Thought for the Day – 29 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Our Relationship with The Most Holy Trinity
“Finally, we are, or should be, the temples of the Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19) writes St Paul. “Man,” writes St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Doctor of the Church, “is composed of body and soul. The Catholic is composed of body and soul AND the Holy Spirit.” Before this can be said of us, however, it is necessary for Divine Grace to flourish and bear fruit within us. Then the soul will really have become God’s dwelling-place. It will be like a miniature Heaven, in which the Lord gloriously reigns!
Let us study the Saints carefully. They live in this world but they are not immersed in it. Their souls are already in Heaven through grace, even as they will one day reside there in glory. Because of this, their personalities radiate peace and contentment.
Of them it can truly be said: “Our citizenship is in Heaven” (Phil 3:20). We should never allow sin to deprive us of the Holy Spirit. Let everything in us be clean and pure, as becomes Saints of God.”
Quote/s of the Day – 29 September – The Feast of the Dedication of St Michael the Archangel – Apocalypse 1:1-5, Matthew 18:1-10 – Scripture Search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“In every lodging, at every corner, have reverence for thy Angel. Do not dare to do in his presence what you would not dare to do, if I were there. Or do you doubt that he is present whom you do not behold? What if you should hear him? What if you should touch him? What if you should scent him? Remember, that the presence of something is not proved only by the sight of things.”
St Bernard (1090-1153) Mellifluous Doctor of the Church
“The good Angels are around you, like a company of Sentinels on guard!”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis
O Victorious Prince, Guardian of the Church of God By St Aloysius de Gonzaga SJ (1568-1591) Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
O Victorious Prince, most humble guardian of the Church of God and of faithful souls, who, with such charity and zeal, took part in so many conflicts and gained such great victories over the enemy, for the conservation and protection of the honour and glory, we all owe to God, as well as for the promotion of our salvation. Come, we pray Thee, to our assistance, for we are continually besieged with such great perils by our enemies, the flesh, the world and the devil and as Thou wast a leader for the people of God, through the desert, so also be our faithful leader and companion through the desert of this world, until Thou conduct us safely, into the happy land of the living, in that blessed fatherland from which we are all exiles. Amen.
One Minute Reflection – 29 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of the Dedication of the Archangel St Michael – Apocalypse 1:1-5, Matthew 18:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“See that you despise not, one of these little ones, forI say to you, their Angels in Heaven, always see the Face of My Father, Who is in Heaven.” – Matthew 18:10
REFLECTION – “Watch that you do not despise one of these little ones for, I say to you, their Angels in Heaven, always see the Face of My Father, Who is in Heaven.” With these words, Christ is saying to us something like this: « “Be vigilant, take care that you do not despise people who are simple, poor or weak. As for Me, I esteem them greatly to the extent that, to protect them from all evil, I have placed My Angels at their service. And what Angels! Do not think they are to be compared to the scullery boys working in My kitchen. No. They are equal to the officers in My own palace, for: ‘they constantly see the Face of My heavenly Father’”…
Now, these Angels see the Face of God for several reasons. Firstly, Angels must offer and present our good works to God. To this we have a testimony in the words Raphael addressed to Tobias: “I have presented your prayer before the Lord” (Tb 12:12). In the Book of The Apocalypse, too, we read: “An Angel with a golden censer came and stood before the altar. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer with the prayers, of all the saints on the golden altar that is, before the throne of God,” (8:3). Let us note that this altar is the heart of whoever is truly faithful to God; before this altar, the Angels stand. Their censer represents the feelings of joy, with which they gather up our thoughts, prayers, words and actions, so as to offer them, all aflame with the fire of charity, on the golden altar which stands before the throne of God. And the offering rises up to the Son, Who is in the bosom of the Father. Therefore, it would be good for us always to have some good thing to place in the Angels’ censer.” – St Albert the Great (1200-1280) Dominican, Doctor of the Church (Sermon for the Feast of Saint Michael).
PRAYER – O God, Who assign according to a wondrous order, the duties of Angels and men, mercifully grant that our life on earth be guarded by those who continually stand in Thy presence and minister to Thee in Heaven. 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).
Saint of the Day – 29 September – St Grimoaldus of Pontecorvo (Died c1137) Priest and Confessor, Miracle-worker. Also known as – Grimoaldo, Grimoald.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Pontecorvo near Aquino, St Grimoaldus, Priest and Confessor.”
There is little certain information about this Saint. Grimoaldus was an English Priest who, after having travelled to Rome as a pilgrim, went first to Aquino and then to Pontecorvo, where, he performed miracles. He died on there on 29 September in around 1137.
According to a long-standing tradition, a certain Giovanni Mele, tempted by the devil and on the verge of losing his life, had an apparition of St John the Baptist, who told him to go to Fr Grimoaldus, who, by then had been appointed as the Archpriest of Pontecorvo and to urge him to continue his life of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. This Mele also had to exhort the people to help Grimoaldus to build a Shrine in St John’s honour. Giovanni Mele, fearing to be taken for a visionary, did not carry out the order; the Saint then sent him another messenger to exhort and urge him to fulfill the task. The people flocked to the site of the apparition and, in 1137 our Saint began to build the Oratory, the foundations of which were blessed by the Bishop of Aquino, Guarino, whom the anonymous writer calls his predecessor.
Translation of St Grimoaldus’ Relics were carried out in 1760, 1862 and 1952 – probably when new Churches were constructed.
THIS festival has been kept with great solemnity on the 29th of September ever since the Fifth Century and was certainly initially celebrated in Apulia in 493. The Dedication of the famous Church of St Michael on Mount Gargano, in Italy, gave occasion to the institution of this Feast in the West, which is hence called in the Martyrologies of St Jerome, St Bede and others, ‘The Dedication of St Michael.’ About the Apparition of St Michael at Mount Gargano in 492: https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/08/saint-of-the-day-8-may-apparition-of-michael-the-archangel-at-monte-gargano-italy-492/
St Dadas of Persia St Diethardus of Eichstätt St Fraternus of Auxerre St Gabdelas of Persia St Grimoaldus of Pontecorvo (Died c1137) Priest and Confessor St Gudelia Bl Jan of Dukla
Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
By Father Joseph Cacella, 1947
FIRST DAY
Intention:
Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Jesus, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, inspire me to grieve sincerely, for the sins which weigh heavily upon the souls of men.
Sorrowfully I recall the bitter and harsh punishments heaped upon thy Divine Son, when He was cruelly scourged at the pillar, unmercifully crowned with thorns. I recall His sad journey to Calvary, His Crucifixion and ignominious death on the Cross. Yet, they were but the instruments of pain. It was my sins which really caused His Precious Blood to be shed. His excessive love willed that He should suffer for my salvation. Thus, I will give my little love to make amends and atone for a thoughtless and unappreciative world.
Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary, thy who suffered and shared with Him each pain caused and inflicted by our sins, intercede for us that we may be privileged to unite our hearts with thine in an effort to make reparation for our sins and the sins of ungrateful mankind. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima inflame our hearts with the love of Reparation.
Pray your Daily Rosaryafter each Day’s Novena Prayer with the same Intention.
It is no fallacy, or historical legend that the Cape can be rocked by frightening storms. From Sunday 24 September until Tuesday night (27th) record gale force winds and rainfall wrecked havoc across the Cape from Table Bay, up the coastal areas, on both sides and inland, with rivers bursting their banks, flooding nearby areas, bridges and roads being submerged and much, much more.
Naturally there has been extensive damage to the infrastructure, as well as to private homes. Many towns and villages were cut off completely and, of course, suprise, suprise, power lines were extensively damaged. There have also been reports of missing people – let us pray for their safe recovery.
For nearly 3 days we were without power. Unfortunately my auxiliary power supply was no match for this extreme and extended outage – once again! I must find and work towards a better solution for the future.
Many thanks to God for bringing me back safely to Breathing Catholic and in time to begin the Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary.Let us not forget to mention those who have lost their homes, possessions, means of earning a living and motor vehicles and those who are still reported as missing. Thank you for your patience and loving support – Deo Gratias! 🙏💘 Ana
Our Morning Offering – 26 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”
Grant me, O my God By St Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419)
Good Jesus, let me be penetrated with love to the very marrow of my bones, with fear and respect toward Thee. Let me burn with zeal for Thy honour, so that I may deeply resent, all the outrages committed against Thee, especially those of which, I myself have been guilty. Grant further, O my God, that I may humbly adore and acknowledge Thee, as my Creator and penetrated with gratitude for all Thy benefits, I may never cease to render Thee thanksgiving. Grant that I may bless Thee in all things, praise and glorify Thee, with a heart full of joy and gladness and obeying Thee with docility in every respect, I may one day, despite my ingratitude and unworthiness, be seated at Thine table together with Thine Holy Angels and Apostles, to enjoy ineffable delights for all eternity! Amen
Thought for the Day – 25 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Frequent Confession and Communion
“Frequent Confession keeps us prepared for a good and holy death. We do not know when our lives will end and, therefore, it is necessary to keep ourselves pure and free from sin in the sight of God. We know that death will come to us when we least expect it, as the Gospel assures us and it will come like a thief. It is necessary to be always ready for the great encounter with our Eternal Judge.
In this way, the natural fear of death will be diminished. Being free from sin through the infinite mercy of God, we shall face, with greater courage, the journey into eternity and we shall realise that the good sister, Death, has come to release us from bondage and save us from the danger of ever offending God again!”
Quote/s of the Day – 25 September – Ferial Day, the 17th Sunday after Pentecost – Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind.”
Matthew 22:37
“Amongst all loves, God’s is so to be preferred that we must always stand prepared in mind, to forsake them all for that alone!”
(Treatise on the Love of God, Book 10, Chapter 7)
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
“Delight in prayer is no measure of our love of God. But if we bear difficulties patiently, resist the urgings of self-love resolutely and fulfil our duties in life willingly, if we live trusting in Providence and desiring to be known – only by God! – then, we will show that we truly love God! Such deeds are unmistakable signs of love. Let us always be faithful in doing God’s will because, all else, is unworthy of the name of love!”
St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
“You either belong wholly to the world or wholly to God.”
St Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)
I Love Thee, O My God By St John Vianney (1786-1859)
I love Thee, O my God and my only desire is to love Thee until the last breath of my life. I love Thee, O my infinitely lovable God and I would rather die loving Thee than live without loving Thee. I love Thee, Lord and the only grace I ask, is to love Thee eternally. My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love Thee, I wish my heart to repeat it to Thee as often as I draw breath! Amen
O God, We Love Thee Prayer inspired by St Louis’ Last Instructions to his Eldest Son, Philip (Perhaps Philip prayed thus)
O God, we love Thee. We wish to do nothing to displease Thee. If we have troubles, let us thank Thee. If we do not, we also humbly thank Thee. Let us pray diligently and be compassionate and generous to the poor. May we hold fast all that is good and all that is bad, discard. We thank Thee for friends, who help us bear our burdens and help us grow in holiness. Let us turn away from calumniators and slanderers and lend a willing ear to those who speak of God. Let us always do what is right and just for those we serve and promote peace among our neighbours. Let us be quick to defend our Faith. O Holy Lord, all Thy holy Saints, defend us from all evils. Grant us Thy grace to fulfil always, Thy Holy Will, so that Thou may be glorified and honoured and so we may be with Thee forever. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 25 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824) Bishop, Priest of the Passionist Order of St Paul of the Cross – Ferial Day, the 17th Sunday after Pentecost – Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Master, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” … Matthew 22:36
REFLECTION – “O Lord, what is it that you require of Your servants? “Take my yoke upon you,” you say. And what sort of yoke is this? “My yoke is easy and my burden light.” Now who would not willingly bear a yoke that does not press down but gives strength; a burden that does not weigh heavily but refreshes? As You rightly added: “And you will find rest” (Mt 11:29). And what is this yoke of Yours that does not tire but gives rest? It is the first and greatest of the commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.” What could be easier, better or more agreeable than to love the goodness, beauty and love that is most perfectly Yours, O Lord my God?
Do You not offer a reward to those who keep the commandments, which are “more desirable than a heap of gold and sweeter than honey from the comb?” (Ps 19[18]:11) So in every way You offer a very ample reward, as James the apostle says: “The Lord has prepared the crown of life for those who love him” (Jas 1:12) (…) And Paul quotes these words from Isaiah: “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9).
That first and great commandment is not only profitable for the man who keeps it or for God who commands it – the other commandments of God also make perfect, him who obeys them, improves him, instructs him and makes him illustrious; in a word, they make him good and holy. If you understand this, realise that you have been created for the glory of God and for your own eternal salvation; this is your end, this is the object of your soul and the treasure of your heart. You will be blessed if you reach this goal but miserable if you are cut off from it.” – St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Doctor of the Church (The Ascent of the Mind to God, 1).
PRAYER – From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and by the intercession of the blessed and gloriosus Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, the blessed Vincent Strambi, Thy Confessor and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors, being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 25 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824) Bishop, Priest of the Passionist Order of St Paul of the Cross
Prayer Before The Crucifix (The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass) By St Vincent Strambi (1745-1824)
Jesus, by this Saving Sign, bless this listless soul of mine. Jesus, by Thine feet nailed fast, mend the missteps of my past. Jesus, with Thine riven hands, bend my will to love’s demands. Jesus, in Thine Heart laid bare, warm my inner coldness there. Jesus, by Thine thorn-crowned head, still my pride till it is dead. Jesus, by Thine muted tongue, stay my words that hurt someone. Jesus, by Thine tired eyes, open mine to faith’s surprise. Jesus, by Thine fading breath, keep me faithful until death. Yes, Lord, by this Saving Sign, save this wayward soul of mine. Amen
Saint of the Day – 25 September – Blessed Marco Criado OSsT (1522-1569) Trinitarian Priest and Martyr, renowned Preacher, Missionary. Born as Marcus Criado Guelamo on 25 April 1522 in Andujar, Spain and died by being stoned to death on 25 September 1569 (aged 47) near La Peza, Spain. Also known as – Marco Criado Guelamo, Marco Guelamo, Mark.
Marcos Criado Guelamo, better known as Blessed Marco Criado, was born on 25 April 1522 in Andújar (Jaén) and his earthly existence came to a violent end because of his faith in the “Sweet Name of Jesus” in La Peza (Granada) on 24 September 1569. He professed as a Trinitarian (OSsT), distinguished himself for his humility and ability to preach and was Martyred for the Gospel in Las Alpujarras during a Moorish revolt.
Marco Criado was born into a large family with deep Christian roots. He was the youngest of his siblings, the son of Juan Criado Notario, a native of Lahiguera (then La Higuera de Andújar) and María or Marina Guelamo Pasillas, a pious woman from Andujar. From a very young age Marco attended the conventual Church of the Trinitarians in his hometown.
After his mother’s death, he made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady de la Cabeza in the Sierra Morena, to pray and commend his soul to God. Following tradition, he slept at the Shrine, asking the Virgin to tell him if it was the divine will that he should enter the Trinitarian Order. Marco Criado, embraced the designs of the Eternal Father and with generosity and humility, followed his vocation. In 1535. he made his Novitiate in the Convent of Andújar. His father also decided to enter religious life and join the Franciscan Order, in the Convent of Arruzafa in Córdoba.
After being Ordained as a Priest, he was later assigned, by his superiors, to the Convents of Andújar, Jaén and Úbeda, where he was given the post of preacher. In Úbeda he combined this mission with the office of Sacristan, a task to which he devoted himself body and soul, to satisfy his yearning for service to the community, with humility and simplicity. Several times he resigned from the highest offices in the Order because of his esteem and desire for a life of evangelical simplicity.
It happened that Archbishop Pedro Guerrero of Granada, concerned about the serious insurrections taking place in the area of the Alpujarras of Granada, met with the Bishops of Almería, Guadix and Málaga, who agreed, first of all, to “send Priests, learned in preaching and exemplary in their Christian life, to the areas most affected by the Moorish uprisings, so that they might devote themselves, with zeal, to reasemble the evangelical seed.”
At the request of the Bishop of Almería, the Trinitarian Provincial Minister of Castile and Andalusia, who was visiting Úbeda, considering the value of Friar Marco to the mission of Alpujarra, agreed that Father Marcos Criado should accompany Father Pedro de San Martín to the Almería Convent to take charge of itinerant preaching, in territories of significant Moorish population, in southeastern Spain. His companion soon died and Marco Criado was left alone, dedicated to his mission among the Moors.
Marco Criado’s apostolic outreach was directed to several localities in the Dioceses of Almería, Granada and Guadix. His preaching focused mainly on the region of the Alpujarras, where there was a large presence of Muslims, a dangerous place for any Christian preacher and also for the Christian inhabitants of the area.
The Town of La Peza became the centre of his missionary activities and was of great support to the local Parish Priest. His zeal in spreading devotion to the Sweet Name of Jesus and his popular sermons, achieved great success.
During one of his missionary journeys, while crossing the Sierra de los Filabres, Marco Criado was captured by a group of Moors, who tied him to a tree for two days. After miraculously surviving, he managed to talk to Abén Cota, leader of the rebellious Moors, to negotiate a peace agreement but this failed. He was tortured, tied to a horse’s tail and dragged for a long time. He was abandoned to his fate, thinking he would die. However, he recovered from his wounds and went on a mission to the regions of Almanzora and Tahá de Marchena, with great success in the Towns of Vera and Cadiar. There, a group of Moors had fled and they had been told to kill him during a sermon.
On Christmas night in 1568 there was a large gathering of Moors in the Alpujarras. On St John’s Eve in 1569, Muslim troops commanded by Aben Homeya decided to return to La Peza. Brother Marco and the Parish Priest were confined to the Parish Church, their movements and words constantly watched. Some exalted ones killed the Parish Priest at the door of the same Church, the same ones who, a few days later, stormed the holy place while Friar Marco was preaching to a small number of Christians who remained in Town. It was 22 September 1569 when Friar Mark was dragged from the Pulpit to the Square where he was stoned to death, after being covered with physical abuse and spit. He was pushed along the road to the Belchite Fountain on the other side of the stream, where he was tied to an oak tree. There he remained, singing hymns and loudly praising the Name of Jesus, until 25 September, when he was killed, tearing out his heart, on which, according to witnesses, the anagram of Jesus had appeared written: “IHS.”
He became known as “the Martyr of the Alpujarras” and his cult was immediately widespread. The people of La Peza call him Saint Macok. To this day, the site of his burial remains a mystery. The iconography depicts him with his heart in his hand and engraved in it, the anagram of Jesus, in memory of the prodigy that, as mentioned, occurred at the time of his Martyrdom. Having collected testimonies of his cult from Father Antonino dell’Assunta, Postulator General of the Discalced Trinitarians, Pope Leo XIII Beatified Marco on 24 July 1899. His liturgical memory is celebrated on 25 September.
“Model of holiness and perennial example, for future generations, of human and spiritual values, rooted in his deep faith in God the Trinity.” Blessed Marco, Pray for us!
Blessed Herman of Reichenau/the Cripple (1013–1054) Benedictine Monk, Confessor, Scholar, Scientist, Writer, Hymnist, Poet, Musical Composer, Teacher. In his own day, the heroic cripple who achieved learning and holiness was called ‘The Wonder of His Age.’. Composer of the “Salve Regina” Hail Holy Queen, “Veni Sancte Spiritus” Come Holy Spirit and “Alma Redemptoris Mater” amongst many others. His Amazing Life and Works: https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/25/saint-of-the-day-blessed-herman-of-reichenau-the-cripple-osb-1013-1054-the-wonder-of-his-age/
St Fymbert Blessed Marco Criado Guelamo OSsT (1522-1569) Trinitarian Priest Martyr St Mewrog St Neomisia of Mecerata St Paphnutius of Alexandria St Principius of Soissons St Solemnis of Chartres
Martyrs of Damascus: A Christian family of six who were tortured to death in a persecution by Roman authorities. They were: Eugenia, Maximus, Paul, Rufus, Sabinian and Tatta. They were tortured to death in Damascus, Syria, date unknown.
The Holy Bishops of Milan: Imagine being part of a Diocese in which 36 of your past Bishops are Saints and some are also Doctors of the Church and Popes (and others being considered for Sainthood)! Today, the Church in Milan commemorates these holy Bishops. They are:
Thought for the Day – 24 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Prudence and Simplicity
“Apart from the Christian virtue of prudence, there is also the prudence of the world and of the flesh. This, however, as St Francis de Sales explains, is really duplicity and craft – it does not avoid dissimulation and falsehood; it seeks its own profit only and is prepared to obtain its end by any means. “I know nothing at all about the art of falsehood, dissimulation and pretence,” St Francis wrote to the Bishop of Belle, “which is the centre of political activity and the mainspring of human prudence. That which I have on my lips, I have in my heart. I hate duplicity like death” (Letters of St Francis de Sales [Spirito] Bk II C24, Letter 178).
Our prudence should, likewise, be inspired by rectitude, sincerity and simplicity. We must speak the truth with charity and never lie or deceive. “For we can do nothing against the truth,” says St Paul “but, only for the truth” (2 Cor 13:8). He advises the Ephesians – “practice the truth in love” (Eph 4:15). To the Romans he writes: “I would have you wise as to what is good and guileless as to what is evil” (Rom 16:19).
The virtue of Christian prudence then, consists in complete exactitude in all that is good, combined with a holy simplicity, free from any taint of duplicity or evil!”
Quote/s of the Day – 24 September – Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes / Our Lady of Mercy / Our Lady of Ransom
“Hail Mary ! Ave Maria ! . . . A sweet and beautiful word it is, which Heaven sent to earth and earth again returns, so frequently to Heaven! ”
“It is a rare and enviable favour indeed to be able to salute a Queen and yet, everyday, at every moment, men and women, old and young, all of every condition, can salute the Queen of Heaven and earth, who contains, in her hands all the treasures of God and can be sure of being always heard and, that each salutation addressed to her, will meet with a corresponding benefit. . . . But can the sinner too, dare to approach her? Yes, certainly – let him also come with humble confidence and salute her, who is his refuge, for she will, in no wise, be offended by his prayer and, if the Hail Mary from his lips be a cry of sorrow and repentance, it will become omnipotent and will obtain mercy, pardon, grace and salvation.”
“Let me now say something of the devotion which we ought to have toward this holy Virgin. The worldly-minded imagine that devotion to Our Lady usually consists in carrying a Rosary in their cincture. It seems to them that, it is enough, to pray it a number of times without doing anything else. In this, they are greatly mistaken! For our dear Mistress wants us to do what her Son commands us [Jn 2:5] and, considers as done to herself, the honour we give to her Son, by keeping His commandments.”
“… If you Question her and say: “Mother, what can we do to please thee?” No doubt she will answer that she desires and wants you to do, what she directed to be done at that celebrated marriage feast of Cana in Galilee, when the wine ran out. She said to those who had the care of it: “Do whatever my Son tells you” [Jn. 2:5]. If then, you listen to her faithfully, you will hear, in your heart, those very words addressed to you; “Do whatever my Son tells you.” May God give us the grace to listen to her in this life and in the other! Amen.
(Sermon for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, 8 December 1622)
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 24 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Our Lady of Ransom – The 17th Sunday after Pentecost – Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Master, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” … Matthew 22:36
REFLECTION – “The Lord asks of us only two things – love of His Majesty and love of our neighbour. These are what we must work for. By observing them with perfection, we do His will and so, will be united with Him. But how far, as I have said, we are from doing these two things, as we ought, for so great a God! May it please His Majesty to give us His grace, so that we might merit, if we wish to reach this state that lies within our power.
The most certain sign, in my opinion, as to whether or not we are observing these two laws, is whether we observe well, the love of neighbour. We cannot know whether or not we love God, although there are strong indications for recognising that we do love Him but, we can know, whether we love our neighbour. And be certain that the more advanced you see you are, in love for your neighbour, the more advanced you will be in the love of God, for the love His Majesty has for us, is so great that to repay us for our love of neighbour, He will, in a thousand ways, increase the love we have for Him. I cannot doubt this. That is why, it is important for us to walk, with careful attention, to how we are proceeding in this matter, for if we practice love of neighbour with great perfection, we shall have done everything.I believe that, since our nature is bad, we will not reach perfection in the love of neighbour, if that love does not rise from love of God, as its root.” – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582) Carmelite, Doctor of the Church (Interior Castle, Fifth Dwelling Places, Ch 3).
PRAYER – O God, Who for the deliverance of Christians from the power of the pagans, graciously willed to enrich Thy Church by a new religious offspring through the most glorious Mother of Thy Son; grant, we beseech Thee, that by the merits and intercession of her, whom we piously venerate, as the founder of so great a work, we may be delivered from all our sins and from the captivity of the devil. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 24 September – The 17th Sunday after Pentecost
Patris et Filii Concordia Come Holy Spirit, Love of Father and Son. By St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Father and Doctor of the Church
O COME to me, my only Hope, O Lord my God. Come to me, true Light, Father, Almighty God. Come, Light from Light, both Word and Son of God, God Almighty. Come Holy Spirit, Love of Father and Son, One God Almighty. Come One Almighty God, Father and Son and Holy Spirit.
Teach faith, stir up hope, pour out love. Thy will is present with me (yet not from me but from Thee) to leave the world and the earth and to seek the Heavens. But this will is a feeble feather, without Thy help. Give wings of faith that I might fly on high to Thee. Amen
Saint of the Day – 24 September – St Geremarus (c608-658) French Priest, Abbot, Founder of Monasteries. Born in c608 in Vardes, Neuf-Marché, France and died in 658 near Beauvais, France of natural causes. Also known as – Germer de Fly, Geremar, Geremaro. He appears in the Roman Martyrology: “In the Diocese of Beauvais, St Geremarus, Abbot.”
Statue of St Geremarus in the Chapel of Saint-Germer-de-Fly Abbey
Geremarus’ parents, Rigobert and Aga, were of the prime nobility in the territory of Beauvais. He was born at their Castle in the Village Warandra and was educated at the Cathedral school in Beauvais.
Geremarus married a pious lady named Domana and held high positions in the Courts of the Merovingian Kings, Dagobert and Clovis. the couple were blessed with two daughters and a son.
Geremarus met St Audoin (c605-684) Bishop of Rouen, at Dagobert’s Court and on his advice founded the Isle-sur-Epte Monastery in honour of Saint Peter. St Audoin also Ordained Geremarus to the Priesthood. This Monastery was afterwards destroyed by the Normans and is now an estate belonging to Saint Geremarus Abbey.
Again by the advice of Saint Audoin’s, Geremarus made his monastic profession in the Monastery of Pental, in the territory of Rouen. He was soon after chosen Abbot but finding the Monks averse to regularity he left the Abbacy and led an Hermit’s life in a cave near the river Seine. This lastest for 5 1/2 years.
When his only son, Amalbert, died and was buried in Saint Peter’s Monastery, the family estate reverted to Geremarus from his son and with the proceeds he founded the Monastery of Fly or Flaviacum, near Beauvais, now dedicated to our Saint. There he assembled a community of fervent Monks.
St Geremarus Abbey in Fly
Having governed this house for 3 1/2 years, he happily died on the 24th of September 658. His body was interred in the Church of his Abbey which soon after took his name. His Relics, for fear of the Norman plunderers, were conveyed secretly to Beauvais, where they are still kept in the Cathedral, except the bones of one arm, which have been given back to Saint Geremarus’ Monastery. In August of 1643 Bishop Potier of Beauvais, placed Monks of the congregation of Saint Maur in this Abbey,and erected there, a great school.
Thought for the Day – September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Faith and Hope
“We should also have great confidence in the continual assistance which God offers us in the temptations, troubles and trials of life. When we are strongly tempted, we should remember that God will not permit us to be tempted beyond our strength (Cf 1 Cor 10:13), and we should pray to Him for help.
When pain torments us, when humiliations are difficult to bear, when all is dark. we fear each moment and we feel abandoned, let us trust in Him, Who is the Way, the Truth and Life. He says to us, as He said to Peter floundering in the waves: “O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?” (Mt 14:31).
He is always ready to console and comfort. He is always there waiting for our call. We are not alone!”
Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Hebrews 9:2-12, Luke 13:6-17 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“She was bent over and utterly unable to look upwards.”
Luke 13:11
“They shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
“You will surely not be allowed to see with an impure heart what one can only see with a pure heart. You will be moved away, put at a distance, you will not see! The vision of God is promised ONLY to people with a pure heart. This is not without a reason, since the eyes that allow us to see God are in the heart. Those are the eyes the Apostle Paul was talking about when he said: “May He enlighten your innermost vision” (Eph 1:18). So, at the present time because of their weakness, those eyes are enlightened by faith; later, because of their strength, they will be enlightened by vision… “Now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face.”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Whatever riches and all other transitory things you may possess, you must keep your heart free from the slightest affection for them. Your heart may be surrounded by riches; however, riches must never master your heart! … Do not let that mind which is the likeness of God, cleave to mere earthly goods; let it always be raised above them, not sunk in them.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritas
“Let us not strive for the rewards of Heaven, valuable though they may be but live, so as to please the God of Heaven. If God were not in Heaven, all its beauty, riches and sweetness, would be dull rather than delightful. By faith, we know, God already dwells within us. But in Heaven, we will see God face-to-face. May we so live that one day, we will be in Heaven praising and praying eternally, before our Lord and Saviour!”
“To be faithful, we must live simply. Then, being free from attachments, we are possessed by nothing. We live in such absolute openness to Divine Love that whatever pleases God, becomes our heart’s desire.”
One Minute Reflection – 23 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Pope Linus (c10 – c76) Successor to St Peter – Hebrews 9:2-12, Luke 13:6-17 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” – Luke 13:14
REFLECTION – “The whole human race, like this woman, is bent over and bowed down to the ground. Someone already understands these enemies. He cries out against them and says to God, “They have bowed my soul down.” The devil and his angels have bowed the souls of men down to the ground. He has bent them forward to be intent on temporary and earthly things and has stopped them from seeking the things that are above.
Since that is what the Lord says about the woman whom Satan had bound for eighteen years, it was now time for her to be released from her bondage on the sabbath day. Quite unjustly, they criticised Him for straightening her up. Who were these, except people bent over themselves? Since they quite failed to understand the very things God had commanded, they regarded them with earthbound hearts. They used to celebrate the sacrament of the sabbath in a literal, material manner and did not notice it’s spiritual meaning!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father, Doctor of Grace (Sermon 162)
PRAYER – Look forgivingly on Thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in Thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Linus Thy Sovereign Pontiff, whom Thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 23 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and Our Lady’s Day
What Can I Say? By St Anselm (1033-1109) Magnificent Doctor Marian Doctor
My most merciful Lady, what can I say about the fountains which flowed from thy most pure eyes when thou saw thy only Son before thee, bound, beaten and suffering? What do I know of the flood which drenched thy matchless face, when thou beheld thy Son, thy Lord and thy God, stretched on the Cross without guilt, when the flesh of thy flesh was cruelly butchered by wicked men? How can I judge, what sobs, troubled thy most pure breast, when thou heard, “Woman, behold thy son,” and the disciple, “Behold, thy Mother,” when thou received as a son, the disciple, in place of the Master, the servant, for the Lord? Amen
From “The Prayers and Meditations of Saint Anselm with the Proslogion,” Benedicta Ward, trans,1973, Penguin classics, Penguin Group (UK)
Saint of the Day – 23 September – Blessed Elena Duglioli (1472-1520) Widow Born in 1472 at Bologna, Italy and died on 23 September 1520 of natural cause, aged 48. Also known as – Elena Duglioli Dall’Olio, Hélène, Helen of Bologna. Elena was Beatified on 26 March 1828 by Pope Leo XII. Her body is incorrupt.
Unfortunately we have scant information on Elena’s life. Elena Duglioli was born in Bologna in 1472 to the aristocrats Notary Silverio Duglioli and Pentisilea Boccaferri.
During her childhood and adolescence, she desired to become a professed religious and decided to enter the Poor Clare Convent of Corpus Domini, Bologna. Her parents, however, wished her to marry and to obey and please them, she agreed to marry the much older Senator Benedetto dall’Olio.
The marriage took place in 1487 when she was 15 years old to the 40 year old Senator. Elena who greatly desired to Consecrate her virginity to God was able to bring Benedetto to agree to maintain total chastity in their marriage (this information is unconfirmed, hence her title remains ‘Widow’). The marriage proved happy and successful with both husband and wife living in admirable union and in complete harmony. Benedetto died after they had been together for 30 years.
Bl Elena with her husband Benedetto
Having become a widow, she devoted herself to pious works with even greater zeal.
Elena bore a particular devotion to Saint Cecilia and the Papal Legate to Bologna – Cardinal Francesco Alidosi – gave her a knucklebone Relic of St Cecilia. Her devotion to the Saint led her to commission the construction of a Church where the Artist, Raphael, would paint an image of the Saint Cecilia.
Elena died on 23 September 1520. Her incorrupt remains are housed in the Church of San Giovanni in Monte.
The Beatification received official confirmation on 26 March 1828 once Pope Leo XII approved her local cultus. Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini – the future Pope Benedict XIV – spoke in favour of Elena’s Beatification.
St Pope Linus (c 10 – c 76) Successor to St Peter. Papacy lasted from c 67 to his death as a Martyr. Among those to have held the position of Pope, Peter, Linus and Clement are specifically mentioned in the New Testament. Linus is mentioned in the closing greeting of the Second Epistle to Timothy as being with Paul in Rome near the end of Paul’s life. About St Pope Linus: https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/23/saint-of-the-day-23-september-st-pope-linus-c-10-c-76-successor-to-st-peter/
St Cissa of Northumbria St Constantius of Ancona Blessed Elena Duglioli (1472-1520) WidowHer body is incorrupt.
Bl Guy of Durnes St Peter Acontanto St Polyxena
St Sosius (275-305) Confessor, Deacon and Martyr. His holiness and wisdom drew many Prelates to his feet, seeking spiritual assistance. St Sosius was a Deacon of Misenum, an important naval base of the Roman Empire in the Bay of Naples. The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Capo Miseno in Campania, St Sosius, Deacon and Martyr, who, as Pope St Symmachus reports, wishing to save his Bishop from death, instead found death together with him, obtaining equal glory at the same price.” His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/23/saint-of-the-day-23-september-saint-sosius-275-305-confessor-deacon-and-martyr/
Thought for the Day – 22 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Depending Always on Jesus
“Virtue is difficult and life holds more trials than consolations. Sometimes, we feel discouraged because virtue seems impossible and we fall so often, in spite of our best resolutions or because, our cross seems too heavy and we feel that we are overburdened.
Where will we find comfort in our sufferings and strength in our weakness? “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). Go to Jesus and depend always on Him.
Difficulties will be overcome, the cross will grow lighter, the pain will be less severe, if we rely always on Jesus. Isaias, the Prophet, placed these words on the lips of God: “I have made you and I will bear-I will carry and I will save” (Is 46:3). At that time, Jesus had not yet come; He was not yet present among us with His doctrine, with His consoling spirt and with His Divine Eucharist. Now things are different; we have Emmanuel, God with us! Why, therefore, do we not allow ourselves to be carried by Him? It is necessary for us to allow ourselves to be “Carried by the grace of God,” (Bk II, Ch 9) as The Imitation of Christ puts it.
If God is with us, who or what can prevail against us?
We must, as St Francis de Sales writes, lean on the arm of Jesus, as the child leans securely on the arm of it’s mother. “It matters little,” he adds, “where she walks, on a grassy plain or on a steep path surrounded by precipices.” She, is his mother and she carries him; that is enough to make him happy and content. We must trust Jesus in this way, relying always on His support in joy and in sorrow, in moments of trial and in moments of satisfaction, in life and in death. Let us not be afraid; Jesus is better and stronger than our earthly mother. If He guides and supports us, we can be sure of Heaven, no matter what happens!”
Quote/s of the Day – 22 September – St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor.
“Contrition is the remedy for sin.”
Criticised because he refused to be harsh or swift in correcting sinners, Thomas said: “Let him (the complainer) inquire whether Saint Augustine and Saint John Chrysostom used anathemas and excommunication, to stop the drunkenness and blasphemy which were so common among the people under their care.”
“If there are people who refuse to work that is for the governor and the police to deal with. My duty is to assist and relieve those who come to my door.”
I Will Love Thee, Lord By St Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555)
I will love Thee, Lord, in every way and without setting limits to my love. Thou set no limits to what Thou hast done for me; Thou hast not measured Thy gifts. I will not measure my love. I will love Thee, Lord, with all my strength, with all my powers, as much as I am able. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 22 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor – Ecclesiasticus Sirach44:16-27; 45:3-20, Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21
REFLECTION – “The Word of the Father, Only-begotten Son of God, Sun of Justice (Mal 3:20), is the great Merchant Who has brought us the price of our redemption. It is a truly precious exchange which we can never value sufficiently, when a King, Son of the King Most High, has become the Coin, the Gold has paid our dues, the Just Man is given for the sinner. Truly unmerited mercy, perfectly disinterested love, astonishing goodness…, it is a completely disproportionate purchase, in which the Son of God is delivered up for the servant, the Creator is put to death for the one He has created, the Lord is condemned for His slave.
O Christ, these are Thine Works, Thou Who descended from Heaven’s brightness into our hellish darkness, to bring light to our gloomy prison. Thou came down from the Right Hand of the Divine Majesty, into our human misery, to redeem the human race, Thou Who descended from the Father’s glory to death on the Cross, to triumph over death and its author. Thou art the only One and there is no other but Thee Who could have been drawn to redeem us through Thine Own Goodness…
Let all the merchants of Teman (Bar 3:23) withdraw from this place … it is not they but Israel [Thy] beloved whom [Thou hast] chosen, Thou Who hide these mysteries from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to those babes and humble servants of Thine (Lk 10:21) … O Lord, I willingly embrace this purchase since it concerns me!… I remember all the things Thou hast done, Thou Who desire that I should keep them alive … Therefore, I shall profit by this talent which Thou hast lent to me until Thy return and will stand before Thee with great joy. O God, grant that I may then hear these sweet words: “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Mt 25:21).” – St Bernard O.Cist. (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, known as the Last Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church (Selected sermons, no 42: The Five Purchases).
PRAYER – O God, Who endowed blessed Bishop Thomas with the virtue of special pity for the poor, we beseech Thee, through his intercession, generously to pour forth the riches of Thy mercy upon all those who pray to Thee.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).
AnaStpaul 
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