Category: ADVENT

Posted in ADVENT, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, The WORD

The Fourth Sunday of Advent – 24 December

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The Fourth Sunday of Advent – 24 December

“Know today that the Lord will come:  in the morning you will see His glory.“

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb
and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called
Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him
the throne of David his father,
and he will rule
over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom
there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High
will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy,
the Son of God.   And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month
for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said,
“Behold, I am the handmaid
of the Lord.
May it be done to me
according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:28-38the 4th sunday of advent - 24 dec 2017

Daily Meditation:
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
“temple of God’s Word”
because she was so ready to do God’s will.
As we approach this anniversary of our redemption,
let’s spend the day placing our life in God’s hands
embracing the ways He will come to us
and let us be His instruments for others.

Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

Closing Prayer:
Oh, God-With-Us,
For so long You have promised
forgiveness, peace, salvation.
Now in my heart, I am filled with joy
because of Your coming.
Thank You for Your promises and for the way I can trust in You.

I feel a new freedom in my life
and a courage I have not known before.
I know You came to save me and bring new life
and I am so grateful to You.
Let me show my thankfulness
with my life.
You have brought me through the darkness
and into the light of Your saving grace.
Guide my feet on the way of peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, SAINT of the DAY

The Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord and Memorials of the Saints – 24 December

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The Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord and Memorials of the Saints – 24 December

24 December – Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord

St Adam the Patriarch
St Adela of Pfalzel
Bl Alberic of Gladbach
Bl Brocard of Strasbourg
St Bruno of Ottobeuren
St Caran of Scotland
St Delphinus of Bordeaux
St Emiliana of Rome
St Euthymius of Nicomedia
St Eve the Matriarch
Bl Francesco dei Maleficii
St Gregory of Spoleto
St Hanno of Worms
Bl Ignacio Caselles García
St Irmina of Oehren
St Mochua of Timahoe
Bl Pablo Meléndez Gonzalo
St Paola Elisabetta Cerioli
Bl Peter de Solanes
St Trasilla
Bl Venerandus of Clermont
—
All the Holy Ancestors of Jesus: A commemoration of all the holy ancestors of Jeus Christ.

The New Testament has preserved two different genealogies of Our Lord, in Matthew 1 and Luke 3.
Saint Matthew’s list is divided artificially into three equal parts of 14 names each, with several intentional omissions: from Abraham the father of the chosen people to David the king, to whose family the promise was made (2 Kings 7);  David and the royal line after him to the Babylonian captivity; the descendants of the royal line from the captivity to Joseph, the legal father of Our Lord.

Saint Luke proceeds in reverse order; he starts from Joseph and goes, beyond Abraham, back to Adam the father of the human race, in accord with the character of his Gospel and he merely enumerates the names without grouping them according to a thesis or point, as is the case in Saint Matthew.

Few names are common to both lists: viz., those between Abraham and David, then Salathiel and Zorobabel after the captivity, and Joseph the foster-father of Christ; the others are absent from Matthew’s list, or the persons are different.   To account for these differences several explanations have been advanced but no decisive evidence is extant. Not a few authors hold that Saint Luke gives Mary’s genealogy but this view is more generally considered improbable, so that both lists are taken as giving Joseph’s ancestry. Only it must be supposed that at several points, instead of the actual descent, the one or the other of the lists gives the legal relationship based on adoption in some manner.  Our Lord was considered to belong to the family of David;  this seems to be taken for granted in the New Testament, where we find no difficulty raised against Him on the ground of His descent.   The genealogies show His relationship to the royal family of Juda through Joseph, as it was only through the father, legal or natural, that the rights could be transmitted and Joseph was the legal father of Jesus.   To trace Our Lord’s ancestry through His mother would not have served the purpose of the Evangelists.

Matthew 1:1-17 – The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab.   Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah.   Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.   Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah.   Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.   After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.   Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.

Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations.

Luke 3:23-38:
When Jesus began his ministry he was about thirty years of age.   He was the son, as was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Blessed Mercedarian Brothers – (4 beati): Four Mercedarian friars who worked to free Christians enslaved by Muslims, and to preach Christ along the way to any who would hear.
• Blessed Dionysius Roneo
• Blessed Philip Claro
• Blessed Giulio Pons
• Blessed Peter of Valladolid

Blessed Mercedarian Sisters – (6 beati): Six cloistered Mercedarian nuns at the convent of Vera Cruz in Berriz, Spain. Noted for their devotion to the rules of the Order and for their deep prayer lives.
• Blessed Anna Maria Prieto
• Blessed Anna de Arrano
• Blessed Orsola de Larisgoizia
• Blessed Maguna Mary
• Blessed Margaret
• Blessed Mary of the Assumption Sarria

Martyred Maidens of Antioch – (40 saints): A group of forty virgins martyred in the persecutions of Decius. None of their names have come down to us. They were martyred in 250 in Antioch, Syria.

Martyrs of Tripoli – (6 saints): A group of Christians martyred together, date unknown. The only details that have surived are six of the names – Drusus, Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Theotimus and Zenobius. They were martyred in Tripoli, Libya.

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, NOVENAS, The CHRIST CHILD

Christmas Novena to the Christ Child – Day Eight – 23 December

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Christmas Novena to the Christ Child

Day Eight
The Life Of The Child Jesus In Egypt And In Nazareth.

Reflection:
Our Blessed Redeemer spent the first part of His childhood in Egypt,
leading there for several years, a life of poverty and humiliation.
In that land Joseph and Mary were foreigners and strangers,
having there neither relatives nor friends.
Only with difficulty could they earn their daily bread by the labour of their hands.
Their home was poor, their bed was poor, their food was poor.
Here Mary weaned Jesus; dipping a piece of bread in water, she would put it in the sacred mouth of her Son.
Here she made His first little garments and clothed Him with them.
Here the Child Jesus took His first steps, stumbling and falling as other children first do.
Here too He spoke His first words, but stammeringly. O wonder of wonders!
To what has not God lowered Himself for love of us!
A God stumbling and falling as He walks! A God stammering in His speech!

Not unlike this was the poor and humble life that Jesus led in Nazareth after His return from Egypt.
There, until He was thirty years old, He lived as a simple servant or workman in a carpenter shop, taking orders form Joseph and Mary. “And He was subject to them.”
Jesus went to fetch the water;
He opened and closed the shop;
He swept the house, gathered the fragments of wood for the fire
and toiled all day long, helping Joseph in his work.
Yet who is this? God Himself, serving as a apprentice!
The omnipotent God, who with less than a flick of His finger created the whole universe,
here sweating at the task of planing a piece of work!
Should not the mere thought of this move us to love Him?

Prayer:
O Jesus, my Saviour!
When I consider how, for love of me, You didst spend thirty years of Your life hidden
and unknown in a poor workshop, how can I desire the pleasures and honours and riches of the world?
Gladly do I renounce all these things, since I wish to be Your companion on this earth,
poor as you were, mortified and humble as You were,
so that I may hope to be able one day to enjoy Your companionship in heaven.
What are all the treasures and kingdoms of this world?
You, O Jesus, are my only treasure, my only Good!
I keenly regret the many times in the past when I spurned
Your friendship in order to satisfy my foolish whims.
I am sorry for them with all my heart.
For the future I would rather lose my life a thousand times
than lose Your grace by sin.
I wish never to offend You again but always to love You.
Help me to remain faithful to You until death.
O Mary, you are the refuge of sinners, you are my hope. AmenDAY EIGHT NOVENA TO THE CHRIST CHILD - 23 DEC 2017 - NO 2

Posted in ADVENT, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 23 December – The Memorial of St John of Kanty (1390-1473)

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Thought for the Day – 23 December – The Memorial of St John of Kanty (1390-1473)

Sweetness of disposition wins more people than a sharp mind and roughness.
Every human being is worthy of respect, even if his opinions are false and his attitudes wrong.
We may be right in our opinions but we are wrong if we defend those opinions in an unkind and uncharitable way.
Nevertheless, there is one truth, not many – blue is blue and not black – where our kind disposition and words fail to convince another of the truth and we meet violent roughness, we do as we are taught “shake the dust from your feet” (Luke 9:5).
In Christ’s words is a warning:  the act of “shaking off the dust from one’s feet” is an act of “testimony against” those who reject the Gospel.   At the time of Judgment, we will stand before Christ and be judged by the testimony of how we lived our lives.   The testimony of our lives, how we loved or did not love, will either be a testimony in our favour, or a testimony against us.
St John of Kanty, pray for us!st john of kanty - pray for us 2 - 23 DEC 2017

Posted in ADVENT, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL SERMONS, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote of the Day – 23 December – The Memorial of St John of Kanty (1390-1473)

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Quote of the Day – 23 December – The Memorial of St John of Kanty (1390-1473)

“Fight all error
but do it with good humour,
patience, kindness and love.
Harshness will damage your own soul
and spoil the best cause.”

St John of Kanty (1390-1473)fight all error - st john of kanty - 23 dec 2017

“Going hand-in-hand with that true brand of humility
one saw in him a great childlike humility.
There was nothing deceitful or ambiguous
in his actions and words.
Whatever was in his heart he unhesitantly
and honestly revealed.
If he thought that his words,
even when speaking the truth,
could accidentally offend someone,
he humbly asked for forgiveness
before approaching the altar.”

Pope Clement X (In the Bull of Canonisation of St John of Kanty on 16 July 1767)going hand in hand - st john of kanty - 23 dec 2017

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 December – Saturday of the Third Week of Advent and the Memorial of St John of Kanty (1390-1473)

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One Minute Reflection – 23 December – Saturday of the Third Week of Advent and the Memorial of St John of Kanty (1390-1473)

On coming into the world, Jesus said …..”For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). By one offering He has forever perfected those who are being sanctified.john-6-38. 23 dec image

REFLECTION – “Jesus Christ, the God-Man, was born in a manger and is spiritually reborn on the altar.    He suffered on Calvary and continues to offer Himself on the altar. In His earthly life, He spread His teaching and worked miracles among the crowds.   In the Eucharist, He spans the centuries and communicates Himself to all.”…St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father & Doctor of the Churchjesus christ the god man - st john chrysostom - 23 dec 2017

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, in contemplating the birth of Your Son in time and in the Eucharist, may I ever attain a new birth.   May I through love of You, give my all to my neighbour in true charity.   Help me to learn from St John of Kanty to live in humility, true poverty of spirit and charity and of whom we ask for intercession.    St John of Kanty, pray for us! Amenst john of kanty pray for us - 23 dec 2017

Posted in ADVENT, BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The WORD

Our Morning Offering – 23 December – Saturday of the Third Week of Advent 2017

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Our Morning Offering – 23 December – Saturday of the Third Week of Advent 2017

As we draw to the end of this very short Advent-time, it is appropriate that we adopt the practice of praying this great prayer, EVERY DAY!

The Benedictus was the song of thanksgiving uttered by Zechariah on the occasion of the birth of his son, John the Baptist.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the Benedictus is part of Lauds because it is the song of thanksgiving for the coming of the Redeemer in the first part of the canticle.
It is believed to have been first introduced by Benedict of Nursia.   According to Durandus, the allusion to Christ’s coming under the figure of the rising sun had also some influence on its adoption.   It also features in various other liturgical offices, notably at a funeral, at the moment of interment, when words of thanksgiving for the Redemption are specially in place as an expression of Christian hope.

The Benedictus

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
He has come to His people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty saviour,
born of the house of His servant David.
Through His holy prophets He promised of old
that He would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember His holy covenant.
This was the oath He swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship Him without fear,
holy and righteous in His sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called
the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare His way,
to give His people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever, amenTHE BENEDICTUS - 22 DEC 2017 VERSION FOR 2017

Posted in ADVENT, MORNING Prayers, The WORD

Saturday of the Third Week of Advent – 23 December

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Saturday of the Third Week of Advent – 23 December

“The Lord is at hand!   Come, let us adore him.”

Daily Meditation:

But who can endure the day of his coming
and who can stand when he appears?…Malachi 3:2

We now begin the final part of Advent.
We follow the Gospel story,
as it bring us to Christmas.
Today, we hear the story of God’s plan,
using a long line of less-than-perfect kings
and 5 very special women, to bring us to Jesus.
God saved us, by becoming one of us,
entering into our human and sometimes messy history.
Jesus will come to each of us this Advent
in and through our human journey.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for You are the God of my salvation;
for You I wait all the day long...Psalm 24:4-5

Today’s Daily Reflection – Intercessions:
To Christ our Redeemer who will come again
to free from the power of death
all those who return to him, let us humbly pray:
Come Lord Jesus!
As we proclaim Your coming Lord,
– cleanse our hearts of every vain desire,
Lord, may the Church which You founded,
– proclaim Your greatness to all peoples.
Your law is a light to my eyes,
– let it protect those who trust in You.
You allow the joys of Your coming
to be foretold to us by Your Church,
-may we receive You with eager devotion.

O Emmanuel,
King and Lawgiver
Desire of the nations,
Saviour of all people,
Come and set us free,
Lord, our God!emmanuel, king and lawgiver - 23 dec 2017.jpg

Closing Prayer:
Oh, God of wisdom,
I want to praise You and give You my life.
Like a loving parent,
You bless me.
You have watched over me,
knowing my history
and the path that led me to You.
Thank You for the peace
you promise peace in my life.
I ask that I be always aware
of the strength of Your great power.
May it never leave me.
So many people before me
in so many generations,
have served You so humbly,
answering Your call.
Please give me the wisdom and courage
to be Your humble servant.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

saturday of the third week - 23 dec 2017

 

Posted in ADVENT, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 23 December – St John of Kanty/Cantius (1390-1473)

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Saint of the Day – 23 December – St John of Kanty/Cantius (1390 at Kanty, Silesia, Poland -1473 at Cracow, Poland, of natural causes ) Priest, Theologian, Scholastic Philosopher, Physicist, Teacher, Confessor, Philosopher, Apostle of Charity – Patron of Poland and Lithuania and various Universities.

St-John-Kanty

He was born in Kęty, a small town near Oświęcim, Poland, to Stanisław and Anna Kanty. He attended the Kraków Academy at which he attained bachelor and licentiate.   In 1418 he became a Doctor of Philosophy.   Upon graduation he spent the next three years conducting philosophy classes at the university, while preparing for the priesthood.   Upon his ordination, he became rector at the school of the Canons Regular of the Most Holy Sepulcher in Miechow.    While there, he was offered a professorship of Sacrae Scripturae (Sacred Scripture) back at his alma mater, the Kraków Academy, which would later be named the Jagiellonian University.   He attained a doctorate in theology and eventually became director of the theology department.   He held the professorship until his death in 1473.   John spent many hours copying manuscripts of the Holy Scriptures, theological tracts and other scholarly works.
In physics, he helped develop Jean Buridan’s theory of impetus, which anticipated the work of Galileo and Newton.
During his time in Kraków, John Kanty became well known in the city for his generosity and compassion toward the poor, especially needy students at the university.   He subsisted on what was strictly necessary to sustain his life, giving alms regularly to the poor.

He was a serious man and a good teacher.   He ate no meat, slept on the floor and rested little.   Though John was hard on himself, he was patient and kind to his students, who loved him in return.   Some jealous faculty members, however, had him removed.   John was sent to do parish work but he was not acquainted with such duties.   Although the people liked him for his generous and energetic spirit, John was not successful as a parish priest.

John returned to the university to teach Scripture.   The material he taught was not remembered as much as his holiness.   He was known everywhere for his humility and spontaneous generosity.   He gave everything to people who were poor and kept only the clothes he most needed.   Four times he made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, carrying his luggage on his back.   When John died at age 83, people had already claimed him as a saint.

SOD-1223-SaintJohnKanty-790x480.jpg

John of Kanty/Cantius was beatified in Rome by Pope Clement X on 28 March 1676.   He was named patron of Poland and Lithuania by Pope Clement XII in the year 1737.  Ninety-one years after his beatification, Blessed John Cantius was canonised on 16 July 1767, by Pope Clement XIII.

The Roman Breviary distinguishes him with three hymns;  he is the only confessor not a bishop who has been given this honour in the Roman Catholic liturgy.

St John Cantius is a popular saint in Poland.   A number of churches and schools founded by Polish diaspora communities throughout North America are named in his honour.   “John Cantius” has been used as a first and middle name—see, for example, John Cantius Garand.   In 1998, a new religious institute was founded, based in Chicago, which took St. John Cantius as their patron saint.   Thus they are the Canons Regular of Saint John Cantius.

Tomb of Saint John Cantius Church of St Anne, Kraków, Poland
Posted in ADVENT, SAINT of the DAY

Memorials of the Saints – 23 December

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St John of Kanty/Cantius (1390-1473) (Optional Memorial)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VOFzuNeVEM
__
St Antonio of Saint Anne
St Besa of Egypt
Bl Bincema
St Dagobert II of Austrasia
Bl Epifanio Gómez Alvaro
St Frithbert of Hexham
Bl Hartmann of Brixen
Bl Herman of Scheda
Bl James Aymerich
St John Cirita
St John Stone
St Joseph Cho Yun-ho
St Mardonius of Rome
St Mazota of Abernethy
St Migdonius of Rome
St Nicolás Factor-Estaña
St Servulus of Rome
St Thorlac Thorhallsson
St Victoria
St Vintila of Orensee
—
Martyred Dominicans of Santander – (9 beati) – Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Bernardino Irurzun Otermín
• Blessed Eleuterio Marne Mansilla
• Blessed Eliseo Miguel Lagro
• Blessed Enrique Cañal Gómez
• Blessed Enrique Izquierdo Palacios
• Blessed Epifanio Gómez Alvaro
• Blessed José María García Tabar
• Blessed Manuel Gutiérrez Ceballos
• Blessed Miguel Rodríguez González
• Blessed Pedro Luís y Luís

Martyrs of Crete – (10 saints): A group of ten Christians who died in the persecutions of Decius. They were –
• Agathopus
• Basilides
• Cleomenes
• Eunician
• Euporus
• Evaristus
• Gelasius
• Saturninus
• Theodulus
• Zeticus
They were martyred in 250 on the island of Crete.

Posted in ADVENT, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL SERMONS, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – – 22 December – The Memorial of St Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917)

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Thought for the Day – – 22 December – The Memorial of St Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917)

“Inspired by the grace of god, we join the saints in honouring the holy virgin Frances Xavier Cabrini.
She was a humble woman who became outstanding not because she was famous or rich or powerful but because she lived a virtuous life.
From the tender years of her youth, she kept her innocence as white as a lily and preserved it carefully with the thorns of penitence;  as the years progressed, she was moved by a certain instinct and supernatural zeal to dedicate her whole life to the service and greater glory of God.
She welcomed delinquent youths into safe homes and taught them to live upright and holy lives.
She consoled those who were in prison and recalled to them the hope of eternal life.
She encouraged prisoners to reform themselves and to live honest lives.
She comforted the sick and the infirm in the hospitals and diligently cared for them.
She extended a friendly and helping hand especially to immigrants and offered them necessary shelter and relief, for having left their homeland behind, they were wandering about in a foreign land with no place to turn for help.
Because of their condition, she saw that they were in danger of deserting the practice of Christian virtues and their Catholic faith.
Undoubtedly she accomplished all this through the faith which was always so vibrant and alive in her heart;  through the divine love which burned within her and finally, through constant prayer by which she was so closely united with God from whom she humbly asked and obtained whatever her human weakness could not obtain.
Although her constitution was very frail, her spirit was endowed with such singular strength that, knowing the will of God in her regard, she permitted nothing to impede her from accomplishing what seemed beyond her strength.”

from a homily at the Canonization of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini by Pope Pius XII

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini’s life was filled with disappointments… but she was never discouraged.   Despite setbacks, weak health and constant difficulty, the accomplishments of Mother Cabrini are remarkable.   Ever humble, she took no credit, instead directing those who might compliment her work back to the Lord—to Jesus Christ—though which all things were (and are) accomplished.   Throughout her life, Mother Cabrini found her strength in the Lord and used every ounce given to her to serve others.   We look to her today as a model of obedience, hope, service and strength. Mother Cabrini, pray for us!st frances xavier cabrini - pray for us no 2 - 22 dec 2017

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, NOVENAS

Christmas Novena to the Christ Child – Day Seven – 22 December

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Christmas Novena to the Christ Child – Day Seven – 22 December

Day Seven

Flight Of The Child Jesus Into Egypt.

Reflection:
Although the Son of God came from heaven to save men,
scarcely was He born when men began to persecute Him to death.
Herod, fearing that this Child would deprive Him of his kingdom,
seeks to destroy His life.
But St Joseph is warned by an angel in a dream to take the Infant
and His Mother and flee into Egypt.
Joseph obeys at once and tells Mary about it.
He takes the few tools of his trade,
that he may use them to gain a livelihood in Egypt for himself and his poor family.
Mary wraps up a small bundle of clothes for the use of her little Son
and then, going to the crib, she says with tears in her eyes
to her sleeping Child, “O my Son and my God!
You have come from heaven to save men;
but hardly are You born when they seek to take Your life.”
Lifting Him meanwhile in her arms and continuing to weep,
she sets out that same night with Joseph on the road to Egypt.

Let us consider how much these holy wanderers
must have suffered in making so long a journey,
deprived of every comfort.
The divine Child was not yet able to walk
and so Mary and Joseph had to take turns in carrying Him in their arms.
During their journey through the desert towards Egypt
they had to spend several nights in the open air,
with the bare ground for their bed.
The cold makes the Infant cry and Mary and Joseph weep in pity for Him.
And who would not weep at thus seeing the Son of God poor
and persecuted, a fugitive on earth, that He might not be killed by His enemies!

Prayer:
Dear Infant Jesus, crying so bitterly!
Well have You reason to weep in seeing Yourself persecuted by men
whom You loved so much.
I, too, O God, have once persecuted You by my sins.
But You know that now I love You more than myself
and that nothing pains me more than the thought
that I have so often spurned You, my sovereign Good.
Forgive me, O Jesus and let me bear You with me in my heart
in all the rest of the journey that I have still to make through life,
so that together with You, I may enter into eternity.
So often have I driven You from my soul by my sins.
But now I love You above all things
and I regret above other misfortunes,
that I have offended You.
I wish to leave You no more, my beloved Lord.
But do You give me the strength to resist temptations.
Never permit me to be separated from You again.
Let me rather die than ever again lose Your good grace.
O Mary, my hope, make me always live in God’s love
and then die in loving Him. AmenDAY SEVEN NOVENA TO THE CHRIST CHILD - 22 DEC 2017

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote of the Day – 22 December – Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 22 December – Friday of the Third Week of Advent

“Jesus was born in a cave in Bethlehem
because, Sacred Scripture tells us,
“there was no room for them in the inn.”
I am not departing from theological truth
when I say that Jesus,
is still looking,
for shelter in your heart.”

St Josemaria Escrivä (1902-1975)jesus was born

 

Posted in ADVENT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 December – Friday of the Third Week of Advent

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One Minute Reflection – 22 December – Friday of the Third Week of Advent

A child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominian rests……Isaiah 9:5isaiah 9 - 5

REFLECTION – “In adoring our Saviour’s birth, it is our origin that we celebrate. Christ’s temporal generation is the source of the Christian people, the birth of His Mystical Body. All of us encounter in this Mystery a new birth in Christ.”…St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Father & Doctor of the Churchin adoring our saviour's birth - 22 dec 2017

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, in celebrating the birth of Your Son on earth, let me also celebrate my birth in His Mystical Body. Grant that I may thus be brought closer to You in union with Your only Son. St Frances Xavier Cabrini, you who lived in union with our Lord and Saviour, striving always to be a light to all, pray for us! Amenst frances xavier cabrini - pray for us - 22 dec 2017

Posted in ADVENT, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 23 December – The Memorial of St Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917)

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Our Morning Offering – 23 December – The Memorial of St Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917)

Fortify me O Lord
Prayer of St Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917)

Fortify me with the grace of Your Holy Spirit
and give Your peace to my soul
that I may be free from all needless anxiety,
solicitude and worry.
Help me to desire always that which is pleasing
and acceptable to You so that Your Will may be my will.
Grant that I may rid myself of all unholy desires
and that, for Your love, I may remain obscure
and unknown in this world, to be known only to You.
Do not permit me to attribute to myself the good
that You perform in me and through me
but rather, referring all honour to Your Majesty,
may I glory only in my infirmities,
so that renouncing sincerely all vainglory
which comes from the world,
I may aspire to that true and lasting glory
which comes from You. Amen.fortify me o Lord - st cabrini - 22 dec 2017

Posted in ADVENT, EMMIGRANTS / IMMIGRANTS, Of HOSPITALS, NURSES, NURSING ASSOCIATIONS, PATRONAGE - ORPHANS,ABANDONED CHILDREN, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 22 December – St Frances Xavier Cabrini M.S.C. (1850-1917)

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Saint of the Day – 22 December – St Frances Xavier Cabrini M.S.C.   RELIGIOUS AND FOUNDRESS – Born Francesca Saverio Cabrini on 15 July 1850 – 22 December 1917), also called Mother Cabrini, was an Italian-American religious sister, who founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that was a major support to the Italian immigrants to the United States. She was the first naturalised citizen of the United States to be canonised on 7 July 1946.   Additional Memorial – 13 November (in the United States).   Patronages – • against malaria • emigrants, immigrants (given on 8 September 1950 by Pope Pius XII) • hospital administrators • orphans.frances xavier cabrini

This saint, the first United States citizen to be canonised, was born in Italy of parents who were farmers.   She was the thirteenth child, born when her mother was fifty-two years old.   The missionary spirit was awakened in her as a little girl when her father read stories of the missions to his children.   She received a good education and at eighteen was awarded the normal school certificate.mothercabrini2a-2-1-web

For a while she helped the pastor teach catechism and visited the sick and the poor.   She also taught school in a nearby town and for six years supervised an orphanage assisted by a group of young women.   The bishop of Lodi heard of this group and asked Frances to establish a missionary institute to work in his diocese.   Frances did so, calling the community the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart.   An academy for girls was opened and new houses quickly sprang up.

One day Bishop Scalabrini, founder of the Missionaries of Emigration, described to Mother Cabrini the wretched economical and spiritual conditions of the many Italian immigrants in the United States and she was deeply moved.   An audience with Pope Leo XIII changed her plans to go to the missions of the East. “Not to the East, but to the West,” the Pope said to her. “Go to the United States.”   Mother Cabrini no longer hesitated.   She landed in New York in 1889, established an orphanage and then set out on a lifework that comprised the alleviation of every human need.   For the children she erected schools, kindergartens, clinics, orphanages and foundling homes and numbers of hospitals for the needy sick.   At her death over five thousand children were receiving care in her charitable institutions and at the same time her community had grown to five hundred members in seventy houses in North and South America, France, Spain and England.

Color_Image_Saint_Francis_Xavier_Cabrini

St Frances, frail and diminutive of stature, showed such energy and enterprise that everyone marvelled.   She crossed the Atlantic twenty-five times to visit the various houses and institutions.   In 1909 she adopted the United States as her country and became a citizen.   After thirty-seven years of unflagging labour and heroic charity she died alone in a chair in Columbus Hospital at Chicago, Illinois, while making dolls for orphans in preparation for a Christmas party.   Cardinal Mundelein of Chicago officiated at her funeral and in 1938 also presided at her beatification by Pius XI.   She was canonised by Pius XII in 1946.   She lies buried under the altar of the chapel of Mother Cabrini High School in New York City.1113frances8

Posted in ADVENT, MORNING Prayers, The WORD

Friday of the Third Week of Advent – 22 December

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Friday of the Third Week of Advent – 22 December

“The Lord is at hand – come let us adore Him.”

Daily Meditation:
.…But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers...Psalm 1:2-3

We ask to be guided by His love.
He comes to us in more and more ways
as our longing grows.
At the same time, we are being prepared to receive even more grace
that we might be faithful in our daily lives.
Jesus is the Light that shines
in the midst of any darkness.
May we open our hearts to His coming.

Come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

Today’s Daily Reflection – Intercessions:
Through His son, God the father revealed His glory to men and women.
Therefore, let our joyful cry resound:
Lord, may Your name be glorified.
Teach us, Lord, to love each other,
– as Christ loved us for God’s glory.
Fill us with all joy and peace and faith,
– that we may walk in the hope and strength of the Holy Spirit.
Help all of men and women,
Lord, in Your loving mercy,
– be near to those who seek You without knowing it.
You call and sanctify the elect,
– though we are sinners, crown us with eternal happiness.

O KING OF ALL NATIONS
and keystone of the Church
come and save man,
whom You formed from the dust!o king of all nations - 22 dec 2017

Closing Prayer:
Jesus, You shine a light into the darkness of my life.
I am like a plant in limited sun,
and I find my being turning toward You
longing to be closer,
wanting only to draw near.
Help me to be faithful
in the big decisions of my life
and in the smallest of ways I live out each day.
My goal is salvation, Lord,
and I am painfully aware I can’t do that myself.
Teach me to be patient, to be faithful.
I know there is so much more grace I need
and so much more you want to give me.
Help me to be open to it and to recognise
the many gifts You give me each day.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.Friday of the third week - 22 dec 2017

 

Posted in ADVENT, SAINT of the DAY

Memorials of the Saints – 22 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

St Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917) – Universal optional memorial (except in the USA)

St Abban of New Ross
Bl Adam of Saxony
St Amaswinthus of Málaga
St Athernaise of Fife
St Bertheid of Münster
St Chaeremon of Nilopolis
St Flavian of Acquapendente
St Honoratus of Toulouse
St Hunger of Utrecht
St Ischirione of Alexandria
Bl Jutta of Diessenberg
Bl Ottone of Toulouse
Bl Thomas Holland
St Zeno of Nicomedia

Martyrs of Ostia – (3 saints): A group of Christians martyred together. The only details about them to survive are three names – Demetrius, Florus and Honoratus. They were martyred at Ostia, Italy.

Martyrs of Rhaitu – (43 saints): 43 monks martyred by Blemmyes, in Raíthu, Egypt, date unknown.

Martyrs of Via Lavicana – (30 saints): A group of 30 Christians martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian.
c 303 in Rome, Italy and were buried between two bay trees on the Via Lavicana outside Rome.

Posted in ADVENT, DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, ON the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day from Pope Benedict– 21 December – The Memorial of St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church

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Thought for the Day from Pope Benedict – 21 December – The Memorial of St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church

Characteristic of St Canisius’ spirituality was his profound personal friendship with Jesus.   For example, on 4 September 1549 he wrote in his journal, speaking with the Lord:  “In the end, as if you were opening to me the heart of the Most Sacred Body, which it seemed to me I saw before me, you commanded me to drink from that source, inviting me, as it were, to draw the waters of my salvation from your founts, O my Saviour”.

Then he saw that the Saviour was giving him a garment with three pieces that were called peace, love and perseverance.   And with this garment, made up of peace, love and perseverance, Canisius carried out his work of renewing Catholicism.   His friendship with Jesus — which was the core of his personality — nourished by love of the Bible, by love of the Blessed Sacrament and by love of the Fathers, this friendship was clearly united with the awareness of being a perpetuator of the Apostles’ mission in the Church. And this reminds us that every genuine evangeliser is always an instrument united with Jesus and with His Church and is fruitful for this very reason.

Friendship with Jesus had been inculcated in St Peter Canisius in the spiritual environment of the Charterhouse of Cologne, in which he had been in close contact with two Carthusian mystics:  Johannes Lansperger, whose name has been Latinised as “Lanspergius” and Nikolaus van Esche, Latinized as “Eschius”.

He subsequently deepened the experience of this friendship, familiaritas stupenda nimis, through contemplation of the mysteries of Jesus’ life, which form a large part of St Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises.   This is the foundation of his intense devotion to the Heart of the Lord, which culminated in his consecration to the apostolic ministry in the Vatican Basilica.

The Christocentric spirituality of St Peter Canisius is rooted in a profound conviction:  no soul anxious for perfection fails to practice prayer daily, mental prayer, an ordinary means that enables the disciple of Jesus to live in intimacy with the divine Teacher.

For this reason in his writings for the spiritual education of the people, our Saint insists on the importance of the Liturgy with his comments on the Gospels, on Feasts, on the Rite of Holy Mass and on the sacraments;  yet, at the same time, he is careful to show the faithful the need for and beauty of personal daily prayer, which should accompany and permeate participation in the public worship of the Church.

This exhortation and method have kept their value intact, especially after being authoritatively proposed anew by the Second Vatican Council in the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium:  Christian life does not develop unless it is nourished by participation in the Liturgy — particularly at Sunday Mass — and by personal daily prayer, by personal contact with God.

Among the thousands of activities and multiple distractions that surround us, we must find moments for recollection before the Lord every day, in order to listen to Him and speak with Him.

At the same time, the example that St Peter Canisius has bequeathed to us, not only in his works but especially with his life, is ever timely and of lasting value.   He teaches clearly that the apostolic ministry is effective and produces fruits of salvation in hearts only if the preacher is a personal witness of Jesus and an instrument at his disposal, bound to Him closely by faith in His Gospel and in His Church, by a morally consistent life and by prayer as ceaseless as love.  And this is true for every Christian who wishes to live his adherence to Christ with commitment and fidelity.    Thank you. (Pope Benedict XVI – GENERAL AUDIENCE, Paul VI Audience Hall, Wednesday, 9 February 2011).

St Peter Canisius, pray for us!

st peter canisius pray for us 2

And last year’s Thought for the Day is also inspiring – https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2016/12/21/thought-for-the-day-21-december/

 

Posted in ADVENT, DOCTORS of the Church, JESUIT SJ, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, Uncategorized

Quote/s of the Day – 21 December – The Memorial of St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 December – The Memorial of St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church

“Such should be the shepherd
in the Church who, like Paul,
becomes all things to all men,
so that the sick may find healing in him;
the sad, joy;
the desperate, hope;
the ignorant, instruction;
those in doubt, advice;
the penitent, forgiveness and comfort
and finally, everyone,
whatever is necessary, for salvation.
And so Christ, when He wished
to appoint the chief teachers
of the world and of the Church,
did not limit Himself to saying to his disciples:
‘You are the light of the world’;
but also added these words:
‘A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle
and put it under a measure but upon a candlestick,
that it may shine to all who are in the house.’
Those churchmen err, who imagine,
that it is by brilliant preaching,
rather than by holiness of and all-embracing love,
they fulfil their office.“such should be - st peter canisius - 21 dec 2017

“If you have too much to do, with God’s help, you will find time to do it all.”

St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) Doctor of the Churchif you have too much to do - st peter canisius - 21 dec

“Among the Jesuit saints, it is Peter Canisius
that brought me into the Society of Jesus…
as we go on, you will see, what influence
St Peter has had on this sinner. “

“(St Peter Canisius had) an extraordinary devotion
to the Holy Eucharist – his devotion to the Holy Sacrifice
were such that people would come from great distances
to watch him offer Mass, so devoutly did he celebrate.
He was one of the people that urged frequent Communion
at the Council of Trent and was one of those who got
the Council of Trent to pass a little known decree,
little known because it took almost three hundred years
for that decree to really come to life.
The Council of Trent, mind you, sixteenth century,
encouraged daily Communion – you would never guess it, would you?
Peter Canisius was one of those who, under instructions from Ignatius,
made sure that the Council passed that decree
and he spent hours before the Blessed Sacrament.”

Ven Servant of God Fr John A Hardon S.J. (1914-2000)st peter canisus had an - fr john a hardon - 21 dec 2017

Posted in ADVENT, DOCTORS of the Church, JESUIT SJ, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

One Minute Reflection – 21 December – The Memorial of St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 21 December – The Memorial of St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church

God who is mighty,
has done great things for me,
holy is his name…….Luke 1:49Luke 1 - 49

REFLECTION – “While remaining the Mother of our Judge, Mary is a mother to us, full of mercy.   She constitutes our protection.   She keeps us close to Christ and she faithfully takes the matter of our salvation into her charge.”……………….St Peter Canisiuswhile remaining the mother of our judge - st peter canisius - 2016 image

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, You have filled Mary with grace and made her a Co-Meaditrix with Christ Your Son.   Grant that I may have constant recourse to her and attain the salvation she helped win for the world.   St Peter Canisius, you lived a life of total and full dedication to our Father, to His divine Son and his holy and most blessed mother and in complete openness to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.   Please pray for us that as you were strengthened in sanctity and doctrine for the defence and growth of the Catholic faith, every seeker of truth may have the joy of finding our God and that all Catholics may persevere and grow in love and zeal for the one true faith. amen.canisius-pray-for-us - 2016

Posted in ADVENT, JESUIT SJ, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 21 December – The Memorial of St Peter Canisius (1521-1397) Doctor of the Church

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Our Morning Offering – 21 December – The Memorial of St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church

May I Be United With You, Good Jesus
St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church

Let my eyes take their sleep
but may my heart always
keep watch for You.
May Your right hand bless Your servants
who love You.
May I be united with the praise
that flows from You, Lord Jesus,
to all your saints;
united with the gratitude
drawn from Your heart, good Jesus,
that causes Your saints to thank You;
united with Your passion, good Jesus,
by which You took away our guilt;
united with the divine longing
that You had on earth, for our salvation;
united with every prayer
that welled from Your divine heart, good Jesus
and flowed into the hearts of Your saints.
Amenmay I be united with you good jesus - st peter canisius sj

 

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, The WORD

Thursday of the Third Week of Advent – 21 December

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Thursday of the Third Week of Advent – 21 December
“The Lord is at hand, come let us adore Him.”

Meditation:
My beloved speaks and says to me:
“Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away;
for lo, the winter is past,
the rain is over and gone…”...Song of Solomon 2:10-11

Our God loves us – with “enduring love.”
Our God is in a relationship with us that is faithful, forgiving, healing.
Let us accept it, surrender to its power, and feel the joy
and freedom growing in our hearts.

I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me... Psalm. 30

Today’s Daily Reflection – Intercessions:
Christ is the wisdom and power of God and His delight is to
be with the children of men. With confidence, let us pray:
Draw near us, Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ, You have called us to Your glorious kingdom,
– make us walk worthily, pleasing God in all we do.
You who stand unknown among us,
– reveal yourself to men and women.
You are nearer to us than we to ourselves,
– strengthen our faith and our hope of salvation.
You are the source of holiness,
– keep us holy and without sin now and until the day
of Your coming.

O Radiant Dawn,
splendour of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those
who dwell in darkness and in the
shadow of deatho radiant dawn - 21 dec 2017

Closing Prayer:
God of salvation,
You promise us strength
and courage in our lives
if only I ask.
You forgive me
and touch me with Your enduring love.
My past life does not matter.
You have forgiven me
and You love me with such tenderness.
As I ponder the blessings of the days ahead,
and am so grateful for Your forgiveness,
I ask to feel the jubilation and song
break out in my life today.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.thursday of the third week of advent - 21 dec 2017

 

 

Posted in ADVENT, SAINT of the DAY

Memorials of the Saints – 21 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

St Peter Canisius S.J. (1521-1397) Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kad6cr1xmf4
—
Bl Adrian of Dalmatia
St Anastasius II of Antioch
St Anrê Tran An Dung
Bl Anton Durcovici
St Baudacarius of Bobbio
St Beornwald of Bampton
Bl Bezela of Göda
Bl Daniel of the Annunciation
St Dioscorus
St Festus of Tuscany
St Glycerius of Nicomedia
St James of Valencia
St John of Tuscany
St John Vincent
St Micah the Prophet
St Phêrô Truong Van Thi
St Severinus of Trèves
Bl Sibrand of Marigård
St Themistocles of Lycia

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, NOVENAS

Christmas Novena to the Christ Child – Day Five – 20 December

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Christmas Novena to the Christ Child – Day Five – 20 December

Day Five
The Life Of Sorrow Which Jesus Led From His Birth.

Reflection:
Jesus Christ could have saved mankind without suffering and dying.
Yet, in order to prove to us how much He loved us, He chose for Himself a life full of tribulations.
Therefore the prophet Isaias called Him “a man of sorrows,” His whole life was filled with suffering.
His Passion began, not merely a few hours before His death but from the the first moment of His birth.
He was born in a stable where everything served to torment Him.
His sense of sight was hurt by seeing nothing but the rough, black walls of the cave;
His sense of smell was hurt by the stench of the dung from the beasts in the stable;
His sense of touch was hurt by the prickling straw on which He lay.
Shortly after His birth He was forced to flee into Egypt, where He spent several years of His childhood in poverty and misery. His boyhood and early manhood in Nazareth were passed in hard work and obscurity.
And finally, in Jerusalem, He died on a cross, exhausted with pain and anguish.

Thus, then, was the life of Jesus but one unbroken series of sufferings, which were doubly painful because He had ever before His eyes all the sufferings He would have to endure till His death.
Yet, since our Lord had voluntarily chosen to bear these tribulations for our sake, they did not afflict Him as much as did the sight of our sins, by which we have so ungratefully repaid Him for His love towards us.
When the confessor of Saint Margaret of Cortona saw that she never seemed satisfied with all the tears she had already shed for her past sins, he said to her, “Margaret, stop crying and cease your lamenting, for God has surely forgiven you your offenses against Him.”
But she replied, “Father, how can I cease to weep, since I know that my sins kept my Lord Jesus in pain and suffering during all His life?”

Prayer:
O Jesus, my sweet Love!
I too have kept You suffering through all Your life.
Tell me, then, what I must do in order to win Your forgiveness.
I am ready to do all You ask of me.
I am sorry, O sovereign Good, for all the offenses I have committed against You.
I love You more than myself, or a least I feel a great desire to love You.
Since it is You who have given me this desire, grant me too the strength to love You exceedingly.
It is only right that I, who have offended You so much, should love You very much.
Always remind me of the love You have borne me, in order that my soul may ever burn with love of You
and long to please You alone.
O God of love, I, who was once a slave of hell, now give myself all to You.
Graciously accept me and bind me to Yourself with the bonds of Your love.
My Jesus, from this day and forever in loving You will I live and in loving You will I die.
O Mary, my Mother and my hope, help me to love your dear God and mine.
This is the only favour I ask of you and through you I hope to receive it. AmenDAY FIVE NOVENA TO THE CHRIST CHILD - 20 DEC 2017 - NO 2

Posted in ADVENT, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 20 December – The Memorial of St Dominic de Silos (1000-1073)

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Thought for the Day – 20 December – The Memorial of St Dominic de Silos (1000-1073)

St Dominic of Silos came to know God in the solitude of a shepherd boy.    It was this love of solitude that drew him into monastic life where he could be alone with his God.   Most of us are so busy we scarcely have time for Sunday Mass.   We should cultivate a little solitude, too.   It is easy to form habits – is it not?   Especially those that give us pleasure. Our greatest pleasure should be communing with God it too becomes a habit – this one is indispensable!

St Dominic de Silos Pray for us!st dominic de silos pray for us - 20 dec 2017- no 2

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The CHRIST CHILD

Quote of the Day – 20 December – Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent

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Quote of the Day – 20 December – Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent

“If we would please this Divine Infant,
we too must become children,
simple and humble;
we must carry to Him flowers of virtue,
of meekness, of mortification, of charity;
we must clasp Him in the arms of our love.”

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Churchif we would please this divine infant - st alphonsus - 20 dec 2017

Posted in ADVENT, DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

One Minute Reflection – 20 December – The Memorial of St Dominic de Silos (1000-1073)

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One Minute Reflection – 20 December – The Memorial of St Dominic de Silos (1000-1073)

You, O God, are my stronghold, my gracious God!………..Psalm 59:18psalm-59-18

REFLECTION – “In tribulations, turn to God with confidence.   You will obtain strength, light and knowledge.
In joys and successes, turn to God with fear and sincerity.   You will escape all snares and be free of everything false.”..St John of the Crossin tribulations - st john of the cross - 20 dec 2017

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, let me turn to You in good times and in bad. Grant that I may always remain in loving union with You no matter what adversity or goodness should befall me. As St Dominic de Silos lived his life, when he was exiled, he found another way to give You honour and through this adversity You filled his work with miracles. So too may it be in my life. St Dominic de Silos Pray for us! Amenst dominic de silos pray for us - 20 dec 2017

Posted in ADVENT, BREVIARY Prayers, HYMNS, MORNING Prayers

Our Morning Offering – 20 December – Wednesday of the Third Week of Adve

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 20 December – Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent

Blessed are the Pure in Heart
By John Keble (1792-1866)

Bless’d are the pure in heart,
For they shall see our God;
The secret of the Lord is theirs,
Their heart is Christ’s abode.

The Lord, who left the heavens,
Our life and peace to bring,
To dwell in lowliness with men,
Their pattern and their King.

He to the lowly soul
Doth still Himself impart,
And for His dwelling and His throne
Chooseth the pure in heart.

Lord, we Thy presence seek;
May ours this blessing be;
Give us a pure and lowly heart,
A temple meet for Thee.blessed are the pure in heart - 20 dec 2017

Posted in ADVENT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The CHRIST CHILD, The WORD

Wednesday of Gaudete Week – 20 December 2017

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Wednesday of Gaudete Week – 20 December 2017

“The Lord is at hand, come let us adore Him.”

Daily Meditation:
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and vindication from the God of his salvation.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob….Psalm 24:5-6

We have heard the promises and we have begged for more hope.
Today we pray for His saving help and hear His personal invitation
to turn to Him, to find our safety in Him alone.

How might I yet place my trust in God’s love for me?
How might I yet surrender my independence?
How might my heart grow in anticipation and welcome
of the fullness of His coming to me this year?

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High;
and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever;
and of his kingdom there will be no end…Luke 1:32-33

Today’s Daily Reflection – Intercessions:
The Word of God humbled himself to dwell with us so
that we might see his glory.
Rejoicing in hope, let us call upon him:
Emmanuel, be with us.
Ruler, just and righteous,
– bring justice to the poor and the oppressed.
King of peace, You beat swords into plowshares and spears
into pruning hooks,
– turn hatred into love and our grievances into forgiveness.
You do not judge by appearances,
– recognize those who are Your own.
When You come with power and might upon the clouds,
– grant that we may come before You without shame.

O KEY OF DAVID,
and Sceptre of the House of Israel,
who opens and no one shuts,
who shuts and no one opens:
Come and bring forth the captive from his prison,
he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.o key of david - 20 dec 2017

Closing Prayer:
Dearest Lord,
Your invitation settles in my soul:
“Turn to me and be safe.”
Something lets go inside when I take those words into my heart.
They are an invitation for me to rest.
So many moments of my life are filled with my own needs.
“Turn to me and be safe,” You say to me again.
Give me the great grace to let go from the depths of my soul.
Help me to be released
from the demons I cling to with so much fear.
I hear Your invitation to ask for help
and I begin to list all the places in my life that need healing.
“Turn to me and be safe.”
You promise Your saving help
and I know it is the only thing that can heal me.
I feel Your presence in my life
and am aware of the growing joy I feel
as I anticipate celebrating the birth of Your son.
May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.wednesday of the third week - 20 dec 2017