Saint of the Day – 18 February – St Helladius (c566-633) Bishop and Confessor, Archbishop of Tiledo for 18 years, Abbot before that, Apostle of the poor and needy. Born in c566 in Toledo, Spain and died there in 632 of natural causes. For his charity towards the poor, he was called “A Sun which Illuminates the Darkness.” Also known as – Eladio, Eladius, Elladio, Heladio.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Toledo, St Helladius, Bishop and Confessor.”
Almsgiving of Saint Helladius (Eladius), oil painting by Francisco Bayeu c1770.
The life of Saint Helladius has been handed down to us from the account written by Saint Ildefonso (607-670) of Toledo, who is said to have received his diaconal Ordination from the hands of our Saint.
An Official at the Visigoth Court, he was its representative at the Council of Toledo in 589, designated for his particular merits, his ability and his erudition. Already at that time, according to Ildefonsus’ narrative, Helladius was attracted to religious life and used to help the Monks of Agalai, a Monastery on the banks of the Tagus River, with their manual laboUr.
He eventually entered as a Novice Monk and, in 605, was elected as the Abbot but despite the prestigious position, Helladius continued to carry out all the duties as a simple religious, even the heavy task of carrying wood for the stove.
Due to the extreme charity demonstrated by Helladius towards the poor, “it was as if his warmth and vitality, flowed directly into their limbs and their souls”.
In 615, when the Episcopal See of Toledo became vacant, Helladius accepted election as the new Archbishop, although reluctant to abandon the Monastery. Little is known, however, of his eighteen years as the Archbishop, beyond his generosity towards the neediest. Some authors point out that he may have retired to the Monastery to prepare for his death.
Helladius was venerated as a Saint immediately after his death.
St Gertrude Caterina Comensoli St Helladius (c566-633) Bishop and Confessor Bl John Pibush – one of the Martyrs of Douai St Leo of Patera St Paregorius of Patara St Sadoth of Seleucia St Tarasius of Constantinople
St Theotonius OSC (1082-1162) Priest of the Canons Regular, Reformer of religious life in Portugal, Royal Counsellor,, Apostle of the poor, Founder of the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross, now known as “The Crosiers.” He is the first Portuguese Saint. His Life Story: https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/18/saint-of-the-day-18-february-saint-theotinius-1082-1162/
Bl William Harrington
Martyrs of North Africa – 7 Saints: Group of Christians who were Martyred together, date unknown. We know nothing else but seven of their names – Classicus, Fructulus, Lucius, Maximus, Rutulus, Secundinus and Silvanus. They were born and martyred in North Africa.
Martyrs of Rome – 5 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. We know nothing else but their names – Alexander, Claudius, Cutias, Maximus and Praepedigna. They were martyred in 295 in Rome, Italy.
Thought for the Day – 17 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations on “The Great Truths” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
17th Day – The Eternity of Hell
This is my rest forever and ever. (Ps cxxxi:14)
+1. The worst aggravation of the sufferings of hell is that, they will never end. If only they would cease, or be alleviated, after a thousand or a million years, the day of hope would shine on the inmates of that prison-house, even though far away in the dim distance. It is the knowledge that, at the end of countless millions of years, they will still be suffering as they are now which makes the agony of the lost so intolerable. Forever, never! Forever, never!
+2. Add to this, the frightful monotony of their torments. How wearily the time drags on through a night, sleepless on account of acute pain! But what will be the monotony of anguish which will make those endless ages drag along in unchanging misery? Nothing to vary the blackness of darkness around them; nothing to vary the worm of remorse ever gnawing at their heart nothing to vary the excruciating agony of the fire which will never be quenched.
+3. All this is the necessary result of their being fixed in an unchanging enmity with God. If only they could receive in their souls, one spark of the Love of God, hell would at once cease to be hell. One thought of love would turn their agony of despair into joyful hope. But no such thought will ever come to them. Make many Acts of Love of God and ask Him that you may never be separated from Him by sin.
“Prepare the way of the Lord make His paths straight” …
Luke 3:4
“What is the surest kind of witness? “Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ came among us in the flesh” (cf 1 Jn 4:2) and who keeps the commands of the Gospel… How many there are, each day, of these hidden martyrs of Christ who confess the Lord Jesus! … So be faithful and courageous in interior persecutions, so that you may also win the victory in exterior persecutions.”
St Ambrose (340-397) Father & Doctor of the Church
“We are to become vessels of God’s compassionate love for others.”
“Never forget that the way which leads to Heaven is narrow that the gate leading to Life, is narrow and low that there are but few who find it and enter by it and if, there be some, who go in and tread the narrow path, for some time, there are but very few, who persevere therein.”
St Clare (1194-1253)
“The surest and quickest way to attain perfection, is to strive for purity of heart. Once the obstacles have been removed, God finds a clear path and does wonders, both in and through, the soul.”
Guide Me Lord By St Albert the Great (1200-1280) Doctor of the Church
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who seeks those who stray and receives them when returning, make me approach Thee through the frequent hearing of Thy Word, lest I sin against my neighbour, by the blindness of human judgement, through the austerity of false justice, through comparing his inferior status, through too much trust in my merits or through ignorance of the Divine Judgement. Guide me to search diligently, each corner of my conscience, lest the flesh dominate the spirit! Amen
St Albert the Great (1200-1280) Universal Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 17 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – Ferial Day – Septuagesima – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 10:1-5 – Matthew 20:1-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing and he saith to them: Why stand you here idle, all the day?” – Matthew 20:6
REFLECTION – “We can apply these hourly periods to each individual person’s life. Morning is the childhood of our understanding. The third hour can be taken as our youth because, the sun is advancing on high, as the impetuosity of age increases. The sixth hour is that of young adulthood because, when we reach our full strength, it is as if the sun is in the centre of the heavens. The ninth hour we take to be old age because, like the sun descending from its zenith, this age lacks the warmth of youth. The eleventh hour is the age which is called infirm, or old … Since then, one person is brought to a good life in childhood, another in youth, another in young adulthood, another in old age, another at the age of infirmity, it is as if workmen are being called to the vineyard at different hours.
Look at your conduct, my friends and see if you are still God’s workmen. Let everyone reflect on what he is doing and consider whether he is labouring in the Lord’s vineyard … One who has neglected to live for God, up to the last period of his life, has stood idle, as it were, up to the eleventh hour! … “Why stand you here idle, all the day?” meaning, “Even though you have not been willing to live for God in your childhood and young adulthood, at least come to your right mind in the final time of your life. Come to the Ways of Life!”…
Did not the thief come at the eleventh hour? (Lk 23:39) He possessed nothing by the length of his life but he had something, coming late … He confessed God on the cross and he gave forth his last breath, almost as he spoke. The Householder began paying the denarius beginning with the last because, He called the thief to the repose of Paradise before he called Peter!” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor (Sermons on the Gospel no 11).
PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech You, graciously hear the prayers of Your people, that we who are justly punished for our sins may be mercifully delivered for the glory of Your name. 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 – 17 February – Feast of the Flight into Egypt
My Beloved Redeemer Prayer for the Flight into Egypt (Excerpt) By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Church
My beloved Redeemer, I have many times driven Thee out of my soul but now I hope, that Thou have again taken possession of it. I beseech Thee, do Thou bind it to Thyself with the sweet chains of Thy love. Oh, do Thou make Thyself loved, make Thyself loved by all the sinners who persecute Thee, give them light, make them know the love Thou hast borne them and the love Thou deserves, since Thou goes wandering over the earth as a poor Infant, weeping and trembling with cold and seeking souls to love Thee! O Mary, most holy Virgin, O dearest Mother and companion of the sufferings of Jesus, do thou help me always to carry and preserve thy Son in my heart, in life and in death! Amen.
Saint of the Day – 17 February – Saint Silvinus (c650-c717) Bishop, Missionary evangeliser in north-eastern pagain regions of France, gifted with miracles. Born of Celtic origins and died on 15 February c717 at the Abbey of Auchy-les-Moines, Artois, in Belgium of natural causes. Also known as – Silvinus of Thérouanne, … of Toulouse, … of Auchy, Silvain…. Silvin …. Silvino…. Additional Memorial – 15 February in Auchy France.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In the territory of Thérouanne, St Silvinus, Bishop of Toulouse.”
Saint-Sylvain in the Church of Mazerolles
Born to a noble family, Sylvinus was of Celtic origins. He renounced a life of wealth and power, to embrace poverty and celibacy.
Ordained a Priest and then a Bishop, he devoted himself to evangelisation and charity, in north-eastern France, still largely pagan.
Silvinus was distinguished by his humility and austerity and was venerated during his life-time for his sanctity and his intercessory gifts of performing miracles.
He died in c717 and was buried in the Monastery of Auchy-les-Moines. Several Churches, Towns and Villages are named after him (Saint-Sylvain-d’Anjou or Saint-Sylvain [Calvados] ). The male first name, Sylvainm is very popular and common in France, Belgium and other French-speaking regions in Africa and, of course, Quebec, Canada.
It was on the seventeenth of February, fifty five days after the Nativity of Jesus, when King Herod’s soldiers — sent to slaughter all little boys in Bethlehem and its neighbourhood who were two years old or under, in order to destroy a rival King, Jesus — were getting perilously near the cave at Bethlehem, where at first they little expected Our Lord to be. Saint Joseph received a message from God through an Angel, whereupon he took Our Lady and the Divine Infant and set off leaving the land of the Jews to travel to a land of the Gentiles. They took no-one with them, by way of servants or friends, as Saint Peter Chrysologus tells us.
The Town to which the Holy Family fled was called Fostat. It was three hundred miles from Bethlehem. A Church has been erected there, on the site of the house where the Holy Family lived during their exile. The little Town where the Holy Family lived in Egypt was not far from Heliopolis, a City in which — when Jesus, Mary and Joseph passed through it — statues of pagan gods crashed to the ground. Both Fostat and Heliopolis are not far from Cairo in Egypt.
St Lupiano St Mesrop the Teacher St Polychronius of Babylon St Romulus the Martyr St Secundian the Martyr St Silvinus (c650-c717) Bishop St Theodulus of Caesarea
Thought for the Day – 16 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations on “The Great Truths” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
16th Day – The Aggravations of Hell
Here will I dwell, for I have chosen it. (Ps cxxxi:14)
Every thought of the lost will aggravate, not alleviate, their sufferings. Let us review one or two of the thoughts which will be ever present to their minds.
+1. They might so easily have been saved! One act of contrition at the last, one grace accepted out of the countless graces which were deliberately set at naught and they might have been with the Angels in Heaven, instead of with the devils in hell. To know that we have just missed some advantage which we might, with a little trouble, have secured for ourselves, is always a tormenting thought. How much more when it is Heaven which is lost!
+2. If the advantage is lost, purely through our own fault, this greatly increases our misery. We fools! We had so many chances, we knew so well we were forfeiting our eternal inheritance! It is this which changes sorrow into remorse and adds to suffering, the horror and blackness of despair! All through our own fault! What a thought to dwell with me through all eternity!
+3. What is it that we have lost? This will be the bitterest thought of all. We have lost the sweet music of Heaven, we have lost the company of the Saints and Angels, we have lost the enchanting happiness of gazing on the Sacred Humanity of Jesus in all its glory and, above all, we have lost the unspeakable joy of the Beatific Vision. We fools! Pray God that the dread of this thought hereafter, may keep you from sin.
Quote/s of the Day – 16 February – Septuagesima Sunday
“So shall the last be first and the first last. For many are called but few chosen.”
Matthew 20:16
“It is written, ‘God is not mocked.’ (Gal 6: 7) Indeed, God cannot be mocked, nor circumvented, nor deluded by any man’s astute deceit. … Let each of you, then, I beg you, brethren, confess his fault while the sinner is yet in this world, while Confession is still possible, while the satisfaction and remission granted by the Priests, is still acceptable to God!”
St Cyprian of Carthage (c200-258) Martyr, Bishop of Carthage, Father of the Church
“Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope. Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping, so that the God of all the universe, as He beholds our intention, may cleanse us from all sins, fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand and grant us the change of heart which saves. God has called you and you have your calling!”
St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387) Father and Doctor of the Church
“There is still time for endurance, time for patience, time for healing, time for change. Have you slipped? Rise up! Have you sinned? Cease! Do not stand among sinners but leap aside!”
St Basil the Great (329-379) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Listen to the Lord’s appeal: ‘Come, then, return to Me and learn to know Me as your Father, Who repays good for evil, love for injury and boundless charity for piercing wounds!”
St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450) “Golden Words” Father & Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 16 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – Septuagesima Sunday – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 10:1-5 – Matthew 20:1-16. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“So shall the last be first and the first last. For many are called but few chosen.” – Matthew 20:16
REFLECTION – “What did that criminal do that he received a share in Paradise following the cross? … While Peter denied Christ, this criminal, raised up on his cross, bore witness to Him. I am not saying this to denigrate Peter but, to draw attention to that criminal’s greatness of soul. … While a whole rabble were standing around Him, murmuring, yelling and heaping oaths and abuse on them both, this criminal paid no attention. He did not even consider the wretched condition of the Crucifixion right before his eyes. All this, he passed over, with a glance full of faith …. He turned towards our heavenly Lord and entrusted himself to Him and said: “Lord, remember me when Thou comes into Thy Kingdom” (Lk 23:42). Let us not casually avoid this criminal’s example, or be ashamed of taking as teacher, the man whom our Lord was not ashamed to lead first into Paradise! …
He did not say to him, as He said to Peter: “Come after me, and I will make you a fisher of men” (Mt 4:19). Nor did he say to him as to the Twelve: “You will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Mt 19:28). He favoured him with no title, showed him no miracle. This criminal did not see Him raise a dead man, nor cast out demons; he did not see the sea obeying Him. Christ said nothing to him about the Kingdom, nor yet about hell. And yet, he bore witness to Him before all and inherited the Kingdom!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father & Doctor of the Church (Sermon for Good Friday “The Cross and the criminal” ).
PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech You, graciously hear the prayers of Your people, that we who are justly punished for our sins may be mercifully delivered for the glory of Your name. 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 – 16 February – Septuagesima Sunday
Soul of My Saviour, Sanctify My Breast Trans. Attri. to Fr John Hegarty (1752-1834)
Soul of my Saviour, sanctify my breast; Body of Christ, be Thou my saving Guest; Blood of my Saviour, bathe me in Thy tide; Wash me with water flowing from Thy side.
Strength and protection, may Thy Passion be; O Blessed Jesus, hear and answer me; Deep in Thy Wounds, Lord, hide and shelter me; So shall I never, never, part from Thee.
Hear me, Lord Jesus, listen as I pray; “Lead me from night, to never-ending day. Fill all the world, with love and grace Divine, And glory, laud and praise, be ever Thine.”
This Hymn is based on the original Latin text of the Anima Christi. Fr Hegarty is attributed with its translation and/or arrangement. He was born in County Derry, Ireland, educated at Dublin University and was Ordained in June 1890 and spent most of active apostolic years in Brisbane, Australia. He died aged 82 years.
Saint of the Day – 16 February – Blessed Gregory X OFM (or TOSF) (1210-1276) Pope Papacy began 1 September 1271 until his death on 10 January 1276, Diplomat and Peacemaker, Reformer of Papal Elections, Third Order Franciscan. This Tertiary Pope, a friend of St. Bonaventure, was a true son of St Francis, known for his love for the holy places in Palestine and his efforts to promote peace. Born as Theobald Visconti in Piacenza, Italy, in 1210 and died at Rezzo, Italy, on 10 January 1276 of natural causes. Patronages – of Third Order Franciscans, of the Diocese of Aresso, Italy. He wwas Beatified on 8 July 1713 bvbPope Clement XI and addedd to the Martyrology by Pope Benedict XIV (reigned 1740-1758). A miracle is awaited for his Canonisation which remains an open Cause.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Arezzo, in Tuscany, Blessed Gregory X, a native of Piacenza, who was elected Sovereign Pontiff while he was Archdeacon of Liege. He held the 2nd Council of Lyons, received the Greeks into the unity of the Church, appeaseddiscords among Christians, made generous efforts for the recovery of the Holy Land and governed the Church in the most holy manner.”
Gregory X, is remembered for his extraordinary journey from an Archdeacon to the Papacy, despite not being a Priest at the time of his election. His story reflects the influence of Saints and the shaping of Church history.
Theobald Visconti was born into a very distinguished family, studied Canon Law at Paris and Liege and became the Archdeacon of Liége. In this position he was entrusted with preaching the last Crusade. In Paris, where he engaged with intellectual circles for over twenty years, his closest friends were the Franciscans, particularly St Bonaventure.
He accompanied Cardinal Ottoboni on a mission to England. Theobald was at Acre in the Holy Land on pilgrimage, when he was informed that, although he was not yet Ordained, he had been chosen as the Supreme Pontiff. This had been enacted by a committee of six Cardinals who had been charged with selecting a new Pope, when the rest of the Cardinals failed to agree on a candidate to fill the Pontifical throne, which had been vacant for three years.
He returned to Rome, was Ordained a Priest on 19 March and then consecrated as Pope on 27 March 1272, taking the name Gregory X. Perhaps Gregory X’s most enduring legacy is the establishment of the Papal Conclave system. After the prolonged election process which led to his own Papacy, Gregory instituted reforms to expedite future Papal Elections. The Second Council of Lyons decreed that Cardinals should convene in isolation after a Pope’s death, with strict measures to encourage a swift decision. This marked the beginning of the Conclave process, isolating the Cardinals from external influences and streamlining the election process. The Conclave’s name, meaning “with a key”symbolises this seclusion.
He laboured to end the warfare between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines factions, placed Florence under interdict for refusing efforts at reconciliation with its neighbours and approved Rudulph of Hapsburg, as the German Emperor.
Gregory also convoked the 14th General Council at Lyons in 1274 which effected a short-lived reconciliation with the Eastern Churches but was unsuccessful in launching the Crusade (which was the general reason the Eastern Churches were willing to negotiate a reunion).
Gregory died on his way back from the Council in Lyons. He is buried inside the Cathedral Church of Arezzo. He was succeeded by the Dominican Peter of Tarantaise of Savoy (Pope Innocent V)Gregory’s close collaborator throughout his Pontificate.
he effigy of Blessed Pope Gregory X can be found in the Cathedral of Arezzo.
Septuagesima Sunday: The word “Septuagesima” is Latin for “Seventeenth.” It is both the name of the Liturgical Season and the name of the Sunday. Septuagesima Sunday marks the beginning of the shortest Liturgical Season. This Season is seventeen (17) days long and includes the three Sundays before Ash Wednesday. The length of the Season never changes but the start date is dependent on the movable date of Easter, which can fall between 22 March-25 April. Septuagesima Sunday can be as early as 18 January.
Dom Prosper Guéranger OSB (1805-1875) Abbot of Solesmes from 1837-1875, devoted a whole volume of his great work – The Liturgical Year, to Septuagesima. In his Preface, Dom Guéranger referred to Septuagesima as a Season of “transition, inasmuch as it includes the period between two important Seasons – Christmas and Lent.… The Church, therefore, has instituted a preparation for the holy time of Lent. She gives us the three weeks of Septuagesima, during which she withdraws us, as much as may be, from the noisy distractions of the world, in order that our hearts may be the more readily impressed by the solemn warning she is to give us, at the commencement of Lent, by marking our foreheads with ashes.” The Septuagesima Season helps the faithful ease into Lent. I t is a gradual preparation for the serious time of penance and sorrow; to remind the sinner of the grievousness of his errors and to exhort him to penance. Liturgically it looks very much like Lent. The Gloria and Alleluia are omitted, the tone becomes penitential with the Priest wearing Purple Vestments. The main difference is that there are no fasting requirements.
St Faustinus of Brescia (not the St Faustinus brother of St Jovinus – 15 February). Blessed Gregory X (1210-1276) Pope Papacy began 1 September 1271 until his death on 10 January 1276. His Feast was one of those moved in 1969. Today is the date of his celebration. A Very Interesting Pope: https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/10/saint-of-the-day-10-january-blessed-pope-gregory-x-1210-1276/
St Honestus of Nimes St John III of Constantinople
St Julian of Egypt St Juliana of Campania St Juliana of Nicomedia Blessed Mariano Arciero
Martyrs of Cilicia – 12 Saints: A group of Christians who ministered to other Christians who were condemned to work the mines of Cilicia in the persecutions of Maximus. They were arrested, tortured and martryed by order of the governor Firmilian. They were Daniel, Elias, Isaias, Jeremy, Samuel. The group also includes the three known have been sentenced to the mines – Pamphilus, Paul of Jamnia, Valens of Jerusalem and those who were exposed as Christians as a result of these murders – Julian of Cappadocia, Porphyrius of Caesarea, Seleucius of Caesarea, Theodule the Servant. They were Martyred in 309 in Cilicia, Asia Minor (in modern Turkey).
Thought for the Day – 15 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations on “The Great Truths” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
15th Day – The Eternal Consequences of Sin
Whoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the pool of fire. (Apoc xx 15)
Try to represent to your imagination, the eternal prison-house. Listen to the shrieks and howls and cries of despair which issue thence; see the agony written on the faces of the inmates; approach, if you dare, to the devouring flame, taste the burning thirst which longs for one drop of water as an indescribable luxury.
+1. What is it that the lost are suffering here? The pain of fire. Touch a piece of red- hot iron and see how long you can bear it? Yet, the lost souls in hell, endure an agony far worse than this, not in one portion of their body but in all the entire body. Their eyes burn in the sockets like molten balls of fire. The fire surrounds them like water, nay, it is within and without them, it dries up their tongue, it consumes their entrails, it penetrates to the very marrow of their bones. My God, may I never incur this agony!
+2. This fire is no ordinary fire. It is a supernatural fire – the breath of God kindles it. The torment of burning, as known to us, is a suffering far less than the torment of hell. If the lost could be transferred to a bath of seething, molten lead, it would be a far less suffering, than that of the fire in which they are steeped in hell!
+3. About this fire, there is none of the light of ordinary fire. It carries with it the blackness of utter darkness. No ray of light will ever pierce its hideous gloom, no word of comfort, no relief, no hope of change. Nothing to alleviate the eternal misery which comes of sin. Pray that if the love of God or hope of Heaven does not keep you from sinning, at least the fear of hell-fire may stop you in time!
Quote/s of the Day – 15 February – Feast of The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Refuge of Sinners
Heart of Mary, Refuge of Sinners, Pray for Us!
(Indulgence 300 days)
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.
(1943 Raccolta – Indulgence 300 days)
“Mary will certainly save repentant sinners who have recourse to her but she cannot pay any attention to hardened sinners, who pray to her with their lips, while their hearts remain steeped in sin. We must have complete confidence in her but, we must also have a sincere intention of raising ourselves under her protection, from the slavery of sin, to the friendship of God.”
“Mary, my merciful Mother, you see how wretched I am and how often I have fallen. I wish to reform and sanctify myself but I am not able without your powerful assistance, the weakness of my nature is an insurmountable obstacle. Come to my aid, O Mother of mercy. Obtain for me, forgiveness f rom your Divine Son. Obtain for me too, the grace of a complete change of heart, so that I may be truly your child here upon the earth and share in your glory in Heaven. Amen.”
One Minute Reflection – 15 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – Epiphany VI (Anticipated) – Feast of The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Refuge of Sinners – 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10; – Matthew 13:31-35 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“I will utter things hidden, from the foundation of the world.” – Matthew 13:35
REFLECTION – “In one of the Psalms the Prophet says: “My soul pines for Thy salvation; I hope in Thy Word” (118:1) … Who is expressing this ardent desire if not “the chosen race, the royal priesthood, the people set apart for God” (1 Pt 2:9) each in their own day, in each one of those, who have lived, are living or will live, from humanity’s first beginning until the end of the world? … This is why our Lord Himself, says to His disciples: “Many Prophets and righteous men have wished to see that which you see.” It is their voice, then, we must recognise in this Psalm … Their longing has never come to an end in the Saints, nor does it end even now in “the Body of Christ, the Church” (Col 1:18) until “the Desired of all nations” comes (Hag 2:8) …
So, the beginning of the Church’s era, before the Virgin had given birth, comprised Saints who longed to see Christ’s coming in the flesh and, the period where we are now, following the Ascension, comprises other Saints who long to see the revealing of Christ to judge the living and the dead. From the beginning to the end of time, the Church’s longing has never lost its intensity, excepting only, when our Lord was alive on earth in the company of His disciples.” – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop of Hippo, Father and Doctor of Grace (Discourses on the Psalms Ps 118 No 20).
PRAYER – O God most kind, Who as a salvation for sinners and a refuge for the miserable, didst will the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the Ever Virgin Mother of Thine only Son and the distributor of His graces; grant, we pray, that while celebrating the memory of this most loving Mother’s Heart, we may obtain for sinners, the grace of conversion and an abundance of heavenly gifts, for all the faithful. Through the same Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God forever amen. (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 15 February – Feast of The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Refuge of Sinners
O Mother Blest By St Alphonsus Maira Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor of the Church Trans. Fr Edmund Vaughn C.SS.R. (1827 – 1908 )
O Mother blest, whom God bestows On sinners and on just, What joy, what hope thou givest those Who in thy mercy trust. Thou are clement, thou are chaste, Mary thou art fair, Of all mothers, sweetest best, none with thee compare.
O heavenly Mother, mistress sweet! it never yet was told that suppliant sinner left thy feet, unpitied, unconsoloed. Thou are clement, thou are chaste, …
O Mother, pitiful and mild, Cease not to pray for me; For I do love thee as a child, And sigh for love of thee. Thou art clement, thou art chaste, …
Most powerful Mother, all men know Thy Son denies thee nought; Thou askest, wishest it, and lo! His power thy will hath wrought. Thou art clement, thou art chaste, …
O Mother blest, for me obtain, Ungrateful though I be, To love that God who first could deign To show such love for me. Thou art clement, thou art chaste, Mary, thou art fair. Of all mothers, sweetest, best, None with thee compare.
Saint of the Day – 15 February – St Georgia (6th Century) Virgin, Recluse. Also known as – Giorgia.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Clermont in Auvergne, St Georgia Virgin.”
St Gregory of Tours (594), very well informed regarding the history of Auvergne due to the many years he spent there, reports the following concerning the existence and virtues of St Georgia. (De Gloria Confessorum XXXIV).
, “She lived, towards the beginning of the 6th Century, in Clermont, “pious and devoted to God” she retired to the countryside, to offer more freely to God “her hosts of praise” and, everyday, she dedicated herself to fasting and prayer.
At her death, while her body was being transported to the Church, it was accompanied by an immense flock of doves which, during the ceremony in the Church, went to rest on the roof, to then take flight again and follow the coffin as it was carried in procession to the cemetery. They remained to guard the tomb for the rest of the day.
The appearance of the doves symbolised and honoured, the virginity of the Saint.”
Georgia’s remains are kept in the Church of St Cassian in Clermont. The Roman Martyrology mentions her today on 15 Februar, the day on which the Proper of Clermont also inscribes her veneration.
Immaculate Heart of Mary: Refuge of Sinner Listed in the Missal as a Feastday in some place. What does this Feastday mean? The Heart of Mary is the divinely-appointed Refuge of Sinners. “O God,” exclaims St Alphonsus, “how great shall be the remorse of the damned Christian in thinking that, during life, he could have saved his soul with so much facility by invoking the intercession of this Mother of mercy; that he had not done so and that, there shall be no more time to do it.” “Perhaps,” says St Bonaventure, “we are in doubt as to whether Our Lady will hear us when we address our prayers to her. No, Mary does not refuse and never has refused pity and aid, to any sinner who has invoked her intercession.”
St Berach of Kilbarry St Craton St Decorosus of Capua St Dochow St Druthmar of Corvey St Eusebius of Asehia St Farannan of Iona
St Faustinus AND St Jovinus (Died c 120) Martyrs, Priest and Deacon respectively. Brothers. Both Evangelists, Preachers. Born at Brescia, Lombardy, Italy and the two brothers died together. They was thrown to the lions but the animals refused to touch them. Then beheaded in 120 at Brescia, Italy.
St Faustus of Monte Cassino St Georgia (6th Century) Virgin St Joseph of Antioch St Onesimus the Slave St Quinidius of Vaison
Thought for the Day – 14 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations on “The Great Truths” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
14th Day – The Sins of Individual Men
I will recount to Thee all my years, in the bitterness of my soul. (Ps xxxviii:15)
+1. When we look at the sin of Adam and see the consequences it entailed, what shall we say of the consequences which the sins of each one of us are likely to bring upon our heads? Adam’s was a single sin, as opposed to our countless offences. He did not appreciate the results of sin as we do, he had not witnessed the misery which comes from it, as we do, he had not seen the flames of hell kindled by sin, as we do. How much more grievous then, are the offences of each one of us!
+2. We must remember too, Adam’s sin was forgiven the very day it was committed and God, in His Mercy, sealed His forgiveness by the promise of the Redeemer. Yet, see the consequences of forgiven sin! The long penance, the spread of moral corruption, the disease and death, the misery and sorrow, the banishment from the Face of God, all these still remained, although the guilt of sin was gone. What reason then, for me to tremble at the thought of all my past sins!
+3. I will glance over my past life and try to recall a few of my many offences. What a career mine has been! What ingratitude to God! What selfishness, what uncharitableness to others, what meanness, what unfaithfulness to grace, what impurity, what low motives of action, what forgetfulness of God, what idle words, what waste of time, what continual following my own inclinations! How can I hope to escape the just judgements of God? Pray for shame and contrition at the sight of your sins!
Quote of the Day – 14 February – St Valentine (176-273) Bishop and Martyr
“Love one another as I have loved you.”
John 15:12
“But I say to you, Love your enemies …”
Matthew 5:44
“He gives according to the love He bears us …, according to the courage He sees in each and the love each has for His Majesty. He will see, that whoever loves Him much, will be able to suffer much for Him; whoever loves Him little, will be capable of little. I myself hold, that the measure for being able to bear, a large or small cross, is love …”
St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582)
“Take God for your Spouse and Friend and walk with Him continually and you will not sin and will learn to love and the things you must do will work out prosperously for you.”
“The one who walks in the love of God seeks neither gain nor reward but seeks only, with the will, to lose self and all things, for God and this loss, the lover judges to be a gain! Thus it is, as St Paul asserts: “For me death is gain” [Phil 1:21], that is, my death to all things and to myself, for Christ, is my spiritual gain. Consequently, the soul declares: “I was found.” The soul who does not know how to lose himself, does not find himself but rather, loses himself, as Our Lord teaches in the Gospel: “For he who will save his life, shall lose it and he who will lose his life for My Sake, will find it.” (Mt 16:25).”
St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Doctor of the Church
“LOVE is the only way to HEAVEN.”
St Joseph Calasanz (1557-1648)
“The measure of love, is to love without measure.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 14 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – St Valentine (176-273) Bishop and Martyr – Wisdom 10:10-14; Matthew 10:34-42 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And whosoever shall give to drink, to one of these little ones, a cup of cold water only … amen, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” – Matthew 10:42
REFLECTION – “I was a stranger,” Christ says “and you took Me in” (Mt 25:35). And again, “Insofar as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did it to Me.” (Mt 25:40). In every believer and brother, though they be least of all, Christ comes to you! Open your house, take them in. “Whoever receives a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward.” … These are the qualities which ought to be in those who welcome strangers – readiness, cheerfulness, liberality. For strangers feel abashed and ashamed and, unless their host shows real joy, they feel slighted and go away and their being received, in this way, makes it worse, than not to have received them at all.
Therefore, set aside a room in your house, to which Christ may come; say, “This is Christ’s room; this is set apart for Him.” Even if it is very simple, He will not disdain it. Christ goes about “naked and a stranger,” He needs shelter, do not hesitate to give it to Him. Do not be incompassionate, nor inhuman. You are earnest in worldly matters, do not be cold in spiritual matters … You have a place set apart for your chariot but none for Christ, Who is wandering by?!Abraham received strangers in his own home (Gn 18); his wife took the place of a servant, the guests, the place of masters. They did not know that they were receiving Christ, that they were receiving Angels. If Abraham had known it, he would have lavished his whole substance. But we, who know we receive Christ, do not show as much zeal as he did, who thought he was receiving mere men! – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 45 on the Acts of the Apostles),
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who celebrate the anniversary of the death of Thy holy Martyr, Valentine, may, by his intercession, be delivered from all evils which threaten us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thine Son who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, One God forever, amen (Collect).
TheMorning Offering Of St Alphonsusde Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor of Church
My most sweet Lord, I offer and consecrate to Thee this morning all that I am and have – my senses, my thoughts, my affections, my desires, my pleasures, my inclinations, my liberty. In a word, I place my whole body and soul in Thy Hands. Amen
Saint of the Day – 14 February – St Auxentius (Died c473) Priest and Abbot in Syria, ex-soldier and Imperial Guard, Hermit. Born in Syria amd died on 14 February 473 at Mount Skopas in Bithynia in present-day Turkey, of natural causes. Also known as – Aussenzio.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Bithynia, the Abbot St Auxentius.”
Auxentius, probably the son of a Persian named Addas, spent much of his life as a Hermit in Bithynia, a region of Constantinople.
Previously, he had been one of the Equestrian Guards of the Eastern Emperor, Theodosius II, who reigned from 408 to 450. Having learned of the eremitic life practiced by numerous ascetics, Auxentius decided to embrace their way of life, settling on the desert hill of Oxia, not far from Constantinople.
Auxentius soon gained a reputation for sanctity and many sought his guidance and advice on spiritual matters. It seems that he too was accused of Monophysitism, a doctrine which denied the human nature of Jesus but, he was soon exonerated.
He built a new hermitage on Mount Skopas, near Chalcedon, dedicating the rest of his life to the practice of mortification and the instruction of his ever-increasing number of disciples, among whom were also some women, who lived at the foot of Mount Skopas in special communities and were known as “the sackcloth-wearers.”
Upon Auxentius’ death, on 14 February probably in 473, the above-mentioned reclusive woemn obtained the Saint’s remains and buried them in the ccommunity Cchurch. On this anniversary, Saint Auxentius, Priest and Abbot is still commemorated today by the Martyrologium Romanum.
St Nostrianus of Naples St Theodosius of Vaison St Valentine of Terni
St Vitale of Spoleto
Martyrs of Terni: Three Christians who gave proper burial to Saint Valentine of Terni. Martyred in the persecutions of Aurelius. 273 in Terni, Italy – Apollonius, Ephebus, Proculus.
Martyrs of Alexandria: A group of Christians murdered in various ways for their faith in Alexandria, Egypt. We know the names and a few details about 16 of them – Agatho, Agatone, Ammonio, Ammonius, Antonius, Bassiano, Bassianus, Cirione, Cyrio, Dionysius, Dionysius, Lucio, Moses, Moses, Proto and Tonione.
Thought for the Day – 13 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations on “The Great Truths” From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
13th Day – The Temporal Consequences of Adam’s Sin
In Adam, all die. (1 Cor xv:22)
No sooner had this first sin been consummated, than a blight fell upon the world. It had become the devil’s empire, for he had made Adam. its king, his slave! What are the consequences to the inhabitants of the world?
+1. Adam and Eve were cast out of Paradise, never again to enter. Their peace was gone, there was confusion within them, concupiscence fought against reason. Pain and sorrow came upon them and disease and death. For nine hundred years, they toiled painfully in weariness upon the earth and after their death, had to wait three thousand years more, before they were admitted to the heavenly Paradise. And all for one sin!
+2. The effects of their sin were not limited to themselves alone. All their descendants inherited from them, an inheritance of woe. All the wars, famines, pestilences, all the broken hearts, all the wretched lives of millions, had their source in this one sin. How almost infinite are the consequences of sin! Yet, I think so little of my sins and of the punishment I shall have to pay for them!
+3. If we would behold the full malice of Adam’s sin, we must stand beneath the Cross and watch our God dying in unutterable anguish. It was sin which nailed Him to the Cross. It was sin which forced from Him, His agonising cry – “My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Pray for a horror of sin, corresponding to its intensity of evil.
Quote/s of the Day – 13 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity”
“I shall reflect the image of God in that I feed on love; grow certain on faith and hope; strengthen myself, on the virtue of patience; grow tranquil by humility; grow beautiful by chastity; am sober by abstention; am made happy by tranquillity and am ready for death, by practising hospitality.”
ACW – Ancient Christian Writer Incomplete Work on Matthew
(Homily 40)
“This is the order of our faith, the foundation of the edifice and the support of our conduct – God, the Father, uncreated, uncontainable, invisible, One God, the Creator of all – this is the first article of our faith. And the second article – the Word of God, the Son of God, Christ Jesus our Lord, Who was revealed by the Prophets according to the character of their prophecy and according to the nature of the economies of the Father, by Whom all things were made and Who, in the last times, to recapitulate all things, became a Man amongst men, visible and palpable, in order to abolish death, to demonstrate life and to effect communion between God and man. And the third article – the Holy Ghost, through Whom the Prophets prophesied and the Patriarchs learnt the things of God and the righteous, were led in the path of righteousness and Who, in the last times, was poured out in a new fashion upon the human race, renewing man, throughout the world, to God.”
St Irenaeus (130-202) Martyr, Father of the Church
“The likeness of Wisdom has been stamped upon creatures, in order that the world may recognise the Word, Who was its Maker and, through the Word, come to know the Father. ”
St Athanasius (297-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
“The whole Trinity has marked mankind with Its likeness. With the memory, it resembles the Father; with the understanding, it resembles the Son; by love, it resembles the Holy Ghost … ”
St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Evangelical Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 13 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – Ferial Day – Colossians 3:12-17 – Matthew 13:24-30 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Suffer both to grow until the harvest” – Matthew 13:30– Matthew 13:30
REFLECTION – “When that which is corruptible in us, clothes itself with incorruptibility and that which is mortal, clothes itself in immortality” (1 Cor 15:54), then there will be perfect sweetness, perfect rejoicing, endless praise and love without fear. … And here below? Do we not enjoy any kind of joy? … Certainly we find joy here below; here we taste in hope, of the life to come, a joy which will satisfy us completely in Heaven.
However, the wheat has much to bear in the midst of the darnel. The seed is mixed up with the straw and the lily grows among the thorns. … And indeed, what is it that was spoken to the Church? “As a lily among thorns, so is my beloved among my maidens” (Sg 2:2). It said, “Among my maidens” and not among foreigners. O Lord, what are the consolations Thou gives us? What the comfort? Or rather, what the alarm? Art Thou calling Thy own maidens “thorns”? By their behaviour, they are thorns, He answers but maidens through My Sacraments. …
But where is the Christian to take refuge then, if he is not to groan in the midst of false brethren? Where is he to go? What is he to do? Is he to fly away to the desert? Occasions for falling will follow him. Will he, who is doing so well, separate himself, to the extent, of not putting up with a single one of his confreres? What about him, then? Supposing nobody was able to put up with him, before his conversion? … So if, under the pretext of making progress, he cannot bear with anyone else, by this very fact, it is clear, he has not progressed as yet. Pay careful attention to these words – “Bear with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:2-3). Is there not anything in you which another has to bear?” – St Augustine (354=430) Father & Doctor of Grace (Discourses on the Psalm Ps 99:8-9).
PRAYER – King of Heaven and earth, Lord God, rule over our hearts and bodies this day. Sanctify us and guide our every thought, word and deed according to the commandments of Thy law, so that now and forever, Thy grace may free and save us. Teach us Lord to walk in the ways of the Cross of Thy Son, our Saviour, longing for and rejoicing always in our heavenly home. Through the same Christ our Lord, with the Holy Ghost, God, forever, amen. (Collect)
Our Morning Offering – 13 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity”
O Lord, Our God, We Believe in Thee, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. By St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church
O Lord, our God, we believe in Thee, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. As far as I have been able, as much as Thou hast given me the power to do so, I have sought for Thee. I have desired to see that in which I believe; much have I striven and laboured.
Lord, my God, my only hope, let me never tire of seeking Thee but make me seek Thy Face with constant ardour. Give me the strength to seek after Thee – Thou Who hast made me, Who hast given me, more and more, the hope of finding Thee. Thou seest my strength and my weakness; do Thou sustain the one and heal the other; Thou seest my strength and my ignorance. Where Thou hast opened to me, come make me welcome; where Thou hast closed to me, open to my plea. Give me to remember, understand and love Thee. Amen
AnaStpaul 
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