Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ORIGINAL SIN, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on PURITY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Thought for the Day – 9 December – Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception, The Virginal Purity of Mary

Thought for the Day – 9 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971) – Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception

The Virginal Purity of Mary

Purity is the most beautiful of virtues.

It is a virtue which is admired by God and by men, even by the most corrupt.
It is often said, that it makes us like the Angels but in fact, looking at it in a particular way, it makes us superior to the Angels.
Since they have no bodies, the angels cannot sin against purity, while we have to fight many battles and overcome many temptations, in order to preserve our chastity.
Jesus had a very special love for this virtue.
He chose to be born of a Virgin and, He showed a particular affection for St John, who was a dedicated celibate.
On one occasion, He placed His Hands on the head of a little child and said: “Unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter into the kingdom of Heaven “(Mt:18.3)

Unfortunately, the virtue of purity is as fragile as it is beautiful.
It can be lost in a single moment of weakness.
We must love this virtue as Mary loved it.
We must be prepared to make any sacrifice, even the most heroic, rather than lose it.

Worldly charm and beauty attract us and the devil works ferociously to control our imagination and our affections.
On account of the disturbance of original sin, the flesh is like a terrible weight retarding our spiritual advancement.
Sometimes it seems as if it is irresistibly drawing us towards the abyss of impurity.
But we need not be dragged down, if we are prepared to fly from the occasions of sin and to pray to God and to our heavenly Mother for her intercession.
We must always act at once, for there is no time to dally.

It is fatal to remain inactive and to allow temptation to make its way into our soul.
This kind of battle, said St Francis de Sales, is won only by soldiers who flee.
We must fly from the occasions of sin, no matter what sacrifice this entails.
Jesus has warned us, that it is better to enter Heaven without a hand or a foot, than to be cast into hell.

We know the remedies – instant flight, heroic sacrifice and constant prayer.
We can leave the rest to the grace of God and to the maternal protection of Mary.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 9 November – The Bride of Christ

Quote/s of the Day – 9 November – Dedication of The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour

Like the deer yearns for running streams,
so my soul is yearning for Tbee, my God;
my soul is thirsting for God, the living God.

Psalm 41:2-3

“Zeal for Thy House hath consumed me.”

John 2:17

Behold, thy mother
John 19:27

His Mother is the entire Church
because by God’s grace,
she brings forth the members of Jesus Christ,
that is to say, those who are faithful to Him.
His Mother is also every holy soul
who does the Will of His Father
and whose fruitful charity is made manifest
in those whom it brings forth for Him
until He Himself is formed in them
 (Gal 4:19)…”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

My Dear Jesus
Return Thy Spouse to Apostolic Sanctity
By St Jerome Emiliani (1486–1537)

Our sweet Father Lord Jesus Christ,
because of Thine Infinite Goodness,
we ask Thee to return Thy Spouse, the Church
to tha state of sanctity as of the time of the Apostles.
Hear us, O Lord because Thou art kind and merciful.
In Thy bountiful compassion look upon us.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,
have mercy upon us.
May the power of God the Father,
the Wisdom of the Son
and the Strength of the Holy Ghost
and too, the glorious Virgin Mary,
guide and protect us
on the way to peace, love and prosperity.
May the Angel Raphael,
who always assisted Tobias,
be with me in every place I stop
and on every road I travel.
My dear Jesus, my dear Jesus, my dear Jesus,
my love and my God, I trust in Thee.
Amen

St Jerome Emiliani (1486–1537)

The Church alone, being the Bride of Christ
and having all things in common
with her Divine Spouse,
is the depository of the Truth
.”

St Pius X (1835-1914)

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, ON the SAINTS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The COMMUNION of SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 1 November – I Salute Thee, All ye Holy Angels and Saints of God By St Gertrude the Great

Our Morning Offering – 1 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”

I Salute Thee, All ye Holy Angels
and Saints of God
By St Gertrude the Great
(1256-1302)

I salute thee through the Heart of Jesus,
O all ye holy Angels and Saints of God.
I rejoice in thy glory
and I give thanks to our Lord
for all the benefits
which He has showered upon thee.
I praise Him and glorify Him
and offer thee, for an increase
of thou joy and honour,
the most gentle heart of Jesus.
Deign, therefore, to pray for me
that I may become, like thee,
according to the Heart of God.
Amen.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 24 October – St Raphael!

Quote/s of the Day – 24 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – The Feast of St Raphael the Archangel – Tobit 12:7-15, John 5:1-4 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

For it is good to hide the secret of a king
but honourable to reveal and confess,
the works of God.

Prayer is good with fasting and alms,
more than to lay up treasures of gold.

For alms delivereth from death
and the same is that which purges away sins
and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting.

But they that commit sin and iniquity,
are enemies to their own soul.”

Tobit 12:7-10

I am the Angel Raphael,
one of the seven,
who stand before the Lord.

Tobit 12:15

Raphael frees us from the wrath of God
which we incur by sinning against God.
He does this by inducing us to pray earnestly.
This is what Raphael the Archangel told Tobias
in the twelfth chapter:
“When thou didst pray with tears,
I offered thy prayer to the Lord”
the angels themselves, as far as they are able,
try to reconcile us with God.

St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Doctor of the Church

O Raphael, Divinely Sent Guide
St Raphael Archangel, 24 October
From the Ambrosian Breviary

O Raphael, divinely sent guide,
graciously receive the hymn
we suppliants address to thee
with joyful voice.

Make straight for us the way of salvation
and forward our steps,
lest at any time, we wander astray
and turn from the path to heaven.

Look down upon us from on high;
reflect into our souls
the splendour shining from above,
from the holy Father of lights.

Give perfect health to the sick,
dispel the darkness of the blin
and while driving away diseases of the body,
give spiritual strength to our souls.

Thou who standest before the Sovereign Judge,
plead for the pardon of our crimes
and, as a trusty advocate,
appease the avenging wrath of the Most High.

Renewer of the great battle,
crush our proud enemy;
against the rebel spirits give us strength
and increase our grace.

To God the Father be glory,
and to His Only Son,
together with the Paraclete Spirit,
now and forevermore.
Amen

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, BAPTISM, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WATCHING, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 October – The cripple beside the pool of Bethsaida was waiting

One Minute Reflection – 24 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – The Feast of St Raphael the Archangel – Tobias 12:7-15 – John 5:1-4 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

In these lay a great multitude of sick, of blind, of lame, of withered, waiting for the moving of the water (by the Angel). ” – John 5:3

REFLECTION – “The cripple beside the pool of Bethsaida was waiting for someone (to help him into the pool). For whom was he waiting, if not for the Lord Jesus, born of a Virgin? When He came, it was no longer only a matter of some mere prefiguration which was healing people but Truth itself, was healing them all. And so it was, He, Whose descent was awaited, He of Whom God the Father spoke to John the Baptist: “On Whomever you see the Spirit descend and remain, He is the One Who will Baptise with the Holy Spirit” (Jn 1:33) … But why did the Spirit come down like a Dove, if not so that you might see and acknowledge that the Dove which righteous Noah sent out from the ark, was the image of that Dove and, might recognise in it, a prefiguring of the Sacrament of Baptism. ..?

Can you still waver, when the Father is unquestionably proclaiming to you in the Gospel: “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17); when the Son, over Whom the Holy Spirit was manifested, in the form of a Dove, is proclaiming it too; when the Holy Spirit, Who descended in the form of a Dove, is also proclaiming it; when David proclaims: “The voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over vast waters” (Ps 28:3)? Scripture also affirms that Fire came down from Heaven at Gideon’s prayers and again, that Fire was sent to consecrate the sacrifice at the prayer of Elijah. (Jgs 6:21; 1Kgs 18:38).

Do not attend to a Priest’s personal worth but to his office … Believe that our Lord Jesus is present, when invoked at the prayer of the Priest, He Who said: “Where two or three are gathered together, there Am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:0). How much more, then, does He deign to grant us His presence where the Church is, where the Mysteries are celebrated. And so, you have gone down to the Baptistery. Remember what you have said – that you believe in the Father, you believe in the Son, you believe in the Holy Ghost … With similar words of commitment. you asserted your belief in the Son, as you believe in the Father, your belief in the Holy Spirit as you believe in the Son, with this sole difference – that you profess the need to believe in the Cross of our only Lord Jesus.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church (On the Mysteries 24).

PRAYER – O God, Who gave blessed Raphael the Archangel as a traveling companion to Your servant Tobias, grant us, Your servants, ever to be protected by his guardianship and by his help.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).

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 24 October – Christ, Thy Servants’ Wanderings Spare

Our Morning Offering – 24 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – The Feast of St Raphael the Archangel

Placare, Christe, Servulis (Nobis)
Christ, Thy Servants’ Wanderings Spare
Words: Unknown Author,
Roman Breviary (Divino Afflatu), 1911

Christ, Thy servants’ wanderings spare;
For whom Thy Maiden-Mother’s prayer
Beseech at Thy throne of grace
Mercy before the Father’s face.

Be near us, Angel from on high,
Whose name God’s might doth signify;
Strengthen the weak with ceaseless ward
And to the sad thine help afford.

Ye ninefold ranks of Angel-choirs,
Whose order for our help conspires,
All past and present ills dispel,
From future danger guard us well.

Drive far away in shamed disgrace
From Christian lands, the faithless race
That so the rule One Shepherd hold
Over one flock, one single fold.

To God the Father, praise be done,
Who hath redeemed us through His Son,
Anoints us by the Holy Ghost
And guards us by the Angel-host.
Amen.

This is the Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of St. Raphael the Archangel.
Tune: Unknown
Meter: 88.88

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, SAINT of the DAY

Saint Raphael the Archangel and all the Saints for 24 October

Saint Raphael the Archangel
The Feast day of Saint Raphael was included for the first time in the General Roman Calendar in 1921, for celebration on 24 October. With the 1969 revision of the General Roman Calendar, the Feast was transferred to 29 September for celebration together with Archangels Saints Michael and Gabriel.
St Raphael:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-st-raphael-the-archangel/


St Audactus of Thibiuca
St Cadfarch
St Ciriacus of Hierapolis
St Claudian of Hierapolis
St Ebregislus of Cologne
St Felix of Thibiuca
St Fortunatus of Thibiuca
St Fromundus of Coutances

St Maglorius (Died 575) Bishop of Dol and Solitaire in France, Confessor, Monk, Missionary, Abbot, Miracle-worker, “Apostle to Guernsey and Sark” (Sark, French “Sercq” one of the Channel Islands, a dependency of Guernsey, located in the English Channel, south of England’s coast. S
St Maglorius\ Life of Grace:

https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-saint-maglorius-of-wales-died-c575-bishop/

St Marcius of (Died c679) Hermit
St Mark of Campania Hermit

St Martin of Vertou (527–601) Abbot, Hermit, Founder of Vertou Abbey and the Evangelist of the region around Nantes, Miracle-worker.
His Fervent Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-saint-martin-of-vertou-527-601/

St Proclus (Died c 446) Archbishop of Constantinople, Confessor, Defender of the Church and of the Blessed Virgin, Writer, renowned Preacher.
About St Prochus:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-saint-proclus-of-constantinople-died-c-446/

St Regnobert (7th Century) Bishop of Bayeux, France

St Senoch (536-576) Abbot, Priest, Ascetic, Apostle of the needy, the poor, of slaves, Founder of a Monastery , Miracle-worker granted the charism of curing the sick, especially the blind, those sick in soul and body. Born in 536 in Tiffauges, Poitou, Gaul (in modern France) and died in 576 aged 40, Touraine, France from a fever. Patronages – against eye diseases, of the blind, Saint-Senoch, France, Sassenay, France.
His Holy Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2024/10/24/saint-of-the-day-24-october-st-senoch-536-576-abbot/

St Senócus of Tours
St Septimus of Thibiuca

Martyrs of Ephesus – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together. All we know about them are the names Mark, Sotericus and Valentina. They were stoned to death near Ephesus, Asia Minor (in modern Turkey). Their relics are enshrined on the island of Tasos.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS & NOVENA to St Joseph, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, St JOSEPH

Our Morning Offering – 22 October – Fr Faber’s Hail, Holy Joseph, Hail!

Our Morning Offering – 22 October – Wednesday is devoted to Saint Joseph who is known as the prince and most efficacious Patron of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. As the earthly Father of Jesus, he had a special role in protecting, providing for and instructing Jesus during His earthly life. Now that Christ is ascended into Heaven, St Joseph continues his fatherly guardianship of Christ’s Body, the Church. He is a very powerful friend and aid to all of us.

Hail, Holy Joseph, Hail!
By Father Frederick W Faber CO (1814-1863)

Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
Chaste spouse of Mary hail!
Pure as the lily flow’r
In Eden’s peaceful vale.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
Prince of the House of God!
May His best graces be
By thy sweet hands bestowed.

Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
Comrade of Angels, hail!
Cheer thou the hearts that faint,
And guide the steps that fail.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
God’s choice wert thou alone!
To thee the Word made flesh,
Was subject as a Son.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
Teach us our flesh to tame
And, Mary, keep the hearts
That love thy husband’s name.
Mother of Jesus! bless,
And bless, ye Saints on high,
All meek and simple souls
That to Saint Joseph cry.
Amen

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HELL, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, St Francis de Sales, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 October – Remember the Angels!

Quote/s of the Day – 21 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”

Remember the Angels especially during October

See, I am sending My Angel before you,
to guard you on the way
and bring you to the place I have prepared.”

Exodus 23:20

It was pride which changed Angels into devils;
it is humility which makes men as Angels!

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

We are like children,
who stand in need of masters,
to enlighten us and direct us
and God has provided for this,
by appointing His Angels,
to be our teachers and guides.

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

The good Angels are around you,
like a company of Sentinels on guard
!”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

The powers of hell
will assail the dying Christian
but his Angel Guardian
will come to console him.
His Patrons and St Michael,
who has been appointed by God
to defend his faithful servants,
in their last combat with the devils,
will come to his aid.

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Nor then do thou leave me,
Angelical friend!
But at the tribunal
Of Judgement attend
And cease not to plead
For my soul, till, forgiven,
Thou bear it aloft
To the Palace of Heaven!

From “Sweet Angel of Mercy!
By Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)

Posted in GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 14 October – My Oldest Friend

Our Morning Offering – 14 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels”

My Oldest Friend
By John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

My oldest friend, mine from the hour
When first I drew my breath,
My faithful friend, that shall be mine,
Unfailing, till my death….

Mine when I stand before the Judge,
And mine, if spared to stay
Within the golden furnace, till
My sin is burn’d away.

And mine, O Brother of my soul,
When my release shall come,
Thy gentle arms shall lift me then,
Thy wings shall waft me home.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MOTHER of GOD, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, The ANNUNCIATION, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The INCARNATION

Thought for the Day – 3 October – The First Joyful Mystery – The Annunciation

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The First Joyful Mystery
The Annunciation

The Rosary is both a vocal and a mental prayer.
When reciting the first five decades, we should meditate on the principal joyful mysteries of our Faith, beginning with the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin.
In other words, during the first decade, we should visualise the scene described in the Gospel.

“The Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a Town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David and the Virgin’s name was Mary. And, when the Angel had come to her, he said “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women” (Lk 1:26-28).

Note the manner in which the Angel greets Mary.
He proclaims that she is full of grace, pleasing and acceptable to God.
He bows before her and says that she is blessed among women.

On previous occasions Angels had appeared to Patriarchs, Kings and Prophets but always, as superior beings bearing a command from Almighty God.
Why, then, does an Angel bow before this maiden and salute her with such reverence?

The reason is twofold.
Mary is the purest of creatures, immaculate from the moment of her conception; she is also destined to become the Mother of God, a destiny of quasi-infinite dignity.
Let we, poor sinners, bow before her also and beg her to obtain for us from God, the graces of forgiveness and of sanctification.
It is in this spirit, of loving humility that we should recite the First Decade of the Holy Rosary.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Thought for the Day – 2 October – Our Guardian Angels

Thought for the Day – 2 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Our Guardian Angels

“The realisation that our Guardian Angel is always close at hand, should be a warning to us.
It should prevent us from doing anything displeasing to God.
Would we venture to do anything unbecoming in the presence of our Father or Mother, or of anyone for whom we have any regard?
Definitely not and still less, should we dare to perform an evil action in the presence of our Angel, to whom we owe such gratitude and in the presence of God, our Creator, Lord and Redeemer, Who could, at any moment, snap the thread which binds us to life and plunge us into eternity.

Furthermore, when pride convinces us that we are of some importance, let us turn to our Angel and pray for the virtue of humility.
When we begin to seethe with anger and long to utter words which are harsh and injurious, let us ask our Angel to pray on our behalf, for the gift of Christian gentleness.
When the devil fills our minds with impure images and thoughts, let us ask our Angel to beseech God to give us the Christian fortitude to resist temptation and to imitate his angelic purity.

Finally, when tepidity is sapping the vigour of our interior life, let us pray to our Guardian Angel in the hope of obtaining a share in his intimate union with God.

Let us pray the Guardian Angel prayer or at least say:
My Guardian Angel enlighten me.
My Guardian Angel help me.
My Guardian Angel, protect me
.”
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/02/thought-for-the-day-2-october-our-guardian-angels/

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, St Francis de Sales

Quote/s of the Day – 2 October – Guardian Angels

Quote/s of the Day – 2 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” and the Feast of the Guardian Angels

You should be aware, the word
“Angel” denotes a function,
rather than a nature.
Those holy Spirits of Heaven have,
indeed, always been spirits.
They can only be called Angels
when they deliver some message.
Moreover, those who deliver messages
of lesser importance are called Angels
and those. who proclaim messages
of supreme importance are called Archangels.

St Gregory the Great (540-604)
Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church

In every lodging, at every corner,
have reverence for thy Angel.
Do not dare to do, in his presence,
what you would not dare to do, if I were there.
Or do you doubt that he is present
whom you do not behold?
What if you should hear him?
What if you should touch him?
What if you should scent him?
Remember, that the presence of something
is not proved only by the sight of things.

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

Our Guardian Angels are our most faithful friends
for they are with us, day and night,
always and everywhere.
We ought often, to invoke them.

St Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

The good Angels are around you,
like a company of Sentinels on guard!

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, In the PRESENCE of GOD, ONE Minute REFLECTION, Quotes on SALVATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 October – ‘… He gives to each of us, one and, even several Angels …’

One Minute Reflection – 2 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” and the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels – Exodus 23:20-23 – Matthew 18:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… Their Angels in Heaven, always see the Face of My Father …” – Matthew 18:10

REFLECTION – “Although the good God is sufficient unto Himself, nevertheless, He makes use of the ministry of the Angels to govern the world … When we see God taking such care of our lives, we conclude that our souls are something truly great and precious, if He is to employ all that is greatest in His Court for the souls’ preservation and sanctification. He has given us His Son to save us; this same Son … gives to each of us,one and, even several Angels, who are solely occupied in asking, on our half, the graces and aids we might need, to ensure our salvation … Oh, how little people know what they are and what they were made for! In Holy Scripture we read that the Lord said to His people: “See, I am sending an Angel before you, to guard you on the way” (Ex 23:20) …

We should often pray to our Guardian Angels, carefully respect them and, above all, try to imitate them in all our actions. And the first thing we need to imitate in them, is the thought of the Presence of God … Surely, if we were completely penetrated with God’s Presence, how could we do evil? How much more pleasing to God would be all our good deeds! … God said to Abraham: “Would you be blameless? Walk in My Presence” (Gn 17:1). How could we possibly forget God so easily, when we have Him always with us? Why are we not full of respect and gratitude towards our Angels, who accompany us day and night? … Perhaps you will say: “I am to unworthy to merit it.” My brethren, not only does God not lose sight of you for an instant but, He gives you an Angel who never ceases to guide your steps. Ah, happiness too great, yet too little known!” – St Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859) Priest, Curé of Ars, Patron of Parish Priests (Sermon for the Feast of the Guardian Angels).

PRAYER – O God, Who in Thy wondrous providence graciously send Thy Angels to watch over us, grant that we, who pray to Thee maybe ever under their protection and may rejoice in their unending companionship. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH

Our Morning Offering – 2 October – O My Good Angel

Our Morning Offering – 2 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” and the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels

O My Good Angel
Prayer to One’s Guardian Angel
Appointing him Intercessory at the Hour of Death
By St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

My good Angel – I know not when or how I shall die.
It is possible I may be carried off suddenly
and before my last sigh, I may be deprived of all intelligence.
Yet, how many things I would wish to say to God,
on the threshold of eternity.
In the full freedom of my will today,
I come to charge thee to speak for me
at that fearful moment.
Thou will say to Him, then, O my good Angel –
That I wish to die
in the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church
in which all the Saints, since Jesus Christ, have died
and, out of which, there is no salvation.
That I ask the grace, of sharing
in the Infinite Merits of my Redeemer
and that I desire to die, in pressing to my lips,
the Cross which was bathed in His Blood!
That I detest my sins because they displease Him
and that I pardon, through love of Him,
all my enemies, as I wish myself to be pardoned.
That I die willingly because He orders it
and that I throw myself, with confidence,
into His adorable Heart, awaiting all His mercy.
That in my inexpressible desire to go to Heaven,
I am disposed to suffer everything
it may please His Sovereign Justice to inflict on me.
That I love Him before all things,
above all things and for His own sake;
that I wish and hope, to love Him with the elect,
His Angels and the Blessed Mother,
during all eternity.
Do not refuse, O my Angel,
to be my interpreter with God
and to protest to Him, that these,
are my sentiments and my will.
Amen.

Posted in GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

The Holy Guardian Angels, Day Five of the Rosary Novena, Matka Boża Różańcowa / Our Lady of the Rosary, Krakow, Poland (1600s) and the Saints for 2 October

The Holy Guardian Angels
Blessed Angels here:

https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/10/02/saint-of-the-day-the-holy-guardian-angels-2-october/
AND  St Bernard on the Guardian Angels:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/02/memorial-of-the-holy-guardian-angels-2-octobe-sermon-on-the-holy-guardian-angels-by-st-bernard/

Day Five of the Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary: FIFTH DAY

Matka Boża Różańcowa / Our Lady of the Rosary, Krakow, Poland (1600s) – First Sunday of October or 2 October:
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/02/the-holy-guardian-angels-matka-boza-rozancowa-our-lady-of-the-rosary-krakow-poland-1600s-and-memorials-of-the-saints-2-october/

St Alfonso del Rio
St Andrea Ximenez
St Beregisius
St Eleutherius of Nicomedia
St Gerinus

St Leodegar OSB (c 625-679) Bishop of Autun and Martyr, Monk, Abbot, Reformer.
His Life and Death:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/02/saint-of-the-day-2-october-saint-leodegar-of-autun-c-625-679-martyr/

St Leudomer (Died c593) Abbot
St Modesto of Sardinia
St Saturius of Soria
St Theophilus of Bulgaria

St Thomas de Cantilupe (c1218-1282) Bishop of Hereford, Confessor, learned Scholar, known for his care of the poor and his protection of them against feudal landlords, Miracle-worker, Chancellor of Oxford University, Lord Chancellor of England. Thomas de Cantilupe was the last Englishman Canonised before the Reformation.
An amazing Life and in death, a wondrous Miracle-worker:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/02/saint-of-the-day-2-october-saint-thomas-de-cantilupe-of-hereford-c-1218-1282/

St Ursicinus II (Died 760) Bishop of Chur in Switzerland, Monk, Abbot, Hermit, Restorer of the Monastery of Disentis and Architect and builder of 3 Churches in the Diocese.
The Roman Martyrology states: “In the territory of today’s Switzerland, Saint Ursicinus, Bishop of Chur and first Abbot of the Monastery of Disentis which he founded.”
His Zealous Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/02/saint-of-the-day-2-october-saint-ursicinus-ii-died-760-bishop/

Martyred in Nagasaki, Japan: A husband, wife and two sons, who were all martyred together in the persecutions in Japan. They were beheaded on 2 October 1622 in Nagasaki, Japan and Beatified by Pope Pius IX on 7 May 1867.
Blessed Andreas Yakichi
Blessed Franciscus Yakichi
Blessed Lucia Yakichi
Blessed Ludovicus Yakichi

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, INDULGENCES, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, ROSARY QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

October, The Month of the Holy Rosary and the Holy Angels

1 October – Devotion for the Month of the Most Holy Rosary and the Holy Angels

An Indulgence of 7 years is granted to all the faithful who devoutly recite the Rosary during the Month of October–granted by Pope Leo XIII, in the same EncyclicalSupremo Apostolatus Officio.

Beginning on 1 September 1883, with Supremo Apostolatus Officio, Pope Leo XIII wrote a total of eleven Encyclicals on the Rosary, ending with Diuturni Temporis in 1898.
In 1885, Pope Leo XIII ordered the Rosary to be recited everyday during the month of October in every Parish Church and Cathedral, throughout the world.
Those of the faithful who could not be present at this recital he exhorted to say it with their families or in private.

The greatest method of praying
is to pray the Rosary.

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the LIGHT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DEATH, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WISDOM, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 29 September – The 9 Choirs of Angels

Quote/s of the Day – 29 September – The Feast of the Dedication of the Archangel St Michael – Apocalypse 1:1-5, Matthew 18:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

See, I am sending My Angel before you,
to guard you on the way
and bring you to the place I have prepared.”

Exodus 23:20

God Loves in the Seraphim, as Charity,
Knows in the Cherubim, as Truth,
is seated in the Thrones, as Equity,
Reigns in the Dominions, as Majesty,
Rules in the Principalities, as Principle,
Guards in the Powers, as Salvation,
Acts in the Virtues, as Strength,
Reveals in the Archangels, as Light,
Assists in the Angels, as Piety.

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor

O Victorious Prince,
Guardian of the Church of God
By St Aloysius de Gonzaga SJ (1568-1591)

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel

O Victorious Prince,
most humble guardian of the Church of God
and of faithful souls,
who, with such charity and zeal,
took part in so many conflicts
and gained such great victories over the enemy,
for the conservation and protection
of the honour and glory,
we all owe to God,
as well as for the promotion of our salvation.
Come, we pray Thee, to our assistance,
for we are continually besieged
with such great perils by our enemies,
the flesh, the world and the devil
and as Thou wast a leader
for the people of God,
through the desert,
so also be our faithful leader
and companion through the
desert of this world,
until Thou conduct us safely,
into the happy land of the living,
in that blessed fatherland
from which we are all exiles.
Amen.

The powers of hell
will assail the dying Christian
but his Angel Guardian
will come to console him.
His Patrons and St Michael,
who has been appointed by God
to defend his faithful servants,
in their last combat with the devils,
will come to his aid.

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Posted in "Follow Me", ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LUST, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 September – ‘Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?’ – Matthew 18:1

One Minute Reflection – 29 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of the Dedication of the Archangel St Michael – Apocalypse 1:1-5 – Matthew 18:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Amen I say to you, unless you turn and become like little
children, you will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
” – Matthew 18:3

REFLECTION – “We must seek for reasons for individual sayings and actions of the Lord. After the coin was found, after the tribute paid, what do the Apostles’ sudden questions mean? Why precisely “at that time” did the disciples come to Jesus saying, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Because they had seen the same tax had been paid for both Peter and the Lord. From the equal price, they inferred that Peter may have been set over all the other Apostles, since Peter had been compared with the Lord in the paying of the tax. So, they ask, who is greater in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus, seeing their thoughts and understanding the causes of their error, wants to heal their desire for glory, with a struggle for humility.

He called a child to Him to ask its age or to show the image of innocence. Or perhaps, He actually set a child in their midst — He Himself, Who had not come to be served but to serve — to show them an example of humility.

Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Just as this child, whose example I show you, does not persist in anger, does not long remember injury suffered, is not enamoured inordinately by the sight of a beautiful woman, does not think one thing and say another, so you too, unless you have similar innocence and purity of mind, will not be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Or it might be taken in another way: “Whosoever, therefore, humiliates himself like this child, is greater in the Kingdom of Heaven,” so as to imply that anyone who imitates Me and humiliates himself following My example, so that he abases himself, as much as I abased Myself in accepting the form of a servant, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” – St Jerome (343-420) Priest, Monk, Translator of the Scriptures, Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Matthew 3).

PRAYER – O God, Who assign according to a wondrous order, the duties of Angels and men, mercifully grant that our life on earth be guarded by those who continually stand in Thy presence and minister to Thee 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).

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, BREVIARY Prayers, HYMNS

Our Morning Offering – 29 September – Praise to St Michael, the Prince of the Celestial Army

Our Morning Offering – 29 September – The Feast of the Dedication of the Archangel St Michael

Praise to St Michael, the Prince of the Celestial Army

At that time shall Michael rise up, the great prince,
who standeth for the children of Thy people.
” – Daniel 12:1.

Hail, Bright Archangel!
By Fr F W Faber CO (1814-1863)

Hail, bright Archangel!
Prince of Spirit divinely strong!
To whose rare merit hath been given in Heaven!
To head the Angelic throng!

Thine the first worship was, when gloom
Through Heaven’s thinned ranks did move,
Thus giving unto God the bloom
Of young creation’s love.

O trumpet-tongued! O beautiful!
O force of the Most High!
The blessed of the earth look dull
Beside thy majesty.

First servant of the Ineffable!
The first created eye
That ever, proved and perfect, fell
On the dread Trinity!

O Michael! worship Him this night,
The Father, Word and Dove,
Renewing with strong act the might
Of thy first marvellous love.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

The Feast of the Dedication of St Michael the Archangel, Day 2 of the Rosary Novena, Madonna di Tirano / Our Lady of Tirano, Italy (1504) and the Saints for 29 September

The Feast of the Dedication of St Michael the Archangel
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/29/the-dedication-of-st-michael-feast-madonna-di-tirano-tirano-sondrio-lombardy-italy-1504/
AND – Saint Michael, the Guardian Angel
of the Blessed Sacrament
By Fr Francis Xavier Lasance (1860-1946)

https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/29/saint-of-the-day-29-september-the-feast-of-the-dedication-of-st-michael-the-archangel/

THIS festival has been kept with great solemnity on the 29th of September ever since the Fifth Century and was certainly initially celebrated in Apulia in 493.
The Dedication of the famous Church of St Michael on Mount Gargano, in Italy, gave occasion to the institution of this Feast in the West, which is hence called in the Martyrologies of St Jerome, St Bede and others, ‘The Dedication of St Michael.’

About the Apparition of St Michael at Mount Gargano in 492:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/08/saint-of-the-day-8-may-apparition-of-michael-the-archangel-at-monte-gargano-italy-492/

Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary – Day Two –
By Father Joseph Cacella, 1947
SECOND DAY: Intention: Greater love and appreciation for the Holy Rosary

Madonna di Tirano / Our Lady of Tirano, Sondrio, Lombardy, Italy (1504) – 29 September:
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/29/the-dedication-of-st-michael-feast-madonna-di-tirano-tirano-sondrio-lombardy-italy-1504/

Bl Alericus
St Anno of Eichstätt
St Casdoe of Persia
St Catholdus of Eichstätt

Blessed Charles de Blois TOSF (1319–1364) Duke of Brittany French nobleman, Knight, ascetic, Franciscan tertiary.
Devout Blessed Charles:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/29/saint-of-the-day-29-september-blessed-charles-de-blois-tosf-1319-1364/

St Dadas of Persia
St Diethardus of Eichstätt
St Fraternus of Auxerre
St Gabdelas of Persia

St Grimoaldus (Died c1137) Priest and Confessor of PontecorvoMiracle-worker.
His Life of Grace:

https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/29/saint-of-the-day-29-september-st-grimoaldus-of-pontecorvo-died-c1137-priest-and-confessor/

St Gudelia
Bl Jan of Dukla

Blessed Jean de Montmirail / Baron de Montmirail, O. Cist (1165 – 1217) Cistercian Monk, Apostle of the Sick and Afflicted. Pope Leo XIII granted a special Office in his honour for the Diocese of Soissons. He was Beatified in 1891 by Pope Leo XIII.
His Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/29/saint-of-the-day-29-september-blessed-jean-de-montmirail-o-cist-1165-1217/

Bl John of Ghent

St Liutwin of Trier (c660-c717) Bishop of Trier, Laon (?) and Rheims, Count of Trier or Treves.
His Zealous Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2024/09/29/saint-of-the-day-29-september-saint-liutwin-of-trier-c660-c717-bishop/

St Quiriacus (c449-557) Hermit of Palestine
St Rene Goupil
St Rhipsime
Bl Richard Rolle
St Sapor of Persia
St Theodota of Thrace

Martyrs of Thrace – 3 Saints: Three Christian men Martyred in Thrace for their faith. They are – Eutychius, Heracleas and Plautus.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 11 September – Yes, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Quote/s of the Day – 11 September – St Protus and St Hyacinth (Died c257) Brother Martyrs – Hebrews 10:32-38 – Luke 12:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Yes, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Therefore, do not be afraid,
you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:6-7”

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body
and after that have nothing more they can do. …
be afraid of him who, after he has killed,
has power to cast into hell.

Luke 12:4

Take courage: It is I,
do not be afraid.
And He got into
the boat with them
and the wind fell”

Mark 6:50-51

Fear is a greater evil
than the evil itself.”

(Letters to Persons in the World, VI, 12)

The good Angels are around you,
like a company of Sentinels on guard
!”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in GOD ALONE!, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on FRIENDSHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Quote/s of the Day – 9 August – St Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney

Quote/s of the Day – 9 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859) Confessor

It is always Springtime
in the heart
which loves God
.”

Almighty God sends no trial
without consolation
!”

If you invoke the Blessed Virgin
when you are tempted,
she will come at once to your aid
and Satan will flee.

Our Guardian Angels are our most faithful friends
for they are with us, day and night,
always and everywhere.
We ought often, to invoke them.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/08/09/quote-s-of-the-day-9-august-st-jean-marie-baptiste-vianney/

St Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

Posted in "Follow Me", ArchAngels and Angels, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CREEDS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, Of and for VOCATIONS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PURITY, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HEART, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 15 July – The Division of The Apostles

Quote/s of the Day – 15 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Feast of the the “Divisio Apostolorum – The Division of the Apostles” also known as (‘Dispersion’)

“… It was their vocation
to call sinners to repentance,
to heal those who were sick,
whether in body or spirit,
to seek in all their dealing,
never to do their own will
but the Will of Him who sent them and,
as far as possible, to save the world
by their teaching.”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Bishop, Father & Doctor of the Church

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of Heaven and earth
and in Jesus Christ,
His only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven
and is seated at the Right Hand
of God the Father Almighty;
from thence He shall come
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the Communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body
and life everlasting.
Amen

Day by day follow God’s path,
keeping Him closely attached to you by His promise.
In fact, He Himself said, through the mediation of His Apostles,
to all those who seek His will and His testimonies
that He would be with them
until the end of the world (Mt 28:20)
where paths and footsteps
will be unknown (cf Ps 76:20),
as the divine David said in his songs.
Yet, in an invisible way,
He is present to the eyes of the mind,
making Himself seen by those
who have a pure heart
and conversing with them.
So pursue your path 
…. ”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)
Abbot, Confessor, Father of the Church

Prayer of St Patrick

I bind unto myself today
the power in the love of the Seraphim,
in the obedience of the Angels,
in the ministration of the Archangels,
in the hope of Resurrection unto reward,
in the prayers of the Patriarchs,
in the predictions of the Prophets,
in the preaching of the Apostles,
in the faith of the Confessors,
in the purity of the holy Virgins,
in the deeds of Righteous men.
Amen

St Patrick (c386-461)
“The Apostle of Ireland”

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 5 July – St Anthony Mary Zaccaria

Quote/s of the Day – 5 July – St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502-1539) Confessor, Priest, Founder of the Barnabits – The First Religious Order Named after St Paul The Apostle – Canonised by Pope Leo XIII on 27 May 1897.

Angel in human form! Angelic man!
Founder of the Clerics Regular of St Paul,
of the Angelic Sisters and of other pious Associations.
Destroyer of vices, Guardian of chastity,
Restorer of the service of God.
Perfect labourer for the salvation of souls,
Preacher of the Word of God,
Faithful disciple of St Paul.
Indefatigable worker in the Vineyard of the Lord,
constant enemy of the world,
of the flesh and of wickedness.
Conqueror of Demons.
Perfect image of the ardent charity of the Holy Ghost.
Today, a citizen of Heaven.
The City of Cremona, rejoicing
and proud of the glory of its children,
filled with admiration for its citizen
now gone to join the Angels,
erects this Monument in token of eternal gratitude
for his saintly life and heroic deeds. Amen!

Inscription on a Monument in Cremona, Italy
dedicated to Saint Anthony

ST ANTHONY’S WORDS:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/07/05/quote-s-of-the-day-5-july-st-anthony-mary-zaccaria-5/

St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502-1539)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, HYMNS, JESUIT SJ, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MARIAN QUOTES, PRAYERS of PETITION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FREEDOM, QUOTES on HERESY, QUOTES on LOVE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on TRUTH, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART QUOTES, The HOLY NAME of MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 13 May – St Robert Bellarmine

Quote/s of the Day – 13 May – St Robert Bellarmine SJ (1542-1621) Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church

“It is granted to few,
to recognise the true Church,
amidst the darkness,
of so many schisms and heresies
and, to fewer still,
so to love the Truth
which they have seen,
as to fly to it’s embrace!”

A Pope who is a manifest heretic
automatically (per se),
ceases to be Pope and Head,
just as he ceases, automatically,
to be a Catholic and a Member of the Church.
Wherefore, he can be judged
and punished by the Church.
This is too, the teaching of all the ancient Fathers.

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

Freedom of belief is pernicious,
it is nothing but the freedom
to be mistaken.

It seems unbelievable
that a man should perish
in whose favour Christ said to His Mother:
‘Behold thy son’,
provided that he has not turned a deaf ear
to the words, which Christ addressed to him:
‘Behold thy Mother
!’”

When we appeal to the throne of grace,
we do so through Mary,
honouring God by honouring His Mother,
imitating Him, by exalting her,
touching the most responsive chord
in the Sacred Heart of Christ,
with the sweet name of Mary
!”

Custodes Hominum Psallimus Angelos
Praise We the Guardian Angels of Men
By St Robert Bellarmine SJ (1542-1621)

Archbishop of Capua, Theologian
Doctor of the Church

Angel-guardians of men,
spirits and powers we sing,
Whom our Father hath sent,
aids to our weakly frame,
Heavenly friends and guides,
help from on high to bring,
Lest we fail through the foeman’s wile.

He, the spoiler of souls,
Angel-traitor of old,
Cast in merited wrath
out of his honoured place,
Burns with envy and hate,
seeking their souls to gain
Whom God’s mercy invites to Heaven.

Therefore, come to our help,
watchful ward of our lives:
Turn aside from the land,
God to thy care confides
Sickness and woe of soul,
yea and what else of ill
Peace of heart to its folk denies.

Now to the Holy Three
praise evermore resound:
Under Whose Hand Divine
resteth the triple world
Governed in wondrous wise,
glory be Theirs and Might
While the ages unending run.
Amen

This Hymn by St Robert Bellarmine,was added to the Roman Breviary in 1608, by command of Pope Paul V. It is for Vespers in the Office for “the Holy Guardian Angels. Double of the second class,” 2 October..

St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, JESUIT SJ, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PRIDE

Quote/s of the Day – 8 May – Angels, Archangels

Quote/s of the Day – 8 May – The Apparition of St Michael the Archangel at Monte Gargano, Italy (492)

It was pride which changed Angels into devils;
it is humility which makes men as Angels
!”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

In every lodging, at every corner,
have reverence for thy Angel.
Do not dare to do, in his presence,
what you would not dare to do, if I were there.
Or do you doubt that he is present
whom you do not behold?
What if you should hear him?
What if you should touch him?
What if you should scent him?
Remember, that the presence of something
is not proved only by the sight of things.

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

O Victorious Prince,
Guardian of the Church of God
By St Aloysius de Gonzaga SJ (1568-1591)
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel

O Victorious Prince,
most humble guardian of the Church of God
and of faithful souls,
who, with such charity and zeal,
took part in so many conflicts
and gained such great victories over the enemy,
for the conservation and protection
of the honour and glory, we all owe to God,
and for the promotion of our salvation.
Come, we pray Thee, to our assistance,
for we are continually besieged
with such great perils by our enemies,
the flesh, the world and the devil
and as Thou wast a leader
for the people of God, through the desert,
so also, be our faithful leader
and companion through the desert of this world,
until Thou conduct us safely,
into the happy land of the living,
in that blessed fatherland from which
we are all exiles.
Amen.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on WATCHING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 May – ‘ … To protect them from all evil, I have placed My Angels at their service. …’

One Minute Reflection – 8 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Apparition of St Michael the Archangel at Monte Gargano, Italy (492) – Apocalypse 1:1-5 – Matthew 18:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Watch, that you despise not, one of these little ones, for I say to you, their Angels in Heaven, always see the Face of My Father, Who is in Heaven.” – Matthew 18:10

REFLECTION – “Watch that you do not despise one of these little ones for, I say to you, their Angels in Heaven, always see the Face of My Father, Who is in Heaven.” With these words, Christ is saying to us something like this: « “Be vigilant, take care that you do not despise people who are simple, poor or weak. As for Me, I esteem them greatly to the extent that, to protect them from all evil, I have placed My Angels at their service. And what Angels! Do not think they are to be compared to the scullery boys working in My kitchen. No. They are equal to the officers in My Own palace, for: ‘they constantly see the Face of My heavenly Father’”…

Now, these Angels see the Face of God for several reasons.
Firstly, Angels must offer and present our good works to God. To this we have a testimony in the words Raphael addressed to Tobias: “I have presented your prayer before the Lord” (Tb 12:12). In the Book of The Apocalypse, too, we read: “An Angel with a golden censer came and stood before the altar. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer with the prayers, of all the saints on the golden altar that is, before the throne of God,” (8:3). Let us note that this altar is the heart of whoever is truly faithful to God; before this altar, the Angels stand. Their censer represents the feelings of joy, with which they gather up our thoughts, prayers, words and actions, so as to offer them, all aflame with the fire of charity, on the golden altar which stands before the throne of God. And the offering rises up to the Son, Who is in the bosom of the Father. Therefore, it would be good for us always to have some good thing to place in the Angels’ censer.” – St Albert the Great (1200-1280) Dominican, Doctor of the Church (Sermon for the Feast of Saint Michael).

PRAYER – O God, Who has ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order, mercifully grant that as Thy holy angels always do Thee service in Heaven, so, by Thy appointment, they may succour and defend us on earth. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Apparition of St Michael the Archangel at Monte Gargano, Italy (492), Nuestra Señora de Luján, Argentina / Our Lady of Luján (1600s) and Memorials of the Saints – 8 May

Apparition of St Michael the Archangel at Monte Gargano, Italy (492)
About this Glorious Apparition:

https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/08/saint-of-the-day-8-may-apparition-of-michael-the-archangel-at-monte-gargano-italy-492/

Nuestra Señora de Luján, Argentina / Our Lady of Luján: (1600s) – 8 May:
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/08/apparition-of-st-michael-the-archangel-at-monte-gargano-italy-492-nuestra-senora-de-lujan-argentina-our-lady-of-lujan-1600s-and-memorials-of-the-saints-8-may-2021/

St Acacius of Byzantium
Bl Aloysius Luis Rabata
St Amatus Ronconi
Bl Angelo of Massaccio
St Arsenio of Mount Scete
St Benedict II, Pope

St Boniface IV, Pope (c550-615) Supreme Pontiff from 608 until his death, Deacon, assistant and disciple of St Pope Gregory the Great, Papal Treasurer under Pope Gregory. In other words, he was the first official in connection with the administration of Papal property. he converted the Pantheon into a Church. This was the first pagan temple in Rome to be transformed. On 13 May 609, the Pantheon was consecrated to the Blessed Virgin and all the Christian Martyrs. Boniface ordered 28 cartloads of bones from the Catacombs to be reburied under the high Altar of the new Church.https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/08/saint-of-the-day-8-may-saint-pope-boniface-iv-c-550-615/embed/#?secret=CaaBptqdZu#?secret=HEWU7j5av1

St Desideratus of Bourges
Bl Domenico di San Pietro
St Gibrian
St Helladius of Auxerre

St Ida of Nivelles
St Martin of Saujon
St Metrone of Verona
St Odrian of Waterford
St Otger of Utrecht
St Peter of Besançon
Bl Pietro de Alos
Blessed Raymond of Toulouse

St Victor Maurus the Moor (Died c 303) Martyr, Layman, ex-Soldier. The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Milan, the birthday of the holy Martyr Victor, a Moor. He became a Christian in his youth and served as a soldier in the imperial army. When Maximian wished to force him to offer sacrifice to idols, he persevered with the greatest fortitude in the confession of the Lord. Being first beaten with rods but without experiencing any pain, through the protection of God and then, having melted lead, poured over him, which did him no injury whatever. He at length terminated the career of his glorious Martyrdom by being beheaded.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/08/saint-of-the-day-8-may-st-victor-maurus-the-moor-died-c-303-martyr/

St Wiro (Died c753) Bishop of Utrecht

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, JESUIT SJ, PARTIAL Indulgence, POETRY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS

Quote/s of the Day – 24 March – St Gabriel “Strength of God”

Quote/s of the Day – 24 March – Feast of St Gabriel the Archangel
It is piously believed that St Gabriel, who assisted in His Mission to Redeem mankind, is also the Angel of the Agony, who assisted Jesus in His terrible sufferings in the completion of that Redemption.

St Gabriel “Strength of God”
By St Aloysius de Gonzaga SJ (1568-1591)

O Angel truly strong,
strengthen, guide and protect us,
thou who, by thy embassy
didst usher even God Himself to earth!
most strong of all, Who,
having carried off the spoils
and having routed that strongly armed one
who for so long a time, had exercised
his destructive tyranny over us,
didst rescue us from slavery
and restore us to the liberty
of the sons of God!

O holy Angel who didst strengthen Jesus Christ our Lord,
come and strengthen us also, come and tarry not!

An indulgence of 300 day

The Angel of the Agony
John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Jesu! by that shuddering dread which fell on Thee;
Jesu! by that cold dismay which sicken’d Thee;
Jesu! by that pang of heart which thrill’d in Thee;
Jesu! by that mount of sins which crippled Thee;
Jesu! by that sense of guilt which stifled Thee;
Jesu! by that innocence which girded Thee;
Jesu! by that sanctity which reign’d in Thee;
Jesu! by that Godhead which was one with Thee;
Jesu! spare those souls which are so dear to Thee;
Who in prison, calm and patient, wait for Thee;
Hasten, Lord, their hour and bid them come to Thee;
To that glorious Home, where they shall ever gaze on Thee.
Amen