Our Morning Offering – 8 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and The Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Immaculate! Immaculate! By Fr Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)
O Mother! I could weep for mirth, Joy fills my heart so fast; My soul today is Heaven on earth, O could the transport last! I think of thee and what thou art, Thy majesty, thy state And I keep singing, in my heart, Immaculate! Immaculate!
When Jesus looks upon thy face, His Heart with rapture glows And in the Church, by His sweet Grace, Thy blessed worship grows. I think of thee and what thou art, Thy majesty, thy state And I keep singing, in my heart,— Immaculate! Immaculate!
The Angels answer with their songs, Bright choirs in gleaming rows And Saints flock round thy feet in throngs And Heaven with bliss o’erflows. I think of thee and what thou art, Thy majesty, thy state And I keep singing, in my heart, Immaculate! Immaculate!
This Hymn comes from Hymns By Frederick Faber, (1871 edition) and is under the title “Immaculate! Immaculate!” It is a Hymn for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December.
Saint of the Day – 8 December – Saint Sophronius of Cyprus (6th Century) Bishop of the Island of Cyprus, off the coast of Greece, Apostle of widows and orphans, the poor and needy. It is believe, by his name which Greek meaning is ‘the wise‘, that he was of noble Greek origin. Also known as – Sofronio, Sofronius.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Cyprus, the holy Bishop Sophronius, who was a devoted protector of orphans and widows and a friend to the poor and the opporessed.”
Sophronius lived in a Greek environment, in an unspecified period. We only know that he was Bishop of Cyprus, successor of San Damiano.
About him, we can only repeat the beautiful words dedicated to him in place of biographical detals, by the Roman Martyrology: “He was, in an admirable way, protector of the little ones, of orphans, of widows; comfort of the poor and of all the oppressed.”
It is not much but, it is more than enough to guarantee the sanctity of the ancient Bishop of Cyprus, Saint Sophronius and justify his fame, albeit limited on earth is great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
St Anastasia of Pomerania St Anthusa of Africa St Casari of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
St Eucharius of Trier (Died 3rd Century) the First Bishop of Trier, Germany, Date and place of birth are unknown but Eucharius is believed to have been of Italian origin. Additional Memorial in Limburg, Germany of the 3 Bishops sent by St Peter, occurs on 11 September. – The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Treves, St Eucharius, disciple of the blessed Apostle Peter and the first Bishop of that City.” His Holy Life: https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/08/saint-of-the-day-8-december-saint-eucharius-of-trier-died-3rd-century-bishop/
St Gunthildis of Ohrdruf St Macarius of Alexandria St Patapius
St Romaric (Died 653) Married French noble layman, Abbot, Founder of the renowned Remiremont double Monastery in north-eastern France. Died in 653 of natural causes. He was Canonised on 3 December 1049 by Pope Leo IX. The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In the Monastery of Luxeuil, St Romericus, Abbot, who left the highest station at the Court of King Theodebert, renounced the world and surpassed all others in the observance of monastic discipline.” About St Romaric: https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/08/saint-of-the-day-8-december-saint-romaric-died-653-abbot/
Thought for the Day – 7 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Advent From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
The Causes of Delay
+1. If the wickedness of the world in heathen times was so great, how was it that the Coming of the Redeemer was so long delayed? To this question we can only give one answer with absolute certainty, it was so decreed by Almighty God in His Infinite Wisdom. We cannot hope, in this life, to comprehend the Mysteries of the Providence of the Most High. We can only humbly bow our heads and say that, the Redeemer came when God so Willed and that which God Wills, is necessarily the best.
+2. Yet, we can at least form some kind of conjecture, as to the causes of delay. God works by natural means. In order that the religion of Jesus, should spread all over the world, by the ordinary working of the laws which govern the affairs of men, it was convenient that the world should be subject to one central power. This was never the case until, at the time of Christ’s Nativity, the Roman Empire was mistress of the world. Thus, God prepares the way for His Designs of Mercy and arranges the world’s events according to His Will, yet, without forcing the wills of men.
+3. There was another reason for the long delay. It was to teach us that, God does nothing hurriedly. He always waits, before executing His Decrees. In this, He wishes us to imitate Him. The Eternal Wisdom of the Most High needs no time for deliberation. His Works are not gradually perfected, or improved, on second thoughts. But ours are and the slow action (in our understanding of time) of the Providence of God, should impress upon us, the importance of waiting before we act and considering and reconsidering, all our plans .
Quote/s of the Day – 7 December – St Ambrose (340-397) Confessor, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church
Nunc, Sancte, nobis Spiritus Come, Holy Ghost, Who ever One By St Ambrose (340-397) Trans John Henry Newman (1801-1890) Trans 1836
Come, Holy Ghost, Who ever One Art with the Father and the Son. Come, Holy Ghost, our souls possess With Thy full flood of holiness.
In will and deed, by heart and tongue, With all our powers, Thy praise be sung. And love, light up our mortal frame, Till others catch the living flame.
Almighty Father, hear our cry Through Jesus Christ our Lord most high, Who with the Holy Ghost and Thee Doth live and reign eternally.
“So Peter wept and wept bitterly; he wept so fiercly he washed away his offence with his tears. And you, too, if you would win pardon, wipe out your guilt with tears. At that very moment, in that same hour, Christ will look at you. If some kind of fall happens to you, then He, the ever-present Witness of your intimate life, looks at you to call you back and cause you to confess your lapse. Then do as Peter did, who thrice said: “Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee” (Jn 21:15). He denied three times and three times he also confessed. But he denied by night; he confessed in broad daylight!”
“… Behold, now is the acceptable time. behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6). And so, you must be more earnest in prayer and in alms-giving, in fasting and in watching. He who until now has given alms, in these days, let him give more – for as water quencheth a flaming fire, so does almsgiving wipe out sin (Eccles 3:3). He that, until now, fasted and prayed, let him fast and pray still more – for there are certain sins which are not cast out, except by prayer and fasting (Mc 27:20).”
“Fasting is the death of sin, the destruction of our crimes and the remedy of our salvation.”
One Minute Reflection – 7 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Vigil of the Immaculate Conception – St Ambrose (340-397) – Confessor, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so, will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments, will be called greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” – Matthew 5:19
REFLECTION – “For what reason then does He call some of these commandments “least,” although they are so magnificent and lofty? Jesus spoke this way because, He was about to introduce His own teaching, as a new law . As He humbles Himself and speaks of Himself with great modesty, so He refers to His own teaching in the same manner. In this way, Jesus teaches us to practice humility in everything. And besides, since some suspected His teaching to be a new departure, He temporarily taught it in a more reserved way.
But when you hear “least in the Kingdom of Heaven,” you are to think of nothing but hell and punishment. For it was His practice to speak, not only of the joy the Kingdom brings but also, of the time of the resurrection and the fearful event of the Second Coming.
Think of one who calls a brother a fool. That one, transgresses only one commandment, maybe even the slightest one and falls into hell. Compare that one with another, who breaks all the commandments and instigates others to break them too. Do both have the same relationship to the Kingdom? This is not the argument Jesus is making. Rather, He means, that one who transgresses only one of the commands will, on the final day, be the least — that is, cast out — and last and will fall into hell!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Archbishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (The Gospel of Saint Matthew, Homily 16).
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who have given blessed Ambrose to Thy people as a help for eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee that we may be worthy to have him as our intercessor in Heaven, whom we have had as a teacher of life, on earth. ThroughJesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 7 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Vigil of the Immaculate Conception
A Great and Mighty Wonder By St Germanus (c640-c 733) Father of the Church
A great and mighty wonder, a glorious mystery, a Virgin bears an Infant who veils His Deity. Refrain: Proclaim the Saviour’s birth, “To God on high be glory and peace to all the earth!” The Word becomes incarnate and yet remains on high, and Cherubim sing anthems to shepherds from the sky. … [Refrain] While thus they sing your monarch, those bright angelic bands, rejoice, O vales and mountains and oceans, clap your hands. [Refrain] Since all, He comes to ransom, by all, be He adored, the Infant born in Bethl’em, the Saviour and the Lord. [Refrain] All idols then shall perish and Satan’s lying cease, and Christ shall raise His sceptre, decreeing endless peace. [Refrain]
St Germanus was one of the Greek hymnwriters and one of the grandest among the defenders of the Icons. He was born at Constantinople of a patrician family, was Ordained there and became subsequently, Bishop of Cyzicus. He was present at the Synod of Constantinople in 712, which restored the Monothelite heresy but, in after years, he condemned it. He was made Archbishop of Constantinople in 715. In 730 he was driven from the See, not without blows, for refusing to yield to the Iconoclastic Emperor, Leo the Isaurian. He died shortly afterwards in exile at a good old age. His Life below: https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/12/saint-of-the-day-12-may-saint-germanus-of-constantinople-c-640-733/
Saint of the Day – 7 December – Saint Martin of Saujon (Died c400) Priest, Founder and the 1st Abbot of Saujon Monastery in Saintonge, France. Born in Saintes and died at his Monastery in Saintonge, France of natural causes.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Saintes, in France, St Martin, Abbot, at whose Tomb, God worked frequent miracles.”
Originally from Saintes, he was a disciple of St Martin of Tours at the Abbey of Marmoutier. After the death of his spiritual father, he returned to his native country to found a Monastery himself in Saujon.
An Internet user writes to us: “living 25 km from Candes, a legend of St Martin still exists: when he died, the inhabitants of Tours came to collect his body and returned on a boat on the Loire. All along the route, the trees and all the vegetatio,n began to flower (remember this is in December in the Northern Hemisphere!) hence, the expression came to be – “the summer of Saint Martin.”
It seems from the above that St Martin was buried in Saintes.
Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: – LINK to the 9th Day – THE NINTH DAY – 7 December
Vigil of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – A Day of FASTING and ABSTINENCE. On this Vigil day, Catholics stand in the remains of the night as the dawn makes its appearance. This resplendent dawn is that Singular Conception, the Immaculate Conception, who ushers in the Light of Christ. A day of Fast and Abstinence following the Rubrics of Pope Pius X for the Universal Calendar of the Church.
“It is through the most Blessed Virgin Mary, that Jesus Christ came into the world and, it is also through her, that He will reign in the world.” – St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)
Thought for the Day – 6 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Advent From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
The Golden Thread
+1. All through the long ages which elapsed from the promise to the Coming of the Redeemer, a Golden Thread of Light from Heaven ran across their darkness. In the chosen people of Israel, there ever prevailed a strong conviction of the Coming of a Saviour, Who was to deliver His people from all sin and evil. It was handed down from generation to generation and was, again and again, renewed by the inspired declarations of the Prophets of Israel. Thus God, in His Mercy, never leaves Himself without a witness, to reveal to men of goodwill, the message of hope.
+2. So through all the centuries which have passed since the Coming of Our Lord, the Catholic Church has been the Golden Thread of Light amid the darkness of heresy and heathendom. What a bright and glorious Thread! What a contrast to all around! How it has, through God’s Mercy , enlightened my life! How can I ever thank God sufficiently for, led by its Divine Light, I am travelling on in peace and safety to the heavenly Jerusalem!
+3. So too, there runs through the life of all those who are to attain at last to the eternal happiness of Heaven, a Golden Thread which never wholly disappears, even though their steps may wander far from the right path. Sometimes, it is kindness to the poor; sometimes, devotion to the holy souls; very often it is a reverence to the holy Mother of God which thus runs through the whole of life. In my life God has interwoven some such thread. Do I follow it with grateful perseverance?
Quote of the Day – 6 December – St Nicholas (270-343) Confessor, Bishop
St Nicholas had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose modern name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas, itself from a series of elisions and corruptions of the adaptation of “Sint Nikolaas.”
Many traditions have evolved during the course of history, including for the children, a supply of St Nicholas Biscuits:
INGREDIENTS 4 cups sifted All-purpose Flour 1/2 teaspoon Bicarinate of Soda (Baking Soda) 1/4 teaspoon Salt 1 cup Butter or Margarine 2 cups Sugar (I prefer Caster Sugar but normal Granulated is fine) 3 Eggs (Large will do) 1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence
METHOD Sift together first 3 ingredients. Cream butter or margarine – slowly stir in sugar; beat until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time; beat well. Stir in Vanilla Essence. Stir in flour mixture, mixing well. Cover dough; chill until firm enough to roll. On a floured board, roll dough, a little at a time, until 1 cm inch thick. Cut out Biscuits with a floured Santa Claus (or St. Nicholas) Biscuit Cutter- if not available make them round or oval and decorate with a appropriate “face” and colours. Place on well greased Oven Biscuit Tray. Bake at 350°F pr 180°C for 8 minutes or until golden. Remove from Trays; – cool on wire racks.
Decorate with Icing Sugar, Smartie or any round shaped sweets, coconut and food colourant to mimic Santa’s Red Hat. Makes about 40 Biscuits.
One Minute Reflection – 6 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Nicholas (270-343) Confessor, Bishop – Hebrews 13:7-17; Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“ Well done, good and faithful servant because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” – Matthew 25:23
REFLECTION – “The parable of the talents is about all those who, instead of providing assistance to their brethren with their goods, their advice or, in some other way, live only for themselves … Jesus wants to show us, our Lord’s long patience in this parable but, He also alludes, it seems to me, to the final resurrection …In the first place, the servants who give an account of their dealings unequivocally acknowledge that which comes from their Master’s gift and, that which is the fruit of their stewardship. The first says: “Lord, Thou entrusted me with five talents” and the second: “Lord, Thou entrusted me with two talents.” Thus they acknowledge it is from their Master’s bounty that they hold the capital they put to their profit.
This acknowledgement goes so far, that they ascribe all the merit and glory of their success, to their Master’s trust. What does the Master reply, then? “Well done, good and faithful servant.” This is real goodness, is it not, when someone strives to do good towards their brethren?… “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” this refers to the blessedness of Eternal Life.
But, it is by no means the same case for the wicked servant … What is then the Master’s reply? “Thou wicked and lazy servant, why didst thou not place my money in the bank?” which means, speaking to, encouraging, counselling one’s brothers and sisters. “But people would not listen to me,” the other might have replied. To which the Lord answers: “What is that to thee? … Thou shouldst, at least, have deposited this money in the bank and left Me to collect it with interest on My return.” The interest refers to the good works which go before the Hearing of the Word, when we are to speak. “Thou only had to do the easier part of the work and leave the more difficult to Me” … What is there to say? Someone who, for the sake of the other, has received the grace of word and teaching but does not put it to use, will have this grace taken away. But someone, who uses wisely and zealously, the grace received, will receive an even more abundant grace!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father & Doctor of the Church (Homilies on Saint Matthew’s gospel 78:2-3).
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who made the holy Bishop Nicholas renowned for countless miracles, grant, we beseech Thee that by his merits and prayers, we may be saved from the fires of hell. 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).
Let Me Sing the Song of Love By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (1873 – 1897)
Deepen Thy love in me, O Lord that I may learn, in my inmost heart how sweet it is to love, to be dissolved and to plunge myself into Thy love. Let Thy love possess and raise me above myself, with a fervour and wonder beyond imagination. Let me sing the song of love. Let me follow Thee into the heights. Let my soul spend itself in Thy praise, rejoicing for love. Let me love Thee more than myself and myself, only for Thy sake. Let me love others, as Thy law commands. Amen
Saint of the Day – 6 December – Saint Gertrude the Elder (c560-649) Widow, Abbess, Founder and the 1st Abbess of Hamage Abbey in the North of France. It was a Monastery of Nuns, dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Eusebia. Also known as – Gertrude de Cambrai, Gertrude of Hamage, Gertrude of Hamaye.
Hamage Abbey
The daughter of a nobleman of Douai, France, Gertrude married the nobleman Rigomer. Widowed at an early age, she devoted herself to the education of her three sons, one of whom was to be venerated as a Saint and Martyr, St Adalbald (Died 652).
Following the settlement of her sons, Gertrude withdrew from the world to live at an Oratory in Hamage, where she devoted herself to religious exercises and acts of charity. Here she was joined in her life of piety by her grand-daughter Eusebia.
Gertrude bravely endured the sorrow of learning that her son Adalbald had been Martyred. Adalbald’s widow, Rictrude (c 614–688) also became a Saint.
At Hamage Gertrude founded and became the 1st Abbess of a Convent, where she trained her grand-daughter for religious life before dying and leaving the government of the Convent to her.
First Friday of the Month: “I promise you, in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all powerful love, will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday, for Nine Consecutive Months, the grace of final repentance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving the Sacraments; my Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge, in that last moment.” — Our Lord to St Margaret Mary
How to complete the Nine First Friday’s Devotion:
Receive Holy Communion on each First Friday;
The Nine Fridays must be consecutive;
They must be made in honour and in reparation to His Sacred Heart.
St Gertrude the Elder the Elder (c560-649) Widow, Abbess St Isserninus of Ireland St Leontia the Martyr St Majoricus the Martyr St Polychronius St Tertus
Thought for the Day – 5 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Advent From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Transient Gleams
+1. “From time to time, there broke through the thick darkness of heathendom, a gleam of light which seemed to be a harbinger of the coming day. Some sage or poet sang of a golden age which soon would be at hand. But the flash of light soon disappeared and only left the darkness, even darker than before. So in the life of those who have hardened themselves against God, there are sometimes moments, when the devil seems to have forsaken his prey and, there seems a hope of better things. But if Jesus’ Coming is still far away the improvement soon passes and the evil seems to have even a more complete mastery than ever before.
+2. There is something very beautiful in the sentiments of the old Greek and Roman poets. Their minstrels ring sweetly in our ears. Their poems proclaim them men of the highest genius. But they have no power to effect a change of heart , such as is wrought by the inspired words of some great Saint or servant of God. God must speak through it – man’s voice, if is to avail to turn others to God. Do I pray God thus to rule and direct my words that theymay do His work?
+3. So too, many of the deads of the heroes of antiquity, appear worthy of the holy ones of God. Some may have been done from a supernatural motive and may even, have merited eternal life. But no act, however noble in the natural order, is of any value in the sight of God, unless it be done with some sort of conscious desire to please and serve Him. Do my ordinary actions possess this necessary characteristic?”
Quote/s of the Day – 5 December – The First Week of Advent – Ferial Day Romans 13:11-14; Luke 21:25-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads because your redemption is at hand.”
Luke 21:28
“Watch, therefore because you know not the day, nor the hour.” Matthew 25:13
“ In the hours of the night, think always on Christ and hope for His Coming at every moment. … Christ enters at the open door. He will not fail to do so, for He has promised to enter. Embrace Him, Whom you have sought. Approach Him and be illumined. Hold Him and ask Him not to go away quickly. Beg Him not to depart. For “His Word runs swiftly” (Ps 147:15) and will not be held by the slothful or negligent soul. Let your soul run to His call and follow closely, the sound of His heavenly Voice, for His passing is swift. …”
St Ambrose (340-397) Father and Doctor of the Church
“It is only right, my brothers, to celebrate our Lord’s Coming with all possible devotion, so greatly does His comfort gladden us… and His love burn within us. But do not just think about His First Coming, when He Came “to seek and save the lost” (Lk 19:10); think, too, of that other Coming, when He will come to take us with Him. I should like to see you constantly occupied in meditating on these two Comings… for they are the two arms of the Bridegroom …”
St Bernard (1091-1153) Mellifluous Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 5 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The First Week of Advent – Ferial Day Romans 13:11-14; Luke 21:25-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads because your redemption is at hand.” – Luke 21:28
REFLECTION – “We are waiting to celebrate Christ’s Birthday and, according to the Lord’s Promise, we will soon see Him. The Scripture demands from us that we rejoice, to the point of raising our spirit above itself and … leaping for joy at the coming of the Lord…For, even before His advent, the Lord comes to you. Before appearing to the whole world, He comes to visit you personally, He Who said: “I will not leave you orphaned; I will come back to you” (Jn 14:18).
In fact, according to the merit and fervour of each one,there is a frequent and familiar advent of the Lord that, in this intermediary period, between his first and last coming, models us on one and prepares us for the other. The Lord comes to us now, so that His First Coming to us, may not be vain and that the last one, may not be that of wrath. Through His present coming, in fact, He works at reforming our pride, in the image of the humility of His first advent, to then remodel our humble body, in the image of the glorified body He will show us when He will return. This is why we should desire and fervently ask this personal coming – which gives us the grace of this first advent and promises us the glory of the last. …
The first was humble and hidden, the last will be resounding and magnificent; the one we are talking about is hidden but it is also magnificent. I say it is hidden, not because it is ignored by whom it concerns but because, it happens secretly in him. … He comes without being seen and He leaves without being noticed. His simple Presence is Light for the soul and for the spirit, by it you may see the invisible and get to know the unknown. This coming of the Lord puts the soul of whom, contemplates it, in a gentle and happy state of admiration. Then, from the inmost depths of man, the cry may burst out: “O Lord, who is like Thee!” (Ps 34:10). Those who have experienced it know, please God, that those who have not yet had this experience, may feel at least, the desire to !” – Blessed Guerric of Igny (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (2nd sermon for Advent, 2-4: PL 185, 15-17).
PRAYER – O God, Who, by the message of an Angel, willed to take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant that we, Thy suppliants, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with Thee. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 5 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”
I’ll Sing a Hymn to Mary By Father John Wyse (1825-1898) Irish Priest and Hymn writer
I’ll sing a hymn to Mary, The Mother of my God, The Virgin of all virgins, Of David’s royal blood. O teach me, Holy Mary, A loving song to frame, When wicked men blaspheme thee, To love and bless thy name.
O Lily of the Valley, O Mystic Rose, what tree, Or flower, e’en the fairest, Is half so fair as thee? O let me, tho’ so lowly Recite my Mother’s fame. When wicked men blaspheme thee, I’ll love and bless thy name.
O noble Tower of David, Of gold and ivory. The ark of God’s own promise, The gate of Heav’n to me. To live and not to love thee Would fill my soul with shame. When wicked men blaspheme thee, I’ll love and bless thy name.
When troubles dark afflict me In sorrow and in care, Thy light doth ever guide me O beauteous Morning Star. Lo, I’ll be ever ready Thy goodly help to claim, When wicked men blaspheme thee, To love and bless thy name.
The Saints are high in glory, With golden crowns so bright; But brighter far is Mary, Upon her throne of light. Oh that which God did give thee, Let mortal ne’er disclaim; When wicked men blaspheme thee, I’ll love and bless thy name.
But in the crown of Mary, There lies a wonderous gem, As Queen of all the Angels, Which Mary shares with them; No sin hath e’er defiled thee, So doth our faith proclaim; When wicked men blaspheme thee, I’ll love and bless thy name.
And now O Virgin Mary My mother and my Queen, I’ve sung thy praise so bless me, And keep my heart from sin. When others jeer and mock thee, I’ll often think how I To shield my Mother, Mary, Would lay me down and die.
Saint of the Day – 5 December – St Dalmatius of Pavia (Died c304) Bishop Martyr, Missionary and Evangeliser. Patronage of Pedone and Borgo San Dalmazzo in Italy/ Also known as – Dalmatius of Pedona, Dalmazio… Dalmazzo…
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Pavia, St Dalmatius, Bidshop and Martyr, who suffered in the persecutions of Maximian.”
The oldest Vita, derives, from an original written between 570 and 650, while, according to another historian, it was composed in the 8th Century. The author, perhaps a Lombard Monk from the Monastery of Pedona, who drew on oral traditions, says he was born in San Damiano Macra in the pre-Constantinian era and presents him as an Ecclesiastic and evangeliser of Pedona.
At the beginning of the 10th Century, when this locality was devastated by the Saracens, the body of the Saint was taken to Quargnento, where the inscription was placed on his Tomb: “ic requiescit corpus sancti Dalmatii repositum ab Audace episcopo Astensi – here rests the body of St Dalmatia, deposited by Audace, Bishop of Astens.”
Since the 9th Century, in France, Dalmatius has been considered a Martyr. More recent sources say he was originally from Germany, a Missionary and Evangeliser of many Cities in Piedmont, Emilia and Gaul, killed for the Faith in 254.
The Roman Martyrology, based on Episcopal records, wrongly remembers him on 5 December as the Bishop of Pavia, where, however, a Church was dedicated to him. What is certain is that in Pedona there was a Basilica erected in his honour and on 5December many pilgrims, even from distant countries, flocked to his Tomb.
Dalmatius was probably a local Evangeliser of Pedona, in an era which is not easily determined and was, therefore, venerated there as a Saint. 5 December would be the anniversary of his death, or of his elevation to the honour of the Altars.
This Statue of St Dalmatius resides in Pornassio, Liguria, Italia
Blessed Bartholomew Fanti of Mantua O.Carm. (c 1428-1495) Carmelite Priest, renowned Preacher. Humble and gentle, Bartholomew gave an example to everyone of a life of prayer, of loving kindness and generosity to all and of faithful service to the Lord. He was remembered and revered, even during his life, for his great love ot the Blessed Sacrament, which was the source and the summit of his apostolic life, together with his love and devotion to the Virgin Mother. His Beatification received the Papal approval of Pope Pius X on 18 March 1909. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/05/saint-of-the-day-5-december-blessed-bartholomew-fanti-o-carm-c-1443-1495/
St Basilissa of Øhren St Bassus of Lucera St Bassus of Nice St Cawrdaf of Fferreg St Christina of Markyate St Consolata of Genoa St Crispina St Cyrinus of Salerno – Bishop. Martyr. No other information has surived. St Dalmatius of Pavia (Died c304) Bishop Martyr St Firminus of Verdun
St Gratus Bl Giovanni Gradenigo St Justinian St Martiniano of Pecco St Nicetius of Trier St Pelinus of Confinium
Martyrs of Thagura – 12 Saints: A group of twelve African Christians who were Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. The only details about them that have survived are five of their names – Crispin, Felix, Gratus, Juliua and Potamia. They died in 302 in Thagura, Numidia
Thought for the Day – 4 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Advent From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
The Long Darkness .
+1. “The Light extinguished at the Fall, was rekindled in the hearts of our first parents, when the promise was given them, of a Redeemer, Who should undo the fatal mischief which had been done. But, in their children, Adam and Eve had to lament the fatal effects of that deadly evil they had introduced into the world. As generation followed generation, thicker and thicker grew the darkness, farther and farther did men wander away from the Light which, gave to each, the power of guiding his feet aright from earth to Heaven. Thus, it is, each ill deed goes on bearing its deadly fruit, often long after the doer is dead and gone.
+2. Yet every man had Light and Grace sufficient and more than sufficient, to enable him to walk in the ways of God and, to find his way to the Kingdom of Heaven. But none, save a very few availed themselves of it. They loved darkness more than the Light! The world gradually lost all regard for virtue and for God. How grateful should I be to God that I love Him and co-operate with His Light and Grace!
+3. If I had lived then what should I have been? Even with all my countless graces and advantages , what a poor specimen I am of one made by God, for God and in the Image of God! In heathen days should I not have been among the most depraved? Should I not have recklessly indulged my own inclinations, irrespective of the Voice of God warning and reproaching me What chance should I have had of saving my soul in those days of dark corruption and depravity?”
Quote/s of the Day – 4 December – St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450) “Golden Words” Confessor, Father & Doctor of the Church
“Whose likeness and inscription is this?” Matthew 22:20
“The Creator seeks out what else He can add to your dignity – He sets His image within you (Gen 1:27) so that your visible image, might make present, upon earth, the invisible Creator and, to you, He entrusts the care of earthly goods, so that, as vast a domain as this, should not be lacking a representative from the Lord. … And what God accomplished in you by His power, He graciously assumed into Himself – He wanted to be truly manifested in the man in whom, hitherto, He had only appeared in image. He enabled us to become, in reality, what had only been a mere likeness before. … And so, Christ is born, to restore all its integrity, to fallen nature! ”
“Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners? ” Matthew 9:11
“But Christ, my brethren, came to this meal – Life came amongst these guests that those who were going to die, might live with Him, the same Life as He. The Resurrection reclined at this table that those who lay in death, might rise from their tombs; Grace stooped down to raise sinners up, to forgiveness; God came to man that man might attain to God; the Judge came to the meal of the guilty, to release humankind from the sentence of condemnation; the Doctor came to the sick, to restore their depleted strength by eating with them; the Good Shepherd bent down to carry the lost sheep back to salvation’s fold (Lk 15:l3).”
“O my brethren, if only we wanted to, if only we all wanted to perceive our soul’s paralysis in all its depth! Then we would see that it is lying on a stretcher of sins, deprived of strength. Christ’s action within us, would be a source of light and we would understand that each day He sees our lack of faith, harmful as it is, that He draws us towards healing remedies and sharply presses our rebellious wills. “My son” He says, “your sins are forgiven you.”
One Minute Reflection – 4 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450) “Golden Words” Confessor, Father & Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“I am not come to destroy but to fulfil.” – Matthew 5:17
REFLECTION – “Grace which was formerly veiled, so to speak, in the Old Testament, has been fully revealed in the Gospel of Christ by a harmonious disposition of the times, just as God usually disposes of everything with harmony … But within this wonderful harmony, we notice a great difference between the two ages. On Sinai, the people did not dare draw near the place where the Lord was giving His Law; in the Upper Room, the Holy Ghost comes down on all those assembled there, while waiting for the fulfilment of the promise (Ex 19:23; Acts 2:1). In the first instance, the Finger of God inscribed the laws on tablets of stone but now, it is in human hearts where He writes it (Ex 31:18; 2 Cor 3:3). Formerly the Law was written without and brought fear to sinners but now, it has been given to them within, to make them righteous …
Indeed, as the Apostle Paul says, everything written on the stone tablets, “you shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill. .., you shall not covet” and whatever other commandments there may be, are summed up in this saying: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Love does no evil to the neighbour; hence, love is the fulfilment of the Law” (Rm 13:9f.; Lv 19:18) … This charity has been “poured into our hearts through the Holy Ghost Who is given to us” (Rm 5:5).” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (On the spirit and the letter, 28-30).
PRAYER – O God, Who willed to foreshow divinely that blessed Peter Chrysologus would be a great Doctor to rule and teach Thy Church, grant, we beseech Thee that we may be worthy to have him as our intercessor in Heaven, who on earth was a teacher of life. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Dear Saviour, haste! Come, come to earth. Dispel the night and show Thy Face And bid us hail the Dawn of grace. O come, Divine Messias, The world in silence waits the day When hope shall sing its triumph, And sadness flee away. Amen
This is the Refrain from a beautiful Advent Hymn by Abbé Simon-Joseph Pellegrin, a French Cluniac Monk, Poet, Composer and Playwright.
Saint of the Day – 4 December – Saint Felix of Bologna (Died 432) Bishop, a disciple and the Deacon of St Ambrose at Milan. Died in Bologna on 4 December 432. Also known as – Felice.
The Roman Martyrology: “At Bologna, Saint Felix, Bishop, who had been the Deacon of the Church of Milan under Saint Ambrose.”
Felix, the 7th Bishop of Bologna (397? – 432), immediately preceded Saint Petronius. Already a Deacon of the Church of Milan, he is remembered by St Paulinus in the Life of Saint Ambrose.
From the Ambrosian Epistolary we learn that Felix was chosen for a delicate mission to the Emperor Theodosius in 394:
“I deservedly sent my son, Deacon Felix, to carry my letter, so that he may also take my place and present a memorial for those who have turned to the Mother Church, asking for the mercy of your piety” (St Ambrose Ep 62:3).
His death is dated 4 December 432 as is his Feast Day. His head is venerated in the Cathedral, where it was placed by Cardinal Gabriele Paleotti in 1586.
St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) “Golden Words” Confessor,, Father & Doctor of the Church – Bishop of Ravenna, Italy. Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Peter Chrysologus, a fifth-century Italian Bishop known for testifying courageously to Christ’s full humanity and divinity during a period of the heresy called “Monophysite.” The saint’s title, Chrysologus, signifies “golden speech” in Greek. Named as a Doctor of the Church in 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII., he is distinguished as the “Doctor of Homilies” for the concise but theologically rich reflections he delivered during his time as the Bishop of Ravenna. 176 of his sermons have survived – it is the strength of these beautiful explanations of the Incarnation, the Creed, the place of Mary and John the Baptist in the great plan of salvation, Mary’s perpetual Virginity, the penitential value of Lent, Christ’s Eucharistic presence and the Primacy of St Peter and his successors in the Church. FEAST DAY: 4 December (General Roman Calendar 1729-1969) https://anastpaul.com/2018/07/30/saint-of-the-day-30-july-st-peter-chrysologus-c-400-450-golden-words/
St Bertoara of Bourges St Christian O.Cist. (c1180-1245) Bishop St Christianus St Clement of Alexandria St Cyran of Brenne St Eraclius St Ezequiel Álvaro de La Fuente St Felix of Bologna (Died 432) Bishop Bl Francis Galvez St Heraclas of Alexandria Bl Jerome de Angelis St John the Wonder Worker St Maruthas St Melitus of Pontus
Thought for the Day – 3 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Meditations for Advent From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
The Announcement of His Coming
“+1. For a short time after their creation our first parents lived in perfect peace and happiness in the Garden of Eden. If they had continued obedient to the authority of their Creator, during their whole time of probation, there would have been no need for the advent of the Son of God as their Redeemer from sin, for sin there would have been none. It was their deliberate rebellion which was the occasion that determined the visit of the Word to this world of ours. No wonder that the Church sings, O felix culpa! O happy transgression which earned a Redeemer such as this! Admire God’s wonderful Providence in thus bringing good out of evil and advantage to man for his very sin!
+2. The promise made was couched in words which gave no immediate prospect of the crushing of the serpent’s head and the destruction of his power. It left the curse of sin upon the earth and its inhabitants and announced the sorrows which would accompany them through their time of sojourn here. This law still holds. Christ came to abolish sin but not its temporal consequences. He who sins shall suffer, is a law which Christ fulfilled and in no way destroyed.
+3. Yet, the promise of a Redeemer rekindled the light of hope in the souls of Adam and Eve. They and all their children, were ever looking and praying for His Coming. God’s intention was to keep them in expectancy. So too, with His Second Coming. There has always been a tradition of expectation. “Blessed is the man whom his Lord , when He cometh, shall find watching.” Hence, learn to watch and pray. Come quickly , O Lord Jesus!”
Quote/s of the Day – 3 December – St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552) Confessor
“Would to God that these men who laboUr so much in gaining knowledge, would give as much thought to the account, they must one day give to God, of the use they have made of their learning and of the talents entrusted to them!”
“Tell the students to give up their small ambitions and come eastward to preach the Gospel of Christ.”
One Minute Reflection – 3 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552) Confessor – Romans 10:10-18, Mark 16:15-18 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And these signs shall follow them who believe: In My Name they shall cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents and, if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay their hand upon the sick and they shall recover.” – Mark 16:17-18
REFLECTION – “The Lord said to the Eleven: “And these signs shall follow them who believe: In My Name they shall cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents and, if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay their hand upon the sick and they shall recover.” In the primitive Church all the signs the Lord lists here, were fulfilled to the letter, not only by the Apostles but, many other of the Saints. The Gentiles would not have abandoned the worship of idols if the Gospel preaching had not been confirmed with so many signs and wonders. Indeed, did not the disciples preach “a Crucified Christ, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,” according to Saint Paul’s saying? (1 Cor 1:23) …
As for us, from now, on signs and wonders are no longer needed, it is enough for us to read or hear an account of those which have happened. For we believe in the Gospel, we believe in the Scriptures which relate them. And yet, signs still take place daily and, if we would mark them well, we would acknowledge that they have far more worth than the concrete miracles of former times.
Every day Priests administer Baptism and call to conversion – is not this to cast out demons? Every day they speak a new language when they explain holy Scripture by replacing the old letter with the newness of its spiritual sense. They put serpents to flight, when they free sinners’ hearts from their attachment to evil with gentle exhortation … They cure the sick, when they reconcile weak souls to God with their prayers. Such are the signs the Lord had promised his Saints – it is these they accomplish even today!” – St Bruno of Segni O.Cart. (c1030 -1101) Cistercian Bishop (Commentary on Saint Mark’s Gospel).
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who were pleased to gather into Thy Church the peoples of the Indies by the preaching and miracles of blessed Francis, mercifully grant that we, who honour his glorious merits, may also imitate the example of his virtues. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
AnaStpaul 
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