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Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St JOSEPH, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 November – The Octave Day of All Saints

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 8 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – The Octave Day of All Saints – Apocalypse 7:2-12; Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.”

Matthew 5:8

“The Almighty has concentrated in St Joseph,
as in a sun of unrivalled lustre,
the combined light and splendour
of all the other Saints.”

St Gregory Nanzianzen (330-390)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Death to the Saints is not a punishment but a reward.
“For so He giveth His beloved sleep.” (Ps cxxvii: 3).
The death of him, who loves God,
is not called death but sleep, so he can truly say:
“I will lay me down in peace
and take my rest.” (Ps iv: 9).

Cardinal St Fisher, as Saunders relates,
when about to die for the Faith,
put on the best clothes he had, saying, he was going to a wedding.
When he came in sight of the scaffold
he cast away his staff, saying:
“Make haste my feet, make haste, for we are not far from Paradise.”
And before dying he sang Te Deum,
in returning thanks to God, Who had allowed him
to die a Martyr’s death, for the holy Faith
and thus being filled with joy,
he placed his head under the axe.”

St John Fisher (1469-1535)
Bishop, Martyr, Cardinal

“Those in the Catholic Church,
whom some rebuke for praying to Saints
and going on pilgrimages,
do not seek any Saint as their saviour.
Instead, they seek Saints,
as those whom their Saviour loves
and whose intercession and prayer,
for the seeker, He will be content to hear.
For His Own sake,
He would have those He loves, honoured.
And when they are thus honoured for His sake,
then, the honour that is given them, for His sake,
overflows especially to Himself.”

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr, Confessor

“Let us read the lives of the Saints;
let us consider the penances
which they performed
and blush to be so effeminate
and so fearful of mortifying our flesh.”

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

O Paradise! O Paradise!
By Fr Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)
Written in 1854

O Paradise! O Paradise!
Who doth not crave for rest?
Who would not seek the happy land,
Where they that loved are blest.

Where loyal hearts and true,
Stand ever in the Light,
All rapture through and through,
In God’s most holy sight?

O Paradise! O Paradise!
The world is growing old;
Who would not be at rest and free
Where love is never cold?
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
Wherefore doth death delay;
Bright death which is the welcome dawn
Of our eternal day;
Where loyal hearts, &c

O Paradise! O Paradise;
‘Tis weary waiting here;
I long to be, where Jesus is,
To feel, to see Him near.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
I want to sin no more!
I want to be as pure on earth
As on thy spotless shore.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
I greatly long to see
The special place my dearest Lord
Is furnishing for me.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
I feel ’twill not be long;
Patience! I almost think I hear
Faint fragments of thy song.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

Tune: “Paradise” Joseph Barnby, 1856.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CREEDS, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, ON the SAINTS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 November – ‘ … Let charity expand our hope, as far as the Communion of Saints … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 8 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – The Octave Day of All Saints – Apocalypse 7:2-12; Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in Heaven.” – Matthew 5:12

REFLECTION – “Dearly beloved, let us anxiously attend to all which concerns the profession of our common life, “keeping the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace,” by “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communication of the Holy Ghost”(Eph 4:3; 2 Cor 13:13). From the love of God comes the unity of the spirit; from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ comes the bond of peace; from the imparting of the Holy Ghost, comes that communion which is necessary to those who live in common. …

“I believe, 0 Lord, in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints” (Credo). This is my hope, this is my trust, this is my confidence, this is the whole of my security in the professing of my faith. … If I am allowed, O Lord, to “love Thee and love my neighbour,” (Mt 22:37-39) although my merits are small and few, yet will my hopes reach beyond them.  I am confident that the merits of the Saints will help me by the communion of charity, so that the Communion of Saints will make up for my insufficiency and imperfection. … Let charity expand our hope, as far as the Communion of Saints, in the sharing of merits and rewards but the sharing of the latter belongs to the future, for it is the sharing in the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Since, then, there are three communions – the first of nature, which includes the sharing of guilt …; the second of grace and the third, of glory. By the communion of grace, that of nature begins to be remade and the sharing of guilt to be excluded but by the communion of glory, that of nature will be perfectly restored and the communion of anger, will be entirely excluded, when “God will wipe away every tear from the eyes” of the Saints (Is 25:8; Apoc21:4). Then, among all the Saints, there will be “one heart and one soul” and “all things will be in common”when God will be “all in all” (Acts 4:2; 1 Cor 15:28). That we may all arrive at this communion and that we all may be one, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the communication of the Holy Ghost be with us all forever. Amen.” – Baldwin of Forde O.Cist ( c 1125–1190) Cistercian Abbot, Bishop, then Archbishop of Canterbury (Treatise on the common life).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who granted us to honour the merits of all Thy Saints in a single solemn festival, bestow on us, we beseech Thee, through their manifold intercession, that abundance of Thymercy for which we yearn. 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).

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOD the FATHER, HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, ON the SAINTS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR

Our Morning Offering – 8 November – The Octave Day of All Saints – Salutis Aeternae Dator, Giver of Life, Eternal Lord

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 8 November – The Octave Day of All Saints

Salutis Aeternae Dator
Giver of Life, Eternal Lord
By St Rabanus Maurus (776-856)
Lauds Hymn for All Saints

Giver of life, eternal Lord,
Thy own redeemed defend.
Mother of grace, thy children save
And help them to the end.

Ye thousand, thousand Angel hosts,
Assist us in our need.
Ye Patriarchs, with the Prophet choir,
For our forgiveness plead.

Forerunner blest and thou who still
Dost Heaven’s dread keys retain.
Ye glorious Apostles all,
Unloose our guilty chain.

Army of Martyrs, holy Priests,
In beautiful array;
Ye happy troops of Virgins chaste,
Wash all our stains away.

All ye who high above the stars
In Heavenly glory reign,
May we through your prevailing prayers
Unto your joys attain.

Praise, honour, to the Father be,
Praise to His only Son;
Praise, Holy Paraclete, to Thee,
While endless ages run.
Amen

St Rabanus Maurus (776-856) Benedictine Abbot and Bishop, Theologian, Poet, Writer – 4 February – author of Veni Creator Spiritus (The Golden Sequence) – https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/04/saint-of-the-day-4-february-saint-rabanus-maurus-osb-776-856/

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 8 November – Saint Maurus (Died 383) the 2nd Bishop and Confessor of Verdun

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Saint of the Day – 8 November – Saint Maurus (Died 383) the 2nd Bishop and Confessor of Verdun, France, serving his See for 27 years. Born probably in France and died in Verdun on 10 November 383. Also known as – Maur, Maurius.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Verdun. Maurus, Bishop and Confessor.”

Maurus was the 2nd Bishop of Verdun. In the chronology of the Bishops of the Diocese, he appears after St Sanctinus (c270-356), the 1st Bishop and before Salvinus.

Maurus was a disciple of St Sanctinus and was the first Priest to be Ordained in the Diocese of Verdun. Before dying, Bishop Sanctinud urged the inhabitants of Verdun to choose out Saint Maurus as their next Bishop.

Upon St Sanctinus’ death, the faithful of Verdun duly searched for Maurus for three years without discovering his whereabouts, hoping to have him appointed as their Bishop. But Maurus, not seeking worldly honours or responsibilities, did not wish to abandon his life of prayer and fasting, nor did he wish to desert gus disciples.

Finally, his location was discovered and he relented after the constant requests from the faithful of Verdun. He became the Bishop in 356, was Consecrated in the Church of Saints Peter and Paul by Author, Bishop of Metz and governed the Diocese for approximately 27 years.

Chronicles report that Saint Maurus died on 10 November 383 but he is celebrated today, 8 November.

St Sanctinus (c270-356) the 1st Bishop of Verdun:
https://anastpaul.com/2025/09/22/saint-of-the-day-22-september-st-sanctinus-c270-356-bishop-martyr/

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT

Octave Day of All Saints, Notre-Dame de Bellefontaine / Our Lady of the Blessed Fountain, (12th Century), Four Crowned Martyrs and all the Saints for 8 November

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Octave Day of All Saints

Notre-Dame de Bellefontaine / Our Lady of the Blessed Fountain, Bellefontaine, France (12th Century) – 8 November:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/08/octave-day-of-all-saints-notre-dame-de-bellefontaine-our-lady-of-the-blessed-fountain-bellefontaine-france-12th-century-and-memorials-of-the-saints-8-november/

Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces (1921):
In 1921 Pope Benedict XV instituted 8 November as the Feast Day of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces.
A text by St Louis Grignion de Montfort expresses this truth admirably:
“Only Mary found grace before God (Luke 1:30) without the help of any other creature. And after her, all those who found grace before God, found it only through her.
Mary was full of grace when the Archangel Gabriel saluted her (Luke 1:28) and was filled with grace when the Holy Ghost so mysteriously overshadowed her (Luke 1:35).
From day to day, from moment to moment, she increased, so much. this twofold plenitude that she attained an immense and inconceivable degree of grace.
So much so, that the Almighty made of her, the sole custodian of His treasures and sole dispenser of all His graces, so that she might ennoble, exalt and enrich all she chooses.
She can lead them along the narrow path to Heaven and guide them through the narrow gate to Life.
She can give a royal throne, scepter and crown to whomever she wishes.
Jesus is always and everywhere, the Fruit and Son of Mary, and Mary is everywhere, the true tree who bears the Fruit of Life, the true Mother, who bears that Son!” – St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716) (True Devotion to Mary No 44)

On Mary as Mediatrix of All Graces
by Fr Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange OP (1877-1964)
https://onepeterfive.com/on-mary-as-mediatrix-of-all-graces-by-fr-reginald-garrigou-lagrange/

Four Holy Crowned Martyrs: Saint Castorus, Saint Claudius, Saint Nicostratus and Saint Simpronian. Skilled stone carvers in the 3rd century quarries. Martyred when they refused to carve an idol of Aesculapius for Diocletian. They were drowned in the River Sava in 305. Patronages – against fever, cattle, sculptors, stone masons, stonecutters.

St Adeodatus I, Pope (Died 618) Bishop of Rome from 19 October 615 to 8 November 618.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Rome, St Deusdedit, Pope, whose merit was so great that he cured a leper by kissing him.”
The Miraculous Pope Adeodatus I:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/08/saint-of-the-day-8-november-saint-adeodatus-i-pope-died-618/

St Clarus of Tours (Died c397) Priest, Disciple of St Martin of Tours (c316-397), Hermit.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Tours, St Clarus, Priest, whose Epitaph was written by St Paulinus.”
His Venerable Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/11/08/saint-of-the-day-8-november-st-clarus-of-tours-died-c397-priest/

St Cybi of Caenarvon
St Drouet

Blessed John Duns Scotus OFM (c1265-1308) Doctor Subtilis (Subtle Doctor) Franciscan Priest and Friar, Theologian, Philosopher, Lecturer – known as “The minstrel of the Word Incarnate” and “Defender of Mary’s Immaculate Conception”.
Blessed John Duns Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/08/saint-of-the-day-8-november-blessed-john-duns-scotus-ofm-c-1265-1308/

St Gervadius

St Godfrey OSB (1066–1115) Bishop of Amiens, Reformer, Apostle of Prayer and Charity, Penitent.
St Godfrey’s Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/08/saint-of-the-day-8-november-saint-godfrey-of-amiens-osb-1066-1115/

St Gregory of Einsiedeln
St Maurus (Died 383) Bishop and Confessor of Verdun
St Moroc of Scotland
St Tysilio of Wales

St Willehad (Died 789) First Bishop of Bremen, Germany, Confessor, Benedictine Monk and Priest, a friend of Blessed Alcuin of York, disciple of St Boniface, English Missionary.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/08/saint-of-the-day-8-november-saint-willehad-of-bremen-died-789/

St Wiomad of Trèves

All Deceased Dominicans
All Saints of Bologna, Italy
All Saints of Wales
Augustinian Martyrs of Spain

All Saints of the Diocese of Evry: A regional memorial of all the Saints and Beati of the calendar who have a connection to the Diocese of Evry-Corbeil-Essonnes, France:

  • Blessed Isabella of France, founded the Longchamp monastery
  • Blessed Nicolas Gaudreau, pastor of Vert-le-Petit
  • Blessed Pierre Bonse, pastor of Massy
  • Our Lady of Good Guard, patron saint of the diocese, venerated in Longpont-sur-Orge, France
  • Saint Corbinian, born in Saint-Germain-lès-Arpajon
  • Saint Denis of Paris, evangelizer of part of Essonne and revered ni Longpont-sur-Orge
  • Saint Eloi, who lived in Chilly-Mazarin
  • Saint Germain of Paris
  • Saint William of Bourges, son of Count Baldwin IV of Corbeil
  • Saint William of Aebelholt, pastor of Brunoy
  • Saint Wulfran of Sens, born in Milly-la-Forêt
  • Blessed Nativelle, vicar of Longjumeau
  • Blessed René Le Bris, pastor of Bris-sous-Forges
  • Saint Spire of Bayeux, whose relics are in Corbeil in the cathedral that bears his name
Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, INDULGENCES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The HOLY SOULS

Thought for the Day – 7 November – How We Can Help the Faithful Departed

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 7 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

How We Can Help the Faithful Departed

“We have a natural obligation to help the faithful departed, for they are our fellow-men.
Are we capable of watching another human being in agony, without feeling pity for him?
If there is some way in which we can help him, moreover, ought we not to do so?
The Holy Souls are in agony, however, they are on fire with the love of God, yet cannot be united to Him.
We have a means of helping them through our prayers and good works.

There is a further obligation on us, arising from our religion.
They have been redeemed, like ourselves, by the Blood of Christ and God has told us that the same degree of mercy, will one day be shown to us, which we have shown to others.
The time will come when we also shall find ourselves in Purgatory and shall be in need of prayer.
If we remember the dead now, they will be in a position, one day, to do the same for us.
Blessed are the merciful, Jesus says, for they will obtain mercy.

When we appear before the judgement seat of God in order to account for the way in which we have spent our lives, He will count as done to Himself, whatever we have done to the poor, hungry and ill-clad.
Only if we have been merciful towards them, will He receive us into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Otherwise, He will send us away, accursed, for all eternity.
Now the Souls in Purgatory are more unfortunate than those who are poor, hungry and homeless in this world.
They hunger for God, they are full of regret for the sins which they have committed and they languish far from the eternal home, to which they belong.

Finally, we have a duty in justice, to help their souls.
Some of them are our parents, brothers, sisters, friends and benefactors.
Perhaps they are suffering now because they loved us too much because they wished to make money for us or because, they were led astray by our bad example!
It is not only charity, therefore but justice, which obliges us to pray for them.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MARIAN QUOTES, MOTHER of GOD, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on HERESY, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, ROSARY QUOTES, St JOSEPH

Quote/s of the Day – 7 November – Dominicans!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 7 November – The Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers

St Dominic’s Blessing
By St Dominic de Guzman OP (1170-1221)

May God the Father,
Who made us, bless us.
May God the Son,
send His healing among us.
May God the Holy Ghost,
move within us
and give us eyes to see with,
ears to hear with,
and hands, with which Thy work,
might be done.
May we walk and preach
the Word of God to all.
May the Angel of peace
watch over us
and lead us at last,
by God’s grace,
to the Kingdom.
Amen

“Whoever devoutly serves the Blessed Virgin
through the recitation of the Rosary,
will infallibly, receive blessings
according to their spiritual
and temporal needs.”

“None who persevered in devotion
to the Holy Rosary, will be condemned.”

St Dominic OP (1170-1221)

“Saint Joseph was the just man:
by his constant fidelity -an effect of justice;
by his perfect discretion – a sister to prudence;
by his upright conduct – a mark of strength
and by his inviolable chastity – a flower of temperance.”

“The greater and more persistent
your confidence in God,
the more abundantly
you will receive,
all you ask for.”

St Albert the Great OP (1200-1280)
Universal Doctor of the Church

“The Blessed Virgin was chosen
to be the Mother of God
and, therefore, it is not to be doubted,
but that God fitted her for it
by His graces.”

St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis

“In the case, in which,
the Pope would become a heretic,
he would find himself,
by that fact, alone
and, without any other sentence,
separated from the Church.
A head separated from a body
cannot, as long as it remains separated,
be head of the same body
from which it was cut off.
A Pope, who would be
separated from the Church by heresy,
therefore, would,
by that very fact itself,
cease to be head of the Church.
He could not be a heretic
and remain Pope
because, since he is outside of the Church,
he cannot possess the keys of the Church.”

St Antoninus OP (1389-1459)

“If you persevere in reciting the Rosary,
this will be a most probable sign
of your eternal salvation.”

Blessed Alain de la Roche OP (1428-1475)

MORE DOMINICAN QUOTES:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/11/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-november-the-feast-of-all-saints-of-the-order-of-preacher/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 November – “Happy are the poor in spirit.”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 7 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – First Friday – Within the All Saints Octave and the Feast of all the Dominican Saints – Apocalypse 7:2-12 – Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain… And opening His mouth, He taught them …” – Matthew 5:1-2

REFLECTION – “May it be granted me to sit with Jesus, to sit at His feet on the mountain side and partake of His instruction! When He is in the crowd, He is standing and walking, occupied and wearied and so hard -pressed, that neither He, nor His disciples are, as it were, allowed to eat bread, “the bread of life and understanding”,(Mk 6:31) and to drink “the water of wisdom” (Jn 6:35). For this water can only be drunk in a time of leisure and, it is drawn by those who have little to do. For “the well is deep”(Sir 15:3; 38:24) …

Opening His mouth, Jesus speaks to the heart of Jerusalem, talking to her in solitude, or on the mountain and this is what He says: “Happy are the poor in spirit.” He, Who is Happiness speaks of happiness, He Who became poor, of poverty, speaks of repletion, Mercy of mercifulness, He Who is the Purity of hearts speaks of purification of heart, the truly Peaceful of peace-making, the Son by nature speaks of sonship …

“Happy are the poor in spirit.” Wisely indeed, He puts first … that which every man seeks … For who does not wish to be happy? Why do men universally quarrel and fight, bargain, resort to flattery and inflict injuries, on one another? Is it not simply in order to obtain, by fair means or foul… something which promises to make them happy? … So the Teacher of all men … begins by redirecting those who have lost the way… He Who is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” (Jn 14:16; 6:32; 14:6)… begins with the words: “Happy are the poor in spirit.” – Blessed Isaac of Stella O.Cist. (c1100 – c1170) Cistercian Abbot, Theologian, Philosopher (Sermon 1, for the Feast of All Saints).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who granted us to honour the merits of all Thy Saints in a single solemn festival, bestow on us, we beseech Thee, through their manifold intercession, that abundance of Thy mercy for which we yearn. 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).

Posted in GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 7 Novemer – Be My Strength, O Sacred Heart!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 7 Novemer – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” and the First Friday of November

Be My Strength, O Sacred Heart!
By St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)
Visionary of the Sacred Heart

O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
I fly to Thee,
I unite myself to Thee,
I enclose myself in Thee!
Receive my call for help, O my Saviour,
as a sign of my horror, of all within me
contrary to Thy holy love.
Let me die rather a thousand times,
than consent to sin against Thee!
Be my strength, O God –
defend me,
protect me.
I am Thine and desire forever to be Thine!
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 7 November – St Prosdocimus (2nd Century) Bishop and Confessor

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 7 November – St Prosdocimus (2nd Century) the 1st Bishop and Confessor of Padua, Evangeliser, Miracle-worker. Patronage – of the City and Diocese of Padua, of Ascolo, Cittadella all in Italy. Also knowthe as – Prosdecimus, Prosdocimo.

The name Prosdocimo, although uncommon in Italy today, immediately suggests a Venetian origin, specifically Paduan. The Saint is honoured as the 1st Bishop of Padua, the Patron Saint of the City and too, according to various scholars, the likely evangeliser of all western Venice.

Even the most beautiful image of Prosdocimus was painted by a Paduan, the great 15th Century Painter, Andrea Mantegna. It is part of a polyptych dedicated to Saint Justina another famous Saint and Martyr of Padua. In this painting, Saint Prosdocimus appears with his characteristic attribute of a jug, a symbol of his tireless work as an evangeliser and work of Baptising.

St Prosdocimus and St Justina

The etymological meaning of the name Prosdocimus is very beautiful, as in Greek it means ‘the awaited one.’ It can be said that Saint Prosdocimus, the 1st Bishop of Padua, was truly awaited by that still pagan City, to which he was sent by Saint Peter himself after his Episcopal Consecration. In the gentle countryside, Prosdocimus is said to have performed prodigies and miracles.

Fortunately, a certain naiveté often lends a touch of poetry to even the most tired texts. Sometimes, however, scant documents are more eloquent than redundant legends. This is the case of Prosdocimus, for whom, after his death, an Ecclesia Sancti Prosdocimi, later known as the Basilica of Santa Giustina, one of the most beautiful in the City, is mentioned outside the walls of Padua.

St Prosdocimus with his jug

Saint Prosdocimus’ glory was, in fact, Saint Justina, whose Feast Day is 7 October. Prosdocimus converted her and she kept her faith intact, facing Martyrdom during Nero’s persecution.

The Bishop of Padua, however, was spared, no-one knows exactly how or why. He reached the natural end of his life, laden with merit and years, loved as a father, venerated as a Saint: Saint Prosdocimus which, in Greek means ‘the awaited one.’

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Within the All Saints Octave, Onze Liewe Vrou van Scherpenheuvel / Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel Belgium (17th Century) and Memorials of the Saints – 7 November

Posted on by AnaStpaul

WITHIN the ALL SAINTS Octave

Onze Liewe Vrou van Scherpenheuvel / Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel
Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, Belgium (17th Century) – Commemorated on the First Sunday after the Feast of All Saints
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/07/twenty-fourth-sunday-after-pentecost-the-feast-of-all-saints-of-the-order-of-preachers-onze-liewe-vrou-van-scherpenheuvel-our-lady-of-scherpenheuvel-scherpenheuvel-zichem-belgium-17th-century/

The Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers:
“Fountain of all holiness, You stirred up in our holy brothers and sisters an extraordinary love of truth, conformity to Christ Crucified and a thirst for the salvation of souls: may we imitate them in offering You thanksgiving on account of the way of life they gave us.” — From the Intercessions at Lauds for the Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers.
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/07/thought-for-the-day-7-november-feast-of-all-dominican-saints/

St Achillas (Died 313) Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, Confessor, Scholar particularly in Philosophy and Theology. Bishop St Theonas had Ordained him to the Priesthood and appointed Achillas as the Head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria upon the departure of St Pierius, for Rome, who we celebrated on 4 November. Born in Alexandria, Egypt and died there in 313 of natural causes.
The Roman Martyrology states of him today: “At Alexandria, blessed Achillas, a Bishop renowned for erudition, faith and purity of life.”
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/07/saint-of-the-day-7-november-saint-achillas-died-313-bishop-confessor/

St Amarand
St Amaranthus

Blessed Anthony Baldinucci SJ (1665-1717) Priest of the Society of Jesus, Preacher, Writer and Missionary. Fr Baldinucci was Beatified by Pope Leo XIII on 25 March 1893.
His Zealous Life:
tps://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/07/saint-of-the-day-blessed-anthony-baldinucci-s-j-1665-1717/

St Athenodorus of Neo-Caesarea
St Auctus of Amphipolis
St Baud of Tours
St Blinlivet
St Congar

St Engelbert (c1185-1225) Archbishop of Cologne , Martyr, Count, Guardian and Chancellor of the Empire on behalf of the young King, protector of the Monasteries and religious Orders, Apostle of the poor.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/07/saint-of-the-day-7-november-saint-engelbert-of-cologne-c-1185-1225/

St Ernest of Mecca

St Florentius (Died 693) ) the 13th Bishop of Strasburg from 618–624, Missionary, Miracle-worker, founder of Monasteries and Churches, Hermit. Born in Ireland and died in 693 in Strasburg, Germany.
His Devoted Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/07/saint-of-the-day-7-november-st-florentius-of-strasburg-died-693-t/

St Gebetrude A(Died c680)bbess of Remiremont
St Herculanus of Perugia
St Hesychius of Mytilene
St Hieron of Mytilene
Bl Hyacinth Castañeda Puchasons
St Lazarus the Stylite

Blessed Lucia of Settefonti (Died 12th Century) Consecrated Virgin, Nun, Abbess.
Her Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/11/07/saint-of-the-day-7-november-blessed-lucia-of-settefonti-died-12th-century-virgin/

St Nicander of Mytilene
Bl Peter Ou
St Prosdocimus (2nd Century) Bishop and Confessor of Padua
St Prosdocimus of Rieti
St Raverranus of Séez
St Rufus Bishop and Confessor of Metz
St Taurion of Amphipolis
St Thessalonica of Amphipolis
St Tremorus of Brittany

St Willibrord (c658 – 739) “Apostle to the Frisians,” Bishop, Missionary.
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/07/saint-of-the-day-7-november-st-willibrord-c-658-739-apostle-to-the-frisians/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, ON the SAINTS, PURGATORY, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The HOLY SOULS

Thought for the Day – 6 November – The Communion of Saints and the Souls in Purgatory

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Thought for the Day – 6 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Communion of Saints
and the Souls in Purgatory

“The consoling Doctrine of the Communion of Saints, is the foundation of devotion towards the faithful departed.
The universal Church, both on earth, in Purgatory and in Heaven, constitutes the Mystical Body of Christ, which is the channel of the Divine life of Jesus.

This life is not extinguished by death but only by mortal sin, which makes us like dead limbs separated from the vine which is Cbrist.
The souls of those belonging to us who have died in the state of grace, therefore, are living members of the Mystical Body of Christ.
Now, the different members of the human body, do not possess a separate life but are all co-ordinated and directed towards the good of the whole body.
In the same way, all the members of the Mystical Body, whether they are exiles on earth, suffering souls in Purgatory, or blessed in Heaven, should help one another so as to promote the welfare of the whole.

The blessed in Heaven and the faithful departed certainly do this and we ought to do the same.
We should preserve a bond of love and prayer between ourselves and our loved ones, who have departed from this life before us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales, The GOOD SHEPherd Prayers, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 Novemer – Promises and Reward

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 Novemer – Within the All Saints Octave – Apocalypse 7:2-12; Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward
will be great in Heaven.”

Matthew 5:12

“ Blessed are they who have not seen
and have believed.”

John 20:29

“Be glad in that day and rejoice,
for behold, your reward is great in Heaven,”

Luke 6:23

“May He,
Who is the Track of the runners
and the Reward of the winners,
lead and guide you along it –
He, Christ Jesus!”

Bl Guerric of Igny O.Cist (c1080-1157)

“Christ acts like a loving mother.
To induce us to follow Him,
He gives us Himself as an example
and promises us a reward in His kingdom.”

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor

“You will be consoled
according to the greatness
of your sorrow and affliction;
the greater the suffering,
the greater will be the reward.”

St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi (1566-1607)

“It is true that we require great confidence
to abandon ourselves, without any reserve,
to Divine Providence but, when we do abandon all,
Our Lord takes care of all and disposes of all.
But, if we reserve anything which we are
unwilling to confide to Him, He leaves us,
as if He would say:
“You think yourselves sufficiently wise
to manage that affair without Me –
you can do so and see what will come of it!”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The BEATITUDES, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 November – ‘ … Rejoice, ardent travellers! …’

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One Minute Reflection – 6 Novemer – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Within the All Saints Octave – Apocalypse 7:2-12 – Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in Heaven.” – Matthew 5:12

REFLECTION – “Rejoice in the Lord without ceasing (cf. Phil 4:4), my dear children. I beg you rejoice, citizens of Heaven but exiles on earth, inhabitants of the Jerusalem on high (cf Gal 4:26) but banished from affairs here below, inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven but disinherited from taking any part at all, in earthly pleasures!   Rejoice, ardent travellers, at undergoing exile and maltreatment in a foreign land in the name of the commandment of God! Rejoice, you who are last in this world but lords of blessings that exceed our understanding (cf. Phil 4:7).
Rejoice, noble company, brought together by God, assembly united in heart and soul, who give life to filial and fraternal love, a replica on earth of the host of Angels! … Rejoice, God’s workers, apostolic men. … Rejoice, you who set your joy in each other, each making his own the reputation of his brother, you in whom is found neither jealousy, rivalry nor envy but, in their place, peace and charity and life in common. In truth, I do not say that we are not attacked – indeed, who is crowned if not the one who struggles and fights, who exchanges thrusts and wounds with his assailants? – but I say that we should not let ourselves be brought down by the machinations of Satan.

Yes, my children, assembly of God, nourish yourselves with the food of the Spirit and drink the water given by the Lord: whoever comes to possess this water will never thirst again but it will become, in Him, a spring of living water welling up to eternal life (cf. Jn 4:14). …  Yet, a little while and we shall have vanquished. And blessed shall we be, blessed also, it shall be said, are the places, family and countries that have borne you (cf Lk 11:27-28).” – St Theodore the Studite (759-826) – Catechesis 47 (The Great Catecheses)

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who granted us to honour the merits of all Thy Saints in a single solemn festival, bestow on us, we beseech Thee, through their manifold intercession that abundance of Thy mercy for which we yearn. 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).

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PRAYERS for the SOULS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PURGATORY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The COMMUNION of SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 6 November – O DIVINE Heart of JESUS Pope Leo XIII

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Our Morning Offering – 6 Novemer – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory”

O DIVINE Heart of JESUS
Pope Leo XIII
Indulgence 100 Days, Once a day
Raccolta 167
13 March 1901.

O DIVINE Heart of JESUS,
grant, we beseech Thee,
eternal rest to the souls in purgatory,
the final grace to those who shall die today,
true repentance to sinners,
the light of the faith to pagans
and Thy Blessing to me and mine.
To Thee, O most compassionate Heart of JESUS!
I commend all these souls
and I offer to Thee, on their behalf,
all Thy merits,
together with the merits
of Thy most Holy Mother
and of all the Saints, Angels
and all the Sacrifices of the Holy Mass,
Communions, prayers and good works,
which shall be accomplished today,
throughout the Christian world.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 6 November – St Severus (Died c633) Bishop and Martyr of Barcelona,

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Saint of the Day – 6 November – St Severus (Died c633) Bishop and Martyr of Barcelona, Spain. Patronage – of Barcelona. Also known as – Severo.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Barce;ona, St Severus, Bishop and Martyr, who had his head pierced with a nail and thus received the crown of Martyrdom for the Faith.”

St Severus Statue in Barcelona

Severus, Bishop of Barcelona, ​​was mentioned in 633. In some cases, he is considered the 11th Bishop of the Diocese, although his existence as a Bishop and Martyr is shrouded in doubt.

A ‘Passio’ dating to the 13th-14th Century is extant. This text, states that Severus was Martyred during the persecution of Diocletian and Maximian. The period of this persecution, however, does not correspond to the period in which Saint Severus was mentioned as the Bishop of Barcelona.

However, the tale states that Saint Severus, urged to worship idols, managed to escape. When a Christian named Emeterio, accused of concealing his escape, was captured, Severus then presented himself voluntarily to the Governor. Imprisoned, he was tortured along with four Clerics accompanying him.

All six received the Crown of Martyrdom and the locals buried them in the village Church.

Our only verified information regarding our Saint is that he is mentioned as the Bishop of Barcelona om around 633.
His first mention occurs in the 17th Century and later in the Roman Martyrology. His Feast is celebrated in Barcelona, on 9 August, the date of the translation of his Relics in 1405.

St Severus Altar at Barcelona Cathedral

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Within the All Saints Octave, Notre-Dame de Valfleury / Our Lady of Valfleury, France (800), Nostra Signora del Suffragio / Our Lady of Suffrage (For the Souls in Purgatory) and Memorials of the Saints for 6 November

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WITHIN the ALL SAINTS’ OCTAVE

Notre-Dame de Valfleury / Our Lady of Valfleury, France (800) – 6 November:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/06/notre-dame-de-valfleury-our-lady-of-valfleury-france-800-and-memorial-of-the-saints-6-november/

Nostra Signora del Suffragio / Our Lady of Suffrage (For the Souls in Purgatory)
The Archconfraternity of Death and Prayer (mortis et orationis), founded in Rome, 1538, to provide for the burial of the poor and abandoned, still exists.
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/06/nostra-signora-del-suffragio-our-lady-of-suffrage-for-the-souls-in-purgatory-6-november/

St Atticus
St Barlaam of Novgorod
Bl Beatrice of Olive

Blessed Christina of Stommeln (1242-1312) Virgin, Mystic, Stigmatist, Beguine Nun.
https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/06/saint-of-the-day-blessed-christina-of-stommeln-1242-1312/

Statue of Blessed Christina von Stommeln (northern portal Cologne Cathedral)

St Demetrian of Cyprus
St Edwen of Northumbria
St Efflam of Brittany
St Emilian of Faenza
St Erlafrid of Hirschau
St Felix (6th Century) Abbot of Fondi Monastery
St Felix of Genoa
St Felix of Thynissa
St Illtyd

St Israel du Dorat (c950-1014) Priest, Vicar General of the Diocese of Limoges, Poet, Professor of Theology at the Episcopal school.
A Most Interesting Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/11/06/saint-of-the-day-6-november-st-israel-du-dorat-c950-1014-priest/

St Leonard of Noblac (c496-559) Monk, Hermit, Abbot, Miracle-worker.
St Leonard’s Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/06/saint-of-the-day-st-leonard-of-noblac-c496-559/

St Leonard of Reresby
St Leonianus of Autun

St Melaine (Died c535) Bishop of Rennes in Brittany, France, Confessor, previously a Monk and Abbot, Royal Advisor, Miracle-worker.
The Roman Martyrology reds: “At Rennes, in France, St Melanius, Bishop and Confessor, who displayed innumerable virtues and with his thoughts ever fixed on Heaven, passed from the world in glory.”
His Life of Holiness:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/06/saint-of-the-day-6-november-saint-melaine-of-rennes-died-c535-bishop-confessor/

St Paul of Constantinople
St Pinnock
St Protasius of Lausanne
St Severus (Died c633) Bishop and Martyr of Barcelona
St Simon of Aulne
St Stephen of Apt
St Theobald of Dorat
St Valentine of Genoa

St Winnoc (Died 716/717) Abbot, Miracle-worker
His Life of Grace:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/06/saint-of-the-day-6-november-saint-winnoc-of-wormhoult-died-716-717/

Martyrs of Antioch – 10 Saints: Ten Christians murdered together by Arabs after their seizure of Antioch, Syria. No names or other details about them have come down to us. 637 in Antioch, Syria.

Martyrs of Gaza – 9 Saints: A group of Christian soldiers who were captured by Saracens invading the area of Gaza in Palestine. When the men continued to profess their Christianity, they were executed. We know the names of some of the Martyrs – Himerius, John (2 of them), Kallinikos (Callinoco), Paul, Peter, Stephen and Theodore (2 of them). They were beheaded in Gaza, Palestine.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PURGATORY, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 5 November – The Consolations of the Suffering Souls in Purgatory

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Thought for the Day – 5 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Consolations of the
Suffering Souls in Purgatory

“That is the way it is in Purgatory.
The suffering souls endure dreadful torments but, they are resigned to the will of God and are happy to suffer, indefinitely, in order to become holy.
Nevertheless, we can and should pray that their sufferings may be minimised and their joy increased while they are awaiting the moment of their liberation and of their entry into eternal glory.
The prayers, penances and good works which we offer, on their behalf, are a great consolation to them and draw God’s blessings upon ourselves.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/05/thought-for-the-day-5-november-the-consolations-of-the-suffering-souls-in-purgatory/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/05/thought-for-the-day-5-november-the-consolations-of-the-suffering-souls-in-purgatory-2/

Posted in CHRIST the KING, Gerard MANLEY HOPKINS SJ, GOD ALONE!, HYMNS, JESUIT SJ, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – St Ignatius and his Brethren – Seeing God in all things

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – All Saints and Blesseds of the Society of Jesus (SJ)

I Love Thee, O Thou Lord Most High!
Translation and Parphrase
of St Ignatius Loyola’s Latin Hymn
By Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

I love, I love Thee, Lord most high!
Because Thou first hast loved me;
I seek no other liberty
But that of being bound to Thee.

May memory no thought suggest,
But shall to Thy pure glory tend;
My understanding find no rest
Except in Thee, its only End.

My God, I here protest to Thee,
No other will have I than Thine;
Whatever Thou hast given me,
I here again to Thee resign.

All mine is Thine — say but the word,
Whate’er Thou wllest shall be done;
I know Thy Love, all-gracious Lord;
I know It seeks my good alone.

Apart from Thee, all things are naught;
Then grant, O my supremest bliss!
Grant me to love Thee as I ought;
Thou givest all in giving this!

“A precious crown is reserved in Heaven
for those who endow their actions with
all the diligence of which they are capable,
for, it is not enough to do good,
we must do it well!”

“God takes special care
to detach from the passing pleasures of this world,
those whom He Loves with special predilection,
by sending them desires after heavenly bliss
and, by the sorrows and bitterness
of the present life.”

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

I Love Thee, God, I Love Thee
O Deus Ego Amo Te
By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)
Translated by Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ (1844-1889)

I love Thee, God, I love Thee—
Not out of hope for Heaven for me
Nor fearing not to love and be
in the everlasting burning.
Thou, my Jesus, after me
Didst reach Thine arms out dying,
For my sake suffered nails and lance,
Mocked and marred countenance,
Sorrows passing number,
Sweat and care and cumber,
Yea and death and this for me,
And Thou could see me sinning.
Then I, why should not I love Thee,
Jesu so much in love with me?
Not for Heaven’s sake, not to be
Out of hell by loving Thee,
Not for any gains I see,
But just the way that Thou didst me
I do love and will love Thee.
What must I love Thee, Lord, for then?
For being my King and God.
Amen

“We must make our way towards eternity,
never regarding what men think of us,
or of our actions,
studying only to please God.”

St Francis Borgia (1510-1572)

““Man’s salvation and perfection
consists in doing the Will of God
which he must have in view in all things
and, at every moment of his life.”

St Peter Claver (1581-1654)

“Can we think, the life of man,
better employed than in this good work?
What do I say? Would not all the labours
of a thousand men, be well rewarded,
in the conversion of a single soul
gained to Jesus Christ?
I have always felt a great love
for this kind of life
and for a profession so excellent
and so akin to that of the Apostles.”

St Isaac Jogues (1607-1646)
Martyr

“Are we in the habit of seeing all thing in God
and God in all things?
Do we accept all things from His Holy Hands
and do His Will cheerfully and lovingly?
Do we try to control ourselves when God sends
us sorrows, in addition to joy?
If we find we are in need of reform in this matter,
we should make good resolutions and fulfil them!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The BEATITUDES, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 November – And opening His mouth, He taught them … – Matthew 5:1-2

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 5 Novemer – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Within the Octave of All Saints and the Feast of the Holy Relics – Apocalypse 7:2-12; 4:1-3 – Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: http s://www.drbo.org/

“And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain… And opening His mouth, He taught them … Blessed are …” – Matthew 5:1-2

REFLECTION – “Lord Jesus Christ, to teach us the summit of virtue, Thou ascended the mountain with Thy disciples and taught them the Beatitudes and highest virtues, promising them the rewards applicable to each. Grant that my weakness may hear Thy Voice, that I may apply myself, through their practice, to acquire the merit of the virtues, so that, by Thy Mercy, I may receive the promised reward. As I consider the payment, do not let me refuse the effort of the labour. Make my hope of eternal salvation, sweeten the bitterness of the cure, inflaming my soul with the splendour of Thy work. Out of the wretched person I am, create one of the blessed; from the blessedness here below, lead me through Thy Grace, to the blessedness of the homeland.

Come, Lord Jesus Christ, in search of Thy servant, seeking Thy erring and exhausted sheep. Come, Spouse of the Church, in search of Thy lost coin. Come, Father of mercies, welcome the prodigal son returning to Thee. Come, then, Lord, for Thou art the only One, able to call back the sheep who has strayed, to find the lost drachma, to reconcile the runaway son. Cone, that there may be salvation on earth and joy in Heaven! Turn me towards Thyself and grant that I may carry out a true and perfect repentance, that I may become an occasion for joy, among the angels. Sweetest Jesus, I pray Thee, by the immensity of Thy Love for me, a sinner, grant that I may love Thee alone, above all things, that I maybe consoled by none but Thou, my sweetest God!” – Ludolph of Saxony (c1300-1378) Monk, Theologian, Writer, Dominican then a Carthusian (Prayers to Jesus Christ).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who granted us to honour the merits of all Thy Saints in a single solemn festival, bestow on us, we beseech Thee, through their manifold intercession, that abundance of Thy mercy for which we yearn. 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).

Posted in CATHOLIC TIME, Of FATHERS, GRANDfathers, GRANDparents, Of PARENTS & FAMILIES of LARGE Families, PRAYERS & NOVENA to St Joseph, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS TO St Joseph, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY, St JOSEPH

Our Morning Offering – 5 November – A Parent’s Prayer to St Joseph

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Our Morning Offering – 5 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – On Wednesdays many Catholics make a special devotion to St Joseph by going to Mass on the 1st Wednesdays of 9 consecutive months and offering their Communions in his honour and for the salvation of the dying.

A Parent’s Prayer to St Joseph

O holy Joseph,
thou faithful Spouse
of the Blessed Mother,
thou who didst protect her
and her Divine Child with such care
and didst devote thy whole life to them;
I beseech thee to be also my
and my children’s protector
and advocate, with Jesus,
thy adopted Son.
Obtain for me the grace
to fulfil my duties to my children,
as thou and Mary have done to Jesus.

St Joseph Pray for all our Fathers
and for our spiritual Fathers
of Holy Mother Church
Amen.

Posted in Of the SICK, the INFIRM, All ILLNESS, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 5 November – Saint Laetus (Died 534) Priest and Confessor of Orleans,

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Saint of the Day – 5 November – Saint Laetus (Died 534) Priest and Confessor of Orleans, France, Monk, Monk, Hermit, Miracle-worker. Whilst still a Monk, Laetus was a spiritual guide to St Leonard of Noblac, who was a fellow Monk. Born in the region of Berry, France and died in 534 in the forest of Orléan. Patronage – of the sick. Also known as – Lie, Lié, Lyé, Leto, Lieto. Additional Feast – 2 January in Mohon, in the Ardennes.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Orleans, in France, St Laetus, Priest, Confessor.”

Statue of St Laetus at Ville-Dommange

Born of a family in Berry, France sometime during the reign of Chlothar I, his name suggests a Gallo-Roman background. Small of stature,, he was a peasant herdsman, who embraced the monastic life at the age of 12. He spent some time at the Monastery of Micy-Saint Mesmin, near Orléans, where he was welcomed by the Abbot Treïcius, who Ordained him a Deacon and then a Priest. While at Micy, Lié provided direction to fellow Monk and Saint Leonard of Noblac (c496-559).

After a few years, Laetus left the Monastery in search of greater solitude. He headed north and stopped on the edge of the Loges Forest (Forest of Orleans), not far from a clearing where poor woodcutters were felling oaks. There, having found a dense thicket where no sound entered, he built himself a hut and there, spent his days in prayer, living only on wild fruits.

Laetus only left this solitude to visit the sick, to comfort them with a few holy words and to soften the bitterness of the last passage. The blind, the lame, the crippled came to meet him and more than once obtained cures through his intercessary prayer. He was greatly loved by all, especially the sick and hopeless. Laetus was viewed an example to all for his humility. .He lived there until the year 534, which he predicted would be the year of his entry into eternal beatitude. He was buried in the place where he had lived and, on his Tomb, a Chapel was erected.

His body was later brought by Ermentheus, the Bishop of Orleans, to the Church of Pithiviers. They burnt by the Huguenots in 1580. However, there were stille fragments of his legs preserved by Christians of Pithiviers. In 1664, they were returned to the Village of Saint-Lyé after many adventures. They now rest in a Reliquary placed at the foot of the Altar dedicated to him. On Pentecost Monday, many pilgrims would come to venerate St Laetus and ask for the cure of their infirmities.

In 1523 a Brotherhood dedicated to venerating Saint Laetus was founded at Mohon, in the Ardennes. The Brotherhood in 1611, having obtained an Indulgence from Pope Paul V, the dedication of the local Church was changed from that of Saint Gilles to Saint Laetus. Some of his Relics were transported to the Église Saint-Lié de Mohon, probably around 1683. There he is celebrated on 2 January.

Saint Laetus is depicted on a pillar of the south porch of Chartres Cathedral. There are numerous Churches, places, Villages names for our Saint in many regions of France.

Posted in DOCTRINE, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, JESUIT SJ, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Within the Octave of All Saints, The Feast of the Holy Relics, Nossa Senhora da Medalha Milagrosa / Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Brazil (1939), All Saints and Blesseds of the Society of Jesus and all the Saints for 5 November

Posted on by AnaStpaul

FIRST WEDBESDAY

The Feast of the Holy Relics:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/05/feast-of-the-holy-relics-5-november-2/
AND:
About: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/05/feast-of-the-holy-relics-5-november/
Protestantism pretends to regard the veneration which the Church pays to the Relics of the Saints, as a sin and contends that this pious practice is a remnant of paganism.
The Council of Trent, on the contrary, has decided that the bodies of the Martyrs and other Saints, who were living members of Jesus Christ and temples of the Holy Ghost, are to be honoured by the faithful.
This decision was based upon the established usage of the earliest days of the Church and upon the teaching of the Fathers and of the Councils.
The Council orders, however, that all abuse of this devotion is to be careffully avoided and forbids any Relics to be exposed which have not been approved by the Bishops and, these Prelates are recommended, to instruct the people faithfully, in the teaching of the Church on this subject.
While we regret, then, the errors of the impious and of heretics, let us profit by the advantages which we gain, by hearkening to the Voice of the Church!

Nossa Senhora da Medalha Milagrosa / Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Monte Sião, Brazil (1939) – 5 November now moved to 27 November:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/05/feast-of-the-holy-relics-nossa-senhora-da-medalha-milagrosa-our-lady-of-the-miraculous-medal-monte-siao-brazil-1939-and-memorials-of-the-saints/

All Saints and Blesseds of the Society of Jesus:
The Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits, was Founded in 1534 by Saint Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) at Montmartre, Paris, France. A body of clerics regular organised for Apostolic work, following a religious rule and relying on alms for their support. It was the chief instrument of the Catholic Reformation. Pope Paul III approved the new rule in 1540 and Ignatius was elected the first general of the order in 1541. The constitutions, drafted by him and based on his Spiritual Exercises were adopted in 1558. It was the first order which enjoined by its constitutions devotion to the cause of education. The ministry of the Society consists chiefly in preaching. teaching catechism. administering the sacraments. conducting missions in parishes, taking care of parishes. organising pious confraternities, teaching in schools of every grade, writing books, pamphlets, periodical articles, going on foreign missions and special missions when ordered by the current Holy Father, to whom they take a vow of total obedience. Our current Holy Father, Pope Francis is a Jesuit and has jokingly wondered aloud who is boss of whom in his Order. The general resides at Rome, Italy and has a council of assistants. The motto of the Society is Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (For the greater glory of God).
All Jesuit Saints and Blesseds:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/05/feast-of-all-the-saints-and-blesseds-of-the-society-of-jesus/

St Augustine of Terracina
Bl Bernhard Lichtenberg

St Bertille (c629-c703) Virgin, Abbess, spiritual student of St Ouen (also known as St Audoin).
About St Bertille:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/05/saint-of-the-day-5-november-saint-bertille-c-629-c-703/

St Canonica
St Comasia
St Dominator of Brescia
+St Elizabeth (1st Century) Mother of St John the Baptist
St Domninus the Physician
St Epistemis
St Eusebius of Terracina
St Felix of Terracina
St Fibitius
St Galation

St Gerald OSA (1070–1123) Bishop of Béziers from 1121 until the day of his death, Canon Regular of St Augustine and the 2nd Prior of the community at Cassan Abbey, Apostle of the poor and sick, Gerald built a Hospital and restored and extended the Abbey, Miracle-worker. Born around 1070 in Puissalicon and died on 5 November 1123 in Béziers in France of natural causes. Patronages – Puissalicon and the town of Saint-Guiraud and of children suffering from eye diseases.
His Life of Love:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/05/saint-of-the-day-5-november-saint-gerald-of-beziers-osa-1070-1123-bishop/

Bl Gomidas Keumurjian
Bl Gregory Lakota
St Guetnoco
St Hermenegild
St Idda
St Juan Antoni Burró Mas
St Juan Duarte Martín
St Kanten
St Kea
St Laetus (Died 534) Priest and Confessor of Orleans
St Magnus of Milan
St Mamete
St Marco of Troia
St Spinulus of Moyen-Moûtier
St Sylvanus of Syria

+St Zachary (1st Centuiry) Priest and Prophet, Father of St John the Baptist and Spouse of St Elizabeth, mother of the same blessed Precursor of Jesus Christ. Patronages – of childless couples, of patience, of Malta and the Hospitallers of Jerusalem.
St Zachary:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/11/05/saint-s-of-the-day-5-november-st-zachary-and-st-elizabeth-1st-centuiry-parents-of-st-john-the-baptist/

Martyrs of Caesarea Maritima – 4 Saints: Four young Christian men who were Martyred together is the persecutions of Maximian – Aussenzius, Philotheus, Timothy and Theotimus. They were martyred in the arena at Caesarea Maritima, Palestine.

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, PURGATORY, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The HOLY SOULS

Thought for the Day – 4 November – More About the Sufferings of Purgatory

Posted on by AnaStpaul

hought for the Day – 4 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

More About the Sufferings of Purgatory

“If I were to die now, in which region of Purgatory should I be likely to be confined?
I have no way of knowing this but, there is something which I do know with certainty.
I know that I should avoid the slightest offence against God that I should expiate my past sins by prayer and penance and, that I should pray for the suffering souls in Purgatory, for this is a Work of Mercy which is most pleasing to God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/04/thought-for-the-day-4-november-more-about-the-sufferings-of-purgatory/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/04/thought-for-the-day-4-november-more-about-the-sufferings-of-purgatory-2/

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Quote/s of the Day – 4 November – Saint Charles Borromeo

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 4 November – Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) He is known as the “Father of the Clergy” – Some of his Patronages: Bishops, Priests, Seminarians • Catechists • Catechumens • Spiritual Directors • Spiritual leaders

“Charity is that with which,
no man is lost,and without which,
no man is saved.”

“Stay quiet with God.
Do not spend your time in useless chatter…
Do not give yourself to others,
so completely that you have
nothing left for yourself.”

“Behold Jesus Christ Crucified,
Who is the only Foundation of our hope;
He is our Mediator and Advocate;
the Victim and Sacrifice for our sins.
He is Goodness and Patience itself;
His Mercy is moved by the tears o sinners
and He never refuses pardon and grace
to those who ask it with a truly contrite
and humbled heart.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/11/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-november-saint-charles-borromeo/

St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The INCARNATION, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 November – “Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 4 Novemer – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) – Sirach 44:16-27; 45:3-20 – Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21

REFLECTION – “The Word of the Father, Only-begotten Son of God, Sun of Justice (Mal 3:20), is the great Merchant Who has brought us the price of our redemption. It is a truly precious exchange which we can never value sufficiently, when a King, Son of the King Most High, has become the Coin, the Gold has paid our dues, the Just Man is given for the sinner. Truly unmerited mercy, perfectly disinterested love, astonishing goodness …, it is a completely disproportionate purchase, in which the Son of God is delivered up for the servant, the Creator is put to death for the one He has created, the Lord is condemned for His slave.

O Christ, these are Thine Works, Thou Who descended from Heaven’s brightness into our hellish darkness, to bring Light to our gloomy prison. Thou came down from the Right Hand of the Divine Majesty, into our human misery, to redeem the human race, Thou Who descended from the Father’s glory, to death on the Cross, to triumph over death and its author. Thou art the only One and there is no other but Thee Who could have been drawn to redeem us through Thine Own Goodness…

Let all the merchants of Teman (Bar 3:23) withdraw from this place … it is not they but Israel [Thy] beloved whom [Thou hast] chosen, Thou Who hide these mysteries from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to those babes and humble servants of Thine (Lk 10:21) … O Lord, I willingly embrace this purchase since it concerns me!… I remember all the things Thou hast done, Thou Who desire that I should keep them alive … Therefore, I shall profit by this talent which Thou hast lent to me until Thy return and will stand before Thee with great joy. O God, grant that I may then hear these sweet words: “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Mt 25:21).” – St Bernard O.Cist. (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, known as the Last Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church (Selected sermons, no 42: The Five Purchases).

PRAYER – Safeguard Thy Church, O Lord, under the continual protection of St Charles, Thy Confessor and Bishop, so that just as his concern for his flock made him glorious, so his intercession may make us ever fervent in loving 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).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for the SOULS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PURGATORY, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, QUOTES on the PRIESTHOOD, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 4 November – Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory By St Alphonsus

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 4 Novemer – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory”

My God! I Recommend to Thee …
Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

My God! I recommend to Thee,
the souls of my relatives,
my benefactors, my friend, my enemies
and of those, who are in Purgatory on my account.
I recommend to Thee,
the souls of Evangelical labourers,
of Religious and Priests
and especially of those,
who had charge of my soul.
I recommend to Thee,
the souls of those, who were most devout
to the Passion of Our Lord,
to the Blessed Sacrament,
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
and to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the souls, who are most abandoned,
those, who suffer most
and those, who are nearest
to the entrance into Paradise.
Amen.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 4 November – Saint Modesta (Died c680) Virgin, Abbess

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 4 November – Saint Modesta (Died c680) Virgin of Trier, Abbess of the Monastery of Ohren in Trier founded by her uncle St Modoald.
Also known as – Modesta of Ohren, … of Trier (formerly Treves).

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Treves, St Modesta, Virgin.”

Beata Francisca de Amboise – Iglesia de San Patern – Vannes – Fr

Modesta was the niece of St Itta and, therefore, a cousin of St Gertrude (626–659). Modesta became a Benedictine Nun and was appointed the 1st Abbess, by Saint Modoald, her uncle and the Bishop of Trier, for the Convent of Ohren, situate in Trier.

The Abbey was built on the site of ancient Roman granaries still remaining on the site. It was later dedicated to the Patronage of Saint Irmina of Ohren, the Abbey’s 2nd Abbess.

Modesta died on 4 November of a year towards the end of the 7th Century and her body was venerated ind in 1769 in the Church of the Abbey of St.Irmina in Öhren. In 1770, the Church was destroyed and rebuilt, but no altar was dedicated to the Saint. According to local believers, her Relics were transferred to the Church of St Matthias, where they rest among the bones of many Saints.

Her cult has been documented since at least the 9th Century and her name appears among the virgins in the Litanies of the Saints, calendars and Liturgical books of Trier and Utrecht.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Santa Maria alla Porta Luigi / Our Lady of Port Louis, Milan, Italy, St Charles Borromeo, Sts Vitalis and Agricola, Martyrs and the Saints for 4 November

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Santa Maria alla Porta Luigi / Our Lady of Port Louis, Milan, Italy – 4 November:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/04/89085/

St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) Confessor Archbishop of Milan, Cardinal, Doctor of Theology, Civil and Canon Law, Reformer, Founder of Seminaries. He is known as the “Father of the Clergy” Born Count Carlo Borromeo .
A Saint for Our Times:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/04/saint-of-the-day-st-charles-borromeo-1538-1584/

St Vitalis (Died c 304) Martyr and St Agricola (Died c 304) Latmen Martyrs. Martyrs, Laymen. They died in c 304 in Bologna, Italy in the persecution of Diocletian. Patronage – Bologna.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Bologna, Saints Vitalis and Agricola, Martyrs, of whom, according to what Saint Ambrose recounts, the first was first a slave to the other, then a companion in Martyrdom: Vitalis, in fact, suffered such torments that there was no longer any part of his body without wound. Agricola, not at all terrified by the torture of his slave, imitated him in Martyrdom by undergoing crucifixion.”
Their Lives and Deaths:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/04/saints-of-the-day-4-november-st-vitalis-died-c-304-and-st-agricola-died-c-304-martyrs/

St Amandus of Avignon

St Amantius (Died c440) The 1st Bishop of Rodez in France, Miracle-worker.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rodez, in France, the blessed Saint Amantius, the Bishop, whose life was resplendent with sanctity and miracles.”
His Life of Holiness:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/11/04/saint-of-the-day-4-november-saint-amantius-of-rodez-died-c440-bishop/

St Birstan
St Clarus the Hermit
St Clether

St Emeric of Hungary (c1007-1031) Confessor, Prince and heir to the Hungarian Throne, Son of St Stephen, King of Hungary.
His Short Life of Chastity and Devotion:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/04/saint-of-the-day-4-november-saint-emeric-of-hungary-c-1007-1031/

Bl Frances d’Amboise
St Gerard de Bazonches
St Gregory of Burtscheid
Bl Helen Enselmini
Bl Henry of Zweifalten
St Hermas of Myra
St Joannicus of Mount Olympus
St John Zedazneli
St Modesta (Died c680) Virgin of Trier Virgin
St Nicander of Lycia
St Patrobas
St Perpète
St Philologus

St Pierius (Died c309) Priest, Co-Director of the Catechetical School of Alexandria, Scholar, renowned Preacher and Exegetical Writer.. He died in Rome in c309 of natural causes which St Jerome assures us of.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “The birthday of St Pierius, Priest of Alexandria, who, being deeply versed in the Sacred Scriptures, leading a very pure life and freed from all impediments in order to apply to Christian philosophy, taught the people with great renown and published various treatise, under the Emperors Carus and Diocletian, when St Theonas governed the Church of Alexandria. After the persecutions, he spent the remainder of his life at Rome, where he rested in peace in the Lord.”
His Life of Grace:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/04/saint-of-the-day-4-november-st-pierius-died-c309-priest-confessor/

St Proculus of Autun

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PURGATORY

Thought for the Day – 3 November – The Pain of Purgatory

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 3 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Pain of Purgatory

“The Tradition of the Fathers and the ordinary teaching of the Church, describe the pains of Purgatory in such a fashion, that they should prompt us to avoid even the smallest sin, not only because it is an offence against the most amiable God but also because, it will be severely punished by Him.
This teaching, moreover, should move us to pity for the poor suffering souls, who are enduring such torments.

St Cyril of Jerusalem states, that the sum total of the sufferings of this world, is nothing in comparison to the sufferings of Purgatory.
He adds, moreover, that the pain of Purgatory is equal to the severity of the torments of Hell; the only difference is that the latter are everlasting, whereas the former, will have an end.
St Athanasius assures us that the least pang of suffering in Purgatory, is sharper than all the torments which it is possible to undergo on earth.
Moreover he adds, in comparison with the fire which afflicts the suffering souls, earthly fire is hardly even real!
St Bede the Venerable tells us, that even if we could imagine all the tortures to which tyrants subjected the Martyrs, such as iron hooks, red-hot pincers, roasting gridirons and boiling pitch, we should still have failed to form any idea of the pains of Purgatory!

But what is the reason for such severe torments?
It is that God loves these souls and desires that they be purified of sins, as soon as possible and be made worthy of infinite happiness.

The fires of Purgatory are nourished by a twofold love – the love of God, Who desires the purification of souls and, the love of these souls, who desire to expiate their faults in order to become worthy of being united to Him forever.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci