Category: CATHOLIC Quotes

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 June –Leave there thy offering before the Altar and go first to be reconciled to thy brother

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One Minute Reflection – 23 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Within the Corpus Christi – The Vigil of the Nativity of St John the Baptist or St John’s Eve – – 1 Peter 3:8-15 – Matthew 5:20-24 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Leave there thy offering before the Altar and go first to be reconciled to thy brother and then, coming, thou shalt offer thy gift.” – Matthew 5:24

REFLECTION – “The measure with which you measure shall be measured out to you” (Mt 7:2). And the servant who, after having had all his debt forgiven him by his master, would not forgive his fellow-servant, is confined to prison. Because he was unwilling to forgive his fellow-servant, he lost the forgiveness which had been granted him by the Lord (Mt 18:23f). And these things Christ sets forth still more strongly in his precepts by the greater force of his censure. He says: “When you stand praying, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your transgressions” (Mk 11:25) …

For God commands us to be peacemakers and of one heart and of one mind, in His House. And such as He has made us by a second birth, so by a second birth He wishes to preserve us that we, who are the children of God, may abide in the peace of God and that we ,who have one spirit, may have one heart and mind. Thus God does not receive the sacrifice of a person who is in disagreement but commands him to go back from the Altar and first be reconciled to his brother that so God also, may be appeased by the prayers of the peacemaker. The greater sacrifice to God is our peace and fraternal concord and a people united in the unity of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” – St Cyprian of Carthage (200-258) Bishop of Carthage, Martyr, Father of the Church (The Lord’s Prayer, 23).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who hast prepared good things as yet unseen for those who love Thee, pour a burning love into our hearts, so that we, loving Thee, in and above all things, may obtain Thy promises which surpass all desire. 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).

EUCHARISTIC Heart of JESUS, have mercy on us.
INDULGENCE: 300 Days. TQ Toties Quoties = any number of times.
St Pius X, 26 July 1907; 26 December 1907 – Raccolta 176.

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, REDEMPTIVE Suffering, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 22 June – The Holy Mass

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

The Holy Mass

“The Sacrifice of the Mass is the noblest act of our religion.
In it is renewed, in a real but unbloody manner, the Sacrifice of Calvary.

Jesus desired to remain with us throughout the centuries in the Blessed Eucharist as our friend, comforter and spiritual food.
Similarly, not being satisfied with having shed His Precious Blood on the Cross for our Redemption, it was His wish that this sacrificial action should be renewed daily in every corner of the world, in such a way, that everyone could participate in it and benefit from it.
When we are present at Holy Mass, therefore, we should imagine that we are on Calvary at the foot of the Cross on which our Divine Redeemer is voluntarily giving His Life, as an innocent Victim, for our sins.
Let us see Him hanging between earth and sky, a holocaust of propitiation between God and men.
Let us see Him imploring with His dying glance, forgiveness for His executioners and for us sinners.

Let us imagine, moreover, His most Holy Mother as she gazes sorrowfully upon her suffering Son.
With love far greater than that of any other human creature, she offers herself in union with Jesus, for our salvation.

We should make a similar offering when we assist at the Sacrifice of the Altar.
We should sacrifice ourselves along with Jesus.
If we are tormented by sufferings, let us offer them up along with those of Jesus.
If we are troubled by passionate inclinations to sin, let us sacrifice these bravely, along with Jesus and for love of Him.
If we are full of hatred and coldness towards others, let us sacrifice these feelings for love of Jesus, Who forgave everyone who asked and repented and prayed even for His executioners.

Let us remember, the Sacrifice of the Mass should be our sacrifice too.
It is not only the Priest who offers it but we offer it along with the Priest and with Jesus.
“Receive, O Holy Trinity, this oblation which we make to Thee.”
Let us unite the offering of our entire selves to the Sacrifice of Jesus and we sgall obtain great spiritual benefits.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUTH, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Quote/s of the Day – 22 June – St Paulinus of Nola

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Quote/s of the Day – 22 June – St Paulinus of Nola (c 354-431) Bishop, Confessor, Father

“He is the Light of Truth,
the Path of life,
the Power and Mind,
Hand and Strength of the Father.
He is the Sun of Justice,
Source of Blessings,
Flower of God,
God’s Son, Creator of the world,
Life of our mortality
and Death to our death.
He is the Master of the virtues.
He is God to us …!”

“With all my heart I pray,
for the hope of Heaven
because hope and faith,
are of much more value,
than all the riches of this world.”

“Listen, then, my son and give me your ear.
Break off all ties which bind
and entangle you in this world.
Change your secular service into something better,
start being a soldier for the eternal King!”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/06/22/quote-s-of-the-day-22-june-st-paulinus-of-nola-3/

St Paulinus of Nola (c354-431)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on MISSION, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 June – Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city …’ Luke 14:21

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One Minute Reflection – 22 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – The Solemnity of Corpus Christi and Within the Corpus Christi Octave – St Paulinus of Nola (c 354-431) Bishop, Confessor, Father of the Church –1 John 3:13-18 – Luke 14:16-24 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The servant went and reported this to his Master. Then the Master of the house was angry and commanded His servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and bring in here, the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame…” – Luke 14:21

REFLECTION – “He turned to the Gentiles from the careless scorn of the rich. He invites both good and evil to enter, in order to strengthen the good and change the disposition of the wicked for the better. The saying that was read today is fulfilled, “Then wolves and lambs will feed together.” He summons the poor, the maimed and the blind. By this, He shows us, either that handicaps do not exclude us from the Kingdom of Heaven that the Lord’s mercy forgives the weakness of sinners. Whoever glories in the Lord, glories as one redeemed from reproach, not by works but by faith.

He sends them into the highways because Wisdom sings aloud in passages. He sends them to the streets because He sent them to sinners, so that they should come from the broad paths, to the narrow way which leads to life. He sends them to the highways and hedges . They, who are not busied with any desires for present things, hurry to the future on the path of goodwill. Like a hedge, which separates the wild from the cultivated and wards off the attacks of wild beasts, they can distinguish between good and evil and extend a rampart of faith against the temptations of spiritual wickedness.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church (Exposition on the Gospel of Luke, 7).

PRAYER – O God, Who promised to those who forsake all things in this world for Thee, a hundred-fold reward in the world to come and life everlasting, mercifully grant that, following closely in the footsteps of the holy Bishop, Paulinus, we may look upon earthly things as nought and long only for those of Heaven. Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

MAY the Heart of JESUS in the most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the Tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen. Indulgence 100 Days, Once a day. Raccolta 161 Pope Pius IX, 29 February 1868.

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, HOLY COMMUNION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, VENIAL SIN

Thought for the Day – 21 June – The Eucharistic Life

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

The Eucharistic Life

“The Eucharistic life which is the life of union with Jesus, especially by means of daily Communion, transforms us and makes us holy.
It preserves and increases in us, the grace which is the supernatural life of the soul.
The Eucharist, of itself, does not bestow grace because, it is a Sacrament of the living.
It is our food and food is not given to the dead but, to the living.
For this reason, we should receive Holy Communion free from the stain of sin.
The Eucharist, moreover, remits venial sin, strengthens us in our resolution and increases our charity.
Venial sin, is a sickness of the soul.
Just as natural food banishes listlessness and vulnerability to disease, our Eucharistic nourishment has the same effect on our spiritual life.

It is because the Blessed Eucharist increases our love for Jesus, that it weakens our evil inclinations.
The Eucharist and sin, are mutually exclusive of one another because, the Eucharist is Jesus and sin is the devil.
Our Eucharistic food, moreover, produces, in our souls, a spiritual consolation which is a foretaste of the happiness of Heaven.

Let us listen to Jesus living within us.
He will enable us to forget our worldly cares and will raise us to a higher plane where, by God’s Infinite Goodness, we shall continue to grow in virtue.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/08/thought-for-the-day-8-august-the-eucharistic-life/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Quote/s of the Day – 21 June – St Aloysius de Gonzaga

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 June – St Aloysius de Gonzaga SJ (1568-1591)

“He who wishes to love God
does not truly love Him,
if he has not an ardent
and constant desire
to suffer for His sake.”

“Our part is to pray
that we may be worthy
of becoming His instruments.”

“All evangelical perfection
is attained by the continual
exercise of prayer.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/06/21/quote-s-of-the-day-21-june-st-aloysius-de-gonzaga-3/

St Aloysius de Gonzaga (1568-1591)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, JESUIT SJ, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 June – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.” 

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One Minute Reflection – 21 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Within the Cor[us Christi Octave –St Aloysius de Gonzaga SJ (1568-1591) Confessor – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11 – Matthew 22:29-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Master, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” … Matthew 22:36

REFLECTION – “O Lord, what is it that you require of Your servants? “Take my yoke upon you,” you say. And what sort of yoke is this? “My yoke is easy and my burden light.” Now who would not willingly bear a yoke that does not press down but gives strength; a burden that does not weigh heavily but refreshes? As You rightly added: “And you will find rest” (Mt 11:29). And what is this yoke of Yours that does not tire but gives rest? It is the first and greatest of the commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.” What could be easier, better or more agreeable than to love the goodness, beauty and love that is most perfectly Yours, O Lord my God?

Do You not offer a reward to those who keep the com­mandments, which are “more desirable than a heap of gold and sweeter than honey from the comb?” (Ps 19[18]:11) So in every way You offer a very ample reward, as James the Apostle says: “The Lord has prepared, the crown of life, for those who love Him” (Jas 1:12) (…) And Paul quotes these words from Isaiah: “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor 2:9).

That first and great commandment is not only profitable for the man who keeps it, or for God Who commands it, – the other commandments of God, also make perfect him who obeys them, improves him, instructs him and makes him illustrious – in a word, they make him good and holy. If you understand this, realise that you have been created for the glory of God and for your own eternal salvation. This is your end, this is the object of your soul and the treasure of your heart. You will be blessed if you reach this goal but miserable if you are cut off from it.” – St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Doctor of the Church (The Ascent of the Mind to God, 1).

PRAYER – O God, bestower of heavenly gifts, Who in the angelic youth Aloysius joined wondrous innocence of life to an equally wondrous love of penance; grant, by his merits and prayers, that we who have not followed him in his innocence may imitate him in his penance. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

OUR Lady of the Sacred Heart, Pray for Us! – Indulgence 100 Days. Everytime – Raccolta 174 St Pius X, 9 July 1904.

Posted in GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS

Thought for the Day – 20 June – The Worship of the Sacred Heart in Relation to the Love of God and of Our Neighbour

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Thought for the Day – 20 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Worship of the Sacred Heart
in Relation to the Love of God and of Our Neighbour

“The cult of the Sacred Heart demands, especially, the practice of the two great fundamental precepts of our Catholic Faith, namely, that we should love God above all things and our neighbour as ourselves.
The implementation of this teaching will transform our lives.

Do we love God above all things and more than we love ourselves?
What is the predominant concept in our minds?
Is it the concept of God?
What is the first love in our hearts?
Is it the love of God?
What is our main desire in life?
Is it the glory of God?
Or is it our own glory or our own pleasure?

We have still, a long way to go in the way of love of God which is the way of perfectiuon.
We can only really be said to be ourselves moreover, when we love God above all things and more than ourselves.
If a man does not love God above all things, neither does he love himself in the way in which he ought to love himself because, God is our only true to happiness.

Do we love our neighbour as ourselves?
How much moral and physical wretchedness do we see around us?
But do we try to remedy it by every means in our power, no matter what the sacrifice?
Or are we cold and disinterested?
Let us remember the words of St John the Apostle of Charity.
“In this we have come to know His love that He laid down His life for us and we likewise, ought to lay down our life for the brethren” (1 Jn 3:16).
Are we prepared to do this?
Are we at least prepared to give away whatever do do not need ourselves, in order to relieve poverty and want?

Anyone who is lacking in an effective love for God and for his neighbours, has no real devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/06/thought-for-the-day-6-june-the-worship-of-the-sacred-heart-in-relation-to-the-love-of-god-and-of-our-neighbour/

Posted in CATECHESIS, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, St Francis de Sales, The COMMUNION of SAINTS

Quote/s of the Day – 20 June – Visiting Jesus

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Quote/s of the Day – 20 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Within the Corpus Christi Octave

“Nowhere do we find our Saviour
more tender or more loving,
than here [in Adoration]
where He, so to speak,
annihilates Himself and reduces Himself
to Food, in order to penetrate our souls
and to unite Himself
to the hearts of His friends.”

“The Holy Eucharist
is the perfect Communion of Saints,
for it is the food common to Angels
and Sainted souls in Paradise
and ourselves – it is the true Bread
of which all Christians participate.
The forgiveness of sins,
the Author of forgiveness being there, is confirmed;
the seed of our resurrection sown,
life everlasting bestowed. …
This very belief in the Most Holy Sacrament,
which, in truth, reality and substance,
contains the true and natural
Body of Our Lord,
is actually the abridgment of our Faith,
according to that of the Psalmist:
“He had made a memory of His wonderful works.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

“When I go to the Chapel,
I place myself before the good God and I say to Him:
‘Lord, I am here.
Tell me what Thou would have me do.’
If He gives me some task I am content and I thank Him.
If He gives me nothing, I still thank Him
Since I do not deserve to receive anything more than that,
and then, I tell God everything that is in my heart.
I tell hIm about my pains and my joys and then I listen.
… God always speaks to you
when you approach Him plainly and simply.”

St Catherine Labouré (1806-1876)
The Visionary of the Miraculous Medal

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 June – The “bread of life” …

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One Minute Reflection – 20 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Within the Corpus Christi Octave – St Pope Silverius (Died 538) Martyr – 1 Corinthians 23-29 – John 6:56-59 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“This is the Bread which has come down from Heaven; not as your fathers ate the manna and died. He who eats this Bread shall live forever.” – John 6:59

REFLECTION – Christ is “the bread of life” for those who believe in Him: to believe in Christ is to eat the bread of life, to possess Christ within one, is to possess eternal life…
“I am the bread of life,” He says; “your fathers ate manna in the wilderness and they are dead” (Jn 6,48f). By this is to be understood spiritual death. Why are they dead? Because they believed in what they saw and did not understand what they could not see… Moses ate manna, Aaron ate it and many others, too, who pleased God and are not dead. Why are they not dead? Because they understood, in a spiritual fashion, they were spiritually hungry, they tasted the manna spiritually, so that they might be spiritually satisfied. “This is the bread that came down from heaven: whoever eats it will never die” (v.50).
This manna – that is to say, Christ, who Himself spoke like this…, was prefigured by the manna but was able to do more than manna could. For manna could not, of itself, prevent dying spiritually… But the righteous saw Christ in the manna, they believed in His coming and Christ, of whom manna was the symbol, grants to all who believe in Him that they should not spiritually die. Hence He says: “This is the bread come down from heaven; whoever eats it will never see death.” Here on earth, here now, before your eyes, your eyes of flesh: here is to be found the “bread from heaven” (v.51). The “bread of life” we spoke of a moment ago is now called “living bread.” Living bread because it contains, within itself, the life that abides and can deliver from spiritual death and bestow life. First He said: “Whoever eats it will never die” now he speaks clearly, concerning the life He gives: “Whoever eats this bread will live for ever” (v.58). Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury (c 1125-1190) Cistercian – The Sacrament of the Altar II

PRAYER – Look forgivingly on Thy flock, Eternal Shepherd and keep it in Thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Sylverius Thy Martyr and Sovereign Pontiff, whom Thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church. 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).

ALL PRAISE, honour and glory to the Divine Heart of JESUS. Indulgenced– 50 Days, once a day. 168 Pope Leo XIII, 14 June 1901.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 19 June – Corpus Christi

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Corpus Christi

“He who eats My Flesh
and drinks My Blood,
abides in Me and I in him. ”

John 6:57

“Receive the Body and Blood of Christ
very frequently. The sight of a Christian’s lips
red with the Blood of Christ terrifies the enemy.
He immediately recognises the sign of his own ruin.
He cannot stand the Instrument of Divine Victory,
by which he was taken captive and cast down.”

St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Doctor of the Church

“Everything in us which is strong, steadfast,
firm, happy and joyful to carry out God’s commands,
bear with misfortune, act obediently, stand up for justice –
all these things come from this Bread’s strength,
this Wine’s gladness.
Happy are they whose deeds are strong and joyful!
And since no-one can do it of themselves,
happy are they who have an eager desire
to cleave to what is just and right
and to be strengthened in everything
and rejoice through Him … ”

Baldwin of Canterbury (c1125-1190)
Cistercian Abbot of Forde Monastery and
Archbishop of Canterbury

“The Saviour has instituted
the most glorious Sacrament
of the Eucharist,
which truly contains His Body and His Blood,
so that, whoever eats it will live forever.
Therefore, those who receive it frequently,
with devotion, strengthen their spiritual life
and well-being, to such an extent,
that it is almost impossible for them
to be poisoned by any kind of evil attachment.”

(Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II, Chapter 20)

“I often speak with my Teacher, Jesus,
in the Blessed Sacrament
because I learn from Him.
Jesus is the Teacher of the science of holiness.
I go to Him because I would like to learn,
from Him, how to become a Saint.
Of what use to me is all knowledge
and education, if I do not become holy?”

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

Posted in ACT of LOVE, ACT of REPARATION, CONFESSION/PENANCE, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS

Thought for the Day – 18 June – The Sacred Heart of Jesus Pierced by a Crown of Thorns

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Thought for the Day – 18 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Crown of Thorns Which Surrounds the Sacred Heart

“There are many ways of showing our love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of making reparation for our sins and for the sins of mankind.
We can console ourselves with the reflection, that by these acts of love and reparation, we are removing the thorns which encircle and pierce the Heart of Jesus.
The simplest ways of doing this, are by prayers, aspirations and expressions of love, directed towards the adorable Heart of our Redeemer and, by visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
In silence and recollection, before the Tabernacle, we shall feel the Heart of Jesus, beating with love and, shall offer in return, for His infinite love, the affection of our poor hearts.

We can also receive Holy Communion in reparation.
When Jesus is in us and we are in Jesus, it will be easier and more pleasant, to offer Him our love and expiation.
We can make reparation also, by practising the devotion of the First Fridays of the month.
This pious practice, so pleasing to the Heart of Jesus, aims at being a mass offering of love and reparation, for the sins of the entire human race!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/09/thought-for-the-day-9-june-the-crown-of-thorns-which-surrounds-the-sacred-heart/

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES for CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The INCARNATION, The TRANSFIGURATION

Quote/s of the Day – 18 June – St Ephrem (306-373)Father & Doctor of the Church,

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Quote/s of the Day – 18 June – St Ephrem (306-373)
Father & Doctor of the Church, “The Harp of the Holy Ghost!”

“And lo a Voice out of the cloud, saying:
This is My Beloved Son, in Whom
I Am well pleased, hear ye Him.”
Matthew 17:5

“He leads them up a high mountain
and shows them His royalty before suffering,
His power before dying,
His glory before being insulted
and His honour before undergoing ignominy.
In this way, when He will be captured and Crucified,
His Apostles will understand
that He did not undergo this because of weakness
but, to consent and willingly so,
for the salvation of the world.”

“The Cross gives Light to the whole universe;
it casts out darkness
and gathers nations together in charity,
into One Church, One Faith, One Baptism…”

“Our Lord Jesus Christ
Has appeared to us from the bosom of the Father.
He has come and drawn us out of the shadows
And enlightened us with His joyful Light.

Day has dawned for humankind,
Cast out the power of darkness.
For us, a Light from His Light has arisen
That has enlightened our darkened eyes.

Over the world He has made His glory arise
And has lit up the deepest depths.
Death is no more, darkness has ended,
The gates of hell are shattered.

He has illumined every creature,
All the shades from times long past.
He has brought about salvation and given us Life;
Next He will come in glory.

Our King is coming in His great glory:
Let us light our lamps
and go out to meet Him (Mt 25,6);
Let us be glad in Him, as He has been glad in us
And gives us gladness, with His glorious Light.

My friends, arise! make yourselves ready
To give thanks to our Saviour King,
Who will come in His glory and make us joyful
With His joyous Light in the Kingdom.”

(Hymn I on the Resurrection)

“She is Virgin and Mother,
what will she not be hereafter?
Holy in body, all beautiful in soul,
pure of mind, upright in intelligence,
perfect in feeling,
chaste and faithful,
pure of heart and filled with virtue.

… Mary is the new Tree of Life,
who, instead of the bitter fruit picked by Eve,
gives to mankind that Sweet Fruit
on which the whole world is fed.”

“In her, God spun a garment
with which to save us.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/06/18/quote-s-of-the-day-18-june-the-harp-of-the-holy-ghost/

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father & Doctor of the Church
“The Harp of the Holy Ghost!”

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on TRUTH, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 June – ‘ … I have lit the light of your torch but it is up to you to see it is kept burning … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 18 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – St Ephrem (306-373)
Father & Doctor of the Church, “The Harp of the Holy Ghost!” – Timothy 4:1-8 – Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but upon a candlestick that it may shine to all in the house.” – Matthew 5:15

REFLECTION – “Men do not light a candle and put it under a bushel …” Through these words, Jesus again encourages His disciples to lead an irreproachable life, by advising them to watch over themselves constantly because, they are placed in the sight of all humankind, like athletes in a stadium, who are seen by the whole world (1 Cor 4:9).

He told them: “Do not say to yourselves: ‘Now we can stay here quietly sitting, we are hidden in a little corner of the world,’ for you will be visible to all humankind, like a City on top of a mountain (Mt 5:14), like a light in the house which has been placed on the lamp stand … I have lit the light of your torch but it is up to you to see it is kept burning, not just to your personal advantage but also, in the interest of all who will see it and who, through it, will be led to the Truth. The worst wickedness would not put a shadow over your light, if you live with the vigilance of those who are called to bring the whole world to good. So, let your life correspond to the holiness of your mission, so that God’s grace may be proclaimed everywhere.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on St Matthew’s Gospel No 15).

PRAYERS – O God, Who willed to enlighten Thy Church by the wondrous learning and glorious merits of the life of blessed Ephrem, Thy Confessor and Doctor, we humbly pray Thee that, by his pleading, Thou will shield her with Thy lasting power, against the snares of error and evil. 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).

MAY the Heart of JESUS in the most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the Tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen. Indulgence 100 Days, Once a day. Raccolta 161 Blessed Pius IX, 29 February 1868.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS

Thought for the Day – 17 June – The Necessity of Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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Thought for the Day – 17 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Necessity of Devotion
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

“It is necessary to develop and meditate on these words of Pius XI, (see Part One) from which, it is clear, that the cult of the Sacred Heart, not only contains the synthesis of Christianity, the religion of love but, contains the most effective guide to the knowledge, love and imitation of Jesus Christ.
From the first moment of His life, when He was an Infant in the cold, damp cave of Bethlehem, to the final moment, when He breathed His last upon the Cross, the Heart of Jesus was overflowing with love for us.
We can learn from this, to know our Divine Saviour better, so that appreciating more fully His infinite love for us, we shall feel an upsurge of gratitude and, of love.
We shall feel determined to live entirely for Him, as He lived entirely for us, to obey His commandments with generosity and, to imitate His example with the assistance of His grace.
This should be the result of our devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, especially during this month, which is consecrated to Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/02/thought-for-the-day-1-june-the-necessity-of-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart-

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on JUDGING, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN

Quote/s of the Day – 17 June – ‘… The austerity of false justice … ‘

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Quote/s of the Day – 17 June – 1 John 4:8-21 – Luke 6:36-42 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The disciple is not above his Master …”

Luke 6:40

“Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?
How then has it weeds?”

Matthew 13:27

“While the Householder slept,
the enemy sowed tares;
when the servants hastened to root them up,
the Master prevented them,
reserving for Himself the separation of wheat and chaff. … No-one, before the Day of Judgement,
can take Christ’s winnowing fan in hand,
no-one can pass judgement on another,
whoever they might be.”

St Jerome (343-420)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Guide Me Lord
By St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Church

O Lord Jesus Christ,
Who seeks those who stray
and receives them when returning,
make me approach Thee
through the frequent hearing of Thy Word,
lest I sin against my neighbour,
by the blindness of human judgement,
through the austerity of false justice,
through comparing his inferior status,
through too much trust in my merits
or through ignorance of the Divine Judgement.
Guide me to search diligently,
each corner of my conscience,
lest the flesh dominate the spirit!
Amen

“On the other hand, Charity
shall cover a multitude of sins.
If we have been always men of charity,
it is wonderful how God will seem
to have forgotten our many sins.
The poor whom we have helped
will pray for us, those whom we have comforted
in sorrow, will say kind things on our behalf
and our charitable judgeement of others,
will find its counterpart in God’s judgement of us.
Our sins will be concealed and disappear
under the mantle of our charity.
Is my charity such as this to cover my sins?”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on JUDGING, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 June – The disciple is not above his Master … Luke 6:40

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One Minute Reflection – 17 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – 1 John 4:8-21 – Luke 6:36-42 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The disciple is not above his Master …” – Luke 6:40

REFLECTION – “The blessed disciples were to be the spiritual guides and teachers of the whole world. It had, therefore, to be clearly seen by all that they held fast to the True Faith. It was essential for them to be familiar with the Gospel way of life, skilled in every good work and to give teaching which was precise, salutary and scrupulously faithful to the Truth they themselves had long pondered, enlightened by the Divine Radiance. Otherwise, they would be blind leaders of the blind. Those imprisoned in the darkness of ignorance can never lead others in the same sorry state, to knowledge of the Truth. Should they try, both would fall headlong into the ditch of the passions.

To destroy the ostentatious passion of boastfulness and stop people from trying to win greater honour than their teachers, Christ declared: “The disciple is not above his teacher.” Even if some should advance so far as to equal their teachers in holiness, they ought to remain within the limits set by them and follow their example. Paul also taught this when he said: “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ,” (1Cor 11:1).

So then, if the Master does not judge, why are you judging? He came not to judge the world (Jn 12:47) but to take pity on it. What He is saying, then, is this: “If I do not pass judgment, neither must you, My disciple. You may be even more guilty of the faults of which you accuse another… Why do you look for the speck in your brother’s eye?” – St Cyril of Alexandria (380-444) Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, 6).

PRAYER – From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of Thy blessed Apostles, Peter and Paul and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. 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).

HEART of JESUS burning with love of us, inflame our hearts with love of Thee. – 100 Days, once a day. (See Instructions. – Unless otherwise stated, e.g., “once a day,” a partial Indulgence may be gained any number of times in succession.) [169 Raccolta or Collection of Indulgences, 1910] Pope Leo XIII, 16 July 1893.

Posted in JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS

Thought for the Day – 16 June – The Divine Worker

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Thought for the Day – 16 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Divine Worker

“We should accept our daily work and sanctify it with prayer as Jesus did.
“To pray and to work” was the ancient motto of the Benedictines.

All work which is done with and for God, becomes, as it were, a sacrament which purifies and sanctifies us.
When we offer the sweat of our brow to God it becomes like holy water which washes away our faults, while our weariness is converted into prayer.

Aspiration:
Jesus, Divine Worker,
bless me, help me
and makle me holy.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/15/thought-for-the-day-14-june-the-divine-worker/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/15/thought-for-the-day-15-june-the-divine-worker/

Posted in DYING / LAST WORDS, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 June – St John Francis Régis

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 June – St John Francis Régis SJ (1597-1640) Priest, Confessor, Missionary

“The Catholic religion was the religion of your forefathers
and the only one Jesus Christ founded; –
the one which He promised would endure
till the end of time.
It is in the Catholic religion alone
that you can save your soul.”

“How long are you going to be deaf to His call?
Or are you going to lose your soul,
which Jesus Christ bought at the price
of His Precious Blood?”

“My child, it is indeed
the Voice of God you have heard.
He has given you a great grace
in thus calling you into His one true Church.
While you live,
never cease to thank Him
and bless Him for it.”

(All the above from – Rev Fr D. Chisholm,
The Catechism in Examples
(London: R & T Washbourne, Ltd

“Brother, I see our Lord and our Lady
opening the gates of Paradise for me.
Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”
St John Francis Regis on his deathbed

St John Francis Régis (1597-1640)

Posted in "Follow Me", CARMELITES, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, The HOLY GHOST, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 June – But, if Each One is distinct, how can we say that the Three are One Essence? St Teresa

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One Minute Reflection – June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Resumed Mass of Sunday – Ferial Day – St John Francis Régis SJ (1597-1640) Priest, Confessor, Missionary – Rom 11:33-36 – Matthew 28:18-20 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, Baptising them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:19-20

REFLECTION – “God gave me to see clearly the truth of the most Holy Trinity. It is just as learned theologians told me but I did not understand it as I do now… What I have seen is this – Three distinct Persons, Each One visible and Who speaks and to Whom we can speak. Afterwards, I thought how the Son alone took human flesh, which shows clearly that the Three Persons are distinct. The Persons love each other, communicate and know each other. But, if Each One is distinct, how can we say that the Three are One Essence? For this is what we believe. This is deepest truth and I would die for it a thousand times. In these Three Persons there is but One Will and One Power and One Might; neither can One be without the Others. There is One Sole Creator of all created things. Could the Son create an ant without the Father? No! because Their Power is One. The same is to be said of the Holy Ghost.

Thus, there is one God Almighty and the Three Persons are One Majesty. Is it possible to love the Father without loving the Son and the Holy Ghost? No, for those who please One of the Three Persons, please all Three Persons and those who offend One, offend all. Can the Father exist without the Son and without the Holy Ghost? No, for they are One in Being and where One is, there are the Three; they cannot be divided.

How is it, then, that we see that the Three Persons are distinct? And how is it that the Son, not the Father, nor the Holy Ghost, took human flesh? This is what I have never understood – theologians know it. What I know is that the Three were there when that marvellous work was done. I do not busy myself with much thinking about this, all my thinking comes down to this – God is Almighty, that He has done what He would do and can do what He wills. The less I understand it, the more I believe it and the greater the devotion it excites in me. May He be blessed for ever! Amen.” – St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Carmelite, Founder, Reformer, Doctor of the Church (Relations, 33).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servant, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness, both of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, Thy Saints, remembering Thy Confessor John Francis Regis, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of thine eternal. 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).

MAY the Heart of JESUS in the most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the Tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. – Indulgence 100 Days, Once a Day. Raccolta 161 Blessed Pius IX, 29 February 1868.

Posted in FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), GOD is LOVE, GOD the FATHER, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 15 June – Our Relationship with the Most Holy Trinity

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Thought for the Day – 15 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Our Relationship with the Most Holy Trinity

“The bonds of love between God and man which had been broken by sin, were restored by the Redemption.
The bonds of love between our soul and the Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity are described by St Bonaventure in this manner. (1) The soul is the daughter of the Divine Father. (2) It is the spouse of Jesus Christ. (3) It is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

The concept of our divine sonship can be found even in the Old Testament. “As one whom the mother caresseth,” God promises, “so will I comfort you” (Is 66:13).
But Jesus insisted in a special way on this concept of our divine sonship, so that we might love our heavenly Father more.
He told us to address God as Father in our prayers.
He described Him as a loving Father, waiting with love and forgiveness for His prodigal sons.
When leaving this earth, He told us: “I go to my Father and to your Father.”

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us.” writes St John, “that we should be called children of God and so we are” (1 Jn 3:1).
“You have not received a spirit of bondage,” explains St Paul, “so as to be again in fear but, you have received a spirit of adoption as sons, by virtue of which, we cry: “Abba! Father!” (Rom 8:15).
This divine paternity is the result of the elevation of our souls to the supernatural order by means of grace, which flows into our souls and makes us partakers of the very life of God.
It is necessary, therefore, to nourish this grace in ourselves by praying to our heavenly Father with humility and with perseverance.
It is equally essential for us to keep this grace alive by being obedient always to the commandments of God and to His holy Will.

Let us examine our behaviour and see if we can honestly claim that we are one with God in mind and in heart, in intention and action.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 June – “ … Baptising them, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” – Matthew 28:29

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One Minute Reflection – 15 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Pentecost I – Trinity Sunday – St Vitus (c290-c 303) – Martyr, One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Died aged 12-13 years of age – Rom 11:33-36 – Matthew 28:18-20.– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“ … Baptising them, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” – Matthew 28:19

REFLECTION – “This is the order of our faith, the foundation of the edifice and the support of our conduct – God, the Father, uncreated, uncontainable, invisible, One God, the Creator of all – this is the first article of our faith. And the second article – the Word of God, the Son of God, Christ Jesus our Lord, Who was revealed by the Prophets according to the character of their prophecy and according to the nature of the economies of the Father, by Whom all things were made and Who, in the last times, to recapitulate all things,’ became a Man amongst men, visible and palpable, in order to abolish death, to demonstrate life and to effect communion between God and man. And the third article – the Holy Ghost, through Whom the Prophets prophesied and the Patriarchs learnt the things of God and the righteous, were led in the path of righteousness and Who, in the last times, was poured out in a new fashion upon the human race, renewing man, throughout the world, to God.

For this reason the Baptism of our regeneration takes place through these three articles, granting us regeneration unto God the Father through His Son by the Holy Spirit – for those who bear the Spirit of God are led to the Word, that is to the Son, while the Son presents them to the Father and the Father furnishes incorruptibility. Thus, without the Spirit it is not possible to see the Word of God and without the Son, one is not able to approach the Father; for the knowledge of the Father is the Son and knowledge of the Son of God, is through the Holy Ghost, while the Spirit, according to the good-pleasure of the Father, the Son administers, to whom the Father wills and as He wills.” – St Irenaeus (130-202) Bishop of Lyons, Theologian and Martyr, Father of the Church (Demonstration of the apostolic preaching 6-7).

PRAYER – Almighty, Eternal God, Thou Who have given Thy servants, in the confession of the true Faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and in the power of that majesty, to adore its unity, grant, we beseech Thee, in the firmness of this Faith we may ever be protected from all harm. 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 "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, SACRED HEART QUOTES, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Thought for the Day – 14 June – “Learn from Me, For I Am Meek and Humble of Heart”

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Thought for the Day – 14 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Learn From Me, For I Am Meek
and Humble of Heart”

“Jesus is perfection itself.
In Him, therefore, every virtue is to be found.
He could truly claim that He fulfilled in Himself the precept: “You are to be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).
Throughout His life, He performed in a perfect manner, the will of His heavenly Father:  “I do always the things that are pleasing to Him” (Jn 8:29).

Jesus Christ provided us with an example of every virtue.
As the foundation of all the virtues, He insisted on the great precept of loving God above all things and our neighbour as ourselves.
In proposing Himself as a model, however, this is what He said: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart and ou will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:29).
The outstanding example which Jesus gave us for our imitation, was this meekness and humility of heart.
We shall have peace of soul only, if we are meek and humble.

In what did the humility of Jesus consist?
He was God and He became man.
He, Who possessed everything was born poor in a wretched stable and lived as a lowly workman for thirty years.
He allowed Himself to be betrayed by one of His Apostles, to be sentenced to death as an evildoer and, finally, to be executed on the Cross.

He combined humility with gentleness.
He was happy when He could receive back penitent sinners and grant them forgiveness and peace.
Let us recall the examples of Mary Magdalen, the adulteress, the lost sheep, the prodigal son and, finally, the repentant thief, to whom He promised the reward of Heaven.
What greater gentleness and mercy could we ever find?

To the present day, moreover, Jesus Christ is hidden in the Blessed Eucharist under the consecrated species and appeals to us to imitate and love Him.

When we are disturbed by pride, ambition, or worldly desires, let us go to Jesus and kneel in silence before the Tabernacle.
“Learn from me,” He will say to us once more, “for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY GHOST, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Quote/s of the Day – 14 June – St Basil the Great

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 June – St Basil the Great (329-379) Bishop of Caesarea, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church.

“No Christian should think of himself
as his own master
but each should rather so think and act,
as though given by God,
to be slave to his fellow brothers and sisters.”

“A person who wishes
to become the Lord’s disciple
must repudiate a human obligation,
however honourable it may appear,
if it slows us, ever so slightly,
in giving the wholehearted obedience
we owe to God.”

“I tell you, this man went back to his home justified,
rather than the other;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled
but he who humbles himself,
will be exalted”
Luke 18:14

“Be on your guard, therefore
and bear in mind, this example
of severe loss, sustained through arrogance.
… Never place yourself above anyone,
not even great sinners.
Humility often saves a sinner,
who has committed many terrible transgressions!”

“Through the Holy Spirit
comes our restoration to paradise,
our ascension into the Kingdom of Heaven,
our return to the adoption of sons,
our liberty to call God, Our Father,
our being made partakers of the grace of Christ,
our being called children of Light,
our sharing in eternal glory
and, in a word, our being brought
into a state of all “fulness of blessing,”
both in this world and in the world to come,
of all the good gifts that are in store for us,
by promise hereof, through faith,
beholding the reflection of their grace,
as though they were already present,
we await the full enjoyment.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/06/14/quote-s-of-the-day-14-june-st-basil-the-great-3/

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

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, GOD the FATHER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, The HOLY GHOST, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 June – ‘ … As for you, if you want to say or understand something about God … ‘ St Basil the Great

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One Minute Reflection – 14 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Ember Saturday – Pentecost Satuirday – Romans 5:1-5. – Luke 4:38-44 – St Basil the Great (329-379) Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And devils went out from many, crying out and saying: Thou art the Son of God. And rebuking them He suffered them not to speak; for they knew that He was Christ.” – Luke 4:41

REFLECTION – “The soul who loves God is never satisfied, yet, to speak of God is bold indeed, our minds are very far from so great a matter … The further one goes in the knowledge of God, the more one feels one’s powerlessness. This is what it was like for Abraham, this, too, was what it was like for Moses, even though they were able to see God – insofar as that is humanly possible – both made themselves least of all. Abraham referred to himself as “dust and ashes” Moses said of himself that he was stumbling and slow in speech (Gn 1827; Ex 4:10). In fact, he was giving testimony; the feebleness of his tongue gave voice to the greatness of Him, Whom his mind grasped. We speak about God, not as He Is but, insofar as we can grasp Him.

As for you, if you want to say or understand something about God, leave your bodily nature behind, forsake your bodily senses … Raise your mind above all created things and contemplate the Divine Nature, it is there, immutable, indivisible, inaccessible light, shining glory, most desirable goodness, inimitable beauty, by which the soul is wounded but unable to worthily put into words.

There is the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost … The Father is the principle of all things, the Cause of being of all that is, Origin of living creatures. He is the one from Whom flows the Source of Life, Wisdom, Power, the Image Who perfectly resembles the invisible God; the Son, begotten of the Father, living Word, Who is God and turned towards the Father (1 Cor 1:24; Heb 1:3; Jn 1:1). From this Name ‘Son’ we learn that He shares the same nature; He is not created through an order but unceasingly shines out from within His Own substance, one with the Father from all eternity, equal to Him in goodness, partaking in His glory … And when our intellect has been purified of all earthly passions and, has set aside every sensible creature, like a fish which rises from the depths to the surface, given back to the purity of its creation, it will then see the Holy Ghost where the Son and the Father are to be found. This Spirit, being of the same essence ,according to its nature, likewise possesses every good: goodness, uprightness, holiness, life … Just as burning belongs to fire and shining to light, so one can no more take away from the Holy Ghost the task of making holy or giving life, than of goodness and uprightness.” – St Basil the Great (329-379) Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on Faith).

PRAYER – We beseech Thee, O Lord, hear our prayers which we offer on the festival of blessed Basil, Thy Confessor and Bishop and through his intercessory merits, who had the grace to serve Thee worthily, absolve us from all our sins. 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).

DIVINE Heart of JESUS, convert sinners, save the dying, set free the holy souls in Purgatory. Indulgence 300 Days Everytime – St Pius X, 11 September, 1907.

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD is LOVE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The HOLY CROSS, The SIGN of the CROSS

Thought for the Day – 13 June – The Sacred Heart of Jesus Surmounted by a Flaming Cross

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Thought for the Day –13 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Surmounted by a Flaming Cross

“St Margaret Mary saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus, surmounted by flames in the midst of which, a Cross was raised on high.
These flames and this Cross, were the symbol of the Infinite Love of Jesus.
Let us reflect a little.
God, immeasurably happy in Himself, wished to communicate a share in His happiness to men, whom He created in a state of earthly happiness.
He was offended by men and, when He saw that they were heading for destruction, He sent His Eternal Word to them.
The Word took a human nature and became our Brother;  He preached the way to Heaven and gave us the means to achieve it.
More than this, He offered Himself as a Divine victim of expiation for our sins.
Having been condemned by those whom He had come to show the way, He died on the Cross and shed all His Blood, for our salvation.

Pagans of all times have called this “the folly of the Cross.”
In fact, it is the miracle of the Infinite Love of God for humanity.
Let us remember, however, that, although His Love and Goodness are Infinite, so also is His Justice!
It is an overwhelming miracle of love on the part of God, that He became man and died for us.
It will be our own downfall if we fail to co-operate with this miracle of love!

The same Jesus, Who died on the Cross for us and revealed His Heart, pierced and flaming with love, will one day appear with the same glorious Sign of the Cross, as our Supreme Judge.
Then, He will say to the wicked: “Depart from me, accursed ones, into everlasting fire!”

God’s Justice is, as Infinite as His charity!
We must choose either the way of the Cross, the way of love and goodness to which the Sacred Heart of Jesus invites us, or the way of sin, which leads to the gulf of ruin and the final condemnation of the Supreme Judge.
This is the tremendous choice we have to make!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MARIAN POETRY, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY

Quote/s of the Day – 13 June – St Anthony of Padua

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 June – St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Cpmfessor, Evangelical Doctor of the Church

“ Do you wish to have God
always in your mind?
Be just as He made you to be.
Do not go seeking another “you.”
Do not make yourself otherwise
than He made you.
Then you will always have God in mind.”

“Charity is the soul of faith
and makes it alive;
without love, faith dies!”

Prayer to St Anthony of Padua
for the Restoration of Things Lost or Stolen

O Blessed St Anthony!
the grace of God has made thee
a powerful advocate in all necessities
and the Patron for the restoration
of things lost or stolen.
To thee I turn today, with childlike love
and heartfelt confidence.
Oh, how many thousands
hast thou miraculously aided
in the recovery of lost goods!
Thou wast the counsellor of the erring,
the comforter of the afflicted,
the healer of the sick,
the raiser of the dead,
the deliverer of the captive,
the refuge of the afflicted.
To thee do I hasten, O Blessed St Anthony.
Help me in my present affliction.
I recommend that which I have lost to thy care,
in the secure hope that thou wilt restore it to me,
if it be to the greater glory of God
and to the spiritual benefit of my soul.
I pray too that I may praise and thank thee,
in time and eternity,
for thy glorious intercession on my behalf.
Amen

“Assumption”
Poem by Saint Anthony (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

O how wondrous is the dignity
of the glorious Virgin!
She merited to become the mother of Him
who is the strength and beauty of the Angels
and the grandeur of all the Saints.

Mary was the seat of our sanctification,
that is to say,
the dwelling place of the Son
Who sacrificed Himself for us.

“And I shall glorify the place
where my feet have stood.”
The feet of the Saviour signify His human nature.
The place where the feet of the Saviour stood
was the Blessed Mary,
who gave Him His human nature.

Today the Lord glorifies that place,
since He has exalted Mary
above the choirs of the Angels.
That is to say,
the Blessed Virgin,
who was the dwelling of the Saviour,
has been assumed bodily into Heaven.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/06/13/quote-s-and-prayers-of-the-day-13-june-st-anthony-of-padua/

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 June – O Lord, make haste, come quickly!

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One Minute Reflection – 13 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Ember Friday – Pentecost Friday – St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Cpmfessor, Evangelical Doctor of the Church – Joel 2:23-24; 26-27 – Luke 5:17-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But that you may know that the Son of man hath the power on earth, to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy), I say to thee too – Arise, take up thy bed and go into thy house. ” – Luke 5:24

REFLECTION – “Unhappy Adam! What more could you possibly seek than the Divine Presence? Yet, see how thanklessly you ponder your misdeed: “No! I will be like God!” (cf. Gen 3:5). What insufferable pride! You have only just been created out of clay and mud and, in your insolence, you wish to be like God!?… This is how pride brought forth disobedience, the reason for our misfortune…

What humility is there which could make amends for such a pride? What human obedience is there which could redeem such a fault? Captives who we were, how could we set captives free? Tainted, how could we liberate those stained by sin? Is Thy creature to die, then, my God? “Have Thou forgotten pity? Do Thou in anger withhold Thy compassion?” (Ps 76:10). Ah no! “My thoughts are thoughts of peace, not of woe”says the Lord (Jer 29:11).

O Lord, make haste, come quickly! Behold the tears of the poor; see, “the sighs of the prisoners come before Thee” (Ps 78:11). What a happy time it will be, what a glad and desirable day, when the Voice of the Father resounds: “Because of the misery of the wretched and the tears of the poor, now will I arise” (Ps 11:6)… Yes, “Come Thyself to save us, Lord, for there are no longer any more Saints” (cf Ps 11:2).” – St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167) Cistercian Abbot (Sermon for the Nativity).

PRAYER – May the solemn feast of blessed Anthony, Thy Confessor and Doctor, make Thy Church rejoice, O God, so that, ever sustained by spiritual help, she may deserve to reap everlasting joy. 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).

Sweet Heart of my JESUS, make me love Thee ever more and more! 300 Days Once a Day. ii. Plenary, Once a month. Raccolta – 162. Blessed Pope Pius IX, 26 November 1876.

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, Holy Name PRAYERS, I BELIEVE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, Quotes on SALVATION, The HOLY NAME

Our Morning Offering – 13 June – Sweet Jesus, Thy Name is JoyBy St Anthony of Padua

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Our Morning Offering – 13 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – The Feast of St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Cpmfessor, Evangelical Doctor of the Church

Sweet Jesus, Thy Name is Joy
By St Anthony of Padua OFM (1195-1231)
Doctor of the Church

Sweet Jesus,
is there anything sweeter than Thee?
To remember Thee is more delightful
than everything else.
Thy Name is joy – it is the true
Gate of our Salvation.
What else are Thou, Jesus,
if not our Saviour?
Be our Redeemer.
Give us the virtues of hope and love,
just as Thou hast given us faith,
our primary joy.
Give us the words which we need
to praise Thee always.
With the help and through the prayers
of Thy Mother.
Thou Who art blessed throughout the ages.
Amen

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS

Thought for the Day – 12 June – The Promises Made to Those who Practise Devotion to the Sacred Heart

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Thought for the Day – 12 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Promises Made to Those Who Practise
Devotion to the Sacred Heart

“The promises made by Jesus to those who are truly devoted to His Sacred Heart, are a new proof of His Infinite Love and Mercy.
However, if anyone were to cultivate devotion to the Sacred Heart, merely to gain His benefits and to think more of his own spiritual and temporal advantage than of Jesus, he would display a niggardly spirit, quite unworthy of the Lord’s favour.

The worship of the Sacred Heart could degenerate into a kind of utilitarian egoism, undeserving of the name of devotion at all!
Pious practices, could become cold and formal and degenerate into sentimentality tinged with superstition.
There is nothing to prevent us asking the Sacred Heart for graces and favours which we need.
In fact, we should do so, for it is He Who has made these promises to us and is eager to fulfil them because He loves us.
But, we should be generous with Jesus in return for His Infinite Generosity towards us.
We should love Him because He is so worthy of our love.
Our love should be expressed, not only in prayers and outward forms but, in a deep personal transformation, which will make us more like Jesus.

True love transforms and unites two hearts.
Let us love Jesus and we shall live with Jesus, through Jesus and in Jesus.
His love will effect in us, the miracle which it produces in St Paul.
“To me to live is Christ!” (1 Phil 1:21).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/07/thought-for-the-day-7-june-the-promises-made-to-those-who-practise-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart/