Category: CATHOLIC Quotes

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – – 8 October – ‘If it neglects the grace …’

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One Minute Reflection – – 8 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Joel 1: 13-15; 2: 1-2; Psalm 9: 2-3, 6 & 8-9; Luke 11: 15-26

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came…” – Luke 11:24

REFLECTION – “The unclean spirit dwelt in us before we believed, before we came to Christ when our soul was still committing fornication against God and was with its lovers, the demons. Afterward it said, “I will return to my first husband,” and came to Christ, who “created” it from the beginning “in his image.” Necessarily the adulterous spirit gave up his place when it saw the legitimate husband.

Christ received us and our house has been “cleansed” from its former sins. It has been “furnished” with the furnishing of the Sacraments of the faithful, that they who have been initiated know. This house does not deserve to have Christ as its resident immediately, unless its life and conduct are so holy, pure and incapable of being defiled, that it deserves to be the “temple of God.” It should not still be a house but a temple in which God dwells. If it neglects the grace that was received and entangles itself in secular affairs, immediately, that unclean spirit returns and claims the vacant house for itself. “It brings with it seven other spirits more wicked,” so that it may not be able again to be expelled “and the last state of that kind of person is worse than the first.” It would be more tolerable that the soul would not have returned to its first husband once it became a prostitute, than having gone back after confession to her husband, to have become an adulteress again. There is no “fellowship,” as the Apostle says, “between the temple of God and idols,” no “agreement between Christ and Belial.” – Origen of Alexandria (c 185-253) Priest, Theologian, Exegist, Writer, Apologist, Father (Homilies on Exodus, 8)

PRAYER – Lord God and Father, who entrusted the earth to men and each to the other, grant us the grace this day, to see Your Face. Grant us the grace to work faithfully for Your glory, for the salvation of our souls through the light of faith and by the grace which You have given us. We beg the grace of Your love and mercy and the light of love You send with Your Holy Spirit. May the prayers of Mary our Holy Mother, keep us ever in her guiding care. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen.

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HEART, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 7 October – The Fifth Joyful Mystery – The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

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Thought for the Day – 7 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Fifth Joyful Mystery
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

“To search for Jesus is the principal obligation of the soul, to find Him, is the highest happiness!
If we are without Jesus, our minds are in darkness and scared with false ideas.
Separated from Him, our hearts are filled with remorse, emptiness and yearning.
Only when Jesus is with us, have life and death any meaning.
Then we can set our journey towards the unfading star of Christian hope.

When Jesus promised to give us His Flesh to eat and His Blood to drink, He saw that His listeners were going away, scandalised.
“Do you also wish to go away?” He asked His Apostles.
“Lord,” replied St Peter, “to whom shall we go? Thou hast wprds of everlasting life” (Jn 6:69).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/07/thought-for-the-day-7-october-the-fifth-joyful-mystery-the-finding-of-jesus-in-the-temple/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 October – ‘ … He Who knows how to give good gifts to His children urges us to ask, seek and knock.’

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One Minute Reflection – 7 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Malachi 3: 13-20b; Psalm 1: 1-4 and 6; Luke 11: 5-13

“Which father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?” – Luke 11:11-12

REFLECTION – “Of those three things that the Apostle commends, faith is either signified by the fish because of the water of Baptism, or because it remains unharmed by the waves of this world. The Serpent is opposed to it, because it craftily and deceitfully persuaded man not to believe in God. The egg symbolises hope because the chick is not yet alive but will be; it is not yet seen but is hoped. “Hope that is seen is not hope.” The scorpion is opposed to hope because, whoever hopes for eternal life, forgets the things that are behind and reaches out to those that are before. It is dangerous for him to look backward and he is on guard against the rear of the scorpion, which has a poisoned dart in its tail. Bread symbolises love because “the greatest of these is love” and among foods, bread certainly surpasses all others in value. The stone is opposed to it because the stonehearted cast out love. It may be that these gifts signify something more appropriate, yet He who knows how to give good gifts to His children urges us to ask, seek and knock.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Letter 130)

PRAYER – Lord God and Father, who entrusted the earth to men and each to the other, grant us the grace this day, to see Your Face in our neighbour and to seek all who need our help. Grant us the grace to work faithfully for Your glory, for the salvation of our souls through the light of faith You have given us. We beg the grace of Your love and mercy and the light of love You send with Your Holy Spirit. May the prayers of Mary our Holy Mother, keep us ever in her guiding care. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 6 October – The Fourth Joyful Mystery – The Purification of Our Lady and The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple

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Thought for the Day – 6 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Fourth Joyful Mystery
The Purification of Our Lady and
The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple

“Then Joseph and Mary carried the Infant Jesus to the Temple to offer Him to God and to buy Him back as their first-born Son, with the price paid by the poor, namely, with a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.
Let us reflect on this new act of humility on the part of the Holy Family.
In spite of the supreme dignity which had been accorded them, they submitted quietly to the law which bound those in poverty and in sin.
We, who are so fond of money and of ostentation, have much to learn from this scene.
Jesus, the God-Man, is purchased back as a sinner for two for two young pigeons.
Mary, the Immaculate Virgin and Mother and Joseph, the holiest and noblest of men, make themselves subject to the law of sin.
We can derive from this, lessons in humility and in detachment from the goods of this world.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/06/thought-for-the-day-6-october-the-fourth-joyful-mystery-the-purification-of-our-lady-and-the-presentation-of-the-child-jesus-in-the-temple/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), The LORD'S PRAYER, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 October – “Lord, teach us…”

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Jonah 4: 1-11; Psalm 86: 3–6, 9-10; Luke 11: 1-4

“Lord, teach us to pray …”

Luke 11:1

“For what reason did God send Him to preach to the poor?
“To preach release to captives.”
We were the captives.
For many years Satan had bound us
and held us captive and subject to himself.
Jesus has come
“to proclaim release to captives and sight to the blind.”
By His word and the proclamation of His teaching,
the blind see.”

Origen (c 185-253)

“He did not treat us as our sins deserved.
For we are now sons of God.
How do we show this?
The only Son of God died for us,
so that He might not remain alone.
He who died as the only Son,
did not want to remain as the only Son.
For the only Son of God made many sons of God.
He bought brothers for Himself by His blood,
He made them welcome by being rejected,
He ransomed them by being sold,
He honoured them by being dishonoured,
He gave them life by being put to death.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Bishop, Great Western Father and Doctor of Grace

“For the Author and Giver of divine blessings
could not but be our Teacher as well,
providing the words of this prayer,
as precepts of life,
for those disciples who believe in Him
and follow the way He taught in the flesh.
Through these words,
He has revealed the hidden treasures
of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3)
that exist in Him as pure form.
And, in all who offer this prayer,
He kindles the desire to enjoy such treasures.”

St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662)
Monk and Theologian

Interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer

“Prayer is nothing other than union with God.
… This union of God with his little creature
is something beautiful.
It is a happiness that we cannot understand.
We had deserved not to pray
but God, in His goodness, allows us to speak to Him.
Our prayer is incense,
which He receives with tremendous pleasure.”

St John-Marie Vianney (1786-1859)

(Catechism on Prayer]

“Immediately after rising
and throughout the day,
all make the Sign of the Cross
and renew their trust in God:
to be strengthened by the power of the Father,
to be enlightened by the wisdom of the Son
and to be sanctified by the love of the Holy Spirit.
And as they bless themselves, they may say:
Of myself I can do nothing,
with God I can do everything,
I want to do everything for love of God.”

St Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850)

From the Rule of the Pallottines

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on PRAYER, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 October – ‘Lord, teach us to pray …’

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One Minute Reflection – 6 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Jonah 4: 1-11; Psalm 86: 3–6, 9-10; Luke 11: 1-4

“He was praying in a certain place and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” – Luke 11:1

REFLECTION – “So, my brothers, let us pray as God our master has taught us.
To ask the Father in words His Son has given us,
to let Him hear the prayer of Christ ringing in His ears, is to make our prayer one of friendship, a family prayer. Let the Father recognise the words of His Son. Let the Son who lives in our hearts, be also on our lips. We have Him as an Advocate for sinners, before the Father, when we ask for forgiveness for ours sins, let us use the words given by our Advocate. He tells us – whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you. What more effective prayer could we then make,
in the name of Christ, than in the words of His own prayer?” – St Cyprian of Carthage (c 200- c 258) – Bishop, Father of the Church and Martyr (An excerpt from his “On the Lord’s Prayer”)

PRAYER – Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Teach us Almighty Father to pray, fill us with the love of Your Spirit and guide us always by the Word and Trust of our lives. With the Blessed Mother of God and of the Holy Rosary, we kneel in love and adoration. May her prayers lead us to heaven. Amen

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The CHRIST CHILD, The DIVINE INFANT, The HEART, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 5 October – The Third Joyful Mystery – The Birth of Jesus

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Thought for the Day – 5 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Third Joyful Mystery
The Birth of Jesus

“Like the simple shepherds, let us protrate ourselves with faith and with love before the Manger.
Let us offer, as our gifts, our good resolutions; let us offer our hearts and ask God to change them and make them entirely His forever.

Quite suddenly, the darkness of the night and the wretchedness of the cave was illuminated by a bright light from Heaven.
While men were unaware of, or indifferent to, the miraculous event which had taken place, bands of Angels descended from Heaven and sang: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace among men of goodwill” (Lk 2:13-14).
Joseph bent over the divine Infant and silently adored Him, while the Blessed Virgin knelt at His Feet in loving contemplation.

Let us too, learn to adore and love Him, as His Mother and Foster-Father did.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/05/thought-for-the-day-5-october-the-third-joyful-mystery-the-birth-of-jesus/

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, NOVENAS, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – Bl Francis Xavier Seelos

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – The Memorial of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos CSsR (1819-1867)

“It is only through suffering
that we become holy.
And to become holy is our only purpose in life,
our only preparation for heaven.”

TOP 10 Practical Guide to Holiness

  1. Go to Mass with deepest devotion.
  2. Spend a half hour to reflect upon your main failing
    and make resolutions to avoid it.
  3. Do daily spiritual reading for at least 15 minutes,
    if a half hour is not possible.
  4. Say the rosary every day.
  5. Also daily, if at all possible, visit the Blessed Sacrament
    and toward evening, meditate on the Passion of Christ for a half hour.
  6. Conclude the day with evening prayer
    and an examination of conscience over all the faults & sins of the day.
  7. Every month make a review of the month in confession.
  8. Choose a special patron every month
    and imitate that patron in some special virtue.
  9. Precede every great feast with a novena, that is, nine days of devotion.
  10. Try to begin and end every activity with a “Hail Mary.”

Bl Francis Xavier Seelos (1819-1867)

Posted in CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, HYMNS, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on PEACE, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 5 October – To Christ, the Prince of Peace

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Our Morning Offering – 5 October

To Christ, the Prince of Peace
Trans Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

To Christ, the Prince of Peace,
And Son of God most high,
The Father of the world to come,
Sing we with holy joy.

Deep in His Heart, for us,
The wound of love He bore;
That love wherewith He still inflames
The hearts that Him adore.

O Jesu, victim blest,
What else but love divine
Could Thee constrain to open thus
That Sacred Heart of thine?

O fount of endless life,
O spring of water clear,
O flame celestial, cleansing all
Who unto Thee draw near!

Hide us in Thy dear heart,
For thither do we fly;
There seek Thy grace through life; in death
Thine immortality.

Posted in franciscan OFM, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – St Francis

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – The Memorial of St Francis of Assisi (c 1181–1226)

“Alms are an inheritance
and a justice
which is due to the poor
and which Jesus
has levied upon us.”

“Start by doing what is necessary,
then what is possible
and suddenly, you are doing the impossible!”

“He who works with his hands,
is a labourer.
He who works with his hands and his head,
is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands
and his head and his heart,
is an artist.”

“For it is in giving that we receive.”

St Francis of Assisi (c 1181–1226)

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-october-beloved-st-francis-of-assisi/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on JUSTICE, SAINT of the DAY, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 October – ‘ … The weight by which Your Goodness, overcomes Your Justice. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 4 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Jonah 1: 1 – 2: 1-2, 11; Psalm Jonah 2: 3, 4, 5, 8; Luke 10: 25-37 The Memorial of St Francis of Assisi (c 1181–1226)

“But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him and seeing him, was moved with compassion. And going up to him, bound up his wounds …” – Luke 10:33-34

REFLECTION – “ How good You are, O Divine Samaritan, to gather up this wounded world so sadly fallen along the way, trapped in such mire and so unworthy of Your Goodness!

The more wicked the world, the more Your Mercy shines forth: to be infinitely good to the good, is a thousand times less admirable, than to be infinitely good to souls, who, even though lavished with graces, are simply ungrateful, unfaithful, perverse. The more wicked we are, the more the marvel of Your infinite Mercy gleams and shines. This in itself, suffices to explain, the great good that sin produces on the earth and explains, why You permit it. It makes way for an incomparable greater good – the exercise and manifestation of Your divine Mercy. This divine attribute could not be put into practice without it; goodness could be exercised and shown without sin but failure is needed, if mercy is to be manifested. Ah! My Lord and God, how Good you are! How Merciful! Mercy is, so to speak, the overflow of Your Goodness and what is most passionate in Your Goodness, the weight by which Your Goodness overcomes Your Justice. How divinely good You are! (…)

Be kind to sinners, since God is so kind to us – pray for them, love them. … “Be merciful as our Father is merciful” (cf. Lk 6:36). God “prefers mercy to sacrifice” (cf. Mt 12:7).” – Bl Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) Hermit and Missionary in the Sahara – (Meditations on the psalms 103, psalm 52)

PRAYER – All highest, glorious God,
cast Your light into the darkness of our hearts,
give us true faith, firm hope,
perfect charity and profound humility,
so that with wisdom,
courage and perception, O Lord,
we may do what is truly Your holy will.
Amen. – St Francis of Assisi

Posted in franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 4 October – Prayer to do the Will of God

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Our Morning Offering – 4 October – The Memorial of St Francis of Assisi OFM (c 1181–1226)

Prayer to do the Will of God
By St Francis of Assisi (c 1181-1226)

Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God,
grant us in our misery,
the grace to do for You alone
what we know You want us to do
and always to desire, what pleases You.
Thus, inwardly cleansed,
interiorly enlightened
and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit,
may we be able to follow in the footprints of
Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
And, by Your grace alone,
may we make our way to You,
Most High, Who live and rule in perfect Trinity
and simple Unity
and are glorified God
all-powerful, forever and ever.
Amen

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VANITY, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The ANNUNCIATION

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

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

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

“Consider now Mary’s reaction to the reverence and praise with which the Angel greets her.
Is she carried away by delight and exaltation at this solemn moment?
Nothing of the sort!
In her humility and modesty, she is disturbed by the Angel’s salutation and wonders what the reason is for it.
“She was troubled at his word and kept pondering what manner of greeting this might be” (Lk 1:29).

How do we behave when we receive praise from our superiors or from our friends and acquaintances?
We are pleased and overcome perhaps by feelings of vanity.
We smile to ourselves and are convinced that we are of more consequence than we really are.
We even feel the need to reveal our thoughts to others and, thereby, seek further aggrandisement!
There is a world of difference between the simplicity and humility of the Blessed Virgin and our vain hunger for praise and honour.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/03/thought-for-the-day-2-october-the-first-joyful-mystery-the-annunciation/

PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/03/thought-for-the-day-3-october-the-first-joyful-mystery-the-annunciation/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY SPIRIT, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 October – Childlike Trust

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 October – Readings: Genesis 2: 18-24; Psalm 128: 1-6; Hebrews 2: 9-11; Mark 10: 2-16

Childlike Trust

“Whoever does not accept
the kingdom of God
like a little child,
shall not enter it.”

Mark 10:15

“Father, I am seeking,
I am hesitant and uncertain
but will You, O God,
watch over each step of mine
and guide me.”

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

“The greater and more persistent
your confidence in God,
the more abundantly
you will receive
all that you ask.”

St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Church

“Do not have any anxiety
about the future.
Leave everything in God’s hands
for He will take care of you.”

St John Baptiste de la Salle (1651-1719)

“Those whose hearts are enlarged
by confidence in God
run swiftly on the path of perfection.
They not only run, they fly
because, having placed all their hope in the Lord,
they are no longer weak as they once were.
They become strong
with the strength of God,
which is given to all
who put their trust in Him.”

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“The Holy Spirit
leads us like a mother.
He leads His child by the hand…
as a sighted person
leads a blind person.”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on MARRIAGE, MARRIED LOVE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 October – “So they are no longer two but one flesh.” – Mark 10:8

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One Minute Reflection – 3 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Genesis 2: 18-24; Psalm 128: 1-6; Hebrews 2: 9-11; Mark 10: 2-16

“So they are no longer two but one flesh.” – Mark 10:8

REFLECTION – “That man, awake, anointed with splendour and who did not yet know sleep, fell on the earth naked and slept. It is likely that Adam saw in his dream, what was done to him, as if he were awake. After Adam’s rib had been taken out, in the twinkling of an eye, God closed up the flesh, … in the blink of an eyelash. The bare bone took on the full appearance and all the beauty of a woman. God then brought her to Adam, who was both one and two. He was one in that he was Adam and he was two because he had been created male and female.

Then Adam said, “Let the man leave his father and his mother and cling to his wife, so that they might be joined and the two might become one” without division as they were from the beginning. They were not ashamed because of the glory with which they were clothed. It was when this glory was stripped from them, after they had transgressed the commandment, that they were ashamed because they were naked.” – St Ephrem (306-373) Deacon in Syria, Father, Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Genesis, 2).

PRAYER – Almighty, everliving God, whose love surpasses all that we ask or deserve, open up for us, the treasures of Your mercy. Teach us the truth of love and forgive us all that weighs on our conscience. Grant us even more than we dare to ask and grant us the merciful and guiding assistance of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through Him who redeemed us in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 3 October – O Jesus, Sweetest Love, Come Thou to Me

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Our Morning Offering – 3 October – The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

O Jesus, Sweetest Love,
Come Thou to Me
1940 Fr Francis Xavier Lasance (1860–1946)

O JESUS, sweetest Love, come Thou to me.
Come down in all Thy beauty unto me.
Thou Who didst die for longing of me
And never, never more depart from me.
Free me, O beauteous God, from all but Thee;
Sever the chain that holds me back from Thee;
Call me, O tender Love, I cry to Thee;
Thou art my all! O bind me close to Thee.
O suffering Love, Who hast so loved me;
O patient Love, Who wearies not of me.
Thou alone O Love! Thou weary not of me!
Ah! Weary not till I am lost in Thee,
Nay, weary not, till I am found in Thee.
Amen

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 2 October – Our Guardian Angels

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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, FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 October – ‘ … They help each of us … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 2 October – The Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels, Readings: Baruch 4: 5-12, 27-29; Psalm 69: 33-37; Matthew 18: 1-5, 10

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” – Matthew 18:10

REFLECTION – “For just as the Lord commands that unbelieving and treacherous persons who are a stumbling block to the body of the church should be cut off or plucked out, so He also warns us, not to despise any of the little children, that is, humble people in the faithful who simply and faithfully believe in the Son of God. For it is not right to despise anyone who believes in Christ. A believer is called, not only a servant of God but also a son, though the grace of adoption, to whom the Kingdom of Heaven and the company of the Angels is promised. And rightly the Lord adds, “For I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.”

How much grace the Lord has toward each one believing in Him, He Himself declares when He shows their Angels always beholding the face of the Father who is in Heaven. Great is the grace of the Angels toward all who believe in Christ. Finally, the Angels carry their prayers to heaven. Hence the word of Raphael to Tobias: “When you prayed along with your daughter-in-law Sara, I offered the memory of your prayer in the sight of God.” Around them there is also the strong guard of the Angels; they help each of us to be free from the traps of the enemy. For a human in his weakness could not be safe amid so many forceful attacks of that enemy, if he were not strengthened by the help of the Angels.” – St Chromatius of Aquileia (Died 407) Bishop of Aquileia, Contemporary of St Jerome, St John Chrysostom (Tractate on Matthew, 57)

PRAYER – Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits thee here.
Ever this day, be at my side,
to light, to guard, to rule, to guide.
Amen.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, ROSARY QUOTES, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 1 October – The Month of the Holy Rosary

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The Month of the Holy Rosary

“One of the main advantages of the Rosary is that it enables us to unite with our vocal prayer, meditation on the principal Mysteries of our faith.
During each decade we should meditate briefly on one of these Mysteries.
In this way, our faith will be enlivened and we shall be roused to imitate, in our lives, the example of Jesus and Mary.

The Rosary is composed of the Church’s most beautiful prayers – the Our Father, which Jesus Himself taught us to say when addressiug our heavenly Father and the Hail Mary, which consists of the Angel’s greeting to the Blessed Virgin when he came to announce to her, that she was to be the Mother of God, of the inspired words of St Elizabeth on the occasion of the Visitation and of the moving plea for mercy, both now and at the hour of our death, which the Church places upon the lips of her sinful children (composed and proposed by St Peter Canisius 1521-1597) Doctor of the Church).
Each decade concludes with the short hymn of praise in honour of the Blessed Trinity: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, amen.
This prayer, expresses the two principal Mysteries of our faith, namely, the Unity and Trinity of God and, in an indirect fashion, the Incarnation of the Second Divine Person.

If we think of all this when we are fervently reciting the Holy Rosary, it will prove to be a treasury of grace.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/01/thought-for-the-day-1-october-the-month-of-the-holy-rosary/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The LAST THINGS, Uncategorized

Thought for the Day – 30 September – The Death of the Just

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Thought for the Day – 30 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Death of the Just

Consider now the death of the just man.
Through his dying tears, he also will see the world slipping away from him.   But, one thing will remain to comfort him, namely, the memory of his good actions, of the virtues he acquired, of his fervent prayers and of his voluntary mortifications.
Above all, there will remain his great love of God, for Whom he has lived, worked and drawn breath.
In that moment, this love will even increase the flaming desire consuming his poor, frail body, to be united to God.
He will be able to say, as some of the Saints have said – “I never thought it would be so sweet to die.”
With St Louis, he will be able top say: “I am going joyfully to meet my God.”
He will be able to exclaim with St Charles: “I long for my body to be dissolved, so that I may be with Christ!” (Phil 1:23)

In the sight of God, the death of the good man is a very precious thing.   “Precious in the eyes of the Lord, is the death of His faithful ones” (Ps 115:6)

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on FRIENDSHIP, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TIME, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 30 September – St Jerome

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Quote/s of the Day – 30 September – The Memorial of St Jerome (347-419) Father and Doctor, “The Man of the Bible”

“The face is the mirror
of the mind
and eyes,
without speaking,
confess the secrets,
of the heart.”

“It is not enough
for us to restrain
from doing evil,
unless,
we shall also
do good.

“Catch, then,
O catch the transient hour!
Improve each moment as it flies!”

“The friendship that can cease,
has never been real.”

“True friendship
ought never to conceal
what it thinks.”

St Jerome (347-420)
Father & Doctor of the Church

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/30/quote-s-of-the-day-30-september-st-jerome/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, SAINT of the DAY, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The LAMB of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 September – ‘Be imitators of Me …’

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One Minute Reflection – 30 September – Readings: Nehemiah 8: 1-12; Psalm 19: 8-11; Luke 10: 1-12 – The Memorial of St Jerome (347-419) Father and Doctor

“Like lambs among wolves”– Luke 10:3

REFLECTION – “As He sent out disciples into His harvest – which had, in truth, been sown by the Father’s Word but, which required to be worked over, cultivated and carefully tended, if the birds were not to ravage the seed – Jesus said to them: “Behold, I send you out like lambs among wolves”. … The Good Shepherd could not but fear wolves in His flock – these disciples were sent to spread grace abroad, not to become a prey.
But the Good Shepherd’s care prevented the wolves from doing anything against the lambs He sends out. He sends them that Isaiah’s prophecy might be fulfilled: “The wolf and the lamb shall graze alike” (Is 65:25) … And besides, were not the disciples who were sent out ordered not even to carry a staff? …

What our humble Lord laid down, His disciples also accomplished by practising humility.
For He sends them out to broadcast the faith, not by force but by their teaching; not by exerting force of will but by exalting the doctrine of humility.
And He thought it good to link patience to humility since, according to Peter’s testimony: “When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten” (1 Pt 2:23).

This amounts to saying: “Be imitators of Me – let go of your thirst for revenge; respond to the blows of pride, not by returning evil for evil but, with the patience that forgives. No-one should perform on their own account, what they reprehend in others, gentleness confronts the arrogant with far greater strength.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on St Luke’s Gospel, 7, 45.59).

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, You endowed Saint Jerome with a deep reverence and understanding of Holy Scripture, which he loved with all his heart. Sustain us evermore with Your word and teach us by their precepts. Help us to follow each word which Jesus, Your Son, our Redeemer, uttered that we may find therein the source of life. May the prayers of St Jerome assist us in our love and faithfulness. We ask this through Jesus our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, Amen.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The HEART, The LAST THINGS

Thought for the Day – 29 September – The Death of the Sinner

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

The Death of the Sinner

“The Sinner must also die.
For him death is really terrible.
Imagine him lying on his deathbed, instinctively aware, that his life is over.
The past will rise up to reproach him, a past full of sin and of ingratitude towards his Creator and Redeemer.
The plans which he has centred around profit, ambition and honour, will have vanished like smoke.
His friends, will have either deserted him, or will be at hand, to utter useless words, which will have no power to comfort him.
Now he must stand alone, alone before God!

What will happen, at that moment?
Perhaps, despair will overcome his soul, as it overcame the soul of Judas?
Perhaps, the innumerable graces which he has despised, will tip the balance of Divine Justice towards the abyss of damnation?
Or, will a final ray of mercy pierce his tired mind, burning with remorse, so that, with it’s last throb, his poor heart will torn towards God and implore His pardon?
Who can say?
It is certain, however, that of the two thieves dying beside the Cross of our Redeemer, only one heard Him say:
“This day, you will be with me in Paradise!”
The other, remained obdurate in his sin.
It is the height of stupidity, to wait to be converted, at the hour of death!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HOLY SPIRIT, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on the ANTI-christ, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Quote/s of the Day – 29 September – St Michael

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 September – Feast of the Dedication of St Michael the Archangel

“Michael is the
Breath of the Redeemer’s Spirit,
Who at the end of the World,
will combat and destroy the antichrist,
as he did Lucifer in the beginning.”

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

“Among the Angels in Heaven
none surpasses St Michael in Glory …”

“St Michael has the honourable office
of presenting to Jesus Christ the Judge,
all the souls that depart out of this world
in the grace of God.”

St Alphonsus Maria De Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 28 September – Goodness and Christian Courtesy – The Gentle Christ of Geneva

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

Goodness and Christian Courtesy

“St Francis de Sales was a model of gentleness and Chrisitan courtesy.
He had every regard and respecct of his neighbour because he saw God in everyone and everyone in God.

He had the ability to listen to everybody with great patience and kindness, without ever showing any sign of tiredness or boredom, even when he was dealing with unpleasant people or when he was busy with far more important matters.
He maintained his equilibrium and self-control, even after many hours of work and of difficult consultations.
He was always prepared, moreover, to listen to the troubles of the poor.

Even when insulted and reviled, he displayed perfect serenity and calm.
It was a result of this, that, with the helo of God, he made innumerable converts.

“Always be as gentle as you can,.” he was accustomed to advise “and remember that you will catch more flies with a spoon of honey than with a barrel of vinegar. If you must err, let it be on the side of gentleness ….” “Be humble,.” he wrote again “and you will be gentle. Humility makes the heart kind towards the perfect and the imperfect; towards the former through veneration, towards the latter through compassion.” (Letter 51).

How much we have to learn from the serenity and courtesy of this Saint – for, it is not without reason that he is known as “the Gentleman Saint” and an even greater title “the Gentle Christ of Geneva!.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/28/thought-for-the-day-28-september-goodness-and-christian-courtesy/

Posted in HYMNS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 28 September – Good King Wenceslaus

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Quote/s of the Day – 28 September – The Memorial of St Wenceslaus (907-935) King of Bohemia, Martyr

Good King Wenceslaus

Good King Wenceslaus looked out,
on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about,
deep and crisp and even;
Brightly shone the moon that night, t
ho’ the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight,
gath’ring winter fuel.

“Hither, page and stand by me,
if thou know’st it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?”
“Sire, he lives a good league hence,
underneath the mountain;
Right against the forest fence,
by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”

“Bring me flesh and bring me wine,
bring me pine logs hither,
Thou and I will see him dine,
when we bear them thither.”
Page and Monarch, forth they went,
forth they went together;
Through the rude wind’s wild lament
and the bitter weather.

“Sire, the night is darker now
and the wind blow stronger;
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer.”
“Mark my footsteps, my good page.
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter’s rage,
freeze thy blood less coldly.”

In his master’s steps he trod,
where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod
which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure,
wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor,
shall yourselves find blessing.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 September – ‘… A preparatory exercise in the matter. ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 28 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary” Readings: Zechariah 8: 20-23; Psalm 87: 1b-7; Luke 9: 51-56

“… On the way they entered a Samaritan village … but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey, was Jerusalem.” . – Luke 9:53

REFLECTION – “It says, “When the days drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” This means, that after He would endure His saving Passion for us, the time would come when He should ascend to heaven and dwell with God the Father, so He determined to go to Jerusalem. This is, I think, the meaning of his “set his face.”

It would be false to affirm, that our Saviour did not know what was about to happen because He knows all things. He knew, of course, that the Samaritans would not receive His messengers. There can be no doubt of this. Why then did He command them to go before Him? It was His custom to benefit diligently, the holy Apostles in every possible way and because of this, it was His practice, sometimes to test them…. On this occasion, He also tested them. He knew that the Samaritans would not receive those who went forward to announce that He would stay with them. He still permitted them to go, that this again might be a way of benefiting the holy Apostles.

What was the purpose of this occurrence? He was going up to Jerusalem, as the time of His passion was already drawing near. He was about to endure the scorn of the Jews. He was about to be destroyed by the scribes and Pharisees and to suffer those things that they inflicted upon Him when they went to accomplish all of violence and wicked boldness. He did not want them to be offended when they saw Him suffering. He also wanted them to be patient and not to complain greatly, although people would treat them rudely. He, so to speak, made the Samaritans’ hatred a preparatory exercise in the matter. They had not received the messengers.

For their benefit, He rebuked the disciples and gently restrained the sharpness of their wrath, not permitting them to grumble violently against those who sinned. He rather persuaded them to be patient and to cherish a mind that is unmovable by anything like this.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Known as ‘THE PILLAR OF FAITH”
Archbishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor Incarnationis (Doctor of the Incarnation) (Commentary on Luke, Homily 56)

PRAYER – O God of love, You sent Your beloved Son to the world to proclaim the Good News of Salvation, to heal every illness and to cure all infirmity of body and soul. Help us to continue the mission of the merciful Christ in the service towards our neighbour, preaching the Gospel and offering our help in whatever way we can. May the example of Your saints, teach us how to love and serve You. Through their intercession, grant us the grace to go forth in love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 28 September – Steer the Ship of My Life, Lord

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Our Morning Offering – 28 September – – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary”

Steer the Ship of My Life, Lord
By St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Steer the ship of my life, Lord,
to Your quiet harbour,
where I can be safe from
the storms of sin and conflict.
Show me the course I should take.
Renew in me the gift of discernment,
so that I can see the right direction
in which I should go.
And give me the strength
and the courage
to choose the right course,
even when the sea is rough
and the waves are high,
knowing that, through enduring hardship
and danger, in Your Name
we shall find comfort and peace.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD is LOVE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 27 September – The Power of God’s Love in the Christian Life

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

The Power of God’s Love in the Christian Life

“Everyday, in the lives of the Saints, was a continual act of love of God.
This was how they became holy.
They loved God intensely all the time.
They loved Him above all things.
Everything which they thought, desired or did, was directed to Him.
Their entire lives were consecrated to Him.
We should all desire to be holy, if we do, we must love God with our whole heart, strength and will.
Not until then, will every action of ours become meritorious.
Holiness is born of the love of God.
Without the love of God, everything is futile and useless; our conversation is so much idle chatter;  our desires are empty dreams which excite us for a while and then dissolve like bubbles of soap;  our actions are unprofitable and our enterprises are not aimed at a true objective;  our achievements can inflate us for a time but they will leave us disillusioned at the hour of death.
The love of God is necessary for us.
He alone is entirely worthy of our affection.
Other loves are passing but, this love is eternal.
Other loves confuse and trouble us but, the love of God gives us peace of soul.
Other loves weaken and vanish with time but, the love of God is the source of all holiness in this life and of eternal happiness in the next.
Why, then, do we not forget our worldly preoccupations?
Let us give our hearts to God forever and we shall be in possession of the one true happiness which never fades.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on TRUTH, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 27 September – St Vincent de Paul

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 September – 27 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary” – St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

“The Church teaches us,
that mercy belongs to God.
Let us implore Him,
to bestow on us the spirit
of mercy and compassion,
so that we are filled with it
and may never lose it.
Only consider how much we ourselves,
are in need of mercy.”

“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!”

“Humility is nothing but truth
and pride is nothing but lying!” …

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

MANY MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/27/quote-s-of-the-day-27-september-st-vincent-de-paul-2/