Category: CATHOLIC Quotes

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on HOPE

Our Morning Offering – 30 July – Most Holy Virgin, My Consolation

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Our Morning Offering – 30 July – Mary’s Day

Most Holy Virgin, My Consolation
By St Germanus of Paris (c 490-576)

Most Holy Virgin!
Who are the greatest consolation
that I receive from God,
you, who art the heavenly dew
which assuages all my pains,
you, who are the light of my soul
when it is enveloped in darkness,
you, who are my guide in unknown paths,
the support of my weakness,
my treasure, in poverty,
my remedy, in sickness,
my consolation, in trouble,
my refuge, in misery,
and the hope of my salvation,
hear my supplications,
have pity on me,
as becomes the Mother of so good a God
and obtain for me
a favourable reception
of all my petitions at the throne of mercy.
Amen

St Germanus of Paris (c 490-576) “Father of the Poor”
HIS LIFE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/28/saint-of-the-day-28-may-st-germanus-of-paris-c-496-576-father-of-the-poor/

Posted in "Follow Me", LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on KINDNESS, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 29 July – Little Things

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Thought for the Day – 29 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Little Things

“Our eternal salvation will probably be determined by these ordinary acts of virtue and these ordinary sins.
Jesus compared the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed which grows into a tree.
Similarly, many Saints began their spiritual ascent, by following one simple inspiration and many souls, perhaps, have found themselves condemned as a result of having neglected the commonplace virtues and inspirations.

Ordinary virtue may develop into heroic virtue but, if a man has neglected to train himself to act well in small matters, how will he behave in a time of great spiritual trial?
Experience also teaches us that smaller vices can develop into great vices.
“He who wastes the little he has, will be stripped bare” (Ecclus 19:11).
A man who is not faithful to God in little things, will not be faithful in greater things.

We are either going up, or down, in the way of perfection – it is almost impossible to stand still!
If we sincerely wish to make progress, let us resolve to avoid the least suggestion of sin and to enrich ourselves daily, by tiny acts of virtue.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/14/thought-for-the-day-14-august-little-things/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/31/thought-for-the-day-31-july-little-things/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTRINE, FATHERS of the Church, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 29 July – ‘Our saving music …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 July – St Martha, Sister of Saint Lazarus and Saint Mary of Bethany – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2, Luke 10:38-42

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious
and troubled about many things
and yet, only one thing is needful.
Mary has chosen the best part
and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41-42

“And as for that in the good ground
they are those who, hearing the word,
hold it fast in an honest and good heart
and bring forth fruit with patience.”

Luke 8:15

“… Scripture, as a whole,
is God’s one perfect
and complete instrument,
giving forth, to those who wish to learn …
It is one Saving Music…”

Origen (c 185-253)
Priest, Theologian, Father of the Church

“Blessed are they
who hear the word of God
and keep it.”

Luke 11:28

“But if you will, you can be healed.
Hand yourself over to the Doctor,
and He will open the eyes
and ears of your mind and heart.
Who is to be the Doctor?
It is God, Who heals
and gives life through His Word and Wisdom. … ”

St Theophilus of Antioch (Died c 185)
Bishop of Antioch,
Confessor, Apologist, Father

“The more you devote yourself,
to study of the Sacred utterances,
the richer will be your understanding of them,
just as the more the soil is tilled,,
the richer is the harvest.”

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow.
Learn as if you were to live forever.”

St Isidore of Seville (c 560-636)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Cultivate your vineyard
together with Jesus.
To you the task of removing stones
and pulling up brambles.
To Jesus, that of sowing, planting,
cultivating and watering.
But even in your work,
it is still He who acts.
Because, without Christ,
you could do nothing at all.”

St Pio of Pietrelcina
“Padre Pio” (1887-1968)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WISDOM, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 July – ‘ … It is a greater and more perfect work. ,,,’

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One Minute Reflection – 29 July – “The Month of the Precious Blood” – St Martha, Sister of Saint Lazarus and Saint Mary of Bethany – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2, Luke 10:38-42

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things and yet ,only one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the best part and it will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:41-42

REFLECTION – “Virtue does not have a single form. In the example of Martha and Mary, there is added the busy devotion of the one and the pious attention of the other, to the Word of God, which, if it agrees with faith, is preferred, even to the very works, as it is written: “Mary has chosen the best portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”

So let us also strive to have what no-one can take away from us, so that not careless but diligent hearing, may be granted to us. For even the seeds of the heavenly Word itself, are likely to be taken away, if they are sowed by the wayside. Let the desire for wisdom lead you, as it did Mary . It is a greater and more perfect work. Do not let service divert the knowledge of the heavenly Word. Nor is Martha rebuked in her good serving but Mary is preferred because she has chosen the better part for herself, for Jesus abounds with many blessings and bestows many gifts. And, therefore, the wiser chooses what she perceives as foremost.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Archbishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church (Exposition of the Gospel of Luke, 7).

PRAYER – Graciously hear us, God our Saviour, that as we rejoice in the festival of blessed Martha, Thy Virgin, so may we be nourished by the food of her heavenly teaching as to be enlightened by the fervour of her dedicated holiness.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 CHRIST the HIGH PRIEST, FATHERS of the Church, GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY WEEK, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 29 July – A Prayer of the Passion

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Our Morning Offering – 29 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood”

A Prayer of the Passion
By St Melito of Sardis (Died 180)
Bishop of Sardis, Apologist, Father

Lord Jesus Christ,
You were bound as a ram,
You were shorn like a lamb,
You were led to the slaughter like a sheep,
You bore the wood of the Cross on Your shoulders,
You were led up the hill of Calvary,
You were displayed naked on the Cross,
You were nailed to the bitter Cross by three spikes,
You delivered Your last Seven Words from the Cross
You died on the Cross, with a shout of victory,
You were buried in noble Joseph’s rock-hewn tomb,
By Your boundless suffering on our behalf,
fix our eyes unceasingly on Your broken Body
and the Blood that poured from Yout Hands, Feet and Side.
By the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
that renews each day Your Sacrifice
of the Cross on our Altars,
apply the merits of the Cross to all humanity
and, especially to those who worship it daily
and who offer themselves back to You,
our great High Priest
and perpetually Intercessor,
before the Eternal Throne of God.
You live and reign,
through all the ages of ages.
Amen.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, The SIN of PRESUMPTION

Thought for the Day – 28 July – Other Ways of Resisting Temptation

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Thought for the Day – 28 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Other Ways of Resisting Temptation

“The third method, is to avoid the occasions of sin.
Anyone who places himself without grave reasons, in the proximate occasions of sin is certain to fall.
“He who loves danger,” the Holy Spirit warns us, “will perish in it” (Ecclus 3:27).
It is useless for a man to pray, when he is exposing himself needlessly and voluntarily to the danger of sinning.
He cannot expect God to hear his prayers, for this is presumption!, not confidence in God.

On the other hand, a man may be obliged to expose himself to the risk of temptation, in the course of his work, or for some other strong reason.
In this case, he can be sure of God’s assistance but, he should fortify himself by fervent prayer and by taking all the precautions necessary to minimise the danger.

Where temptations against holy purity are involved, it is especially necessary to avoid, even the slightest occasion of sin, when that is possible.
As St Francis de Sales was accustomed to say, there are certain battles which can only be won by soldiers, who are prepared to retreat!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/02/thought-for-the-day-2-april-other-ways-of-resisting-temptation/

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HEART, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 28 July – “For My Name’s sake …”

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Quote/s of the Day – 28 July – Wisdom 10:17-20, Luke 21:9-19

“And you shall be hated by all men,

for My Name’s sake …”

Luke 21:17

“In that day, you will ask in My Name”

John 16:26

“Wake up then, believer
and note what is stated here:
“In my Name.”
That [Name] is Christ Jesus.
Christ signifies King, Jesus signifies Saviour.
Therefore, whatever we ask for
that would hinder our salvation,
we do not ask in our Saviour’s Name
and yet, He is our Saviour,
not only when He does what we ask
but also, when He does not.
When He sees us ask anything
to the disadvantage of our salvation,
He shows Himself our Saviour by not doing it.
The physician knows
whether what the sick person asks for,
is to the advantage or disadvantage of his health.
And [the physician] does not allow
what would be harmful to him,
although the sick person himself, desires it.
But the physician looks to his final cure.”

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

“The Name of Jesus
is the purest and holiest,
the noblest and most indulgent of names,
the Name of all blessings
and of all virtues,
it is the Name of the God-Man,
of sanctity itself.”

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

“The eternal God
asks a favour of His bride:
“Hold Me close to your heart,
close as locket or bracelet fits.”
No matter whether
we walk or stand still,
eat or drink,
we should at all times
wear the golden locket
“Jesus” upon our heart.”

Bl Henry Suso (1295-1366)

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 July – ‘I must give thanks to my God continuously. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 28 July – “The Month of the Precious Blood” – St Pope Innocent I (Died 417) Confessor – Wisdom 10:17-20, Luke 21:9-19

“But you will be delivered up by your parents and brothers and relatives and friends and some of you, they will put to death. And you will be hated by all, for My Name’s sake …” – Luke 21:16-17

REFLECTION – “I must give thanks to my God continuously. He has helped me to keep my faith, through difficult times, so that I can fearlessly offer myself as a kind of living sacrifice to Christ. The Lord has rescued me from so many dangers that sometimes I just have to ask: “God, who am I?… “From where did I get such wisdom?” It certainly wasn’t from inside myself. “I didn not know my future” and I had no great knowledge of God. And later on, Who was it, Who gave me such a wonderful and life-giving gift, the gift to know and love God? But to receive such things, I had to leave behind my home and family… I came to Ireland to preach the good news and to suffer abuse from unbelievers and… to have my mission shamefully criticised. I have had many hard times, even to the point of being enslaved again but I traded in my free birth for the good of others.

If I am worthy, I am even ready to lay down my life willingly and without hesitation for His Name. Here, in Ireland, is where I wish to live out my final days, if God will permit me. I owe so much to God, Who allowed so many people to find a new life in Him through me. I confirmed them in our Faith and Ordained Clergy for them everywhere, for a people just coming to a belief in God. The Master chose them from the ends of the earth, just as He said He would through the prophets: “The gentiles will come to you from the ends of the earth” and… “I will place you like a lamp among the nations so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” – St Patrick (c 380-461) Bishop. Missionary Monk (Confession, 34-38).

PRAYER – May the Martyrdom of Your Saints Nazarius, Celsus, Victor and Innocent, give us courage, O Lord and may it give us a help to counter- our weakness.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 AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 28 July – St Augustine’s O God of Our Life

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Our Morning Offering – 28 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood”

O God of Our Life
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church

O God of our life,
there are days when the burdens we carry
chafe our shoulders and weigh us down,
when the road seems dreary and endless,
the skies grey and threatening,
when our lives have no music in them
and our hearts are lonely
and our souls have lost their courage.
Flood the path with light,
run our eyes to where the skies are full of promise,
tune our hearts to brave music,
give us the sense of comradeship,
with heroes and Saints of every age
and so quicken our spirits,
that we may be able to encourage, the souls of all,
who journey with us on the road of life,
to Your honour and glory.
Amen

Posted in QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 27 July – The Main Ways to Conquer Temptation

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Thought for the Day – 27 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Main Ways to Conquer Temptation

“The masters of the spiritual life suggest various ways of combating temptation.
As St Alphonsus de Liguori points out, however, “the first way is absolutely essential and that is, to pray to God for the light and strength, to conquer. Without prayer, it is impossible to overcome temptation, whereas with prayer, we are sure of victory” (Al Servizio Divino p 22, c 6).

The reason is obvious.
Prayer is not simply a verbal address to Almighty God but is, an elevation of the mind and heart, a conversation with God.
Let us pray. therefore, with confidence and with love!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/01/thought-for-the-day-1-april-the-main-ways-to-conquer-temptation/

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, St PAUL!, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 July – “And all who want to live piously in Christ Jesus, will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 July – The Memorial of St Pantaleon (Died c 305) Martyr, Lay Physician, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers – 2 Tim. 2:8-10; 3:10-12, Matthew 10:26-32

“And all who wish to live
piously in Christ Jesus,
will suffer persecution.”

2 Timothy 3:12

“The very hairs of your head
are all numbered.”

Matthew 10:30

“What is the surest kind of witness?
“Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ
came among us in the flesh” (cf. 1Jn 4,2)
and who keeps the commands of the Gospel…
How many there are, each day,
of these hidden martyrs of Christ
who confess the Lord Jesus!
… So be faithful and courageous
in interior persecutions,
so that you may also win
the victory in exterior persecutions.”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“When he has begun to follow Me,
according to My teaching and precepts,
he will find many people contradicting him
and standing in his way,
many who not only deride but even persecute him.
Moreover, this is true,
not only of pagans who are outside the Church
but also of those, who seem to be in it visibly
but are outside of it because of the perversity of their deeds.
Although these glory,
in merely the title of Christian,
they continually persecute faithful Christians.”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)

“Rejoice and be happy!
Persevere to the end
and prefer to die
rather than abandon the post,
to which God has called you!”

St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Doctor of the Church

“Let us go forward in peace,
our eyes upon heaven,
the only one goal of our labours.”

St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on The SOUL, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 July – ‘ … The body is dead without the soul and the soul is dead without God. … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 27 July – “The Month of the Precious Blood” – The Memorial of St Pantaleon (Died c 305) Martyr, Lay Physician, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers – 2 Tim. 2:8-10; 3:10-12, Matthew 10:26-32

“And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather, be afraid of him, who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” – Matthew 10:28

REFLECTION – “The Gospel is life. Impiety and infidelity are the death of the soul. So then, if the soul can die, how then is it yet immortal? Because, there is always a dimension of life in the soul which can never be extinguished. And how does it die? Not in ceasing to be life but by losing its proper life. For the soul is both life to something else and it has it own proper life. Consider the order of the creatures. The soul is the life of the body. God is the life of the soul. As the life that is the soul, is present with the body, that the body may not die, so the life of the soul (God), ought to be with the soul that it may not die.

How does the body die? By the departure of the soul. I say, by the departure of the soul, the body dies and it lies there as a mere carcass, what was a little before, a lively, not a contemptible object. There are in it still, its several members, the eyes and ears. But these are merely the windows of the house – its inhabitant is gone. Those who bewail the dead, cry in vain at the windows of the house. There is no-one there within it to hear. Why is the body dead? Because the soul, its life, is gone. But at what point is the soul itself dead? When God, its life, has forsaken it. This then we can know and hold for certain – the body is dead without the soul and the soul is dead without God. Everyone without God has a dead soul. You who bewail the dead rather, should bewail sin! Bewail ungodliness! Bewail disbelief.! – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop of Hippo, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 65).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that through the intercession of Thy blessed Martyr Pantaleon, we may be delivered from all afflictions of the body and cleansed from all evil thoughts of the mind. 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 CHRIST the LIGHT, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VANITY, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The HOLY NAME, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 27 July – St Alphonsus’ Prayer for Five Graces

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Our Morning Offering – 27 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood”

Prayer for Five Graces
By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Eternal Father, Thy Son has promised
that Thou would grant,
all the graces
we ask of Thee in His Name.
Trusting in this promise
and in the Name of and through the Merits
of Jesus Christ,
I ask of Thee five special graces:
First, I ask pardon, for all the offenses
I have committed,
for which I am sorry with all my heart
because I have offended Thine infinite goodness.
Second, I ask for Thy Divine Light,
which will enable me to see
the vanity of all things of this earth
and see also, Thy Infinite greatness and goodness.
Third, I ask for a share in Thy love,
so that I may detach myself from all creatures,
especially from myself and love only Thy Holy Will.
Fourth, grant me the grace to have confidence
in the Merits of Jesus Christ
and in the intercession of Mary.
Fifth, I ask for the grace of perseverance,
knowing that, whenever I call on Thee for assistance,
Thou will answer my call and come to my aid.
I fear only, that I will neglect to turn to Thee
in time of need
and thus bring myself to ruin.
Grant me the grace to pray always,
O Eternal Father,
in the Name of Our Lord Jesus.
Amen.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on WATCHING

Thought for the Day – 26 July – TEMPTATION

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Thought for the Day – 26 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

TEMPTATION

“Still we must watch,” The Imitation of Christ continues, “especially in the beginning of temptation, for then the enemy is more easily overcome, if he be not suffered to enter the door of the mind but, is withstood upon the threshold, the very moment that he knocks. Whence a certain one has said: ‘Resist beginning; all too late the cure, when ills have gathered strength, by long delay’ (Ovid. Remedia Amoris 5:91). For first there comes into the mind a simple thought, then a strong imagination afterward delights and the evil notion [gains power] and [then come] consent” (Bk 1 c 13).

It is worth meditating on this vivid description of the psychology of temptation and of the simplest remedy, by which it can be combated.
Every temptation is first presented to the mind as a simple thought.
If a man is determined enough, it is quite easy to reject it immediately.
If there is any delay, however, the concept is clothed by the imagination and projected in vivid colours until it arouses the evil inclinations of the senses.
In this way, the idea takes possession of the mind, so that it is almost impossible to set it free.

We must be ready to face up to such an idea before it takes possession of us.
We should treat it as we would a serpent, not pausing to examine it but, taking to flight at once!
If we are resolute, the grace of God will ensure our safety!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/31/thought-for-the-day-31-march-temptation/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 26 July – Pray, pray, pray

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Quote/s of the Day – 26 July – St Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grandmother of Jesus.

St Anne, through her constant prayer,
received, the Mother of God
and then, became the Grandmother of God!

“God accepts our desires as though
they were of great value.
He longs ardently for us
to desire to and love Him.
He accepts our petitions for benefits,
as though we were doing Him a favour.
His joy in giving,
is greater than ours in receiving.
So let us not be apathetic in our asking,
nor set too narrow bounds to our requests;
nor ask for frivolous things
unworthy of God’s greatness.”

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

“Prayer is the place of refuge
for every worry,
a foundation for cheerfulness,
a source of constant happiness,
a protection against sadness.”

“When you are weary of praying
and do not receive,
consider how often
you have heard a poor man calling
and have not listened to him.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Fasting is the soul of prayer,
mercy is the lifeblood of fasting.
Let no-one try to separate them,
they cannot be separated.
If you have only one of them,
or not all together,
you have nothing!
So if you pray, fast;
if you fast, show mercy;
if you want your petition to be heard,
hear the petition of others.
If you do not close your ear to others,
you open God’s ear to yourself.”

St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Realise above all,
that you are in God’s presence
and stand there
with the attitude
of one, who stands
before the Emperor.”

St Romuald (c 951-1027)

“The spirit of prayer
is the spirit of the love of God
and this should inspire
all our vocal prayers.
Flowery petitions are no use
if our minds and hearts
are turned away from God.
God wants our hearts.
Let us pray often
but let our prayers
be sincere acts of the love of God,
coming from the heart.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 July – ‘For Christ is the treasure …’

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One Minute Reflection – 26 July – St Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grandmother of Jesus.– Proverbs 31:10-31, Matthew 13:44-52

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again and out of joy, goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” – Matthew 13:44

REFLECTION – “It was Christ who was present to all those to whom, from the beginning, God communicated His Speech and Word. If anyone, therefore, reads the Scriptures with attention, he will find, in them, an expression of Christ and a foreshadowing of this new calling. For Christ is the treasure which was hidden in the field, that is, in this world (Mt 13:38) – a treasure hidden in the Scriptures, since it was alluded to by means of symbols and parables which, humanly speaking, could not be understood prior to the fulfilment of prophecy, that is to say, before the coming of the Lord. That is why it was said to Daniel the prophet: ” Keep secret the message and seal the book until the end of time ” (12:4) … And Jeremiah also says, “In the last days they shall understand these things.” (23:20) …

When read by Christians, the Law is a treasure, hidden beforehand in a field, but brought to light and interpreted by the Cross of Christ. It shows forth the Wisdom of God and makes known His intentions with regard to our salvation; it prefigures the Kingdom of Christ and preaches, by anticipation, the Good News of our inheritance of the holy Jerusalem. It proclaims beforehand, that those who love God shall advance even to hearing and seeing His Word and, that they will be glorified by this Word …

Thus it was, that the Lord explained the Scriptures to His disciples, after His Resurrection from the dead, proving to them, by their means, that “it was necessary the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory” (Lk 24:26). So if anyone should likewise read the Scriptures, that person will become a perfect disciple, “like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom things both new and old.” (Mt 13:52). – St Irenaeus of Lyons ((130-202) Bishop, Martyr, Theologian – Against the Heresies, IV, 26 ; SC 100

PRAYER – O God, Who in Thy kindness gave blessed Anne the grace to be the mother of her, who Mothered Thy Only-begotten Son, graciously grant that we who keep her feast, maybe helped by her intercession with Thee. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CONFESSION, CONFESSION/PENANCE, INDULGENCES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 25 July – Purification

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Thought for the Day – 25 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Purification

“We should also value Indulgences as a means of spiritual purification.
They ought not to be treated lightly.
Jesus gave His Church, the power of loosing and binding every bond of sin.
As long as we have the necessary dispositions, therefore, it can draw on the merits of Christ and of the Saints, to release us from the temporal punishment due to the sins which have already been forgiven us.
It achieves this by the concession of Indulgences.
These require, on our part, the fulfilment of certain conditions, a sincere sorrow for sin and, a strong resolution never to offend God again.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/25/thought-for-the-day-25-july-purification/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/19/thought-for-the-day-25-july-purification-2/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, OUR Cross, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 July – “Can you drink the Chalice that I shall drink?” – Matthew 20:22

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One Minute Reflection – 25 July – “The Month of the Precious Blood” – Saint James the Greater, Apostle and Martyr – 1 Corinthians 4:9-15, Matthew 20:20-23

“You know not what you ask. Can you drink the Chalice that I shall drink?” – Matthew 20:22

REFLECTION – “Through their mother’s mediation, the sons of Zebedee press Christ as follows in the presence of their fellow apostles:  “Command that we may sit, one at your right side and one at your left” (cf. Mk 10:35f.)… Christ hastens to free them from their illusions, telling them they must be prepared to suffer insults, persecutions, even death. “You do not know what you are asking.  Are you able to drink the chalice that I shall drink?” 

Let no-one be surprised to see the Apostles displaying such imperfect dispositions.   Wait until the Mystery of the Cross has been fulfilled and the strength of the Holy Spirit given to them.   If you want to see the strength of their souls, take a look at them later and you will see them to be above all human weakness.   Christ does not conceal their pettiness, so that you will be able to see what they become later by the power of the grace which will transform them! …”… St John Chrysostom (c 345-407) Father & Doctor of the Church.

PRAYER – Protect Thy people and make them holy, O Lord, so that, guarded by the help of Thy Apostle James, they may please Thee by their conduct and serve Thee with peace of mind. Through esus 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 JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 24 July – Progress in the Love of God

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Thought for the Day – 24 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Progress in the Love of God

“They are in the first grade of perfection in the love of God, who desire to love Him but still feel an attachment to sin.
How is it possible to love God and, at the same time, to offend Him by yielding to unlawful desires and to the attraction of the world?
This is a mystery of the human heart which can experience, simultaneously, the desire to love God and the disturbance of the flesh.

People like this, must humbly persevere in praying for the grace which they need.
They must eradicate their major vices, one by one, so that they may be free to love God.
Since their course will be difficult and full of obstacles, they will need the courage of mountaineers but, far above the white and sun-kissed summit, God awaits them.
Only toil and sacrifice can bring them there but when they arrive, they will know real happiness, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:81).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/24/thought-for-the-day-24-july-progress-in-the-love-of-god/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SCANDAL, The HEART, The WORD, VENIAL SIN

Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – Lord, Lord Matthew 7:21

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – “The Month of the Precious Blood” – St Christina of Bolsena (3rd Century) Virgin Martyr – Romans 6:19-23, Matthew 7:15-21

“Not everyone who says to me,
‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of Heaven
but only the one who does
the will of my Father in Heaven.”

Matthew 7:21

“We recognise a tree by its fruit
and we ought to be able to recognise
a Christian by his action.
The fruit of faith
should be evident in our lives,
for being a Christian is more than making
sound professions of faith.
It should reveal itself in practical
and visible ways.
Indeed, it is better to keep quiet
about our beliefs
and live them out,
than to talk eloquently about what we believe
but fail to live by it!”

St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35-c 108)
Martyr
Apostolic Father of the Church

“God is Good but He is also Just…
So do not underestimate God –
His love for men
should not become a pretext,
for negligence on our part.”

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“If anyone who calls upon the Name of the Lord,
resists the Lord’s Commands
by living perversely,
it is evident, that the good,
which the tongue has spoken,
has NOT emanated from the good treasure in his heart.
It was not the root of a fig tree
but that of a thorn bush,
which produced the fruit of such a confession —
a conscience, which is, bristling with vices
and not one filled,
with the sweetness
of the love of the Lord!”

St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST

Thought for the Day – 23 July – The Royal Road of the Cross

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Thought for the Day – 23 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Royal Road of the Cross

“We all have our own cross.
When we reject it, we fashion one for ourselves by our defects and sins, which leave us discontented and restless and draws God’s punishment upon us.

It is useless to flee from the Cross, for it follows us everywhere.
If we refuse to accept the cross which God has given us, we take upon ourselves, one which is heavier than the first.
Worldlingscan bask for a moment in their pleasures but, it soon passes and is replaced by bitterness and sorrow.
Their suffering is deeper than that of a good Christian, who places his trust in God.
There is only one way of making our cross easier to bear and that is to embrace it as Jesus did.
We should love the Cross because it is suffering which shows us how to become like Jesus, to make reparation for our sins and to co-operate by our own passion with the Passion of Christ (Cf Col 1:24).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/22/thought-for-the-day-21-july-the-royal-road-of-the-cross/

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 July – Servants

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Quote/s of the Day – 23 July – The Memorial of St Apollinaris (1st Century) Bishop Martyr, Disciple of St Peter – 1 Peter 5:1-11, Luke 22:24-30

“Let him who is greatest among you,
become as the youngest
and he who is the leader,
as the servant.”

Luke 22:25

“Those who refuse to be humble
cannot be saved.
They cannot say with the prophet:
See, God comes to my aid;
the Lord is the helper of my soul.
But anyone who makes himself humble,
like a little child,
is greater in the kingdom of heaven.”

St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor if the Church

“When insults have no effect on us,
when persecutions and penalties,
have no terror for us,
when prosperity or adversity,
has no influence on us,
when friend and foe,
are viewed in the same light…
do we not come close,
to sharing, the serenity of God?”

St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167)
“St Bernard of the North”

“O blessed Jesus,
give me stillness of soul in You.
Let Your mighty calmness reign in me.
Rule me, O King of Gentleness,
King of Peace.”

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Doctor of the Church

“Humility and charity
are the two master chords –
one, the lowest;
the other, the highest;
all the others are dependent on them.
Therefore, it is necessary, above all.
to maintain ourselves in these two virtues,
for observe well,
that the preservation of the whole edifice
depends on the foundation and the roof!”

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 July – ‘There arose a dispute among the disciples …’ – Luke 22:24

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One Minute Reflection –23 July – the Memorial of St Apollonaris (1st Century) Bishop Martyr, Disciple of St Peter – 1 Peter 5:1-11, Luke 22:24-30

“At that time, there arose a dispute among the disciples, which of them was reputed to be the greatest.” – Luke 22:24

REFLECTION – “Why are there strife and passion, schisms and even war among you? Do we not possess the same Spirit of grace which was given to us and the same calling in Christ? Why do we tear apart and divide the Body of Christ? Why do we revolt against our own Body? Why do we reach such a degree of insanity that we forget that we are members of one another? Do not forget the words of Jesus our Lord: Woe to that man; it would be better for him if he had not been born rather than scandalise one of my chosen ones. Indeed it would be better for him to have a great millstone round his neck and to be drowned in the sea, than that he lead astray one of my chosen ones. Your division has led many astray, has made many doubt, has made many despair and has brought grief upon us all. And still your rebellion continues!

Pick up the letter of blessed Paul the Apostle. What did he write to you at the beginning of his ministry? Even then you had developed factions. So Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote to you concerning himself and Cephas and Apollos. But that division involved you in less sin because you were supporting Apostles of high reputation and a person approved by them.

We should put an end to this division immediately. Let us fall down before our Master and implore His mercy with our tears. Then He will be reconciled to us and restore us to the practice of brotherly love that befits us. For this is the Gate of Justice that leads to life, as it is written: Open to me the Gates of Justice. When I have entered there, I shall praise the Lord. This is the Gate of the Lord, the just shall enter through it. There are many gates which stand open but the Gate of Justice, is the Gateway of Christ. All who enter through this Gate, are blessed, pursuing their way in holiness and justice, performing all their tasks without discord. A person may be faithful, he may have the power to utter hidden mysteries, he may be discriminating in the evaluation of what is said and pure in his actions. But the greater he seems to be, the more humbly he ought to act and the more zealous he should be, for the common good, rather than his own interest.” – St Pope Clement I (c 35-c 101) Pope from about 88 to 101 Apostolic Father, Bishop of Rome and Martyr (An excerpt from his Letter to the Corinthians).

PRAYER – O God, the rewarder of faithful souls, grant that we may obtain pardon through the prayers of blessed Apollinaris, Thy Martyr and Bishop, whose feast we are celebrating .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 CONFESSION/PENANCE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION

Thought for the Day – 22 July – Nature and Grace

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Thought for the Day – 22 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Nature and Grace

“Two extremes must be avoided in the relationship between nature and grace.
The first is that of the regorists, who see, in human nature, nothing but confusion and the propensity towards evil and, therefore, advocate an iron domination completely lacking in any understanding of human frailty.
They believe that perfection must be achieved swiftly, by means of the most ferocious privations and penance.
This excessively severe approach to the spiritual life, can lead to discouragement and eventual collapse.

The way of perfection is an ascending ladder, which must be climbed, step-by-step.
Falls must be expected but it is necessary to rise again at once, with renewed courage, knowing that when we reach the top, we shall find rest and peace.

The other extreme is an attitude of superficial ease.
There is no emphasis on the necessity of grace, nor on the need for prayer and faithful co-operatin with God’s grace, in order to perform good works.
Instead, there is a kid of natural decency and lukewarm virtue, which, ignores the necessity for mortification and the spirit of sacrifice.
Anyone who sets out on this path, can never be a fervent and active Catholic.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/21/thought-for-the-day-21-july-nature-and-grace/

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 22 July – Love Him

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Quote/s of the Day – 22 July – St Mary Magdalen (1st Century) Penitent – Song 3:2-5; 8:6-7, Luke 7:36-50.

“Wherefore I say to you,
her sins, many as they are,
shall be forgiven her
because she has loved much.
But he, to whom little is forgiven,
loves little.”

Luke 7:47

“A servant of the Lord
stands bodily before men
but mentally,
he is knocking at the gates of Heaven.
with prayer.”

St John Climacus (c 525-606)
Father of the Church

“Place all your trust in God,
let Him be your fear and your love.
He will answer for you,
He will do what is best for you.
You have here no lasting home.
You are a stranger and a pilgrim
wherever you may be
and you shall have no rest,
until you are wholly united with Christ.
Why do you look about here
when this is not the place of your repose?”

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

“To magnify her Royal Lover still further,
the soul must have eyes only for Him,
in other words,
with an ever-growing, anxiously eager attentiveness.
the soul must study all the details of His beauty,
His perfections,
must keep on discovering motives
for finding ever-increasing gratification
in the ineffable Beauty with which it is in love.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

“Love tends towards an intimate union
with the person loved
and does not rest,
until this union is achieved.
This is the unity of love.
“It is now, no longer I that live,”
exclaimed St Paul,
“but Christ lives in me”
(Gal 2:20).
If only we could succeed
in achieving such a complete
and lasting union with God,
any sacrifice would seem easy
and we should certainly grow in sanctity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EXTREME UNCTION, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 July – ‘ … She did for the feet, what you refused to the Head. … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 22 July – “The Month of the Precious Blood” – St Mary Magdalen (1st Century) Penitent – Song 3:2-5; 8:6-7, Luke 7:36-50.

“She began to bathe His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed is feet and anointed them with ointment.” – Luke 7:38

REFLECTION – “With her hands of good works, she holds the feet of those who preach His Kingdom. She washes them with tears of charity, kisses them with praising lips and pours out the whole ointment of mercy, until He will turn her. This means that He will come back to her and say to Simon, to the Pharisees, to those who deny, to the nation of the Jews, “I came into your house. You gave me no water for my feet.”

When will He speak these words? He will speak them when He will come in the Majesty of His Father and separate the righteous from the unrighteous, like a shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats. He will say, “I was hungry and you did not give me to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me no drink. I was a stranger and you did not take me in.” This is equivalent to saying, “But this woman, while she was bathing my feet, anointing them and kissing them, did to the servants, what you did not do for the Master.” She did for the feet, what you refused to the Head. She expended upon the lowliest members, what you refused to your Creator. Then He will say to the Church, “Your sins, many as they are, are forgiven you because you have loved much.” – St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and “Doctor of Homilies” (Sermon 95).

PRAYER – May the prayers of blessed Mary Magdalen help us, O Lord, Who was moved by her prayers, her love and peniteance, that we too may learn true repentance and sorrow for our sins..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 MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Thought for the Day – 21 July – Our Dominant Passion

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Thought for the Day – 21 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Our Dominant Passion

“Holy and God-fearing people know their own particular weakness.
They accept it as a cross and will not rest until they have conquered it with God’s help,
The battle cannot be won in a day but, in most cases, takes a great many years.
Often the ultimate victory is not gained until the hour of death.

It has been said that self-love dies three days after ourselves!
We are enormously attached to our own ego and humility is a very difficult virtue to acquire.
Sometimes, we have struggled for years to gain it and quite suddenly, we meet with another disastrous fall.
It would be easy to be overcome by discouragement at this stage but, this should not be allowed to happen.
When we fall, we should say to God in our repentance: “It is good for me to be humbled.”
To ourselves, we should say immediately: “Let us begin all over again.”

St Francis de Sales was endowed by nature with a sharp and hasty temperament, against which he fought for many years with great determination and reliance on God’s help.
Finally, he conquered and came to regarded as an angel of peace.
Nevertheless, even in the late years of his life, he still experienced inward tendencies towards anger, so that his exterior gentleness, was really a supreme act of victory!

He as known as the “Gentle Christ of Geneva.””

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/20/thought-for-the-day-20-july-our-dominant-passion/

Posted in "Follow Me", BAPTISM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The HEART, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 July – ‘Where is the heart that loves …?’

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 July – 1 Corinthians 7:25-3, Matthew 13:44-52

“The Kingdom of Heaven
is like a treasure
hidden in a field;
he who finds it, hides it
and in his joy.
goes and sells all that he has
and buys that field.”

Matthew 13:44

“For where your treasure is,
there also will your heart be.”

Luke 12:34

“We have had Your treasure
hidden within us,
ever since we received baptismal grace,
it grows ever richer
at Your sacramental table.”

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“O man, send your treasure on,
send it ahead into Heaven,
or else your God-given soul
will be buried in the earth!
Gold comes from the depth of the earth —
the soul, from the highest Heaven.
Clearly it is better ,to carry the gold
to where the soul resides,
than to bury the soul,
in the mine of the gold.
That is why God orders those
who will serve in His Army here below,
to fight as men stripped of concern
for riches and unencumbered by anything.”

St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450)
“Doctor of Homilies”
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Where is the heart that loves?
On the thing it loves.
Therefore, where our love is,
there our heart is held captive.
It cannot leave it;
it cannot be lifted higher,
it cannot go either to the right or the left;
see, it is fixed.
Where the miser’s treasure is,
there is his heart
and where our heart is,
there is our treasure.”

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 July – Our Precious Pearl

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One Minute Reflection – 21 July – “The Month of the Precious Blood” – the Memorial of St Praxedes of Rome, Virgin Martyr (Died 164) – 1 Corinthians 7:25-3, Matthew 13:44-52

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he finds a single pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” – Matthew13:45-46

REFLECTION – “For the man who loves God it is sufficient to please the One he loves; and, there is no greater recompense to be sought, than the loving itself. For love is from God, by the very fact, that God Himself is love. The good and chaste soul is so happy to be filled with Him that it desires to take delight in nothing else. For what the Lord says is very true: – ‘Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.’

What is a man’s treasure but the heaping up of profits and the fruit of his toil? For whatever a man sows, this too will he reap and each man’s gain, matches his toil and where delight and enjoyment are found, there the heart’s desire is attached. Now there are many kinds of wealth and a variety of grounds for rejoicing – every man’s treasure is that, which he desires. If it is based on earthly ambitions, its acquisition makes men not blessed but wretched.

But those who enjoy the things that are above and eternal, rather than earthly and perishable, possess an incorruptible, hidden store, of which the prophet speaks: ‘Our treasure and salvation have come, wisdom and instruction and piety, from the Lord: these are the treasures of justice.’ Through these, with the help of God’s grace, even earthly possessions are transformed into heavenly blessings. It is a fact that many people use the wealth, which is either rightfully left to them or otherwise, acquired, as a tool of devotion. By distributing what might be superfluous to support the poor, they are amassing imperishable riches, so that what they have discreetly given, cannot be subject to loss. They have properly placed those riches, where their heart is, – it is a most blessed thing, to work to increase such riches, rather than to fear that they may pass away.” – St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Bishop of Rome and Great Western Father and Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from Sermon 92).

PRAYER – Graciously hear us, O God our Saviour, that, as we rejoice in the festival of blessed Praxedes, Thy Virgin, so may we be nourished by the food of her heavenly teaching, as to be enlightened by the fervour of her dedicated holiness. 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 CARMELITES, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The REDEMPTION

Our Morning Offering – 21 July – Heal Us Lord God

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Our Morning Offering – 21 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood”

Heal Us Lord God
By St Albert of Trapani O.Carm. (c 1240-1307)

O my God,
You have created the human race
by Your wonderful power.
It is an act of Your clemency that has called us
to share Your glory and eternal life.
When the first sin condemned us to suffer death,
out of Your goodness,
You wished to redeem us
through the Blood of Your Son,
To unite us to Yourself
through our faith
and Your great mercy.
You have brought us back
from the shame of our sin,
You have veiled our dishonour
in the brightness of Your glory.
Look now and see that what You have created,
giving it subtle limbs and joints
and made beautiful through its immortal soul,
is now subject to the attack of Satan.
Be pleased Lord
to reconstitute Your work and heal it.
May Your power be glorified
and may the malice of the enemy be stunned.
Amen