Thought for the Day – 11 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Enemies of the Soul
“The second enemy is the world. There are so many beautiful things around us reflecting the power and the goodness of God. These should be an invitation to us to love their Creator and a spiritual ladder which leads us towards Him. Unfortunately, we often go astray in the midst of the passing beauty of this world. Often we set our hearts upon this beauty, our hearts which should belong wholly to God and which can find peace and happiness in Him alone. Sometimes worldly objects deceive the senses and ensnare the will. Riches, pleasures and honours attract us and we fail to remember that everything on earth passes like a shadow and that when we shall stand before the Judgement Seat of God, only our good works will accompany us!”
Our Morning Offering – 11 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus”
Heal Us, Lord God By St Albert of Trapani O.Carm. (c1240-1307)
O my God, Thou hast created the human race by Thine wonderful power. It is an act of Thy clemency which hast called us to share Thy glory and eternal life. When the first sin condemned us to suffer death, out of Thine goodness, Thou wished to redeem us through the Blood of Thy Son, To unite us to Thyself through our faith and Thy great mercy. Thou hast brought us back from the shame of our sin, Thou hast veiled our dishonour in the brightness of Thy glory. Look now and see that which Thou hast created, giving it subtle limbs and joints and made beautiful through its immortal soul, is now subject to the attack of Satan. Be pleased Lord, to reconstitute Thine work and heal it. May Thy power be glorified and may the malice of the enemy be stunned! Amen
Saint/s of the Day – 11 July – St Sigisbert (7th Century) Abbot, French Pilgrim Monk and St Placidus (7th Century) Martyr, Swiss Layman, local landowner and Councillor, both of Disentis. Their cult was confirmed by Pope Pius X in 1905.
St Placidus donated the land to St Sigisbert, on which Disentis Abbey was founded in Switzerland. He then joined it as a Monk and later was Martyred defending the Ecclesiastical rights of the Abbey. It seems from the image below of the Martyrdom of St Placidus, that he was beheaded and was a Cephalophore – a Saint who is generally depicted carrying his own severed head.
We have nothing of the lives available to us except what we find on the Benedictine Abbey site. How Sigisbert arrived at the location of this magnificent Monastery which he founded with St Placidus and how they became firstly friends and then fellow Monks, we cannot say.
St Sigisbert
The Benedictine Monastery Disentis is located high up in the Vorderrheintal valley of Grisons, at the intersection of the Lukmanier and Oberalp pass., in the beautiful Mountains of Switzerland. The Abbey was founded around the 7th century by the Franconian wandering Monk St Sigisbert with the help of the local Councillor St Placidus.
The Monastery Disentis preserves a rich cultural heritage. The baroque complex bears witness to the generous confidence of the post-reformation period and is a striking landmark in the landscape.
In addition to the excellently documented history of the Monastery, it has a comprehensive Roman library and covers the cultural and natural history of the region with a well-designed Monastery Museum. There is also a new school, including a new addition for boarders.
St Pius I, Pope (Died c 154) Martyr – The Ninth Successor of St Peter. Papal Ascension c 142. Born at Aquileia, Italy and died in Rome. The Roman Martyrology states of him today: “At Rome, the blessed Pius, Pope and Martyr, who was crowned with Martyrdom in the persecution of Marcus Aurelius.” His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/11/saint-of-the-day-11-july-saint-pope-pius-i-died-c-154/
St Abundius of Ananelos St Amabilis of Rouen St Anna An Jiaoshi St Anna An Xingshi Bl Antonio Muller St Berthevin of Lisieux St Cindeus St Cowair St Cyprian of Brescia St Cyriacus the Executioner St Hidulf of Moyenmoutier St Januarius St John of Bergamo
St Leontius the Younger St Marcian of Lycaonia St Marciana of Caesarea Bl Maria An Guoshi Bl Maria An Linghua Bl Marie-Clotilde Blanc Bl Marie-Marguerite de Barbégie d’Albrède
St Olga Queen of Kiev (c 890-969) She was known as a ruthless and effective ruler but “when Olga was enlightened, she rejoiced in soul and body. The Bishop, who instructed her in the faith, said to her, ‘Blessed art thou among the women of Rus,’,for thou hast loved the light and quit the darkness. The sons of Rus’ shall bless thee to the last generation of thy descendants.” About St Olga: https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/11/saint-of-the-day-11-july-saint-olga-queen-of-kiev-c-890-969/
St Placidus of Disentis * (7th Century) Monk Bl Rosalie-Clotilde Bes St Sabinus of Brescia St Sabinus of Poitiers St Sidronius St Sigisbert of Disentis * (7th Century) Abbot St Thurketyl
Thought for the Day – 10 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Good Odour of Christ
“I ought to examine the way in which I behave in the Church, in my family and in society. When I am in the Church, my whole being should be absorbed in prayer. My mind should be occupied with God, my heart should love Him and my lips should praise and thank Him. Anyone who sees me praying, should wish to do the same.
When I am in my own home, I should promote peace and harmony by my good example. The family is like a miniature Church, in which everyone should exercise some priestly function in keeping with his position.
Finally, I should carry about, in society, ‘the good odour of Christ‘ – the fragrance of my interior holiness. I can do this if I am not ashamed of my Christian Faith and if I act constantly in perfect accordance with the evangelical precepts.
When I have examined myself on these points, I should form resolutions whicb will help me to improve my behaviour.”
Quote/s of the Day – 10 July – Proverbs 31:10-31, Matthew 12:46-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, is My brother and My sister and My mother.”
Matthew 12:50
“For patience is necessary for you that, doing the Will of God, you may receive the promise. For yet a little and a very little while and He that is to come, will come and will not delay.”
Hebrews 10:36-37
“Perfection consists in one thing alone, which is doing the will of God. For, according to Our Lord’s words, it suffices for perfection to deny self, to take up the cross and to follow Him. Now who denies himself and takes up his cross and follows Christ better, than he who seeks not to do his own will but always that of God? Behold, now, how little is needed to become a Saint? Nothing more than to acquire the habit of willing, on every occasion, what God wills.”
St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)
“Happy the soul which detaches itself from its own pleasure, from its own will, from its own understanding. A sublime lesson is this and God will teach it, to all those who place their happiness in the Cross of Jesus Christ.”
“Whatever may happen to us, we ought not to be disturbed. Let us calmly and quietly say: ‘the will of God be done’– let us leave all to God – the Lord be blessed forever – what He wills, I will, in time and in eternity.”
One Minute Reflection – 10 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Rufina and St Secunda of Rome (3rd Century) Virgin Martyrs – Proverbs 31:10-31, Matthew 12:46-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, is My brother and My sister and My mother.” – Matthew 12:50
REFLECTION – “I beg you to listen to what the Lord had to say when He stretched out His hand towards His disciples: “Here are My mother and My brethren” and, “whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, is My brother and My sister and My mother.”Are we to take it from this that the Virgin Mary did not do the will of the Father, she who by faith believed, by faith conceived; she who was chosen to bring forth salvation on our behalf and who, was by Christ created that Christ in her, might be created? Indeed and indeed, she did the Father’s will and it is a greater thing for Mary that she was Christ’s disciple, than that she was His Mother. It is a happier thing to be His disciple, than to be His Mother. Blessed then is Mary, who bore her Lord in her body, before she gave Him birth…
Mary is holy. Mary is blessed. Yet the Church is greater than she is. What reason do I bring? Mary is part of the Church. She is a holy member of the Church; she is THE holy member; she is the member above all member hut, she is still one member of the whole body… Brothers, listen very closely – you are members of Christ’s body and you are the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27). And this is how you are what He said: “Here are My mother and My brothers.” But how does this prove you are Christ’s mother? He goes on: “Whoever hears and whoever does the will of my heavenly Father, is My brother and My sister and My mother.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 25 on Saint Matthew).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who know how courageously Thy holy Martyrs have confessed the faith, may experience their goodness as they intercede for us 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).
Our Morning Offering –10 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus”
I Rise In God’s Strength An Old Morning Prayer (Excerpt) From The Blossoms of the Cross — 1894 The Sisters of St Joseph
I rise In God’s strength, In God’s power, In the Agony of Christ, In the Cross of Christ, In Christ’s Precious Blood, These will sustain me against my enemies, visible and invisible. I rise in the blessing of Christ which my dearest Jesus left to the whole world. Protect me, All-Holy Trinity, God the Father, Who created me, God, the Son, Who redeemed me in His Precious Blood, God, the Holy Ghost, Who sanctified me in Holy Baptism. God, the Father, I give myself to Thee! God, the Son, I commend myself to Thee! God, the Holy Ghost, teach me! Mary, Mother of God, assist me! All you Saints of God, pray for me! All you Holy Angels, protect me! The Cross of Christ preserve me! Amen
Saint of the Day – 10 July – St Peter Vincioli (Died 1007) Abbot, Priest, Founder of a Monastery dedicated to St Peter in Perugia, Italy, Architect by profession before entering the Monastery as a Monk. Born in Perugia, Italy and died there in 1007 of natural causes. Also known as – Pietro, Petrus, Peter of Perugia.
We have no information regarding his parents, family and youth but we presume Peter was born into a reasonably wealthy family in Perugia, considering the education afforded him.
After a secular career as an Architect Peter gave himself to the service of our Lord Jesus and became a Priest. Of this timewe again have no recorded information.
Later he entered the Monastery and after a time founded, designed and built a new Monastery dedicated to St Peter. Here he became the Abbot.
Using his talents for the Church, Peter, as Architect, continued in the design, rebuilding and construction, where needed, of other structures in his Diocese. Deo Gratias.
St Cuán of Airbhre St Elilantus St Etto Bl Euménios St Lantfrid Bl Marie-Gertrude de Ripert d’Alauzier Bl Parthenios St Pascharius of Nantes St Peter Vincioli (Died 1007) Abbot, Founder of a Monastery in Perugia, Italy St Sylvanus of Pisidia Bl Sylvie-Agnès de Romillon St Waltram
Martyrs of Africa – 4 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together in Africa. The only information that has survived are four of their names – Felix, Januarius, Marinus and Nabor.
Martyrs of Antioch – 10 Saints: A group of ten Christians Martyred together. We have no details about them but the names – Diogenes, Domnina, Esicius, Macarius, Maxima, Maximus, Rodigus, Timoteus, Veronia and Zacheus. They were martyred in Antioch, date unknown.
Martyrs of Damascus – 11 Beati: A group of Franciscans and laymen ordered by Druz Muslims to convert to Islam. They refused and were hacked to pieces. ‘Abd Al-Mu’ti Masabki Carmelo Bolta Bañuls Engelbert Kolland Francisco Pinazo Peñalver Fransis Masabki Juan Jacobo Fernández y Fernández Manuel Ruiz López Nicanor Ascanio de Soria Nicolás María Alberca Torres Pedro Soler Méndez Rufayil Masabki They were cut to pieces on 9-10 July 1860 in Damascus, Syria. Beatified on 10 October 1926 by Pope Pius XI.
Martyrs of Nicopolis – 45 Saints: A group of 45 Christians tortured and Martyred together in the persecutions of emperor Licinius. We know nothing else but six of their names – Anicetus, Anthony, Daniel, Leontius, Mauritius and Sisinno. c 329 in Nicopolis, Armenia (modern Koyulhisar, Turkey).
Martyrs of Nitria – 5 Saints: Fathers of Nitria – Four Monks and the Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt who were Martyred by heretics. Saint John Chrysostom wrote about them but their names have not come down to us. They were Martyred in the 4th century in Nitria, Egypt.
Thought for the Day – 9 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Vanity
“What hast thou,” asks St Paul, “which thou hast not received? And if thou hast received it, why dost thou boast as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Cor 4:7). Whenever we are tempted to be proud or boastful, let us reflect on these words of the Apostle of the Gentiles. In spite of the miracles which he had worked and the sacrifices which he had endured for the love of Jesus, he said: “I am nothing” (2 Cor 12:11).
If we model our lives on this outstanding example, we shall have peace on earth and an everlasting reward in Heaven.”
Quote/s of the Day – 9 July – St John Fisher (1469-1535) Martyr, Bishop and St Thomas More (1478-1535) Martyr, Confessor
“I reckon in this realm, no one man, in wisdom, learning and long approved virtue together, meet to be matched and compared with him.”
St Thomas More speaking of St John Fisher
“Penance is a needful thing to the sinner, who desires to recover health of his soul. And, in doing penance, there be three things to be considered: serious compunction of heart, confession of mouth and satisfaction by deed.”
“Beware of those prophets who speak unto you and deceive you! They prophecy nothing but the imaginations and forgings of their own minds and not the truth of Holy Scripture!”
St John Fisher (1469-1535)
Give Me Thy Grace, Good Lord! A Prayer of Hope By St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Give me Thy grace, good Lord. To set the world at naught. To set the mind firmly on Thee and not to hang upon the words of men’s mouths. To be content to be solitary. Not to long for worldly pleasures. Little by little, utterly to cast off the world and rid my mind of all its business. Not to long to hear of earthly things but that the hearing of worldly fancies, may be displeasing to me. Gladly to be thinking of God, piteously to call for His help. To lean into the comfort of God. Busily to labour to love Him. To know mine own vileness and wretchedness. To humble myself under the mighty Hand of God. To bewail my sins past, for the purging of them, patiently to suffer adversity. Gladly to bear my purgatory here. To be joyful in tribulations. To walk the narrow way that leads to life. To bear the Cross with Christ. To have the last thing in remembrance. To have ever before mine eyes, my death that is ever at hand. To make death no stranger to me. To foresee and consider, the everlasting fire of Hell. To pray for pardon before the Judge come. To have continually in mind, the Passion that Christ suffered for me. For His benefits, unceasingly to give Him thanks. To buy the time again, that I before have lost. To abstain from vain conversations. To shun foolish mirth and gladness. To cut off unnecessary recreations. Of worldly substance, friends, liberty, life and all, to set the loss at naught, for the winning of Christ. To think my worst enemies, my best friends, for the brethren of Joseph could never have done him so much good with their love and favour, as they did him, with their malice and hatred. These minds are more to be desired of every man, than all the treasures of all the princes and kings, Christian and heathen, were it gathered and laid together, all in one heap. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 9 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – Pentecost VI – Romans 6:3-11, Mark 8:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“I have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have now been with Me three days and have nothing to eat.” – Mark 8:2
REFLECTION – “ In this account of the miracle we must consider, in one and the same Redeemer, the separate operation of His Divinity and of His Humanity. And the error of Eutyches, who dared to teach that in Christ there is but one operation, must be wholly driven out from Christian lands. Who cannot see that the Lord, in having compassion on the multitude, lest they faint from want of food or from the weariness of the long journey home, was moved by the compassion of human pity but that, feeding four thousand people from seven loaves and a few fish, is a work of Divine Power?
“And they collected seven baskets full of fragments.” That multitude who had just eaten and been fille, did not carry away with them the remains of the loaves but left them to be gathered into baskets by the disciples, as before. And taken literally, this event teaches us to be content with what is necessary and never to look for anything more than that. Then the Evangelist makes known to us the number of those who were satisfied – “Now those who ate were about four thousand and He dismissed them” Here, let us consider that our Lord Jesus Christ does not wish to send anyone away hungry, since to the contrary, He wants to give to everyone the nourishment of His grace.
In a figurative sense, there is this difference between this second miracle and the first multiplication of the five loaves and two fish – the first prefigures the letter of the Old Testament, which was as though full of the spiritual grace of the New, whereas the second, represents the truth and grace of the New Testament fully communicated to the faithful. The multitude who, according to Saint Matthew’s testimony, wait three days for the healing of their sick (Mt 15), represent the elect in the faith of the Holy Trinity, who beg for the forgiveness of their sins, with persevering prayer, or those who are converted to the Lord, through their thoughts, words and deeds.” – St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Monk, Father and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on Mark, Book II, ch8 cf PL 92 – quoted by Saint Thomas Aquinas in the Catena Aurea Vol 4)
PRAYER – O God of the heavenly powers, creator of all good things, implant in our hearts the love of Thy Name and bestow upon us, an increase of godliness, fostering what is good and, by Thy loving care, guarding what Thou hast fostered. 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).
Deus, Creator Omnium O God, Creator of Us All St Ambrose (340-397) Father and Doctor
O God, Creator of us all, From Whom we come, to Whom we go, You look with pity on our hearts, The weakness of our wills You know.
Forgive us all the wrong we do And purify each sinful soul. What we have darkened, heal with light And what we have destroyed, make whole.
The fast by law and prophets taught, By You, O Christ, was sanctified. Bless all our penance, give us strength, To share the Cross on which You died.
O God of mercy, hear our prayer, With Christ Your Son and Spirit blest, Transcendent Trinity in Whom, Created thing
This Hymn was used as the Hymn for Vespers I of Sunday (Saturday Evening) in the Sarum Breviary during the weeks following Epiphany. It is used in the Ambrosian Breviary for Vespers on Sundays and Weekdays in the weeks after Epiphany and Pentecost. This version translated by Stanbrook Abbey.
Saints of the Day – 9 July – The 19 Martyrs of Gorkum, Netherlands.
The Roman Martyrology notes today as the Feast of a group of Saints known as the Martyrs of Gorkum.
The Roman Martyrology (1914 Ed) notes today as the Feast of a group of Saints known as the Martyrs of Gorkum:“At Briel in Holland, the Martyrdom of the 19 Martyrs of Gorkum. For vindicating the authority of the Roman Church and the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, they endured various ignominies and torments from the Calvinist heretics and ended their suffering by being put to death. In the year 1867, Pope Pius IX placed them among the holy Martyrs.” They were solemnly Canonised in 1867 by Pope Pius IX, as part of a year-long series of celebrations to commemorate the 18th Centenary of the Martyrdom of Sts Peter and Paul, then generally held to have taken place in 67.
The year 1572, Luther and Calvin had already wrested from the Church a great part of Europe. The iconoclastic storm had swept through the Netherlands and was followed by a struggle between Lutheranism and Calvinism in which the latter was victorious.
In 1571 the Calvinists held their first synod, at Embden. On 1 April of the next year, the Dutch Watergeuzen (Sea-beggars, a Calvinist organisation) conquered Briel and later Vlissingen and other Cities and regions. In June, Dortrecht and Gorkum fell into their hands and at Gorkum they captured nine Franciscans. These were: Nicholas Pieck, Guardian of Gorkum, Hieronymns of Weert, Vicar, Theodorus van der Eem, of Amersfoort, Nicasius Janssen, of Heeze, Willehad of Denmark, Godefried of Mervel, Antonius of Weert, Antonius of Hoornaer, and Franciseus de Roye, of Brussels. To these were added two Lay Brothers from the same Monastery, Petrus of Assche and Cornelius of Wyk near Duurstede.
Almost at the same time, the Calvinists laid their hands on the learned Parish Priest of Gorkum, Leonardus Vechel of Bois-le-Duc, who had made distinguished studies in Louvain and also his assistant. Nicolaas Janssen, surnamed Poppel, of Welde in Belgium. With the above, were also imprisoned Godefried van Duynsen, of Gorkum who was active as a Priest in his native City and Joannes Lenartz of Oisterwljk, an Augustinian and director of the Convent of Augustinian Nuns in Gorkum.
By Cesare Fracassini (1838-1868), Vatican Museum
To these fifteen, who from the very first underwent all the sufferings and torments of the persecution, were later added four more companions – Joannes van Hoornaer, (known as St John of Cologne) a Dominican of the Cologne province and Parish Priest not far from Gorkum, who, when apprised of the incarceration of the clergy of Gorkum, hastened to the City in order to administer the Sacraments to them and was seized and imprisoned with the rest. Also Jacobus Lacops of Oudenaar, a Norbertine, who after leading a frivolous life, being disobedient to his Order and neglectful of his religious duties, reformed, became a curate in Monster, Holland and was imprisoned in 1572. Adrianus Janssen of Hilvarenbeek, at one time a Premonstratensian and Parish Priest in Monster, who was sent to Brielle with Jacobus Lacops and lastly, Andreas Wouters of Heynoord, whose conduct was not edifying up to the time of his arrest but,, who made ample amends by his Martyrdom.
After enduring much suffering and abuse in the prison at Gorkum (26 June-6 July) the first fifteen Martyrs were transferred to Brielle. On their way to Dortrecht, they were exhibited for money to the curious and arrived at Brielle on 8 July. On the following day, Lumey, the Commander of the Watergeuzen, caused the Martyrs to be interrogated and ordered a sort of disputation.
In the meantime, the four other Martyrs also arrived. It was exacted of each that he abandon his belief in the Blessed Sacrament and in Papal Supremacy. All remained firm in their faith. Meanwhile, a letter arrived from William of Orange, an important secular leader, which enjoined all those in authority to leave Priests and Religious unmolested. Nevertheless, Lumey caused the Martyrs to be hanged in the night of 9 July, in a turf-shed amid cruel mutilations.
The reliquary of the Martyrs of Gorkum at the Franciscan church of St Nicholas in Brussels.
Their Beatification took place on 14 November 1675 by Pope Clement X and they were Canonised on 29 June 1867 by Pope Pius IX. Ever since this evil day, the place of their Martyrdom in Brielle has been the scene of numerous pilgrimages and processions.
The Apotheosis of the Martyrs of Gorkum 1572, print made by Jean-Baptiste Nolin after a painting by Johan Zierneels, 1675
St Maria Goretti (1890-1902) Virgin and Martyr, known as “Saint Agnes of the 20th Century.” She was Canonised on 24 June 1950 by Pope Pius XII The ceremony was attended by 250,000 including her mother, the only time a parent has witnessed her child’s Canonisation. Her Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2017/07/06/saint-of-the-day-6-july-st-maria-goretti/
Blessed Adrian Fortescue TOSD (1476-1539) Martyr,. A husband and father, a Justice of the Peace, a Knight of the Realm, a Knight of Malta and a Dominican Tertiary (Lay Dominican), he was at once a loyal servant of the Crown so far as he could be but still more, he was a man of unshakeable faith and love of the One True Faith. He was Beatified on 13 May 1895 by Pope Leo XIII. About Blessed Adrian: https://anastpaul.com/2018/07/09/saint-of-the-day-blessed-adrian-fortescue-1476-1539-martyr/
St Agrippinus of Autun St Alexander of Egypt St Audax of Thora St Brictius of Martola St Copra of Egypt St Cyril of Gortyna Bl Dionysius the Rhetorician St Everild of Everingham St Faustina of Rome St Felician of Sicily
Blessed Giovanna Scopelli O.Carm (1428 – 1491) Virgin, Mystic, Italian Religious of the Carmelites and established her own Convent as its first Prioress. She was known, during her lifetime as a Miracle-worker with many coming to her to ask for her assistance and prayers. Her body is incorrupt. About Blessed Giovanna: https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/09/saint-of-the-day-9-july-blessed-giovanna-scopelli-o-carm-1428-1491/
St Floriana of Rome St Hérombert of Minden Bl Joachim Ho St John of Cologne OP (Died 1572) Priest Martyrand the MARTYRS of GORKUM Bl Luigi Caburlotto Bl Marguerite-Marie-Anne de Rocher Bl Marie-Anne-Madeleine de Guilhermier St Patermutius of Egypt St Paulina do Coração Agonizante de Jesus
Four Holy Polish Brothers – 4 Saints: Four brothers who became hermits, Benedictine Monks and Saints – Andrew, Barnabas, Benedict and Justus. They were born in Poland and died in 1008 of natural causes.
Martyrs of Gorkum – 19 Saints: Nineteen Martyrs killed by Calvinists for loyalty to the Pope and for their belief in the Real Presence in the Eucharist. They are – Adrianus van Hilvarenbeek • Andreas Wouters • Antonius van Hoornaar • Antonius van Weert • Cornelius van Wijk • Francisus de Roye • Godfried van Duynen • Godfried van Melveren • Hieronymus van Weert • Jacobus Lacops • Joannes Lenaerts • John of Cologne • Leonardus van Veghel • Nicasius Janssen van Heeze • Nicolaas Pieck • Nicolaas Poppel • Petrus van Assche • Theodorus van der Eem • Willehad van Deem • They werehanged on 9 July 1572 in Brielle, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands. Beatified on 24 November 1675 by Pope Clement X and Canonised on 29 June 1867 by Pope Pius IX.
Martyrs of Orange – 32 Beati: 32 Nuns from several Orders who spent up to 18 months in prison and were finally executed for refusing to renounce Christianity during the persecutions of the French Revolution. Anne Cartier • Anne-Andrée Minutte • Dorothée-Madeleine-Julie de Justamond • élisabeth Verchière • élisabeth-Thérèse de Consolin • Jeanne-Marie de Romillon • Madeleine-Françoise de Justamond • Madeleine-Thérèse Talieu • Marguerite-Eléonore de Justamond • Marguerite-Marie-Anne de Rocher • Marguerite-Rose de Gordon • Marguerite-Thérèse Charensol • Marie Cluse • Marie-Anastasie de Roquard • Marie-Anne Béguin-Royal • Marie-Anne Depeyre • Marie-Anne Doux • Marie-Anne Lambert • Marie-Anne-Madeleine de Guilhermier • Marie-Claire du Bac • Marie-Clotilde Blanc • Marie-Elisabeth Pélissier • Marie-Gabrielle-Françoise-Suzanne de Gaillard de Lavaldène • Marie-Gertrude de Ripert d’Alauzier • Marie-Marguerite Bonnet • Marie-Marguerite de Barbégie d’Albrède • Marie-Rose Laye • Rosalie-Clotilde Bes • Suzanne-Agathe Deloye • Sylvie-Agnès de Romillon • Thérèse-Henriette Faurie They were guillotined between 6 July and 26 July 1794 at Orange, Vaucluse, France. Beatified on 10 May 1925 by Pope Pius XI.
Martyrs of the Baths – 10,204 Saints: A group of Christians enslaved by Diocletian to build the gigantic baths in imperial Rome, Italy. The end of their labours coincided with the beginning of the great persecutions of Diocletian and they were all executed. Ancient records indicated there were 10,204 of them; Zeno of Rome is the only one whose name has come down to us and we know nothing else about any of their individual lives.
Thought for the Day – 8 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Uncharitableness
“It is no excuse to claim that we only speak of matters which are true and known to all. They maybe true but God alone can judge the human conscience. They maybe known to all but, by our maliciousness, we are spreading evil about our neighbour, whereas we ought to try and spread only what is good.
Besides being opposed to Christian charity, unkind conversation ruins whatever opportunities we may have of practising the apostolate in which everyone is obliged to play his part. If we are apostolic, we promote our neighbour’s spiritual welfare, whereas uncharitable criticism, spreads evil about him and gives bad example to others.”
Quote/s of the Day – 8 July – Proverbs 31:10-31, Matthew 13:44-52
“Jesus said in parables: The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure, hidden in a field.”
Matthew 13:44
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Matthew 6:10
“I want to advise you and remind you, what His will is. Do not fear that it means He will give you riches, or delights, or honours, or all these earthly things. His love for you is not that small! and He esteems highly what you give Him. He wants to repay you well, for He gives you His Kingdom while you are still on earth … See … what He gave to the One He loved most. By that we understand what His will is. For these are His gifts in this world.”
St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Doctor of Prayer of the Church
“This life is short and it is only given us to gain the other.”
“Whoever thinks well on eternity, troubles himself little about what happens in these three or four moments of mortal life.”
“By giving yourself to God, you not only receive Himself in exchange but, eternal life as well!”
One Minute Reflection – 8 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Elizabeth of Portugal TOSF (1271-1336) Widow, Queen –Proverbs 31:10-31, Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“So shall it be at the end of the world. The Angels shall go out and shall separate the wicked from among the just. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” – Matthew 13:49-50
REFLECTION – “Consider the choice you make in this life will last forever in the next! Consider too, that while both are open to receive you, according to your choice, yet God, Who is prepared to give the one by reason of His Justice, the other by reason of His Mercy, all the while desires, unspeakably that you should select Paradise. offering you countless graces on God’s part, countless assistance to attain to it. Consider that Jesus Christ, enthroned in Heaven, looks down upon you in loving invitation – ‘O beloved one, come unto Me and joy forever in the eternal blessedness of My Love!’ Behold His Mother yearning over you with maternal tenderness, ‘Courage, my child, do not despise the Goodness of my Son, or my earnest prayers for thy salvation.‘ …
O Hell, I abhor thee now and forever; I abhor thy griefs and torments, thine endless misery, the unceasing blasphemies and maledictions which thou pourest out upon my God and turning to thee, O blessed Paradise, eternal glory, unfading happiness, I choose thee forever as my abode, thy glorious mansions, thy precious and abiding tabernacles.
O my God, I bless Thy Mercy which gives me the power to choose, O Jesus, Saviour, I accept Thine Eternal Love and praise Thee for the promise Thou hast given me, of a place prepared for me, in that blessed New Jerusalem, where I shall love and bless Thee forever. ” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis (Excerpt – ‘Introduction to the Devout Life’ 9th Meditation).
PRAYER – Most merciful God, Who among other admirable gifts, endowed blessed Queen Elizabeth with the special grace of calming the tumult of war; grant by her intercession that, after the peace for which we humbly pray, we may attain everlasting happiness. 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 – 8 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” and Mother Mary’s Day
I’ll Sing a Hymn to Mary By Father John Wyse (1825-1898) Irish Priest and Hymn writer
I’ll sing a hymn to Mary, The Mother of my God, The Virgin of all virgins, Of David’s royal blood. O teach me, Holy Mary, A loving song to frame, When wicked men blaspheme thee, To love and bless thy name.
O Lily of the Valley, O Mystic Rose, what tree, Or flower, e’en the fairest, Is half so fair as thee? O let me, tho’ so lowly Recite my Mother’s fame. When wicked men blaspheme thee, I’ll love and bless thy name.
O noble Tower of David, Of gold and ivory. The ark of God’s own promise, The gate of Heav’n to me. To live and not to love thee Would fill my soul with shame. When wicked men blaspheme thee, I’ll love and bless thy name.
When troubles dark afflict me In sorrow and in care, Thy light doth ever guide me O beauteous Morning Star. Lo, I’ll be ever ready Thy goodly help to claim, When wicked men blaspheme thee, To love and bless thy name.
The saints are high in glory, With golden crowns so bright; But brighter far is Mary, Upon her throne of light. Oh that which God did give thee, Let mortal ne’er disclaim; When wicked men blaspheme thee, I’ll love and bless thy name.
But in the crown of Mary, There lies a wonderous gem, As Queen of all the Angels, Which Mary shares with them; No sin hath e’er defiled thee, So doth our faith proclaim; When wicked men blaspheme thee, I’ll love and bless thy name.
And now O Virgin Mary My mother and my Queen, I’ve sung thy praise so bless me, And keep my heart from sin. When others jeer and mock thee, I’ll often think how I To shield my Mother, Mary, Would lay me down and die.
Saint of the Day – 8 July – St Ampelius of Milan (Died c672) the thirty ninth Archbishop of Milan from 671 to 676, Miracle-worker. Also known as – Ampèle, Ampelio.
Almost nothing is known about the life and the Episcopate of Ampelius. He ruled the Diocese of Milan in a period marked by the troubles due to the Lombards. Ampelius is, however, remembered as a holy and devout Bishop endowed with the charism of manifesting miraculous results by his intercession but, unfortunately, we have no detail of these wondrous miracles.
Father Goffredo da Bussero, the Milanese Priest and Writer, in the 15th Century, informs us that Ampelius’ Feast day was the 8 February, possibly the date of his death. At some point his Feast day was moved to 8 July in Milan. He was buried in the Basilica of St. Simplician where his Relics, enshrined under the High Altar, are still venerated today.
St Elizabeth of Portugal TOSF (1271-1336) Widow, Queen Consort, Widow, Franciscan Tertiary, Apostle of Charity and Peace, Political Negotiator and Mediator. In the year 1694 Pope Innocent XII moved her Feast to 8 July, so that it would not conflict with the celebration of the Octave of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2018/07/04/saint-of-the-day-4-july-st-elizabeth-of-portugal-t-o-s-f-1271-1336/
St Abraham the Martyr Bl Adolf IV of Schauenburg St Pope Adrian III St Ampelius of Milan (Died c672) Bishop St Apollonius of Benevento
St Landrada Bl Mancius Araki Kyuzaburo St Morwenna – No details about her have survived. She is reported to have appeared in visions in Morwenstow, Cornwall, England, where her Relics are apparently buried under the Church floor. St Pancras of Taormina Bl Peter the Hermit St Procopius of Ceasarea St Sunniva of Bergen St Thibaud de Marly St Totnan of Thuringia
Abrahamite Monks/Martyrs of Constantinople: A group of Monks in a Monastery founded by Saint Abraham of Ephesus. Martyred in the iconoclast persecutions of Emperor Theophilus. In c 835 in Constantinople.
Martyrs of Shanxi – 7 Saints: In 1898 seven sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary were sent to the Shanxi Diocese in China to serve the poor in hospitals and care for the unwanted or other destitutes in orphanages. They were: Anne-Catherine Dierks Anne-Francoise Moreau Clelia Nanetti Irma Grivot Jeanne-Marie Kuergin Marianna Giuliani Pauline Jeuris There they all died in one of the periodic persecutions against foreign missionaries. They were beheaded on 9 July 1900 at Taiyuanfu, China- Canonisedon 24 November 1946 by Pope Pius XII.
Martyrs of Syrmium – 5 Saints: Five Christians Martyred together for their faith. We know nothing else about them but the names – Cecilia, Eperentius, Eraclius, Sostratus and Spirus. They were martyred in the 4th century in Syrmium, Pannonia (modern Serbia).
Thought for the Day – 7 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Salvation of Souls
“Remember the countless conversions effected by the Saints as a result of their prayers, mortifications and heroic sacrifices. No-one can call himself a Christian who does not love, in a practical manner, his fellowmen, especially unfortunate heretics and sinners.
Make up your mind, to offer your prayers and sacrifices for their conversion. Include them in your daily offering, daily Mass and daily Rosary too.”
Quote/s of the Day – 7 July – St Lawrence of Brindisi OFM Cap (1559-1619) Confessor, Priest, The “Franciscan Renaissance Man.”
“The Holy Spirit sweetens the yoke of the divine law and lightens its weight, so that we may observe God’s commandments with the greatest of ease and even with pleasure.”
“The Word of the Lord is a Light for the mind and a Fire for the will, so that man may know and love God. For the inner man, who lives through the living grace of God’s Spirit, it is bread and water but bread sweeter than honey and water better than wine or milk…. It is a weapon against a heart stubbornly entrenched in vice. It is a sword against the flesh, the world and the devil, to destroy every sin.”
One Minute Reflection – 7 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – Saint Cyril (827-869) and Saint Methodius (826-885) “Apostles to the Slavs,” Sibling Brother Bishops, Confessors – Hebrews 7:23-27, Luke 10:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Carry neither purse, nor wallet …” – Luke 10:4
REFLECTION – “The Lord commands us in the Gospel: “Watch, be on your guard against all malice and greed” (cf Lk 12:15). “Guard yourselves against the preoccupations of this world and the cares of this life” (cf Mt 6:25; Lk 21:34). Therefore, none of the brothers, wherever he may be, or wherever he goes, should in any way, carry, receive, or have received, either money or coins, whether for clothing or books or payment for any work-indeed, for no reason-unless it is for the evident need of the sick brothers; for we must not suppose that money or coins have any greater value than stones. And the devil would like to blind those who desire it or consider it better than stones. Therefore, let us who have left all things behind, take care that we do not lose the Kingdom of Heaven for so little (cf Mt 19:27; Mk 10:24.28). And if we were to find coins in any place, let us give them no more thought than the dust which we crush with our feet; for all this is “vanity of vanities and all is vanity” (Eccl 1:2).
All the brothers should strive to follow the humility and the poverty of our Lord Jesus Christ … And they must rejoice when they live among people who are considered to be of little worth and who are looked down upon, among the poor and the powerless, the sick and the lepers and the beggars by the wayside. And when it may be necessary, let them go to seek alms. And they should not be ashamed but rather recall that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living and all-powerful God … was a poor man and a transient and lived on alms, he and the Blessed Virgin and His disciples.” – St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226) Founder of the Friars Minor (Earlier Rule, #8-9).
PRAYER – Look forgivingly on Thy flock, Eternal Shepherd and keep it in Thy constant protection, by the intercession of the blessed brothers, Cyril and Methodius, who, by the power of the Holy Ghost were moved to bring the light of the Gospel to a hostile and divided people. 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 – 7 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” and “Friday Devotion The Passion”
Your Blood, The Fire of Love! By St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church
O sweet Jesus, my Love, to strengthen my soul and to rescue it from the weakness into which it has fallen, You have built a wall around it and have mixed the mortar with Your Blood, confirming my soul and uniting it to the sweet will and charity of God! Just as lime mixed with water is placed between stones, to cement them together, so You, O God, have placed between Your creature and Yourself, the Blood of Your Only-begotten Son, cemented with the Divine lime of the fire of ardent charity, in such a way that there is no Blood without fire, nor fire without Blood. Your Blood was shed, O Christ, by the fire of love! Amen
Saint of the Day – 7 July – Saint Ethelburga of Faremoutier (Died 664) Virgin, Abbess, Princess Born in the Kingdom of East Anglia and died in 664 at Faremoutier, France of natural causes. When her body was exhumed seven years after her death, it was found incorrupt. Also known as – Aubierge, Cdilburh, Edelburga, Edilberga, Edilburga, Etelburg.
Ethelburga was one of the daughters of King Anna of East Anglia. Her sisters were St Withburga, St Saethryth, who was Abbess of Faremoutiers Abbey in Brie, France, St Seaxburh and St Æthelthryth who wereboth Abbesses of Ely, Cambridge, England.
She was known throughout the community for her adherence to the Rule of the Order. In the mid-seventh Century, Ethelburga was chosento be the Abbess. She ruled with wisdom and justice until her death.
As Abbess, Ethelburga began work on a Church in honour of the Twelve Apostles which was left unfinished at her death in 664. At her request, she was buried in the Church. After seven years a decision was made to move her Relics to the nearby Church of Saint Stephen and her body was found to be incorrupt.
Saint Cyril (827-869) Saint Methodius (826-885) “Apostles to the Slavs,” Sibling Brother Bishops, Confessors, Theologians, Missionaries, Writers, Preachers, Patrons of Europe. Creators of the Glagolitic alphabet, the first alphabet used to transcribe Old Church Slavonic and Cyrillac Alphabet, which was developed from it. Their Feast Day is 7 July (moved in 1969). The great Saints Cyril & Methodius: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/14/saints-of-the-day-14-february-sts-cyril-827-869-methodius-826-885/
St Lawrence of Brindisi OFM Cap (1559-1619) Confessor, The “Franciscan Renaissance Man,” Priest and Friar of the Friars Minor Capuchin, Theologian, Vicar General of the Franciscans, Language scholar, Humanist, Philosopher, Biblicist, Preacher, Missionary, Professor, International Administrator, Confidant of Popes, Emperors, Kings and Princes, Diplomatic envoy, Army Chaplain, Military Strategist and Morale builder, Polemicist, Prolific writer. He was Beatified on 1 June 1783 by Pope Pius VI and Canonised on 8 December 1881 by Pope Leo XIII. His Zealous Life: https://anastpaul.com/2017/07/21/saint-of-the-day-21-july-st-lawrence-of-brindisi-o-f-m-cap-doctor-of-the-church/
St Alexander St Angelelmus of Auxerre St Apollonius of Brescia
Blessed Pope Benedict XI OP (1240-1303) Cardinal-Priest of St Sabina, Bishop of Ostia then of Rome, Dominican Friar, Prior Provincial of Lombardy prior to becoming the Master of the Order in 1296, Apostolic Papal Legate to Hungary and France, Teacher, Preacher, Writer and renowned Scholar with special emphasis on Scriptural commentary. His Papacy began on 22 Ocober 1303 and ended at his death on 7 July 1304. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/07/saint-of-the-day-7-july-blessed-pope-benedict-xi-1240-1303/
Bl Bodard of Poitiers St Bonitus of Monte Cassino St Carissima of Rauzeille St Eoaldus of Vienne St Ethelburga of Faremoutier (Died 664) Abbess, Princess St Hedda of Wessex St Maelruan Bl Marie-Gabrielle-Françoise-Suzanne de Gaillard de Lavaldène St Medran St Merryn Bl Oddino Barrotti St Odo of Urgell St Odran St Palladius of Ireland St Pantaenus of Alexandria
St Pantænus (Died c 216) Father of the Church, Theologian, Philosopher, Teacher, Confessor and Defender of the Faith, Writer and interpreter of the Bible, the Trinity and Christology, |Missionary. Convert of the disciples of the Apostles. Head of the Alexandrian School of Learning – a famous pupil was St Clement of Alexandria. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2019/07/07/saint-of-the-day-7-july-st-pantaenus-father-of-the-church-died-c-216/
Martyrs of Durres – 7 Saints: Also known as – Martyrs of Dyrrachium/Martyrs of Durazzo. A group of seven Italian Christians who fled Italy to escape the persecutions of Emperor Hadrian. Arrived in Dyrrachium, Macedonia to find Saint Astius tied to a cross, covered in honey, laid in the sun and left to be tortured by biting and stinging insects. When they expressed sympathy for Astius, they were accused of being Christians, arrested, chained, weighted down, taken off shore and drowned. We know little more about each of them than their names – Germaus, Hesychius, Lucian, Papius, Peregrinus, Pompeius and Saturninus. They were born in Italy and were Martyred at sea c117 off the coast of Dyrrachium (Durazzo), Macedonia (modern Durres, Albania).
Thought for the Day – 6 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Gift of Speech
“Above all, the gift of speech is intended to be used in prayer. The tongue should express externally, the interior language of the mind and heart which should be principally concerned with the adoration of our Creatpr. Since we have received everything which we have from God, all our gifts should be used in His service. Speech was given to us not only to enable us to speak with men but, more particularly, to enable us to speak with God.
Let us sanctify this gift by means of prayer. Let us take care, however, that our prayers do not remain meaningless and superficial while our minds are absorbed with other matters.
Everything in us should pray. The intellect should bow in adoration of God’s Majesty; the will should conform itself entirely to His law; the heart should find its true and only happiness in God and, the tongue should praise Him, implore His favour and forgiveness and offer our whole being to Him, from Whom we have receive everything.
This should be the primary function of speech. If this gift is employed in this way, it will gain for us many other graces and favours from God.”
Quote/s of the Day – 6 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – The Octave Day of Sts Peter and Paul
“Upon this rock I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven and, whatever you loose on earth, shall be loosed in Heaven.”
Matthew 16:18-19
“Nothing escaped the Wisdom and Power of Christ, the elements of nature lay at His service, spirits obeyed Him, Angels served Him. … And yet, out of all the world, Peter alone was chosen to stand at the head, for the calling of all the peoples and the oversight of all the Apostles and Fathers of the Church.”
St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Father and Doctor
“Do not, therefore, lose your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of patience that, doing the will of God, you may receive the promise. For yet a very little while and He Who is to come, will come and will not delay.”
Hebrews 10:35-37
“St Paul, the incomparable master, the great Doctor of the Infant Church, made Jesus Christ on the Cross the delightful object of his love, the sweet subject of his discourses, the end of all his aspirations in this world and the foundation of all his hopes in eternity Blessed is the soul, which thus everywhere, finds Jesus Christ Crucified!”
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