Posted in MARIAN TITLES

Notre-Dame Arcachon / Our Lady of La-Teste-de-Buch, Guienne (1519) and Memorials of the Saints – 5 October

Notre-Dame Arcachon / Our Lady of La Teste-de-Buch, Guienne (1519) – 5 October:

According to the Marian Calendar, Our Lady of Buch is located in the Pine Mountains, in Guienne. The sea cast this image upon the sands, while Saint Thomas, the Cordelier Friar, was praying on behalf of two vessels which he saw in danger of perishing. He respectfully received this image and deposited it in this place, in a small Chapel which he built there.

Guienne, or Guyenne, refers to a loosely defined region of pre-revolutionary, South-Western France. Buch, or La Teste-de-Buch, is a Town in the Gironde region in Aquitaine, located on the south shore of Arcachon Bay. The “Cordeliers,” known also as the Grey Friars for the heavy grey cloth they wore, are Franciscans. Their belt was but a rope with five knots tied at the end, which gave them their name in France. The “Saint Thomas” mentioned is Thomas Illyricus (1484-1528), a Franciscan native of Vrana in the Diocese of Zarian. He was never Canonised. He was a hermit and itinerant preacher and an indefatigable missionary traveller who lived near Arcachon in la Teste-de-Buch. It was he, who built the Chapel of Notre-Dame Arcachon.

“More than his voice, vibrant with emotion,” wrote the Abbe Mauriac, “more than his ascetic appearance, more than his style so direct and so strong, what stirred and attracted thousands of listeners, was his ardent sincerity which overflowed and poured itself out, while his love of God and of souls, accented his words and made him very eloquent.”

It was in the year 1519 that Thomas Illyricus found the famous Statue now known as the Virgin of Advent at the edge of the sea. He built a Shrine of wood that same year for the Statue, and pilgrimages date from 1525 and grew so much in numbers that in 1624, Cardinal Francois de Sourdis authorised the construction of a stone Chapel. This small Chapel was gradually buried by the sands and it was decided to build a new one which was completed in 1723. The Church is known as the Church of L’eglise Notre Dame des Passes, or Notre-Dame Arcachon. Many miracles have been wrought through devotion to Mary at the Shrine and the Church is dedicated to sailors, who face the channels for entry into the Arcachon basin.

There is a tall Cross known as the Sailors Cross which stands at the end of the pier of the Chapel. Built at the same time as the construction of the Chapel in 1722, the original was destroyed by a gale in 1855 and was replaced by the one that we see today. It was once customary for sailors to greet the Cross with two blasts from their fog horn, to appeal for divine protection, when they went out on the ocean and faced its dangers.
Mary is particularly interested in seafarers and folk living near waters. She who was so familiar with the Sea of Galilee and the profession of the Twelve Pillars of her Divine Son’s Church, she is still is vigilant for their welfare and happiness.

Bl Alberto Marvelli
St Alexander of Trier
St Anna Schaeffer
St Apollinaris of Valence
St Attilanus of Zamora
St Aymard of Cluny

St Boniface of Trier
St Charitina of Amasa
St Eliano of Cagliari

St Firmatus of Auxerre
St Flaviana of Auxerre
Bl Flora of Beaulieu
St Gallo of Aosta
St Jerome of Nevers
Bl John Hewett
St Magdalveus of Verdun
St Mamlacha
St Marcellinus of Ravenna
Bl Marian Skrzypczak
St Meinulph
St Palmatius of Trier
Blessed Pietro of Imola (c1250-1320)

Blessed Raymond of Capua OP (c 1330-1399) Priest, “The Second Founder” of the Dominican Order of Preachers, Reformer, Spiritual Director, he worked with St Agnes of Montepulciano and St Catherine of Siena, Hagiographer, Teacher.

Bl Robert Sutton
Bl Sante of Cori
St Thraseas of Eumenia
St Tranquilino Ubiarco Robles
Bl William Hartley
—
Martyrs of Messina or St Placidus and Companions – 30 saints: A group of about 30 Benedictine monks and nuns, some blood relatives, who were sent in the early days of the order to establish monasteries in the vicinity of Messina, Sicily, Italy and who were martyred. We know the names, and a few details, about seven of them –
• Donatus
• Eutychius
• Faustus
• Firmatus
• Flavia
• Placidus
• Victorinus
6th century Messina, Sicily, Italy.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Eugenio Andrés Amo
• Blessed Sebastià Segarra Barberá
• Blessed Rafael Alcocer Martínez

Posted in Uncategorized

Saint of the Day – 5 October – Blessed William Hartley, Blessed John Hewett & Blessed Robert Sutton

All martyrs from England murdered on 5 October 1588., all beatified by Pope Pius XI.

Blessed William Hartley was an English priest. Born in Wilne, Derbyshire and raised Protestant, he studied at Oxford University and became an Anglican minister before converting to Catholicism. He studied in Rheims, France and was ordained in 1580. Returning to England, he worked with Bl Edmund Campion, ministering to covert Catholics. Arrested in 1582 for being a priest, he was deported but soon returned to England to resume his ministry. He was captured at Holborn, and hanged on 5 October 1588 at Shoreditch, London.

Blessed John Hewett, also known as John Hewitt, John Weldon, John Savell. He was born in York, North Yorkshire, the son of a draper. Educated at Caius College, Cambridge, he studied for the priesthood at Rheims, France, and was ordained in 1586. Returning to England as a covert priest, he used the names Weldon and Savell to hide his identity. Arrested at Grey’s Inn Lane, London, on 10 March 1587 for the crime of priesthood, and hanged on 5 October 1588 at Mile End Green, London.

Blessed Robert Sutton, layman martyr, was a tutor or schoolmaster, born at Kegworth in Leicestershire, who had practiced his profession in Paternoster Row, London. Sometime prior to June 1586, he met there a Mr. Blythe (a.k.a. Oliver Heywoode), an old priest working in the area of Newgate, and converted to Catholicism. He was soon arrested, incarcerated and hanged in 1588 at Clerkenwell, London.

He must of right concede that, although very much might be done before Christ, yet that something more might be done after Christ, since to His times all fullness is attributed.

The Life and Passion of St Cyprian (Pontius)

Posted in Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 5 October – To Christ, the Prince of Peace

Our Morning Offering – 5 October

To Christ, the Prince of Peace
Trans Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

To Christ, the Prince of Peace,
And Son of God most high,
The Father of the world to come,
Sing we with holy joy.

Deep in His Heart, for us,
The wound of love He bore;
That love wherewith He still inflames
The hearts that Him adore.

O Jesu, victim blest,
What else but love divine
Could Thee constrain to open thus
That Sacred Heart of thine?

O fount of endless life,
O spring of water clear,
O flame celestial, cleansing all
Who unto Thee draw near!

Hide us in Thy dear heart,
For thither do we fly;
There seek Thy grace through life; in death
Thine immortality.

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 5 October – Putting on the wedding garment 

One Minute Reflection – 5 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Ps 77:1, Eph 4:23-28, Matt 22:1-14

And he said to him, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” But he was speechless.

Matt 22:1-14

REFLECTION – What is the wedding garment that the Gospel talks about? Most certainly, that garment is something that only the good have, those who are to participate in the feast. Could it be the sacraments? Baptism? Without baptism, no one comes to God, but some people receive baptism and do not come to God. Perhaps it is the altar or what a person receives at the altar? But in receiving the Lord’s body, some people eat and drink their own condemnation. So what is it? Fasting? The wicked also fast. Going to church often? The wicked go to church like the others.

So what is this wedding garment? The apostle Paul tells us: “What we are aiming at is the love that springs from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.” That is the wedding garment. Paul is not talking about just any kind of love, for one can often see dishonest people loving others, but one does not see among them this love “that springs from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.” Now that is the love that is the wedding garment.

The apostle Paul said: “If I speak with human tongues and angelic as well, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and, with full knowledge, comprehend all mysteries, if I have faith great enough to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” He said that even if he had all that, without Christ “I am nothing.” How many good things are worthless because one good alone is lacking! If I am without love I may well give away all that I have, confess the name of Christ to the point of shedding my blood, it would be to no purpose, because I can act in that way for love of glory. “If I have not love, it is of no use.” That is the wedding garment. Examine yourselves: if you have it, then come to the Lord’s banquet with confidence.

St Augustine

PRAYER – Stay With Me, O Lord by Padre Pio (1887-1968)
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life

and without You I am without fervour.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light
and without You I am in darkness.
Stay with me, Lord,
so that I hear Your voice and follow You.
Stay with me, Lord,
for I desire to love You very much
and always be in Your company.
Stay with me, Lord,
if You wish me to be faithful to You.
Stay with me, Lord, as poor as my soul is,
I want it to be a place of consolation for You,
a nest of Love.
Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late
and the day is coming to a close
and life passes, death, judgement
and eternity approach.
It is necessary to renew my strength,
so that I will not stop
along the way and for that, I need You.
It is getting late and death approaches,
I fear the darkness, the temptations,
the dryness, the cross, the sorrows.
O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile!
Stay with me tonight, Jesus,
in life with all its dangers, I need You.
Let me recognise You as Your disciples did,
at the breaking of the bread,
so that the Eucharistic Communion be the Light
which disperses the darkness,
the force which sustains me,
the unique joy of my heart.
Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death,
I want to remain united to You,
if not by Communion, at least by grace and love.
Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for,
Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will,
Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You
and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.
With a firm love, I will love You
with all my heart while on earth
and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes

Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – They made light of it

But they made light of it, and went off, one to his farm, and another to his business; and the rest laid hold of his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.

Matt 22:1-14

See then care utterable. He had planted a vineyard; He had done all things, and finished; when His servants had been put to death, He sent other servants; when those had been slain, He sent the son; and when He was put to death, He bids them to the marriage. They would not come. After this He sends other servants, and they slew these also. Then upon this He slays them, as being incurably diseased.

St John Chrysostom

We are hypocrites who serve God just as long as everything is going according to our wishes. Alas, my dear brethren, all of these virtues which we observe in a great many apparent Christians are but like the flowers of spring, which one gust of hot wind can wither.

St John Vianney

From our mutual love and your reverence for me you have thought that I should be consulted, dearest brother, as to my opinion concerning a certain actor, who, being settled among you, still persists in the discredit of the same art of his; and as a master and teacher, not for the instruction, but for the destruction of boys, that which he has unfortunately learned he also imparts to others: you ask whether such a one ought to communicate with us. This, I think, neither befits the divine majesty nor the discipline of the Gospel, that the modesty and credit of the Church should be polluted by so disgraceful and infamous a contagion.

St Cyprian

For what is more truly the beginning for a Christian than to believe in Christ? What end is better than to suffer for Christ?

St Augustine

We must certainly be extraordinarily blind because when all is said and done, there is not a single person who could say that he is ready to appear before Jesus Christ. Yet in spite of the fact that we are quite aware of this, there is still not one among us who will take a single step nearer to God. Dear Lord, how blind the sinner is! How pitiable is his lot! My dear children, let us not live like fools any longer, for at the moment when we least expect it, Jesus Christ will knock at our door. How happy then will be the person who has not been waiting until that very moment to prepare himself for Him. That is what I wish you to be.

St John Vianney

Wherefore also great is the punishment appointed for them that have been remiss. For as they did despite by not coming, so also thou by thus sitting down with a corrupt life. For to come in with filthy garments is this namely, to depart hence having one’s life impure; wherefore also he was speechless.

St John Chrysostom

Posted in OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS

Thought for the Day – 5 October – All the Angels are employed in the service of Man

The Glories of the Holy Angels

Venerable Henri Boudon, Archdeacon of Evreux

MOTIVE THIRD

All the Angels are employed in the service of Man

I confess that continuing to write of the Angels, my heart is insensibly touched with their love; and no wonder if it all were liquefied before these blessed spirits, who are, as the Psalmist says, “a devouring fire.” O amiable Spirits ! here permit my poor soul to sigh for love. Either suffer me to die, or to live as you wish. May I love you with a love according to the heart of Jesus, the King of love, and of Mary, the Queen of holy love. We should cease to live, or breathe only the purity of this love. To resume—Are not the foregoing motives sufficiently powerful to engage us to love the Angels ? But we can furnish many others. It is not one, nor a certain number, of these celestial spirits that are employed in our service. St. Paul says, that they are all deputed for our salvation. All the Angels, says St. Augustine, are employed in our defence, since they and we make but one same city of God. It is not alone the Angels of the last choir, says St. Chrysostom, that watch for the safety of men; the higher choirs are also deputed to defend them.

Some question if the higher Angels descend upon earth to assist man; but how will these explain the testimonies which the holy Scripture gives us to this
effect? St. Raphael, who guided Tobias when going to Rages, said of himself, that he was one of the seven spirits who stand before the throne. They were the Cherubim who appeared to Ezechiel. It was to a Cherub that God committed the care of the terrestrial Paradise—and it was a Seraph who purified the lips of Isaiah. Ecclesiastical History, too, teaches the same truth: It was one of the highest Angels who imprinted the sacred stigmas of our Lord’s passion on the body of St. Francis, and another who wounded, with a golden dart, the heart of St. Teresa. But this is not the essential point : it is quite enough for us to know, that in some manner or another, all the Angels are in our service. And what a host of defenders for us ! Holy Job says, that their number is without number. Some writers affirm, that it surpasses that of the stars of Heaven, of the birds of the air, of the drops of water in the ocean, and of all visible creatures. St. Gregory of Nyssa says that there is an infinity of millions of Angels: and St. Dionysius the Areopagite, that God alone knows the number of these holy Spirits.

What movements of love—what sentiments of consolation do not these truths, if well penetrated, impart to our poor hearts! If it were said to you who read these lines, that the King had deputed to your service one of his principal courtiers, with strict orders to render to you all the manner of favours and services, what would be your gratitude, your amazement, your joy ! But history furnishes no such instance of kindness; it is only the King of kings who operates such a prodigy of love. O my soul ! my soul! have you ever seriously considered, that not only one but all the princes of the God of Paradise watch over you with ineffable care and tenderness—that “all minister to those who are to receive the inheritance of salvation.” ’

O the love of that God who has sent them ! O the love of those Spirits whom he has sent ! What consolation for us! Why, after this, should we be sad or troubled? One alone of these blessed princes is more than sufficient to defend us, and behold millions of millions—nay, an infinity of millions of them watching for our safety ! But remember, if such powerful protection places you in security, that the friendship of these illustrious princes should serve you for occupation. It is better to form acquaintance with these pure spirits than to amuse one’s self with creatures. Their friendship is so much the more holy and advantageous, as there is nothing in them but God alone.

Posted in OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS

Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary – Day Eight – 5 October

Day Eight: We Pray for the Virtue of Faith
and for our private intentions

Thank You, Jesus
You our Great Mystery,
For Your life
that transcends our understanding,
For Your presence
from which we can never flee,
for Your Resurrection
which is never defeated
and for the gift of faith
that enables us to trust
even in the midst of our doubts
and fears.
Amen

Daily Prayer along with our Daily Rosary:

My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet.
Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your requests at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart and for this special favour which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena: ………………………….. (Mention your request).

I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son.
If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused.
I know, dearest Mother, that you want me
to seek God’s holy Will concerning my request.
If what I ask for should not be granted,
pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul.

I offer you this spiritual Bouquet of Roses because I love you.
I put all my confidence in you,
since your prayers before God are most powerful.
For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus,
your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer.
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

Our Lady of the Rosary,
pray for our Holy Mother Church
and for our country.

Sweet Heart of Jesus,
be my love.

Sweet Heart of Mary,
at the hour of my death,
lead me home.