Thought for the Day – 3 December – 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 – 3 December – St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552) Confessor
“Are we in the habit of seeing all thing in God and God in all things? Do we accept all things from His Holy Hands and do His Will cheerfully and lovingly? Do we try to control ourselves when God sends us sorrows, in addition to joy? If we find we are in need of reform in this matter, we should make good resolutions and fulfil them!”
Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“His Lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant because thou has been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many thing. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:21
“ Ah! If only those who look for knowledge in study, took as much trouble in looking for the consolations of the apostolate, as they give day and night to the pursuit of knowledge! If only those joys which the scholar seeks in what he is learning, he were to seek in making his neighbour feel, what he is in need of – to know and serve God, how much more consoled he would find himself to be and better prepared, to give an account of himself, when Christ returns and asks him: “Give me an account of your stewardship”
One Minute Reflection – 3 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552) Confessor – Romans 10:10-18 – Mark 16:15-18 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15
REFLECTION – “You have heard what the Lord said to His disciples after the Resurrection. He sent them out to preach the Gospel and they did so. Listen: “Through all the earth their voice resounds and to the ends of the world, their message” (Ps 18:5). Step by step, the Gospel has reached even to us and the ends of the earth. In a few words the Lord, addressing Himself to His disciples, set out what we are to do and what we have to hope for. Just as you have heard, He said: “Whoever believes and is Baptised will be saved.” He asks for our faith and offers us salvation. What He offers us, is so precious that what He asks of us, is as nothing.
“The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings, O my God… from Thy delightful stream, Thou gives them to drink, for with Thee, is the Fountain of Life” (Ps 35[36],8f.). Jesus Christ is the Fountain of Life. Before the Fountain of Life came to us, we had only a human salvation like that of the beasts, of which the psalm speaks: “Man and beast you save, O Lord” (Ps 35[36],7). But now the Fountain of Life has come even to us, the Fountain of Life died for our sakes. Will He refuse us His Life,Who, for our sakes, gave His Death? He is salvation and this salvation is not worthless, like the other one. Why? Because it does not pass away. The Lord has come. He died but He killed death. In Himself, He brought an end to death. He assumed it and He killed it. Where is death now, then? Look for it in Christ and it is no longer there. It used to be there but there it died. O Life, Death of death! Take heart: it will also die in us. What was fulfilled in the Head will also be fulfilled in the members and death will die in us, too!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 233).
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who were pleased to gather into Thy Church the peoples of the Indies by the preaching and miracles of blessed Francis, mercifully grant that we, who honour his glorious merits, may also imitate the example of his virtues. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 3 December – The Memorial of St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552) Confessor
I Love Thee, God, I Love Thee By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552) Translated by Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ (1844-1889)
I love Thee, God, I love Thee— Not out of hope for Heaven for me Nor fearing not to love and be in the everlasting burning. Thou, my Jesus, after me Didst reach Thine arms out dying, For my sake suffered nails and lance, Mocked and marred countenance, Sorrows passing number, Sweat and care and cumber, Yea and death and this for me, And Thou could see me sinning. Then I, why should not I love Thee, Jesu so much in love with me? Not for Heaven’s sake, not to be Out of hell by loving Thee, Not for any gains I see, But just the way that Thou didst me I do love and will love Thee. What must I love Thee, Lord, for then? For being my King and God. Amen
Saint of the Day – 3 December – St Lucius, King and Bishop (Died c200) Patronages of Liechtenstein, the City and Diocese of Chur, Switzerland, Llandaff, Wales, the Diocese of Vaduz, Liechtenstein. Also known as – Lucius Curiensis, Luzi, Luzius…Lucius of Chur, … of Coire … of Briton.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Coire, in Switzerland, St Lucius, King of the Britons, who was the first of those Kings who received the faith of Christ, in the time of Pope Eleutherius.”
According to the Legendary Life, Lucius went from England to Rhaetia in the 2nd Century where he became a missionaryand Bishop and Hermit.
It states that he was Martyred there around 200, (although the Roman Martyrology does not accord him this title), by the pagan Governor.
Since ancient times, it was believed that the Saint died on December. A Monastery was soon built over his Tomb. The Reliquary Crypt from the Merovingian era has survived to this day.
Cult evidence dates to the 8th Century and extended to the Diocese of the King Bishop of Chur which also included Tyrol and to the neighbouring Diocese of Constance and Sion. Recent research shows that the Saint later lived as a Hermit on the Luziensteig but nothing else is known. Relics of the saint are found in many Churches of the Diocese of Chur and in several Monasteries.
St Ethernan St Hilaria the Martyr St Jason the Martyr St John of Africa St Lucius, King (Died c200) St Lucy the Chaste St Magina of Africa St Mamas St Marcos García Rodríguez St Maurus the Martyr
St Seleucus St Stephen of Africa St Theodore of Alexandria St Theodulus of Edessa St Veranus St Zephaniah the Prophet
Martyrs of Nicomedia: Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian – Ambicus, Julius and Victor. c 303 in Nicomedia, Bithynia (modern Izmit, Turkey).
Thought for the Day – 2 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Recollection
“We may imagine that all this applies only to Monks but that is not so. We all need interior recollection and we can find it even during our work and in the midst of turmoil and confusion. If we fail to find it, moreover, it is too bad for us, as The Imitation of Christ warns us. “Peace is not in the heart of the carnal man, nor in the man who is devoted to outward things but, in the fervent and spiritual man” (Bk 1 Ch 6:2).
Let us make sure, therefore, that we shall not be distracted by worldly affairs. In the midst of all our occupations, let us preserve a spirit of detachment and live in the presence of God. May God be our first thought and our first desire and may He be the true goal of all our actions!”
Quote/s of the Day – 2 December – Sirach 51:13-17; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Jesus said in parables: The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure, hidden in a field. … Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant seeking good pearls. ”
Matthew 13:44, 45
“The two parables of the treasure and the pearl, both teach us the same thing – we should prefer the Gospel before all earthly treasures. … However, there is something even more praiseworthy than this – we should delight to give it preference, joyfully, unhesitatingly. Let us never forget this, to abandon all else, so as to follow God, is to gain more, than one loses. The preaching of the Gospel is hidden in this world like a hidden treasure, a treasure without price!”
St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Whoever thinks well on eternity, troubles himself little about what happens in these three or four moments of mortal life.”
“The love of God is the end, the perfection and the excellence, of the universe. ”
(Treatise on the Love of God, Book 10, Chapter 1)
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 2 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Bibiana (Died c 361) Virgin Martyr – Sirach 51:13-17; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure, hidden in a field.” – Matthew 13:44
REFLECTION – “Some of the brethren think that they are excluded from the Holy Ghost’s gifts of grace. Because they neglect to practise the commandments, they do not know that he who has an unadulterated faith in Christ, has within himself, the sum total of all the Divine gifts. Since, through our laziness, we are far from having an active love for Him — a love which shows us the Divine Treasures within us — we naturally think that we are excluded from these gifts.
If, as St Paul says: “Christ dwells in our hearts through faith” (Eph 3:17) and, “all the treasures of wisdom and spiritual knowledge are hidden in Him” (Col 2:3), then, all the treasures of wisdom and spiritual knowledge are hidden in our hearts! They are revealed to the heart, in proportion to our purification by means of the commandments. This is the treasure, hidden in the field of your heart which you have not yet found because of your laziness! Had you found it, you would have sold everything and bought that field. But now, you have abandoned that field and give all your attention to the land nearby, where there is nothing but thorns and thistles! It is for this reason that the Saviour says: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8) for He is hidden in the hearts of those who believe in Him.They shall see Him and the riches in Him, when they have purified themselves, through love and self-control. And, the greater their purity, the more they will see!” – St Maximus the Confessor (c580-662) Abbot and Theologian (Centuries of love 4:69).
PRAYER – O God, giver of all good gifts, Thou Who in Thy servant, Bibiana, joined the flower of virginity with the palm of Martyrdom, by her intercession unite our hearts to Thee in charity, so that, saved from all dangers, we may obtain the rewards of eternal life. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 2 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – First Saturday of the Month
O Mary, Mother of God (O Virgin Most Pure, Wholly Unspotted) By St Ephrem of Syria (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
O Virgin most pure, wholly unspotted, O Mary, Mother of God, Queen of the universe, thou art above all the saints, the hope of the elect and the joy of all the blessed. It is thou who hast reconciled us with God; thou art the only refuge of sinners and the safe harbour of those who are shipwrecked; thou art the consolation of the world, the ransom of captives, the health of the weak, the joy of the afflicted and the salvation of all. We have recourse to thee and we beseech thee to have pity on us. Amen.
Saint of the Day – 2 December – Saint Robert (Died 1185) O.Cist. Abbot of the Cistercian Monastery at Matallana, in Valladolid, Spain. Possibly born in Champagne, France and died at his Monastery in Spain. Patronages – against locusts, against vermin, of Champagne, France.
The Cistercian Order celebrates St Robert on 2 December but historians of the Order have handed down very little information about him.
It is not known when he was born but in 1175 he was already a Cistercian Monk at the Monastery of La Creste in Burgundy; a historic region of France, which was the seat of the monastic reforms of the Cluniacs and the Cistercians.
St Bernard
In 1175 he left his Monastery with some Monks and went to found a new one in Matallana, about 25 km from present-day Valladolid in Spain, placing it under the protection of King Alfonso VIII of Castile (1155-1214), known as the Noble.
We do not know the precise date of his death but he died ten years after arriving in Matallana, in 1185 and his remains were placed in the High Altar of the Monastery Church, built with great munificence by Queen Beatrice, wife of King St Ferdinand III of Castile (1199-1252) and the Abbess of the Monastery of Las Huelgas (Burgos), Doña Berenguela. This deposition is certainly a testament to the life of a founder which, in those times, was already a title of sanctity, as well as a man of God and a worthy Abbot and leader of his Cistercian Monks.
His Relics are currently venerated in the Parish Church of Matallana where, it is said many miracles have occurred at his Shrine. He has been invoked as a protector against rural disasters, particularly against locusts.
St Robert O.Cist. (Died 1185) Abbot atMatallana, Spain St Silvanus (Died c450) Bishop of Troas, Phrygia.
Greek Martyrs of Rome – 9 Saints: Several Greek Christians Martyred in the persecutions of Valerian – Adria, Aurelia, Eusebius, Hippolytus, Marcellus, Mary Martana, Maximus, Neon and Paulina. They were martyred by various means between 254 and 259 in Rome, Italy and are buried in the Callistus catacombs, Rome.
Martyrs of Africa – 4 Saints: Four Christians Martyred in Africa in the persecutions of Arian Vandals – Januarius, Securus, Severus and Victorinus.
DECEMBER: The Month of Devotion to The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
The observance of Divine Infancy Month recalls the first Christmas more than 2,000 years ago when Jesus humbled Himself and became Completely Human, while remaining Completely Divine. The Blessed Virgin Mary was chosen to be the glorious Tabernacle of the Son of God. Therefore, in the first moment of her existence, God, called her into being that she might assume the exalted dignity of the Mother of His Son and, therefore, granted her the singular privilege of exemption from Original Sin.
Look to Our Lady – she is already waiting at the crib, desiring to teach us to make our hearts a pleasant crib for the Christ Child to dwell in.
Cultivate a spirit of prayer and attentiveness to His Presence as the Divine Infant by adopting Aspirations suitable to the season, such as:
Divine Infant King Jesus, come down into our hearts! Lord Jesus, through Thy Infant cries in the manger, when Thou was born for me; through Thy tears, when Thou died for me on the Cross; throughThy love, as Thou do live for me in the Tabernacle, have mercy upon me and save me. Amen!
Thought for the Day – 1 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Blessedness of the Poor
“We have established the principle that wealth is, in itself, good and is a gift from God but that, “it is good, insofar, as it leads us towards virtue and evil, insofar, as it leads us towards vice” (Summa Contra Gentiles III 134). We must now insist, once more, on the necessity of remaining detached from worldly goods and of concentrating our attention primarily on God. It is an unfortunate fact that only too often, wealth is a spiritual obstacle, for it diverts our attention away from Heaven and towards worldly objects. If this happens, some of its worse results can be the worship of money, the destruction of high ideals, indifference to the poverty of others, the vain and selfish search for happiness on this earth and complete spiritual blindness. This is why it is more difficult for the rich man than for the poor man, to save his soul.
“If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell what thou hast and give to the poor” (Mt 19:21). This is an evangelical counsel which we may have neither the courage, nor the vocation to pursue. At least, however, let us seek to purify ourselves of all attachments to wealth. If we have riches, moreover, let us do our best to use them as instruments of virtue.”
Quote of the Day – 1 December – The Feast of St Andrew, Apostle of Christ, Martyr on the Cross for Christ
It is claimed, that the words below were spoken by St Andrew, according to an ancient account (which dates to the beginning of the 6th Century), entitled –
The Passion of Andrew
“Hail, O Cross, inaugurated by the Body of Christ and adorned with His Limbs as though they were precious pearls. Before the Lord mounted you, you inspired an earthly fear. Now, instead, endowed with heavenly love, you are accepted as a gift.
Believers know of the great joy that you possess and of the multitude of gifts you have prepared. I come to you, therefore, confident and joyful, so that you too may receive me, exultant as a disciple of the One Who was hung upon you….
O blessed Cross, clothed in the majesty and beauty of the Lord’s Limbs!…
Take me, carry me far from men and restore me to my Teacher, so that, through you, the One Who redeemed me by you, may receive me.
One Minute Reflection – 1 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of St Andrew, Apostle of Christ – Romans 10: 10-18 – Matthew 4: 18 -22 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“At once they left their nets and followed him.” – Matthew 4:20
REFLECTION – “After Andrew had remained with Jesus (Jn 1:39) and had learned what he did learn, he did not keep his treasure concealed for himself but hastened to run quickly to his brother, Simon Peter, to share with him, the good things he had received. Consider what he told his brother: “We have found the Messiah (which interpreted is Christ)” (Jn 1:41). Do you perceive, in these words, the fruit of what he had learned in such a short time? It shows, at once, the authority of the Teacher Who taught His disciples and, their own enthusiasm and will, to learn from Him, since the very beginning.
Indeed Andrew’s eagerness, his zeal in wanting to immediately spread such a good news, supposes a soul who was longing to see the accomplishment of the many prophecies concerning Christ. It is a mark of brotherly kindness, of loving kinship, of genuine goodwill, to hasten to stretch out a helping hand to one another in spiritual matters. … ”We have found the Messiah” he says – not any messiah but “the Messiah,” the One Christ they were awaiting.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church (Homely on the Gospel of Saint John, 19:1).
PRAYER – Lord, in Your kindness hear our petitions. You called Andrew the Apostle, to preach the Gospel and guide Your Church in faith. May he always be our friend in Your Presence, to help us with his prayers. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. (Collect)
Our Morning Offering – 1 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of St Andrew, Apostle and Martyr
Great Saint Andrew, Friend of Jesus By Fr Frederick Oakeley (1802-1880)
Great Saint Andrew, Friend of Jesus, Lover of His glorious Cross, Early by His Voice effective, Called from ease to pain and loss. Sweet Saint Andrew, Simon’s brother, Who with haste fraternal flew, Fain with him to share the treasure Which from Jesus’ Lips he drew.
Blest Saint Andrew, Jesus’ herald, Meek Apostle, Martyr bold, Who, by deeds His words confirming, Sealed with blood the truth He told. Ne’er to king was crown so beauteous. Ne’er was prize to heart so dear, As to him the Cross of Jesus When its promised joys drew near.
Loved Saint Andrew, Scotland’s Patron, Watch thy land with heedful eye, Rally round the Cross of Jesus All her storied chivalry! To the Father, Son and Spirit, Fount of sanctity and love, Give we glory, now and over, With the Saints who reign above.
Saint of the Day – 1 December – Saint Ursicinus (Died c347) Bishop of Brescia, Lombardy, Italy, powerful Defender of the Faith against heresy, particularly Arianism. Also known as – Ursaci, Ursicino. Additional Memorial – 20 April as one of the Saints of Diocese of Brescia.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Brescia, St Ursicinus, Bishop.”
Ursicinus was the Bishop of Brescia who lived between the 3rd and 4th Centuries. In the list of Bishops, he is listed 5th or 6th, after Saint Apollonius and before Saint Faustinus.
Ursicinus is the first bishop of Brescia to whom a chronologically correct date can be assigned. Indeed, St Hilary of Poitiers, in listing the Prelates present at the Council of Sardica which took place between the end of 343 and the beginning of 344, documents his participation with the signature “Ursacinus ab Italia de Brixia.” This presence was also confirmed by St Athanasius, who noted the Bishop’s support for orthodoxy against Arian doctrine.
This signature sparked a controversy over the name of the Brescian Prelate, who, according to Guerrini, should have been called Ursacius and not Ursicinus. But the name Ursicinus has prevailed since ancient records attested in Rampertus’ Sermon and in calendars prior to the 16th Century.
We have no further information about Saint Ursicinus’ leadership of the Brescia Diocese.
He was buried in the Church of Sant’Apollonio, located outside the City Walls. In 1517, when the Venetians demolished the Church, his Relics were transferred to the Church of San Giuseppe, inside the City, and placed under the Altar of San Rocco, where they remain today, in a marble antependium beneath the Altar.
The highly raised apse, resting above a clearly visible crypt, is dedicated to San Rocco and was frescoed in the 18th Century by Sante Cattaneo Artist of the monochromes of San Rocco and Ursicinus, Co-Patrons of the Church.
The cult of Saint Ursicinus is attested in the 7 Liturgical Calendars of the 11th-15th Centuries and in the 3 Litanic orders, one of which dates to the 9th Century and is contained in a codex of the Monastery of San Salvatore. Currently, the feast of Saint Ursicinus has been absorbed into the single memorial of the Brescian Saints on 20 April. In the various Martyrologies, Saint Ursicinus is remembered and celebrated on 1 December.
St Agericus of Verdun St Agnofleta St Alexander Briant St Ambon of Rome St Ananias of Arbela St Ansanus the Baptizer Bl Antony Bonfadini St Candida of Rome St Candres of Maestricht St Cassian of Rome
St Latinus of Rome St Leontius of Fréjus St Lucius of Rome St Marianus St Marina of Rome St Martinus St Nahum the Prophet St Natalia of Nicomedia St Olympiades St Proculus of Narni St Resignatus of Maastricht Bl Richard Langley St Rogatus of Rome St Simon of Cyrene St Superatus of Rome St Ursicinus (Died c347) Bishop of Brescia
Martyrs of Oxford University: A joint commemoration of all the men who studied at one of the colleges of Oxford University and who were later Martyred for their loyalty to the Catholic Church during the official persecutions in the Protestant Reformation in England under Elizabeth I. They are: Blessed Edward James • Blessed Edward Powell • Blessed Edward Stransham • Blessed George Napper • Blessed George Nichols • Blessed Hugh More • Blessed Humphrey Pritchard • Blessed James Bell • Blessed James Fenn • Blessed John Bodey • Blessed John Cornelius • Blessed John Forest • Blessed John Ingram • Blessed John Mason • Blessed John Munden • Blessed John Shert • Blessed John Slade • Blessed John Storey • Blessed Lawrence Richardson • Blessed Mark Barkworth • Blessed Richard Bere • Blessed Richard Rolle de Hampole • Blessed Richard Sergeant • Blessed Richard Thirkeld • Blessed Richard Yaxley • Blessed Robert Anderton • Blessed Robert Nutter • Blessed Robert Widmerpool • Blessed Stephen Rowsham • Blessed Thomas Belson • Blessed Thomas Cottam • Blessed Thomas Pilcher • Blessed Thomas Plumtree • Blessed Thomas Reynolds • Blessed William Filby • Blessed William Hart • Blessed William Hartley • Saint Alexander Briant • Saint Cuthbert Mayne • Saint Edmund Campion • Saint John Boste • Saint John of Bridlington • Saint John Roberts • Saint Ralph Sherwin • Saint Thomas Garnet • Saint Thomas More.
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The St Andrew’s Christmas Novena The Christmas Anticipation Prayer
The Novena is not actually addressed to Saint Andrew but to God Himself, asking Him to grant our request in honour of the birth of His Son at Christmas. You can say the prayer all 15 times, all at once; or divide up the recitation as necessary (perhaps five times at each meal). We say ours after the Family Rosary each day, with each member saying it a number of times to total 15.
Prayed as a family, the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena is a very good way to help focus the attention of your family and children on the Advent season. nd the reason for the festivities to come.
This lovely Christmas Anticipatory Prayer, although the Author is Unknown, is traditionally believed to have originated in Ireland in the early 1900s or even before. I know, I myself, in my childhood, prayed this both at home and in my Irish Convent School. It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the Feast of St Andrew, until Christmas Fay or after Midnight Mass, will obtain that which he has petitioned.
Imprimatur † Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York New York, February 6, 1897
Pray 15 Times each day, until Christmas Day
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment, in which the Son of God was born, of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, ………………… [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour, Jesus Christ and of His Blessed Mother. Amen
Thought for the Day – 30 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Blessedness of the Meek
“St John Climacus notes that there are three levels of meekness (Dcala Paradist pp 296-298). The first grade, he says, consists in enduring with difficulty, the injuries done to us. The second, consists in enduring them without displeasure and the third, in regarding them as an honour.
Those who reach the first level are to be congratulated, those who reach the second are to be applauded but, those in the third and highest category, are really blessed by God.
“One day,” he says, “I saw three Monks receiving the same insult. The first was offended but said nothing, the second was not displeased on his own account but regretted the offence against Almighty God and the third wept for the fault of his neighbour.” The first Monk, the Saint comments, feared God, the second loved God and the third loved both God and his fellow-man.
At What stage of perfection in this virtue can we claim to have arrived? If we desire to be sincere Christians, we must realise that we ought to have achieved, at least the first level and should hope to advance eventaully, as far as the third and most perfect grade.”
Quote/s of the Day – 30 November –The First Sunday of Advent – Romans 13:11-14 – Luke 21:25-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org
“But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads because your redemption is at hand.”
Luke 21:28
“Watch, therefore because you know not the day, nor the hour.” Matthew 25:13
“ In the hours of the night, think always on Christ and hope for His Coming at every moment. … Christ enters at the open door. He will not fail to do so, for He has promised to enter. Embrace Him, Whom you have sought. Approach Him and be illumined. Hold Him and ask Him not to go away quickly. Beg Him not to depart. For “His Word runs swiftly” (Ps 147:15) and will not be held by the slothful or negligent soul. Let your soul run to His call and follow closely, the sound of His heavenly Voice, for His passing is swift. …”
St Ambrose (340-397) Father and Doctor of the Church
“It is only right, my brothers, to celebrate our Lord’s Coming with all possible devotion, so greatly does His comfort gladden us… and His love burn within us. But do not just think about His First Coming, when He Came “to seek and save the lost” (Lk 19:10); think, too, of that other Coming, when He will come to take us with Him. I should like to see you constantly occupied in meditating on these two Comings… for they are the two arms of the Bridegroom …”
St Bernard (1091-1153) Mellifluous Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 30 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – The First Sunday of Advent – Romans 13:11-14 – Luke 21:25-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“When you shall see these things come to pass, know that the Kingdom of God is at hand.” – Luke 21:31
REFLECTION – “In Him we live and move and have our being”(Acts 17:28). But blessed is He, in Whom he has his being, who lives for Him and is moved by Him. You ask then how I knew He was present, He Whose Ways cannot be traced (Rom 11: 3 3). He is Life and Power (Heb 4:12) and as soon as He enters in, He stirs my sleeping soul. He moves and soothes and pierces my heart which was as hard as stone and riddled with disease (Ez 36:26). And He begins to root up and destroy, to build and to plant, to water the dry places and light the dark corners (cf Jer 1:10), to open that which was closed, set on fire, that which was cold, “to make the crooked straight and the rough places smooth” (Is 40:4), so that my soul may bless the Lord and all that is within me praise His Holy Name (Ps 102:1)!
And so, when the Bridegroom, the Word, came to me, He did not make any sign that He was on His way … Only by the warmth of my heart, as I said before, did I know that He was there and, I knew the power of His Might because my faults were purged and my body’s yearnings brought under control. And when my secret faults were revealed and made visible, I have been amazed at the depth of His Wisdom, At the slightest amendment of my life, I have experienced the goodness of His Mercy. In the making and renewing of the spirit of my mind, (2 Cor 4:16; Eph 4:23) that is, the inner man, I perceived the excellence of His glorious Beauty and when, I contemplate all these things, I am filled with awe of His manifold greatness.” – St Bernard (1090-1153) Cistercian Abbot at Clairvaux, the last Father and Mellifluous Doctor of the Church (Sermons on the Song of Songs no 74).
PRAYER – O God, Who, by the message of an Angel, willed to take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant we, Thou suppliants, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, maybe aided by her intercession with Thee. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 30 November – The First Sunday of Advent
O Come, O come, Emmanuel
O Come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high And order all things far and nigh, To us the path of knowledge show And teach us in her ways to go. Refrain
O come, o come, Thou Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height In ancient times did give the law, In cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem, From ev’ry foe deliver them That trust Thy mighty power to save And give them vict’ry o’er the grave. Refrain
O come, Thou Key of David, come And open wide our heav’nly home, Make safe the way that leads on high, That we no more have cause to sigh. Refrain
O come, Thou Dayspring from on high And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh. Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death’s dark shadow put to flight. Refrain
O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind. Bid every strife and quarrel cease And fill the world with heaven’s peace. Refrain
The favourite O Come, O Come Emmanuel Carol was originally written in Latin text in the 12th Century. The author of the words and composer of the music of O Come, O Come Emmanuel, is unknown. It is, however, believed that the melody was of French origin and added to the text a hundred years later. The Latin was translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1851.
Saint of the Day – 30 November – Saint Constantius (5th Century) Confessor of Rome.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, St Constantius, Confessor, who strongly opposed the Pelagians and by enduring many injuries from them, gained a place among holy Confessors.”
Nothing is known of the background or detail of this Saint, so much so that it appears uncertain whether he was a Priest or a Layman.
However, he was certainly a Confessor of Christ by his vehement and ardent defence against the heresy of the Pelagians.
He is proudly listed in the Roman Martyrology for today and has gained the auspicious title of Confessor.
Today, 31 years ago, 30 November 1993, the late Bishop Daniel L Dolan was Consecrated as a Bishop. Remembering this zealous and loving Shepherd and praying for his eternal rest.
St Abraham of Persia St Anders of Slagelse Bl Andrew of Antioch Bl Arnold of Gemblours
St Castulus of Rome (c288) Martyr, married to Saint Irene of Rome (the woman who assisted St Sebastian after he had been wounded by the Imperial archers) and father of 2 children, Military Officer and he was the Chamberlain (or officer, valet) of Emperor Diocletian. His Feast day was moved to 26 March in 1969. His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/26/saint-of-the-day-26-march-saint-castulus-of-rome-died-c-288-martyr/
St Constantius (5th Century) Confessor of Rome St Crider of Cornwall
Bl Joscius Roseus St Justina of Constantinople St Mahanes the Persian St Maura of Constantinople St Merola of Antioch St Mirocles of Milan St Sapor St Simeon of Persia St Trojan St Tudwal of Tréguier Bl William de Paulo Zosimus the Wonder Worker
Martyrs of Saxony – 6 Saints: Missionaries who worked with Saint Willehad of Bremen. Martyrs. – Attroban, Benjamin, Emmingen, Folkard, Gerwald and Grisold. They were martyred on 30 November 782 at River Weser, Lawer Saxony, Germany.
Thought for the Day – 29 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Blessedness of Those Who Suffer Persecution
“Let us implore the Holy Ghost to enlighten us and to grant us this serene joy which is a reflection of the happiness of Heaven. Oh by Thy Name we shall live in peaceful and fearless anticipation!”
Quote/s of the Day – 29 November – Vigil of St Andrew Apostle – Ecclesiasticus 44:25-27; 45:2-4; 45:6-9; John 1:35-51 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Jesus turned and saw them following Him and said to them, “What are you looking for?”
John 1:38
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God!”
Matthew 16:16
“It is He Who is our peace.”
St Paul Ephesians 2:14
“… He effected a wonderful exchange with us, through mutual sharing – we gave Him the power to die, He will give us the power to Live!”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“Grace is given, not to those who speak [their faith] but to those, who live their faith!”
St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390) Father and Doctor of the Church
“May He, Who is the Track of the runners and the Reward of the winners, lead and guide you along it – He, Christ Jesus!”
Bl Guerric of Igny O.Cist (c1080-1157)
“Let us go to Jesus when we are worn out by conflict and have no strength left. Let us go to Him when we feel that we can walk no further along the stony path to perfection. He will help us and restore our courage; He will grant us an increase of grace which is the source of the spiritual life. It is essential, however, that we should have a spirit of recollection. If we are dissipated, we shall be unable to hear the Voice of God. We must speak with God and open our hearts to Him; we must tell Him that we love Him and wish to learn to love Him more and to conform more completely to His designs for us.”
One Minute Reflection – 29 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – The Vigil of the Feast of St Andrew Apostle – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 44:25-27; 45:2-4; 45:6-9 – John 1:35-51 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying and they stayed with Him that day.” – John 1:39
REFLECTION – “John was there and two of his disciples with him.” John was such “a friend of the Bridegroom” that he did not seek his own glory, he simply bore witness to the truth (Jn 3:29,26). Did he dream of keeping back his disciples and preventing them from following the Lord? Not in the least! He, himself, showed them the One they were to follow … He declared: “Why cling to me? I am not the Lamb of God. Behold the Lamb of God … Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world.”
At these words the two disciples who were with John, followed Jesus. “Jesus turned and saw that they were following Him and said to them: ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to Him: ‘Rabbi, where are you staying?” As yet they were not following Him definitively, as we know, they joined themselves to Him, when He called them to leave their boat … when He said to them: “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men” (Mt 4:19). That was the moment they joined Him definitively, no longer to leave Him. But for now they wanted to see where Jesus was living and put into practice the words of Scripture: “If you see an intelligent man, seek him out at daybreak; let your feet wear away his doorstep! Learn from him the precepts of the Lord” (cf. Sir 6:36). So Jesus showed them where He was living, they went and stayed with Him. What a happy day they spent! What a blessed night! Who can say what it was they heard from the Lord’s mouth? Let us, too, build a dwelling in our hearts, construct a house where Christ can come to teach and converse with us.” … St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on Saint John’s Gospel No 7).
PRAYER – We humbly pray Thy majesty, O Lord, that, as blessed Andrew was a preacher and ruler in Thy Church, so he may always intercede for us with Thee. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 29 November – Feast of St Andrew ,Apostle and Martyr
Exsultet Orbis! Let the World Rejoice! Unknown Author
Now let the earth with joy resound, And Heaven the chant re-echo round; Nor Heaven nor earth too high can raise The great Apostles’ glorious praise.
O ye who, throned in glory dread, Shall judge the living and the dead, Lights of the world forever more! To you the suppliant prayer we pour.
Ye close the Sacred Gates on high. At your command apart they fly. O loose for us the guilty chain We strive to break and strive in vain.
Sickness and health your voice obey, At your command they go or stay. From sin’s disease our souls restore; In good confirm us more and more.
So when the world is at its end. And Christ to Judgment shall descend, May we be called, those joys to see Prepared from all eternity.
Praise to the Father, with the Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One; As ever was in ages past And so shall be while ages last. Amen
(Roman Breviary for the Common of Apostles) An Office Hymn that was traditionally prescribed for Vespers and Lauds on the Feasts of Apostles and Evangelists outside Easter time. The Hymn is found as early as the tenth century in a hymnal of Moissac Abbey.
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