Day: September 17, 2025

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The IMITATION of CHRIST, The LAST THINGS, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 17 September – Carrying our Cross

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Thought for the Day – 17 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Carrying our Cross

“There is only one way to become holy and to win Heaven.
This is the way of the Cross.
The Imitation of Christ contains some moving thoughts on the subject of the Royal Road of the Cross.
We shall summarise them here.

The words of Jesus seem difficult to many: “Renounce yourself, take up your cross and follow Me.”
But, it would be much more difficult to hear on the last day those terrible words: “Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire.”
Those who listen now and accept the message of the Cross, need not be afraid of hearing this irrevocable sentence on that day.
Why avoid the way of the Cross if it is the only road which leads to Heaven?
In the Cross there is salvation; in the Cross there is protection from our enemies.
If we carry our cross with submission and love, we shall find peace of soul.
If we intertwine our cross with the Cross of Jesus, we shall obtain energy of mind, joy of spirit and perfect holiness.
If we die on the Cross with Jesus, we shall live with Him in eternal happiness.
If we are His companions in suffering, we shall also be with Him one day in glory (Rom 6:8).

Everything depends on our dying on the Cross with Jesus.
There is no other way to life and to true interior peace but the way of the Holy Cross and of daily mortification (Imitation of Christ, Bk II ch 12).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, franciscan OFM, GOD is LOVE, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on TRUTH, The RESURRECTION

Quote/s of the Day – 17 September – St Francis of Assisi

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Quote/s of the Day – 17 September – The Commutation of the Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi

“All I want to know is Christ
and the power flowing
from His Resurrection!”

“Jesus is happy to come with us,
as Truth is happy to be spoken,
as Life to be lived,
as Light to be lit,
as Love is to be loved,
as Joy to be given,
as Peace to be spread.”

“Remember, when you
leave this earth,
you can take nothing with you,
which you have received,
only that, which you have given.”

I Beg Thee, Lord
By St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226)

I beg Thee, Lord,
let the fiery, gentle power
of Thy Love
take possession of my soul
and snatch it away,
from everything under Heaven,
that I may die,
for love of Thy Love,
as Thou saw fit, to die
for love of mine!
Amen

St Frances of Assisi (c1181-1226)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, OUR Cross, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on WISDOM, St PAUL!, The HOLY CROSS, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 September– Christ is our Glory, Property and Kingdom!

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One Minute Reflection – 17 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Commutation of the Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi – Galatians 6:14-18 – Matthew 16:24-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.” – Matthew 16:24

REFLECTION – “In achieving the mystery of His Love, the Lord “took the form of a servant” and, for us, “deigned to humble Himself even to the death of the Cross” (Phil 2:8). He did this so that, through the lowliness which all could see, He might secretly achieve, for us, that hidden eminence amongst the dwellers of Heaven. Only realise, from what we first fell and you will become aware, that by the design of God’s Wisdom and Love, we are being refashioned for Life. In Adam, we fell through pride and, in Christ, we are humbled, that we may dissolve the sin of that ancient crime, by obedience to the opposite virtue. So, we who by proud conduct, have sinned, win approval by humble service.

Therefore, let us rejoice and glory in Him, Who made us both His battle and His victory, when He said: “Have confidence, for I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33) … He, Who is unconquered, will fight for us and conquer in us. Then the prince of this darkness shall be cast out (cf Jn 12:31). He is not, to be sure, expelled from the world but from the individual, for when faith enters us, we shut him out and provide a place for Christ…

Let orators keep their eloquence, philosophers their wisdom, rich men their wealth and kings their kingdoms. Christ is our Glory, Property and Kingdom! Our wisdom lies in the “foolishness of our preaching,” our strength, in the weakness of the flesh, our glory, in the stumbling block of the Cross (cf 1 Cor 1:21).” – St Paulinus of Nola (355-431) Bishop, Father of the Church (Letter 38:3-4.6).

PRAYER – O Lord, Jesus Christ, Who, to inflame our hearts with the fire of Thy love, when the world was becoming cold in spirit, renewed in the flesh of most blessed Francis, the sacred marks of Thine own Passion, graciously grant that by his merits and prayers, we may steadfastly carry our cross and bring forth worthy fruits of penance. Through the same 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 DEVOTIONS of the Month, franciscan OFM, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PLENARY Indulgences, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 17 September – Crucis Christi mons Alvernae By St Francis of Assisi, attracting a Plenary Indulgence

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Our Morning Offering – 17 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Feast of The Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi:

Crucis Christi mons Alvernae
By St Francis of Assisi OFM (c1181-1226)

Let Alverna’s holy mountain
That high mystery proclaim,
Of the sigus of life eternal
Which on blessed Francis came;
While he sobbed and while he sighed,
Grieving for the Crucified.

There, within a lowly cavern,
Far from all the world withdrawn,
As the Saint his watch was keeping,
With incessant scourgings torn,
Ever musing more and more
On the wounds which Jesus bore;

As he prayed in cold and hunger;
As he poured his glowing tears;
In his fervent spirit mounting
Far above terrestrial spheres,
Every earthly thing forgot
In his Saviour’s bitter lot.

Lo to him, in form seraphic,
Borne upon a Cross on high,
Six irradiant wings expanding
Came the King of glory nigh,
Gazing on him with a face
Of benignity and grace.

He saw that tender glance returning,
Saw th’ Incarnate Light of Light;
Saw his gracious meek Redeemer,
Robed in glory Infinite;
Drank the words which from Him fell,–
Words divine, unspeakable!

Straightway all the sacred summit
Kindles like a flaming pyre;
Holy Francis sinks enraptured
Fainting with ecstatic fire
And upon his flesh appear
Christ’s immortal Stigmata!

Honour to the high Redeemer,
Who for us in torments died,
In Whose Image blessed Francis
Suffered and was sanctified,
Counting everything but loss
For the glory of the Cross.

This Hymn is given in a Franciscan Breviary, printed at Venice in 1495, as the Hymn at first Vespers on the Feast of the Stigmata of St Francis 17 Sept (Paris, 1597).

The Five Sundays in Honour of
The Sacred Stigmata (Feast 17 September)

All the faithful who, upon the five Sundays which immediately precede the Feast of the Sacred Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi, OR upon any other five consecutive Sundays during the year, shall exercise themselves, either in pious meditation, or in vocal prayer, or in any other work of Christian piety, in honour of the said Sacred Stigmata, a Plenary Indulgence is granted once a year, on each of the 5 Sundays, on the usual conditions. (Leo XIII, 21 Nov 1885).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA

Saint of the Day – 17 September – Blessed Cherubino Testa OSA (1451-1479) Priest

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Saint of the Day – 17 September – Blessed Cherubino Testa OSA (1451-1479) Priest, Friar of the Hermits of St Augustine, Miracle-worker. Cherubino had a great devotion to the Passion of Christ, spending many hours in devout mediation on our Crucified Saviour. Born in 1451 in Avigliana, near Turin, Italy and died there, at the Augustinian Convent in 1479, aged just 28. Also known as – Cherubino of Avigliana, Cherubim… Querubin… He is also remembered on 16 December on the Augustinian Calendar.

Cherubino was born into the noble Testa family of Avigliana. From his early life he was inclined towards a religious life and he joined the Hermits of St Augustine at the Convent established by Blessed Adrian Berzetta in his hometown of Avigliana.

There he led a life free of vanity but full of mortifications and holiness, always ready to obey and to be of service wherever he was needed. He was known for his serenity and for his great devotion to the Passion of Christ’s. Frequently he spent an entire day weeping in sorrow during his contemplations of the Crucified Jesus.

Cherubino died when he was only 28 years of age on 17 September 1479 in the same Convent at Avigliana. It is said that, as his soul was leaving his body, the locality’s bells started ringing on their own as though they were announcing his entry into Heaven.

In a painting which hung near the entrance of the old Convent of Tolentino in the Marche, Blessed Cherubino was shown with a halo, with lilies emerging from his heart and, with a Crucifix held in his right hand.

There are some Augustinian writers, who said that the lilies emerging from his heart emitted the same fragrance as that which could be discerned coming forth from his grave. When it was decided to translate his remains, a lily flower miraculously emerged from his heart.

These miracles were studied after his death and were confirmed when Pope Pius IX declared him Blessed on 21 September 1868.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, franciscan OFM, SAINT of the DAY

EMBER WEDNESDAY, The Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi and the Saints for 17 September

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EMBER WEDNESDAY:  – FAST and ABSTINENCE –https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/16/today-is-an-ember-day-did-you-remember/

The Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/17/feast-of-the-stigmata-of-st-francis-of-assisi-and-memorials-of-the-saints-17-september/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/09/17/saint-of-the-day-17-september-the-feast-of-the-stigmata-of-st-francis-of-assisi/

St Agathoclia
St Brogan of Ross Tuirc
Blessed Cherubino Testa OSA (1451-1479) Priest, Friar
St Columba of Cordova
St Flocellus

St Francis Mary of Camporosso OFM Cap (1804-1866) Lay Friar of the Friars Minor Capuchin Branch, “Quaestor” or Alms collector, as well as humble services such as Infirmarian, Cook, Gardener, Sacristan, gentle carer of the Poor, the sick, the imprisoned, the needy of all kinds, both spiritual and material. Francesco was gifted with immense graces to touch the hearts of all, both small and great and to listen and advise, often blessed with the gifts of prophecy and mind-reading. Born Giovanni Evangelista Croese on 27 December 1804 at Camporosso, Liguria, Kingdom of Sardinia. Italy and died on 17 September 1866 (aged 61) at Genoa, Italy. P
The Beloved Questor:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/11/saint-of-the-day-11-may-st-francesco-maria-da-camporosso-ofm-cap-1804-1866-the-beloved-questor/

Blessed Hildegard Abbess at Bingen OSB (1098-1179). She was Beatified on 26 August 1326 by Pope John XXII. St Hildegard is also known as Saint Hildegard and Sibyl of the Rhine, was a German Benedictine Abbess, Theologian, Writer, Composer, Philosopher, Poet, Mystic, Visionary, Founder, Scientist, Artist and Polymath.
Amazing Hildegard:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=39136&action=edit

St Justin (Died c259) Priest and Martyr of Rome

St Lambert (c635-c700) Bishop & Martyr, Bishop of Maastricht, Confessor, Missionary.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/17/saint-of-the-day-17-september-st-lambert-c-635-c-700/

St Narcissus of Rome

St Peter Arbues OSA (1442-1485) Spanish Priest Martyr, Canon Regular of the Augustinian Order, learned Professor and Inquisitor. Murdered in the Cathedral of Saragossa for the carrying out the duties of his state. Canonised by Pope Pius IX in 1867.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/17/saint-of-the-day-17-september-saint-peter-arbues-osa-1442-1485-priest-martyr/

St Rodingus (Died c690) Priest and Abbot

St Satyrus of Milan (c335-c378) Confessor, Older brother of St Ambrose (340-397) Father and Doctor and St Marcellina (c330-c398) Consecrated Virgin
Patronages – of Sacristans of the Archdiocese of Milan.
St Satvrus Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/17/saint-of-the-day-17-september-st-satyrus-of-milan-c335-c378-confessor/

St Socrates
St Stephen
St Theodora
St Uni of Bremen