Posted in GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 12 October – The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery – The Road to Calvary

Thought for the Day – 12 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery
The Road to Calvary

“Scourged, crowned with thorns and derided, Jesus is finally condemned to death.
Burdened with the Cross, He sets out for the place of execution in the midst of a crowd of enemies, blasphemers and idle speculators.
Among them , there is only a tiny group which sympathises with Jesus, namely, Mary His Mother, the devout women and the beloved Apostle, St John.

The divine Redeemer goes forward laboriously beneath the heavy weight of the Cross.
He has already lost a large quantity of blood in Gethsemane and during the scourging and crowning with thorns.
His strength seems to be failing but love sustains Him.
Looking feebly around Him, He sees the mocking Jews, the indifferent and disrespectful Roman soldiers and a throng of curious spectators looking for something to amuse them.
Is there nobody else?
Where are those whom He cured miraculously and those whom He comforted and forgave?
Has nobody any pity for Him?
Suddenly the crowd falls silent.
A woman, pale and tearful, is approaching Him, supported by her friends.
She defies the commands of soldiers and the scowls of the executions and comes close to Him.

Here and there, a murmur is heard – It must be His Mother, poor woman!
Jesus and Mary gaze at one another.
It would be impossible for us to guess at the immense depths of love contained in that loving exchange of glances.
Neither utters a word, for no words could express their anguish, nor manifest their love.
They look and understand one another, offering themselves as a holocaust for the redemption of wayward humanity.

Nevertheless, in this silent meeting, there was great consolation for the Heart of Jesus, for He had found someone who loved and understood Him, amongst those malicious throngs.
Why do we not sympathise with Him too and love Him with all our hearts?

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CREEDS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), GOD the FATHER, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on STRENGTH, The HOLY GHOST, The INCARNATION, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Quote/s of the Day – 12 October – I believe …

Quote/s of the Day – 12 October – 1 Corinthians 1:4-8 – Matthew 9:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

And Jesus, seeing their faith,
said to the paralytic,
Take courage, son,
your sins are forgiven you.

Matthew 9:2

“This is the order of our faith,
the foundation of the edifice
and the support of our conduct –
God, the Father, uncreated, uncontainable, invisible,
One God, the Creator of all –
this is the first article of our faith.
And the second article – the Word of God,
the Son of God, Christ Jesus our Lord,
Who was revealed by the Prophets
according to the character of their prophecy
and according to the nature
of the economies of the Father,
by Whom all things were made
and Who, in the last times, to recapitulate all things,
became a Man amongst men,
visible and palpable, in order to abolish death,
to demonstrate life and to effect communion
between God and man.
And the third article – the Holy Ghost,
through Whom the Prophets prophesied
and the Patriarchs learnt the things of God
and the righteous, were led in the path
of righteousness and Who, in the last times,
was poured out in a new fashion
upon the human race, renewing man,
throughout the world, to God.”

St Irenaeus (130-202)
Martyr, Father of the Church

Grace is given,
not to those who speak [their faith]
but to those, who live their faith
!”

St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“… He effected a wonderful exchange with us,
through mutual sharing –
we gave Him the power to die,
He will give us the power to Live
!”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

He pours light into our minds,
arouses our desire
and gives us strength…
As the soul is the life of the body,
so the Holy Ghost is the life of our souls.

St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 October – ‘ … Here He gives us a complete image of the Resurrection …’

One Minute Reflection – 12 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Pentecost XVIII – Nuestra Señora del Pilar / Our Lady of the Pillar – 1 Corinthians 1:4-8 – Matthew 9:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic,
Take courage, son, thy sins are forgiven thee.
” – Matthew 9:2

REFLECTION – “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic: ‘Thy sins are forgiven thee,‘” The Lord is great! for the sake of the former he forgives the latter! He answers the prayer of the first and pardons the sins of the second.
O men, why is it that today your fellow traveller is unable to do anything for you, when, with the Lord, His servant has the right to intervene and to receive?

You who judge, learn to pardon and you who are ill, learn to beseech. If you have no hope of immediate pardon for grave sins, turn to intercessors, turn to the Church who will pray for you. Then, for her sake, the Lord will grant you the pardon He might have denied you. We do not ignore the historical truth of the paralytic’s cure but, above all, we acknowledge the healing of his interior self, whose sins are forgiven. …

The Lord wants to save sinners; He demonstrates His Divinity by His knowledge of what is secret and, by the wonders of His deeds. “Which is easier to say,” he asks: “’Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Rise and walk’?” Here He gives us a complete image of the Resurrection since, in curing the wounds of soul and body … the whole man is healed!” – St Ambrose (340-397) ArchBishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Saint Luke’s Gospel V, 11-13).

PRAYER – Grant us, Thy servants, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, to enjoy lasting health of mind and bod y and by the intercession of the glorious and blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake to the full, of eternal happiness.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 BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, BREVIARY Prayers, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HYMNS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Our Morning Offering – 12 October – Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky, We Lift our Hearts to God on High

Our Morning Offering – 12 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Pentecost XVIII

Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky,
We Lift our Hearts to God on High
By St Ambrose (340-397)
Great Latin Father and Doctor of the Church

Trans J M Neale (1818-1866)

Now that the daylight fills the sky,
We lift our hearts to God on high
That He, in all we do or say,
Would keep us free from harm today,

Would guard our hearts and tongues from strife,
From angry words, would shield our life,
From evil sights, would turn our eyes
And close our ears to vanities.

So we, when this new day is gone
And night in turn is drawing on,
With conscience by the world unstained,
Shall praise His Name for vict’ry gained.

“All praise to You, Creator Lord!
All praise to You, eternal Word!
All praise to You, O Spirit wise!”
We sing as daylight fills the skies.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 12 October – Saint Maximilian (Died c284) Bishop and Martyr

Saint of the Day – 12 October – Saint Maximilian (Died c284) Missionary Bishop and Martyr of Celecia, Slovenia. Born in Celeia (modern Celje, Slovenia) and died there by being beheaded on 12 October c284. Patronages – of the Habsburg family (chosen in the 15th Century), Celje, Slovenia, of the Diocese if Linz, Austria, of the Diocese of Passau, Germany, (earliest mention in writing on 30 September 985). Also known as – Maximilian of Celaja, Maximilian of Celje, Maximilian of Cilli, Maximilian of Lauriacum, Maximilian of Lorch, Maximilian of Pongau, Massimiliano… Maksimilijan Celjski.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Cilly, in Styria, St Maximilian, Bishop of Lorch.”

St Maximilian stained glass in the Parish Church in Aigen, Upper Austria

Maximilian was born in Celeia in the Roman Province of Noricum (in present-day Slovenia). He was the only child of rich and pious parents. After their death, Maximilian freed the family slaves and gave away his fortune to the poor.

He then made a pilgrimage to Rome, where St Pope Sixtus II sent him to Lauriacum (Lorch) in the Roman Province of Noricum, where he worked as a missionary during the latter half of the 3rd Century. He founded the Church of Lorch and became its 1st Bishop. After 20 years of work as the missionary Bishop, he returned to Celeia where he became a noted preacher.

Maximilian was beheaded by the Roman Prefect of Emperor Numerian after refusing to abandon Christianity and sacrifice to the pagan gods. He is remembered on 12 October (and in some locations on 29 October).

3 Martyrs – St Maximilian, St Stephen, St Valentine

His cult dates at least from the 8th Century. In that century, Saint Rupert built a Church in his honour at Bischofshofen in the Salzach valley and brought his rRlics there. In 985, some of his Relics were translated to Passau, Germany. In 1634, St Maximilian protected Passau from the Plague and his Relics were processed through Passau in beseeching his intercession.

Grave of Saint Maximilian in Celje, Slovenia
Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, ROSARY QUOTES, SAINT of the DAY

Feasts of Our Lady and Memorials of the Saints – 12 October

Nuestra Señora del Pilar / Our Lady of the Pillar (Imus, Philippines) (c 40) – 12 October:
Both of these Marian Feasts here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/12/feast-of-our-lady-aparecida-our-lady-of-the-pillar-and-memorials-of-the-saints-12-october-2/

Virgen de Zapopan / Our Lady of Zapopan, Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, (1541) – 18 January, 12 October:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/12/feasts-of-our-lady-and-memorials-of-the-saints-12-october/

Nossa Senhora Aparecida / Our Lady Aparecida, Aparecida, Sao Paulo, Brazil (1717) – 12 October: Also known as – Our Lady Who Appeared:

St Amelius of Mortara
St Amicus of Mortara
St Cyprian
St Domnina of Anazarbus
St Edisto
St Edistius of Ravenna

St Edwin of Northumbria (586-616) King and Martyr.
About St Edwin:

https://anastpaul.com/2017/10/12/saint-of-the-day-12-october-st-edwin-of-northumbria-586-616/

St Eustachius The Syrian Priest and Confessor
St Evagrius the Martyr
St Felix
St Herlindis
St Juan Osiense
St Maximilian (Died c284) Bishop Martyr of Celeia, Slovenia
St Meinards

St Monas (Died c249) Bishop, the 15th Bishop of Milan, who occupied the Seat for 59 years.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Milan, St Monas, Bishop. He was chosen as head of that Church because a miraculous light from Heaven surrounded him whilst they were deliberating on the choice of a Bishop.”
A True Shepherd:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/12/saint-of-the-day-12-october-saint-monas-of-milan-died-c249-bishop-of-the-celestrial-election/

Saint Opilio (Died first half of the 5th Century) Deacon of Piacenza, Italy. Opilio was a great example ,especially for his piety, his spirit of austere penance and his lively charity towards his neighbour. Tradition has it that he shared with the poor the food his mother sent him through Sr Gelasius, his brother.
His Life of Service:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/12/saint-of-the-day-12-october-saint-opilio-of-piacenza-died-mid-5th-century-deacon/

St Pantalus of Basle
St Priscian the Martyr
St Relindis

St Rodobaldo II Cipolla (Died 1254) Bishop of Pavia. St Roboaldo II is remembered as a zealous shepherd and for his intense charitable activity.
The Devoted St Rodobaldo:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/12/saint-of-the-day-12-october-saint-rodobaldo-ii-cipolla-of-pavia-died-1254/

St Salvinus of Verona

St Serafino OFM Cap (1540-1604) Confessor, Franciscan Capuchin Lay Friar, gifted with the Charism of prophecy, Mystic, Apostle of the poor, Spiritual Advisor, devoted to the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Rosary and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Miracle-worker.
The Roman Martyrology states: “At Ascoli, St Seraphinus, Confessor, of the Order of Minorite Capuchins, distinguished by holiness of life and humility. He was enrolled among the Saints by the Sovereign Pontiff Clement XIII.
Holy St Serafino:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/12/saint-of-the-day-12-october-st-serafino-of-montegranaro-ofm-cap-1540-1604/

St Wilfrid (c 633-709) Bishop of York in England, Abbot, Founder of Monasteries and Churches. Patronages – Diocese of Middlesbrough, Ripon “A quick walker, expert at all good works, with never a sour face” – such was the great St Wilfrid, whose glory it was to secure the happy links which bound England to Rome.”
His Zealous Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2018/10/12/saint-of-the-day-12-october-st-wilfrid-c-633-709/

Martyrs of Arian North Africa: Commemoration of the 4,996 Martyrs who died in the persecutions of the Vandals in Africa mandated by the Arian King Huneric. The persecuted Christians include Bishops, Priests, Deacons and thousands of the lay faithful. They died in 483 at various locations in North Africa. (Would we follow Christ and stand true to the Faith today?)