Saint of the Day – 15 September – Blessed Rolando de Medici (c1330-1386) Hermit, Penitent. Born in c1330 in Milan, Italy and died on 15 September 1386 in Bargone, near Genoa in Italy. Also known as Roland, Orlando.
Born into the renoiwned and sometimes infamouse, Medici family of Milan, in 1360, Rolando, at about thirty years of age, driven by the desire for a holy life, retired to the life of a Hermit.
Rolando settled in the woods near Bargone in Genoa. He lived for twenty-six years in continuous silence, feeding on what the woods offered him and, in wintertime, he begged. But his efforts met only sad indifference or, far worse – fear and anger, because he was regarded as mad or dangerous. He was often beaten until he bled. He dressed in the habit with which he began his hermit life, then patched with leaves and finally with a goatskin.
Rolando’s life was a continuous prayer and contemplation – he contemplated his Creator in creation all around him. Exhausted by penance, he was found almost dead near the Castle of Bargone. He was taken to the Castle’s Church, where he broke his silence, during the visit of the Carmelite, Domenico de Dominicis of Cremona: here he justified his inability to receive the Sacraments during his life as a Hermit which he was then able finally to receive.
A period of rest lengthened his life for a while and he finally died on 15 September 1386. He was buried in Busseto in the Church of the Holy Trinity near to the Parish Church of St Bartholomew.
His cult grew immediately from his death, even if the Church recognised the cult of the Blessed Rolando de’ Medici only on 25 September 1853 by Pope Pius IX, after a long process of Canonisation begun in 1563. The Martyrology remembers him on 15 September.
The image below is now our Blessed Rolando but an unidentified Hermit, “The Anchorite” (1881) by Teodor Axentowicz.
St Aichardus St Albinus of Lyon St Aprus of Toul St Bond of Sens St Emilas of Cordoba St Eutropa of Auvergne Holy 5th Century widow in Auvergne, France. No other information has survived. St Hernan St Jeremias of Cordoba St Joseph Abibos St Mamillian of Palermo St Melitina St Mirin of Bangor St Nicetas the Goth
St Nicomedes (Died c71) Priest and Martyr. The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Rome, on the Nomentan Way, the birthday of the blessed Nicomedes, Priest and Martyr. As he said to those who would compel him to sacrifice: “I sacrifice only to the Omnipotent God, who reigns in Heaven.” He was scourged, for a very long time with leaded whips and thus, went to our Lord.” His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/15/saint-of-the-day-15-september-st-nicomedes-died-c71-priest-and-martyr/
St Porphyrius the Martyr St Ribert St Ritbert of Varennes Blessed Rolando de Medici (c1330-1386) Hermit Bl Tommasuccio of Foligno St Valerian of Châlon-sur-Saône St Valerian of Noviodunum St Vitus of Bergamo
Martyrs of Adrianopolis – 3 Saints: Three Christian men Martyred together in the persecutions of Maximian – Asclepiodotus, Maximus and Theodore. They were martyred in 310 at Adrianopolis (Adrianople), a location in modern Bulgaria.
Martyrs of Noviodunum – 4 Saints: Three Christian men martyred together, date unknown – Gordian, Macrinus, Stratone and Valerian. They were martyred in Noviodunum, Lower Moesia (near modern Isaccea, Romania).
Mercedarian Martyrs of Morocco – 6 Beati: A group of six Mercedarians who were captured by Moors near Valencia, Spain and taken to Morocco. Though enslaved, they refused to stop preaching Christianity. Martyrs. – Dionisio, Francis, Ildefonso, James, John and Sancho. They were crucified in 1437 in Morocco.
Thought for the Day – 14 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
“Preparation for Death” By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
CONSIDERATION VI
The Death of the Sinner “Destruction cometh and they shall seek peace and there shall be none. Mischief shall come upon mischief.” (Ezek vii: 25, 26)
THIRD POINT: IT IS a marvellous thing that God does nothing but threaten sinners with an unhappy death: “Then will they call upon Me but I shall not answer.” (Prov i: 28). “Will God hear his cry, when trouble cometh upon im?” (Job xxvii: 9) ”I also shall laugh at your calamity; I shall mock.” (Prov i: 26). God laughs when He will not show mercy. “To Me belongeth vengeance and recompense; their foot willl slide in due time.” (Deut xxxii: 35).
In many other places God threatens the same and yet, sinners live in peace and are as secure, as if God had certainly promised to give them pardon when dying and after death, to give them Paradise. It is quite true that, in whatever hour the sinner is converted, God has promised to pardon him but He has not said that the sinner shall be converted in death. On the contrary, He has often declared that he who lives in sin shall die in sin: “Ye …. shall die in your sins.” (St John viii: 21). He has said in another place, he who seeks Him in death, will not find Him. “Ye will seek Me and shall not find Me.” (St John vii: 34). Therefore, it is indeed necessary to seek God when He can be found. “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found. ” (Isa Iv: 6). Yes, there will be a time when He will no longer be found!. Poor sinners poor blind ones who put off their conversion until the hour of their death, when there will be no more time to be converted!
Geronimo Oleaster OP (Died 1663) well says, “that the wicked will never have learned to do well, save when there is no time in which to do it.” God wishes all men to be saved but He will punish those who are obstinate in their sins. If some miserable sinner living in sin should be seized with an apoplectic fit and thus be deprived of his senses, what pity all those would feel, who would see him die thus, without the Sacraments and without any sign of repentance! and, on the contrary, what great joy would not everyone experience, if this poor sinner should recover from his fit, seek for absolution and become repentant? But is not he indeed mad, who, having time to repent, continues in a state of sin, or else returns to sin and so places himself in danger of being surprised by death, at the same time that he is perhaps committing sin? It is very fearful to see anyone die suddenly and yet, so many put themselves in danger of dying thus and in danger of dying in sin.
“A just weight and balance are the Lord’s.” (Prov xvi: II). We do not take any account of the favours which the Lord bestows upon us but the Lord takes the account and measures them and when He sees them despised, up to a certain point, He allows the sinner to remain in his sin and in this state to die. Miserable indeed is that one who defers his repentance until the day of his death. St Augustine remarks “the repentance which is demanded of the infirm, is infirm.” St Jerome says, amongst a hundred thousand sinners who remain in a state of sin until the day of their death, hardly one will be saved! St Vincent Ferrer declares that it would be a greater miracle, for one who has lived in habitual sin, all his life, to be saved, than it would be to raise one, who is dead, to life! What sorrow, or what repentance, could be felt at the hour of death, by him who, until that time, has loved sin? St Robert Bellarmine tells us that, having gone to assist a dying person and having exhorted him to make one act of contrition, the dying one answered, he did not understand what contrition meant. Bellarmine tried to explain to him but the sick one said: “I do not understand you, Father. I am not capable of these things.” And thus he died, “leaving clear signs of his condemnation.” St Augustine observes that it will be a just punishment to that sinner who has been unmindful of God during his life, to be unmindful of himself in death. The Apostle warns us, saying: “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap: for he who soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption.” (Gal vi: 7, 8).
It would indeed be mocking God for anyone to live, despising His Love and then, to reap a reward and everlasting glory but “God is not mocked.” That which is sown in this life, shall be reaped in the next. He who loves the forbidden pleasures of this life, shall reap corruption, misery and eternal death in the life to come.
Christian brother, what is said for others is also said for you. Tell me, if you were now at the point of death, despaired of by the doctors and already in great pain, would you not pray to God to grant you one more month, one more week, in order to render your conscience clear in His sight? But God does give you that time now! Return thanks to Him and quickly try to atone for the evil you have done and use every means to be found in a state of grace whenever death shall come because then, there will be no time to atone for past evils.
Affections and Prayers
Ah, my God and who is there who would have had so much patience with me as Thou hast! If Thy goodness were not Infinite, I should cease to hope for pardon. But I have a God Who died to pardon me and to save me. Thou dost command me to hope and I will hope. If my sins affright and condemn me, Thy merits and Thy promises give me courage. Thou hast promised the life of Thy grace to him ho returns to Thee: “Turn yourselves and live ye.” (Ezek xviii:2). Thou hast promised to embrace him who turns to Thee. “Turn ye unto Me …. and I will turn unto you.” (Zee i: 3). Thou hast said, Thou wilt not despise him who humbles himself and repents. “A broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt Thou not despise.” (Ps ci: 17). Behold, O Lord, I return and come to Thee; I confess myself worthy of condemnation and I repent of having offended Thee. I sincerely promise never more to offend Thee willingly and I would wish to love Thee forevermore.
Ah, do not allow me to be anymore ungrateful towards such Goodness. Eternal Father, through the merits of the obedience of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, Who died in obedience to Thy will, let me obey Thee in all things until death. I love Thee, O Thou Highest Good and because of the love I bear for Thee, I would obey Thee in all things. Give me holy perseverance, Thy holy Love and I ask for nothing more.
Quote/s of the Day – 14 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Exaltation of the Holy Cross
“The Cross gives Light to the whole universe; it casts out darkness and gathers nations together in charity, into One Church, One Faith, One Baptism…”
St Ephrem (306-373) Father & Doctor of the Church
“As they were looking on, so we too gaze on His Wounds as He hangs. We see His Blood as He dies. We see the price offered by the Redeemer, touch the scars of His Resurrection.
He bows His Head, as if to kiss you. His Heart is made bare, open, as it were, in love to you. His arms are extended that He may embrace you. His whole body is displayed for your redemption.
Ponder how great these things are. Let all this be rightly weighed in your mind, as He was once fixed to the Cross in every part of His Body for you, so He may now be fixed in every part of your soul!”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“The Kingdom of Heaven, says the Gospel, is like a mustard seed … Christ is the Kingdom of Heaven! Sown like a mustard seed in the garden of the Virgin’s womb, He grew up into the Tree of the Cross, whose branches, stretch across the world … Christ is the Kingdom because all the glory of His Kingdom, is within Him. Christ is a Man because all humanity is restored in Him. Christ is a Mustard Seed because the infinitude of Divine greatness, is accommodated to the littleness of flesh and blood!”
St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) “Golden Words” Father & Doctor of the Church
“No-one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the Cross. No-one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ.”
St Pope Leo the Great (c400-461) Father and Doctor of the Church
“The Cross is my sure salvation. The Cross it is, I worship evermore. The Cross of our Lord is with me. The Cross is my refuge.” [Indulgence of 300 days]
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis
“Consider Jesus on the Cross as you would a devout book, worthy of your unceasing study and, by which you may learn the practice of the most heroic virtues. This is the book which may truly be called the “Book of Life” [Apocalypse, III, 5], which, at once enlightens the mind by its doctrines and inflames the will by its examples. The world is full of books but were it possible for man to read them all, he would never be so well instructed, to hate vice and embrace virtue, as by contemplating a Crucified God!”
One Minute Reflection – 14 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Exaltation of the Holy Cross –Philippians 2:5-11, John 12:31-36 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“He who loves his life, loses it and he who hates his life in this world, keeps it unto life everlasting. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me and where I Am ,there also shall My servant be.” – John 12:25-26
REFLECTION – “… We are being towed along by a world which passes away, forgetting the world to come. We are greedy for present things but, do not take into account, the coming judgement. We will not run to meet the Lord as He comes!…
Let us turn back, brethren, let us turn back… By the very fact of His delay, of His still waiting, our Lord proves His desire to see us come back to Him, His desire that we should not perish. In His great goodness, He continues addressing these words to us: “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked but, would rather, he would change his ways and live ”(Ez 33:11). So let us turn back to Him, brethren, not fearing that time is running short. The time which belongs to Time’s Author cannot be shortened. The proof of it lies in the criminal in the Gospel, who, at the moment of dying on the cross, got away with his pardon, grabbed hold of Life and, breaking into paradise like a burglar, managed to make his way into the Kingdom (cf. Lk 23:43)!” – St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and “Doctor of Sermons” of the Church (Excerpt from Sermon 167).
PRAYER – O God, Who gladden us this day by the annual feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who know on earth, the mysteries of Christ, may be found worthy to obtain, in heaven, the rewards of His Redemption. 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 – 14 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Sing, My Tongue, The Saviour’s Glory By St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609) Bishop, Father o the Church Trans. Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)
Sing, my tongue, the Saviour’s glory; Tell His triumph far and wide; Tell aloud the famous story Of his Body Crucified; How upon the Cross a Victim, Vanquishing in death, He died.
Thus did Christ to perfect manhood In our mortal flesh attain: Then of his free choice He goeth To a death of bitter pain; And as a lamb, upon the altar Of the Cross, for us is slain.
Lo, with gall his thirst He quenches! See the thorns upon his brow! Nails his tender flesh are rending! See, his side is open’d now! Whence, to cleanse the whole creation, Streams of blood and water flow.
Faithful Cross, O Tree all beauteous! Tree all peerless and divine! Not a grove on earth can shew us Such a flower and leaf as thine. Sweet the nails and sweet the wood, Laden with so sweet a load!
Lofty Tree, bend down thy branches, To embrace thy Sacred load; Oh, relax the native tension Of that all too rigid wood; Gently, gently bear the members Of thy dying King and God.
Tree, which solely wast found worthy The world’s great Victim to sustain; Harbour from the raging tempest! Ark, that sav’d the world again! Tree, with sacred Blood anointed Of the Lamb for sinners slain.
Blessing, honour everlasting, To the immortal Deity; To the Father, Son, and Spirit, Equal praises ever be: Glory through the earth and Heaven To Trinity in Unity.
This Hymn is used for Passiontide and on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (14 Sept) in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Breviary. This is the original text of this hymn as it appears in the Lyra Catholica (1849). Part I is used for Matins and Part II is used for Lauds. Tune (Church Hymns): “St Lawrence”
Saint of the Day – 14 September – Saint Odilard of Nantes (8th Century) Bishop of Nantes, France. Also known as – Odilardus, Odilardo.
Odilard was the Bishop of Nantes who in the chronology of the Bishops of the Diocese, was included after Deotmar, mentioned in 757 and before Alan. In some lists, he appears in twenty-fifth place, in others in twenty-ninth place, placed between the years 776-800.
We know nothing about his personal life. In modern historical writings, Saint Odilard is mentioned in a deed of donation of Charlemagne in the year 797, where he appears among the guarantors in a transaction concerning two “villae” which were located in the region of Angers.
Even if, in the second collection of documents of Saint Albinus, Bishop Odilard does not appear as a Saint, the Diocese of Nantes, in its Proper, celebrates him today, 14 September.
St Crescentian of Carthage St Crescentius of Rome St Generalis of Carthage St Giulia Crostarosa St Jean Gabriel Taurin du Fresse
St Maternus of Cologne (Died c 325)Bishop, the first Bishop of Cologne and Founder of the Diocese of Tongeren, Germany. In Cologne and in his hometown of Trier, the faithful began to venerate him as a Saint. A popular cult of which the splendid 13th century stained glass windows in the Cathedral Chapel dedicated to his name, also testify. He was buried in the Cathedral of Cologne but the Cathedral of St Peter in Trier boasts a large Reliquary, which became and remains, a pilgrimage site. Biography; https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/14/saint-of-the-day-14-september-saint-maternus-of-cologne-died-c-325/
St Odilard of Nantes (8th Century) Bishop
St Peter of Tarentaise O.Cist (1102-1174) Cistercian Monk, Archbishop of Tarentaise from 1141 until his death, Abbot, Apostle of Charity, Miracle-worker. There are two Saints named Saint Peter of Tarentaise who lived one Century apart. The Saint we honour today, is the younger Peter, born in France in the early part of the 12th Century. The other Saint Peter if Tarentaise, became Pope Innocent V. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/14/saint-of-the-day-14-september-saint-peter-of-tarentaise-o-cist-1102-1174/
St Rosula of Carthage St Sallustia St Victor of Carthage
Thought for the Day – 13 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
“Preparation for Death” By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
CONSIDERATION VI
The Death of the Sinner “Destruction cometh and they shall seek peace and there shall be none. Mischief shall come upon mischief.” (Ezek vii: 25, 26)
SECOND POINT: The agonies of the dying sinner will not be one agony only but they will be many. It will be one agony to be tormented by the devil. When the hour of death comes that dreadful enemy uses all his strength to ruin the soul which is on the point of launching into eternity. The devil knows that at this hour, there is but little time to gain the soul and, if it is lost to him then, it will be lost forever.
“The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” (Apoc xii: 12). There will not only be one devil but many devils, who will surround the dying man, who will do all which lies in their power to gain his soul. “Their houses shall be full of doleful creatures.” (Isa.xiii:21) One will say: “Fear not, thou wilt soon be well.” Another \vill say: “How is it that thou, who for so many years hast been deaf to the Voice of God, canst expect Him now to show thee mercy?” And another: “How canst thou now remedy those evils which are done and the reputations thou hast ruined?” And another: “Dost thou not see, thy Confessions have been of no avail, without true grief; without any intention to do better for the future?. How then canst thou now repair the evil which is already done.”
Besides all this, the dying man will behold himself surrounded by his sins: “Evil shall hunt the wicked person to overthrow him.” (Ps cxl: ii). St Bernard observes that these sins, like so many watchful guards, shall hold him in their grasp and shall say to him: “We are thy works; we will not leave thee; we will go with thy soul to the other world and with it present ourselves to the Eternal Judge. ” Then the dying man will want to rid himself of these enemies but, to get rid of them, it would be necessary to hate them; it would be necessary for his heart to become converted to God. Whereas his mind is darkened and his heart is hardened. “A hard heart shall fear evil at the last and he who loveth danger, shall perish in it.” (Ecclus iii: 27) St Bernard again says, that, the heart which has been so obstinate in sin during life, will use every means to free itself when dying, from this state of condemnation but will be, unable to do so and being oppressed with its own wickedness, will pass from life in this state.
Until the hour of death arrived, the sinner always loved sin; he has also loved the danger of his own damnation; very justly, therefore, .will the Lord allow him to perish in that peril in which he has loved to live! St Augustine believes, that “he who is left, by sin, before he himself leaves it, at the hour of death, will hardly dislike it as much as he ought because, whatever he does at that time, will be done through necessity.” Miserable indeed is that sinner, who is so hardened, he resists the Voice of God when He calls him! “His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.” (Job xli: 24). Instead of yielding and being softened by the Voice of God, he becomes more hardened; even as the anvil is hardened by the strokes of the hammer.
As a punishment for all this, he will find himself in the same obstinate frame of mind at the hour of death, although he may be on the point of passing into eternity. “A hard heart shall fear evil at the last.” Sinners, saith the Lord: “have turned their back unto Me and not their face but, in the time of their trouble, they will say, Arise and save us. But where are thy gods which thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee.” (Jer ii: 27, 28). The miserable sinners when dying will fly unto God and God will say to them: “Now you can come to Me. Call upon creatures to help you, for they have been your gods!” Even thus will the Lord answer those who at that time seek Him because they will not seek Him with any sincere wish to become converted. St Jerome has said, that he fully believes and has learnt from experience that he who has led a wicked life,until the hour of death, will never be happy when the hour of death arrives.
Affections and Prayers
My dear Saviour, help me and do not abandon me, for I see my soul all wounded with my sins; my passions do violence to me and my evil habits oppress me. I throw myself at Thy feet, have mercy upon me and deliver me from all my evil passions.
“ In Thee, O Lord, have I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.” (Ps Ixxi: i). Do not permit a soul wjp trusts in Thee to be lost. I repent of having offended Thee, O God of Infinite Goodness, I have done evil and I confess it. I wish to amend, at any price. But unless Thou dost assist me with Thy grace, I am lost. Receive, O my Jesus, this rebellious one, who has displeased Thee so much. Remember that Thou didst spend Thy Blood and Thy Life for me. Through the merits, therefore, of Thy Passion and of Thy Death, receive me into Thy arms and give me holy perseverance. I was almost lost but Thou didst call me; behold, I will no longer resist; I consecrate myself to Thee; bind me to Thy Love and never more allow me to lose myself by again losing Thy grace. Do not, my Jesus, allow it, please!
Quote/s of the Day – 13 September – Our Mother of Grace!
“Mary, Mother of Grace, it becomes you to be mindful of us, as you stand near Him who granted you all graces, for you are the Mother of God and our Queen. Help us for the sake of the King, the Lord God and Master, Who was born of you.”
St Athanasius (297-373) Father & Doctor of the Church
“Today humanity, in all the radiance of her Immaculate nobility, receives its ancient beauty. The shame of sin had darkened the splendour and attraction of human nature but when the Mother of the Fair One par excellence, is born, this nature again, regains in her person, its ancient privileges and is fashioned according to a perfect model, truly worthy of God…. The reform of our nature begins today and the aged world, subjected to a wholly divine transformation, receives the first fruits of the second creation.”
St Andrew of Crete (c 650-c 740) Bishop, Theologian, Hymnist
“Thy name, O Mary, cannot be pronounced without bringing some grace to him who devoutly does so!”
St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church
“The devils fear the Queen of Heaven, to such a degree that only on hearing her great name pronounced, they fly from him who does so, as from a burning fire!”
One Minute Reflection – 13 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Resumed Mass of Sunday – Proverbs 8:22-35, Matthew 1:1-16; 18-23 – – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son … ” – Matthew 1:23
REFLECTION – “Come, you nations; come, all peoples of every race and language, every age and rank. Joyfully let us celebrate the nativity of the whole world’s joy! If even the pagans honour the birthday of their king … what ought not we to do to honour that of the Mother of God, through whom all humanity has been transformed and the pain of Eve, our first mother, has been turned to joy? For Eve heard God’s sentence: “You will bring forth children in pain” (Gn 3:16) but Mary: “Rejoice, most highly favoured … the Lord is with thee” (Lk 1:28). …
Let all creation celebrate and sing the holy childbirth of a holy woman, for she has brought a lasting treasure into the world. … Through her, the creative Word of God has been united to the whole creation and we celebrate the ending of human barrenness, the ending of the sickness which kept us from possessing all our good. … Nature has given way to grace!… As the Virgin Mother of God had to be born of barren Anna, so nature remained without fruit until grace had produced its own. It was to open the womb of its mother, she who would give birth to “The Firstborn of all creation” in whom “all things hold together” (Col 1:15,17).
O blessed couple, Joachim and Anna! All creation owes you gratitude; through you it has offered the Creator the best of all His gifts – a Mother worthy of veneration, the only Mother worthy of the One Who created her!”- St John Damascene (675-749) Monk, Theologian, Father and Doctor of the Church – Homily on the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, 1-2 (cf SC 80, p. 48)
PRAYER – Lord God, the day of our salvation dawned when the Blessed Virgin gave birth to Your Son. As we celebrate her nativity, grant us Your grace and Your peace. Through 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 – 13 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Resumed Mass of Sunday
Mother Mary, Queen Most Sweet! Attrib. to St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor Italian Hymn Trans. Fr Edmund Vaughan CSSR (1827-1908)
Mother Mary, Queen most sweet! Joy and love my heart inflame; Gladly shall my lips repeat Every moment thy dear name.
Ah! that name, to God so dear, Has my heart and soul enslaved; Like a seal it shall appear Deep on heart and soul engraved.
When the morning gilds the skies, I will call on Mary’s name; When at evening twilight dies, Mary, still will I exclaim.
Sweetest Mary, bend thine ear: Thou my own dear mother art; Therefore, shall thy name so dear Never from my lips depart.
If my soul is sore oppress’d By a load of anxious care, Peace once more will fill my breast When thy name re-echoes there.
Waves of doubt disturb my peace, And my heart is faint with fear; At thy name the billows cease, All my’terrors disappear.
When the demon hosts invade,— When temptation rages high, Crying, “Mary, Mother! aid!” I will make the tempter fly.
This shall be my comfort sweet, When the hand of death is nigh, Mary! Mary! to repeat Once again—and then, to die.
This Hymn is an Anonymous Hymn belonging to the Redemptorist tradition but Hymnary.org attributes it to St Alphonsus Liguori. “Hymns and Verses on Spiritual Subjects” (1863) notes that this is one of two Hymns, translated in that book, mentioned above, which come from a Neapolitan published collection of Mission Hymns which are attributed to St Alphonsus.
Saint of the Day – 13 September – Saint Litorius of Tours (Died 371) the 2nd Bishop of Tour, reigning for 34 years from 337 until his death in 371. He built the first Churches and the Basilica of Tours. Born in Tours and died there on 13 September 371 of natural causes. Also known as Lidore
St Gregory of Tours in the Historia Francorum gives some information about Litorius (lat. Litorius, the 2nd Bishop of Tours. Born in this City, he was consecrated Bishop in the first year of the Empire of Constans (337-338), who succeeded, their father Constantine, together with his brothers Constantine II and Constantius II.
The Christian community of Tours must have been small in number, Litorius saw it grow considerably, so much so that he was able to build the first Church in the City. He later built a Basilica on the house of a senator, where Litorius was himself later buried.
He died on 13 September 371 and was succeeded by the famous Saint Martin, the second Gregory, who began to preach during the Episcopate of Litorius. However, it is not known whether the two Saints knew one another but it does seem unlikely that a man of the earth of that City and the Bishop there too, did not know his Clerics..
The Feast of Litorius was celebrated on 13 September, since the 6th Century in his Basilica. Tthe Martyrology of Hieronymia bears witness to this with the words: “In Tours deposition of Litorius, Bishop”
Some false manuscripts have distorted the name of Litorius into Ligorius and a forger has attributed to him a fabulous life, adorning him with the crown of martyrdom.
Thought for the Day – 12 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
“Preparation for Death” By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
CONSIDERATION VI
The Death of the Sinner “Destruction cometh and they shall seek peace and there shall be none. Mischief shall come upon mischief.” (Ezek vii: 25, 26)
FIRST POINT. IT is now that sinners try, as far as they can, to drive away the memory and the thought of death and thus, to find peace, although they never will do so, by leading a life of sin but when, in the agonies of death, they must enter into eternity when “destruction cometh, I and they shall seek peace and there shall be none” then they will try to fly from the stings of their troubled consciences, they will seek peace but what peace can a soul find which is laden with sin which bites it, like so many vipers? What peace, knowing that in so short a time it will have to appear before Jesus Christ the Judge, whose law and friendship, until that moment, it has esteemed of so little worth?
“Mischief shall come upon mischief. ” The intelligence which the sinner has just received – that he is dying, the thought that he must bid farewell to everything in this world, the stings of a troubled conscience, the time which is forever lost, the time which he is now in want of, the severity of the Divine Judge, the miserable eternity which awaits all sinners – the thought of all these things will come upon him in terrible confusion which will greatly trouble his mind and increase his apprehensions, and, thus confused and being filled with fear, the soul of the dying man will pass into the other life.
Abraham, to whom great praise is due, hoped in God against all human hope, believing in the Divine Promise, “who against hope believed in hope.” But shiners, with great de-merit and who are the cause of their own ruin, falsely hope, not only against hope but even against faith, whilst they pay no attention whatever, to the warning which God gives to those who are obstinate. They dread an unhappy death but they have no fear in leading a wicked life. But who is able to assure them, that their death will not suddenly be caused by a thunderbolt, by an apoplectic fit, or by the bursting of a bloodvessel? And even should they have time, when they are dying, to be converted, who can assure them, their conversion will then be a true one? St Augustine had to strive against his evil habits for twelve years, in order to overcome them. How then will one, who is dying, who has ever had a conscience stained with sin, who will be tormented with pain, with dreadful feelings in the head and, who will be in the confusion of death, how will he, then, I repeat, be possibly able to be truly converted!? I say truly because, at that time, the saying and promising will be of no use, it will be necessary to say and to promise from the depth of the heart. O God, into what terror will not the miserable sufferer be thrown, whose conscience, when remorseful, has been blighted, when he finds himself oppressed by his sins and by the fears of the coming judgement, by the thought of hell and of eternity? Into what dreadful confusion will not these thoughts throw him, when he finds that his memory is failing him, his mind becoming darkened and his body overcome with the pains of death which is already fast approaching? He will confess, he will promise, he will weep, he will cry to God for mercy but, without knowing what he is doing and in that tempest of agitation, of remorse, of anguish and of fear, his soul will pass into the other world. “The people shall be troubled at midnight and pass away.” (Job xxxiv: 20). It is well said by an author that the prayers, the tears and the promises, of a dying sinner, are like the tears and promises of a man who finds himself assailed by his enemy, who puts a dagger to his throat to take away his life. He who lies down on his bed and whose soul passes from it to eternity, is indeed a wretched man.
Affections and Prayers
The Wounds of Jesus are my only hope. I should despair of pardon for my sins, did I not look upon Thee, the fountains of pity and of mercy, through which my God has shed all His Blood to wash my soul from the many sins which it has committed. I adore Thee, O ye holy Wounds and in Thee confide. I detest and abhor those unworthy pleasures through which I have displeased my dear Redeemer and through which. I have lost His holy friendship.
Looking then upon Thee, my hopes are raised and, therefore, I turn my affections towards Thee. My beloved Jesus, it is only right that all men should love Thee and they should love Thee with their whole heart. But I have so often offended Thee and counted Thy holy Love of no moment and yet. notwithstanding all my shortcomings, Thou hast borne with me so long and hast so often offered me pardon.
Ah, my Saviour, never more let me offend Thee and by so doing lose my soul forever. O God ! what dreadful pain it would give me to see Thy dear Blood and to remember Thy many mercies which Thou hast shown to me, if I should ever be cast into everlasting punishment.
I love Thee now and I would love Thee forever. Give me holy perseverance. Take away from my heart every love which is not Thine and establish in me, a real desire and resolution to love Thee alone. Thou Who art my Sovereign Good, may I do this from henceforth and forever.
Quote/s of the Day – 12 September – The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary
“O great, O gentle, O most lovable Mary, thy Holy Name cannot be spoken without inflaming the heart. To those who love thee, it is unspeakable consolation and joy even to think of thee; thou art a sweet memory to those who honour thee.”
St Bernard (1090-1153) Mellifluous Doctor of the Church
“The name of Mary is a tower of strength which saves sinners from punishment and defends the just, from the assaults of hell.”
St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455)
“By thee does the sinner recover the hope of forgiveness and grace,”
Bl Raymondus Jordanus (Died c1381) Best known by his Latin pseudonym “Idiota”
One Minute Reflection – 12 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary – Ecclesiasticus 24:23-31, Luke 1:26-38 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Hail, full of grace!” – Luke 1:28
REFLECTION – “The degeneration caused by sin had obscured the beauty of our original nobility. But when the mother of supreme Beauty is born, our nature finds its purity once more and sees itself moulded according to the perfect model, worthy of God (Gn 1:26)… We had all preferred the world below, to that above. There no longer remained any hope of salvation. The state of our nature cried aloud to Heaven to come to the rescue… Then at last, in His good pleasure, the world’s Divine Artificer determined to make a new world appear, a different world full of harmony and youth.
Now was it not fitting, that a most pure virgin without stain, should place herself at the service of this mysterious plan, first of all?… And where was this virgin to be found, if not in this woman, alone of her kind, chosen by the world’s Creator before all generations? Yes, she indeed, is Mother of God, divinely named Mary, whose womb gave birth to God Incarnate and whom, He Himself had supernaturally prepared, as His Temple…
In this way, then, the design of the Redeemer of our race was to bring about a birth and, as it were, a new creation to replace the one which went before. Therefore, just as in Paradise, He had taken a little clay out of the pure and spotless earth, to fashion the first Adam (Gn 2:7), so, at the moment of bringing about His Own Incarnation, He made use of another earth, so to speak, namely, this Pure and Immaculate Virgin, chosen from among all other beings He had created. It is in her that He, Adam’s Creator, has remade us in our very substance and become a new Adam (1Cor 15:45), that the old might be saved by the New and Eternal!” – St Andrew of Crete (660-740) Bishop (Sermon 1 for the Nativity of the Mother of God ; PG 97, 812).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, through the protection of the most holy Virgin Mary, Thy faithful people, who delight in her name may, by her loving intercession, be delivered from all evils on earth and be found worthy to attain everlasting happiness in Heaven. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 12 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary
Mary! How Sweetly Falls That Word! Anonymous Author 19th Century Tune (St Basil’s Hymnal 1903) Unnamed Tune.
Mary! How sweetly falls that word! On my enraptured ear! Oft do I breathe, in accents low, which sound when none are near. Chorus: Sing, O my lips and loudly proclaim: O Mary, O Mary, how sweet is thy name! Sing, O my lips and loudly proclaim; O Mary, O Mary, how sweet is thy name!
Sweet as the warbling of a bird, Sweet as a mother’s voice; So sweet to me is that dear name, It makes my soul rejoice. Chorus.
Bright as the glittering stars appear, Bright as the moonbeams shine, So bright in my mind’s eye is seen Thy loveliness divine! Chorus.
Through thee I offer my requests And when my prayer is done, In ecstasy sublime, I see Thee seated near thy Son. Chorus.
Saint of the Day – 12 September – Saint Juventius of Pavia (1st Century) Bishop, Confessor, Disciple of St Hermagoras the first Bishop of Achilles (died c70), himself a disciple of St Mark the Evangelist. Patronages – of the City and the Diocese of Pavia, Italy, co-patron with St Syrus. Also known as – Eventius, Iventius, or Inventius.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Pavia, St Juventius, the Bishop, mentioned on the 8th of February (the day of his birthday into Heaven, although today is his Feast Day). He was sent to that City, with St Cyrus by blessed Hermagoras, disciple of the Evangelist St Mark. They both preached the Gospel of Christ there and, being renowned for great virtues and miracles, illumined the neighbouring Cities by divine works. They close their glorious careers in peace, invested with the Episcipol dignity.”
This image from a Fresco in Pavia Cathedral is either St Juventius or St Syrus
In the company of St Syrus, Juventius fought against Arianism. He worked to challenge and convert those who followed Arianism in his Diocese.
Traditions regarding both St Juventius and Syrus vary, the latter being the first Bishop of Pavia and we presume our Saint was his Assistant or Auxiliary Bishop. We have nothing further on St Juventius personal details.
Feast of the Holy Name of Mary (1683 ) – 12 September: This Feast was first observed at Cuenca, Spain in 1513, then extended to the Universal Church and assigned to its present place and rank by Pope Innocent XI in 1683, in thanksgiving to God and the Blessed Virgin, for the liberation of Vienna, France and the signal victory over the Turks on 12 September 1683. It is the Titular Feast of the Society of Mary (Marianists) and of the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
St Juventius of Pavia (1st Century) Bishop, Confessor St Mancius of Saint Thomas St Paul of Saint Clare St Sacerdos of Lyon St Silvinus of Verona St Tomás de Zumárraga Lazcano
Martyrs of Alexandria – 6 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian. We know little more than their names – Hieronides, Leontius, Sarapion, Seleusius, Straton and Valerian. They were drowned c 300 at Alexandria, Egypt.
Martyrs of Phrygia – 3 Saints: Three Christians who were Martyred for destroying pagan idols. We know little more than their names – Macedonius, Tatian and Theodolus. They were burned to death in 362 in Phrygia (modern Turkey).
Thought for the Day – 11 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
“Preparation for Death” By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
CONSIDERATION V
The Uncertainty of the Hour of Death “Be ye, therefore, ready also, for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” (St Luke xii: 40)
THIRD POINT “Be you ready. ” The Lord does not say that we must prepare ourselves when death comes upon us but that death, when it comes, must find us prepared!
When death comes, as it will do, in as it were, a great tempest and confusion, it will be almost impossible to give ease to a troubled conscience. Even thus does reason argue. But God warns us, by saying, He will not then come to give pardon but to avenge the scorn which the wicked have shown concerning His favours. “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Rom xii: 19) St Augustine observes that this will be a just punishment for one, who, when able, has not wished to be saved and who, when willing to be saved, will not be able! But some will say: “Perhaps even then, it will be possible for me to be converted and live.” But would you throw yourself into a well, saying: “Perhaps even though I throw myself in, I may live and not die?”
O God! what a thing is this, that sin should so darken the mind. as to make it lose even reason! When men speak of the body, they speak like wise men but when they speak of the soul, they speak like fools. My brother, perhaps this point which you are now reading maybe the last warning God may send you. Let us hasten to prepare for death, so that it may not overtake us unprepared.
St Augustine says that God keeps the last day of our lives secret from us, so .that, at any and everyday, we may be prepared to die. St Paul teaches us that, it is not only necessary to work out our salvation with fear but even with trembling. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Phil ii: 12)
St Antoninus tells us of a certain King of Sicily who, in order to make one of his subjects understand the fear in which he occupied the throne, made him sit at table with a sword suspended by a slender thread over his head, so that being thus situated, he could hardly eat any food. We are all standing in the same danger, for at any moment the sword of death may fall upon us, upon which our eternal salvation depends.
It is indeed a question of eternity. “If the tree fall toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.” (Eccles xi: 3). If when death comes, it should find us in the grace of God, oh, what joy will it be for the soul then to exclaim, “I have secured all things, never again can I lose God; I shall be happy forever.” But, on the contrary, if when death comes it should find the soul in a state of sin, with what despair will it then cry out: “Thus have I sinned and my sin can never be reclaimed for all eternity.” Oh, wherefore did I err and my sin will never be pardoned throughout all eternity! This fear made the venerable Father Avila, when the announcement was brought to him that he was dying, cry out and say: “Oh that I had a little more time to prepare myself for death!” This fear also made the Abbot Agathe exclaim, although he died after many years of repentance: “ What will become of me, for who can understand the judgements of God?” St Arsenius also trembled when the hour of death arrived and, being asked why, he was in such fear, answered: “This fear is not new to me, I have felt it all my life.” Especially did holy Job tremble, saying: “What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when He visiteth, what shall I answer Him?” (Job xxxi: 14).
Affections andPrayers
Ah, my God, there is no-one who has ever loved me as Thou hast loved me and yet, there is no-one whom I have ever displeased more than I have displeased Thee. My only hope is in Thy Blood, O my Jesus.
Eternal Father, look not upon my sins but look upon the blessed Wounds of Jesus Christ; look upon Thy well-beloved Son, Who is grieving for me and beseeching Thee to pardon me. I am very sorry, O my Creator, for having displeased Thee; it grieves me more than any other evil. Thou didst create me to love Thee and I have been living as if Thou hadst created me to offend Thee. For the love of Jesus Christ, pardon me and give me grace to love Thee.
At one time I resisted Thy Will; now, I will no longer resist it; I will do all Thou dost command me. Thou dost wish me to detest all the offences I have Committed against Thee. I do indeed detest them with all my heart. Thou dost command me to resolve never more to offend Thee; I do indeed resolve to lose my life rather than to lose Thy grace. Thou dost wish me to love Thee with my whole heart, then indeed I will love Thee with all my heart, and will love none other than Thee and Thou shalt be, from this day forth, my only loved One, my only Love. Thou dost command me to have holy perseverance but, it is from Thee alone that I can hope to obtain it. For the love of Jesus Christ, let me ever be faithful to Thee and that I may always say to Thee with St Bonaventure: “My beloved is One, my love is One.” No, I do not want my life to be spent any longer in giving Thee, even the slightest offence. I would spend it only in weeping over the displeasure I have given Thee and in henceforth loving Thee alone.
Quote/s of the Day – 11 September – St Protus and St Hyacinth (Died c257) Brother Martyrs – Wisdom 3:1-8, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And you shall be hated by all men, for My Name’s sake.”
Luke 21:17
“If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me and where I Am, there will My servant be too.”
John 12:26
“Pray in the spirit and sentiment of love, in which the royal Prophet said to Him, ‘Thou, O Lord, art my portion.’ Let others choose to themselves, portions among creatures, for my part, Thou art my portion, Thou alone I have chosen for my whole inheritance.”
St Augustine of Canterbury (Died c605) “The Apostle to the English”
“O strong love of God! I really think, nothing seems impossible, to one who loves. O happy soul which has obtained this peace, from its God! ”
St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582) Carmelite Reformer
“Love consists, not in feeling great things but, in having great detachment and in suffering for the Beloved.”
St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Doctor Mysticus
“Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself.”
One Minute Reflection – 11 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Protus and St Hyacinth (Died c257) Brother Martyrs – Wisdom 3:1-8, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Resolve, therefore, in your hearts, not to meditate beforehand, how you are to make your defence. For I Myself, will give you utterance and wisdom …” – Luke 21:14-15
REFLECTION – “O strong love of God!I really think, nothing seems impossible, to one who loves. O happy soul which has obtained this peace, from its God! For it has become mistress over all the trials and perils of the world. If only it can serve its good Spouse and Lord, it fears none of them – and, with good reason … Think of something which occurs to me now and which, is applicable to those who are naturally pusillanimous [timid] and have little courage … Although, in actual fact, their soul has been raised up to this state, the weakness of their nature makes them afraid. We must be on the watch, or this natural weakness, will deprive us of a great crown. When you find yourselves as pusillanimous as this, my daughters, have recourse to faith and humility and do not fail to go forward with faith, for nothing is impossible to God (Lk 1:37). He has thus been able to give many holy Saints, the courage to endure all the cruel tortures which they had resolved to suffer for His sake!
It is of this resolution and this free-will that the soul wishes to make Him Master, though He has no need of our efforts. Indeed, His Majesty is pleased that His Works should shine forth in those who are weak, since in these, there is more scope for His power and, for the fulfilment of His desire, to grant us favours…
Pay no heed to the arguments adduced by your mind and your own weakness – this weakness will only grow, if you begin to imagine, what will and what will not happen …This is no time to think about your sins, leave them alone, humility is out of place now, it comes at the wrong time… Be assured that the Lord never forsakes those who love Him and risk everything for His sake!” – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582) Carmelite, Doctor of the Church (Conceptions of the Love of God Ch 3:4-6).
PRAYER – May the precious witness of Thy blessed Martyrs, Protus and Hyacinth, comfort us, O Lord and may their kind intercession, continually protect us. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 11 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and today St Joseph’s Wednesday
Glorious St Joseph! Prayer for the Intercession of St Joseph in All Our Needs By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis
Glorious St Joseph, Spouse of Mary, grant us thy paternal protection, we beseech thee, by the Heart of Jesus Christ. O thou, whose power extends to all our necessities and can render possible for us, the most impossible things. Open thy fatherly eyes to the needs of thy children. In the trouble and distress which afflicts us, we confidently have recourse to thee. Deign to take under thy charitable charge this important and difficult matter, cause of our worries. Make its happy outcome be for God’s glory and for the good of His devoted servants. Amen
Saint of the Day – 11 September – Saint Theodora the Penitent (Died 491) Abbot as Theodore, Penitent, Recluse. Born in Alexandria, Egypt and died in 491 of natural causes in Egypt. Also known as – Theodora of Alexandria.
Theodora had been a married woman in Alexandria, Egypt. But she had succumbed to the attentions of another man and had committed adultery. Filled with remorse, she became a penitent, dressed as a man to enter the Monastery, where she later became the Abbot.
She was accused of sinful relations by a woman who had just had a child. Rather than reveal her identity, she agreed to leave the Monastery, keeping the child with her, raising it patiently.
It was only after her death that it was discovered that the Abbot Theodore, unjustly accused, was Theodora, a holy woman.
St Protus and St Hyacinth (Died c257) Brother MartyrsBrother Martyrs during the persecution of Emperor Valerian (257–259), they served as household Officials to St Eugenia. The Roman Martyrology states today: “At Rome, in the Cemetery of Basilla, on the old Salarian Way, the birthday of the Holy Martyrs, Protus and Hyacinth, brothers and eunuchs in the service of the blessed Eugenia, who were arrested in the time of the Emperor Gallienus, on the charge of being Christians and urged to offer sacrifice to the gods. But as they refused, both were most severely scourged and finally, beheaded.” Their Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/11/saint-s-of-the-day-11-september-st-protus-and-st-hyacinth-died-c257-brother-martyrs/
St Adelphus of Remiremont St Almirus Bl Baldassarre Velasquez
St Emilian of Vercelli St Essuperanzio of Zurich St Felix of Zurich Bl Franciscus Takeya Bl François Mayaudon Bl Gaspar Koteda St Gusmeo of Gravedona sul Lario St Leudinus of Toul St Matthew of Gravedona sul Lario St Paphnutius of Thebes St Patiens of Lyon Bl Peter Taaffe Bl Petrus Kawano St Regula of Zurich St Sperandea St Theodora the Penitent (Died 491) Abbot (as Theodore), Penitent, Recluse
Thought for the Day – 10 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
“Preparation for Death” By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
CONSIDERATION V
The Uncertainty of the Hour of Death “Be ye, therefore, ready also, for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” (St Luke xii: 40)
SECOND POINT The Lord does not wish us to be lost, therefore, He never ceases to warn us to change our habit of life, bv threatening to punish us. “If a man will not turn, He will whet His sword,” (Ps vii: 13)’ “Behold, ” He says in another place, “how many because, they would not leave sinning, when they were least expecting it and were living in peace, thinking to live for many long years, have been surprised by death which has suddenly come upon them.” “For when they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them. ” (i Thess v: 3). Likewise He says: “Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish. ” (St Luke xiii: 3). Why, therefore, does He give us so many warnings before He sends the punishment, if He does not wish that we should amend our lives and so avoid dying an unhappy death? St Augustine well observes that he who says to thee: “Take care,” wishes thee no ill.
It is, therefore, necessary to prepare our account before the day of reckoning may arrive. My Christian brother, if before this night arrives you should die and your eternal welfare should be decided, what do you think? Would your reckoning be in order, or would you not, indeed be rather willing to give anything to obtain from God, one year, one month, or at least one day more?! And, wherefore, now that God does give you this time, do you not seek to make your conscience free from everything? Is it because you cannot think this day can be the last for you? “Delay not to be converted to the Lord and defer it not, from day to day. For His wrath shall come on a sudden and in the time of vengeance, He will destroy thee.” (Ecclus v: 8, 9) .
If you wish to be saved, my brother, sin must be left behind, therefore, as a day will come when you must leave it, why do you not leave it now? inquires St Augustine. Perhaps you are expecting death but for those who are obstinate, death is not the time for pardon but for vengeance. “In the time of vengeance He will destroy thee.”
When someone owes you a large sum of money, you immediately take the precaution to provide yourself with a written security, saying to yourself: “Who knows what may happen?” And why do you not use the same precaution concerning your immortal soul which is of much more importance than the large sum? Why do you not say of your soul: “ Who knows what may happen?” If you were to lose that money, you would not lose everything and even if in losing it, you should lose all your inheritance, still you would have the hope of regaining it. But if in death, you should lose your soul, then indeed would you lose all and there would be no hope of ever again rescuing it. You are so diligent in keeping an account of your money, lest by chance any should be lost. if a sudden death were to befall you and if death should come upon you unawares, while you are at enmity with God, what would become of your soul for all eternity?
Affections and Prayers
All, my Redeemer, Thou hast shed all Thy Blood. Thou hast given Thy Life to save my soul and I have so often lost it, hoping in Thy Mercy and, in this way, have I so often made use of Thy great Goodness, for what? to offend Thee more! For this, I deserved that Thou shouldst suddenly deprive me of life and then send me to everlasting punishment. I have, as it were, been fighting with Thee but Thou hast fought, by showing Mercy towards me and I, by offending Thee; Thou by seeking me and I by flying from Thee; Thou by giving me time to implore pardon for all the offences committed against Thee and I, by using that time to add offence to offence. Gracious Lord, make me feel the great wrong I have done against Thee and make me feel it is my greatest duty to love Thee.
Ah, my Jesus, how couldst Thou love me so much, Thou who didst seek me so many times when I fought to drive Thee from myself? How couldst Thou show so many favours to one who has so often given Thee offence? From all this I understand, how desirous Thou art that I should not be lost. I repent with all my heart for having offended Thee, O God of Infinite Goodness. Ah, receive this ungrateful sheep who returns repentant to Thy Feet, receive it and bind it to Thy shoulders, so that it may nevermore stray from Thee. No, I will nevermore fly from Thee. I would love Thee, I would be Thine Own and if only I am Thine, I am content with every pain, for what greater pain can I feel, than to live without Thy grace, separated from Thee,Who art my God, Who hast created me and my God, Who has died for me? Ah, hateful sins, what have you done? You have made me displease my dear Saviour, Who hast loved me so much. Ah, my Jesus, as Thou hast died for me, even so, ought I to die for Thee. Thou didst die for love of me and I ought to die of grief for having so much displeased Thee.
I accept death when and in what manner it may please Thee to send it to me but until now I have not loved Thee, or I have not loved Thee enough; it is not thus that I would die. Oh grant me a little more time, so that I may indeed love Thee before I die. Therefore, change my heart, wound it, inflame it with Thy holy Love. Grant this, through that exceeding Love which made Thee die for me. I love Thee with all my soul and l am indeed desirous to love Thee. Never let me lose Thee again. Give me holy perseverance and give me Thy most holy Love.
Quote/s of the Day – 10 September – Saint Nicholas of Tolentino OSA (1245-1305) Confessor, “The Patron of Holy Souls” Priest, Augustinian Friar Monk, Mystic, Preacher, Miralce-worker and Apostle of the poor, the sick, the needy.
“How can I be said to fast, while every morning, at the Altar, I receive my God?”
(Often after his Mass, it was revealed to him that the souls for whom he had offered the Holy Sacrifice, had been admitted to the Presence of God.)
“The heavens are not pure in the sight of Him Whom I serve; how then shall I, a sinful man, stand before Him? ”
One Minute Reflection – 10 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Nicholas of Tolentino OSA (1245-1305) Confessor – 1 Corinthians 4:9-14; Luke 12:32-34 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be too.” – Luke 12:34
REFLECTION – “God accepts our offerings of money and is pleased with the gifts we make to the poor but, on one condition – that every sinner, when offering God his money, should offer Him his soul at the same time … When our Lord says: “Repay to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar and to God that which belongs to God” (Mk 12:17), what does He seem to say but – “Just as you repay Caesar with his own image on a coin, so repay God, with the image of God within ourselves” (cf Gn 1:26) …
This is why, as we have already said on numerous occasions, when we hand out money to the poor, let us offer our souls to God, so that, where our treasure is, there our heart may also be. Indeed, why does God ask us to give money? Unquestionably because, He knows the special love we have for it, we are always thinking about it and, where our money is, there too is our heart. This is why God urges us to make up our treasure in Heaven by making gifts of it to the poor; it is so that our hearts may follow where we have already sent our treasure and, when the Priest says: “Lift up your hearts” we may answer with peaceful conscience: “We lift them up to the Lord.” – St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop, Father (Sermon 32, 1-3).
PRAYER – Be mindful, O Lord, of our humble prayers in this commemoration of Thy Saint Nicholas, so that we, who have no confidence in our own righteousness, may be assisted by the merits of those, who have been pleasing to Thee. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 10 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”
My Sorrowful Mother, Help Me to Bear My Crosses By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
My sorrowful Mother, by the merit of that grief which you felt at seeing your beloved Jesus led to death, obtain for me the grace to bear with patience, those crosses which God sends me. I will be fortunate if I also shall know how to accompany you with my cross until death. You and Jesus, both innocent, have borne a heavy cross and shall I, a sinner who has merited hell, refuse mine? Immaculate Virgin, I hope you will help me to bear my crosses with patience. Amen
AnaStpaul 
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