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 ADVENT QUOTES, APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on The SOUL, The DIVINE INFANT, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The INCARNATION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 December – Saint “Golden Words”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 4 December – St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450) “Golden Words” Confessor, Father & Doctor of the Church

“Whose likeness and inscription is this?”
Matthew 22:20

“The Creator seeks out what else
He can add to your dignity –
He sets His image within you (Gen 1:27)
so that your visible image, might make present,
upon earth, the invisible Creator and, to you,
He entrusts the care of earthly goods, so that,
as vast a domain as this, should not be lacking
a representative from the Lord. …
And what God accomplished in you by His power,
He graciously assumed into Himself –
He wanted to be truly manifested in the man
in whom, hitherto, He had only appeared in image.
He enabled us to become, in reality,
what had only been a mere likeness before. …
And so, Christ is born, to restore
all its integrity, to fallen nature! ”

“Why does your Master
eat with publicans and sinners? ”
Matthew 9:11

“But Christ, my brethren, came to this meal –
Life came amongst these guests that those
who were going to die, might live with Him,
the same Life as He.
The Resurrection reclined at this table
that those who lay in death, might rise from their tombs;
Grace stooped down to raise sinners up, to forgiveness;
God came to man that man might attain to God;
the Judge came to the meal of the guilty,
to release humankind from the sentence of condemnation;
the Doctor came to the sick, to restore their depleted strength
by eating with them; the Good Shepherd bent down
to carry the lost sheep back to salvation’s fold (Lk 15:l3).”

“O my brethren, if only we wanted to,
if only we all wanted to perceive our soul’s paralysis
in all its depth! Then we would see
that it is lying on a stretcher of sins, deprived of strength. Christ’s action within us, would be a source of light
and we would understand that each day
He sees our lack of faith, harmful as it is,
that He draws us towards healing remedies
and sharply presses our rebellious wills.
“My son” He says, “your sins are forgiven you.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-december-st-peter-chrysologus/

St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450)
“Golden Words”
Father & Doctor of the Church

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 December– “I am not come to destroy but to fulfil.” – Matthew 5:17

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 4 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450) “Golden Words” Confessor, Father & Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I am not come to destroy but to fulfil.” – Matthew 5:17

REFLECTION – “Grace which was formerly veiled, so to speak, in the Old Testament, has been fully revealed in the Gospel of Christ by a harmonious disposition of the times, just as God usually disposes of everything with harmony … But within this wonderful harmony, we notice a great difference between the two ages. On Sinai, the people did not dare draw near the place where the Lord was giving His Law; in the Upper Room, the Holy Ghost comes down on all those assembled there, while waiting for the fulfilment of the promise (Ex 19:23; Acts 2:1). In the first instance, the Finger of God inscribed the laws on tablets of stone but now, it is in human hearts where He writes it (Ex 31:18; 2 Cor 3:3). Formerly the Law was written without and brought fear to sinners but now, it has been given to them within, to make them righteous …

Indeed, as the Apostle Paul says, everything written on the stone tablets, “you shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill. .., you shall not covet” and whatever other commandments there may be, are summed up in this saying: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Love does no evil to the neighbour; hence, love is the fulfilment of the Law” (Rm 13:9f.; Lv 19:18) … This charity has been “poured into our hearts through the Holy Ghost Who is given to us” (Rm 5:5).” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (On the spirit and the letter, 28-30).

PRAYER – O God, Who willed to foreshow divinely that blessed Peter Chrysologus would be a great Doctor to rule and teach Thy Church, grant, we beseech Thee that we may be worthy to have him as our intercessor in Heaven, who on earth was a teacher of life. 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 PRAYERS, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 4 December – Dear Saviour, Haste! Venez divin Messie

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Our Morning Offering – 4 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Dear Saviour, Haste!
Venez divin Messie
By Abbé Simon-Joseph Pellegrin (1663-1745)

Dear Saviour, haste!
Come, come to earth.
Dispel the night
and show Thy Face
And bid us hail
the Dawn of grace.
O come, Divine Messias,
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.
Amen

This is the Refrain from a beautiful Advent Hymn by Abbé Simon-Joseph Pellegrin, a French Cluniac Monk, Poet, Composer and Playwright.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 4 December – Saint Felix of Bologna (Died 432) Bishop

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 4 December – Saint Felix of Bologna (Died 432) Bishop, a disciple and the Deacon of St Ambrose at Milan. Died in Bologna on 4 December 432. Also known as – Felice.

The Roman Martyrology: “At Bologna, Saint Felix, Bishop, who had been the Deacon of the Church of Milan under Saint Ambrose.”

Felix, the 7th Bishop of Bologna (397? – 432), immediately preceded Saint Petronius. Already a Deacon of the Church of Milan, he is remembered by St Paulinus in the Life of Saint Ambrose.

From the Ambrosian Epistolary we learn that Felix was chosen for a delicate mission to the Emperor Theodosius in 394:

“I deservedly sent my son, Deacon Felix, to carry my letter, so that he may also take my place and present a memorial for those who have turned to the Mother Church, asking for the mercy of your piety” (St Ambrose Ep 62:3).

His death is dated 4 December 432 as is his Feast Day. His head is venerated in the Cathedral, where it was placed by Cardinal Gabriele Paleotti in 1586.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Notre-Dame-de-la-Chapelle d’Abbeville / Our Lady of La Chapelle, France (1400), Day 6 of the Immaculate Conception Novena, St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450), St Barbara (Died 3rd Century) Virgin Martyr and all the Saints for 4 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary – LINK to the DAY 6 – THE SIXTH DAY – 4 December

Notre-Dame-de-la-Chapelle d’Abbeville / Our Lady of La Chapelle, at Abbeville, France (1400) – 4 December:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/04/notre-dame-de-la-chapelle-dabbeville-our-lady-of-la-chapelle-at-abbeville-france-1400-and-memorials-of-the-saints-4-december/

St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) “Golden Words” Confessor,, Father & Doctor of the Church – Bishop of Ravenna, Italy. Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Peter Chrysologus, a fifth-century Italian Bishop known for testifying courageously to Christ’s full humanity and divinity during a period of the heresy called “Monophysite.”
The saint’s title, Chrysologus, signifies “golden speech” in Greek. Named as a Doctor of the Church in 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII., he is distinguished as the “Doctor of Homilies” for the concise but theologically rich reflections he delivered during his time as the Bishop of Ravenna.
176 of his sermons have survived – it is the strength of these beautiful explanations of the Incarnation, the Creed, the place of Mary and John the Baptist in the great plan of salvation, Mary’s perpetual Virginity, the penitential value of Lent, Christ’s Eucharistic presence and the Primacy of St Peter and his successors in the Church.
FEAST DAY: 4 December (General Roman Calendar 1729-1969)
https://anastpaul.com/2018/07/30/saint-of-the-day-30-july-st-peter-chrysologus-c-400-450-golden-words/

St Barbara (Died 3rd Century) Virgin Martyr. Saint Barbara is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
St Barbara’s Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/04/saint-of-the-day-4-december-saint-barbara-3rd-century-martyr/
14 HOLY HELPERS:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/08/saint-s-of-the-day-8-august-the-fourteen-holy-helpers/

St Ada of Le Mans
St Adelmann of Beauvais

St Anno II (c 1010-1975) Archbishop of Cologne from 1056 until his death. From 1063 to 1065 he acted as Regent of the Holy Roman Empire for the minor Emperor Henry IV, Reformer, founder of Monasteries and builder of Churches.
The Life of St Anno:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/04/saint-of-the-day-4-december-saint-anno-ii-c-1010-1975-archbishop-of-cologne/

St Apro

St Bernardo degli Uberti OSB Vall. (c1060-1133) Cardinal Bishop, Benedictine Vallombrosan Monk, Abbot of San Salvi Monastery, Abbot-General of the Vallombrosans. Created a Cardinal by Pope Urban II in 1097. Papal legate, Bishop of Parma, Italy in 1106. Exiled twice during disputes with Anti–Papal forces opposing Pope Saint Gregory VII.
A fascinating Saint who even Pablo Picasso could not resist painting (2nd image below – maybe Senor Picasso’s ‘Blue Period?’
This Holy Shepherd:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/04/saint-of-the-day-4-december-st-bernardo-degli-uberti-osb-vall-c1060-1133-cardinal-bishop-a-fascinating-saint-who-even-pablo-picasso-could-not-resist-painting/

St Bertoara of Bourges
St Christian O.Cist. (c1180-1245) Bishop
St Christianus
St Clement of Alexandria
St Cyran of Brenne
St Eraclius
St Ezequiel Álvaro de La Fuente
St Felix of Bologna (Died 432) Bishop
Bl Francis Galvez
St Heraclas of Alexandria
Bl Jerome de Angelis
St John the Wonder Worker
St Maruthas
St Melitus of Pontus

St Osmund (Died 1099) Bishop of Salisbury, Confessor, Count of Sées, Lord Chancellor of England. He was Canonised in 1456 by Pope Callistus III.
The Life of St Osmund:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/04/saint-of-the-day-4-december-saint-osmund-died-1099/

Blessed Pietro Tecelano TOSF (c 118-1289) Layman, Widower, Tertiary of the Order of Friars Minor, Apostle of the sick and the poor, spiritual and secular adviser, Miracle-worker. Pietro was Beatified on 18 August 1802 by Pope Pius VII.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/04/saint-of-the-day-4-december-blessed-pietro-tecelano-tosf-c-1200-1289/

St Prudens Martyr. No other information has survived.
St Sigiranus
Bl Simon Yempo
St Sola

Posted in ADVENT REFLECTIONS, Meditations for ADVENT, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING

Thought for the Day – 3 December – The Announcement of His Coming

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 3 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 Announcement of His Coming

“+1. For a short time after their creation our first parents lived in perfect peace and happiness in the Garden of Eden. If they had continued obedient to the authority of their Creator, during
their whole time of probation, there would have been no need for the advent of the Son of God as their Redeemer from sin, for sin there would have been none.
It was their deliberate rebellion which was the occasion that determined the visit of the Word to this world of ours. No
wonder that the Church sings, O felix culpa! O happy transgression which earned a Redeemer such as this!
Admire God’s wonderful Providence in thus bringing good out of evil and advantage to man for his very sin!

+2. The promise made was couched in words which gave no immediate prospect of the crushing of the serpent’s head and the destruction of his power. It left the curse of sin upon the earth and its inhabitants and announced the sorrows which would accompany them through their time of sojourn here. This law still holds. Christ came to abolish sin but not its temporal consequences.
He who sins shall suffer, is a law which Christ fulfilled and in no way destroyed.

+3. Yet, the promise of a Redeemer rekindled the light of hope in the souls of Adam and Eve. They and all their children, were ever looking and praying for His Coming. God’s intention was to keep them in expectancy. So too, with His Second Coming. There has always been a tradition of expectation. “Blessed is the man whom his Lord , when He cometh, shall find watching.”
Hence, learn to watch and pray.
Come quickly , O Lord Jesus!”

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES on EDUCATION, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION

Quote/s of the Day – 3 December – St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552)

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 December – St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552) Confessor

“Would to God that these men who laboUr so much
in gaining knowledge, would give as much thought
to the account, they must one day give to God,
of the use they have made of their learning
and of the talents entrusted to them!”

“Tell the students to give up their small ambitions
and come eastward to preach the Gospel of Christ.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/03/quote-s-of-the-day-3-december-st-francis-xavier-5/

St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

Posted in JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MIRACLES, ON the SAINTS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 December – ‘ … Even today! …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 3 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552) Confessor – Romans 10:10-18, Mark 16:15-18 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And these signs shall follow them who believe: In My Name they shall cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents and, if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay their hand upon the sick and they shall recover.” – Mark 16:17-18

REFLECTION – “The Lord said to the Eleven: “And these signs shall follow them who believe: In My Name they shall cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents and, if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay their hand upon the sick and they shall recover.” In the primitive Church all the signs the Lord lists here, were fulfilled to the letter, not only by the Apostles but, many other of the Saints. The Gentiles would not have abandoned the worship of idols if the Gospel preaching had not been confirmed with so many signs and wonders. Indeed, did not the disciples preach “a Crucified Christ, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,” according to Saint Paul’s saying? (1 Cor 1:23) …

As for us, from now, on signs and wonders are no longer needed, it is enough for us to read or hear an account of those which have happened. For we believe in the Gospel, we believe in the Scriptures which relate them. And yet, signs still take place daily and, if we would mark them well, we would acknowledge that they have far more worth than the concrete miracles of former times.

Every day Priests administer Baptism and call to conversion – is not this to cast out demons? Every day they speak a new language when they explain holy Scripture by replacing the old letter with the newness of its spiritual sense. They put serpents to flight, when they free sinners’ hearts from their attachment to evil with gentle exhortation … They cure the sick, when they reconcile weak souls to God with their prayers. Such are the signs the Lord had promised his Saints – it is these they accomplish even today!” – St Bruno of Segni O.Cart. (c1030 -1101) Cistercian Bishop (Commentary on Saint Mark’s Gospel).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who were pleased to gather into Thy Church the peoples of the Indies by the preaching and miracles of blessed Francis, mercifully grant that we, who honour his glorious merits, may also imitate the example of his virtues. 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 GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 3 December – I Love Thee, God, I Love Thee By St Francis Xavier (1

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 3 December – St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552) Confessor

I Love Thee, God, I Love Thee
By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)
Translated by Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ (1844-1889)

I love Thee, God, I love Thee—
Not out of hope for Heaven for me
Nor fearing not to love and be
in the everlasting burning.
Thou, my Jesus, after me
Didst reach Thine arms out dying,
For my sake suffered nails and lance,
Mocked and marred countenance,
Sorrows passing number,
Sweat and care and cumber,
Yea and death and this for me,
And Thou could see me sinning.
Then I, why should not I love Thee,
Jesu so much in love with me?
Not for Heaven’s sake, not to be
Out of hell by loving Thee,
Not for any gains I see,
But just the way that Thou didst me
I do love and will love Thee.
What must I love Thee, Lord, for then?
For being my King and God.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 3 December – St Abbo of Auxerre (Died c860) Bishop

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 3 December – St Abbo of Auxerre (Died c860) Bishop, Monk and Abbot. Died ion 3 December n c860 of natural causes. Also known as – Abbone, Abbon.

In some records Abbo appears as the Bishop of Auzerre in the 35th place, in others in36th. He governed the Diocese in the second half of the 9th Century. In the list of Bishops, of the “Liber Episcopalis” in which brief biographical notes and chronological data have been provided, Abbo appears after Saint Eribaldus, who was his brother and before the blessed Christian.

There is little information about him. Abbo embraced religious life from a young age by entering the Benedictine Monastery of Saint Jerome in Auxerre. In that Monastery he also held the office of Abbot for two years.

In the year 857 he was elected as the Bishop of Auxerre, succeeding his brother Saint Eribaldus. He participated in two Councils – that of Metz on 28 May 859 and that of Savonnièrres on 14 June of the same year.

His government of the Diocese was only around three years long
He retired from the Office prior to his death and already in the acts of the Synod of Thusey which took place in October 860, there is the signature of his successor, the blessed Christian.

Saint Abbo died on 3 December 860. At the recognition of his Relics,, made in the 17th Century, his body was found almost intact. At this time it is mentioned that his Feast Day was celebrated on 3 December. (Source: Mauro Bonato, https://www.santiebeati.it).

Posted in JESUIT SJ, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Vergine di Montesanto / Our Lady of the Holy Mountain, Rome (1659), The 5th Day of the Immaculate Conception Novena, St Francis Xavier and the Saints for 3 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary: LINK to the Fifth Day – THE FIFTH DAY – 3 December

Vergine di Montesanto / Our Lady of the Holy Mountain, Rome, Italy (1659) – 3 December:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/03/vergine-di-montesanto-our-lady-of-the-holy-mountain-rome-italy-1659-and-memorials-of-the-saints-3-december/

St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552) Confessor, Priest, Missionary, co-Founder with St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) and St Peter Faber (1506-1546) of the Society of Jesus. One of the Greatest Missionaries since St Paul. St Francis was Canonised on 12 March 1622 by Pope Gregory XV. His body is incorrupt.
Glorious St Francis!:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/03/saint-of-the-day-3-december-st-francis-xavier-sj-1506-1552-confessor/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/03/saint-of-the-day-3-december-st-francis-xavier-sj-1506-1552-one-of-the-greatest-missionaries-since-st-paul/

St Abbo of Auxerre (Died c860) Bishop
St Abran
St Agapius
St Agricola of Pannonia
St Anthemius of Poitiers
St Attalia of Strasbourg
Bl Bernard of Toulouse OP Martyr

St Birinus of Dorchester (c 660-650) Bishop, “Apostle to the West Saxons,” Benedictine Monk.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/03/saint-of-the-day-3-december-st-birinus-of-dorchester-c-660-650/

St Cassian of Tangiers
St Claudius of Africa
St Claudius the Martyr
St Crispin of Africa
St Edward Coleman
St Eloque of Lagny

St Emma of Bremen (c975–1038) Married Laywoman, Princess, Mother and Widow, Apostle of the poor, founder of Churches.
About St Emma:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/03/saint-of-the-day-3-december-saint-emma-of-bremen-c-975-1038/

St Ethernan
St Hilaria the Martyr
St Jason the Martyr
St John of Africa
St Lucius, King
St Lucy the Chaste
St Magina of Africa
St Mamas
St Marcos García Rodríguez
St Maurus the Martyr

St Mirocles (Died c316) Confessor, the 6th Bishop of Milan from before 313 to c316. Mirocles was one of the originators of the Ambrosian Liturgy and Chant. The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Milan, St Mirocles, Confessor and Bishop, sometimes mentioned by St Ambrose.”
His Zealous Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/03/saint-of-the-day-3-december-saint-mirocles-died-c316-confessor-bishop/

St Seleucus
St Stephen of Africa
St Theodore of Alexandria
St Theodulus of Edessa
St Veranus
Zephaniah the Prophet

Martyrs of Nicomedia: Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian – Ambicus, Julius and Victor. c 303 in Nicomedia, Bithynia (modern Izmit, Turkey).

Posted in ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CATECHESIS, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, Meditations for ADVENT, The INCARNATION, The LAMB of GOD, The SECOND COMING

Thought for the Day – 2 December – The Divine Decree .

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 2 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 Divine Decree .

“+1. What brought Christ down from Heaven?
It was man’s sin.
From all eternity the Blessed Trinity, looking forward to the fall of man, had decreed that the Eternal Word should clothe Himself with human flesh and should be born into the world, in order to repair the evil which man had wrought. Thus God, in His Mercy provides a remedy for all the sins and follies of men, even before they are committed. We do the harm and God undoes it.
Has He not often thus averted from me, the consequences due to
my evil deeds?

+2. In what garb was the Son of God to clothe Himself when He became Man?
In one which should give us some idea of the evil He came to undo. He, the Eternal Son, co-equal with the Father, took the form of a servant, was born of a despised race, of humble parents, in poverty and humility and contempt.
All this should impress on us how sin has deserved all these and every other evil imaginable besides. If these were the results of sin on the spotless Lamb of God, what must they be on sinful, feeble man?

+3. The Divine Decree did not stop at this First Coming of the Son of God. There is to be a Second Advent , one in which He will appear in human form indeed, yet now, no longer in lowliness and humiliation but clothed with all the brightness and glory which His Divine Nature can impart to His Sacred Humanity.
In this Second Coming, He is to come and receive the reward which He has earned for His Human Nature and, for all those who had faithfully served Him. He is to come and reign. He is to crush all His enemies under His feet.
Look forward to that glorious day and pray that you may share the glory of the Son of God!”

Posted in CARMELITES, franciscan OFM, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The HEART, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

Quote/s of the Day – 2 December –That precious pearl, that treasure …

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 2 December – St Bibiana (Died c 361) Virgin Martyr – Sirach 51:13-17; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Jesus said in parables:
The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure,
hidden in a field. … Again, the Kingdom of Heaven
is like unto a merchant seeking good pearls. ”

Matthew 13:44, 45

“Do you possess a pearl?
Then you know your wealth, it is clenched
in the palm of your hand,
no-one is aware of your fortune.
So it is with the Gospel, if you embrace it with faith,
if it remains enclosed in your heart,
what a treasure you have
You alone know it is there.
Unbelievers, who know neither what it is,
nor what value it has, have no idea
of your incredible wealth!”

St John Chrysostom (347-407) 
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Let us draw near to the Heart
of our most sweet Lord Jesus
and we shall be glad and rejoice in it.
How good and how sweet it is to dwell in this Heart!
This is the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price
which we discover, O Jesus, when we dig
in the field of Thy Body (cf Mt 13:44).
Who, then, would cast aside this Pearl?
Far from it! For It, I will give away all my goods
and offer in exchange, all my concerns and affections.
I will lay down all my cares in the Heart of Jesus,
it is He Who will suffice for me and Who will,
without fail, supply all I need to live on!”

St Bonaventure (1221-1274) [Attrib]
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

“It is above all, the Gospel
which supports me during my prayer.
There, I find all which
my poor little soul needs.
There, I always discover new lights,
hidden and mysterious meaning.
… Just when I need it, I discover lights
which I had not seen before.”

St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUTH, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 December – The Treasure and The Pearl

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 2 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Bibiana (Died c 361) Virgin Martyr – Sirach 51:13-17; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Jesus said in parables: The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure, hidden in a field. … Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant seeking good pearls. ”- Matthew 13:44 and 45

REFLECTION – “The two parables of the treasure and the pearl, both teach us the same thing – we should prefer the Gospel before all earthly treasures. … However, there is something even more praiseworthy than this – we should delight to give it preference, joyfully, unhesitatingly. Let us never forget this, to abandon all else, so as to follow God, is to gain more, than one loses. The preaching of the Gospel is hidden in this world like a hidden treasure, a treasure without price.

To gain this treasure … two conditions are required – the forsaking of this world’s goods and a firm determination. For, it is a question “of a merchant searching for fine pearls, when he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” This one pearl is Truth and Truth is One, it is not divided. Do you possess a pearl? Then you know your wealth, it is clenched in the palm of your hand, no-one is aware of your fortune.

So it is with the Gospel, if you embrace it with faith, if it remains enclosed in your heart, what a treasure you have You alone know it is there. Unbelievers, who know neither what it is, nor what value it has, have no idea of your incredible wealth!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on Saint Matthew’s Gospel No 47:2).

PRAYER – O God, giver of all good gifts, Thou Who in Thy servant, Bibiana, joined the flower of virginity with the palm of Martyrdom, by her intercession unite our hearts to Thee in charity, so that, saved from all dangers, we may obtain the rewards of eternal life. 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 DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD the FATHER, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING

Our Morning Offering – 2 December – An Act of Thanksgiving By St Gertrude the Great

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Our Morning Offering – 2 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

An Act of Thanksgiving
By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)
(Excerpt from her Revelations)

May my soul bless Thee,
O Lord God my Creator,
may my soul bless Thee!
From the very core of my being,
may all Thy merciful gifts sing Thy praise.
Thy generous care, for Thy daughter,
has been rich in mercy;
indeed, it has been immeasurable
and as far as I am able,
I give Thee thanks.
I praise and glorify,
Thy great patience which bore with me.
I offer Thee, most loving Father,
all the sufferings of Thine Beloved Son,
from that first Infant cry
as He lay on the hay in the manger,
until that final movement, when,
bowing His Head, with a mighty Voice,
Christ gave up His Spirit.
I think, as I make this offering,
of all that He underwent,
His needs as a Babe,
His dependence as a young Child,
the hardships of Youth
and the trials of early Manhood.
To atone for all my neglect,
I offer, most loving Father,
all that Thine Only-begotten Son did
during His Life,
whether in thought, word or deed.
And now, as an act of thanksgiving,
I praise and worship Thee Father,
in deepest humility,
for Thy most loving kindness and mercy.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 2 December – Saint Nonnus of Edessa (Died late 5th Century) Bishop

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Saint of the Day – 2 December – Saint Nonnus of Edessa (Died late 5th Century) Bishop, Deacon and Monk. St Nonnus attended the Council of Chalcedon in 451 and tbere his fame and his preaching became renowned most especially due to the conversion of St Pelagis. Also known as – Nennos, Ninos, Nono, Nonnos.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Edessa, St Nonnus, Bishop, by whose prayers the penitent Pelagia, was converted to Christ.”

Pelagia among her courtesans, as Saint Nonnus prays for her

The Vita of St Pelagia states that Nonnus was “a perfect Monk” from Tabenna in Egypt who, “by reason of his virtuous life” became the Bishop of Edessa in Syria, converting “all its nhabitants” and Baptising 30 000 locals. The Monks of Ramsgate place his See at Edessa.

As Nonnus addressed a Church Council in Antioch, the town’s most famous courtesan Margarita (Pearl or Pelaia) passed by. Observing her beauty, Nonnus chastised the members of the assembly for taking less care of their souls than she did of her body. She appeared at his next Sunday sermon and Nonnus’ sermon on hell prompted her to repent.] She wrote him a letter and was permitted to see him with witnesses who were convinced of her sincerity. Nonnus heard her Confession and Baptided her with her birth name Pelagia.

After being pursued by the devil for a few days, she donated the property from her former employment to the Church and lived with the Deaconess Romana, before departing for Jerusalem to disguise herself as a male Hermit under the name Pelagius.

St Pelagia’s Feast Day is 8 October: https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/08/saint-of-the-day-8-october-st-pelagia-the-penitent-fourth-or-fifth-century/

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Our Lady of Didinia, Cappadocia, Turkey (363), Day 4 of the Immaculate Conception Novena, St Bibiana (Died c 361) Virgin Martyr and the Saints for 2 December

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Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary: LINK – THE FOURTH DAY – 2 December

Our Lady of Didinia, Cappadocia, Turkey (363) – 2 December:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/02/our-lady-of-didinia-cappadocia-turkey-363-and-memorials-of-the-saints-2-

St Bibiana (Died c 361) Virgin Martyr
Her Life and Death
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2016/12/02/saint-of-the-day-2-december/

St Athanasius of the Caves (Died c 1176) Hermit, Miracle-worker and healer.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/02/saint-of-the-day-2-december-saint-athanasius-of-the-caves-died-c-1176/

St Avitas of Rouen (Died c325) Bishop
About St Avitas:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/02/saint-of-the-day-2-december-saint-avitus-of-rouen-died-c-325-bishop/

St Chromatius of Aquileia (Died c 407) Bishop of Aquileia, Father of the Church, Theologian, Exegete, Writer and friend of Saints Ambrose and Jerome, defender of Saint John Chrysostom.
Wonderful St Chromatius:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/02/saint-of-the-day-2-december-saint-chromatius-of-aquileia-died-c-407/

Bl John Amero

Blessed Jan van Ruysbroec (c 1293-1382) Known as John “the Admirable,” “the Ecstatic Doctor,” “the Divine Doctor.” Priest, Hermit, Mystic, Spiritual Director and Spiritual Writer. Beatified on 1 December 1908 by Pope Pius X.
About Blessed Jan:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/02/saint-of-the-day-2-december-blessed-john-van-ruysbroeck/

St Lupus of Verona
St Nonnus of Edessa (Died late 5th Century) Bishop

St Oderisius de Marsi OSB (Died 1105) Italian Deacon Cardinal, Abbot of Montecassino, Count of the great noble family of the Marsi.
His Devoted Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/02/saint-of-the-day-2-december-saint-oderisius-de-marsi-osb-died-1105/

St Pimenio in Rome
St Pontian

St Robert of Matallana O.Cist. (Died 1185) Abbot
St Silvanus

Greek Martyrs of Rome – 9 Saints: Several Greek Christians Martyred in the persecutions of Valerian – Adria, Aurelia, Eusebius, Hippolytus, Marcellus, Mary Martana, Maximus, Neon and Paulina. They were martyred by various means between 254 and 259 in Rome, Italy and are buried in the Callistus catacombs, Rome.

Martyrs of Africa – 4 Saints: Four Christians Martyred in Africa in the persecutions of Arian Vandals – Januarius, Securus, Severus and Victorinus.

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, The DIVINE INFANT

DECEMBER: – The Month of Devotion to The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Posted on by AnaStpaul

DECEMBER:
The Month of Devotion to The DIVINE INFANCY
and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

The observance of Divine Infancy Month recalls the first Christmas more than 2,000 years ago when Jesus humbled Himself and became Completely Human, while remaining Completely Divine.
The Blessed Virgin Mary was chosen to be the glorious Tabernacle of the Son of God. Therefore, in the first moment of her existence, God, called her into being that she might assume the exalted dignity of the Mother of His Son and, therefore, granted her the singular privilege of exemption from Original Sin.

Look to Our Lady – she is already waiting at the crib, desiring to teach us to make our hearts a pleasant crib for the Christ Child to dwell in.

Cultivate a spirit of prayer and attentiveness to His Presence as the Divine Infant by adopting Aspirations suitable to the season, such as:

Divine Infant King Jesus, come down into our hearts!
​
​Lord Jesus, through Thy Infant cries in the manger,
when Thou was born for me;
through Thy tears, when Thou died for me on the Cross;
throughThy love, as Thou do live for me
in the Tabernacle, have mercy upon me and save me.
Amen!

Posted in ADVENT QUOTES, ADVENT REFLECTIONS, Meditations for ADVENT

Thought for the Day – 1 December – What is Advent?

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Thought for the Day – 1 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)

What is Advent?

+I. Advent is the season when we are taught to look forward, both to the First Coming of Our Lord into the world at Christmas-time and also, to His Second Coming at the end of time, to judge the living and the dead .
His First Coming was to seek and to save that which was lost. His
Second Coming will be, to gather His elect into the Celestial Paradise and, to trample all His enemies under His feet.
Shall I, on that day, be regarded by Him as a friend or as an enemy? Is my present life one of devotion to Him and union with Him, or one of selfishness, pride, impatience of the yoke of Christ?

+2. Of all the miracles in the world, never was there one to be compared to His Coming on earth in the form of a man. It was a miracle so entirely above and beyond our reason that, unless we knew it by faith, to be a fact, we should be inclined to pronounce it impossible.
That the Infinite God should take the form of a creature! that the Eternal Word should be clad in a body formed of the dust of the earth! that He should, of His Own accord leave the highest heaven for a life of suffering and a death of agony! Nothing but the power of God could work such a wonder as this!

+3. Yet, we know that it is a fact . “For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven.”
He yearned after us with a Divine Love. Willingly , joyfully, almost eagerly, He stripped Himself of all His glory. “He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death.”
Who, after this, can refuse to believe that He loved us and still loves us fondly, tenderly? Who can refuse to love Him in return and, to show this love by a loyal obedience to all He asks of us?

Posted in ADVENT QUOTES, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, St JOSEPH, The DIVINE INFANT, The HEART, The HOLY CROSS

Quote/s of the Day – 1 December – ‘Open your heart and run to meet the Sun of Eternal Light …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The First Sunday of Advent

“Open wide your door to the One who comes.
Open your soul,
throw open the depths of your heart
to see the riches of simplicity,
the treasures of peace,
the sweetness of grace.
Open your heart
and run to meet
the Sun of Eternal Light
Who illuminates all men.”

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

“And the Lord God shall give unto Him
the throne of David, His father
and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever.
And of His Kingdom there shall be no end.”

Luke 1:32-33

“What is said of the House of David
applies, not only to Joseph but also to Mary.
It was a precept of the law that each man should marry
a wife from his own tribe and kindred.”

St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“The day will come when this Child
will no longer be offered in the Temple,
nor in Simeon’s arms
but outside the City
in the arms of the Cross.
The day will come when He
will not be redeemed
by the blood of a sacrifice
but redeem others ,
with His own Blood. …”
That will be the evening sacrifice;
this is the morning sacrifice;
this one is the happiest
but that one is the most complete;
for this one was offered
at the time of birth
and that one will be offered
in the fullness of time,..”

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

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 December – … Know that the Kingdom of God is near. – Luke 21:29-31

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One Minute Reflection – 1 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The First Sunday of Advent – Romans 13:11-14; Luke 21:25-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Look at the fig tree and all the trees, when they produce their fruit you know that summer is near. So too, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.” – Luke 21:29-31

REFLECTION – “Look at the fig tree and all the trees, when they produce their fruit you know that summer is near. So too, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.” He means that just as the coming of summer is recognised by the fruit on the trees, so is the nearness of the Kingdom of God recognised by the destruction of the world. These words show that the fruit of the world is destruction – it increases only to fall, it produces, only to destroy by its disasters whatever it produces. The Kingdom of God is aptly compared to summer because, it is then that the clouds of our sorrow pass away and the days of life shine with the brightness of the Eternal Sun. …

“Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will not pass away.” Nothing among material realities is more lasting than the heavens and the earth and nothing among realities, passes away, as quickly as an utterance. … Therefore, the Lord declares: “Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will not pass away.” He means: “Nothing that is lasting in your world lasts for eternity without change and everything that in Me, is perceived as passing away, is kept firm, without passing away. My utterance, which passes away, expresses thoughts that endure without change.” …

Therefore, my friends, do not love what you see cannot long exist. Keep in mind the Apostle John’s precept, in which he counsels us not “to love the world or the things in the world because, if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 Jn 2:15). – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on the Gospels No 1 )

PRAYER – O God, Who, by the message of an Angel, willed to take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant we, Thou suppliants, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, maybe aided 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 PRAYERS, BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 1 December – O Come, O come, Emmanuel

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Our Morning Offering – 1 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The First Sunday of Advent

O Come, O come, Emmanuel

O Come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high
And order all things far and nigh,
To us the path of knowledge show
And teach us in her ways to go.
Refrain

O come, o come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times did give the law,
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Refrain

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem,
From ev’ry foe deliver them
That trust Thy mighty power to save
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
Refrain

O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heav’nly home,
Make safe the way that leads on high,
That we no more have cause to sigh.
Refrain

O come, Thou Dayspring from on high
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadow put to flight.
Refrain

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid every strife and quarrel cease
And fill the world with heaven’s peace.
Refrain

The favourite O Come, O Come Emmanuel carol was originally written in Latin text in the 12th Century. The author of the words and composer to the music of O Come, O Come Emmanuel is unknown. It is, however, believed that the melody was of French origin and added to the text a hundred years later. The Latin was translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1851.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 1 December – Saint Castritian of Milan (3rd Century) Bishop

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Saint of the Day – 1 December – Saint Castritian of Milan (3rd Century) Bishop, constructer of the first and many more Churches in Milan. Also known as – Castritianus, Castritiano.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Milan, St Castritian, the Bishop, who was eminent for virtues and the practice of pious and religious deeds in very troubled times for the Church.”

Castritian He was the third bishop of Milan in the first decades of the 3rd Century. According to the Datiana Historia of the 11th Century, his election, however, would have taken place much earlier, after eleven years of Episcopal vacancy, due to the persecution of Domitian.

Castritian would have governed the Milanese Church for forty-one years. The holy Bishop is attributed with the construction of the first Church of Milan, located in the area of ​​the current St Ambrose Basilica and, furthermore, the construction of the Basilica Porziana, in the area of ​​the current Basilica of St Vittore al Corpo and of the Basilica St Fausta which would be the current Chapel of St Vittore in Ciel d’Oro, near the Basilica of St Ambrose.

From the same 11th Century source, we discover that, having died on 1 December, Castritian was buried in the Cemetery, located along the Via Romana (which corresponds to the current Corso Roma). The ancient Milanese catalogues contrast with this report which, although agreeing on the date of Castritian’s death, says that he was buried in the Basilica of St John within the City walls. From this disagreement, the inference is drawn, according to which, the Relics of our Saint were translated in a later period from the Cemetery along the Via Romana to the Church of St John in Conca. This Church, desecrated in 1810, and was subsequently almost completely demolished. Sadly, all trace of St Castritian’s Relics has been lost.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

The First Sunday of Advent, The Third Day of the Immaculate Conception Novena, December Devotion, Our Lady of Ratisbon, Bavaria (1842) and Memorials of the Saints – 1 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The First Sunday of Advent

DECEMBER: Month of Devotion to The DIVINE INFANCY
and The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary – LINK: THE THIRD DAY – 1 December

Our Lady of Ratisbon, Bavaria (1842) – 1 December:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/01/our-lady-of-ratisbon-bavaria-1842-and-memorials-of-the-saints-1-december/

St Agericus of Verdun
St Agnofleta
St Alexander Briant
St Ambon of Rome
St Ananias of Arbela
St Ansanus the Baptizer
Bl Antony Bonfadini
St Candida of Rome
St Candres of Maestricht
St Cassian of Rome
St Castritian of Milan (3rd Century) Bishop
Bl Christian of Perugia
St Constantine of Javron
St Declan
St Didorus
St Domnolus of Le Mans

Bl Edmund Campion SJ (1540-1581 aged 41) Martyr, Priest of the Society of Jesus, one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, Poet, Writer.
About dear Bl Edmund:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2016/12/01/saint-of-the-day-1-december/

St Eligius (c588-660) “Good St Eligius” Bishop, Goldsmith, Royal Courtier and adviser to the King, peace-maker, servant of the poor and of slaves. He founded Monasteries and donated his own property for the founding of the first female Monastery in the area.
The wonderful St Eligius:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/01/saint-of-the-day-1-december-good-st-eligius-st-eligius-of-noyon-c-588-660/

St Evasius of Asti (Died c362) Bishop Martyr, Missionary. Miracle-worker
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/01/saint-of-the-day-1-december-saint-evasius-of-asti-died-c362-bishop-martyr/

St Filatus of Rome
St Florence of Poitiers
St Florentius
St Grwst
St Jabinus of Rome and Companions

Blessed John Beche OSB (Died 1539) Benedictine Abbot Martyr. The Last Abbot of St John in Colchester, friend of St John Fisher and St Thomas More, both Martyrs.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/01/saint-of-the-day-1-december-blessed-john-beche-osb-died-1539-abbot-martyr/

St Latinus of Rome
St Leontius of Fréjus
St Lucius of Rome
St Marianus
St Marina of Rome
St Martinus
St Nahum the Prophet
St Natalia of Nicomedia
St Olympiades
St Proculus of Narni
St Resignatus of Maastricht
Bl Richard Langley
St Rogatus of Rome
St Simon of Cyrene
St Superatus of Rome
St Ursicinus of Brescia

Martyrs of Oxford University: A joint commemoration of all the men who studied at one of the colleges of Oxford University and who were later Martyred for their loyalty to the Catholic Church during the official persecutions in the Protestant Reformation in England under Elizabeth I.
They are: Blessed Edward James • Blessed Edward Powell • Blessed Edward Stransham • Blessed George Napper • Blessed George Nichols • Blessed Hugh More • Blessed Humphrey Pritchard • Blessed James Bell • Blessed James Fenn • Blessed John Bodey • Blessed John Cornelius • Blessed John Forest • Blessed John Ingram • Blessed John Mason • Blessed John Munden • Blessed John Shert • Blessed John Slade • Blessed John Storey • Blessed Lawrence Richardson • Blessed Mark Barkworth • Blessed Richard Bere • Blessed Richard Rolle de Hampole • Blessed Richard Sergeant • Blessed Richard Thirkeld • Blessed Richard Yaxley • Blessed Robert Anderton • Blessed Robert Nutter • Blessed Robert Widmerpool • Blessed Stephen Rowsham • Blessed Thomas Belson • Blessed Thomas Cottam • Blessed Thomas Pilcher • Blessed Thomas Plumtree • Blessed Thomas Reynolds • Blessed William Filby • Blessed William Hart • Blessed William Hartley • Saint Alexander Briant • Saint Cuthbert Mayne • Saint Edmund Campion • Saint John Boste • Saint John of Bridlington • Saint John Roberts • Saint Ralph Sherwin • Saint Thomas Garnet • Saint Thomas More.

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS

The St Andrew’s Christmas Novena- The Christmas Anticipation Prayer

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The St Andrew’s Christmas Novena
The Christmas Anticipation Prayer

The Novena is not actually addressed to Saint Andrew but to God Himself, asking Him to grant our request in honour of the birth of His Son at Christmas. You can say the prayer all 15 times, all at once; or divide up the recitation as necessary (perhaps five times at each meal). We say ours after the Family Rosary each day, with each member saying it a number of times to total 15.

Prayed as a family, the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena is a very good way to help focus the attention of your family and children on the Advent season. nd the reason for the festivities to come.

This lovely Christmas Anticipatory Prayer, although the Author is Unknown, is traditionally believed to have originated in Ireland in the early 1900s or even before. I know, I myself, in my childhood, prayed this both at home and in my Irish Convent School.

Pray 15 Times each day, until Christmas Day

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment,
in which the Son of God was born,
of the most pure Virgin Mary,
at midnight, in Bethlehem,
in the piercing cold.
In that hour vouchsafe,
I beseech Thee, O my God,
to hear my prayer and grant my desires,
…………………
[here mention your request]
through the merits of Our Saviour, Jesus Christ
and of His Blessed Mother.
Amen

Posted in GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD

Thought for the Day – 30 November– How to Remain Aware of the Presence of God

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 30 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

How to Remain Aware of the Presence of God

“The third way of remaining attentive to the Presence of God is to contemplate Him living in ourselves.
While it is true that God is present everywhere, He dwells in a special manner in the human soul which is the masterpiece of creation!

When our souls are adorned with His grace, His delight in us is unbounded.
“I will dwell and move among them. I will be their God and they shall be My people” (2 Cor 6:16).
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you” (1 Cor 3:16).

God dwells among us, therefore and lives in us as in so many temples.
We should recognise His Presence and listen to His Voice, furthermore, we should adore Him, love Him and pray to Him.
Then, we can sincerely claim to belong entirely to Him.”

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/11/28/thought-for-the-day-28-november-how-to-remain-aware-of-the-presence-of-god/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/11/29/thought-for-the-day-29-november-how-to-remain-aware-of-the-presence-of-god/

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on ZEAL, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Quote/s of the Day – 30 November – The Feast of St Andrew, Apostle of Christ

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 30 November – The Feast of St Andrew, Apostle of Christ

“Indeed Andrew’s eagerness,
his zeal in wanting to immediately spread
such a good news, supposes a soul
who was longing to see the accomplishment
of the many prophecies concerning Christ.
It is a mark of brotherly kindness,
of loving kinship, of genuine goodwill,
to hasten to stretch out a helping hand
to one another in spiritual matters. …
“We have found the Messiah” he says –
not any messiah but “The Messiah,”
the One Christ they were awaiting.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“What determines that the gifts of God dwells in us,
is the measure of each one’s faith.
Because, it is to the extent that we believe
that the enthusiasm to act is given us.
And so, those who act,
reveal the measure of their faith
proportionate to their action,
they receive their measure of grace
according to what they have believed. …”

St Maximus the Confessor (c580-662)
Father of the Church

MORE oconcerning ST ANDREW:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/30/quote-of-the-day-30-november-the-passion-of-andrew/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, St JOHN the BAPTIST, St PETER!, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 November – ‘Andrew was the first of the Apostles to acknowledge the Lord as his teacher. …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 30 November – The Feast of St Andrew, Apostle of Christ – Readings: Romans 10: 9-18; Matthew 4: 18-22 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“At once they left their nets and followed Him.” – Matthew 4:20

REFLECTION – “Andrew was the first of the Apostles to acknowledge the Lord as his teacher. … He abandoned John the Baptist’s teaching to attend the school of Christ. … He sought the true Light in the shining of the lamp (Jn 5:35). Beneath its dampened glow he prepared himself for Christ’s splendour. … Teacher though he was, John the Baptist became servant and herald of the Christ, Who stood before him: “Behold,” he said, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29). Behold Him Who delivers us from death; behold Him Who destroys sin. As for me, I was sent, not as the bridegroom but as the one who accompanies Him (Jn 3:29). I came as servant, not as lord.”

Struck by these words, Andrew left his former teacher and hurried towards the One he was announcing. … He hurried towards our Lord, his longing manifesting itself in his bearing … drawing John the Evangelist with him. Both abandon the lamp and make their way towards the Sun. Andrew is the first plant in the Garden of Apostles, it is he who opens the door to Christ’s teaching, the first to gather fruit in the field the Prophets had tilled. … He was the first to recognise Him, of Whom Moses said: “A prophet like me, will the Lord your God raise up for you; to Him you shall listen” (Dt 18:15). … He recognised the One, Whom the Prophets foretold and brought Peter, his brother, to Him. He showed Peter the treasure which as yet, he did not know: “We have found the Christ (Jn 1:41) the One we have been longing for. We were waiting for His coming: now come and experience His Presence.” … Andrew leads his brother to Christ … – it was his first miracle!” – Basil of Seleucia (Died c468) Archbishop.

PRAYER – We humbly pray Thy majesty, O Lord, that, as blessed Andrew was a preacher and ruler in Thy Church, so he may always intercede for us with Thee. 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 BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 30 November – St Andrew Apostle – Exsultet Orbis! Let the World Rejoice!

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Our Morning Offering – 30 November – Feast of St Andrew Apostle and Martyr

Exsultet Orbis!
Let the World Rejoice!
Unknown Author

Now let the earth with joy resound,
And Heaven the chant re-echo round;
Nor Heaven nor earth too high can raise
The great Apostles’ glorious praise.

O ye who, throned in glory dread,
Shall judge the living and the dead,
Lights of the world forever more!
To you the suppliant prayer we pour.

Ye close the Sacred Gates on high.
At your command apart they fly.
O loose for us the guilty chain
We strive to break and strive in vain.

Sickness and health your voice obey,
At your command they go or stay.
From sin’s disease our souls restore;
In good confirm us more and more.

So when the world is at its end.
And Christ to Judgment shall descend,
May we be called, those joys to see
Prepared from all eternity.

Praise to the Father, with the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One;
As ever was in ages past
And so shall be while ages last.
Amen

(Roman Breviary for the Common of Apostles)
An Office Hymn that was traditionally prescribed for Vespers and Lauds on the Feasts of Apostles and Evangelists outside Easter time. The Hymn is found as early as the tenth century in a hymnal of Moissac Abbey.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 30 November – St Constantius of Rome (Died c418) Priest Confessor

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Saint of the Day – 30 November – St Constantius of Rome (Died c418) Priest Confessor, Defender of the Faith against the heresy of Pelagianism (often called the seed of Calvinism).

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, St Constantius, Confessor, who strongly opposed the Pelagian Heretics and by enduring many injuries from them, gained a place among holy Confessors.”

Constantius was a Priest in Rome. In defending the Faith, he suffered greatly under his opponents, the Pelagians but he was not martyred as some believe.