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! 🙏
Our Morning Offering – 7 January – Within the Octave of Epiphany – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus” and the Feast of the Holy Family
Grant Us, O Lord Jesus Indulgenced Prayer in Honour of the Holy Family (Indulgence: 200 days, Once a Day Pope Leo XIII)
Grant us, O Lord Jesus, faithfully to imitate the examples of Thy Holy Family, so that in the hour of our death, in the company of Thy glorious Virgin Mother and St Joseph, we may deserve to be received by Thee, into eternal tablernacles. Amen
Saint of the Day – 7 January – Blessed Albert of Siena ECMC (Died c1181) Hermit of St Romuald’s Camaldolese Hermits of Mount Corona, Pilgrim, Penitent, Ascetic, Miracle-worker. Born at Asciano, near Siena in the early 1100s and died in Montealceto not far from his birth Town in c1181 of natural causes. The name Albert means – shining through nobility (Old High German). Also known as – Alberto.
Mosaic in the Cathedral of San Marco in Venice: The Blessed Albert Enter Heaven.
From his earliest childhood, Albert gave proofs of his future holiness by taking food from his mother only at certain times, as if he wanted to fast and, when he was a little older, he set aside three days a week for fasting.
In addition, he made great and long pilgrimages – to Rome, to Apulia, to Mount Gargano, to Venice, to the Promised Land and to Compostella and lived as a Hermit after his return.
The Camaldolese Monk Anselm, often came to him, where they would scourge each other to tame the flesh. Albert then went to Poitou to St William , who had previously been a Count but had given up all worldly riches and honours and become a Monk.
Albert increased his mortification and penances. He put on hair clothes, slept on the bare ground, often stayed awake all night, ate and drank little and because, he wanted to earn his bread by manual labour, like his forefathers in the Egyptian desert, he turned to farming.
Through his intercession, many and varied miracles occurred, in particular water was often turned into wine through his prayers. But because he was held in great esteem by the people because of these miracles, Albert withdrew into solitude again and for this purpose went with his relative Grifolus to Mount Toricelli which, until there arrival had remained un inhabited due to its reputation for violent storms and high winds.
Blessed Albert’s Hermitage on Mount Toricelli
Here, he and his cousin, Grifolus, themselves little cells and Albert drove away the storms and winds by prayer which, prayer remains in force to this day, preventing the recurrence and return of sorms and high winds!
Albert refreshed the workers who came to assist the cultivation of the land, with a small vessel of wine which multiplied miraculously.
After Albert had lived a holy life on this mountain for 27 years, it happened that one day, while he was working in the fields, a hare ran up the wide sleeve of his habit. Those present wanted to kill the animal but he would not allow that and instead set it free. But the animal had hardly been outside when it jumped at him again to hide because it sensed the danger of nearby hunters. Because of this incident, Albert is depicted in paintings with a hare sitting in his sleeve.
During his holy life he had to endure many snares from the devil, who particularly attacked him in the form of a woman but he remained victorious and drove him out of his cell with blows. But, when the saint felt strong temptations, he rolled himself in nettles, following the example of St Benedict.
According to some traditions, Albert last lived in the Hermitage of Montalceto, not far from his hometown, He died there in the peace of Christ around the year 1181.
Blessed Albert of Siena (Died c1181) Hermit St Aldric of Le Mans Bl Ambrose Fernandez St Anastasius of Sens St Brannock of Braunton St Candida of Greece St Cedd St Clerus of Antioch St Crispin I of Pavia St Cronan Beg St Emilian of Saujon St Felix of Heraclea St Giuliano of Gozzano (c350-c391) Deacon, Missionary St Januarius of Heraclea St Julian of Cagliari St Kentigerna
St Lucian of Antioch (Died 312) Confessor, Priest, Marty, Teacher, Theologian, Writer, Founder of the renowned School of Antioch. The Roman Martyrology reads: “The birthday of the blessed Lucian. a Priest of the Church of Antioch and Martyr, who was distinguished for his learning and eloquence. He suffered at Nicomedia for the confession of Christ, in the persecution of Galerius Maximian and was buried at Helenopolis, in Bithynia. His praises have been proclaimed by St John Chrysostom.” His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2024/01/07/saint-of-the-day-7-january-saint-lucian-of-antioch-died-312-confessor-priest-martyr/
St Pallada of Greece St Polyeuctus of Melitene St Reinhold of Cologne St Spolicostus of Greece St Theodore of Egypt St Tillo of Solignac
St Valentine of Passau (Died 475) Bishop in Passau in the Rhaetia region, Switzerland, an area in the border region of modern Italy, Austria and Switzerland, Monk, Abbot, Missionary, Hermit, Miracle-worker. Died on 7 January 475 at Mais, Tyrol, Austria of natural causes. Patronages – against convulsions, against cramps/stomach pain, against epilepsy, against gout, against plague/epidemics, against demonic possession, of cattle diseases, of pilgrims, poor people, City and Diocese of Passau. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/07/saint-of-the-day-7january-st-valentine-of-passau-died-475-bishop/
St Virginia of Ste-Verge Bl Wittikund of Westphalia
Thought for the Day – 6 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Christmastide – “The Holy Infancy” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
“The Epiphany”
+1. The Sun of Justice Who rose on Christmas morn did not shine on the Jews only. The Light Who shone upon the rejoicing earth was a Light Who was to enlighten the Gentiles as well as to be the glory of the people of Israel. The Feast of the Epiphany was the declaration of the world-wide dominion of the new-born King. It proclaimed that the kingdoms of this world were to be the Kingdoms of the Lord and of His Christ. Rejoice with the Infant King in His universal Sovereignty , and pray that His Kingdom may speedily be acknowledged by all His subjects.
+2. Those who came to visit Jesus on the Epiphany were three Kings. They came as the representatives of all earthly monarchies. They came to do homage and to adore the universal King of the whole earth. What a shadow of a shade is all temporal dominion, compared with the dominion of Jesus! What unlimited homage we all owe Him! How we should rejoice to acknowledge Him our King and Lord, by our loyal obedience to Him!
+3. This festival is especially the festival of converts. Our ancestors were once pagans until the Vicar of Christ sent to our beloved country, the apostle who proclaimed to us the Faith of Christ This Faith in many lands, has faded now and mockery sits on Juda’s throne. Alas, to think that those who had the inheritance of the Faith have lost it How can I ever be grateful enough for the Light Who shines on me!
Quote/s of the Day – 6 January – The Epiphany of the Lord
“We have seen His Star in the east and are come to adore Him.”
Matthew 2:2
“The obedience of the Star calls us to imitate its humble service: to be servants, as best we can, of the grace which invites all men to find Christ.”
St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Thus we offer the Lord, Gold, when we shine in His Sight with the Light of heavenly wisdom …. We offer Him Frankincense, when we send up pure prayer before Him and Myrrh, when, “mortifying our flesh with its vices and passions” (Gal 5:24) by self-control, we carry the cross behind Jesus.”
St Bruno of Segni O.Cart. (c 1030 -1101)
Bishop (1st Sermon on the Epiphany PL 165, 863).
Chalk the Door – Epiphany House Blessing 20 C+M+B 25
“Christus mansionem benedicat” Peace be to this house and to all who dwell herein. From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord – “and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts – Gold for the Great King, Incense for the True God and Myrrh to symbolise His Burial.”
The equation is written to be the first two digits of the year, followed by the initials C, M and B, followed by the last two digits of the year. Each portion is split by plus signs (being the Sign of the Cross). For this year, the equation would be written as “20 + C + M + B + 25” The chalking holds two meanings. The C, M and B, refer to the traditional names of the Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. The letters also stand for the Latin phrase “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” which means “May Christ Bless this House” The plus signs represents the Cross and the 20 and 25 simply refer to the year.
One Minute Reflection – 6 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – The Epiphany of the Lord – Isaias 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“They found the Child with Mary His Mother and falling down they adored Him.” – Matthew 2:11
REFLECTION – “Brothers, let us follow the Magi, let us leave our pagan customs. Let us depart! Let us make a long journey so as to see Christ. If the Magi had not left and gone a long way from their country, they would not have seen Christ. Let us also leave earth’s interests. As long as they remained in their country, the Magi saw only the Star but, when they left their homeland, they saw the Sun of Justice (Mal 3:20). Or rather, let us say – if they had not generously set out on their journey, they would not even have seen the Star. Thus, let us also rise up and even if everyone in Jerusalem is troubled, let us run to where the Child is…
“On entering the house, they found the Child with Mary His Mother. They prostrated themselves and did Him homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented him with gifts.” What motivated them to prostrate themselves before this Child? There was nothing remarkable in the Virgin or in the house, no object could have struck their eye and attracted them. And yet, not content with prostrating themselves, they opened their treasure, gifts which are not given to a human being but only to God – Frankincense and Myrrh symbolise Divinity. What was their reason for acting in this way? The same as that which made them decide to leave their homeland, to depart on this long journey. It was the Star, that is to say, the Light with which God had filled their heart and which led them, little by little, to a more perfect knowledge. If there had not been that Light, how could they have given such homage, when what they saw was so poor and humble? If there is not material grandeur but only a crib, a stable, a mother who is lacking in everything, it is so that you might see the Magi’s wisdom more clearly, so that you understand – they came not to a human being but to a God, to their Benefactor.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father & Doctor of the Church (Sermons on St Matthew 7-8).
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who by the guidance of a star this day revealed Thy Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may come to behold Thee in glory. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 6 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – The Feast of The Epiphany of the Lord
Prayer for the Intercession of the Three Kings, Saint Caspar, Saint Melchior and Saint Balthasar By Cologne Cathedral (An Imprimatur has been granted for this publication – Cologne Cathedral)
Lord and God Thou created us for a lifelong journey to Thee. Each one of us takes a different path, over mountains and through valleys, through joy and sorrow and need. May the Three Holy Kings guide us in our wanderings, as their faith, knowledge and determination guided them through many perils on their journey to Thee. They saw Thee, knelt before Thee, offered up their gifts and paid homage to Thee, They were filled with the joy of finding Thee!
Lord and God, We thank Thee for granting us the freedom to seek and find Thee, our life’s goal! Grant us the faith, strength and trust we need, to follow in the path of the Three Kings. Give us courage when we are at risk of taking easier but false paths, Let us experience the joy of being with Thee at the end of our journey, so that we may be eternally surrounded by Thy Love. We ask this, through Jesus Christ our Lord. the destination of every pilgrimage. Amen!
Saint of the Day – 6 January – Saint Nilammon of Geris (Died c404) Hermit. Born in Egypt in the 4th Century and died in the early 5th, c404 in Geris of natural but miraculous causes. Also known as – Nilammone, Nilamon, Nillammon. His name means: “the son of my people from the Nile” (Hebrew)
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Geris in Egypt, St Nilammon, Anchoret, who, whilst he was carried to a Bishopric againsat his will, gave up his soul to God in prayer.”
Nillammon lived as a recluse in a small stone-walled house near Geris (Gerrum) in Egypt. The people and the Patriarch Theophilos I of Alexandria – who was known for his passionate hostility to St John Chrysostom – wanted to Consecrate him as the Bishop of the City.
But he could not be persuaded to leave his little house near this Town which he had barricaded with stones and to accept the Episcopal dignity. He then locked himself in and would die praying, with scores of people pleading with him to reconsider his decision, standing outside. While he was still praying fevently to be released from this great honour but imposing Office, Nillammon died naturally.
The information about Nilammon comes from the Church Historian Sozomenus (c400-c450), who lived and worked shortly after Nilammon’s life.
St Nilammon is one of the 140 Colonnade saints which adorn St Peter’s Basilica and surround the Square, below St Nilammon is on the left with St Fabiola on the right – this is the North Colonnade.
The Epiphany of the Lord Epiphany celebrates the visit of the three Kings or Magi (Wise Men) to the Christ Child, signifying the extension of salvation to the Gentiles. The date of Epiphany, one of the oldest Christian Feasts, is 6 January, the 12th day after Christmas. However, in some countries, the celebration of Epiphany is transferred to the Sunday which falls between 2 January and 8 January (inclusive). Greece, Ireland, Italy and Poland continue to observe Epiphany on 6 January as do traditional Catholics throughout the world. Because Epiphany is one of the most important Feasts, it is a Holy Day of Obligation.
Saint Caspar, Saint Melchior and Saint Balthasar (1st Century) otherwise known as the Three Wise Men/Kings or the Magi – they are all Martyrs. Patronages – against epilepsy/of epileptics, against thunder, furriers, motorists, pilgrims, playing card manufacturers, sawmill workers, travellers, travelling merchants, Cologne, Germany, Saxony. Additional Memorials – 23 July (translation of Relics); 24 July (Cologne, Germany where their Relics lie). Their Lives and Deaths: https://anastpaul.com/2024/01/06/saints-of-the-day-6-january-saint-caspar-saint-melchior-and-saint-balthasar-1st-century-martyrs/
St Charles of Sezze OFM (1613-1670) Stigmatist, Friar, of the Friars Minor, Mystic, Writer, Advisor. His Beatification was celebrated in 1882 while Pope Pius XII approved his Canonisation in 1958 but the Pope died before he could Canonise the Friar so his successor, Pope John XXIII did so on 12 April 1959. His body is incorrupt. About St Charles: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/01/06/saint-of-the-day-6-january-st-charles-of-sezze-o-f-m-1613-1670/
St Demetrius of Philadelphia St Diman Dubh of Connor St Edeyrn St Eigrad St Erminold of Prüfening
St Julian of Antinoë St Julius Bl Luc of Roucy Bl Macarius the Scot St Macra of Rheims St Merinus
St Melaine of Rennes (Died 530) Bishop of Rennes in Brittany, France, Confessor, previously a Monk and Abbot, Royal Advisor, Miracle-worker. The Roman Martyrology reds: “At Rennes, in France, St Melanius, Bishop and Confessor, who displayed innumerable virtues and with his thoughts ever fixed on Heaven, passed from the world in glory.” Another Feast Day which should be today but was moved in 1969. His Holy Life: https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/06/saint-of-the-day-6-november-saint-melaine-of-rennes-died-c535-bishop-confessor/
St Nilammon of Geris (Died c404) Hermit St Petran of Landévennec
St Pia of Quedlinburg St Pompejanus Bl Raymond de Blanes St Schotin St Wiltrudis of Bergen
Martyrs in Africa: Unknown number of Christian men and women who were Martyred in the persecutions of Septimus Severus. They were burned to death c 210.
Martyrs of Sirmium – 8 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together for their faith. The only surviving details are the names of eight of them – Anastasius VIII, Florianus, Florus, Jucundus, Peter, Ratites, Tatia and Tilis. They were martyred in the 4th century at Syrmium, Pannonia (modern Sremska Mitrovica, Vojvodina, Serbia).
Twelve Apostles – Saints of Ireland: Twelve 6th Century Irish Monks who studied under Saint Finian at Clonard Abbey and then spread the Faith throughout Ireland. Each has his own commemoration but on this day, they and their good works are considered and celebrated together. Although Saint Finian is sometimes included, most ancient writers list them as –
Thought for the Day – 5 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Christmastide “The Holy Infancy” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
“The Name of Jesus”
+1. At the circumcision, Jewish children receive their name as Catholic children do at their Baptism. Mary’s little Son received the Name of Jesus or Saviour because He was to save men from the slavery to sin. This was His appointed office by the Divine Command – to put an end to the slavery in which men were held by the devil. He was sent to deliver me from the bondage under which I have long laboured, the bondage to the opinion of men, the bondage to ill-temper, the bondage to passion, the bondage to selfishness, the bondage to self-will, the bondage to riches or comforts. O Jesus, Saviour of those in bondage, by Thy Sacred Blood deliver me!
+2. Jesus is our Saviour from the terrible consequences of sin. Our sins were remitted by the shedding of His Precious Blood. Without the shedding of blood, says St Paul, there is no remission. What reason I have to dread the consequences due to my sins! Yet Jesus can and will save me from them, if I love Him as I ought.
+3. Jesus too, is the Saviour of all creation from the curse which came upon the whole earth at the Fall. He has sanctified it by the drops of His Precious Blood which fell upon it. Henceforward, it became a new earth and one day He will cleanse it from all its impurities and renew it to the heavenly beauty and make it worthy to be the home of His elect.
Thought for the Day – 4 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Christmastide “The Holy Infancy” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
“The Foster-father”
At no great distance from the Mother of God stands His holy Foster-father St Joseph, the third person of that earthly trinity. What can we learn from him?
+1. He is the true husband of Mary, united to her by a closer bond than any on earth save that which exists between the Mother and the Son. He is, moreover, the true earthly father of Jesus in everything except the fact of carnal generation. He has committed to him, the care of God Himself and of her, who is dearer to God than all the world beside. He is, therefore, next to Mary, of all mankind, the most privileged and the most exalted. How then, can we honour him enough?
+2. When God gives to anyone an office, He gives him the virtues and the qualities which are required for its perfect exercise. What then, must have been the virtues of St Joseph?! He must have had every virtue, not only in an eminent degree but ,in a degree, to which none other of the sons of men ever attained. In prudence, justice, humility, charity, he was far above all others. I, therefore, must ask of him every grace which I need.
+3. Above all, St Joseph was eminent for his unspotted purity. Many theologians assert that he was sanctified in his mother’s womb. None save Mary was ever so pure as he This it was which qualified him for his intimate union with Jesus and Mary. If I desire to be united to them, I too must be pure of heart. St Joseph, please obtain for me this grace of purity!
Thought for the Day – 3 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Christmastide “The Holy Infancy” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
“The Holy Mother”
By the side of the manger where the Infant lies, His Mother is watching. Who is she?
+I. A poor and humble maiden but, nevertheless, the Mother of God. The Mother of God! How can this be? How can the Eternal, Infinite God have a human mother Yet so it is. Mary has a privilege which raises her immeasurably above the highest of the Seraphim, makes her more perfect in her likeness to God than is possible to any other creature. If, then, we honour the Saints and Angels, how much more should we honour God’s Own Mother!
+2. Yet Mary has a still greater claim to our homage, a more fruitful source of blessedness, even than the Divine Maternity. Her unswerving obedience to the inspirations of God is declared by Our Lord Himself, to be a still higher privilege. “Yea, rather blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.” If only we realised the blessedness of unswerving obedience, how different our lot would be!
+3. What are Mary’s thoughts as she sits watching there? She has no thought save of God. She is absorbed in Him . The hours pass like minutes, they are a sort of anticipation of Paradise. She sees her God face-to-face and although His glory is veiled under the robe of flesh, yet Mary can pierce through it as none other ever could and can bask in the Divinity which it conceals. O God help me to realise now, Thy Presence when Thou art veiled under the Sacramental Species.
Thought for the Day – 2 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
I love the fact that Fr Clarke keeps us with the Divine Infant and His beloved Holy Family and oriantates our entire New Year to where it should be and too, still in Christmastide unlike the rest of the world around us. Alleluia. P.S. I will be back in full swing, on Monday, God willing.
Meditations for Christmastide – “The Holy Infancy” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
“The New-born Child”
In the cradle before us lies the new -born Infant wrapped in swaddling-clothes and laid in the manger. Let us contemplate Him for a few moments and see what lessons He teaches us.
+I. He teaches us the unspeakable force of Divine charity. How was it possible for the Eternal Word, the co-equal Son of God, to leave the bosom of His Father to clothe Himself with the flesh of sinful man? It seems an almost extravagant act of love, one unworthy of the dignity of God. Yet, love puts everything aside, except the burning desire to promote the welfare of the loved. The Son of God forgot all else in His Divine compassion for us. How dearly He must love us How great should be our confidence in His Love!
+2. He teaches us never to judge by appearances. If we had been told that God had Come to dwell on earth, would not the stable of Bethlehem have been the last place where we should have sought Him In how many a humble cottage there may still be found saints more dear to God than even those who have a worldwide repute for their holiness and virtue!
+3. He teaches us the true dignity of self-abasement. God could not do anything unworthy of Himself when clad in human flesh. It, therefore, was no disparagement to the Divine honour that He should thus infinitely condescend. Nay, it proved that the greatest possible likeness to God is attained by the most complete humiliation of self. How little I have learned to practice this lesson!
I will this day, try to live a simple, sincere and serene life, repelling promptly, every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity and self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity and the habit of holy silence, exercising economy in expenditure, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity in every trust and a child-like trust in God.
Bishop John H Vincent 1900
“What we need most, in order to make progress, is to be silent before this great God with our appetite and with our tongue, for the language He best hears is silent love.”
“Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of this world, disturb it.”
St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Mystical Doctor of the Church
“Anyone who takes life seriously in the Christian sense, will regard it as a difficult journey towards perfection and towards God. This journey will be, at the same time, painful and joyful. … It is our own loss if we sit down lazily on the side of the road, which should lead us to Heaven. It is even more disastrous, if we acknowledge defeat and lay down the spiritual weapons of prayer and renunciation, in order to surrender ourselves to sin or to indifference. Everyday we should say to ourselves, in the presence of God – A new life is beginning … in You, by Your grac and for You! Amen”
JANUARY – The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family
The Second Council of Lyons in 1274 decreed that “at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow; whenever that glorious Name is recalled, especially during the Sacred Mysteries of the Mass, everyone should bow the knees of his heart, which he can do even by a bow of his head.”
It may very well be that the custom of bowing the head at the Name of Jesus has passed out of general use, as have other laudable customs, in recent times but, that does not prevent us personally, from continuing to live it and passing on to our children this ancient custom.
The Holy Family – The Hidden Life
The life of each member of the Holy Family was, from the first, a hidden life, for it was a life hidden with God and concealed from the busy world. The life of Jesus in Mary’s womb, was thus the model of the lives of all, who desire to give themselves entirely to God; a life completely withdrawn from all which could interfere with a continual thought of God and, a continual union with Him, by acts of adoration and of love. This should be my aim, at least during such portions of the day as I am able to give to prayer and to spiritual things.
But a life of complete removal from external things, is not possible on earth. It is reserved for the Blessed in Heaven. Even Joseph and Mary had sometimes to turn their thoughts to earthly things and to the cares of life. Yet, they never lost sight of God and, amid the most distracting occupations, the remembrance of Him, was ever in their hearts. This should be my constant endeavour; thus, to lead a hidden life, by having ever hidden in my heart, the precious treasure of the love of God.
But the hidden life of Mary and Joseph, was from the very beginning, much more than this; they, in the midst of the most distracting cares, had the gift of always having the thought of God, actually present to them. Their conscious intercourse with Him, never ceased. This is the nearest approach to the life of the Angels possible for mortal man on earth. What a contrast to my life, so often absorbed in worldly trifles!
Thought for the Day – 1 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
I love the fact that Fr Clarke keeps us with the Divine Infant and His beloved Holy Family and oriantates our entire New Year to where it should be and too, still in Christmastide unlike the rest of the world around us. Alleluia. P.S. I will be back in full swing, on Monday, God willing.
Meditations for Christmastide – “The Holy Infancy” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
“The Nativity”
+1. Four thousand years had passed since God promised to our first parents that a Redeemer should come to free the world from the curse which had fallen upon it, when Adam was disobedient to the Divine Command. Prophets and kings had desired to see the day when that promise should be fulfilled but had not seen it. The whole world had long expected the day of redemption. God is always slow, in His best Gifts. Hence learn to be patient. “”He will surely Come, He will not tarry.”
+2. All the world was at peace at the moment when Christ was born. The angry passions of men were hushed, as if in compliment to the Prince of Peace. He never Comes where strife and confusion prevail. If I desire that He should Come into my heart today, I must resolve to keep, in total submission and denial, my evil passions and, the self -will which dares to do battle against the Will of God!
+3. But when the Gift came at last, it was a Gift worthy of the Divine generosity . It was a Gift of Infinite value, given to all and each of the sons of men. It was a Gift in which God gave Himself to be wholly ours. That little Infant in the cradle before Whom I kneel to-day, is the Omnipotent God, loving me with an immeasurable Love; my King, my Lord, my Redeemer, my best Friend, the Divine Lover of my soul. Oh, would that I loved Him more!
Thought for the Day – 31 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Last Day of the Year
“Now that the year is almost over, cast your mind back to the good resolutions which you made at the beginning of it. Have you put these resolutions into effect? Has there been any improvement in your spiritual life during these twelve months, or must you confess, that it has deteriorated? How often have you committed sin, perhaps even grave sin, during the year? When God appealed to you to perform some good action, how often did you refuse Him?
Your future outlook is very dark if your life has developed into a gradual descent towards evil. Anyday, God could grow tired of your ingratitude and obstinacy and send death to end your infidelity. Then you would almost certainly, be damned forever. If you have surrendered to spiritual languor and mediocrity, therefore, it is time for you to stir yourself. It is time to become more generous with God, to display a greater spirit of self-sacrifice in responding to His appeals and to form further resolutions.
Virtue cannot co-exist with spiritual tepidity, which leads inevitably, towards sin.”
Thought for the Day – 30 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
As Fr Clarke has left us in the lurch for the last 3 days of December, I am revisiting dear Cardinal Bacci to come to our aid. I pray you, like myself, never tire of his wisdom.
The Holy Family – Mary
“The Blessed Virgin Mary, is the second model proposed for our imitation in the Holy Family. … We do not read that Mary worked miracles, had ecstasies, or possessed any extraordinary external gifts. Her sanctity was completely internal. She trod the ordinary way of perfection, therefore, the way most easily imitated by us and, nevertheless, reached the highest peak of holiness. Since we are her devoted and affectionate children, let us ask her for the grace to follow her in the way of perfection and of complete resignation to the will of God. Although we may have to follow her from afar, let us follow with enthusiasm and love..”
The Holy Family – Joseph
“The third member of the Holy Family is St Joseph, the most just of men, faithful to his vocation as the foster-father of the Child Jesus and chaste spouse o the Blessed Virgin Mary. Let us imitate his purity, his utter dedication to the service of God and his burning love for Jesus, Whom he was privileged to clasp to his breast before any other man. Let us ask him to obtain for us the grace to be able to imitate him in his life so that we may also imitate him in his holy death. May he, who died with Jesus and Mary by his side, obtain peace for us in our final agony, so that we may expire with the names of Jesus and Mary on our lips and in our hearts.”
Thought for the Day – 29 D ecember – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
As Fr Clarke has left us in the lurch for the last 3 days of December, I am revisiting dear Cardinal Bacci to come to our aid. I pray you, like myself, never tire of his wisdom.
The Holy Family – Jesus
“We have in the Holy Family, the highest possible models of perfection – Jesus, Mary and Joseph. As God, Jesus is essentially holy. By means of the Hypostatic Union, this sanctity is transmitted also to His human nature. The holiness of Jesus was only gradually revealed as He grew older because He wished to be like us in everything, save in sin. As the Gospel says, He “advanced in wisdom and age and grace before God and men” (Lk 2:52). Jesus gave us an example of holiness which we should find easier to imitate because it was eternally increasing all the time. He offered us, as an example, the kind of sanctity which has its beginning and foundation in utter humility and detachment from worldly goods. “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29).
Socrates advised his followers to have few desires and to desire these as little as possible, in order to remain content, for the man who is full of desires is always uneasy and restless. This human counsel is very true but, it is incomplete. It recommends detachment from earthly things but fails to teach the ardent and practical desire for supernatural things. Jesus Christ teaches us both. After He has urged us to become gentle and humble like Himself, after He has told us not to worry about the future and not to fret about what to wear and what to eat, He points out the way in which Providence clothes the lilies of the filed and feeds the birds of the air. Then He adds: “Seek the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be given you besides” (Cf Lk.12:22-31).
We must limit and moderate our desire for earthly goods, therefore but, should ardently yearn to love God, to serve and obey Him in this life and to enjoy Him forever in Heaven. This is what the Infant Jesus wishes to teach us.”
Thought for the Day – 28 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Advent From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Christmas Eve
+1. How did Mary and Joseph spend the first Christmas Eve St Joseph spent it in a fruitless attempt to find a lodging for his holy spouse Vainly he sought for a place in the caravanserais or inn, where travellers were received. Vainly he went from house to house in Bethlehem. Everywhere he was disappointed. Thus it is how God prepares His Saints and chosen ones for some unique blessing. We must not be cast down by the fruitlessness of our efforts. It is a sign that some great grace is close at hand!
+2. Mary meantime, was patiently waiting. She was simply praying that God’s will might be done, whatever suffering it might bring to her. She was offering herself to God , to be used by Him as He should see fit. She was making acts of perfect conformity to the Will of God in all things. Blessed are those who wait patiently in such a spirit. God will soon fulfil all the desires of their heart.
+3. Yet, Mary and Joseph, in spite of the sorrow of the one and the anxiety of the other, were both of them, overflowing with heavenly consolations. How could it be otherwise, when one of them carried Christ in her chaste womb and the other, was more dear to God than any other of the sons of men, for he was Mary’s chosen spouse and he knew that before another day was past, she was to bring forth into the world, the Son of God. Our happiness, like that of Joseph and Mary, does not depend upon external circumstances but upon the love we bear to God in our hearts.
Thought for the Day – 27 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Advent From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
“O Emmanuel”
“O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the expectation of the nations and their Saviour, Come to save us, O Lord our God!”
+1. Emmanuel, God with us, is a Name which in every way belongs to Christ Our Lord. He is with His people in all their needs, ever ready to help and console them. He is with us on every Altar, waiting for us to come and pour out our sorrow and our needs before Him. He is with us, above all, in Holy Communion, when He Comes to dwell in our heart and to bring with Him every grace we need. He is with us in the hour of death and He will be with us forever in Heaven.
+2. He Who thus Comes to dwell with us in familiar friendship is our King; He Who thus condescends to be our companion, is the God Who has an absolute right to our obedience. He is our Lawgiver and the statutes He enacts for us have but one end and aim and object, to lead His subjects into the ways of happiness and the paths of peace .
+3. Come then, O God, our Lord and our Saviour. Come and save us from all the perils of the Evil One and from our own weakness and frailty. Come and save us in the hour of temptation, for Thou alone art our King and none save Thee shalt rule over us. Come and bring us safely through this vale of tears to Thy Eternal Kingdom, where we shall dwell forever, O sweet Jesus, in the everlasting delights of Thy blissful Company.
Thought for the Day – 26 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Advent From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
“O Rex Gentium”
“O King of the nations and desired of them and the Cornerstone which maketh both one, Come and save man, whom Thou didst form of dust.”
+1. Never was there a king who had such a claim to sovereignty as Christ Our Lord. He is King by Divine appointment and His own right. He is King by the consentient voice of His subjects and by the right of conquest. He is King by reason of His having purchased us with His Own Blood. What unnumbered claims He has on me! and besides all the rest, does He not deserve to reign supreme by reason of His having won me by His Love?
+2. Christ was desired by all nations, long before they knew Him Whom they desired. The heathen world felt a craving want which it could not define but which was the desire for the Saviour, Who should free them from the bondage of sin. So now, men of goodwill, outside the Church, feel something of the same strange longing. Nothing will satisfy it save submission to their King by union with His Mystical Body, the Church of God. Oh, how happy am I, whose desires are fulfilled, in that I am no alien but a servant of that King, Whom to serve, is my own desire!
+3. Christ is the Cornerstone which maketh both one; the King of peace, Whose work it is to unite together, those who love Him in the unity of mutual love of one another, for His sake. Thus He desires that I should be united to those around me that there should be no dissension or disunion. Do I ,in this, fulfil the pleasure of my King?
Christmas Wishes filled with Joy and Love to You All!
This day a great Light has descended upon the earth! Alleluia!
“And the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us, full of Grace and Truth; we have beheld His Glory, Glory as of the Only Son from the Father.”
John 1:14
My sincere thanksgiving for those most generous and loving Benefactors, who, in their generosity, have constantly contributed to the upkeep of this site. For those who, in the midst of their manifold duties during this very busy time, have still found time to send Christmas donations and prayers. May the Divine Infant, His Immaculate Mother and Holy St Joseph, Bless you all.
My wishes for a most Holy and Blessed Christmas May the Divine Babe of Bethlehem fill your hearts with His Joy, Peace and Love!
Sent with my love and prayers to you and yours. Ana 🤗🙏🧡
Thought for the Day – 25 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Advent From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
“O Oriens”
“O Orient, Splendour of Eternal Light and Sun of Justice; Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.”
The night of pagan times was long and dark and seemed hopeless. Deeper and deeper the nations were sinking in misery and vice. But at length the Orient, the brightness of the Eternal Light of Heaven, rose and scattered the darkness , changing the gloom into a brilliant day. So too for those who have been long shrouded in the dense gloom of sin or sorrow, there waits the same Divine Light, ready to scatter their darkness in a moment, if only they will draw nigh to Him. He waits for me, ready to brighten my path, to scatter my sins and sorrows, if I will avail myself of His Love.
+2. That rising Light is the Sun of Justice, Who shall exercise His Justice in delivering the captive and in recompensing His friends a hundred, nay, a thousandfold, for every little service done for Him. For His Justice is virtually identical with His Mercy and rejoices to employ itself in works of pity and of love.
+3. Come then, O Orient, O Sun of Justice; shine upon those who sit in darkness, upon those who are enveloped in the thick mists of heathendom and heresy. Come and enlighten their ignorance that they may not perish Come and deliver them from the shadow of death, for they cannot deliver themselves. Pour upon them such a flood of Light and Grace, as may guide their feet into the way of peace.
Quote/s of the Day – 25 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” –
“With hearts truly grateful, Come, all ye faithful, To Jesus, to Jesus in Bethlehem; See Christ your Saviour, Heaven’s greatest favour. Let us hasten to adore Him; Our God and King.”
DEO GRATIAS!
“And the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us, full of Grace and Truth; we have beheld His Glory, Glory as of the Only Son from the Father.”
John 1:14
“Now this Word, Who was in God, this Word, Who was God, through Whom, all things were made and without Whom, nothing was made, in Whom, is Life – He has Come down to us. What were we? Did we deserve Him to Come to us? No, we were unworthy of His having compassion on us but He was Worthy of taking pity on us.”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“Our Saviour, dearly beloved, is born today; let us rejoice! It is not right to be sad today, the natal day of Life – He Who has dispelled the fear of mortality and brought us to the joy of promised eternity. Let no man be cut off from a share in this rejoicing. The cause of our joy is common to every man because, our Lord, the destroyer of sin and death, Who finds none guiltless, Comes to free all. Let the holy exult, he draws near his palm; let the sinner rejoice, he is invited to pardon; let the Gentile be quickened, he is called to Life!”
St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Father & Doctor of the Unity of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 25 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day! – Titus 2:11-15; Luke 2:1-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“… For today in the City of David, a Saviour has been born to you, Who is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:11
REFLECTION – “Brethren, now we have been told about the miracle, let us turn aside to see this unusual sight, as Moses did (Ex 3:3) – in Mary, the burning bush is not consumed, the Virgin gives birth to the Light, without defilement … Let us then run to Bethlehem, the Town of the Good News! If we are real shepherds, staying awake on our watch, then it is to us that the voice of the Angels is addressed, announcing a great joy … “Glory to God in the highest for peace is coming down to earth!” There, where, only yesterday, there was nothing but misfortune, battlefields and exile, now earth receives peace for today “Truth shall spring out of the earth and justice shall look down from heaven” (Ps 84:12). Behold the fruit earth gives to humankind, in reward for the goodwill reigning among men (Lk 2:14). God is joined to man, to raise man to the stature of God.
At this news, my brethren, let us go to Bethlehem to behold … the mystery of the crib, a child wrapped in swaddling clothes rests in a manger. A Virgin, after giving birth, His undefiled Mother, embraces her Son. Let us repeat the words of the Prophet along with the shepherds: “As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of our God.” (Ps 47:9)
But why does our Lord seek shelter in this cave at Bethlehem? Why is He sleeping in a manger? Why does He participate in Israel’s census? My brethren, He who brings liberty to the world, comes to be born into our slavery to death. He is born in this cave to reveal Himself to us, who are immersed in darkness and the shadow of death. He rests in a manger because, He is the One Who makes grass grow for the cattle (Ps 103:14). He is the Bread of Life, Who feeds us with a spiritual food that we too might live in the Spirit… What more joyful Feast is there than that of today? Christ, the Sun of Justice (Mal 3:20), comes to illumine our night. What had fallen, is raised up again, what was overcome, is now set free… what was dead is restored to life… Let us all sing today with one voice over all the earth: “Death came through one man, Adam, today salvation has come through One Man (cf Rom 5:17)” … St Gregory of Nyssa (c 335–c 395) Bishop, Father of the Church (Sermon on the Nativity).
PRAYER – O God, Who have brightened this most holy night with the splendour of the true Light, grant, we beseech Thee that we may know in Heaven the joy of that light which we have known mystically on earth. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 25 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Our Saviour and Redeemer – Its Christmas Day!
Afar from Where the Sun Doth Rise A Solis Ortus Cardine By Coelius Sedulius (Died c450) Trans Msgr Ronald A Knox (1888-1957)
Afar from where the sun doth rise To lands beneath the western skies, Homage to Christ our King we pay, Born of a Virgin’s womb this day
Blessed Creator, Thou didst take__ A servant’s likeness for our sake, And didst in flesh our flesh restore To bid Thy creature live once more.
Chaste was the womb where Thou didst dwell, Of heavenly grace the hidden cell; Nor might the blessed Maid proclaim Whence her dread Guest in secret came.
Down from on high God came to rest__ His glory in a sinless breast; Obedience at His word believed, And virgin innocence conceived.
Ere long, that holy child she bore By Gabriel’s message named before, Whom yet unborn, with eager pride, The swift forerunner prophesied.
Fast doth He sleep, where straw doth spread, A humble manger for His bed. A Mother’s milk that strength renewed, Which gives the birds of heaven their food.
Glory to God, the angels cry; Earth hears the echo from on high; Mankind’s true Shepherd and it’s Lord By shepherd hearts is first adored.
Saint of the Day – 25 December – Saint Anastasia of Sirmium (Died 304) Widow, Martyr. Patronages – of martyrs, weavers, widows, Borgorose, Italy, Burana in Kyrgyzstan. She is one of seven women who, along with Blessed Virgin Mary, are commemorated by name in the Roman Canon of the Mass.
From a Triptych in Zadar Cathedral
Before the liturgical reforms of the 20th Century, this Martyr enjoyed the distinction, unique in the Roman Liturgy, of having a special commemoration in the second Mass on Christmas Day. Since the time of St Gregory the Great (Papacy 590-604) and celebrated by the Pope himself, her name was also inserted into the Roman Canon.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “The birthday of St Anastasia, who, in the time of Diocletian, first suffered a severed and harsh imprisonment on the part of her her husband, Publius, in which, however, she was much consoled and encouraged by the Confessor of Christ, St Chrysogonus. Afterwards, she was thrown into prison again by order of Florus, Prefect of Illyria and, finally having her hands and feet stretched out, she was tied to stakes with a fire kindled about her in the midst of which, she ended her Martyrdom on the Island of Palmarola, whither she had been conveyed with two hundred men and seventy women, who have made Martyrdom a glorious thing by the various kinds of death they so courageously endured. ”
Anastasia, daughter of Pretestato a noble Roman, was a native of Sirmium, Pannonia, a Roman City in what is now Yugoslavia. She was the wife of Publius, a pagan, nevertheless, she was entirely devoted to assisting the Christians of Rome, who were forbidden, by an unjust law, to carry out any profession. Her husband, who was very much against her good works, cruelly punished her every disobedience but she was comforted by the advice of St Chrysogonus, who was also persecuted and imprisoned.
After her husband’s death, she was able to exercise her Christian charity more freely. Her spiritual advisor St Chrysogonus, had been arrested and sent to the Imperial Court in Aquileia, Anastasia accompanied him on the journey from Rome and witnessed the interrogation and then his beheading, the body was abandoned at the home of the three Christian sisters Agape, Chionia, Irene, who with the help of the holy priest Zoilus, gave him burial and for this they were all arrested.
Then Diocletian left for Macedonia taking with him all the imprisoned Christians and with them Anastasia; from Macedonia he moved towards Sirmium in Illyria, here the matron Theodota and her three sons were reported to him as fugitive Christians and he had them imprisoned.
The interest which Anastasia had in the fate of the four, aroused the suspicion of the pagans who reported her to the prefect Probus; these, after interrogations and vain attempts to make her renounce Christ, kept her in chains for a month and then put her on a pierced ship, together with other Christians and criminals and sent it out to sea to a certain death. But they miraculously escaped the stormy seas and landed at Palmaria, where they were again captured and offered freedom in exchange for honouring the gods. After their consistent refusal they were all massacred, while Anastasia was burned alive. Her ashes were collected by a woman named Apollonia who placed them in a small Church in her garden.
Although this ‘passio’ is probably partly enhanced and imagined, it is certain that the cult of a Martyr St Anastasia in Sirmium, is very ancient and then spread to Constantinople and Rome. In Sirmium, her Relics were venerated until about 460, when then, the Bishop Gennadius had them transferred to Constantinople to the Church that later took her name. In Rome, since the 4th Century, there was a Titular Church, already dedicated to her, right in the centre of pagan memories (Circus Maximus, on the Palatine).
She is depicted without particular attributes among the virgins in procession in the Church of St Apollinare Nuovo, also present on the bronze door of St Mark in Venice, in the Cathedral of Zadar in Sirmium (Yugoslavia) and others. In ancient times various Churches were dedicated to her, including that of Verona and the other very ancient and important for its historical and archaeological aspect, in Rome, already mentioned which, in the 7th Century, was already listed as the third most important Church after the Lateran and St Mary Major. The Cathedral of Zadar (Sirmium) is also dedicated to her.
The Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day! Celebration of the Anniversary of the Birth of Our Lord. In the earliest days of the Church there was no such Feast, the Saviour’s Birth was commemorated with the Epiphany by the Greek and other Eastern Churches. First mention of the Feast, then kept on 20 May, was made by Clement of Alexandria c 200. The Latin Church began in c 300 to observe it on 25 December, though there is no certainty that Our Lord was born on that day. Today, Priests have the privilege of saying three Masses, at midnight, daybreak and morning. This was originally reserved to the Holy Father alone – beginning about the 4th century he celebrated a midnight Mass in the Lateran Basilica (in which according to tradition, the manger of Bethlehem is preserved), a second in the Church of Saint Anastasia, whose Feast comes on 25 December and a third at the Vatican Basilica. Many peculiar customs of the day are the outcome of the pagan celebrations of the January calendar. The Christmas tree, of which the first known mention was made in 1605 at Strasbourg, was introduced into France and England in 1840. The Feast is a Holy Day of Obligation, preceded by the preparatory season of Advent and by a special Vigil – should it fall on a Friday it abrogates the law of abstinence. Of course, Christmas attracts an Octave, when this wonderful Mystery and Miracle is celebrated for eight days. https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/25/the-solemnity-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-25-december-2/ AND: https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/25/the-solemnity-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-25-december/ AND: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/12/25/25-december-the-solemnity-of-the-birth-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-2/
St Adalsindis of Hamay St Alburga of Wilton St Anastasia of Sirmium (Died 304) Widow, Martyr
Thought for the Day – 24 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Advent From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
“O Clavis David”
“ O Key of David and Sceptre of the house of Israel, Who openest and no man shutteth and shuttest and no man openeth; Ccome and deliver from the prisonhouse, the captive who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.”
+1. The Key and the Sceptre, are the symbols of supreme authority; they indicate the sway which the Saviour is to hold over His faithful people and the right which He alone possesses of opening the Gate of Heaven to the children of men and of extending to them the golden sceptre of His mercy and forgiving love. To me, O Key of David, unworthy though I am, open in Thy Mercy the Door of Heaven; stretch forth to me, all undeserving, the sceptre of Thy favour and Thy love.
+2. Thou shuttest , O Lord and no man opens. O shut not upon me the Door which will admit me to draw nigh to Thee! Shut not upon me the Door of Thy Mercy and Grace. Shut not the Door which leads me into the inner sanctuary of Thy Love. Shut not the door of that fold wherein Thy favourite children dwell in peace and happiness. Shut not, above all, the Door of Paradise at my last hour!
+3. Come then , O Lord and open to me now, the Door of my captivity. I am a captive to my own self-will; a captive to my want of charity; a captive to my vanity and love of display a captive to my self-indulgence and dislike of mortification; a captive to a thousand faults of which I am scarcely conscious. Come, O Lord and set the captive free! I am weak and cannot break my chains, unless I receive from Thee, the necessary strength; Come , O Lord Jesus, Come quickly!
AnaStpaul 
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