CATHOLIC Quotes – Page 232

EUCHARISTIC Adoration, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The PASSION, The RESURRECTION

Quote/s of the Day – 24 April – St Fidelis & St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier

Posted on April 24, 2019April 24, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 24 April – Wednesday of Easter week and the Memorial of St Fidelis of Sigmaringen OFM.Cap. (1577-1622) and St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier (1796-1868)

“Woe to me if I should prove myself
but a half-hearted soldier in the service
of my thorn-crowned Captain.”

“What made the holy apostles and martyrs
endure fierce agony and bitter torments,
except faith and especially faith in the resurrection?
What is it that today makes true followers of Christ
cast luxuries aside, leave pleasures behind
and endure difficulties and pain?
It is a living faith that expresses itself through love.
It is this that makes us put aside the goods of the present
in the hope of future goods. It is because of faith
that we exchange the present for the future.”

St Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577-1622)

“May your heart be an altar,
from which the bright flame,
of unending thanksgiving
ascends to heaven.”

“Draw near to our Lord, thoroughly aware
of you own nothingness and you may hope
all things from His Goodness and Mercy.
Never forget that Jesus Christ is no less generous
in the Blessed Sacrament than He was
during His mortal life on earth.”

O my God,
may every beat of my heart,
be a prayer, to obtain grace
and pardon for sinners.
May all my sighs, be so many
appeals to Your infinite mercy.
May each look, have the virtue,
to gain to Your love,
those souls, whom I shall look on.
May the food of my life,
be to work without ceasing
for Your glory
and the salvation of souls.
Amen

St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier (1796-1868)

EASTER, franciscan OFM, PAPAL MESSAGES, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 April – “Stay with us”

Posted on April 24, 2019April 23, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 24 April – Wednesday of Easter week, Gospel: Luke 24:13–35 and the Memorial of St Benedict Menni (1841-1914)

“Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them....Luke 24:29

REFLECTION – “When the disciples on the way to Emmaus asked Jesus to stay “with” them, He responded by giving them a much greater gift, through the Sacrament of the Eucharist He found a way to stay “in” them.
Receiving the Eucharist means entering into a profound communion with Jesus. “Abide in me, and I in you” (Jn 15:4). This relationship of profound and mutual “abiding” enables us to have a certain foretaste of heaven on earth. Is this not the greatest of human yearnings? Is this not what God had in mind when He brought about in history His plan of salvation? God has placed in human hearts a “hunger” for His word (cf. Am 8:11), a hunger which will be satisfied only by full union with Him. Eucharistic communion was given, so that we might be “sated” with God here on earth, in expectation of our complete fulfilment in heaven.
This special closeness which comes about in Eucharistic “communion” cannot be adequately understood or fully experienced apart from ecclesial communion… The Church is the Body of Christ – we walk “with Christ” to the extent that we are in relationship “with his body”. Christ provided for the creation and growth of this unity, by the outpouring of His Holy Spirit. And He Himself, constantly builds it up by His Eucharistic presence. It is the one Eucharistic bread which makes us one body. As the Apostle Paul states: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1Cor 10:17)…Saint John Paul II (1920-2005) – Apostolic Letter “ Mane nobiscum Domine ” §19-20

PRAYER – Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You.
Stay with me Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, so that I may not fall so often.
Stay with me Lord, for You are my life and without You, I am without fervour.
Stay with me Lord, for You are my light and without you, I am in darkness.
Stay with me Lord, to show me Your will.
Stay with me Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You…. St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968) (Excerpt)
And grant holy Father, that the prayers of St Benedict Menni, may assist us on our way. Through Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You, forever, amen. st benedict menni pray for us 24 april 2019.jpg

EASTER, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Christ is Risen! He is Truly Risen, Alleluia! – Thought for the day – 23 April – “Church of men, Church of women”

Posted on April 23, 2019April 23, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Christ is Risen! He is Truly Risen, Alleluia! – Thought for the day – 23 April – Tuesday of Easter Week Christ is risen - easter sunday - christc3b3s-anc3a9sti-1-april-2018

So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know, where they have laid him.”…John 20:2 the-greatest-easter-painting-elise-ehrhard-crises-mag

“Church of men, Church of women”

By Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)

In the Gospel, Mary of Magdala, the first person to see the open grave, rouses the two most important disciples – Peter (ecclesial office) and John (ecclesial love).

Both disciples run there “together” yet not together, for, unburdened by the cares borne by Office, Love runs faster. Yet Love yields to Office when it comes to examining the tomb and Peter thus becomes the first to view the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head and establish that no theft had occurred. That is enough to permit Love to enter, who “sees and believes” – not precisely in the Resurrection but in the correctness of all that has happened with Jesus. This is as far as the two symbolic representatives of the Church go – things have happened properly, faith in Jesus is justified, despite all the opaqueness of the situation.

It is the woman for whom this first turns into genuine belief in the Resurrection. She does not “go home” but perseveres at the place where the dead one disappeared, searching for Him.

The empty place becomes luminous, measured off by the two angels at the head and the foot. But this luminous emptiness is not enough for the Church’s love – the forgiven woman here, seems to represent the Woman herself, Mary the Mother, she has to have her one true Love. This she receives in Jesus’ call – “Mary!” With that, everything is more than complete – the sought after corpse is the eternally Living One. But she dare not hold Him, for He is on His way to the Father and earth ought not hold Him back. Instead it must consent. As it was with His Incarnation, so now with His return to the Father.

This Yes, turns into the happiness of the mission to the brethren, giving is more blessed than holding on.

The Church is Woman at her most profound depths, as woman she embraces both ecclesial office and ecclesial love, which belong together. “The woman will encompass the man” (Jer 31:22). mary of magdala rouses the two most important - hans urs von balthasar 23 april 2019 church of men church of women.jpg

CARMELITES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 23 April – Marked with His brand

Posted on April 23, 2019April 23, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 23 April – the Memorial of Bl Teresa Maria of the Cross OCD (1846–1910)

Do you know what it means
to be truly spiritual?
It means becoming the slaves of God.
Marked with His brand,
which is that of the Cross,
spiritual persons,
because now, they have given Him,
their liberty,
can be sold by Him,
as slaves of everyone,
as He was.
In acting this way,
He doesn’t do us any harm
but rather He grants us,
a not insignificant grace.

We have always seen,
that those who were
closest to Christ our Lord,
were those with the greatest trials.
Let us look at what
His glorious Mother suffered
and the glorious apostles.
Take up the Cross of Jesus.
Help your Spouse to carry the burden
that weighs Him down
and pay no attention
to what they may say about you.
If you should happen to stumble
and fall like your Spouse,
do not withdraw from the Cross or abandon it.
No matter how great your trials may be,
you will see, that they are quite small,
in comparison to His.

If we never look at Him
or reflect on what we owe Him
and the death He suffered for us,
I don’t know how we’ll be able
to know Him or serve Him.
And without these works in His service,
what value will our faith have?
And what value will our works have,
if they are separated,
from the inestimable merits
of Jesus Christ, our Good.
And then, who will bring us
to love this Lord?”

Blessed Teresa Maria of the Cross OCD (1846–1910)

MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 April – “..How is it you want to please Him only with words?

Posted on April 23, 2019April 23, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 23 April – Tuesday of Easter week, First Reading: Acts 2:36-41and the Memorial of Bl Teresa Maria of the Cross OCD (1846–1910)

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptised every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit...Acts 2:36-38 acts-2-36-38 (1) now when they heard this they were cut to the heart 3 april 2018.jpg

REFLECTION – “Fix your eyes on the Crucified and everything will become easy for you. If His Majesty showed us His love by means of such works and frightful torments, how is it you want to please Him only with words?”…Bl Teresa Maria of the Cross (1846–1910)

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, we confidently call You Father, as well as Lord. Renew Your Spirit in our hearts, make us ever more perfectly Your children. Grant that all who have received the grace of Baptism may strive to be worthy of their Christian calling and reject everything opposed to it. May the prayers of Bl Teresa Maria of the Cross (1846–1910), help us to grow in perseverance and strength as we follow in the way of the Cross.. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen. blessed teresa maria of the cross pray for us 23 april 2019.jpg

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The RESURRECTION

Christ is Risen! He is Truly Risen, Alleluia! – 22 April – The Easter praise of Christ

Posted on April 22, 2019April 22, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Christ is Risen! He is Truly Risen, Alleluia! – 22 April – Monday of Easter Week

The Easter praise of Christ

Saint Melito of Sardis (Died 180)
Apostolic Father of the Church, Bishop and Martyr

An excerpt from his Easter Homily

We should understand, beloved, that the paschal mystery is at once old and new, transitory and eternal, corruptible and incorruptible, mortal and immortal. In terms of the Law it is old, in terms of the Word it is new. In its figure it is passing, in its grace it is eternal. It is corruptible in the sacrifice of the lamb, incorruptible in the eternal life of the Lord . It is mortal in his burial in the earth, immortal in his resurrection from the dead.

The Law indeed is old but the Word is new. The type is transitory but grace is eternal. The lamb was corruptible but the Lord is incorruptible. He was slain as a lamb. he rose again as God. He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, yet he was not a sheep. He was silent as a lamb, yet he was not a lamb. The type has passed away; the reality has come. The lamb gives place to God, the sheep gives place to a man and the man is Christ, who fills the whole of creation. The sacrifice of the lamb, the celebration of the Passover and the prescriptions of the Law have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Under the old Law and still more under the new dispensation, everything pointed toward Him.

Both the Law and the Word came forth from Zion and Jerusalem but now the Law has given place to the Word, the old to the new. The commandment has become grace, the type a reality. The lamb has become a Son, the sheep a man and man, God.

The Lord, though he was God, became man. He suffered for the sake of those who suffer, He was bound for those in bonds, condemned for the guilty, buried for those who lie in the grave but He rose from the dead and cried aloud: Who will contend with Me? Let him confront Me. I have freed the condemned, brought the dead back to life, raised men from their graves. Who has anything to say against Me? I, He said, am the Christ, I have destroyed death, triumphed over the enemy, trampled hell underfoot, bound the strong one and taken men up to the heights of heaven – I am the Christ.

Come, then, all you nations of men, receive forgiveness for the sins that defile you. I am your forgiveness. I am the Passover that brings salvation. I am the lamb who was immolated for you. I am your ransom, your life, your resurrection, your light, I am your salvation and your king. I will bring you to the heights of heaven. With my own right hand I will raise you up and I will show you the eternal Father.

DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The RESURRECTION

Christ is Risen! He is Truly Risen, Alleluia! – 22 April – “Behold, He is here!”

Posted on April 22, 2019April 22, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Christ is Risen! He is Truly Risen, Alleluia! – 22 April – Monday of Easter Week

Quote of the Day

“And He departed from our sight
that we might return to our hearts
and find Him there.
For He left us
and behold,
He is here!”

Saint Augustine (354-430)

EASTER, MORNING Prayers, POETRY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 April – And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!”

Posted on April 22, 2019April 21, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 April – Monday of Easter Week, Gospel: Matthew 28:8–15

And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!”...Matthew 28:9

REFLECTION –
At dawn you were mourned
By women bearing spices,
Grant that my heart may also shed
Tears of fire for your burning love.

By grace of the angel’s tidings
Shouted from the pinnacle of the rock (Mt 28,2),
Let me hear the last trumpet sound
Proclaiming the resurrection.

With your body born of a Virgin
You were raised from a tomb, virgin and new,
You became for us the first-fruits
And firstborn from the dead

As for me, bound by the Foe
With the evil of bodily sin,
Set me free once more
As you have freed souls in the dwelling of the dead (1Pt 3:19).

You revealed yourself in the garden
To Mary Magdalene,
But have not consented to approach
One who is yet part of a fallen race.

Show yourself also to me on the eighth day,
At the great and final dawn
And graciously grant my unworthy soul
To draw near you at that time.

St Nerses Chnorhali (1102-1173)
Armenian Catholic Patriarch

PRAYER – Lord God, grant that Your people may hold fast in life to the mystery of new birth, which they received in faith. May Your glorified Son, Jesus our Hope, who broke the power of hell, destroying sin and death, stay ever with us in our struggles against temptation and guide our steps along the path that leads to a holy earthly end and to You in everlasting life. Mary, holy Mother, please help your children. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Who lives and reigns with God The Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen redemptoris mater pray for us 22 april 2019.jpg

DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS

A Blessed and Holy Easter to you all!

Posted on April 21, 2019April 21, 2019 by AnaStpaul

A Blessed and Holy Easter to you all!

Christós anésti.
Jesus Christ is risen! He is truly risen!
Alleluia
Amen

“The star of Bethlehem
shines forth in the dark night of sin.
Upon the radiance
that goes forth from the manger,
there falls the shadow of the cross.
In the dark of Good Friday,
the light is extinguished
but it rises more brightly, as the sun of grace.
on the morning of the resurrection.
The road of the incarnate Son of God,
is through the cross and suffering.
to the splendour of the resurrection.
To arrive with the Son of Man,
through suffering and death,
at this splendour of the resurrection,
is the road for each one of us,
for all mankind.”

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
[Edith Stein] (1891-1942)

Day of resurrection, day of our joy !

A homily attributed to Saint John Chrysostom (345-407) – Father & Doctor

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.” (Ps 118:24) Why? Because the sun is no longer darkened and everything is illuminated, the curtain in the Temple is no longer torn, the Church is revealed; we are no longer holding palm branches, we are surrounding the newly baptised.

“This is the day the Lord has made”… This now is the day in the real sense of the word, the triumphant day, the day consecrated to celebrating the resurrection, the day when we adorn ourselves with grace, the day when we share the spiritual Lamb, the day when we give milk to those who have just been born, the day when the plan of Providence for the poor is realised. “Let us rejoice and be glad in this day.”

This is the day when Adam was freed, when Eve was delivered from her pain, when savage death shuddered, when the power of rocks was broken, when the bars of the tomb were torn away…, when the unchangeable laws of the powers of hell were abrogated, when the heavens were opened because Christ, our Master, rose.

This is the day when, for the good of humankind, the green and fertile plant of the resurrection multiplied its offshoots all over the world as in a garden, when the lilies of the newly enlightened opened…, when the crowd of believers rejoices, when the martyrs’ crowns again grow green.

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

a-blessed-and-holy-easter-to-you-all-1-april-2018

CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CONFESSION/PENANCE, HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, STATIONS of the CROSS, The STATIONS of the CROSS

The Stations of the Cross – 20 April – Thirteenth & Fourteenth Stations

Posted on April 20, 2019April 20, 2019 by AnaStpaul

The Stations of the Cross – 20 April – Holy Saturday, – Easter Vigil in the Holy Night

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Begin with an Act of Contrition

Pardon us, O Lord, pardon us
By William of Saint-Thierry OSB, O.Cist. (c 1075-1148)
Abbot, Monk, Theologian, Mystic, Writer
Friend of St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

Pardon us, O Lord, pardon us.
We beg to shift the blame for our sins,
we make excuses.
But no-one can hide
from the Light of Your Truth,
which both enlightens those,
who turn to it
and exposes those,
who turn away.
Even our blood and our bones
are visible to You,
who created us out of dust.
How foolish we are,
to think that we can rule our own lives,
satisfying our own desires,
without thought of You.
How stupid we are,
to imagine that we can keep our sins hidden.
But although we may deceive other people,
we cannot deceive You.
And since You see into our hearts,
we cannot deceive ourselves,
for Your Light reveals to us,
our own spiritual corruption.
Let us, therefore, fall down before You,
weeping with tears of shame.
May Your judgement,
give new shape to our souls.
May Your power,
mould our hearts
to reflect Your love.
May Your grace,
infuse our minds,
so that our thoughts
reflect Your Will.
Amen pardon us o lord pardon us by william saint thierry - 20 april 2019 holy sat.jpg

The Thirteenth Station
Jesus is taken from the Cross, and laid in Mary’s Bosom

V. Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi.
R. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemisti mundum.
V. We adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
R. Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

THE multitude have gone home. Calvary is left solitary and still, except that St John and the holy women are there. Then come Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus and take down from the Cross the body of Jesus and place it in the arms of Mary.

O Mary, at last you have possession of your Son. Now, when His enemies can do no more, they leave Him in contempt to you. As His unexpected friends perform their difficult work, you look on with unspeakable thoughts. Your heart is pierced with the sword of which Simeon spoke. O Mother most sorrowful, yet in your sorrow there is a still greater joy. The joy in prospect nerved you to stand by Him as He hung upon the Cross, much more now, without swooning, without trembling, you receive Him to your arms and on your lap. Now you are supremely happy as having Him, though He comes to you not as He went from you. He went from your home, O Mother of God, in the strength and beauty of His manhood and He comes back to you dislocated, torn to pieces, mangled, dead. Yet, O Blessed Mary, you are happier in this hour of woe than on the day of the marriage feast, for then He was leaving you and now in the future, as a Risen Saviour, He will be separated from you no more.

Pater, Ave. &c. thirteenth station jesus is taken from the cross bl john henry newman 20 april 2019 holy sat

The Fourteenth Station
Jesus is laid in the Tomb

BUT for a short three days, for a day and a half—Mary then must give Him up. He is not yet risen. His friends and servants take Him from you and place Him in an honourable tomb. They close it safely, till the hour comes for His resurrection.

Lie down and sleep in peace in the calm grave for a little while, dear Lord and then wake up for an everlasting reign. We, like the faithful women, will watch around You, for all our treasure, all our life, is lodged with You. And, when our turn comes to die, grant, sweet Lord, that we may sleep calmly too, the sleep of the just. Let us sleep peacefully for the brief interval between death and the general resurrection. Guard us from the enemy, save us from the pit. Let our friends remember us and pray for us, O dear Lord. Let Masses be said for us, so that the pains of Purgatory, so much deserved by us and, therefore, so truly welcomed by us, may be over with little delay. Give us seasons of refreshment there, wrap us round with holy dreams and soothing contemplations, while we gather strength to ascend the heavens. And then let our faithful guardian Angels help us up the glorious ladder, reaching from earth to heaven, which Jacob saw in vision. And when we reach the everlasting gates, let them open upon us with the music of Angels and let St Peter receive us and our Lady, the glorious Queen of Saints, embrace us, and bring us to You, and to Your Eternal Father and to Your Co-equal Spirit, Three Persons, One God, to reign with Them forever and ever.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us. fourteenth station - tomb - bl john henry newman - 20 april 2019 holy sat

I love You, Lord Jesus,
my love above all things,
I repent with my
whole heart for having
offended You.
Never permit me
to separate myself from You again
grant that I may love always
and then do with me
what You will.
(St Alphonsus Liguori)

LET US PRAY

God, Who by the Precious Blood of Your only-begotten Son did sanctify the Standard of the Cross, grant, we beseech You, that we, who rejoice in the glory of the same Holy Cross, may at all times and places, rejoice in Your protection, Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Lord Jesus, I am too tired to go on but in You I find rest.
Lord Jesus, I feel so alone but You promised that You would never leave me.
Lord Jesus, I am so afraid but Your arms constantly protect me.
Lord Jesus, I cannot make it but You promise that You will carry me.
Lord Jesus, I am lost but through You and You alone I am found.

End with one Pater, Ave and Gloria, for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.

HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The PASSION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Holy Week Thoughts – 20 April – He slept so that we might be awakened, He died so that we might live.

Posted on April 20, 2019April 20, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Holy Week Thoughts – 20 April – Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil in the Holy Night

“Darkness is not dark for you and night shines as the day” (Ps 138:12)

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

We who are mortal need to sleep to restore our strength and, therefore, we interrupt our lives with this image of death that yet leaves us at least some scraps of life. In the same way all those who live in chastity, innocence and fervour, prepare for themselves the life of angels, in exchange for this burden of death, they will receive grace in the eternal life… Now, my brothers, listen to these few words I want to tell you about this coming night that we are about to live through…

Our Lord Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead on the third day, no Christian doubts this. The Holy Gospels testify, that this event occurred during this night… It is not from light to darkness but from darkness to light that we struggle to emerge. The apostle Paul warns us: “The night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us throw off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light” (Rom 13:12)… Hence we will stay up on this night when the Lord was raised and began, in His flesh, that life of which I spoke to you before, the life that has no death nor sleep. And the flesh that He raised from the tomb, will not die again or fall any longer under the law of death.

The women who loved Him came at dawn to visit His tomb, instead of finding His body they heard the voice of angels announcing His resurrection. No doubt then. that He was raised on the night before this dawn. Thus He, whose resurrection we celebrate during our long vigils, will make us reign with Him in an everlasting life . And even if, while we were watching, His body were still in the tomb and had not yet been raised, our watching would still have all its meaning, since He slept so that we might be awakened, He died so that we might live. psalm 138 12 darkness is not dark - he slept so that we might be awakend - st augustine holy sat 20 april 2019.jpg

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The RESURRECTION

Quote/s of the Day – 20 April – Yes, Lord, make us Easter people

Posted on April 20, 2019April 20, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 20 April – Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil in the Holy Night

“We give glory to You, Lord,
who raised up Your Cross to span the jaws of death
like a bridge by which souls might pass
from the region of the dead to the land of the living. ..
You are incontestably alive.
Your murderers sowed Your living body in the earth
as farmers sow grain but it sprang up
and yielded an abundant harvest of men
raised from the dead.”

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

“Sursum corda” – lift up your hearts, high above the tangled web of our concerns, desires, anxieties and thoughtlessness – “Lift up your hearts, your inner selves!” In both exclamations we are summoned, as it were, to a renewal of our Baptism: “Conversi ad Dominum” – we must distance ourselves ever anew from taking false paths, onto which we stray so often in our thoughts and actions. We must turn ever anew towards Him who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We must be converted ever anew, turning with our whole life towards the Lord. And ever anew we must allow our hearts to be withdrawn from the force of gravity, which pulls them down and inwardly we must raise them high,in truth and love. At this hour, let us thank the Lord, because through the power of His word and of the holy Sacraments, He points us in the right direction and draws our heart upwards.”

Pope Benedict

22 March 2008

Yes, Lord, make us Easter people,
men and women of light,
filled with the fire of Your love.
Amen

Pope Francis

CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, STATIONS of the CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The STATIONS of the CROSS

Friday of the Passion of the Lord, 3 p.m.

Posted on April 19, 2019April 19, 2019 by AnaStpaul

The Stations of the Cross – 19 April – Friday of the Passion of the Lord, 3 p.m.

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Begin with an Act of Contrition

The Twelfth Station
Lord Jesus, You die on the cross

You hang on a cross like a criminal, a few faithful gather at Your feet. Your mother is there as her Son drips to death for His human creatures.
Yet, even nailed to a cross and dying from the torture, there is no mercy for You.
You ask for a small compassion and are given gall to drink.
There is no mercy for You, yet You constantly plead for mercy for me.
You even give me the Mother that You chose for Yourself.
And in Your passion, without solace, alone in the midst of the crowd, cut off from everyone, You are utterly alone.
Defiled even as You die, cursed and ignored with no possibility of human comfort, You cry out Your agony from the cross and at that moment tear, any barrier, between Your Father and me.
I should be the one hanging on that cross, guilty with all my sin but out of love, You have taken my place.
You give your last drop of precious blood and then looking at me, You breathe Your last, bow Your head, and die…for me.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.

I love You, Lord Jesus,
my love above all things,
I repent with my
whole heart for having
offended You.
Never permit me
to separate myself
from You again
grant that I may love always
and then do with me
what You will.
(St Alphonsus Liguori)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be i love you lord jesus - st alphonsus - 19 april 2019 - good friday.jpg

HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – Friday of the Passion of the Lord

Posted on April 19, 2019April 19, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – Friday of the Passion of the Lord – 19 April

“Jesus was in a garden,
not of delight as the first Adam,
in which he destroyed himself
and the whole human race
but in one of agony,
in which He saved Himself
and the whole human race.”

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)

“Take your crucifix in your hand
and ask yourselves whether this is the religion
of the soft, easy, worldly, luxurious days in which we live;
whether the crucifix does not teach you
a lesson of mortification, of self-denial, of crucifixion of the flesh.”

Cardinal Henry Edward Manning (1808-1892)

“As is well known, the initial cry of the Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”, is recorded by the Gospels of Matthew and Mark as the cry uttered by Jesus dying on the Cross (cf. Mt 27:46, Mk 15:34). It expresses all the desolation of the Messiah, Son of God, who is facing the drama of death, a reality totally opposed to the Lord of life. Forsaken by almost all His followers, betrayed and denied by the disciples, surrounded by people who insult Him, Jesus is under the crushing weight of a mission that was to pass through humiliation and annihilation. This is why He cried out to the Father and His suffering took up the sorrowful words of the Psalm. But His is not a desperate cry, nor was that of the Psalmist who, in his supplication, takes a tormented path which nevertheless opens out at last into a perspective of praise, into trust in the divine victory.”

Pope Benedict XVI

General Audience 14 September 2011

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

One Minute Reflection – 19 April – Christ crucified!

Posted on April 19, 2019April 19, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – Friday of the Passion of the Lord – 19 April, Gospel: John 18:1–19:42

There they crucified him and with him two others, one on either side and Jesus between them….John 18:18

REFLECTION – “Great thing is the knowledge of the crucified Christ. How many things are enclosed inside this treasure! Christ crucified! Such is the hidden treasure of wisdom and science. Do not be deceived, then, under the pretext of wisdom. Gather before the covering and pray, that it may be uncovered. Foolish philosopher of this world, what you are looking for is worthless… What is the advantage of being thirsty, if you despise the source? … And what is His precept but that we believe in Him and love each other? In whom? In Christ crucified. This is His commandment – that we believe in Christ crucified … But where humility is, there is also majesty, where weakness is, there shall one find power, where death is, there shall be life as well. If you wish to arrive at the second part, do not despise the first!“…St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church – Sermon 160, 3-4)

PRAYER –
Jesu! by that shuddering dread which fell on Thee;
Jesu! by that cold dismay which sicken’d Thee;
Jesu! by that pang of heart which thrill’d in Thee;
Jesu! by that mount of sins which crippled Thee;
Jesu! by that sense of guilt which stifled Thee;
Jesu! by that innocence that girded Thee;
Jesu! by that sanctity that reign’d in Thee;
Jesu! by that Godhead which was one with Thee;
Jesu! spare those souls which are so dear to Thee;
Who in prison, calm and patient, wait for Thee;
Hasten, Lord, their hour and bid them come to Thee;
To that glorious Home, where they shall ever gaze on Thee.
Amen
The Angel of the Agony
Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

FATHERS of the Church, HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS

Don’t let go of the Cross of Christ – St Augustine

Posted on April 19, 2019April 19, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Friday of the Passion of the Lord – 19 April

“When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last, he said: ‘Truly, this man is the Son of God!’ ” (Mk 15:39)

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

Sermons on Saint John’s Gospel, no 2

“In the beginning was the Word, the Utterance of God” (cf. Jn 1:1). He is one and the same with Him; what He is, He is always; He is without change, He is being. This is the name He made known to His servant Moses: “I am who I am” and “You will say: I AM sent me to you” (Ex 3:14)… Who could understand this? Who could reach Him – supposing he were to direct all the powers of his soul as best he may to reaching Him who is? I will compare Him to an exile who sees his homeland from afar – the sea is separating him from it, he knows where he has to go but has no means of getting there. In the same way we want to reach that final haven which will be our own, where is the One who Is, for He alone is always the same. But the ocean of this world blocks the way…

He who calls us, came here below, to give us the means of getting there. He chose the wood that would enable us to cross the sea – indeed, no-one can Cross the ocean of this world, who is not borne by the Cross of Christ. Even the blind can cling to this Cross. If you can’t see where you are going very well, don’t let go of it, it will guide you by itself. So then, brethren, this is what I should like to impress on your hearts, if you want to live in a spirit of devotion, a christian spirit, cling to Christ just as He became for us, so as to rejoin Him as He is now and as He has always been. This is why He came down to us, for He became man that He might take up the weak, enabling them to cross the sea and disembark into the homeland, where a ship is no longer needed, because there is no more ocean to cross.

In all events, it would be better for one’s soul not to see Him who is and to embrace Christ’s Cross, than to see Him spiritually but despise the Cross. So, for our own happiness, may we both see where we are going and cling to the ship that is taking us there…! Some have succeeded and have seen what He is. It was because he had seen Him that John said: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” They saw Him and, to attain what they saw from afar, they clung to the Cross of Christ. They did not despise the humility of Christ. he who calls us - friday of the passion of the lord - st augustine - 19 april 2019.jpg

CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, STATIONS of the CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The STATIONS of the CROSS

The Stations of the Cross – 18 April – Maundy Thursday

Posted on April 18, 2019April 18, 2019 by AnaStpaul

The Stations of the Cross – 18 April – Maundy Thursday

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Begin with an Act of Contrition

Forgive my sins, O my God,
forgive my sins –
the sins of youth,
the sins of age,
the sins of my soul
and the sins of my body,
the sins which, through frailty,
I have committed,
my deliberate and grievous sins,
the sins I know
and the sins I do not know,
the sins I have laboured so long
to hide from others,
that now they are hidden
from my own memory;
let me be absolved
from all these iniquities
and delivered from
the bond of all these evils,
by the Life, Passion and Death
of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen

The Ninth Station
Again, a third time, Jesus falls

JESUS had now reached almost to the top of Calvary but, before He had gained the very spot where He was to be crucified, again He fell and is again dragged up and goaded onwards by the brutal soldiery.

We are told in Holy Scripture of three falls of Satan, the Evil Spirit. The first was in the beginning; the second, when the Gospel and the Kingdom of Heaven were preached to the world, the third will be at the end of all things. The first is told us by St John the Evangelist. He says: “There was a great battle in heaven. Michael and his Angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought, and his angels. And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And that great dragon was cast out, the old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan.” The second fall, at the time of the Gospel, is spoken of by our Lord when He says, “I saw Satan, like lightning, falling from heaven.” And the third by the same St John: “There came down fire from God out of heaven, … and the devil … was cast into the pool of fire and brimstone.”

These three falls—the past, the present and the future—the Evil Spirit had in mind when he moved Judas to betray our Lord. This was just his hour. Our Lord, when He was seized, said to His enemies, “This is your hour and the power of darkness.” Satan knew his time was short and thought he might use it to good effect. But little dreaming that he would be acting in behalf of the world’s redemption, which our Lord’s passion and death were to work out, in revenge and, as he thought, in triumph, he smote Him once, he smote Him twice, he smote Him thrice, each successive time a heavier blow. The weight of the Cross, the barbarity of the soldiers and the crowd, were but his instruments. O Jesus, the only-begotten Son of God, the Word Incarnate, we praise, adore and love You for Your ineffable condescension, even to allow TYourself, thus for a time, to fall into the hands and under the power of the Enemy of God and man, in order thereby, to save us, from being his servants and companions for eternity.

Or this

This is the worst fall of the three. His strength has for a while utterly failed Him and it is some time before the barbarous soldiers can bring Him to. Ah! it was His anticipation of what was to happen to me. I get worse and worse. He sees the end from the beginning. He was thinking of me all the time He dragged Himself along, up the Hill of Calvary. He saw, that I should fall again in spite of all former warnings and former assistance. He saw, that I should become secure and self-confident and that my enemy would then assail me with some new temptation, to which I never thought I should be exposed. I thought my weakness lay all on one particular side which I knew. I had not a dream that I was not strong on the other. And so, Satan came down on my unguarded side and got the better of me, from my self-trust and self-satisfaction. I was wanting in humility. I thought no harm would come on me, I thought I had outlived the danger of sinning, I thought it was an easy thing to get to heaven and I was not watchful . It was my pride and so I fell a third time.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.

I love You, Lord Jesus,
my love above all things,
I repent with my whole heart
for having offended You.
Never permit me to separate myself
from You again grant that I
may love always
and then do with me what You will.
(St Alphonsus Liguori)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The PASSION, The RESURRECTION

Holy Week Thoughts – Maundy Thursday – 18 April – The perfection of love

Posted on April 18, 2019April 18, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Holy Week Thoughts – Maundy Thursday – 18 April

The perfection of love

Saint Augustine (354-430)
Bishop and Great Western Father and Doctor of the Church

An excerpt from his Treatise 84

Dear brethren, the Lord has marked out for us the fullness of love that we ought to have for each other. He tells us – No-one has greater love than the man who lays down his life for his friends. In these words, the Lord tells us what the perfect love we should have for one another involves. John, the evangelist who recorded them, draws the conclusion in one of his letters – As Christ laid down His life for us, so we too ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. We should indeed love one another as He loved us, He who laid down His life for us.

This is surely what we read in the Proverbs of Solomon: If you sit down to eat at the table of a ruler, observe carefully what is set before you, then stretch out your hand, knowing that you must provide the same kind of meal yourself. What is this ruler’s table, if not the one at which we receive the body and blood of Him who laid down His life for us? What does it mean to sit at this table if not to approach it with humility? What does it mean to observe carefully what is set before you, if not to meditate devoutly on so great a gift? What does it mean to stretch out one’s hand, knowing that one must provide the same kind of meal oneself, if not what I have just said: as Christ laid down His life for us, so we in our turn, ought to lay down our lives, for our brothers? This is what the Hpostle Paul said – Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we might follow in his footsteps.

This is what is meant by providing “the same kind of meal.” This is what the blessed martyrs did, with such burning love. If we are to give true meaning, to our celebration of their memorials, to our approaching the Lord’s table, in the very banquet at which they were fed, we must, like them, provide “the same kind of meal.”

At this table of the Lord we do not commemorate the martyrs in the same way as we commemorate others who rest in peace. We do not pray for the martyrs as we pray for those others, rather, they pray for us, that we may follow in His footsteps. They practised the perfect love, of which the Lord said, there could be none greater. They provided “the same kind of meal” as they had themselves received at the Lord’s table.

This must not be understood as saying, that we can be the Lord’s equals by bearing witness to Him, to the extent of shedding our blood. He had the power of laying down His life, we by contrast, cannot choose the length of our lives and we die, even if it is against our will. He, by dying, destroyed death in Himself; we are freed from death only in His death. His body did not see corruption, our body will see corruption and only then be clothed through Him, in incorruption, at the end of the world. He needed no help from us in saving us, without Him, we can do nothing. He gave Himself to us, as the vine to the branches, apart from Him, we cannot have life.

Finally, even if brothers die for brothers, yet no martyr by shedding his blood brings forgiveness for the sins of his brothers, as Christ brought forgiveness to us. In this, He gave us, not an example to imitate but a reason for rejoicing. Inasmuch, then, as they shed their blood for their brothers, the martyrs provided “the same kind of meal” as they had received at the Lord’s table. Let us then love one another as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us. he need no help from us - st augustine - 18 april 2019 holy thursday.jpg

FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 18 April – Love, or the name of God

Posted on April 18, 2019April 18, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 18 April – Maundy Thursday

Love, or the name of God

St John Climacus (579-649)

The Ladder of Divine Ascent; 30,6-9.21.16

God is love. (1Jn 4:8) So he who wishes to define this, tries with bleary eyes to measure the sand in the ocean.

Love, by reason of its nature, is a resemblance to God, as far as that is possible for mortals. In its activity it is inebriation of the soul and by its distinctive property, it is a fountain of faith, an abyss of patience, a sea of humility.

Love is essentially the banishment, of every kind of contrary, for love thinks no evil. Love, dispassion and adoption, are distinguished, as sons from one another, by name and name only. Just as light, fire and flame combine to form one power, it is the same with love, dispassion and adoption. love by reason of its nature - st john climacus - 18 april 2019 holy thursday.jpg

He who has perfectly united his feeling to God is mystically led by Him to an understanding of His words. But without this union, it is difficult to speak about God.

If the face of a loved one, clearly and completely changes us and makes us cheerful, joyous and carefree, what will the face of the Lord not do, when He makes His presence felt, invisibly in a soul? if the face of a loved one - st john climacus 15 april 2019 holy thursday.jpg

“Love wakes much and sleeps little
and, in sleeping, does not sleep.
It faints but is not weary;
it is restricted in its liberty
and is great freedom.
It sees reasons to fear
and does not fear
but, like an ember or a spark of fire,
flames always upward,
by the fervour of its love, toward God
and through the special help of grace,
is delivered from all perils and dangers.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, MORNING Prayers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 April -He loved them to the end…”

Posted on April 18, 2019April 18, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 18 April – Holy Thursday, Gospel: John 13:1–15

Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end...John 13:1 john 13 1 -now before the feast of the passover - 18 april 2019 holy thursday.jpg

REFLECTION – “The footwashing” – This shows “His love for them to the end” – this is an act of love that Peter, understandably, perceives as completely unacceptable, as turning the world upside-down. Yet, precisely this inversion, is the most upright thing possible. One must first let it happen to himself, precisely as the Lord did it – in His incomparable love’s humbling – before he can take it as “an example” (13:14) for himself and practice this self-abasement with the brethren. This is the Gospel’s tangible demonstration of the subsequent passage’s description of the mystery of the Eucharist – Christians should, like Christ Himself, become edible food and potable drink, for each other.”…Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)

“Christianity is above all a gift: God gives himself to us – He does not give some thing but Himself. And this takes place not only at the beginning, at the moment of our conversion. He continually remains the One who gives. He always offers us His gifts anew. He always precedes us. For this reason, the central action of being Christians is the Eucharist: gratitude for having been gratified, the joy for the new life that He gives us.”...Pope Benedict XVI 20 March 2008 Holy Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper

PRAYER – Love of You, with our whole heart, Lord God, is holiness. Increase then Your gifts of divine grace in us, so that, as in Your Son’s Death, You made us hope for what we believe, You may likewise, in His Resurrection, make us come to You, our final end. Listen we beg, to the prayers of Your holy ones and may the Blessed Mother walk along with us and keep our hand, ever in hers. Through Jesus Himself, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God with You, forever and ever, amen. our lady mother of sorrows pray for us 26 march 2019.jpg

NOTES to Followers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRATITUDE

Appeal Update – 17 April – Thank you!

Posted on April 17, 2019April 17, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Appeal Update – 17 April

“Would that I could exhaust myself,
in acts of thanksgiving and gratitude,
towards this Divine Heart,
for the great favour He shows us,
in deigning to accept our help,
to make Him known, loved and honoured.
He reserves infinite blessings for all those
who devote themselves to this work.”

St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)

Dear Jennie

Holy Mass and daily prayers, will be offered for you on Tuesday 23 April, in gratitude for your sincere and loving Donation to keep this little apostolate going.

May the Lord shine His Face upon you and yours!

Love
Ana

CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HOLY WEEK 2019, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, STATIONS of the CROSS, The PASSION, The STATIONS of the CROSS

The Stations of the Cross – 17 April – The 7th and 8th Stations

Posted on April 17, 2019April 17, 2019 by AnaStpaul

The Stations of the Cross – 17 April – Wednesday of Holy Week

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Begin with an Act of Contrition:

ACT OF CONTRITION

Forgive my sins, O my God, forgive my sins:
the sins of youth,
the sins of age;
the sins of my soul
and the sins of my body;
the sins which, through frailty, I have committed;
my deliberate and grievous sins,
the sins I know and the sins I do not know,
the sins I have laboured so long to hide from others,
that now they are hidden from my own memory;
let me be absolved from all these iniquities
and delivered from the bond of all these evils,
by the Life, Passion, and Death
of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen act-of-contrition-ash-wed-17 march 2019.jpg

The Seventh Station
Jesus falls a second time

THE pain of His wounds and the loss of blood increasing at every step of His way, again His limbs fail Him and He falls on the ground.

What has He done to deserve all this? This is the reward received by the long-expected Messias from the Chosen People, the Children of Israel. I know what to answer. He falls because I have fallen. I have fallen again. I know well that without Your grace, O Lord, I could not stand and I fancied that I had kept closely to Your Sacraments, yet in spite of my going to Mass and to my duties, I am out of grace again. Why is it but because I have lost my devotional spirit and have come to Your holy ordinances in a cold, formal way, without inward affection. I became lukewarm, tepid. I thought the battle of life was over and became secure. I had no lively faith, no sight of spiritual things. I came to church from habit and because, I thought others would observe it. I ought to be a new creature, I ought to live by faith, hope and charity but I thought more of this world, than of the world to come—and at last I forgot that I was a servant of God and followed the broad way that leads to destruction, not the narrow way which leads to life. And thus I fell from You.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.

I love You, Lord Jesus,
my love above all things,
I repent with my whole heart
for having offended You.
Never permit me to separate myself
from You again grant that I
may love always
and then do with me what You will.
(St Alphonsus Liguori)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be the seventh station jesus falls 2nd time - what has he done - bl johnhenry newman 17 april 2019.jpg

The Eighth Station
Jesus comforts the Women of Jerusalem

AT the sight of the sufferings of Jesus the Holy Women are so pierced with grief that they cry out and bewail Him, careless what happens to them by so doing. Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”

Ah! can it be, O Lord, that I shall prove one of those sinful children for whom You bid their mothers to weep. “Weep not for Me,” He said, “for I am the Lamb of God and am making atonement at My own will for the sins of the world. I am suffering now but I shall triumph and, when I triumph, those souls, for whom I am dying, will either be my dearest friends or my deadliest enemies.” Is it possible? O my Lord, can I grasp the terrible thought that You really did weep for me—weep for me, as You did weep over Jerusalem? Is it possible that I am one of the reprobate? possible that I shall lose by Your passion and death, not gain by it? Oh, withdraw not from me. I am in a very bad way. I have so much evil in me. I have so little of an earnest, brave spirit to set against that evil. O Lord, what will become of me? It is so difficult for me to drive away the Evil Spirit from my heart. You alone can effectually cast him out.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.

I love You, Lord Jesus,
my love above all things,
I repent with my whole heart
for having offended You.
Never permit me to separate myself
from You again grant that I
may love always
and then do with me what You will.
(St Alphonsus Liguori)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be i love you lord jesus - st alphonsus 11 april 2019.jpg

HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on SANCTITY

Holy Week Thoughts – 17 April – Give Me everything

Posted on April 17, 2019April 17, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Holy Week Thoughts – 17 April – Wednesday of Holy Week

All belong to you and you belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God.

…1 Corinthians 3:22-23

The thousands of people, events, ideas and plans that occupy my inner life must become all one in the One and Only Name, Jesus.

I know that I have to move from speaking about Jesus to letting Him speak within me, from thinking about Jesus to letting Him think within me, from acting for and with Jesus, to letting Him act through me.

I know that the only way for me to see the world, is to see it through His eyes.

Everything has to become very simple, very unified, very focused. It is no longer a question of being up-to-date and well-informed.

At this moment in history, my own, as well as that of the world, I have to go to the very centre of being – the centre where time touches eternty, where earth and heaven meet, where God’s Word becomes human flesh, where death and immortality embrace.

There is really no longer a question of options.

With an unmistakable clarity, I have heard a voice saying:

“Give Me everything and I will give you everything.”

Fr Henri Nouwen (1932-1996)

My Lord, I Offer You Myself
Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

My Lord,
I offer You myself in turn,
as a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
You have died for me,
And I in turn make myself over to You.
I am not my own.
You have bought me:
I will, by my own act and deed,
complete the purchase.
My wish is to be separated
from everything of this world;
To cleanse myself simply from sin;
To put away from me even what is innocent,
If used for its own sake
and not for Yours.
I put away reputation and honour
and influence and power,
For my praise and strength,
shall be in You.
Enable me to carry out what I profess
Amen

HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The RESURRECTION

Quote of the Day – 17 April 2019 – The Passion

Posted on April 17, 2019April 17, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 17 April 2019 – Wednesday of Holy week

“In the passion of our blessed Saviour,
six things chiefly are to be meditated upon.

First, the bitterness of His sorrow,
that we may compassionate with Him.

Secondly, the greatness of our sins,
which were the cause of His torments,
that we may abhor them.

Thirdly, the greatness of the benefit,
that we may be grateful for it.

Fourthly, the excellency of the divine charity
and bounty therein manifested,
that we may love Him more fervently.

Fifthly, the convenience of the mystery,
that we may be drawn to admiration of it.

Lastly, the multiplicity of virtues
of our blessed Saviour which did shine
in this stupendous mystery, that we may
partly imitate and partly admire them.”

St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562)

“Anyone who turns away from the Cross, turns away from the Resurrection.”

Pope Francis

HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 April – “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

Posted on April 17, 2019April 16, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 17 April – Wednesday of Holy Week, Gospel: Matthew
26:14-25

When it was evening, he sat at table with the twelve disciples and as they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”...Matthew 26:20-21

REFLECTION – “He took other human friends, when He had given up His Mother—the twelve Apostles—as if He desired that in which He might sympathise. He chose them, as He says, to be, “not servants but friends” (Jn 15:15). He made them His confidants. He told them things which He did not tell others. It was His will to favour, nay, to indulge them, as a father behaves towards a favourite child. He made them more blessed than kings and prophets and wise men, from the things He told them. He called them “His little ones” (Jn 13:33), and preferred them for His gifts to “the wise and prudent” (Mt 11,25). He exulted, while He praised them, that they had continued with Him in His temptations (Lk 22:28) and, as if in gratitude, He announced that they should sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (v.30). He rejoiced in their sympathy when His solemn trial was approaching.

He assembled them about Him at the last supper, as if they were to support Him in it. “With desire,” He says, “have I desired to eat this Pasch with you, before I suffer” (Lk 22:15). Thus there was an interchange of good offices and an intimate sympathy between them. But it was His adorable will that they too should leave Him, that He should be left to Himself. One betrayed, another denied Him, the rest ran away from Him and left Him in the hands of His enemies… Thus He trod the winepress alone. He who was Almighty, and All-blessed and who flooded His own soul with the full glory of the vision of His Divine Nature, would still subject that soul to all the infirmities which naturally belonged to it and, as He suffered it to rejoice in the sympathy and to be desolate under the absence, of human friends, so, when it pleased Him, He could and did, deprive it of the light of the presence of God.”…Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890) Meditations and Prayers, Part III

PRAYER – Oh dear God and Father, let us stay with Your Son and never betray or desert Him. The One You sent to save us, needs our love and fidelity in return for His ineffable love. Teach us holy Father, do not abandon us to our weakness but help us to love Him in return with all our hearts, minds and souls. As you holy Mother loved your Son and your God, help us to be perfect imitators of your Immaculate heart. Through Jesus, with the Holy Spirit, one god forever, amen. mary immaculate holy mother of god - pray for us - 28 may 2018.jpg

CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HOLY WEEK 2019, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, STATIONS of the CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The STATIONS of the CROSS

The Stations of the Cross – 16 April – The Sixth Station Jesus and Veronica

Posted on April 16, 2019April 16, 2019 by AnaStpaul

The Stations of the Cross – 16 April – Tuesday of Holy Week

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Begin with an Act of Contrition

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

O my God,
I am exceedingly grieved for having offended thee
and with my whole heart
I repent of the sins I have committed.
I hate and abhor them above every other evil,
not only because, by so sinning,
I have lost heaven and deserved hell
but still more, because I have offended thee,
O infinite Goodness,
who are worthy to be loved above all things.
I most firmly resolve,
by the assistance of thy grace,
never more to offend thee for the time to come
and to avoid those occasions
which might lead me into sin.
Amen

Note: It is little known that St Robert is the Author of this, one of our most widely used prayers

The Sixth Station
Jesus and Veronica

AS Jesus toils along up the hill, covered with the sweat of death, a woman makes her way through the crowd and wipes His face with a napkin. In reward of her piety, the cloth retains the impression of the Sacred Countenance upon it.

The relief which a Mother’s tenderness secured is not yet all she did. Her prayers sent Veronica as well as Simon—Simon to do a man’s work, Veronica to do the part of a woman. The devout servant of Jesus did what she could. As Magdalen had poured the ointment at the Feast, so Veronica now offered Him this napkin in His passion. “Ah,” she said, “would I could do more! Why have I not the strength of Simon, to take part in the burden of the Cross? But men only can serve the Great High Priest, now that He is celebrating the solemn act of sacrifice.”

O Jesus! let us one and all minister to You according to our places and powers. And as You did accept from Your followers refreshment in Your hour of trial, so give to us the support of Your grace when we are hard pressed by our Foe. I feel I cannot bear up against temptations, weariness, despondency and sin. I say to myself, what is the good of being religious? {138} I shall fall, O my dear Saviour, I shall certainly fall, unless You renew for me my vigour like the eagle’s and breathe life into me by the soothing application and the touch of the Holy Sacraments which You have appointed. the sixth station - jesus and veronica - 16 april - bl john henry newman - o jesus i shall certainly fall - 16 april 2019.jpg

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.

I love You, Lord Jesus,
my love above all things,
I repent with my whole heart
for having offended You.
Never permit me to separate myself
from You again grant that I
may love always
and then do with me what You will.
(St Alphonsus Liguori)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

FATHERS of the Church, HOLY WEEK 2019, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The PASSION

Holy Week Thoughts – 16 April – Peter’s Denial

Posted on April 16, 2019April 16, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Holy Week Thoughts – 16 April – Tuesday of Holy Week, Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Peter’s Denial

Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times….John 13:38

Saint Romanos the Melodist (c 490-c 556)

Hymnist – Hymn 34

O Good Shepherd, You who have laid down Your life for Your sheep (Jn 10:11), come quickly, O holy One and save Your flock…

After the meal Christ said: “Children, my dear disciples, this night you will all deny and abandon me” (cf. Jn 16:32). And since all were seized by the same astonishment, Peter exclaimed: “Even though all deny you, I shall not deny you. I shall remain with you and die with you, crying out to you: Come quickly, O Holy One, and save your flock.”

“Master, what are You talking about? I deny you? I abandon You and flee? And am I no longer to remember Your call and the honour You have shown me? I still call to mind how You washed my feet and now, do you say: “You will deny me”? Once again I see You coming, carrying a basin, You who uphold the earth and support the sky. With the hands that fashioned me my feet have just been washed and do You now assert that I will fall and I will no longer cry out to You: “Come quickly, O Holy One and save Your flock ?”…

At these words man’s Creator answered Peter: “What are you saying, Peter, my friend? You will never deny Me? never flee from Me? never reject Me? I, too, would wish to think so. But your faith is unstable and you do not stand up to temptation. Do you not you remember how you might nearly have drowned had I not stretched out my hand to you? You most certainly walked on the sea as I did myself but immediately you hesitated and quickly gave way (Mt 14:28f.). Then I ran towards you who were crying aloud: “Come quickly, O Holy One, and save Your flock.”

“See, from now on I tell you – before the cock crows three times you will deny Me and, letting yourself be attacked on all sides and your spirit submerged as by the waves of the sea, you will deny Me three times. You who cried out to Me then and are about to weep, you will find Me no longer now extending My hand as before, for I shall be using it to write a bill of remission on behalf of all Adam’s descendants. My visible flesh I will take as My paper and My blood as ink to write out this gift, which I endlessly distribute to those who cry aloud: “Come quickly, O Holy One, and save your flock!” peter's denial john 13 38 - you who cried out to me then - st romanus the melodist 16 april 2019 .jpg

QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 April – For to you has been granted…not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him…

Posted on April 16, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 16 April – Tuesday of Holy Week and the Memorial of St Benedict Joseph Labre – Known as the Beggar of Perpetual Adoration (1748-1783) and St Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879)

For to you has been granted, for the sake of Christ,
not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him…

Philippians 1:29

“God afflicts us
because He loves us
and it is very pleasing to Him,
when, in our afflictions,
He sees us abandon ourselves
to His paternal care.”

St Benedict Joseph Labre (1748-1783)

“The more I am crucified,
the more I rejoice.”

St Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879)

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY WEEK 2019, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 April – He comforts such as are troubled

Posted on April 16, 2019April 15, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 16 April – Tuesday of Holy Week, Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”…John 13:21

REFLECTION – “He was troubled, then, who had power to lay down His life and had power to take it again. That mighty power is troubled, the firmness of the rock is disturbed, or is it rather, our infirmity that is troubled in Him? Assuredly so, let servants believe nothing unworthy of their Lord but recognise their own membership in their Head. He who died for us, was also Himself troubled in our place. He, therefore, who died in power, was troubled in the midst of His power. He who shall yet transform the body of our humility, into similarity of form, with the body of His glory, has also transferred into Himself, the feeling of our infirmity and sympathises with us in the feelings of His own soul. Accordingly, when it is the great, the brave, the sure, the invincible One that is troubled, let us have no fear for Him, as if He were capable of failing, He is not perishing but in search of us [who are]. Us, I say, it is us exclusively, whom He is thus seeking, that in His trouble we may behold ourselves and so, when trouble reaches us, may not fall into despair and perish. By His trouble, who could not be troubled, save with His own consent, He comforts such as are troubled unwillingly.”…St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – Almighty Father, we are slow to understand. In that love that You have for us and the grace, mercy and forgiveness You grant us. You gave Your only Son to save us from ourselves, help our lowly hearts, that we may understand Your love and in our smallness, offer all of our hearts, minds and souls, back to You in total submission and love. May Your saints and angels, help us on our way by their prayers and may Mary, the Sorrowful Mother of our Saviour, grant us, her heart, to love You in return. We make our prayer through our Saviour, Your Son, Jesus Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen. mater dolorosa mother of sorrows pray for us 16 april 2019.jpg

DOCTORS of the Church, HOLY WEEK 2019, LENT 2019, MARIAN QUOTES, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, STATIONS of the CROSS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The PASSION, The STATIONS of the CROSS

The Stations of the Cross – 15 April – Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross

Posted on April 15, 2019 by AnaStpaul

The Stations of the Cross – 15 April – Monday of Holy Week

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Begin with an Act of Contrition

The Fifth Station
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross

V. Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi.
R. Quia per sanctam Crucem tuam redemisti mundum.
V. We adore You, O Christ and we bless You.
R. Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

At length His strength fails utterly and He is unable to proceed. The executioners stand perplexed. What are they to do? How is He to get to Calvary? Soon they see a stranger who seems strong and active—Simon of Cyrene. They seize on him and compel him to carry the Cross with Jesus. The sight of the Sufferer pierces the man s heart. Oh, what a privilege! O happy soul, elect of God! he takes the part assigned to him with joy.

This came of Mary’s intercession. He prayed, not for Himself, except that He might drink the full chalice of suffering and do His Father’s will but she showed herself a mother by following Him with her prayers, since she could help Him in no other way. She then sent this stranger to help Him. It was she who led the soldiers to see that they might be too fierce with Him. Sweet Mother, even do the like to us. Pray for us ever, Holy Mother of God, pray for us, whatever be our cross, as we pass along on our way. Pray for us and we shall rise again, though we have fallen. Pray for us when sorrow, anxiety, or sickness comes upon us. Pray for us, when we are prostrate under the power of temptation and send some faithful servant of thine to succour us. And in the world to come, if found worthy to expiate our sins in the fiery prison, send some good Angel to give us a season of refreshment. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God. the fifth station simon of cyrene helps jesus 15 april 2019.jpg

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us.

I love You, Lord Jesus,
my love above all things,
I repent with my whole heart
for having offended You.
Never permit me to separate myself
from You again grant that I
may love always
and then do with me what You will.
(St Alphonsus Liguori)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be we adore you o christ - i love you lord jesus - st alphonsus - stations 15 april 2019.jpg

	Santas e Santos do d… on Nuestra Señora de la Palabra /…
	Santa Rosa Venerini… on Saint of the Day – 7 May…
	Beata Anna Rosa Gatt… on Saint of the Day – 6 May…
	AnaStpaul on Saint of the Day – 5 May – Sai…
	hughie1 on Saint of the Day – 5 May – Sai…

St Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577-1622)

St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier (1796-1868)

Share this:

Share this:

“Church of men, Church of women”

By Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)

Share this:

Blessed Teresa Maria of the Cross OCD (1846–1910)

Share this:

Share this:

The Easter praise of Christ

Saint Melito of Sardis (Died 180) Apostolic Father of the Church, Bishop and Martyr

Share this:

Saint Augustine (354-430)

Share this:

Share this:

A Blessed and Holy Easter to you all!

Christós anésti. Jesus Christ is risen! He is truly risen! Alleluia Amen

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross [Edith Stein] (1891-1942)

Day of resurrection, day of our joy !

Share this:

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

The Thirteenth Station Jesus is taken from the Cross, and laid in Mary’s Bosom

The Fourteenth Station Jesus is laid in the Tomb

Share this:

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

Share this:

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

Pope Benedict

Pope Francis

Share this:

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

The Twelfth Station Lord Jesus, You die on the cross

Share this:

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)

Cardinal Henry Edward Manning (1808-1892)

Pope Benedict XVI

Share this:

Share this:

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

Share this:

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

The Ninth Station Again, a third time, Jesus falls

Share this:

The perfection of love

Saint Augustine (354-430) Bishop and Great Western Father and Doctor of the Church

Share this:

Love, or the name of God

St John Climacus (579-649)

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

The Seventh Station Jesus falls a second time

The Eighth Station Jesus comforts the Women of Jerusalem

Share this:

Fr Henri Nouwen (1932-1996)

Share this:

St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562)

Pope Francis

Share this:

Share this:

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

The Sixth Station Jesus and Veronica

Share this:

Peter’s Denial

Saint Romanos the Melodist (c 490-c 556)

Share this:

Philippians 1:29

St Benedict Joseph Labre (1748-1783)

St Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879)

Share this:

Share this:

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

The Fifth Station Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross

Share this:

Saint Melito of Sardis (Died 180)
Apostolic Father of the Church, Bishop and Martyr

Christós anésti.
Jesus Christ is risen! He is truly risen!
Alleluia
Amen

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
[Edith Stein] (1891-1942)

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

The Thirteenth Station
Jesus is taken from the Cross, and laid in Mary’s Bosom

The Fourteenth Station
Jesus is laid in the Tomb

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

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

The Twelfth Station
Lord Jesus, You die on the cross

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

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

The Ninth Station
Again, a third time, Jesus falls

Saint Augustine (354-430)
Bishop and Great Western Father and Doctor of the Church

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

The Seventh Station
Jesus falls a second time

The Eighth Station
Jesus comforts the Women of Jerusalem

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

The Sixth Station
Jesus and Veronica

Meditations on the Stations of the Cross
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

The Fifth Station
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross