Our Morning Offering – 8 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Nativity of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary
The Angels’ Birthday Hymn to Mary Unknown Author
Hail to the Flower of grace divine! Heiress, hail of David’s line! Hail Redemption’s heroine! Hail to the Virgin pre-elect! Hail to the work without defect Of the supernal Architect!
Hail to her ordained of old Deep in enmities untold, Ere the blue waves of ocean rolled, Ere the primordial founts had sprung, Ere in ether the globe was hung, Ere the morning stars had sung!
Welcome the beatific morn When the mother of life was born, Whom all lovely gifts adorn! What a thrill of ecstatic mirth Danced along through heaven and earth. At the tidings of Mary’s birth!
How was hell to its centre stirred! How sang Hades when it heard Of her coming, so long deferred! Happy, happy, the Angel band Chosen by Mary’s side to stand As her defence on either hand!
Safe beneath their viewless wings Mother-elect of the King of kings, Fear no harm from hurtful things! What though Eden vanished be, More than Eden we find in thee! Thou our joy and jubilee!
Saint of the Day – 8 September – BlessedAlanus de Rupe OP (c1428-1475) Priest and friar of the Order of Preachers, “Apostle of the Holy Rosary” Theologian, Professor, renowned Preacher, Missionary and Mystic. Born in c1428 in Sizun, Brittany, France and died on 8 September in 1475, in Zwolle, Netherlands. Patronage – of Zwolle, Netherlands. Also known as – Alain de la Roche, Alan de Rupe, Alan de la Roche, Alan the Breton, Alano de la Roca, Alanus Rupe
Some writers claim him as a native of Germany, others of Belgium but his disciple, Fr Cornelius Sneek OP (1455–1534), says he was born in Brittany. He is especially notable for his contributions to devotion to the Holy Rosary. According to tradition, the devotion to the Holy Rosary had been neglected and forgotten in most of Europe in the centuries after Saint Dominic established it and Alan is credited with re-establishing, increasing and spreading this most loved of all our devotions.
Alanus entered the Dominican Order in 1459 at age thirty-one. While pursuing his studies at Saint Jacques, in Paris, he distinguished himself in philosophy and theology.
From 1459 to 1475 he taught almost uninterruptedly at Paris, Lille, Douay, Ghent and Rostock in Germany, where, in 1473, he was made Master of Sacred Theology. During his sixteen years of teaching, he became a most renowned preacher.
He was indefatigable in what he regarded as his special mission, the preaching, spreading and re-establishment of the Holy Rosary which he did with tremendous success throughout northern France, Flanders and the Netherlands. In around 1470, A;amus established a Confraternity of the Psalter of the Glorious Virgin Mary which was instrumental in disseminating the Holy Rosary throughout Europe.
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Alanus published nothing during his lifetime,but immediately after his death, the brethren of his Province were commanded to collect his writings for publication. In 1859, a list of his writings was compiled.
“It was Blessed Alanus de Rupr, one of the first disciples of Saint Dominic, who co-ordinated the Rosary and enriched it by adding meditations, as well as the life of Jesus and Mary. He called it the Holy Rosary because it resembled a bouquet of roses placed at the feet of the Virgin.” (website of the Diocese of Meaux).
St Adrian (Died 306) Confessor, Lay Martyr, Royal Court Guard in Roman Imperial Court at Nicomedia in Asia-Minor during the time of Emperor Maximian in the early 4th Century. Patronages – against the plague/epidemics, against epilepsy, arms dealers, butchers, guards, soldiers. The Roman Martyrology reads this day: “At Nicomedia, St Adrian, with twenty three other Martyrs, who ended their Martyrdom on the 4th day of March by having their limbs crushed, after enduring many torments, under the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. Their remains were carried to Byzantium by the Christians and buried with due honours. Afterwards, the body of St Adrian was taken to Rome on this day, on which his festival is celebrated.” His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/08/saint-of-the-day-8-september-st-adrian-died-306-confessor-martyr/
BlessedAlanus de Rupe OP (c1428-1475) Priest, “Apostle of the Holy Rosary”
Martyrs of Alexandria – 5 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian – Ammon, Dio, Faustus, Neoterius and Theophilus. Martyred in Alexandria, Egypt.
Martyrs of Japan – (21 Beati: A group of 21 Missionaries and Converts, who were executed together for their faith. They were: Antonio of Saint Bonaventure, Antonio of Saint Dominic, Dominicus Nihachi, Dominicus of Saint Francis, Dominicus Tomach, Francisco Castellet Vinale, Franciscus Nihachi, Ioannes Imamura, Ioannes Tomachi, Laurentius Yamada, Leo Aibara, Lucia Ludovica, Ludovicus Nihachi, Matthaeus Alvarez Anji, Michaël Tomachi, Michaël Yamada Kasahashi, Paulus Aibara Sandayu, Paulus Tomachi, Romanus Aibar, Thomas of Saint Hyacinth, Thomas Tomachi Died on 8 September 1628 in Nagasaki, Japan Beatified on 7 May 1867 by Pope Pius XI.
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Thought for the Day – 7 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Mercy of God
“Let us meditate, in particular, on certain passages in the Gospel in which God’s Mercy stands out most vividly and appealingly. There is the incident of the adulteress who is brought before Our Lord by the hypocritical Pharisees. According to the law, she should have been stoned to death. Jesus looks at her accusers, who harbour, in the secrecy of their own hearts, God knows how many abominations but strut about in public with the mien of stern and impeccable judges. Then He rivets His gaze upon the shamefaced woman, who is looking like a soiled rag thrown away on a dust-heap. When Jesus addresses her relentless judges, His voice is steady: “Let him who is without sin among you, be the first to cast a stone at her.” When they all drift away with lowered heads, Jesus says pityingly to the woman: “Has no-one condemned thee? … Neither do I condemn thee. Go thy way and from now on, sin no more” (Cf Jn 8:3-11).
Elsewhere, Jesus is called “the Good Shepherd” Who knows His sheep and calls them to Himself one by one. If a poor sheep is lost, He leaves the other ninety-nine of His flock and searches for it, nor does He rest until it has been found. When He sees that it has been injured, He carries it back to the fold upon His shoulders.
Who could forget the touching parable of the prodigal son? He had left the home of his aging father and had gone to a distant country where he had squandered his inheritance in the course of a low and worldly life of pleasure. When all his money had been spent, he was very much alone and was reduced to such circumstances, that he took a job looking after unclean animals. One day, when he was weeping over his fare, he made a sudden resolution, “I will get up and go to my father and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee. I am no longer worthy to be called thy son.” His father had been waiting for him for many years. He met and embraced him and gave him the kiss of pardon. Then he held a great feast because his son had repented and come home. He “was dead and has come to life, he was lost and is found” (Cf Lk 15:11-32).
No matter how great our faults may be, let us trust in the Infinite Mercy of God and when we go to Him repenting and sorrowful, He will grant us forgiveness and peace.”
Quote/s of the Day – 7 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Pentecost XIII – Galatians 3:16-22; – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/– –
“Were not ten made clean? And where are the other nine?”
Luke 17:17
“While He is judged, Wisdom remains silent and the Word says nothing. His enemies despise and Crucify Him … Those, to whom yesterday, He gave His Body as food, watch from a distance as He dies. Peter, the first of the Apostles, is the first to flee. Andrew also took flight and John, who rested at His side, did not prevent the soldier from piercing that side with a lance. The Twelve fled – they did not say one word in His favour, they, for whom He is giving His Life. Lazarus is not there, he, whom He called back to life. The blind man did not weep for Him Who opened his eyes to the light and the crippled man, who could walk thanks to Him, did not run to Him. Only a bandit who was crucified next to Him confessed Him and called Him his King! O thief, precocious blossom from the tree of the Cross, first fruit of the wood from Golgotha!”
St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
“ For man’s lowliness, is his gratitude and, God’s greatness, is His Mercy.”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“What we need most, in order to make progress, is to be silent before this great God with our appetite and with our tongue, for the language He best hears is silent love.”
St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Mystical Doctor of the Church
“Do much for God and do nothing without love: refer everything to this love; eat and drink with it in mind!”
(Letter to Madame de Chantal)
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of Charity
Daily Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayers to the Sacred Heart 1936 – 15th Edition, Dublin
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, filled with infinite love, broken by our ingratitude and pierced by our sins, yet loving us still, accept the Consecration we make to Thee, of all that we are and all that we have. Take every faculty of our souls and bodies, only day by day draw us, nearer and nearer to Thy Sacred Heart, and there, as we shall hear the lesson, teach us Thy Holy Way. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 7 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Pentecost XIII – Galatians 3:16-22 – Luke 17:11-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Were not ten made clean? And where are the other nine?” – Luke 17:17
REFLECTION – “After having offended our Benefactor by our indifference to His signs of Goodwill, we have, nevertheless, not been forsaken by the Lord’s Goodness nor cut off from His Love but, we have been rescued from death and restored to life by our Lord Jesus Christ. And the way in which we have been saved is even more worthy of wonder. “Although He was in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God something to be grasped but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave” (Phil 2:6-7).
He carried our weakness and bore our sufferings, He was put to death for our sake that we might be saved by His Wounds, He redeemed us from the curse, by becoming accursed for us (cf Is 53:-5; Gal 3:13). He endured the most degrading of deaths to lead us to life and glory. And, it was not enough for Him to restore those to life, who lay in death. He clothed them again in the Divine dignity and prepared for them,, in everlasting rest, a happiness which exceeds all human imagining!” – St Basil the Great (329-379) Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Father & Doctor of the Church (Great monastic Rules 2)
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness, both of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of thine eternal gladness.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 – 7 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Pentecost XIII
Morning Prayer To Be Conformed to the Divine Will Unknown Author Breviary Prayer
Most Holy Trinity, Godhead IndIvisible, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, our first beginning and our last end, Thou hast made us in accord with Thine Own Image and likeness.
Grant that all the thoughts of our minds, all the words of our tongues, all the affections of our hearts and all the actions of our being may always be conformed to Thine Holy Will.
So may we, having seen Thee veiled in appearance here below, by means of faith, come at last to contemplate Thee face-to-face, in the perfect possession of Thee, forever in Heaven. Amen
Saint of the Day – 7 September – St Euvertius (Died c340) Bishop of Orleans . Also known as – Eu
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Orleans, in France, the departure from this life of the holy Bishop, Euvortius, who was first a Sub-Deacon of the Roman Church and afterwards through the Divine favour, was designated as the Bishop of that City, by a dove.”
Euvertius was the 4th Bishop of Orléans, predecessor to Saint Anianus (died 388), according to the Episcopal records in the collection of Saint Albinus of Angers.
Long ignored except in the Episcopal lists, Euvertius suddenly rose to prominence in the 9th Century when, to enhance the prestige of the Church of the Holy Cross in Orléans, his Vita was composed, according to which, he was the builder of this Church under the reign of Constantine.
In Orleans, his Feast Day is celebrated today on 7 September, the date on which he is remembered in the Roman Martyrology.
St Alcmund of Hexham Bl Alexander of Milan St Augustalus St Balin St Carissima of Albi St Chiaffredo of Saluzzo Bl Claude-Barnabé Laurent de Mascloux St Desiderio of Benevento St Dinooth Bl Eugenia Picco St Eupsychius of Caesarea St Eustace of Beauvais St Euvertius (Died c340) Bishopof Orleans St Faciolus St Festo of Benevento Bl François d’Oudinot de la Boissière St Giovanni of Lodi St Goscelinus of Toul St Gratus of Aosta St Grimonia of Picardy St Hiduard Bl John Duckett Bl John Maki Bl John of Nicomedia Bl Ludovicus Maki Soetsu
St Madalberta of Mauberge (Died c706) Abbess. Born into the Merovingian Dynasty in Franc/Belgium in the 7th Century she died in c706 at Mauberge Abbey in Hainaut, in northern France. Madalberta was the daughter of Saint Vincent of Soignies and Saint Waltrude. She had the happiness of being educated in the Monastery of Mauberge by their Aunt, Saint Aldegonde, with her sister Aldetrudis. Her Loving Life of Devotion: https://anastpaul.com/2024/09/07/saint-of-the-day-7-september-saint-madalberta-of-mauberge-died-c706-abbess/
Martyrs of Noli: Four Saints: Christians who became soldiers and were martyred together for their faith. A late legend makes them member of the Theban Legend who escaped their mass martyrdom but that’s doubtful – Paragorius, Partenopeus, Parteus and Severinus. They were born in Noli, Italy and martyred in Corsica, France. Attribute – soldiers with a banner of NoliM
Thought for the Day – 6 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
A Holocaust for our Redemption
“Scourged, crowned with thorns and derided, Jesus is finally condemned to death. Burdened with the Cross, He sets out for the place of execution in the midst of a crowd of enemies, blasphemers and idle speculators. Among them , there is only a tiny group which sympathises with Jesus, namely, Mary His Mother, the devout women and the beloved Apostle, St John.
The divine Redeemer goes forward labouriously beneath the heavy weight of the Cross. He has already lost a large quantity of blood in Gethsemane and during the scourging and crowning with thorns. His strength seems to be failing but love sustains Him. Looking feebly around Him, He sees the mocking Jews, the indifferent and disrespectful Roman soldiers and a throng of curious spectators looking for something to amuse them. Is there nobody else? Where are those whom He cured miraculously and those whom He comforted and forgave? Has nobody any pity for Him? Suddenly the crowd falls silent. A woman, pale and tearful, is approaching Him, supported by her friends. She defies the commands of soldiers and the scowls of the executions and comes close to Him.
Here and there, a murmur is heard – It must be His Mother, poor woman! Jesus and Mary gaze at one another. It would be impossible for us to guess at the immense depths of love contained in that loving exchange of glances. Neither utters a word, for no words could express their anguish, nor manifest their love. They look and understand one another, offering themselves as a holocaust for the redemption of wayward humanity.
Nevertheless, in this silent meeting, there was great consolation for the Heart of Jesus, for He had found someone who loved and understood Him, amongst those malicious throngs. Why do we not sympathise with Him too and love Him with all our hearts?”
Quote/s of the Day – 6 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” –
“The heart of Mary became, as it were, a mirror of the Passion of the Son, in which might be seen, faithfully reflected, the spitting, the blows and wounds and all which Jesus suffered.”
St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455)
“Now it is that we are to show an invincible courage towards our Saviour, serving Him purely for the love of His Will, not only without pleasure but amid this deluge of sorrows, horrors, distresses and assaults, as did his glorious Mother and St John, upon the day of His Passion. Amongst so many blasphemies, sorrows and deadly distresses, they remained constant in love …”
One Minute Reflection – 6 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Our Lady’s Saturday – Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16 – Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here:
“Blessed is the womb that bore you ’” – Luke 11:27
REFLECTION – “By the Spirit, from the womb of the Virgin, was born our Head, the Son of Man and, by the same Spirit, in the waters of Baptism, we are reborn as His Body and as sons of God. And just as He was born without any sin, so we are reborn in the forgiveness of all our sins. As on the Cross, He bore the sum total of the whole Body’s sins in His own physical Body, so He gave His members the grace of rebirth, in order that no sin might be imputed to His Mystical Body. It is written: Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes no sin. The blessed man of this text is undoubtedly Christ, Who forgives sins, insofar as God, is His Head. Insofar as this Man is the Head of the Body, no sin is forgiven Him. But, insofar as the Body that belongs to this Head, consists of many members, sin is not imputed to it.
Just as in Himself, it is He Who justifies Himself. He alone is both Saviour and saved. In His own Body on the Cross, He bore what He had washed from His Body by the waters of Baptism. Bringing salvation through wood and through water, He is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world which He took upon Himself. Himself a Priest, He offers Himself as Sacrifice to God and He Himself, is God. Thus, through His own Self, the Son is reconciled to Himself as God, as well as to the Father and to the Holy Ghost.” – Blessed Isaac of Stella O.Cist. (c 1100 – c 1170) Cistercian Monk, Abbot, Theologian, Philosopher (An excerpt from his Sermon 42),
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness, both of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of thine eternal gladness.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 – 6 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and Our Lady’s Saturday
O Afflicted Virgin! By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
O afflicted Virgin! O soul, great in virtues and great also in sorrows! for both arise from that great fire of love thou hast for God; thou “whose heart can love nothing but God.” O Mother, have pity on me, for I have not loved God and I have so much offended Him. Thy sorrows give me great confidence to hope for pardon. But this is not enough; I wish to love my Lord and who can better obtain this for me than thou, thou who art the Mother of fair love? O Mary, thou dost console all, comfort me also. Amen
Saint of the Day – 6 September – St Gondulphus (Died 823) Bishop of Metz from 816 until his death. Also known as – Gundulfus, Gondulf, Gondon.
As the Bishop, Gondulphus succeeded Angilram, who caused Paul the Deacon to write the ‘Liber de piscopis Mettensibus’ and who probably died in 791.
At the death of Angilram, our Saint, Gondulphus (ow whom we know little more than this) was chosen as his replacement in the See of Metz. The date of the Consecration of Bishop Gondulphus must be set down as probably 28 December 816. The old Episcopal catalogue of the Metz’ Church informs us that Gondulphus occupied the See for six years, eight months and seven days and that he died on the 6th of September in the year 823.
He was buried in the Monastery of Gorze, where his Relics are still honoured on 6 September.
St Eugene of Cappadocia St Eve of Dreux, France, Martyr. No other information has survived. St Faustus of Alexandria
St Faustus (Died c607) Abbot. We know nothing about St Faustus except that he was the Abbot of the Monastery of Santa Lucia in Syracuse in Sicily during the late 6th and early 7th Centuries and that he wonderfully taught the child Zosimus, who would later become the Abbot and also the Bishop of the City of Syracuse and even more, a Saint! St Faustus: https://anastpaul.com/2024/09/06/saint-of-the-day-6-september-saint-faustus-of-syracuse-died-c607-abbot/
St Mansuetus of Toul St Onesiphorus St Petronius of Verona Bishop and Confessor St Sanctian of Sens St Zacharius the Prophet
Martyrs of Africa – 6 Saints: There were thousands of Christians exiled, tortured and Martyred in the late 5th Century by the Arian King Hunneric. Six of them, all Bishops, are remembered today; however, we really know nothing about them except their names and their deaths for the Christ and the Faith – Donatian, Fusculus, Germanus, Laetus, Mansuetus and Praesidius.
Thought for the Day – 5 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Surmounted by a Flaming Cross
“St Margaret Mary saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus, surmounted by flames in the midst of which, a Cross was raised on high. These flames and this Cross, were the symbol of the Infinite Love of Jesus. Let us reflect a little. God, immeasurably happy in Himself, wished to communicate a share in His happiness to men, whom He created in a state of earthly happiness. He was offended by men and, when He saw that they were heading for destruction, He sent His Eternal Word to them. The Word took a human nature and became our Brother; He preached the way to Heaven and gave us the means to achieve it. More than this, He offered Himself as a Divine victim of expiation for our sins. Having been condemned by those whom He had come to show the way, He died on the Cross and shed all His Blood, for our salvation.
Pagans of all times have called this “the folly of the Cross.” In fact, it is the miracle of the Infinite Love of God for humanity. Let us remember, however, that, although His Love and Goodness are Infinite, so also is His Justice! It is an overwhelming miracle of love on the part of God, that He became man and died for us. It will be our own downfall if we fail to co-operate with this miracle of love!
The same Jesus, Who died on the Cross for us and revealed His Heart, pierced and flaming with love, will one day appear with the same glorious Sign of the Cross, as our Supreme Judge. Then, He will say to the wicked: “Depart from me, accursed ones, into everlasting fire!”
God’s Justice is, as Infinite as His charity! We must choose either the way of the Cross, the way of love and goodness to which the Sacred Heart of Jesus invites us, or the way of sin which leads to the gulf of ruin and the final condemnation of the Supreme Judge. This is the tremendous choice we have to make!”
One Minute Reflection – 5 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455) Bishop and Patriarch of Venice, Confessor – Ecclesiasticus 44:16-27; 45:3-20 – Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“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
REFLECTION – “I have no idea what to write you from these parts [India and Sri Lanka] except this – the consolations bestowed by our Lord God, to those who go among the pagans, to convert them to the Faith of Christ, are so great that, if there is any joy to be had in this life, it is surely this! I have often heard it said, to someone going about amongst these Christians: “Lord, do not give me so many consolations in this life! Yet since, in Thy infinite goodness and pity, Thou are giving them me, take me into Thine holy glory! For indeed, there is such great suffering in living without seeing Thee, after Thou has shown Thyself to Thy creature, in this way!” 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” …
I will end, asking our Lord God … to bring us together in His holy glory. And to obtain this blessing, let us take as our intercessors and advocates, all the holy souls of the region, where I now am. … I beg all these holy souls to obtain for us from our Lord God, for as long as we remain separated, the grace of feeling His holy will in the depth of our souls and of fulfilling it perfectly.” – St Francis Xavier (1506-1552) Jesuit missionary (Letter of 15/01/1544).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God that the venerable feast of Thy blessed Confessor and Bishop, may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. 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 – 5 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – First Friday
Prayer in Adoration of the Sacred Heart By St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) Visionary and Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God, Whom I believe to be really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, receive this most profound Act of Adoration to supply for the desire I have, to adore Thee unceasingly and in thanksgiving, for the sentiments of love which Thy Sacred Heart has for me in this Sacrament. I cannot better acknowledge them, than by offering Thee, all the Acts of Adoration, resignation, patience and love which this same Heart has made during its mortal life and which it makes still and which it shall make eternally in Heaven, in order that through it, I may love Thee, praise Thee and adore Thee worthily, as much as it is possible for me. I unite myself to this Divine Offering which Thou dost make to Thy Divine Father and I consecrate to Thee, my whole being, praying Thee, to destroy in me, all sin and not to permit that I should be separated from Thee, in time and eternally. Amen.
Saint of the Day – 5 September – Blessed William Browne (Died 1605) Martyr, Layman. Born in the 16th Century in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England and died by the butcherous method of being hanged, drawn and quartered on 5 September 1605 at Ripon, North Yorkshire, then under the rule of James I.
The history of anti-Catholic persecution in England, Scotland and Wales, begins in 1535 and ends in 1681; the first to unleash it was, as is well known, King Henry VIII, who began the English schism by seceding the Church from Rome, in order to declare himself as the Supreme Head of the Church, thus creating a new protestant church.
Its more or less bloody perpetrators were, beyond Henry VIII, his successors Edward VI (1547-1553), the terrible Elizabeth I, the ‘Virgin Queen’ but also called the Whore Queen (Died 1603), James I (Died 1625) Charles I, Oliver Cromwell and Charles II.
The first to die as glorious Martyrs, on 4 May and J15 une 1535, were 19 Carthusian Monks, hanged at the infamous Tyburn Tree in London. The last victim was the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland, Oliver Plunkett, executed in London on 11 July 1681.
William Browne was born in Northamptonshire. Little is known about his life, except that he was one of the many Catholics who chose to die a Martyr, rather than betray their Holy Faith.
He was a servant in the household of the nobleman Thomas Darcy and was known for his zeal in refusing and causing others to refuse, the oath of the King’s spiritual supremacy, for not attending Protestant rites and for inciting fidelity to the Catholic Church.
For these reas ons, Wiilliam Browne was arrested and tried during the reign of James I (1566-1625) and sentenced to capital punishment for high treason.
On 5 September 1605, he was hanged, drawn and quartered in Ripon. The Martyr was Beatified on 5 December 1929, by Pope Pius XI, along with 106 other victims of those ferocious persecutions of the Enlish. Today, it begins again in these end times.
St Charbel Bl Florent Dumontet de Cardaillac St Genebald of Laon Bl Gendtilis
Blessed Gerbrand OPraem (Died 1267) Priest Abbot, a supporter of the Crusades. He encouraged the Frisians to join the Crusade and, in 1268, as a result of his zeal, was awarded, by Pope Clement IV, the Title of ‘Sacrae Militiae Dux‘ (Leader of the Crusade). Gerbrand was a close friend of Saint Louis IX of France (1226-1270). A Life of Zeal: https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/05/saint-of-the-day-5-september-blessed-gerbrand-of-dokkum-opraem-died-1267-abbot/
St Guise Hoang Luong Canh Blessed John the Good OSA (c 1168-1249) Bishop Blessed Jordan of Pulsano Abbot
St Obdulia Virgin – A Spanish virgin who was venerated at Toledo, Spain. Her remains are enshrined in Toledo but details of her life are lost. Bl Phêrô Nguyen Van Tu St Romulus of Rome St Victorinus of Amiterme St Victorinus o(Died c644) Bishop f Como Italy. He was a noted opponent of the Arians in his time. Blessed William Browne (Died 1605) Martyr
Martyrs of Armenia – 1,000 Saints: A group of up to 1,000 Christian soldiers in the 2nd Century Imperial Roman Army of Trajan, stationed in Gaul. Ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods, they refused and were transferred to Armenia. Ordered again to sacrifice to pagan gods, they refused again. Martyrs. We know the names of three of them but nothing else – Eudoxius, Macarius and Zeno.
Martyrs of Capua – 3 Saints: Three Christians who were Martyred together. Long venerated in Capua, Italy. We know their names, but little else – Arcontius, Donatus and Quintius. They were martyred in Capua, Italy.
Martyrs of Nicomedia – 80 Saints: A group of 80 Christians, Lay and Clergy, Martyred together in the persecutions of Valens. We know little more than the names of three of them – Menedemo, Teodoro and Urbano. They were locked on a boat which was then set on fire on the shore of Nicomedia, Bithynia (in modern Turkey) c370.
Martyrs of Porto Romano – 4+ Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Marcus Aurelius. We know little more than their names – Aconto, Herculanus, Nonno and Taurino. c180 at Porto Romano, Italy.
Thought for the Day – 4 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Progress in the Love of God
“They are in the first grade of perfection in the love of God, who desire to love Him but still feel an attachment to sin. How is it possible to love God and, at the same time, to offend Him by yielding to unlawful desires and to the attraction of the world? This is a mystery of the human heart which can experience, simultaneously, the desire to love God and the disturbance of the flesh.
People like this, must humbly persevere in praying for the grace which they need. They must eradicate their major vices, one by one, so that they may be free to love God. Since their course will be difficult and full of obstacles, they will need the courage of mountaineers but, far above the white and sun-kissed summit, God awaits them. Only toil and sacrifice can bring them there but when they arrive, they will know real happiness, for they will see God. “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:81).”
Quote/s of the Day – 4 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Ferial Day – 2 Corinthians 3:4-9 – Luke 10:23-37 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But a certain Samaritan, … seeing him, was moved with compassion.”
Luke 10:33
“As long as anyone has the means of doing good to his neighbour and does not do so, he shall be reckoned a stranger to the Love of the Lord.”
St Irenaeus (c130-202 Father of the Church
“No-one has ever been accused, for not providing ornaments but, for those, who neglect their neighbour, a hell awaits with an inextinguishable fire and torment, in the company of the demons. Do not, therefore, adorn the Church and ignore your afflicted brother, for he is the most precious temple of all.”
St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father & Doctor of the Church
“We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of others and pray, continually, that God may grant us, that spirit of compassion which is truly the Spirit of God.”
St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)
“All our religion is but a false religion and all our virtues are mere illusions and we ourselves are only hypocrites in the sight of God, if we have not that universal charity for everyone – for the good and for the bad, for the poor and for the rich and for all those who do us harm, as much as those who do us good.”
One Minute Reflection – 4 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Rose of Viterbo (c1233 – 1251) Virgin – Ferial Day – 2 Corinthians 3:4-9 – Luke 10:23-37 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came upon him and seeing him, was moved with compassion.” – Luke 10:33
REFLECTION – “The first and the greatest of the commandments,that on which the Law and the Prophets are based, (Mt 22:40) is love which, it seems to me, brings its greatest proof, in love of the poor, in tenderness and compassion for one’s neighbour. Nothing gives as much honour to God, as mercy, for nothing is more like Him. “Mercy and Truth go before Him,” (Ps 88:15) and He prefers mercy to judgement (Hos 6:6). Nothing attracts the kindness of the Friend of humankind, as much as kindness towards humankind, (Wis 1:6) His reward is just, He weighs and measures mercy.
We must open our hearts to all who are poor and unhappy, whatever their suffering might be. That is the meaning of the commandment which requires us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Rom 12:15) Since we are also human, is it not right and proper for us to be kind towards those who are like us?” – St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390) Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church (On Love of the Poor, 4-6).
PRAYER – Protect Thy Church by Thine abiding mercy, we beseech Thee, O Lord and since all mortals fall without Thee, may Thy help keep them from danger and guide them to salvation. May the prayers of Thy virgin the blessed Rose, assist us on our journey to 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 – 4 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”
To Our Lady of Sorrows By St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church
O most holy Virgin, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by the overwhelming grief thou experienced when thou witnessed the Martyrdom, the Crucifixion and the Death, of Thy Divine Son, look upon me, with eyes of compassion and awaken in my heart, a tender commiseration for those sufferings and a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that, being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem and that, henceforward, all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object, the honour, glory and love of our divine Lord Jesus, and to thee, the Holy and Immaculate Mother of God. Amen.
Saint of the Day – 4 September – Saint Marinus (c279-c366) Deacon of Rimini, Hermit, Stonemason, Founder of the State of San Marino. Born in the c275 island of Rab in Croatia and died on 3 September c366 on Mount Titano im San Marino. Patronages – bachelors, Deacons, falsely accused people, stone masons, of the independent City State of San Marino (officially the Republic of San Marino, is a landlocked country in Southern Europe, completely surrounded by Italy). Also known as – Marino in Italian, Marinao… the name means ‘man from the sea'(Latin).
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rimini, St Marinus, Deacon.”
Portrait by Pompeo Batoni, 1740
According to tradition, Marinus, along with Leus of Montefeltro, was forced to perform forced labour in Rimini around 305 during the Diocletianic persecutions. There, they were tasked with building the City walls with stones brought from Mount Titano in what is now the little Sate of San Marino, named after Marinus.
Afterward, the two separated and Marinus lived as a Hermit in a cave on Mount Titano. Bishop Gaudentius of Rimini Ordained him a Deacon in 311—after the persecutions ended.
Rock with entrance to Marinus’ Cave
After some time, Marinus was discovered in his cave by herdsmen who spread the news about him. He then acted as a messenger of the Faith, converting and Baptising a woman whose brother gave Marinus land at the top of the mountain. Marinus left his cave and built the Church of San Pietro there.
Marinus died with the words, “I leave you free from both men” these are considered the founding myth of the State of San Marino which, was founded after Marinus’ death and is therefore the oldest State in the world with a republican constitution and emphasise its independence from the Emperor and the Pope.
San Marino remains the oldest State in the world with a Republican constitution.
Location of San Marino (green) in Europe (dark grey)
Marinus and Leus of Montefeltro were buried in two niches carved into the rock which can still be seen today in the crypt of the Church of San Pietro. Since the 4th Century, a Parish Church dedicated to Marinus stood nearby on the site of the Basilica of San Marino built at the beginning of the 19th Century. Under the High Altar, some of Marinus’ Relics discovered on 3 March 1586, lie; others have been on the island of Rab since 1595 .
Stained glass window in today’s Parish Church in Voghenza
In around 500, there was a Monastery on Mount Titas and around 754, a Castle named after Marinus was documented there. Marinus’ Vita was written in 900 and another in the 11th Century. Marinus is considered the founder of San Marino, therefore, Guercino’s image was used on the State’s 20 cent coin.
Painting of Saint Marinus descending from Heaven surrounded by the people of San Marino, painting located within the Palazzo Pubblico
St Rose of Viterbo TOSF (c 1233 – 1251) Virgin, Preacher – Member of the Franciscan Third Order, Recluse, Miracle-Worker. Rose was quickly acclaimed a Saint by the people of Viterbo who brought her incorrupt body to the Poor Clare Monastery which had refused her entry in life. Pope Innocent IV immediately began the process for her Canonisation but, for various reasons, her cause did not proceed 1457 when she was Canonised. Her Life of Grace: https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/04/saint-of-the-day-4-september-st-rose-of-viterbo-c-1233-1251/
St Ammianus the Martyr St Caletricus of Chartres
St Candida (Died c78) Virginof Naples, Co-Patronage – of Naples. She was Baptised by St Peter. The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Naples, In Campagna, the Birthday of St Candida, who was the first to meet St Peter when he came to that City and being Baptised by him, afterwards ended her holy life in peace.” Blessed St Candida: https://anastpaul.com/2024/09/04/saint-of-the-day-4-september-saint-candida-of-naples-died-c78/
The Patron Saints of Naples [Saints Baculus, Euphebius, Francis Borgia, Aspren, and Candida the Elder (kneeling)] adoring the Crucifix, 17th Century. Palazzo Reale, Naples by Luca Giordano. Since the time of this Painting there are many more Co-Patrons of Naples.
St Julian the Martyr St Magnus of Ancyra St Marcellus of Chalon-sur-Saône St Marcellus of Treves St Marinus (c279-c366) Deacon of Rimini St Maximus of Ancyra St Monessa St Moses the Prophet St Oceanus the Martyr Bl Peter of Saint James St Rebecca of Alexandria St Rhuddlad
St Rufinus of Ancyra St Salvinus of Verdun St Silvanus of Ancyra St Sulpicius of Bayeux St Thamel St Theodore the Martyr St Ultan of Ardbraccan St Victalicus
Thought for the Day –3 Seotember – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Royal Road of the Cross
“We all have our own cross. When we reject it, we fashion one for ourselves by our defects and sins which leave us discontented and restless and draws God’s punishment upon us.
It is useless to flee from the Cross, for it follows us everywhere. If we refuse to accept the cross which God has given us, we take upon ourselves, one which is heavier than the first. Worldlings can bask for a moment in their pleasures but, it soon passes and is replaced by bitterness and sorrow. Their suffering is deeper than that of a good Christian, who places his trust in God. There is only one way of making our cross easier to bear and that is to embrace it as Jesus did. We should love the Cross because it is suffering which shows us how to become like Jesus, to make reparation for our sins and to co-operate by our own passion with the Passion of Christ (Cf Col 1:24).”
Quote/s of the Day – 3 September – St Pius X (1835-1914) Pope, Confessor
“The greatest obstacle in the apostolate of the Church, is the timidity, or rather, the cowardice of the faithful.”
“…The great movement of apostasy being organised in every country for the establishment of a One-World Church which shall have neither dogmas, nor hierarchy, neither discipline for the mind, nor curb for the passions and which, under the pretext of freedom and human dignity, would bring back to the world, (if such a Church could overcome) the reign of legalised cunning and force and the oppression of the weak and of all those who toil and suffer. … Indeed, the true friends of the people are neither revolutionaries, nor innovators – they are traditionalists.”
“Let the storm rage and the sky darken – not for that shall we be dismayed. If we trust, in Mary, as we should, we shall recognise in her, the Virgin Most Powerful “who with virginal foot did crush the head of the serpent.”
One Minute Reflection – 3 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Pius X (1835-1914) Pope, Confessor – 1 Thessalonians 2:2-8; John 21:15-17 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Lord, Thou knowest all things, Thou knowest I love Thee.” – John 21:17
REFLECTION – “The Lord appeared once again to His disciples after His Resurrection and questioning Peter, who from fear had thrice denied Him, extracted from him a threefold declaration of love. Christ had been raised to life in the flesh and Peter to life in the spirit; for when Christ died, as a result of the torments He endured, Peter was also dead, as a result of denying his Master. Christ the Lord was raised from the dead; Christ the Lord raised Peter through Peter’s love for Him. And having obtained from him the assurance of that love, He entrusted His sheep to Peter’s care.
We may wonder what advantage there could be for Christ in Peter’s love for Him. If Christ loves you, you profit, not Christ and if you love Him, again, the advantage is yours, not His. But wishing to show us how we should demonstrate our love for Him, Christ the Lord, made it plain that, it is by our concern for His sheep.
“Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He asked. “I do love Thee.” “Then feed My sheep.” Once, twice and a third time, the same dialogue was repeated. To the Lord’s one and only question, Peter had no other answer than “I do love Thee.” And each time the Lord gave Peter the same command: “Feed My sheep.” Let us love one another then and, by so doing, we shall be loving Christ!” – St Augustine (354-430) FBishop, ather and Doctor of Grace (Guelferbytanus Sermon 16).
PRAYER – O God Who, for the defence of the Catholic faith and the restoration of all things in Christ, filled St Pius, the Supreme Pontiff, with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fearlessness, mercifully grant that, by following his teachings and examples, we may receive Thy eternal rewards. 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).
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