.
Amen’

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 7 May – Saint Placid (Died c675) Abbot

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Saint of the Day – 7 May – Saint Placid (Died c675) Abbot of the Abbey of Saint Symphorian in Autun in France. He was probably both born and died in the 7th Century in France. Also known as – Placidus, Plait.

Unknown ancient Abbot

There is very little information about Saint Placid who became the Abbot of the Monastery at Autun. His existence is certain, as attested by the ancient cult paid to him in the Abbey and Basilica of Saint Symphorian in Autun.

However, precise chronological data is lacking and his figure remains elusive, the object of uncertainty and conjecture.

There is no certain knowledge about his birth, his education or his path of faith. His Episcopal identity itself is doubtful: some ancient martyrologies indicate him as the Bishop of Autun but his name does not appear in the official list of Bishops of the Diocese.

The only certainty concerns his role as the Abbot of the Abbey of Saint Symphorian in Autun. It is presumed that he governed the Abbey before 731, the year in which the Basilica was burned and destroyed by the Saracens.

The Martyrology of St Jerome mentions Saint Placidus on 7 May, attributing to him the title of Priest and Abbot of the Abbey of Saint Symphorian. His Liturgical memory is fixed for this date.

Despite the scarcity of biographical information, Saint Placid remains a venerated figure in local tradition. His memory is preserved in the Basilica of Saint Symphorianus (below), rebuilt after the Saracen destruction. His hagiography, although fragmentary, represents an important part in the history of the Church of Autun and of Benedictine monasticism.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

The Solemnity of the Patronage of St Joseph, The Apparition of the Holy Cross over Jerusalem, St Stanislaus (1030-1079) Bishop and Martyr and all the Saints for 7 May

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The Solemnity of the Patronage of St Joseph
Wednesday preceding the Third Sunday after Easter:
Few Catholics are likely familiar with the Eastertide Solemnity of St Joseph. By Papal Decree of Pope Pius IX on 8 December 1870
According to Father Francis Xavier Lasance (1860-1946) it was instituted during the hostile occupation of Rome by the Troops of the Italian King, Victor Emmanuel II. The Pope proclaimed St Joseph the Patron of the oppressed Household of the Faith, entrusting to St Joseph, the defence of Holy Mother Church.

In the beginning, this Feast Day was observed on the Third Sunday after Easter but when Pope St Pius X reformed the Liturgical Calendar to restore the Sunday Offices to prominence over those of the Saints, the second Feast of St Joseph was moved to the Wednesday preceding the Third Sunday after Easter.
In 1911, the Feast was raised to a Double of the First Class and it was assigned an Octave after it was moved to the Wednesday before the Third Sunday after Easter.
It is a Common Octave, so the Octave may or may not be commemorated on the intra Octave days depending on the rank of the Feasts which occur during the Octave.
While this Feast day is not in the 1962 Missal, it is still kept by Priests who celebrate Holy Mass according to the pre-1955 reforms.

The Apparition of the Holy Cross over Jerusalem: The Commemoration of the appearance on 7 May 351, Pentecost that year, of a luminous image of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. It stretched from Mount Golgotha to the Mount of Olives (about two miles / three kilometers), was brighter than the sun, lasted several hours and was seen by the entire City. It led to many conversions and was reported in a letter attributed to Saint Cyril of Jerusalem.

St Stanislaus (1030-1079) Bishop and Martyr, Preacher, – Patron of Cracow, Poland.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/04/11/saint-of-the-day-11-april-st-stanislaus/

St Abba One of a large group martyred in Africa.

Blessed Alberto of Bergamo OP (1214-1279) Layman, Widow, Apostle of Charity, Pilgrim, Third Order Dominican. Beatified by Pope Benedict IV in 1748.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/07/saint-of-the-day-7-may-blessed-alberto-of-bergamo-op-1214-1279/


Bl Antonio de Agramunt
St Augustine of Nicomedia
St Augustus of Nicomedia
St Cerenico of Spoleto
St Domitian of Huy
St Duje

St Flavia Domitilla of Terracina (1st Century) Virgin Martyr.
The Roman Martyrology states of her today: “At Terracina, in Campania, the birthday of blessed Flavia Domitilla, Virgin and Martyr, niece of the Consul Flavius Clemens. She received the religious veil at the hands of St Clement and in the persecution of Domitian, was exiled with many others to the island of Pontia, where she endured a long Martyrdom for Christ. Taken afterwards to Terracina, she converted many to the faith of Christ by her teaching and miracles. The judge ordered the chamber in which she was, with the virgins Euphrosina and Theodora, to be set on fire and she thus consummated her glorious Martyrdom. She is also mentioned with the holy Martyrs Nereus and Achilleus, on the 12th of this month.”
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/07/saint-of-the-day-7-may-saint-flavia-domitilla-of-terracina-1st-century-virgin-and-martyr/

St Flavius of Nicomedia
Bl Francesco Paleari
Bl Gisela of Ungarn

St John of Beverley (Died 721) Bishop of Hexham and then the Bishop of York, Scholar and Teacher, Apostle of the poor, and the sick Ascetic, Miracle-worker., a great friend of St Bede the Venerable. He founded a Monastery at Beverley, Yorkshire from which the Town developed. Today, it is a vibrant market Town of some 31,000 people. It owes its foundation and growth to Saint John of Beverley. The Beverley Cathedral now stands on the site of St John’s Monastery.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At York, in England, St John, Bishop, renowned for his saintly life and miracles.”
A Wonderful Saint from Yorkshire:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/07/saint-of-the-day-7-may-st-john-of-beverley-died-721-of-the-miraculous-banner/

St Juvenal of Benevento
St Maurelius of Voghenza-Ferrara
St Peter (Died c735) Bishop of Pavia
St Placid (Died c675) Abbot of Autun
St Quadratus of Herbipolis
St Quadratus of Nicomedia

St Serenicus of Hyesmes
St Serenus of Hyesmes
Bl Villanus (Died 1237) Bishop of Gubbio