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 CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, St Francis de Sales, The HOLY GHOST

Quote/s of the Day – 9 December – Christ Who is “All in All”

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Resumed Mass of Sunday – Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 11:2-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Now, the God of hope,
fill you with all joy and peace
in believing – that you may abound in hope
and in the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Romans 15:13

“And as soon as He sees you seek Him fervently,
He will make Himself known to you.
He will appear to you, grant you His help,
bestow the victory on you
and save you from your enemies.
In fact, when He sees how you are looking for Him,
how you continually place all your hope in Him,
then He will instruct you,
teach you true prayer,
give you that authentic charity that is Himself.
Then, He will become everything to you:
your Paradise, Life-giving Tree,
Precious Pearl, Crown, Architect, Farmer,
One subject to suffering
but not afflicted with suffering,
Man, God, Wine, Living Water,
Lamb, Bridegroom, Soldier, Armour,
Christ Who is “All in All” (1Cor 1B,28).

St Macarius of Egypt (c300-390)

“God accepts our desires as though
they were of great value.
He longs ardently for us
to desire to and love Him.
He accepts our petitions for benefits,
as though we were doing Him a favour.
His joy in giving,
is greater than ours in receiving.
So let us not be apathetic in our asking,
nor set too narrow bounds to our requests;
nor ask for frivolous things
unworthy of God’s greatness.”

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

“Great indeed is the confidence
which God requires us to have
in His paternal care and in His Divine Providence
but why should we not have it,
seeing that no-one has ever been deceived in it?
No-one ever trusts in God
without reaping the fruits of his confidence.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

(Spiritual Conferences 6)

Posted in ADVENT REFLECTIONS, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 December – Since our Divine Saviour is so near, what are we to do to prepare ourselves for His coming ?

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 9 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Resumed Mass of Sunday – Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 11:2-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold I send My Angel before My Face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee.” – Matthew 11:10

REFLECTION – “Since our Divine Saviour is so near, what are we to do to prepare ourselves for His coming ? Saint John the Baptist teaches us : “Repent!” he says, “bring low those mountains of pride, fill those valleys of laziness and pusillanimity, for salvation is near at hand.” The ‘valleys’ are nothing other than fear which, when it becomes too great, leads to discouragement. The sight of the great sins we have committed, brings with them, a shock and fear which strikes the heart. These are the valleys we have to fill, with trust and hope for the coming of our Lord.

“Bring low mountains and hills:”what are these but presumption, pride and self-esteem, which is a very great hindrance to our Lord’s Coming, Who is accustomed to humble and bring low the proud, for He penetrates right to the bottom of our hearts to uncover the pride hidden within them. “Level the highways, the crooked ways make straight to make them a plain.” This is as though He were to say: “Put right all those doubtful intentions, so that you may have none but that of pleasing God, by doing penance, this being the goal to which we should all aim.”

Make straight the path, smooth down your feelings by the mortification of your passions, inclinations and aversions. Oh, what a desirable thing it is, this equanimity of mind and feeling; how faithfully we ought to work to acquire it! For, we are more changing and inconstant, than can be told. People are to be found, who at one moment, being in a good temper, will be of a pleasant and joyful conversation; yet, look on the other side and you will find them sad and restless –in sum, the winding and uneven ways, are to be made straight for the Coming of our Lord!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva, Doctor of the Church (Sermon for the 4th Sunday of Advent).

PRAYER – O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Thy Son,and Who, by Thy Son’s death, foreseen by Thee, preserved her from all taint, grant, we beseech Thee, through her intercession, that we too may come to Thee unstained by sin.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 ADVENT, ADVENT PRAYERS, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 9 December – Creator Alme Siderum – Creator of the Starry Frame

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Our Morning Offering – 9 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Resumed Mass of Sunday

Creator Alme Siderum
Creator of the Starry Frame
7th Century Advent Hymn

Creator of the starry frame;
Eternal Light of all who live;
Jesu, Redeemer of mankind,
An ear to Thy poor suppliants give.

When man was sunk in sin and death,
Lost in the depth of Satan’s snare,
Love brought Thee down to cure our ills,
By taking of those ills a share.

Thou for the sake of guilty men,
Causing Thine own pure blood to flow,
Didst issue from Thy Virgin-shrine,
And to the Cross a Victim go.

So great the glory of Thy might,
If we but chance Thy Name to sound,
At once all Heaven and Hell unite
In bending low with awe profound.

Great Judge of all, in that last day,
When friends shall fail and foes combine,
Be present then with us, we pray,
To guard us with Thy arm divine.

To God the Father and the Son,
All praise and power and glory be,
With Thee, O holy Comforter,
Henceforth through all eternity.

Also known as Advent Hymn, this translation of the Latin hymn Creator Alme Siderum (Pope Urban VIII’s 1632 revision of the 7th Century Hymn Conditor alme siderum) was first published in Fr Edward Caswall’s Lyra Catholica,

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 9 December – St Gorgonia (Died c370) Married, Mother, Sister of St Gregory Nazianzen

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Saint of the Day – 9 December – St Gorgonia (Died c370) Married, Mother, Sister of St Gregory Nazianzen and St Caesarius, daughter of Saint Gregory the Elder and Saint Nonna. Born in Nazianzen in modern Turkey and probably died there in c370 of natural causes.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Nazianzen, St Gorgonia, sister of the blessed Gregory the Theologian, who has related her vitues and miralces.”

That which we know of Gorgonia is best found in the funeral oration which her brother dedicated to her. She was given in marriage at a young age to a citizen of Iconium, called Alypius, by whom she had two sons and three daughters; one of these, Alypiana, appears in Gregory’s Will, who excluded the others whose conduct was reprehensible.

It seems that Gorgonia was Baptised shortly before her marriage; it is certain that St. Gregory attributes to her glory, the fact that she led her husband and children to Baptism.

She died around 370, after her brother St Caesarius and before their parents, as St Gregory says in one of his poems.

The cult paid to Gorgonia is quite ancient, since Nicephorus Callistus says in the 14th Century that it was fully justified by her virtues.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Resumed Mass of Sunday, Nostra Signora dell’Immacolata Concezione / Our Lady of the Conception, Naples, Italy (1618) and the Saints for 9 December

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Resumed Mass of Sunday

Nostra Signora dell’Immacolata Concezione / Our Lady of the Conception, Naples, Italy (1618) – 9 December:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/09/nostra-signora-dellimmacolata-concezione-our-lady-of-the-conception-naples-italy-1618-and-memorials-of-the-saints-9-december/

St Auditor of Saint-Nectaire
St Balda of Jouarre
St Budoc of Brittany
St Caesar of Korone
St Cephas

Ven Clara Isabella Fornari OSC (1697–1744) Virgin, Nun of the Poor Clares, Mystic, Stigmatist.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/09/saint-of-the-day-9-december-venerable-clara-isabella-fornari-osc-1697-1744-virgin/

St Cyprian of Perigueux
St Ethelgiva of Shaftesbury
St Gorgonia (Died c370) Married mother, Sister of St Gregory Nazianzen
St Julian of Apamea

St Leocadia of Toledo (Died c 304) Virgin Martyr. Hearing of the Martyrdom of St Eulalia, she prayed that God would not prolong her exile but unite her speedily with her beloved Lord in His glory.
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/09/saint-of-the-day-9-december-saint-leocadia-of-toledo-died-c-304-virgin-martyr/

St Michaela Andrusikiewicz
St Nectarius of Auvergne

St Peter Fourier CRSA (1565-1640) “The Good Father of Mattaincourt,” Priest, Founder, Reformer, Confessor, Ascetic, Theologian, Teacher, Preacher, Apostle of Prayer, Penance and Charity, Marian devotee. Together with the Blessed Alix Le Clerc, in 1597, Fourier founded the Congregation of Notre Dame of Canonesses Regular of St Augustine, who were committed to the free education of children, taking a fourth vow to that goal. St Peter was Beatified on 20 January 1730 by Pope Benedict XIII and Canonised on 27 May 1897 by Pope Leo XIII.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/09/saint-of-the-day-9-december-st-peter-fourier-c-r-s-a-1565-1640/

St Proculus of Verona (Died c320) Bishop of Pav ia.
The Roman Martyrology says today: “In Verona, during the persecution of Diocletian, St Proculus, Bishop, who was buffeted, scourged with rods and driven out of the City. Being at length, restored to his Church, he rested in peace.”
One who survived Diocletian:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/09/saint-of-the-day-9-december-saint-proculus-of-verona-died-c320-bishop/

St Syrus of Pavia (1st Century) The First Bishop og Pavia, Italy, Confessor, Miracle-worker, Defender of the Faith, Evangeliser.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/09/saint-of-the-day-9-december-saint-syrus-of-pavia-1st-century/

St Valeria of Limoges
St Wulfric of Holme

Blessed Mercedarian Fathers – (10 Beati): The memorial of ten Mercedarian Friars who were especially celebrated for their holiness:
Arnaldo de Querol • Berengario Pic • Bernardo de Collotorto • Domenico de Ripparia • Giovanni de Mora • Guglielmo Pagesi • Lorenzo da Lorca • Pietro Serra • Raimondo Binezes • Sancio de Vaillo

Martyrs of North Africa – (24 Saints): Twenty-four Christians murdered together in North Africa for their faith. The only details to survive are four of their names – Bassian, Peter, Primitivus and Successus.

Martyrs of Samosata – (7 Saints): Seven Martyrs crucified in 297 in Samosata (an area of modern Turkey) for refusing to perform a pagan rite in celebration of the victory of Emperor Maximian over the Persians. They are – Abibus, Hipparchus, James, Lollian, Paragnus, Philotheus and Romanus. They were crucified in 297 in Samosata (an area in modern Turkey).

Posted in ADVENT, ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOGMA, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, Meditations for ADVENT, MOTHER of GOD, QUOTES on MOTHERHOOD, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The NATIVITY of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 8 December – The Approaching Day

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Thought for the Day – 8 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)

The Approaching Day

+1. When the sun is soon to appear above the horizon, the morning star, shining with a light derived indeed from Him but, nevertheless, shining bright and clear, even before His Coming, gives the signal of His approach. So, the holy Mother of God, dawning upon the world, with a grace and beauty which was the gift of her Divine Son, anticipated His Incarnation and made the world more beautiful in God’s Sight, than it had ever been before. Mary was more precious to God than all the rest of men and this, quite independently of her Divine Maternity.
Consider why this was and learn a lesson for yourself.

+2. The morning star is still clearly seen when all other stars have been extinguished by the light of the Coming Day . Mary has a brilliancy so great that the brightness of all the other Saints fades into nothing in comparison with hers. If this was the case even in comparison with the glory of St John Baptist, St Joseph, Abraham the Patriarch, the friend of God – Job, the model of patience, Daniel, the beloved of God, what must her glory be!
Thank God for having created one child of Adam worthy of Himself!

+3. Mary’s consummate beauty is the consequence of there being in her, nothing of her own. All was God’s ; no mixture of self in her motives, in her aims, in her joys and sorrows, her love and hatred.
Her affections were simply a reflection of what God loved and hated; like God she loved all things except sin and those who were the declared and eternal enemies of God.
She desired nothing for herself, except that, she might see God’s holy Will fulfilled in all.
Is this the account which you can give of yourself ?
Only if this is so, are you a worthy child of Mary.

Posted in ADVENT QUOTES, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, DOGMA, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, MOTHER of GOD, PAPAL ENCYLICALS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 8 December – The Immaculate Conception

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

“Hail, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee,
blessed art thou among women”

Luke 1:28

“Thou alone and Thy Mother,
are in all things fair,
there is no flaw in Thee
and no stain in Thy Mother.”

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“You have guarded the integrity
of the temple [of your body];
you have kept your tabernacle free from all sin,
so that the Father becomes your guest,
the Holy Ghost overshadows you
and the Only-begotten Son Incarnate
is born of you.”

St Hesychius of Jerusalem (Died c450)
Priest, Exegete, Father

“O Mother blest!
And chosen Shrine
wherein the Architect Divine,
Whose Hand contains the earth and sky
vouchsafed in hidden guise to lie;
Blest in the message Gabriel brought;
blest in the work, the Spirit wrought;
Most blest, to bring to human birth,
the long desired of all the earth!”

St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609)
Bishop, Poet, Theologian, Father

“Let all the children of the Catholic Church,
who are so very dear to us, hear these words of ours.
With a still more ardent zeal for piety, religion and love,
let them continue to venerate, invoke
and pray, to the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
conceived without original sin.
Let them fly with utter confidence
to this most sweet Mother of mercy and grace
in all dangers, difficulties, needs, doubts and fears.
Under her guidance,
under her patronage,
under her kindness and protection,
nothing is to be feared; nothing is hopeless.
Because, while bearing toward us, a truly motherly affection
and having in her care, the work of our salvation,
she is solicitous about the whole human race.
And since, she has been appointed by God,
to be the Queen of Heaven and Earth
and is exalted above all the Choirs of Angels and Saints
and, even stands at the Right Hand,
of her only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
she presents our petitions in a most efficacious manner.
What she asks, she obtains.
Her pleas can never be unheard!”

Pope Pius IX (1792-1878)
Ineffabilis Deus
(which proclaimed the Dogma of
the Immaculate Conception
on 8 December 1854)

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOGMA, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Hail MARY!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 December – “Hail, full of grace …” – Luke 1:28

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One Minute Reflection – 8 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of the Immaculate Conception – Proverbs 8:22-35, Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Hail, full of grace …” – Luke 1:28

REFLECTION – “How can I speak? What praises could I possibly make of the holy and glorious Virgin? She surpasses all other beings except for God Himself. She is by nature more beautiful than the Cherubim and Seraphim and the whole Angelic Host. No language, whether of Heaven or earth, or even of the Angels, is enough to praise her. Blessed Virgin, spotless dove, heavenly bride… temple and throne of the Godhead! Christ, the Sun Who shines resplendently in Heaven and on earth, belongs to thee. Thou art the luminous cloud which brought Christ down to earth, He Who is the bright streak of lightening, Who shines across the world.

Rejoice, full of grace, gate of Heaven! It was of thee, the author of the Song of Songs speaks … when he cries aloud: “A garden enclosed is my sister, my bride; an enclosed garden, a fountain sealed” (4:12)… Holy Mother of God, spotless ewe – thou gave birth to Christ, the Lamb, the Word made flesh in thee … How amazing a wonder in the heavens – a woman clothed with the sun (Apoc 12:1), carrying the Light in her arms! … How amazing a wonder in the heavens – the Lord of Angels becomes the Virgin’s Child. Angels judged Eve; now they fill Mary with glory, since it was she who raised Eve from her fall and brought Adam, expelled from Paradise, into Heaven.

Vast is the grace given to this Holy Virgin. Hence Gabriel, first addresses her with this greeting: “Hail, full of grace” resplendent as the Heaven. “Hail, full of grace” Virgin adorned with countless virtues… “Hail, full of grace” thou quench our thirst at the sweetness of the everlasting stream. Hail, holy and Immaculate Mother, thou conceived the Christ Who existed before thee. Hail, royal purple, thou clothed the King of Heaven and earth. Hail, O sealed book, thou enabled the world to read the Word, the Father’s Son!” – St Epiphanius of Salamis (c315-403) Bishop of Salamis,  known as the Oracle of Palestine and Father of the Church (Sermon No 5)

PRAYER – O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Thy Son, and Who, by Thy Son’s death, foreseen by Thee, preserved her from all taint, grant, we beseech Thee, through her intercession that we too, may come to Thee, unstained by sin. T 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 FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 8 December – Immaculate! Immaculate!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 8 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Immaculate! Immaculate!
By Fr Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)

O Mother! I could weep for mirth,
Joy fills my heart so fast;
My soul today is Heaven on earth,
O could the transport last!
I think of thee and what thou art,
Thy majesty, thy state
And I keep singing, in my heart,
Immaculate! Immaculate!

When Jesus looks upon thy face,
His Heart with rapture glows
And in the Church, by His sweet Grace,
Thy blessed worship grows.
I think of thee and what thou art,
Thy majesty, thy state
And I keep singing, in my heart,—
Immaculate! Immaculate!

The Angels answer with their songs,
Bright choirs in gleaming rows
And Saints flock round thy feet in throngs
And Heaven with bliss o’erflows.
I think of thee and what thou art,
Thy majesty, thy state
And I keep singing, in my heart,
Immaculate! Immaculate!

This Hymn comes from Hymns By Frederick Faber, (1871 edition) and is under the title “Immaculate! Immaculate!”
It is a Hymn for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 8 December – Saint Sophronius of Cyprus (6th Century) Bishop

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Saint of the Day – 8 December – Saint Sophronius of Cyprus (6th Century) Bishop of the Island of Cyprus, off the coast of Greece, Apostle of widows and orphans, the poor and needy. It is believe, by his name which Greek meaning is ‘the wise‘, that he was of noble Greek origin. Also known as – Sofronio, Sofronius.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Cyprus, the holy Bishop Sophronius, who was a devoted protector of orphans and widows and a friend to the poor and the opporessed.”

Sophronius lived in a Greek environment, in an unspecified period. We only know that he was Bishop of Cyprus, successor of San Damiano.

About him, we can only repeat the beautiful words dedicated to him in place of biographical detals, by the Roman Martyrology: “He was, in an admirable way, protector of the little ones, of orphans, of widows; comfort of the poor and of all the oppressed.”

It is not much but, it is more than enough to guarantee the sanctity of the ancient Bishop of Cyprus, Saint Sophronius and justify his fame, albeit limited on earth is great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

The Immaculate Conception of the Glorious and Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, The Second Sunday of Advent and Memorials of the Saints for 8 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Immaculate Conception of the Glorious and Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God – 8 December.
Patronages – barrel makers, coopers, cloth makers, cloth workers, soldiers of the United States, Spanish infantry, tapestry workers, upholsterers, Argentina, Brazil, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Guam, Nicaragua, Panama, Portugal, Tanzania, Tunisia, United States, 68 Diocese, 8 Cities.
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/08/the-solemnity-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-8-december-2/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/12/08/the-feast-of-the-immaculate-conception-solemnity-8-december/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/08/8-december-the-solemnity-of-the-immaculate-conception/

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

St Anastasia of Pomerania
St Anthusa of Africa
St Casari of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon

St Eucharius of Trier (Died 3rd Century) the First Bishop of Trier, Germany, Date and place of birth are unknown but Eucharius is believed to have been of Italian origin. Additional Memorial in Limburg, Germany of the 3 Bishops sent by St Peter, occurs on 11 September. –
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Treves, St Eucharius, disciple of the blessed Apostle Peter and the first Bishop of that City.”
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/08/saint-of-the-day-8-december-saint-eucharius-of-trier-died-3rd-century-bishop/

St Pope Eutychian (Died 283) The 27th Pope
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/08/saint-of-the-day-8-december-saint-pope-eutychian-died-283/

St Gunthildis of Ohrdruf
St Macarius of Alexandria
St Patapius

St Romaric (Died 653) Married French noble layman, Abbot, Founder of the renowned Remiremont double Monastery in north-eastern France. Died in 653 of natural causes. He was Canonised on 3 December 1049 by Pope Leo IX.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In the Monastery of Luxeuil, St Romericus, Abbot, who left the highest station at the Court of King Theodebert, renounced the world and surpassed all others in the observance of monastic discipline.”
About St Romaric:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/08/saint-of-the-day-8-december-saint-romaric-died-653-abbot/

St Sophronius of Cyprus (6th Century) Bishop

Posted in "Follow Me", ADVENT, ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CATHOLIC TIME, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, Meditations for ADVENT, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on TIME, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 7 December – The Causes of Delay

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 7 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)

The Causes of Delay

+1. If the wickedness of the world in heathen times was so great, how was it that the Coming of the Redeemer was so long delayed?
To this question we can only give one answer with absolute certainty, it was so decreed by Almighty God in His Infinite Wisdom. We cannot hope, in this life, to comprehend the Mysteries of the Providence of the Most High. We can only humbly bow our heads and say that, the Redeemer came when God so Willed and that which God Wills, is necessarily the best.

+2. Yet, we can at least form some kind of conjecture, as to the causes of delay. God works by natural means.
In order that the religion of Jesus, should spread all over the world, by the ordinary working of the laws which govern the affairs of men, it was convenient that the world should be subject to one central power. This was never the case until, at the time of Christ’s Nativity, the Roman Empire was mistress of the world. Thus, God prepares the way for His Designs of Mercy and arranges the world’s events according to His Will, yet, without forcing the wills of men.

+3. There was another reason for the long delay.
It was to teach us that, God does nothing hurriedly.
He always waits, before executing His Decrees. In this, He wishes us to imitate Him. The Eternal Wisdom of the Most High needs no time for deliberation. His Works are not gradually perfected, or improved, on second thoughts. But ours are and the slow action (in our understanding of time) of the Providence of God, should impress upon us, the importance of waiting before we act and considering and reconsidering, all our plans .

Posted in "Follow Me", CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS to THE HOLY GHOST, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on WATCHING, St PETER!, The HOLY GHOST

Quote/s of the Day – 7 December – St Ambrose

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Quote/s of the Day – 7 December – St Ambrose (340-397) Confessor, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church

Nunc, Sancte, nobis Spiritus
Come, Holy Ghost, Who ever One
By St Ambrose (340-397)
Trans John Henry Newman (1801-1890)
Trans 1836

Come, Holy Ghost, Who ever One
Art with the Father and the Son.
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls possess
With Thy full flood of holiness.

In will and deed, by heart and tongue,
With all our powers, Thy praise be sung.
And love, light up our mortal frame,
Till others catch the living flame.

Almighty Father, hear our cry
Through Jesus Christ our Lord most high,
Who with the Holy Ghost and Thee
Doth live and reign eternally.

“So Peter wept and wept bitterly;
he wept so fiercly he washed away
his offence with his tears.
And you, too, if you would win pardon,
wipe out your guilt with tears.
At that very moment, in that same hour,
Christ will look at you.
If some kind of fall happens to you,
then He, the ever-present Witness
of your intimate life, looks at you to call you back
and cause you to confess your lapse.
Then do as Peter did, who thrice said:
“Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee” (Jn 21:15).
He denied three times and three times he also confessed.
But he denied by night;
he confessed in broad daylight!”

“… Behold, now is the acceptable time.
behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6).
And so, you must be more earnest
in prayer and in alms-giving,
in fasting and in watching.
He who until now has given alms,
in these days, let him give more –
for as water quencheth a flaming fire,
so does almsgiving wipe out sin (Eccles 3:3).
He that, until now, fasted and prayed,
let him fast and pray still more –
for there are certain sins which are not cast out,
except by prayer and fasting (Mc 27:20).”

“Fasting is the death of sin,
the destruction of our crimes
and the remedy of our salvation.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-december-st-ambrose-4/

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 December –The least in the Kingdom of Heaven – Matthew 5:19

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One Minute Reflection – 7 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Vigil of the Immaculate Conception – St Ambrose (340-397) – Confessor, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so, will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments, will be called greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” – Matthew 5:19

REFLECTION – “For what reason then does He call some of these commandments “least,” although they are so magnificent and lofty? Jesus spoke this way because, He was about to introduce His own teaching, as a new law . As He humbles Himself and speaks of Himself with great modesty, so He refers to His own teaching in the same manner. In this way, Jesus teaches us to practice humility in everything. And besides, since some suspected His teaching to be a new departure, He temporarily taught it in a more reserved way.

But when you hear “least in the Kingdom of Heaven,” you are to think of nothing but hell and punishment. For it was His practice to speak, not only of the joy the Kingdom brings but also, of the time of the resurrection and the fearful event of the Second Coming.

Think of one who calls a brother a fool. That one, transgresses only one commandment, maybe even the slightest one and falls into hell. Compare that one with another, who breaks all the commandments and instigates others to break them too. Do both have the same relationship to the Kingdom? This is not the argument Jesus is making. Rather, He means, that one who transgresses only one of the commands will, on the final day, be the least — that is, cast out — and last and will fall into hell!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Archbishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (The Gospel of Saint Matthew, Homily 16).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who have given blessed Ambrose to Thy people as a help for eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee that we may be worthy to have him as our intercessor in Heaven, whom we have had as a teacher of life, on earth. ThroughJesus 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 ADVENT, ADVENT PRAYERS, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, CHRISTMASTIDE!, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, The DIVINE INFANT, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR

Our Morning Offering – 7 December – A Great and Mighty Wonder

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Our Morning Offering – 7 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Vigil of the Immaculate Conception

A Great and Mighty Wonder
By St Germanus (c640-c 733)
Father of the Church

A great and mighty wonder,
a glorious mystery,
a Virgin bears an Infant
who veils His Deity.
Refrain:
Proclaim the Saviour’s birth,
“To God on high be glory
and peace to all the earth!”
The Word becomes incarnate
and yet remains on high,
and Cherubim sing anthems
to shepherds from the sky. … [Refrain]
While thus they sing your monarch,
those bright angelic bands,
rejoice, O vales and mountains
and oceans, clap your hands. [Refrain]
Since all, He comes to ransom,
by all, be He adored,
the Infant born in Bethl’em,
the Saviour and the Lord. [Refrain]
All idols then shall perish
and Satan’s lying cease,
and Christ shall raise His sceptre,
decreeing endless peace. [Refrain]

St Germanus was one of the Greek hymnwriters and one of the grandest among the defenders of the Icons. He was born at Constantinople of a patrician family, was Ordained there and became subsequently, Bishop of Cyzicus. He was present at the Synod of Constantinople in 712, which restored the Monothelite heresy but, in after years, he condemned it.
He was made Archbishop of Constantinople in 715. In 730 he was driven from the See, not without blows, for refusing to yield to the Iconoclastic Emperor, Leo the Isaurian. He died shortly afterwards in exile at a good old age.
His Life below:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/12/saint-of-the-day-12-may-saint-germanus-of-constantinople-c-640-733/

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 7 December – Saint Martin of Saujon (Died c400) Priest,

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Saint of the Day – 7 December – Saint Martin of Saujon (Died c400) Priest, Founder and the 1st Abbot of Saujon Monastery in Saintonge, France. Born in Saintes and died at his Monastery in Saintonge, France of natural causes.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Saintes, in France, St Martin, Abbot, at whose Tomb, God worked frequent miracles.”

Originally from Saintes, he was a disciple of St Martin of Tours at the Abbey of Marmoutier. After the death of his spiritual father, he returned to his native country to found a Monastery himself in Saujon.

An Internet user writes to us: “living 25 km from Candes, a legend of St Martin still exists: when he died, the inhabitants of Tours came to collect his body and returned on a boat on the Loire. All along the route, the trees and all the vegetatio,n began to flower (remember this is in December in the Northern Hemisphere!) hence, the expression came to be – “the summer of Saint Martin.”

It seems from the above that St Martin was buried in Saintes.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Vigil of the Immaculate Conception, Day 9 of the Novena, Virgen del Castillo / Virgin of the Castle, Spain (1642) St Ambrose and the Saints for 7 December

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Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary: – LINK to the 9th Day – THE NINTH DAY – 7 December

Vigil of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
– A Day of FASTING and ABSTINENCE.
On this Vigil day, Catholics stand in the remains of the night as the dawn makes its appearance. This resplendent dawn is that Singular Conception, the Immaculate Conception, who ushers in the Light of Christ.
A day of Fast and Abstinence following the Rubrics of Pope Pius X for the Universal Calendar of the Church.

“It is through the most Blessed Virgin Mary, that Jesus Christ came into the world and, it is also through her, that He will reign in the world.” – St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)

Virgen del Castillo, Inmaculada Concepción / Virgin of the Castle, Yecla, Spain (1642) – 7 and 8 December:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/07/vigil-of-the-solemnity-of-the-immaculate-conception-virgen-del-castillo-inmaculada-concepcion-virgin-of-the-castle-yecla-spain-1642-and-memorials-of-the-saints-7-december/

St Ambrose (c 340-397) – Confessor, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church, Theologian, Apostle of Charity, Writer, Musician, Preacher, Reformer and Protector – all-in-all a brilliant, charismatic, vibrant man.
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/07/saint-of-the-day-7-december-st-ambrose-c-340-397-father-and-doctor-of-the-church-2/
And More:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/12/07/more-on-todays-saint-st-ambrose-c340-397-father-and-doctor-of-the-church/

St Agatho of Alexandria
St Anianas of Chartres
St Athenodoros of Mesopotamia
St Buithe of Monasterboice

St Burgundofara / more commonly known as Fara (c 595-c 643) Nun, Abbess, Founder of the famous Evoriacum Monastery, near Paris in France, which after her death was renamed in her honour, Faremoutiers Abbey (Fara’s Monastery).
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/07/saint-of-the-day-7-december-st-burgundofara-c-595-c-643-virgin/

St Charles Garnier SJ (1606-1649) Priest Martyr, Missionary. Charles Garnier was Canonised on 29 June 1930 by Pope Pius XI with the seven other Canadian Martyrs (also known as the North American Martyrs).
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/07/saint-of-the-day-7-december-st-charles-garnier-sj-1606-1649/

St Diuma
St Geretrannus of Bayeux
St Martin of Saujon (Died c400) Priest, Abbot

St Maria Giuseppa Rosello FdM (1811-1880) Religious sister and Founder of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy. She was Canonised in 1949 by Pope Pius XII.
About St Maria Giuseppa:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/07/saint-of-the-day-7-december-st-maria-giuseppa-rosello-fdm-1811-1880/

St Sabinus of Spoleto (Died c 303) Bishop of Assisi, Martyr, Miracle-worker.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/07/saint-of-the-day-7-december-saint-sabinus-of-spoleto-died-c-303/

St Servus the Martyr
St Theodore of Antioch

St Urbanus of Teano (Died circa late 4th Century) Confessor, Bishop of Teano, Italy.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Teano in Campania, Saint Urbanus, Bishop.”
A Zealous Shepherd:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/07/saint-of-the-day-7-december-saint-urbanus-of-teano-died-circa-late-4th-century-confessor-bishop/

Posted in ADVENT REFLECTIONS, Meditations for ADVENT, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Thought for the Day – 6 December – The Golden Thread

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Thought for the Day – 6 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)

The Golden Thread

+1. All through the long ages which elapsed from the promise to the Coming of the Redeemer, a Golden Thread of Light from Heaven ran across their darkness.
In the chosen people of Israel, there ever prevailed a strong conviction of the Coming of a Saviour, Who was to deliver His people from all sin and evil. It was handed down from generation to generation and was, again and again, renewed by the inspired declarations of the Prophets of Israel. Thus God, in His Mercy, never leaves Himself without a witness, to reveal to men of goodwill, the message of hope.

+2. So through all the centuries which have passed since the Coming of Our Lord, the Catholic Church has been the Golden Thread of Light amid the darkness of heresy and heathendom.
What a bright and glorious Thread! What a contrast to all around! How it has, through God’s Mercy , enlightened my life! How can I ever thank God sufficiently for, led by its Divine Light, I am travelling on in peace and safety to the heavenly Jerusalem!

+3. So too, there runs through the life of all those who are to attain at last to the eternal happiness of Heaven, a Golden Thread which never wholly disappears, even though their steps may wander far from the right path.
Sometimes, it is kindness to the poor; sometimes, devotion to the holy souls; very often it is a reverence to the holy Mother of God which thus runs through the whole of life.
In my life God has interwoven some such thread. Do I follow it with grateful perseverance?

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 6 December – St Nicholas or Sinterklaas or Santa Claus Biscuits / Cookies

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Quote of the Day – 6 December – St Nicholas (270-343) Confessor, Bishop

St Nicholas had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose modern name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas, itself from a series of elisions and corruptions of the adaptation of “Sint Nikolaas.”

Many traditions have evolved during the course of history, including for the children, a supply of St Nicholas Biscuits:

INGREDIENTS
4 cups sifted All-purpose Flour
1/2 teaspoon Bicarinate of Soda (Baking Soda)
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Butter or Margarine
2 cups Sugar (I prefer Caster Sugar but normal Granulated is fine)
3 Eggs (Large will do)
1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence

METHOD
Sift together first 3 ingredients.
Cream butter or margarine – slowly stir in sugar;
beat until well blended.
Add eggs, one at a time; beat well.
Stir in Vanilla Essence.
Stir in flour mixture, mixing well.
Cover dough; chill until firm enough to roll.
On a floured board, roll dough, a little at a time, until 1 cm inch thick. Cut out Biscuits with a floured Santa Claus (or St. Nicholas) Biscuit Cutter- if not available make them round or oval and decorate with a appropriate “face” and colours.
Place on well greased Oven Biscuit Tray.
Bake at 350°F pr 180°C for 8 minutes or until golden.
Remove from Trays; – cool on wire racks.

Decorate with Icing Sugar, Smartie or any round shaped sweets, coconut and food colourant to mimic Santa’s Red Hat. Makes about 40 Biscuits.

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 December – ‘The Talents – good works and the final resurrection …’

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One Minute Reflection – 6 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Nicholas (270-343) Confessor, Bishop – Hebrews 13:7-17; Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“ Well done, good and faithful servant because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” – Matthew 25:23

REFLECTION – “The parable of the talents is about all those who, instead of providing assistance to their brethren with their goods, their advice or, in some other way, live only for themselves … Jesus wants to show us, our Lord’s long patience in this parable but, He also alludes, it seems to me, to the final resurrection … In the first place, the servants who give an account of their dealings unequivocally acknowledge that which comes from their Master’s gift and, that which is the fruit of their stewardship. The first says: “Lord, Thou entrusted me with five talents” and the second: “Lord, Thou entrusted me with two talents.” Thus they acknowledge it is from their Master’s bounty that they hold the capital they put to their profit.

This acknowledgement goes so far, that they ascribe all the merit and glory of their success, to their Master’s trust. What does the Master reply, then? “Well done, good and faithful servant.” This is real goodness, is it not, when someone strives to do good towards their brethren?… “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” this refers to the blessedness of Eternal Life.

But, it is by no means the same case for the wicked servant … What is then the Master’s reply? “Thou wicked and lazy servant, why didst thou not place my money in the bank?” which means, speaking to, encouraging, counselling one’s brothers and sisters. “But people would not listen to me,” the other might have replied. To which the Lord answers: “What is that to thee? … Thou shouldst, at least, have deposited this money in the bank and left Me to collect it with interest on My return.” The interest refers to the good works which go before the Hearing of the Word, when we are to speak. “Thou only had to do the easier part of the work and leave the more difficult to Me” … What is there to say? Someone who, for the sake of the other, has received the grace of word and teaching but does not put it to use, will have this grace taken away. But someone, who uses wisely and zealously, the grace received, will receive an even more abundant grace!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father & Doctor of the Church (Homilies on Saint Matthew’s gospel 78:2-3).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who made the holy Bishop Nicholas renowned for countless miracles, grant, we beseech Thee that by his merits and prayers, we may be saved from the fires of hell. 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 CARMELITES, GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 6 December – Let Me Sing the Song of Love By St Thérèse

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Our Morning Offering – 6 December

Let Me Sing the Song of Love
By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus
and the Holy Face (1873 – 1897)

Deepen Thy love in me, O Lord
that I may learn, in my inmost heart
how sweet it is to love, to be dissolved
and to plunge myself into Thy love.
Let Thy love possess
and raise me above myself,
with a fervour and wonder beyond imagination.
Let me sing the song of love.
Let me follow Thee into the heights.
Let my soul spend itself in Thy praise,
rejoicing for love.
Let me love Thee more than myself
and myself, only for Thy sake.
Let me love others, as Thy law commands.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 6 December – Saint Gertrude the Elder (c560-649) Widow, Abbess,

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 6 December – Saint Gertrude the Elder (c560-649) Widow, Abbess, Founder and the 1st Abbess of Hamage Abbey in the North of France. It was a Monastery of Nuns, dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Eusebia. Also known as – Gertrude de Cambrai, Gertrude of Hamage, Gertrude of Hamaye.

Hamage Abbey

The daughter of a nobleman of Douai, France, Gertrude married the nobleman Rigomer. Widowed at an early age, she devoted herself to the education of her three sons, one of whom was to be venerated as a Saint and Martyr, St Adalbald (Died 652).

Following the settlement of her sons, Gertrude withdrew from the world to live at an Oratory in Hamage, where she devoted herself to religious exercises and acts of charity. Here she was joined in her life of piety by her grand-daughter Eusebia.

Gertrude bravely endured the sorrow of learning that her son Adalbald had been Martyred. Adalbald’s widow, Rictrude (c 614–688) also became a Saint.

At Hamage Gertrude founded and became the 1st Abbess of a Convent, where she trained her grand-daughter for religious life before dying and leaving the government of the Convent to her.

Posted in JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, The NINE FIRST FRIDAYS

First Friday, Day 8 of the Immaculate Conception Novena, Notre-Dame de Séez/ Our Lady of Séez, France (5th Century), St Nicholas and Memorials of the Saints – 6 December

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First Friday of the Month:
“I promise you, in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all powerful love, will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday, for Nine Consecutive Months, the grace of final repentance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving the Sacraments; my Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge, in that last moment.” — Our Lord to St Margaret Mary

How to complete the Nine First Friday’s Devotion:

Receive Holy Communion on each First Friday;

The Nine Fridays must be consecutive;

They must be made in honour and in reparation to His Sacred Heart.

    Notre-Dame de Séez/ Our Lady of Séez, Normandy, France (5th Century) – 6 December:
    HERE:
    https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/06/notre-dame-de-seez-our-lady-of-seez-normandy-france-5th-century-and-memorials-of-the-saints-6-december/

    Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
    of the Blessed Virgin Mary: – LINK to the 8th Day: – THE EIGHTH DAY – 6 December

    St Nicholas (270-343) Confessor, Bishop, Abbot, Apostle of Charity, Miracle-worker.
    Full Biography here:
    https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/12/06/saint-of-the-day-6-december-st-nicholas-270-343/
    More:
    https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/06/saint-of-the-day-st-nicholas-270-343-bishop/

    St Abraham of Kratia ( c474–c558) Bishop, Monk, Hermit.
    Biography:
    https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/06/saint-of-the-day-6-december-saint-abraham-of-kratia-c-474-c-558/

    St Aemilianus the Martyr

    Blessed Angelica Leonti of Milazzo TOM (1519-1559) Virgin, Lay Tertiary of the Order of the Minim.
    A Model for our Times:
    https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/06/saint-of-the-day-6-december-blessed-angelica-leonti-of-milazzo-tom-1519-1559-virgin/

    St Asella of Rome (Died c 406) Virgin Hermit Friend of St Jerome
    A Flower of the Lord:
    https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/06/saint-of-the-day-6-december-saint-asella-of-rome-a-flower-of-the-lord-died-c-406/

    St Boniface the Martyr
    St Dativa the Martyr
    St Dionysia the Martyr

    St Gerard of La Charité (Died c1109) Abbot, Founder of Monasterie, Reformer.
    Biography:
    https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/06/saint-of-the-day-6-december-saint-gerard-of-la-charite-osb-died-c-1109/

    St Gertrude the Elder the Elder (c560-649) Widow, Abbess
    St Isserninus of Ireland
    St Leontia the Martyr
    St Majoricus the Martyr
    St Polychronius
    St Tertus

    Posted in GOD ALONE!, Meditations for ADVENT, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS

    Thought for the Day – 5 December – Transient Gleams

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Thought for the Day – 5 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)

    Transient Gleams

    +1. “From time to time, there broke through the thick darkness of heathendom, a gleam of light which seemed to be a harbinger of the coming day. Some sage or poet sang of a golden age which soon would be at hand. But the flash of light soon disappeared and only left the darkness, even darker than before. So in the life of those who have hardened themselves against God, there are sometimes moments, when the devil seems to have forsaken his prey and, there seems a hope of better things. But if Jesus’ Coming is still far away the improvement soon passes and the evil seems to have even a more complete mastery than ever before.

    +2. There is something very beautiful in the sentiments of the old Greek and Roman poets. Their minstrels ring sweetly in our ears. Their poems proclaim them men of the highest genius. But they have no power to effect a change of heart , such as is wrought by the inspired words of some great Saint or servant of God. God must speak through it – man’s voice, if is to avail to turn others to God.
    Do I pray God thus to rule and direct my words that theymay do His work?

    +3. So too, many of the deads of the heroes of antiquity, appear worthy of the holy ones of God. Some may have been done from a supernatural motive and may even, have merited eternal life. But no act, however noble in the natural order, is of any value in the sight of God, unless it be done with some sort of conscious desire to please and serve Him.
    Do my ordinary actions possess this necessary characteristic?    ”

    Posted in "Follow Me", ADVENT QUOTES, ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

    Quote/s of the Day – 5 December – ‘ … Embrace Him, Whom you have sought. …’

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Quote/s of the Day – 5 December – The First Week of Advent – Ferial Day Romans 13:11-14; Luke 21:25-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

    “But when these things begin to come to pass,
    look up and lift up your heads
    because your redemption is at hand.    ”

    Luke 21:28

    “Watch, therefore because you know not
    the day, nor the hour.    ”
    Matthew 25:13

    “ In the hours of the night, think always on Christ
    and hope for His Coming at every moment. …
    Christ enters at the open door.
    He will not fail to do so, for He has promised to enter.
    Embrace Him, Whom you have sought.
    Approach Him and be illumined.
    Hold Him and ask Him not to go away quickly.
    Beg Him not to depart.
    For “His Word runs swiftly” (Ps 147:15)
    and will not be held by the slothful
    or negligent soul.
    Let your soul run to His call and follow closely,
    the sound of His heavenly Voice,
    for His passing is swift    . …”

    St Ambrose (340-397)
    Father and Doctor of the Church

    “It is only right, my brothers,
    to celebrate our Lord’s Coming
    with all possible devotion,
    so greatly does His comfort gladden us…
    and His love burn within us.
    But do not just think about His First Coming,
    when He Came “to seek and save the lost” (Lk 19:10);
    think, too, of that other Coming,
    when He will come to take us with Him.
    I should like to see you constantly
    occupied in meditating on these two Comings…
    for they are the two arms of the Bridegroom     …”

    St Bernard (1091-1153)
    Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

    Posted in ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CHRIST the LIGHT, In the PRESENCE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

    One Minute Reflection – 5 December – ‘ … In fact, according to the merit and fervour of each one, …’

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    One Minute Reflection – 5 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The First Week of Advent – Ferial Day Romans 13:11-14; Luke 21:25-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

    “But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads because your redemption is at hand.” – Luke 21:28

    REFLECTION – “We are waiting to celebrate Christ’s Birthday and, according to the Lord’s Promise, we will soon see Him. The Scripture demands from us that we rejoice, to the point of raising our spirit above itself and … leaping for joy at the coming of the Lord…For, even before His advent, the Lord comes to you. Before appearing to the whole world, He comes to visit you personally, He Who said: “I will not leave you orphaned; I will come back to you” (Jn 14:18).

    In fact, according to the merit and fervour of each one, there is a frequent and familiar advent of the Lord that, in this intermediary period, between his first and last coming, models us on one and prepares us for the other. The Lord comes to us now, so that His First Coming to us, may not be vain and that the last one, may not be that of wrath. Through His present coming, in fact, He works at reforming our pride, in the image of the humility of His first advent, to then remodel our humble body, in the image of the glorified body He will show us when He will return. This is why we should desire and fervently ask this personal coming – which gives us the grace of this first advent and promises us the glory of the last. …

    The first was humble and hidden, the last will be resounding and magnificent; the one we are talking about is hidden but it is also magnificent. I say it is hidden, not because it is ignored by whom it concerns but because, it happens secretly in him. … He comes without being seen and He leaves without being noticed. His simple Presence is Light for the soul and for the spirit, by it you may see the invisible and get to know the unknown. This coming of the Lord puts the soul of whom, contemplates it, in a gentle and happy state of admiration. Then, from the inmost depths of man, the cry may burst out: “O Lord, who is like Thee!” (Ps 34:10). Those who have experienced it know, please God, that those who have not yet had this experience, may feel at least, the desire to !” – Blessed Guerric of Igny (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (2nd sermon for Advent, 2-4: PL 185, 15-17).

    PRAYER – O God, Who, by the message of an Angel, willed to take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant that we, Thy suppliants, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be 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 ADVENT, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

    Our Morning Offering – 5 December – I’ll Sing a Hymn to Mary

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Our Morning Offering – 5 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

    I’ll Sing a Hymn to Mary
    By Father John Wyse (1825-1898)
    Irish Priest and Hymn writer

    I’ll sing a hymn to Mary,
    The Mother of my God,
    The Virgin of all virgins,
    Of David’s royal blood.
    O teach me, Holy Mary,
    A loving song to frame,
    When wicked men blaspheme thee,
    To love and bless thy name.

    O Lily of the Valley,
    O Mystic Rose, what tree,
    Or flower, e’en the fairest,
    Is half so fair as thee?
    O let me, tho’ so lowly
    Recite my Mother’s fame.
    When wicked men blaspheme thee,
    I’ll love and bless thy name.

    O noble Tower of David,
    Of gold and ivory.
    The ark of God’s own promise,
    The gate of Heav’n to me.
    To live and not to love thee
    Would fill my soul with shame.
    When wicked men blaspheme thee,
    I’ll love and bless thy name.

    When troubles dark afflict me
    In sorrow and in care,
    Thy light doth ever guide me
    O beauteous Morning Star.
    Lo, I’ll be ever ready
    Thy goodly help to claim,
    When wicked men blaspheme thee,
    To love and bless thy name.

    The Saints are high in glory,
    With golden crowns so bright;
    But brighter far is Mary,
    Upon her throne of light.
    Oh that which God did give thee,
    Let mortal ne’er disclaim;
    When wicked men blaspheme thee,
    I’ll love and bless thy name.

    But in the crown of Mary,
    There lies a wonderous gem,
    As Queen of all the Angels,
    Which Mary shares with them;
    No sin hath e’er defiled thee,
    So doth our faith proclaim;
    When wicked men blaspheme thee,
    I’ll love and bless thy name.

    And now O Virgin Mary
    My mother and my Queen,
    I’ve sung thy praise so bless me,
    And keep my heart from sin.
    When others jeer and mock thee,
    I’ll often think how I
    To shield my Mother, Mary,
    Would lay me down and die.

    Verses 4, 5 and 6 omitted on image.

    Posted in SAINT of the DAY

    Saint of the Day – 5 December – St Dalmatius of Pavia (Died c304) Bishop Martyr,

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Saint of the Day – 5 December – St Dalmatius of Pavia (Died c304) Bishop Martyr, Missionary and Evangeliser. Patronage of Pedone and Borgo San Dalmazzo in Italy/ Also known as – Dalmatius of Pedona, Dalmazio… Dalmazzo…

    The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Pavia, St Dalmatius, Bidshop and Martyr, who suffered in the persecutions of Maximian.”

    The oldest Vita, derives, from an original written between 570 and 650, while, according to another historian, it was composed in the 8th Century. The author, perhaps a Lombard Monk from the Monastery of Pedona, who drew on oral traditions, says he was born in San Damiano Macra in the pre-Constantinian era and presents him as an Ecclesiastic and evangeliser of Pedona.

    At the beginning of the 10th Century, when this locality was devastated by the Saracens, the body of the Saint was taken to Quargnento, where the inscription was placed on his Tomb: “ic requiescit corpus sancti Dalmatii repositum ab Audace episcopo Astensi – here rests the body of St Dalmatia, deposited by Audace, Bishop of Astens.”

    Since the 9th Century, in France, Dalmatius has been considered a Martyr. More recent sources say he was originally from Germany, a Missionary and Evangeliser of many Cities in Piedmont, Emilia and Gaul, killed for the Faith in 254.

    The Roman Martyrology, based on Episcopal records, wrongly remembers him on 5 December as the Bishop of Pavia, where, however, a Church was dedicated to him. What is certain is that in Pedona there was a Basilica erected in his honour and on 5December many pilgrims, even from distant countries, flocked to his Tomb.

    Dalmatius was probably a local Evangeliser of Pedona, in an era which is not easily determined and was, therefore, venerated there as a Saint. 5 December would be the anniversary of his death, or of his elevation to the honour of the Altars.

    This Statue of St Dalmatius resides in Pornassio, Liguria, Italia
    Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

    The Sodality of Our Lady / Our Lady of the Jesuit College, Rome (1584), The 7th Day of the Immaculate Conception Novena, St Sabbas of Mar Saba and Memorials of the Saints – 5 December

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    The Sodality of Our Lady / Our Lady of the Jesuit College, Rome (1584) – 5 December:
    HERE:
    https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/05/the-sodality-of-our-lady-our-lady-of-the-jesuit-college-rome-1584-and-memorials-of-the-saints-5-december/

    Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
    of the Blessed Virgin Mary: LINK to the 7th DAY – THE SEVENTH DAY – 5 December

    St Sabbas of Mar Saba (439–532) Priest. a Cappadocian-Syrian Monk, Founder of several Monasteries, most notably the one known as Mar Saba.
    The Life of St Sabbas:
    https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/05/saint-of-the-day-5-december-st-sabbas-439-532/

    St Abercius
    St Anastasius
    St Aper of Sens

    Blessed Bartholomew Fanti of Mantua O.Carm. (c 1428-1495) Carmelite Priest, renowned Preacher. Humble and gentle, Bartholomew gave an example to everyone of a life of prayer, of loving kindness and generosity to all and of faithful service to the Lord. He was remembered and revered, even during his life, for his great love ot the Blessed Sacrament, which was the source and the summit of his apostolic life, together with his love and devotion to the Virgin Mother. His Beatification received the Papal approval of Pope Pius X on 18 March 1909.
    Biography:
    https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/05/saint-of-the-day-5-december-blessed-bartholomew-fanti-o-carm-c-1443-1495/

    St Basilissa of Øhren
    St Bassus of Lucera
    St Bassus of Nice
    St Cawrdaf of Fferreg
    St Christina of Markyate
    St Consolata of Genoa
    St Crispina
    St Cyrinus of Salerno – Bishop. Martyr. No other information has surived.
    St Dalmatius of Pavia (Died c304) Bishop Martyr
    St Firminus of Verdun

    St Gerald of Braga (Died 1109) Archbishop of Braga, Portugal, Abbot, Reformer. He renewed divine worship and restored Churches.
    St Gerald’s Life:
    https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/05/saint-of-the-day-5-december-saint-gerald-of-braga-died-1109-bishop/

    St Gerbold (Died c691) Bishop of Bayeux in Normany, France, Hermit, Founder of the Monastery of Livry in Normandy. A
    His Life of Service:
    https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/05/saint-of-the-day-5-december-st-gerbold-died-c691-bishop/

    St Gratus
    Bl Giovanni Gradenigo
    St Justinian
    St Martiniano of Pecco
    St Nicetius of Trier
    St Pelinus of Confinium

    Martyrs of Thagura – 12 Saints: A group of twelve African Christians who were Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. The only details about them that have survived are five of their names – Crispin, Felix, Gratus, Juliua and Potamia. They died in 302 in Thagura, Numidia

    Posted in ADVENT, ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CHRIST the LIGHT, Meditations for ADVENT, The INCARNATION

    Thought for the Day – 4 December – The Long Darkness .

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Thought for the Day – 4 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)

    The Long Darkness .

    +1. “The Light extinguished at the Fall, was rekindled in the hearts of our first parents, when the promise was given them, of a Redeemer, Who should undo the fatal mischief which had been done.
    But, in their children, Adam and Eve had to lament the fatal effects of that deadly evil they had introduced into the world. As generation followed generation, thicker and thicker grew the darkness, farther and farther did men wander away from the Light which, gave to each, the power of guiding his feet aright from earth to Heaven. Thus, it is, each ill deed goes on bearing its deadly fruit, often long after the doer is dead and gone.

    +2. Yet every man had Light and Grace sufficient and more than sufficient, to enable him to walk in the ways of God and, to find his way to the Kingdom of Heaven.
    But none, save a very few availed themselves of it. They loved darkness more than the Light!
    The world gradually lost all regard for virtue and for God.
    How grateful should I be to God that I love Him and co-operate with His Light and Grace!

    +3. If I had lived then what should I have been? Even with all my countless graces and advantages , what a poor specimen I am of one made by God, for God and in the Image of God!
    In heathen days should I not have been among the most depraved? Should I not have recklessly indulged my own inclinations, irrespective of the Voice of God warning and reproaching me What chance should I have had of saving my soul in those days of dark corruption and depravity?”