Author: AnaStpaul

Passionate Catholic. Being a Catholic is a way of life - a love affair "Religion must be like the air we breathe..."- St John Bosco Prayer is what the world needs combined with the example of our lives which testify to the Light of Christ. This site, which is now using the Traditional Calendar, will mainly concentrate on Daily Prayers, Novenas and the Memorials and Feast Days of our friends in Heaven, the Saints who went before us and the great blessings the Church provides in our Catholic Monthly Devotions. This Site is placed under the Patronage of my many favourite Saints and especially, St Paul. "For the Saints are sent to us by God as so many sermons. We do not use them, it is they who move us and lead us, to where we had not expected to go.” Charles Cardinal Journet (1891-1975) This site adheres to the pre-Vatican II Catholic Church and all her teachings. . PLEASE ADVISE ME OF ANY GLARING TYPOS etc - In June 2021 I lost 100% sight in my left eye and sometimes miss errors. Thank you and I pray all those who visit here will be abundantly blessed. Pax et bonum! 🙏
Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FRIENDSHIP, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 July – ‘Love everyone with a great, charitable love but …’

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One Minute Reflection – 29 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Martha, Sister of Saint Lazarus and Saint Mary of Bethany – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, 11:1-2 – Luke 10:38-42 –Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part which shall not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:42

REFLECTION – “Love everyone with a great, charitable love but have no friendship except for those who communicate with you in the things of virtue. … If this communication be in the sciences, the friendship is certainly very commendable but still more so, if it be in virtues, in prudence, discretion, fortitude and justice. Should your mutual and reciprocal communications relate to charity, devotion and Christian perfection, O God, how precious will this friendship be! It will be excellent because it comes from God; excellent because it tends to God; excellent because its very bond is God; excellent because, it shall last eternally in God. Oh, how good it is to love on earth as they love in Heaven and to learn to cherish one another in this world, as we shall do eternally in the next!

I speak not here of that simple love of charity which we must have for all but of that spiritual friendship, by which two, three or more souls communicate one to another their devotion and spiritual affections and make themselves have but one spirit. (Cf. Acts 4:32) Such happy souls may justly sing: “Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Ps 132:1). … I consider all other friendships as but so many shadows in comparison with this one …. For Christians who live in the world and desire to embrace true vrtue, it is necessary to unite themselves together by a holy and sacred friendship. By this means they encourage, assist and conduct one another to good deeds … Surely no-one can deny that our Lord loved Saint John, Lazarus, Martha and Mary .with a more sweet and most special friendship, for Scripture tells us so.” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church (Introduction to the Devout Life III 19).

PRAYER – Graciously hear us, God our Saviour, that as we rejoice in the festival of blessed Martha, Thy Virgin, so may we be nourished by the food of her heavenly teaching as to be enlightened by the fervour of her dedicated holiness.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 ACT of CONTRITION, GOD ALONE!, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The HEART, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 29 July – O Good Jesus, Make Me Live in Thee and for Thee

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 29 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood”

O Good Jesus, Make Me
Live in Thee and for Thee
By Pope Benedict XV (1854-1922)

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!
O fount of every good!
I adore Thee, I love Thee
and sincerely repenting of my sins
I present to Thee my poor heart.
Give it back to me
humble, patient,
pure and in everything,
conformed to Thy wishes.
Make me, O good Jesus,
live in Thee and for Thee.
Protect me in dangers,
comfort me in afflictions,
grant me health of body,
succour in my temporal needs,
Thy blessing in all my works
and the grace of a holy death.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 29 July – Saint Kilian (8th Century) Abbot

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Saint of the Day – 29 July – Saint Kilian (8th Century) Abbot of Inish-caltra Monastery, Scholar, Poet and Writer. Also known as – Coelan, Chelian.

Inish-caltra Monastery

Inish-caltra was an Island Monastery of Lough Derg, County Clare. Its monastic school continued to produce a number of scholars over the centuries and our Saint Kilian is said to have authored a metrical life of Saint Brigid of Kildare.

Alas, the surviving manuscripts are not of good quality and the language used is not that of our Saint’s time, so scholars find some difficulties with the attribution to Saint Kilian. If nothing else though, Canon O’Hanlon’s account below gives us an insight into some of the difficulties faced by the great 17th Century hagiologist, Father John Colgan, as he sought to collate the existing sources for the lives of Ireland’s Saints:

Unknown Irish Monk

“This highly gifted, esteemed and worthy Religious, had laboured so earnestly and so well, in his great and holy avocation to meet that God, Whose service was the sole absorbing object of his life that his future rewards were secured, even before they were fully realised.
An elegant scholar, his mind, was furthermore enlightened by the gifts of grace. It is much to be regretted, however, that his personal history has been so obscured and it has become so difficult of elucidation. T
he Natalis of St Chelian, Kilian or Coelan, a Monk of Inis-keltra, occurs on the 29th of July, according to the Martyrology of Tallagh.”

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Madonna dei Miracoli / Holy Mary of Miracles, Morbio Inferiore, Ticino, Switzerland (1594), St Martha and Memorials of the Saints – 29 July

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Madonna dei Miracoli / Holy Mary of Miracles, Morbio Inferiore, Ticino, Switzerland (1594) – 29 July:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/29/madonna-dei-miracoli-holy-mary-of-miracles-morbio-inferiore-ticino-switzerland-1594-and-memorials-of-the-saints/

St Martha – Sister of Saint Lazarus and Saint Mary of Bethany. Friend of Jesus and hostess to Him in her house. May have been part of an early mission to France.
St Martha:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/07/29/saint-of-the-day-29-july-st-martha-virgin-1st-century/
More on St Martha here:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/07/29/saint-of-the-day-29-july-st-martha/

St Antony
Bl Beatrix of Valfleury
St Callinicus of Paphlagonia
St Faustinus of Spello
St Felix II Pope and Martyr
St John the Soldier
St Kilian (8th Century) Abbot of Inish-caltra Monastery

Blessed Luis Bertran OP (1594-1627) Martyr, Spanish Priest and Missionary of the Order of Preachers. Beatified on 7 May 1867 by Pope Pius IX.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/29/saint-s-of-the-day-29-july-blessed-luis-bertran-op-1594-1627-and-companions-martyrs/

St Lupus (c383-c479) Bishop and Confessor of Troyes, France. Defender – defended the City from the devatating fury of the Huns and strenuously fought the rampant heretical climate. He was also a friend of Bishop St Euphronius of Autun (Died c473).
His Devout and Zealous Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/07/29/saint-of-the-day-29-july-saint-lupus-of-troyes-c383-c479-bishop-and-confessor/

Bl Mancius of the Cross
St Olaf II
St Olaus of Sweden
Bl Petrus of Saint Mary
St Prosper of Orleans
St Seraphina
St Serapia of Syria
St Sulian

St William Pinchon (1180-1234) Bishop of Saint Brieuc, Confessor. William was a champion for the poor and defended the rights and privileges of the Church against secular intervention.
His LZealous ife:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/29/saint-of-the-day-29-july-st-william-pinchon-of-saint-brieuc-1180-1234/

Four Anonymous Martyrs

Martyrs of Rome – 23 Saints also known as St Simplicius and Companions: Antony, Beatrix, Eugene, Faustinus, Felix, Flora, Lucilla, Rufo, Simplicius, Theodore, Eugene, Flora the Martyr, Lucilla, Theodore.

Posted in GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 28 July – The Power of God’s Love in the Christian Life

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Thought for the Day – 28 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Power of God’s Love in the Christian Life

“Everyday, in the lives of the Saints, was a continual act of love of God.
This was how they became holy.
They loved God intensely all the time.
They loved Him above all things.
Everything which they thought, desired or did, was directed to Him.
Their entire lives were consecrated to Him.

We should all desire to be holy, if we do, we must love God with our whole heart, strength and will.
Not until then, will every action of ours become meritorious.
Holiness is born of the love of God.
Without the love of God, everything is futile and useless; our conversation is so much idle chatter;  our desires are empty dreams which excite us for a while and then dissolve like bubbles of soap;  our actions are unprofitable and our enterprises are not aimed at a true objective;  our achievements can inflate us for a time but they will leave us disillusioned at the hour of death.

The love of God is necessary for us.
He alone is entirely worthy of our affection.
Other loves are passing but, this love is eternal.
Other loves confuse and trouble us but, the love of God gives us peace of soul.
Other loves weaken and vanish with time but, the love of God is the source of all holiness in this life and of eternal happiness in the next.
Why, then, do we not forget our worldly preoccupations?
Let us give our hearts to God forever and we shall be in possession of the one true happiness which never fades.“

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, OUR Cross, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Quote/s of the Day – 28 July – ‘ … Rejoice, you who are last in this world …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 28 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Sts Nazarius and Celus, Martyrs and St Pope Victor I (Died c199)

“Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in Heaven.”
Matthew 5:12

“ Rejoice, ardent travellers,
at undergoing exile and maltreatment
in a foreign land in the name
of the commandment of God!
Rejoice, you who are last in this world
but lords of blessings
which exceed our understanding (cf Phil 4:7).
Yet a little while and we shall have vanquished.
And blessed shall we be;
blessed also, it shall be said,
are the places, family and countries
which have borne you (cf Lk 11:27-28).”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)

“Rejoice and be happy!
Persevere to the end
and prefer to die
rather than abandon the post,
to which God has called you!”

St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)

“Crosses, contempt,
sorrows and afflictions,
are the real treasures
of the lovers of Jesus Christ Crucified.”

St Margaret Mary Alacoque
(1647-1690)

“You must choose – is it better
that there should be thorns in your garden,
in order to have roses,
or that there should be no roses
in your garden,
in order to have no thorns?”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 July – ‘ … He will not refuse what He has promised. …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 28 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Sts Nazarius and Celus, Martyrs and St Pope Victor I (Died c199 – Wisdom 10:17-20 – Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And you shall be hated by all men for My Name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall perish.” – Luke 21:17-18

REFLECTION – “Such as breathe out violence, have risen up against me” (Ps 26:12) … The psalmist struggles in the hands of those who pursue and attack him; he is breathless, struggling but he holds firm; he is assured, since God upholds him, God helps him, God leads him, God guides him. Both transported with joy by what he has been able to admire and sing and struck with groanings by that which he has had to suffer, in the end, he breathes and cries out: “I believe I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living” (v.13). Oh, how sweet is the Lord’s bounty, immortal, incomparable, eternal, unchanging! And when shall I see you, O bounty of the Lord? “I believe I shall see,” but not in the land of mortals but “in the land of the living.” The Lord will bring me out of the land of mortals who deigned for my sake to accept this land of mortals and die at the hands of mortals…

May we listen too, to the Voice of the Lord which, from on high, exhorts and consoles us. Let us listen to the Voice of Him Whom we have for Father and Mother (cf. v.10). For He has heard our groaning, He has seen our sighs, He has sounded the desires of our hearts for “the one thing we ask” (v.4). Thanks to Christ’s intercession, He has favourably received our one prayer, our one request. And while we are completing our pilgrimage in this world, even as the road is a long one, He will not refuse what He has promised. He says to us: “Hope in the Lord.” He Who has promised is all powerful, He is trustworthy, He is faithful. “Hope in the Lord, be stouthearted” (v.14). Therefore, do not let yourself be troubled.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (2nd Discourse on Psalm 26).

PRAYER – May the Martyrdom of Thy Saints Nazarius, Celsus and Victor, give us courage, O Lord and may it give us a help to counter our weakness. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God forever, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 28 July – Late Have I Loved Thee!

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Our Morning Offering – 28 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood”

Late Have I Loved Thee!
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

Late have I loved Thee,
Beauty ever ancient and ever new,
late have I loved Thee!
Lo, Thou were within
but I outside,
seeking there for Thee
and upon the shapely things
Thou hast made
I rushed headlong – I, misshapen.
Thou wast with me
but I was tnot with Thee.
They held me back far from Thee,
those things which would have no being,
were they not in Thee.
Thou called, shouted,
broke through my deafness.
Thou flared, blazed,
banished my blindness.
Thou lavished Thy fragrance,
I gasped
and now I pant for Thee.
I tasted Thee
and now I hunger and thirst.
Thou touched me
and I burned for Thy peace.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 28 July – Saint Acatius (Died c310) Bishop and Confessor

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Saint of the Day – 28 July – Saint Acatius (Died c310) Bishop af Miletus in Asia Minor and Martyr. Also known as – Acacius, Acacio, Acazio and … the Younger..

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Miletus, in the time of the Emperor Licintius, the holy Martyr, Acatius, who completed his Martyrdom by havine his head stuck off, after having undergone different torments and been thrown into a furnace from which he came out uninjured, through the assistance of God.”

Acatius was Martyred during the persecution of the Eastern Emperor, Licinius (308-311) in Miletus, Asia Minor.

The fragments of his deeds which have come down to us from the Greek Vita, are miraculous as so many of our Martyrs were so wonderfully protected. According to the Acts Acatius survived unscathed, the most diverse tortures reserved for Christians, including beatings, wild beasts and terrible fires, during which the Tribune in charge of the execution perished in his place; finally, he was beheaded.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Sts Nazarius and Celsus, Martyrs, St Victor I, Pope and Martyr, St Pope Innocent I Confessor, The Siege of Rhodes. Victory  in 1480 through the intercession of Our Lady and Memorials of the Saints – 28 July

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Siege of Rhodes. Victory over the Turks by the Knights Hospitaller at Rhodes in 1480 through the intercession of Our Lady, final battle 27 July 1480 – commemorated on 28 July:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/28/the-siege-of-rhodes-victory-over-the-turks-by-the-knights-hospitaller-at-rhodes-in-1480-through-the-intercession-of-our-lady/

*St Nazarius and St Celsus (Died c68) Martyrs, Missionaries and disciples of St Peter the Apostle. Their bodies were found by St Ambrose in Milan. Additional Memorial on 10 May of the finding of the Relics by St Ambrose.
Their Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/07/28/saint-s-of-the-day-28-july-saint-nazarius-died-c68-and-saint-celsus-died-c68-martyrs/

St Pope Innocent I (Died 417) Confessor. Papal Ascension 402 until his death on 12 March 417, He defended the exiled Saint John Chrysostom and consulted with the Bishops of Africa concerning the Pelagian controversy, confirming the decisions of the African synods. The Catholic priest-scholar Johann Peter Kirsch, 1500 years later, described Innocent as “a very energetic and highly gifted individual …who fulfilled admirably the duties of his office.”
Holy St Innocent:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/28/saint-of-the-day-28-july-saint-pope-innocent-i-died-417/

St Pope Victor I (Died c 199) The 14th Bishop of Rome, Martyr.
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/28/saint-of-the-day-28-july-saint-pope-victor-i-died-199/

St Acatius (Died c310) Bishop af Miletus and Martyr
St Arduinus of Trepino
St Botwid of Sudermannland
St Camelian of Troyes
Bl Christodoulos
St Eustathius of Galatia
St Irene of Cappadocia
Bl John Soreth
St Longinus of Satala
St Lucidius of Aquara
St Lyutius

St Nicanor the Deacon
St Parmenas the Deacon
St Peregrinus
St Prochorus the Deacon

St Samson (c490 – 565) Bishop, Confessor of Dol, Abbot, Missionary, Miracle-worker.
Miraculous St Samson:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/28/saint-of-the-day-28-july-st-samson-of-dol-c-490-565/

Martyrs of Laodicea – 8 Saints: Alexander, Bessia, Makarios,
Philip, Prudentius, Secunda, Theophilus, Zoticus.

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Posted in I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 27 July – How We Should Pray

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Thought for the Day – 27 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

How We Should Pray

“When Jesus asked us to pray, He promised to answer our prayers.
“Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you” (Mt 7:7).
“If you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it to you,” (Jn 16:23).
God cannot break His promises.
Why, then, do our prayers often seem to remain unanswered?
There are several reasons but the main one is that which is pointed out by St James.
“You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss” (Js 4:3).
Some people say a few prayers with their lips only but without any real faith or confidence that they will be answered.
Jesus told the heartbroken father who begged Him to free his son from an evil spirit: “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mk 9:22).
Then He healed the unfortunate boy.
It is necessary to have complete confidence if we wish our prayers to be answered.

Other people ask for worldly favours without ever giving a thought to their spiritual welfare.
But Jesus taught us to act otherwise.
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His justice and all these things shall be given unto you besides” (Mt 6:33).
There are those who look for favours, such as bodily health or riches which, if they obtained them, could lead to their spiritual destruction.

Sometimes God delays His answer in order to test our faith and perseverance.
It is important that we should pray with a right intention, with faith and perseverance and, with resignation to God’s Will.
We must realise clearly, God will grant us whatever is best for us, at the most suitable moment! Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 July – By their fruits you will know them.

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 27 July – St Pantaleon (Died c305) Martyr, Lay Physician, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers –Pentecost VII – Romans 6,19-23 – Matthew 7:15-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“By their fruits you will know them.
Do men gather grapes from thorns,
or figs from thistles?”

Matthew 7:16

“And he who had received the five talents
went and traded with them,
and gained five more.”

Matthew 25:16

“Just as it is impossible for the grass
to grow on the sand,
so it is impossible for one who seeks pleasure
and superficial conversation,
to produce the heavenly fruit.
For the Lord says:
No-one can serve two masters (Mt 6:24).”

St Syncletica (c320-c400)

“He who abides in Me and I in Him,
the same bears much fruit”
John 5:5

“We are preserved in being, if we grow onto Him
and cling fast to the holy commandment,
which has been handed down to us
and, if we are eager to keep the blessing of nobility,
that is to say, if we never consent, in any way,
to “grieve the Holy Spirit” (Eph 4:30),
Who has come to dwell in us and, through Whom,
we believe, God has made His home in us. …
For just as the vine-stock supplies and distributes,
the virtue of its own inherent natural, quality to the shoots,
so, too, the Only-Begotten Word of God,
implants, in His people, a sort of affinity
with His own nature and that of the Father.
By the gift of the Spirit, they are united with Him
by every kind of holiness.
He nourishes them, so that they become devout
and He moves them to knowledge of all virtue
and good works.”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“As our Saviour says:
“A good tree is not able to produce bad fruit.”
He says: A good tree, that is, a good heart
and a soul on fire with charity,
can do nothing but good and holy works.
For this reason Saint Augustine said:
“Love and do what you will,” namely,
possess love and charity and then do what you will.
It is as if he had said: Charity is not able to sin.”

St Angelica de Merici (1474-1540)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 July – ‘ … If you say you abide in Christ, you ought to walk as He walked. … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 27 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Pantaleon (Died c305) Martyr, Lay Physician, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers –Pentecost VII – Romans 6:19-23 – Matthew 7:15-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“By their fruits you shall know them.”- Matthew 7:16

REFLECTION – “Do you believe in Christ? Do the works of Christ, so that your faith may live; love will animate your faith, deed will reveal it … If you say you abide in Christ, you ought to walk as He walked. But if you seek your own glory, envy the successful, slander the absent, take revenge on those who injure you, this Christ did not do. You profess to know God, yet reject Him by your deeds! … “Such a one honours Me with his lips but his heart is far from Me” (Is 29:13; Mt 15:8)…

You see then that right faith, will not make a man righteous, unless it is enlivened by love. Someone, who has no love, has no means of loving the Bride, Christ’s Church. But, on the other hand, deeds, however righteous, cannot make the heart righteous, without faith. Who would call a person righteous, who does not please God? But “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6). And God, cannot please the one, who is not pleasing to Him; for if God is pleasing to someone that person cannot displease God . Furthermore, if God is not pleasing to that person, neither is His Bride, the Church. How then can he be righteous, who loves neither God nor God’s Church, to whom is said: “The righteous love you”? (Sg 1,3 Vg.).

If, therefore, neither faith without good works, nor good works without faith, suffice for a man’s righteousness, we, my brothers, who believe in Christ, should strive to ensure that our behaviour and desires are righteous. Let us raise up both our hearts and hands, to God that our whole being maybe righteous, our righteous faith being revealed in our righteous actions. So, we shall be lovers of the Bride, the Church and loved by the Bridegroom Jesus Christ our Lord, who is God, blessed forever!” – St Bernard (1091-1153) Cistercian, Father and Ddoctor of the Church (24th sermon on the Song of Songs).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that through the intercession of Thy blessed Martyr Pantaleon, we may be delivered from all afflictions of the body and cleansed from all evil thoughts of the mind. 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 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on WATCHING, QUOTES on WISDOM, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST

Our Morning Offering – 27 July – Grant Me, My God By St Thomas Aquinas

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Our Morning Offering – 27 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Pentecost VII

Grant Me, My God
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Angelic Doctor, Common Doctor

Make my heart watchful, O God,
so that no vain thoughts may distract it from Thee.
Make it noble,
so that it may never be seduced by any base affection.
Make it steadfast,
so that troubles may not dismay it.
Make it free,
so that it may not yield to the onslaughts of passion.
Grant me, my God,
the intelligence, to understand Thee,
the love, to seek Thee,
the wisdom, to find Thee,
words, to please Thee,
the perseverance, to wait faithfully for Thee
and, the hope of embracing Thee, at last.
Grant that I, a repentant sinner,
may bear Thy chastisements with resignation.
Poor pilgrim which I am,
may I draw on the treasury of Thine grace
and may I one day,
be eternally happy with Thee in Heavenly glory!
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 27 July – St Aetherius (Died c573) Bishop and Confessor

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Saint of the Day – 27 July – St Aetherius (Died c573) Bishop and Confessor of Auxerre, in modern Burgundy, France. Also known as – Ether, Ethère, Etherius.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Auxerre, the demise of the blessed St Aetherius, Bishop and Confessor.”

Unknown Ancient French Bishop

Aetherius succeeded St Romanus as the 15th Bishop of Auxerre from 564 until his death in c573.

He was a great promoter of monastic life and defended the Church against interference from the secular state, naturally undergoing persecution on account of his fervent protection of the Church. After around 10 years in Office, Aetherius died and was buried in the Abbey of St Germanus in Auxerre, see below.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Pentecost VII, St Pantaleon (Died c 305) Martyr, Notre-Dame-de-Foy / Our Lady of Faith, Gravelines, Liege, France (1616) and Memorials of the Saints – 27 july

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Pentecost VII

Notre-Dame-de-Foy / Our Lady of Faith, Gravelines, Liege, France (1616) – 27 July:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/27/notre-dame-de-foy-our-lady-of-faith-gravelines-liege-france-1616-and-memorials-of-the-saints-27-july/

St Pantaleon (Died c 305) Martyr, Lay Physician, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/07/27/saint-of-the-day-27-july-st-panteleon/

St Aetherius (Died c573) Bishop and Confessor of Auxerre
St Anthusa of Constantinople
St Arethas
St Aurelius of Cordoba
St Benno of Osnabruck (c 1020-1088) Bishop
Bl Berthold of Garsten

St Pope Celestine I (Died 432) called “the Heresy Fighter.” Much is unknown about Celestine, including his birthday. But his reign as Pope – from 422 until his death in 432 – is credited with many achievements.
The Papacy of St Celestine I:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/07/27/saint-of-the-day-st-pope-celestine-i-died-432/

St Ecclesius of Ravenna
St Felix of Cordoba
St Galactorio of Lescar
St George of Cordoba
St Hermippus
St Hermocrates
St Hermolaus
St Juliana of Mataró
St Lillian of Cordoba

Blessed Lucia Bufalari OSA (Died 1350) Virgin, Augustinian Oblate, Prioress of Amelia.  Her body is incorrupt. incorrupt.
Her Life of Grace:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/07/27/saint-of-the-day-27-july-blessed-lucy-bufalari-of-amelia-osa-died-1350-virgin/

St Luican

Blessed Maria Magdalena Martinengo OSC Cap (1687-1737) Nun of the Order of the Capuchin Poor Clares, Mystic with a great devotion to the Passion of Christ. She had a great horror of sin and devoted much time to contemplating death, and the Divine Judgement. The recognition of two miracles attributed to her direct intercession allowed for Pope Leo XIII to preside over her Beatification on 3 June 1900.
Her Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/27/saint-of-the-day-27-july-blessed-maria-magdalena-martinengo-osc-cap-1687-1737/

St Maurus of Bisceglia
St Natalia of Cordoba

Blessed Nevolone of Faenza OFM (Died 1280) Penitent, Widower, Lay brother of the Order of Friars Minor, then a Camaldolese Hermit, Apostle of the poor and sick. Patronage – Faenza, cobblers, shoemakers, shoe repairers (chosen by the cobblers of Rimini, Italy in 1331).
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/27/saint-of-the-day-27-july-blessed-nevolone-of-faenza-ofm-died-1280-penitent/

St Semproniana of Mataró
St Sergius of Bisceglia

Martyrs of Nicomedia – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together. The only other information to survive are their names – Felix, Jucunda and Julia. Nicomedia, Asia Minor.

Seven Sleepers of Ephesus: A group of seven young Christian men who hid in a cave in hopes of avoiding the persecution of Decius in the year 250. Found and arrested, they were ordered by the pro-consul in Ephesus to renounce their faith; they refused and were sentenced to die. Legend says that they were walled up in their hiding cave, guarded by the dog Al Rakim; when the cave wall was breached in 479 – they all woke up!
It is likely that the youths were tortured to death in various ways and buried in the cave. The resurrection story confusion came from the phrase “went to sleep in the Lord” which was used to describe the death of Christians and 479 is when their relics were discovered. Their names were Constantinus, Dionysius, Joannes, Malchus, Martinianus, Maximianus and Serapion. They were martyred in 250 in Ephesus (in modern Turkey); tradition says that they were walled up in a cave to suffocate but other records indicate that they were tortured to death in various ways. Their relics discovered in 479 and translated to Marseilles, France and enshrined in a large stone coffin.

Posted in QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 26 July – Good Inspirations

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Thought for the Day – 26 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Good Inspirations

“These good inspirations are a wonderful gift from God but, it can be disastrous to refuse to hear them
Are we being called to reform our lives?
Let us begin immediately the difficult task of changing ourselves.
Are we being called to Christian perfection?
Let us be generous!
Remember the words of Bossuet who said perfection is like a high mountain which must be conquered, step by step.
So begin the ascent right away in obedience to God’s wishes.
Remember that to ignore a holy inspiration, is an insult to God and a deviation from the straight and narrow path of perfection.
It is a proof that we do not love Jesus and are not prepared to be faithful to Him.
In fact, we are risking our own eternal salvation!
Remember, the case of the young man in the Gospel who was asked to leave everything and to follow Jesus along the way of perfection.
He did not do so and we cannot say with certainty whether or not, his soul was saved.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/19/thought-for-the-day-19-february-good-inspirations/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/16/thought-for-the-day-19-february-good-inspirations-2/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 July – St Anne, through her constant prayer …

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Quote/s of the Day – 26 July – St Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grandmother of Jesus.

St Anne, through her constant prayer,
received, the Mother of God
and then, became the Grandmother of God!

“Let my prayer come
like incense before Thee, O Lord.”

Psalm 140:2

“Then Jesus answering, said to her:
O woman, great is thy faith!
be it done to thee as thou desire
and her daughter was cured from that hour.”

Matthew 15:28

“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

“The greater and more persistent
your confidence in God,
the more abundantly
you will receive,
all you ask for.”

St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Universal Doctor of the Church

“Show the great love
you have for Jesus,
by being eager
to talk with Him in prayer.”

St John Baptiste de la Salle (1651-1719)

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on the POOR, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 July – ‘ … Thinking only of the life to come …’

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One Minute Reflection – 26 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grandmother of Jesus.– Proverbs 31:10-31 – Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field;
he who finds it, hides it and in his joy, goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” – Matthew 13:44

REFLECTION – “Let us call to mind that widow who, in her care for the poor, forgot herself, to the point of giving away everything she had to live on, thinking only of the life to come, as our Lord Himself attests. The others gave of their abundance but she – even poorer, perhaps, than many of the poor, for her whole fortune resided in two small coins – she it was, who carried in her heart more wealth than many of the wealthy.

She looked only at the riches of the eternal reward. In her desire for heavenly treasure, she gave up all she possessed, as being goods which come from the earth and return to the earth (Gn 3:19). She gave all she had, in order to possess that which she did not as yet see. She gave away perishable goods, so that she might gain immortal ones. This poor little lady had not forgotten the means foreseen and arranged by our Lord, for acquiring the future reward. Neither, therefore, did the Lord forget her on His part and even now, the Judge of the world has pronounced His sentence – He praises her whom He will Crown on the Day of Judgement.” – St Paulinus of Nola (355-431) Bishop, Father of the Church (Letter 34 2-4).

PRAYER – O God, Who in Thy kindness gave blessed Anne the grace to be the mother of her, who Mothered Thy Only-begotten Son, graciously grant that we who keep her feast, maybe helped by her intercession with Thee. 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 HYMNS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS to the SAINTS

 Our Morning Offering – 26 July – Holy Anne, Juda’s Glory

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 Our Morning Offering – 26 July – St Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grandmother of Jesus.

Holy Anne, Juda’s Glory
Unknown Author
Transl. Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

Holy Anne, Juda’s glory,
⁠Through the Church from east to west
Every tongue proclaims thy praises,
⁠Holy Mary’s mother blest!

Saintly kings and priestly sires
⁠Blended in thy sacred line;
Thou in virtue all before thee
⁠Didst excel by grace divine.

Link’d in bonds of purest wedlock,
⁠Thine it was for us to bear,
By the favour of high Heaven,
⁠Our immortal Virgin star.

From thy stem in beauty budded
⁠Ancient Jesse’s mystic rod.
Earth from thee received the mother
⁠Of the eternal Son of God.

All the human race benighted
⁠In the depths of darkness lay,
“When in Anne it saw the dawning
⁠Of the long-expected day.”

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 26 July – St Simeon (Died 1016) Monk, Hermit

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Saint of the Day – 26 July – St Simeon (Died 1016) Monk at the Monastery of Saint-Benoît-sur-Po, Hermit, Pilgrim, Miracle-worker. Simeon of Armenian origin died in Mantua, Italy in 1016). Also known as – Simeon of Polirone.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In the Monastery of St Benedict near Mantua, St Simeon, Monk and Hermit, who was renowned for many miracles and at an advanced age rested in the Lord.”

Little is known of Simeon’s early life but, at some time, he left his homeland and spent some years living as a Hermit in Palestine.
After this, he is known to have visited Rome, where his exoticism
led to his harassment by a Roman mob. Papal intervention calmed this situation. By order of Pope Benedict VII, Simeon was examined and found to be totally devout and completely orthodox.

In the following period, Simeon travelled across Italy, France and Spain visiting the Holy Shrines and Tombs of the Saints. Simeon then returned to northern Italy, joining a Benedictine Monastery near Mantua, where he became known for his kindness and generosity. He died in Mantua in 1016.

He was renowned for his piety and heroic charity and for numerous miracles performed during life and after death.

His cult was approved by Pope Benedict VIII in 1024 and Leo IX also approved his Sainhood in 1049. In 1913 Simeon’s Relics were solemnly exposed. His Tomb was a site of numerous miracles which contributed to his Canonisation in 1049. A locla noble, Marchese Boniface III of Montferrat, later rebuilt a local Church and dedicated it in Simeon’s honour.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Feast of St Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Madonna del Faggio / Our Lady of the Beech Tree, Castelluccio, Bologna, Emilia Romagna, Italy (1672) and Memorials of the Saints – 26 July

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St Anne – Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grandmother of Jesus.
The name Anne from the Hebrew commonly believed to mean “grace” but St Augustine says (City of God) that it in fact means ,“by the grace of God.”
Patronages – against poverty, against sterility or infertility, broommakers, cabinetmakers, carpenters,of childless couples, equestrians, expectant mothers and mothers, childbirth, grandmothers, grandparents, housewives, lace makers, lost articles, miners, old-clothes dealers, the poor,, seamstresses, stablemen, turners, Canada, France, Micmaqs, 4 Diocese, 18 Cities.
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/07/26/saints-of-the-day-26-july-sts-joachim-and-anne-parents-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-grandparents-of-jesus/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/26/saint-of-the-day-26-july-st-anne-mother-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/

Madonna del Faggio / Our Lady of the Beech Tree, Castelluccio, Bologna, Emilia Romagna, Italy (1672) – 26 July, Ascension Thursday:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/26/madonna-del-faggio-our-lady-of-the-beech-tree-castelluccio-bologna-emilia-romagna-italy-1672-and-memorials-of-the-saints-26-july/

St Austindus (c1000-1068) Bishop of Auch.

St Bartholomea Capitanio SCCG (1807-1833) Religious and the Co-Foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Lovere, Canonised in Rome by Pope Pius XII on 18 May 1950 together with St Vincenza Gerosa.
Her Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/26/saint-of-the-day-26-july-saint-bartholomea-capitanio-sccg-1807-1833/

St Benigno of Malcestine
Bl Camilla Gentili
St Charus of Malcestine
Bl Edward Thwing
Bl Élisabeth-Thérèse de Consolin
St Erastus
Bl Évangéliste of Verona
St Exuperia the Martyr
Bl George Swallowell
St Gérontios
St Gothalm
St Hyacinth
Bl Hugh of Sassoferrato
Bl Jacques Netsetov
Bl John Ingram
St Joris
Bl Marie-Claire du Bac
Bl Marie-Madeleine Justamond
Bl Marie-Marguerite Bonnet
St Olympius the Tribune

St Parasceva (Died c180) Virgin Martyr, Confessor of Rome. Patronage – invoked against blindness, healer of the blind.
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/26/saint-of-the-day-26-july-st-parasceva-of-rome-died-c-180-virgin-martyr/

St Pastor of Rome
Bl Pérégrin of Verona

Blessed Robert Nutter OP (c1557-1600) Martyr, Priest of the Order of Preachers, Martyr of England.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/07/26/saint-of-the-day-26-july-blessed-robert-nutter-op-c-1557-1600-martyr/

St Simeon (Died 1016) Monk, Hermit, Pilgrim.
St Symphronius the Slave
St Theodulus the Martyr
St Valens of Verona
Bl William Ward

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 25 July – Our Martyrdom

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Thought for the Day – 25 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Our Martyrdom

“St Ambrose describes virtue, as a slow martyrdom.
In this sense, we must all be Martyrs.
There is only one difference.
The Martyrs of the Church shed their blood and gave up their lives for Jesus, within one hour or one day and gained their reward immediately.
Our Martyrdom, on the other hand, will be prolonged.
It will last all our lives and will end only when we accept death with resignation from the hands of God.
Ours is the Martyrdom of virtue.
Let us clearly understand, that solid Christian virtue is a slow and continual Martyrdom which will only end with death.
It is not a flower which springs up spontaneously in the garden of the soul.
It is like a seed which is thrown on the damp earth and must die there slowly, so that it can generate young shoots which will produce the ears of corn.
“Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But, if it dies, it brings forth much fruit” (Jn 12:24-25).
It is necessary, then, to descend into the mire of humility and to remain there until we die.
Only after we have died to ourselves, shall we rise again in God (Cf ibid).
After the death of our lower instincts and vices, we shall find a new life.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the KING, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Quote/s of the Day – 25 July – Santiago!

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Quote/s of the Day – 25 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Feastday of St James the Greater, Apostle, Martyr

Aeterna Christi Munera
The Eternal Gifts of Christ the King
By St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor of the Church

The eternal gifts of Christ the King,
The Apostles’ glory let us sing.
And al,l with hearts of gladness raise,
Due hymns of thankful love and praise!
For they the Church’s Princes are,
Triumphant leaders in the warrior band,
True lights to lighten every land.

Theirs was the steadfast faith of Saints,
The hope which never yields nor faints,
The love of Christ in perfect glow,
That lay the prince of this world low,
In them, the Father’s glory shone,
In them, the Spirit’s will was done.

The Son Himself, exults in them,
Joy fills the new Jerusalem.
Praise to the Father, with the Son,
And Holy Ghost, three in One;
As ever was in ages past,
And so shall be while ages last.
Amen.

The Authorship of this Hymn is generally attributed to St Ambrose. He intended this composition of eight strophes to be used on the Feast Days of Martyrs. In the course of time, however,, the Hymn was selected for use on the Feast Days of the Apostles too. In each case, the Hymn praises the victory of the Apostles or Martyrs and expresses admiration for their constancy in specifically described trials and sufferings.

A Prayer to St James
“Santiago”

O brave Apostle, Santiago
the first to drink
the Chalice of suffering
after the example of Christ,
Who had shed His Blood for thee,
obtain from Him,
I beseech thee,
the grace that I may not fear,
to drink of the Chalice,
of pain and suffering
but may patiently bear,
all which the Hand of my God
offers me,
that I may, one day,
be worthy to enjoy,
in thy society,
the joy of Heaven.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, St PETER!, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 July – Can you drink the Chalice that I shall drink?” – Matthew 20:22

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One Minute Reflection – 25 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St James the Greater, Apostle and Martyr – 1 Corinthians 4:9-15 – Matthew 20:20-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“ You know not what you ask. Can you drink the Chalice that I shall drink?” – Matthew 20:22

REFLECTION – “With the powerful co-operation of Heaven, the whole world was suddenly lit by the sunshine of the saving Word. At once, in accordance with holy Scriptures, the voice of its inspired Evangelists and Apostles went forth into all the earth, and “their words to the ends of the world” (Ps 18:5). In every town and village, like a well-filled threshing floor, Churches sprang up, bursting with eager members…

At the time of Claudius, King Herod made a determined attack on certain members of the Church, killing James the brother of John with the headsman’s sword. Referring to this James, Clement [of Alexandria] tells an interesting tale on the strength of an authentic tradition. It appears that the man who brought him into Court was so moved when he saw him testify, he confessed that he, too, was a Christian. So they were both taken away together and on the way he asked James to forgive him. James thought for a moment, then he said: “I wish you peace” and kissed him. So both were beheaded at the same time.

Then, as we read in the sacred record, Herod, seeing how his action in putting James to death had given satisfaction to the Jews, laid hands on Peter as well, locked him in prison and was on the very point of perpetrating his murder too but, for Divine intervention. In the night an Angel stood before Peter and he was miraculously released from his fetters and set free for the ministry of preaching (Acts 12:4-17).” – St Eusebius of Caesarea (c265-339) Bishop, Father, Theologian, Historian (Ecclesiastical History, II, 3, 9 ).

PRAYER – Protect Thy people and make them holy, O Lord, so that, guarded by the help of Thy Apostle James, they may please Thee by their conduct and serve Thee with peace of mind. Through esus 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 "Follow Me", 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CHRIST the LIGHT, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on MISSION, The HOLY GHOST

Our Morning Offering – 25 July – The Christopher Prayer, Make us true Christ-Bearers

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Our Morning Offering – 25 July – The Feastday of St James the Greater, Apostle, Christ-Bearer and Martyr and St Christopher, Christ-Bearer, Martyr

The Christopher Prayer,
Make Us True Christ-Bearers
Anonymous

Father, grant that we may be,
bearers of Christ Jesus, Thy Son.
Allow us to fill, the world around us,
with Thy Light.
Strengthen us, by Thy Holy Ghost,
to carry out our mission of living and following
the path of Jesus, our Lord.
Help us to understand that by Thy grace
our gifts are Thy blessings,
to be shared with others.
Fill us with Thy Spirit of love
to give glory to Thee in loving all
and preaching by our love.
Nourish in us the desire to go forth
as the bearers of Thy Son
fearless and gentle,
loving and merciful.
Make us true Christ-Bearers,
that in seeing us,
only He is visible.
Amen.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 25 July – Saint Theodemirus (Died c851) Monk and Martyr

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Saint of the Day – 25 July – Saint Theodemirus (Died c851) Monk of Carmona Monestery and Martyr of Cordoba, Spain. He is also remembered as one of the Martyrs of Cordoba.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Cordoba, St Theodemirus, Monk and Martyr.”

The Martyrs at Cordoba Cathedral, Saint Eulogius by an unknown artist of the 17th Century.

We have no personal information about Theodemirus. All we have is gleaned from various Martyrologies. He was Martyred in Cordoba under the Muslim rulerAbd al-Rahman II, who reigned from 822 to 852, for refusing to renounce his Christian Faith.

His body was buried in the Choir of the Church of Saint Zoilo in Cordoba.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

St James the Greater, Apostle and Martyr, St Christopher, Martyr, Notre-Dame du Saguenay / Our Lady of Lac Bouchet, Quebec (1920) and Memorials of the Saints – 25 July

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St James the Greater – Son of Zebedee and Salome, brother of Saint John the Apostle. He is called “the Greater” simply because he became an Apostle before Saint James the Lesser. The Roman Martyrology reads: “ST JAMES the Apostle, brother of the blessed Evangelist, John, who was beheaded by Herod Agrippa, about the Feast of Easter. His sacred bones were, on this day, carried from Jerusalem to Spain and placed in the remote Province of Galicia, where they are devoutly honoured by the renowned piety of the inhabitants and the frequent concourse of Christians, who visit them through piety and in fulfilment of their vows.”
St James:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/07/25/saint-of-the-day-25-july-feast-of-st-james-the-greater-apostle-of-christ/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/25/saint-of-the-day-25-july-saint-james-the-greater-apostle-and-martyr-son-of-thunder/

St Christopher (died c 251) Martyr, “The Christ-Bearer”
Beloved St Christopher!
https://anastpaul.com/2019/07/25/saint-of-the-day-25-july-saint-christopher-died-c-251-martyr/

St Christopher is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers – read more about them here:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/07/25/thought-for-the-day-25-july-the-memorial-of-st-christopher-died-c-251-one-of-the-fourteen-holy-helpers/

Notre-Dame du Saguenay / Our Lady of Lac Bouchet, Quebec (1920) – 25 July:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/25/feast-of-st-james-the-greater-notre-dame-du-saguenay-our-lady-of-lac-bouchet-quebec-1920-and-memorials-of-the-saints-25-july/

Bl Alexius Worstius

Bl Antonio of Olmedo
St Bantu of Trier
St Beatus of Trier

St Cugat del Valles (Died c304) Martyr, Preacher, Evangeliser, Miracle-worker.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Barcelona in Spain, during the persecution of Diocletian and under the Governor Darian, the birthday of the holy Martyr Cucuphas. After overcoming many torments, he was struck with the sword and thus went triumphantly to Heaven.”
St Cugat’s Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/07/25/saint-of-the-day-25-july-st-cugat-del-valles-died-c304-lay-martyr/

St Ebrulfus
St Fagildo of Santiago
St Felix of Furcona
St Florentius of Furcona
St Glodesind of Metz

St Magnericus (c520-596) Italian Bishop of Trier and Confessor. Magnericus was a friend and disciple of St Gregory of Tours, mentioned in his History of the Franks.
His Zealous Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/25/saint-of-the-day-25-july-saint-magnericus-of-trier-c-520-596/

St Mordeyren
St Nissen of Wexford
St Olympiad of Constantinople
St Paul of Palestine

Blessed Pietro Corradini OFM (1435–1490) Priest of the Franciscan Friars Minor, Confessor, Preacher, Spiritual Director. Pietro and a great devotion to the Holy Mother and constantly taught love of her. Fr Pietro served in several leadership positions within his Order. The Beatification process commenced not too long after Fr Pietro’s death and culminated on 10 August 1760 after Pope Clement XIII issued a formal decree that approved Corradini’s local ‘cultus’ thus naming him Blessed.
A Special Child of Mary:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/25/saint-of-the-day-25-july-blessed-pietro-corradini-ofm-1435-1490-priest/

St Theodemirus (Died c851) Martyr of Cordoba

Martyrs of Caesarea – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together in the pesecutions of emperor Maximilian and governor Firmilian – Paul, Tea and Valentina. 309 in Caesarea, Palestine.

Martyrs of Cuncolim, Goa, south western India– 20 Saints: On 15 July 1583 the group met at the Church of Orlim and hiked to Cuncolim to erect a Cross and choose land for a new Church. Local anti-Christian Hindu pagans, seeing the unarmed Christians, gathered their weapons and marched on them. One of the Parishioners, a Portuguese emigre named Gonçalo Rodrigues, carried a firearm but Father Alphonsus Pacheco stopped him from using it. The Hindu pagans, numbering at least 500, then fell upon them and killed them all without mercy. They were Beatified by Pope Leo XIII on 30 April 1893. They were – Alphonsus Pacheco, Alphonsus the Altar boy, Anthony Francis, Dominic of Cuncolim, Francis Aranha, Francis Rodrigues, Gonçalo Rodrigues, Paul da Costa, Peter Berno, Rudolph Acquaviva, ten other native Christian converts whose names have not come down to us. They were Martyred on Monday 25 July 1583 at the village of Cuncolim, district of Salcete, territory of Goa, India. They were Beatified on 30 April 1893 by Pope Leo XIII.

Posted in DYING / LAST WORDS, franciscan OFM, QUOTES on HEAVEN

Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – St Francisco Solano

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Francisco Solano OFM (1549 – 1610) “The Wonder Worker of the New World”

When Francisco Solano was about to die, one of the friars asked him:
‘Faher, when God takes you to Heaven
remember me when you enter
the everlasting Kingdom.’

With joy Francisco replied:

“It is true that I am going to Heaven
but on the strength of Christ’s
Passion and Death;
for myself, I am the greatest of sinners.
But I will be a good friend to you
when I reach my home in Heaven.”

(From a contemporary Vita of St SFrancisco Solano)

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/07/24/quote-s-of-the-day-24-july-st-francisco-solano-ofm-1549-1610-the-wonder-worker-of-the-new-world/

St Francisco Solano OFM (1549 – 1610)
“The Wonder Worker of the New World

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION

Thought for the Day – 24 July – Prayer as a Necessary Means of Salvation

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 24 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Prayer as a Necessary Means
of Salvation

“St Augustine calls prayer “the key to Heaven.”
We should acknowledge the Infinite Goodness of God in giving us such an easy means of salvation, for when He gave us prayer, He gave us the key to His Kingdom of Heaven.
He invites us earnestly, to pray.
“Ask and it shall be given you;  seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you” (C. Mt 7:7, Lk 11:9).
“If you ask the Father anything in my name, He will give it to you” (Cf Jn 16:23)
“Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation” (Cf Mt 26:41, Mk 14:38).

When Jesus was in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, His Apostles became tired and sleepy.
He rebuked them gently and asked them for the second time to pray, that they might not yield to temptation.
He makes this request of us also.
We grow weary and apathetic as the Apostles did, while the devil is busy with his evil suggestions and the dangers of the world surround us.
We have constant need of the grace of God to prevent us from falling.
Let us pray fervently and bear in mind the advice of St Alphonsus:  “If you give up praying, you will certainly be damned!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci