Thought for the Day – 19 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Crucifixion
“At last, Jesus reaches Calvary, breathless and reduced to utter exhaustion. The instrument of torture is taken from Him and laid upon the ground. Our divine Redeemer suffers acute pain, as He is again stripped of His garments, which have stuck to His wounds. Now, He is stretched, an innocent victim, on the altar of sacrifice, the Cross. One of the executioners grasps His hand, pierces it with a large nail and attaches it to the wood. Then, he does the same with the other hand and with the two feet. His Mother is close at hand. She feels in her heart the blows of the hammer which lacerate the living flesh of Jesus. Jesus remains silent “as a meek lamb that is carried to be a victim” (Jer 11:19).
Now, the executioners raise the Cross and fixes it in the hole already prepared. The shock of this impact sends a shudder of terrible pain throughout the Victim’s members and entire frame. Behold Him now, suspended between Heaven and earth, the Mediator between God and humanity, the Victim of Expiation for the innumerable sins of men.
Come near to the Cross and kiss the bloodstained feet. While the Jews are insulting Him and most of the Apostles have abandoned Him, let us tell Him how much we love Him. Let us tell Him of our sorrow for our sins and of our determination to make amends for our faults and for our ingratitude, by living in accordance with His teachings and example.”
Quote/s of the Day – 19 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Januarius of Naples (Died c304) Confessor, Bishop, Martyr and his Martyred Companions – Hebrews 10:32-38 – Matthew 24:3-13 – cripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Tell us when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy Coming and of the consummation of the world? ”
Matthew 24:3
“But he who shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved.”
Matthew 24:13
“It is written, ‘God is not mocked.’ (Gal 6: 7) Indeed, God cannot be mocked, nor circumvented, nor deluded by any man’s astute deceit. … Let each of you, then, I beg you, brethren, confess his fault while the sinner is yet in this world, while Confession is still possible, while the satisfaction and remission granted by the Priests, is still acceptable to God!”
St Cyprian of Carthage (c200-258) Martyr, Bishop of Carthage, Father of the Church
“Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope. Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping, so that the God of all the universe, as He beholds our intention, may cleanse us from all sins, fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand and grant us the change of heart which saves. God has called you and you have your calling!”
St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387) Father and Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 19 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Januarius of Naples (Died c304) Confessor, Bishop, Martyr and his Martyred Companions – Hebrews 10:32-38 – Matthew 24:3-13 – cripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Tell us when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy Coming and of the consummation of the world? ” – Matthew 24:3
REFLECTION – “Not one stone will remain upon another: all shall be destroyed.” These words were true of the Temple built by Solomon … for everything built by human hands either wears away or disintegrates or is overthrown by violence or destroyed by fire … But there is also a temple within everyone of us which crumbles whenever faith is lacking and, most especially, if in Christ’s Name, one falsely tries to gain possession of interior convictions. Perhaps this is the most helpful interpretation, where we are concerned. Indeed, what is the point of my knowing the day of judgement? Being aware of so many sins, what is the point of knowing the Saviour will one day come, if He has not come into my soul, if He is not recalled to my mind, if Christ does not live in me, if Christ does not speak in me? So it is to me Christ must come and it is for my sake, His coming must take place.
The Lord’s Second Coming takes place, as the world draws to a close, when we are able to say: “The world is crucified to me and I to the world” (Gal 6:14)… To the one to whom the world is dead, Christ is everlasting; to such a one, the temple is spiritual, the Law spiritual, even the Passover is spiritual … And so, for that person, Wisdom’s Presence has come to pass, along with virtue and justice and the presence of the Resurrection, for Christ indeed Died once for the sins of the people, in order daily, to redeem the sins of the people.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop, Father & Dpctpr of the Church (Commentary on Saint Luke’s Gospel 10:6-8)
PRAYER – O God, Who gladdens us by the annual festival of Thy Martyrs Januarius and Companions, grant that we, may be inspired by the example of those, in whose merits we rejoice.Through tJesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 19 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”
In Thine Hour of Holy Sadness By St Bernard (1090-1153) Father & Doctor of the Church
In Thine hour of holy sadness could I share with Thee, what gladness should Thine Cross to me be showing. Gladness past all thought of knowing, bowed beneath Thine Cross to die! Blessed Jesus, thanks I render that in bitter death, so tender, Thou now hear Thy supplicant calling, Save me Lord! and keep from falling, from Thee, when my hour is nigh. Amen.
Saint of the Day – 19 September – St Eustochius (Died c461) Bishop of Tours, a zealous shepherd and defender of the Church and his flock against secular interference, a Reformer of the discipling amongst the Clerics. He formed new Parishes and built new Churches. Born in Auvergne, France and died in c461 in Tours, France. Also known as – Eustachius.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Tours, St Eustochius, Bishop, a man of great virtue.”
A wooden Statue of an unknown French or Flemish Bishop
Eustochius was descended from an illustrious family of Auvergne and, according to St Gregory of Tours, was a man of eminent virtue.
Being raised to the See of Tours after the death of St Brice in 444, Eustochius, at the Council of Angers, strenuously defended the privileges of the Church which were threatened by a law imposed by Emperor Valentinian III.
Eustochius, thereafter, had a principal share in composing the Decrees reached at that Council concerning discipline.
Eustochius also increased the number of Parishes in his Diocess and built in the City of Tours, a Church, wherein he translated the Relics of Saints Gervasius and Protasius which St Martin had received from Rome.
He died in c461 and was buried in the Church built by St Brice over the Tomb of St Martin.
Notre-Dame de la Salette / Our Lady of La Salette), La Salette-Fallavaux, Isère, Rhône-Alpes, France (1846) 19 September: Our Lady appeared to two small children, Melanie Mathieu and Maximin Giraud, on the mountain of La Salette in the French Alps. She was crying and around her neck was a crucifix, with a hammer and pincers on either side – 19 September 1846. Approved by the Diocesan Bishop in 1851. Read the story here: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/19/feast-of-our-lady-of-la-salette-19-september/
St Arnulph of Gap Bl Carolus Hyon Song-Mun St Constantia of Nocera St Desiderius of Pozzuoli St Eustochius (Died c461) Bishop of Tours St Felix of Nocera St Festus of Pozzuoli
St Goeric (c570-c643)Bishop of Metz – Goeric is listed as the 30th Bishop of Metz, having governed that See from 625 to 642 or 643. The Roman Martyrology rads: “In Metz in Austrasia, still in the territory of today’s France, Saint Goeríco or Abo, Bishop, who succeeded Saint Arnulf, whose body was transported with veneration to this City.” His Life of Service: https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/19/saint-of-the-day-19-september-saint-goeric-of-metz-c570-c643-bishop/
St Maria de Cervellón OdeM (1230 – 1290) Virgin, Catalan Superior of Second Order of the Mercedarians in her region. Mystic, graced with the gift of bilocation, Apostle of the poor, the abandoned, the needy. She was the first woman to wear the Habit of the ‘ Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Ransom. She is considered the Founder of the Mercedary Nuns. Her entry in the Roman Martyrology states: “At Barcelona in Spain, blessed Maria de Cervellione, Virgin of the Order of Our Lady of Ransom. She is commonly called Maria of Help on account of the prompt assistance she renders to those who invoke her.“ Patronages – Mercadarian Nuns and Sisters, Navigators, against shipwreck, Spanish sailors, of the abandoned. On 13 February1692, Pope Innocent XII gave a favourable judgement and confirmed her immemorial cult;and she was introduced into the Roman Martyrology as a Saint on 8 November 1729. Her body is Incorrupt. Her Holy Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/19/saint-of-the-day-19-september-st-maria-de-cervellon-odem-1230-1290/ Please watch this video if you are able to spare the time. It is absolutely beautiful.
Martyrs of Antioch – 3 Saints: Christians imprisoned, tortured and executed in various ways in the persecutions of Emperor Probus; some names have come down to us – Dorymedon, Sabbatius and Trophimus. c 277 at Antioch (in modern Turkey).
Martyrs of Phunon – (4 aints): Four bishops in Egypt who were sentenced to forced labour in a rock quarry and martyred in the persecution of Diocletian. Noted for celebrating Mass in prison. – Elias, Nilus, Patermuzio and Peleus. They were burned to death in 310 at Phunon, near Petra in Palestine.
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