Category: CATHOLIC Quotes

Posted in "Follow Me", LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS

Thought for the Day – 6 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 – 6 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 PATRONAGE-INFERTILITY & SAFE CHILDBIRTH, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 June – St Norbert

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 June – St Norbert (c 1080-1134) Bishop, Confessor, Patron for peace, invoked during childbirth for safe delivery, of infertile married couples.

“A talkative, over-curious and restless person
is like an oven which is open
and exposed on all sides
and which keeps no heat;
you will never enjoy the sweetness
of a quiet prayer unless you shut your mind
to all worldly desires and temporal affairs.”

MORE and
A Prayer to St Norbert
for a Safe Childbirth:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/06/quote-s-of-the-day-6-june-st-norbert-and-a-prayer-for-his-intercession-for-a-safe-childbirth/

St Norbert (c1080-1134)

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 June – “Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21

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One Minute Reflection – 6 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – St Norbert (c 1080-1134) Bishop, Confessor, Founder of the Premonstratensian or the Norbertine Canons and Sisters, “Defender of the Eucharist” and “Apostle of the Eucharist,”– Sirach 44:16-27; 45:3-20, Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21

REFLECTION – “The Word of the Father, Only-begotten Son of God, Sun of Justice (Mal 3:20), is the great Merchant Who has brought us the price of our redemption. It is atruly precious exchange that we can never value sufficiently when a King, Son of the King most high, has become the Coin, the Gold has paid our dues, the Just Man is given for the sinner. Truly unmerited mercy, perfectly disinterested love, astonishing goodness…, it is a completely disproportionate purchase, in which the Son of God is delivered up for the servant, the Creator is put to death for the one He has created, the Lord is condemned for His slave.

O Christ, these are Your works, You Who descended from Heaven’s brightness into our hellish darkness, to bring light to our gloomy prison. You came down from the Right Hand of the Divine Majesty, into our human misery, to redeem the human race, You Who descended from the Father’s glory to death on the Cross, to triumph over death and its author. You are the only One and there is no other but You Who could have been drawn to redeem us through Your own goodness…

Let all the merchants of Teman (Bar 3:23) withdraw from this place… it is not they but Israel [Your] beloved that [You have] chosen, You Who hide these mysteries from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to those babes and humble servants of Yours (Lk 10:21)… O Lord, I willingly embrace this purchase since it concerns me! I remember all the things You have done, You Who desire that I should keep them alive… Therefore, I shall profit by this talent which you have loaned to me until Your return and will stand before You with great joy. O God, grant that I may then hear these sweet words: “Well done, good servant! Enter the joy of your Lord” (Mt 25:21).” – St Bernard O.Cist. (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, known as the Last Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church (Selected sermons, no 42: The Five Purchases).

PRAYER – To God, Who made blessed Norbert, Thy Confessor and Bishop, a brilliant preacher of Thy Word and through him, enriched Thy Church with a new religious family, grant, we beseech Thee, that by his prayerful intercession and Thy help, we may be able to do what he has taught us by his words and deeds. 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 MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on DEATH, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The HOLY VIATICUM

Thought for the Day – 5 June – The Sacred Heart and the Holy Viaticum

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

The Sacred Heart and the Holy Viaticum

“From a sudden and unprovided death,
O Lord, deliver us.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
I give Thee my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
assist me now
and in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
may I breathe forth my soul
in peace with Thee.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/05/thought-for-the-day-5-june-the-sacred-heart-and-the-holy-viaticum/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/05/thought-for-the-day-5-june-the-sacred-heart-and-the-holy-viaticum-2/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 June – St Boniface

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 June – The Memorial of St Boniface (672-754) Martyr “The Apostle of Germany,” Confessor, Bishop

“In her voyage across the ocean of this world,
the Church is like a great ship
being pounded by the waves
of life’s different stresses.
Our duty is not to abandon ship
but to keep her on her course.”

“Let us trust in Him. Who has
placed this burden upon us.
What we ourselves cannot bear,
let us bear, with the help of Christ.
For He is All-powerful
and He tells us:
‘My yoke is easy and my burden light.’”

“Let us be careful shepherds
watching over Christ’s flock.
Let us preach the whole of God’s plan,
to the powerful and to the humble,
to rich and to poor,
to men of every rank and age,
as far as God gives us the strength,
in season and out of season.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/05/quote-s-of-the-day-5-june-st-boniface-2/

St Boniface (c672-754)
Martyr, Confessor, Bishop
“The Apostle of Germany”

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PURITY, SAINT of the DAY, The BEATITUDES, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 June – ‘We want to see God, we seek to see Him, we ardently desire to see Him. Who does not desire this?’ – St Augustine

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One Minute Reflection – 5 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – The Memorial of St Boniface (672-754) Martyr “The Apostle of Germany,” Confessor, Bishop – Ecclesiasticus 44:1-15. Matthew 5,1-12.– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“They shall see God.” – Matthew 5:8

REFLECTION – “We want to see God, we seek to see Him, we ardently desire to see Him. Who does not desire this? But note what the Gospel says: “Blest are the pure of heart, they shall see God.” Do what is necessary in order to see Him! To compare it with something from material reality, how can you want to contemplate the rising sun if your eyes are sick? If your eyes are healthy that light will be a pleasure for you; if they are sick, it will be torture for you. You will surely not be allowed to see with an impure heart what one can only see with a pure heart. You will be moved away, put at a distance, you will not see!

How often did the Lord proclaim people to be ‘blest‘? What reasons for eternal happiness did He cite, what good works, what gifts, what merits and what rewards? No other! the beatitude says, “They shall see God.” This is what the others say: “How blest are the poor in spirit, the reign of God is theirs. Blest are the lowly; they shall inherit the land. Blest are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled. Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill. Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs.” So none other asserts, “They shall see God.”

The vision of God is promised ONLY to people with a pure heart. This is not without a reason, since the eyes that allow us to see God are in the heart. Those are the eyes the Apostle Paul was talking about when he said: “May He enlighten your innermost vision” (Eph 1:18). So, at the present time because of their weakness, those eyes are enlightened by faith; later, because of their strength, they will be enlightened by vision… “Now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face.” (1 Cor 13:12).” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 53).

PRAYER – O God, Who, through the zeal of blessed Boniface, Thy Martyr and Bishop, graciously called a multitude of people to the knowledge of Thine Name, mercifully grant that we, who keep his feast, may also enjoy his patronage.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 BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING

Our Morning Offering – 5 June – Eternal God, Our Refuge By St Boniface

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Our Morning Offering – 5 June – The Memorial of St Boniface (672-754) Martyr “The Apostle of Germany,” Confessor, Bishop

Eternal God, Our Refuge
By St Boniface (672-754)
Martyr

Eternal God,
the refuge and help of all Thy children,
we praise Thee for all Thou hast given us,
for all Thou hast done for us,
for all that Thou art to us.
In our weakness, Thou art strength,
in our darkness, Thou art light,
in our sorrow, Thou art comfort and peace.
We cannot number Thy blessings,
we cannot declare Thy love –
for all Thy graces, we bless Thee.
May we live as in Thy presence,
and love the things that Thou loves
and serve Thee in our daily lives,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on PHYSICAL SICKNESS, ILLNESS, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales

Quote/s of the Day – 3 June – A lesson in being sick …

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 June – Ember Saturday of Pentecos – Joel 2:28-32, Luke 4:38-44 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And standing over her,
He commanded the fever and it left her.
And immediately rising,
she ministered to them.”

Luke 4:39

“She believed firmly that God was not the first,
nor the second, nor the third cause of her illness,
for He is not the cause of sickness in any way whatever.
Since He is not the cause of sin,
then He is not the cause of sickness either.
But just as He permits sin,
He sends infirmities to correct and purify us of it.”

“Thus, we must be submissive to His Justice,
as well as to His Mercy, keeping a humble silence.
This will make us tranquilly embrace
the events of His Providence, as David did,
who, in his afflictions said:
“I suffered and was silent because I knew
that it was Thou Who sent them to correct me
and purge me of my guilt.” [Ps.38: 10-12].

Our fever patient did the same.
“Thou have sent me the fever
and I have accepted it. I have submitted myself,
both to Thy Justice and to Thy Mercy.
Just as Thou sent it to me, without my asking for it,
so Thou can take it away,
without my asking Thee to do so.
Thou knows better than I do
what is best for me.
I have no need to trouble myself about it.
It is sufficient for me
that Thou look at me and that Thou knows
that I am sick in my bed!”

(Sermon for the Thursday
after the Third Sunday of Lent, 3 March 1622,
concerning the cure of St Peter’s mother-in-law).

“He who seeks only the glory of God,
finds it in poverty, as in abundance. ”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY FACE, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 June –

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One Minute Reflection – 3 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Ember Saturday of Pentecost – Joel 2:28-32, Luke 4:38-44 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And when it was day, going out, He went into a desert place … ” – Luke 4:42

REFLECTION – “Lead me away, meanwhile, my Refuge and my Strength, into the heart of the desert as once Thou led Thy servant Moses; lead me where the bush burns, yet is not burnt away, where the holy soul which… is all aflame with the fullness of the fire of Thy Holy Spirit and, burning like the Seraphim, is not consumed but cleansed…

The soul attains to the holy place where none may stand or take another step, except he be bare-footed—having loosed the shoe-strings of all fleshly hindrances… This is the place where He, Who Is, Who cannot be seen as He Is, Is notwithstanding, heard to say, “I Am Who Am,” the place where, for the time, the soul must cover her face so that she does not see the Face of God and yet, in humble obedience must use her ears to hear what the Lord God will say concerning her.

Hide me then in the day of evil, O Lord, in the secret place of Thy tabernacle, in the hidden recesses of Thy Face, “far from the strife of tongues” (Ps 26:5; 30:21), for Thy yoke is easy and the burden Thou hast laid on me is light (Mt 11:30). And when Thou show me the difference between Thy service and the service of the world, gently and tenderly Thou asks me if it is not better to serve Thee, the living God, than to serve strange gods (Cf 2 Chron 12:8). And I, for my part, adore the hand that lays the load, I kiss the yoke and I embrace the burden and it is very sweet to me to sweat beneath its weight. For masters other than Thee, have long possessed me… I acknowledge Thy yoke and Thy light burden which lifts me up and does not crush me down. …” – William of St Thierry O.Cist (c1075 – c1148) Cistercian Monk, Mystic, Theologian, Writer (Meditations IV, 10-11).

PRAYER – Graciously pour into our minds, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the Holy Spirit, Whose wisdom created us and Whose providence governs us. 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. 50 Days Indulgence, Once a day, Raccolta, 168 Pope Leo XIII, 13 June 1901.

Posted in GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS

Thought for the Day – 2 June – The Necessity of Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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

The Necessity of Devotion
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

“O my Jesus, Thou Who art Love itself, enkindle in my heart the Divine Fire which consumed and transformed the Saints.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/02/thought-for-the-day-1-june-the-necessity-of-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/02/thought-for-the-day-2-june-the-necessity-of-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – Forgive and be forgiven

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – Pentecost Friday – Joel 2:23-24; 26-27, Luke 5:17-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Thy sins are forgiven thee …
Arise and walk.”

Luke 5:23

Prayer for Mercy
and Forgiveness
By St Macarius of Egypt (c 300-390)

Lord, be merciful now
that my life is approaching its end
and the evening awaits me.
There is not enough time
for me to cleanse myself of my sins,
for they are so many.
Heal me while I am still on earth
and I shall be truly healthy.
In Thy mercy,
move me to repent,
so that I shall not be ashamed,
when I meet Thee in Heaven.
Amen

“What evil can your enemy do to you
which would be comparable to that,
which you do to yourself? …
If you let yourself go, in indignation and anger,
you will be wounded, not because of the injury
your enemy inflicted upon you
but, from the resentment you feel because of it.
So do not say: “He insulted me, he slandered me,
he did a great number of wretched things to me.”
The more you say he did evil things to you,
the more you show that he did you good,
since he gave you an opportunity
to purify yourself of your sins.
Thus, the more he offends you,
the more he places you in a state
of obtaining the forgiveness of your faults from God.
For if we want, no-one can damage us;
even our enemies are thus doing us a great service…
So consider how many advantages
you draw from an injury that is suffered humbly
and gently!”

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

“Then the righteous shall shine like the sun
in the kingdom of their Father.”
Matthew 13:43

“So from now on, run well (cf. Gal 5:7)
and may the devil not bewitch you (cf Gal 3:1)
nor hinder you! …
May mercy, peace, charity,
freedom from envy,
from jealousy and ostentation
come upon you, docility, friendly speech,
solidarity, compassion
towards each other, humility.”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)

“By sin, O Jesus,
I gave Thee Thy Death
but I do not despair of Thy Forgiveness.
Those Scourges call me,
those Arms extended invite me
that injured Heart offers me
a secure shelter.”

St Gabriel Francis Possenti
of Our Lady of Sorrows (1838-1862)

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, INDULGENCES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 June – ‘ … Each day He sees our lack of faith … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 2 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – The Feast of the Martyrs Saints Marcellinus and Peter the Exorcist (Martyred in 304) – Joel 2:23-24; 26-27, Luke 5:17-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts?” – Luke 5:22

REFLECTION – “Thanks to the faith of others the cripple’s soul would be cured before his body. “Seeing their faith,” the Gospel says. Note here, my brethren, that God is not interested in what foolish people want and does not expect to find faith among the ignorant … among those who conduct themselves badly. On the other hand, He does not refuse to come to the help of others’ faith. Such faith is a gift of grace, at one with God’s will … In His Divine Goodness, Christ the Physician, strives to draw to salvation, even in spite of themselves, those affected by sickness of soul, those whom the burden of their sins and offences overwhelms, even to delirium. Yet, they do not want to submit.

O my brethren, if only we wanted to, if only we all wanted to perceive our soul’s paralysis in all its depth! Then we would see that it is lying on a stretcher of sins, deprived of strength. Christ’s action within us, would be a source of light and we would understand that each day He sees our lack of faith, harmful as it is, that He draws us towards healing remedies and sharply presses our rebellious wills. “My son” He says, “your sins are forgiven you.” – St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 50 ; PL 52, 339).

PRAYER – O God, Who made thy blessed Martyrs, Marcellinus and Peter the Exorcist, glorious by their remarkable confession of Thy glory; grant, by their intercession and example, that Thy charity may continually increase in our hearts. 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).
SACRED Heart of JESUS, I trust in Thee.
300 Days Indulgence Once a Day – Plenary, Once a month. Raccolta 175 – St Pius X, 19 August 1905 and 27 June 1906.

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CHRIST the KING Prayers, CHRIST the LIGHT, Our MORNING Offering, PENTECOST

Our Morning Offering – 2 June – O Holy Spirit of God By Fr Erasmus Rotterdam

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Our Morning Offering – 2 June – Pentecost Friday

O Holy Spirit of God
By Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus (1466-1536)
(Fr Erasmus of Rotterdam)

O Holy Spirit of God
with Your holy breath,
You purify the hearts and minds of humankind,
comforting them,
when they are in sorrow,
leading them,
aright when they have gone astray,
kindling them,
when their hearts are cold,
reconciling them,
when they are at variance
and enriching them,
with Your many gifts.
By Your working,
all things live.
We make our prayer to You,
maintain and day by day,
increase, the gifts which You
have granted us,
so that with Your Light
before us and within us,
we may pass through this world,
without stumbling
and without straying.
Who with the Father and the Son,
are One God,
now and forever.
Amen

Fr Erasmus of Rotterdam was a Dutch Philosopher and Theologian who is considered one of the greatest scholars of the northern Renaissance. As a Catholic Priest, he was an important figure in classical scholarship who wrote in a pure Latin style.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the FAMILY, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 1 June – St Angelica de Merici

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 June – The Memorial of St Angelica de Merici (1474-1540)

“As our Saviour says:
“A good tree is not able to produce bad fruit.”
He says: A good tree, that is, a good heart
and a soul on fire with charity,
can do nothing but good and holy works.
For this reason Saint Augustine said:
“Love and do what you will,” namely,
possess love and charity and then do what you will.
It is as if he had said: Charity is not able to sin.”

“We must give alms.
Charity wins souls
and draws them to virtue.”

“Disorder in society
is the result
of disorder
in the family.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/01/quote-s-of-the-day-1-june-st-angela-merici/

St Angelica de Merici (1474-1540)

Posted in "Follow Me", JESUIT SJ, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MISSION, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 June – ‘ … Alas! what an immense number of souls are excluded from Heaven through your fault …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 1 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Pentecost Thursday – Acts 8:5-8, Luke 9:1-6 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God …” – Luke 9:2

REFLECTION – “Since I came here, I have had no rest. I have been from village to village and every child not yet Baptised I have Baptised… But the children would not let me say my Office or eat or rest until I had taught them some prayers. It was then that I really began to feel that of such is the Kingdom of Heaven (Mk 10:14). I could not reject so religious a request without myself being irreligious. I made a start with the Sign of the Cross and taught them the Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father and the Hail Mary. I saw, immediately, that they were very intelligent. If only there were someone to train them in the principles of Christianity, I am sure that they would be extremely good Christians.

Very many out here fail to become Christians simply because there is no-one available to make them Christian. I have very often had the notion, to go round the universities of Europe and especially, Paris and to shout aloud everywhere, like a madman and to bludgeon those people who have more learning than love, with these words: “Alas! what an immense number of souls are excluded from Heaven through your fault and thrust down to hell!”

If only those people devoted themselves to this care in the way they do to literature. Then they would be able to render God an account of their doctrine and of the talents entrusted to them! Many of them, moved by this thought and helped by meditation on the things of God, would take pains to hear what the Lord is speaking in them and, putting aside their own selfish desires and worldly matters, would put themselves fully at God’s service and call. They would indeed cry from their soul: “Lord, here I am. What would you have me do? Send me wherever you wish, even as far as India.” – St Francis Xavier (1506-1552) Jesuit Missionary (Letters 4 and 5 to Saint Ignatius Loyola).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who on this day have taught the hearts of the faithful by the Light of the Holy Spirit, grant us by that Holy Spirit Himself, to know what is right and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Sweet Heart of my JESUS, Make me love Thee ever more and more! – 300 Days Indulgence Once a day, Plenary Once a month – Blessed Pope Pius IX – 26 November 1876

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH

Thought for the Day – 31 May – Pray for Us … at the Hour of Our Death

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 31 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Pray for Us … at the Hour of Our Death

“O Mary, my tender Mother, be at my side throughout my life but especially at the hour of death.
Shelter me beneath thy maternal mantle and never let me be far apart from thee.
Grant that I may have a calm and peaceful death like thine own, a death made easy by a great love for Jesus and for thee, by the reception of the Holy Sacraments and by thy special blessing and presence, amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/31/thought-for-the-day-31-may-pray-for-us-at-the-hour-of-our-death/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/31/thought-for-the-day-31-may-pray-for-us-at-the-hour-of-our-death-2/

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The INCARNATION, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR

Quote/s of the Day – 31 May – The Queenship of Mary

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Quote/s of the Day – 31 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Queenship of Mary

“She is the eldest daughter of the Great King.
If you enjoy her favour,
she will introduce you
to the Monarch of the Universe.
No-one has so great an interest with Him than Mary,
who was the occasion of His coming down from Heaven
to become man, for the redemption of mankind.”

St John the Merciful (c 552-c 616)

“Just as Mary surpassed in grace
all others on earth,
so also, in Heaven, is her glory unique.
If eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
nor the human heart conceived
what God has prepared
for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9),
who can express, what He has prepared,
for the woman who gave Him birth
and who loved Him,
as everyone knows,
more than anyone else?”

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

“The Angels rejoiced to see their Queen,
the Apostles rejoiced to see their lady
and both obeyed her, with loving devotion.
… Therefore, when the Virgin of virgins
was led forth by God and her Son,
the King of kings. amid the company of exulting Angels
and rejoicing Archangels,
with the Heavens ringing with praise,
the prophecy of the psalmist was fulfilled,
in which he said to the Lord:
At your right hand stands the Queen,
clothed in gold of Ophir.”

St Amadeus of Lausanne O.Cist (1108-1159)

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PENTECOST, QUOTES on GRACE, Quotes on SALVATION, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HOLY GHOST

Thought for the Day – 30 May – Bearer of the Treasures of Grace

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

Bearer of the Treasures of Grace

“The Apostles were completely transformed after the Feast of Pentecost.
They had ben ignorant rustics, timid and vacillating.
They had hardly understood at all, the lofty teachings of Christ, for they were hoping still for an earthly kingdom in which they would occupy the highest posts.

When they received the Holy Spirit, however, their minds were flooded with supernatural light and they became heroic in their resolution.
Ignorant, though they had been, they became masters of Truth, far superior to the sages of Athens or the philosophers of Rome!
They were no longer timid and hesitating but, fearlessly encountered the power of the Sanhedrin, the whips of the soldiery, the dangers of long voyages and, Martyrdom itself.

We too have received the illumination and favours of the Holy Spirit.
Many times, when we have invoked Him, He has inspired and consoled us.
But we may not have responded with the same fervour and self-denial as the Apostles.
Let us remember that, to neglect God’s gifts, is to risk our eternal salvation!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/30/thought-for-the-day-30-may-bearer-of-the-treasures-of-grace/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Quote/s of the Day –30 May – St Joan of Arc

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Quote/s of the Day – 30 May – The Memorial of St Joan of Arc (1412-1431) “The Maid of Orléans” Holy Virgin

“Go forward bravely.
Fear nothing.
Trust in God – all will be well.”

“All battles are first won
or lost,
in the mind!”

“It is better to be alone with God.
His Friendship will not fail me,
nor His Counsel,
nor His Love.
In His Strength, I will dare
and dare and dare,
until I die.”

LOTS MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/30/quote-s-of-the-day-30-may-st-joan-of-arc/

St Joan of Arc (1412-1431)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOMINICAN OP, QUOTES on TRUTH, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 May – ‘ … The Holy Ghost is the Doorkeeper… because all Truth. understood and expressed, comes from Him…’

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One Minute Reflection – 30 May – “Pentecost Tuesday – Acts 8:14-17, John 10:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I am the Door. By Me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved and he shall go in and go out and shall find pastures.” – John 10:9

REFLECTION – “I am the Door of the sheep” our Lord says He is the Door of the sheepfold. Now what is this sheepfold, the pen into which Christ is the Door? It is the Father’s Heart, into which and of which, Christ, Who has unsealed and opened for us, the Heart hitherto closed to humankind, is indeed our most lovable Door. All the Saints are gathered inside this fold. The Shepherd is the eternal Word; the Door, the humanity of Christ – by the sheep in this house, we understand human souls. But Angels, too, belong to the sheepfold… the Holy Ghost is the Doorkeeper… because all Truth, understood and expressed, comes from Him…

O with what love and goodness He opens the Door of the Father’s Heart to us and grants us access, unceasingly, to the hidden treasure, the inmost dwelling places and all the wealth, of this house! No-one could imagine or comprehend, how welcoming God is, always ready to receive, yes, longing and thirsting to do so and how He precedes us at every moment and each hour… O my children, how obstinately deaf we remain, to this loving invitation… so often we refuse Him our acceptance of this invitation! How many of the Holy Ghost’s summons and appeals are repulsed; we refuse them on the grounds of all kinds of things here below. So often we want something else and not the place God where wants us!” – Fr Johnnes Tauler OP (c1300-1361) Dominican Friar, renowned Preacher and Theologian , leaving us more than 80 sermons. (Sermon 27, 3rd for Pentecost).

PRAYER – Let the power of the Holy Ghost be present within us, O Lord, graciously to cleanse our hearts and to guard us from all harm. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on WISDOM, St Francis de Sales

Quote/s of the Day –29 May – The 7 Gifts

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Quote/s of the Day –29 May – Pentecost Monday

“These Gifts are not only inseparable from charity
but they are, the principal virtues,
properties and qualities of charity.

WISDOM
is nothing else, than the love
which relishes, tastes and experiences,
how sweet and gentle God is.

UNDERSTANDING
is nothing else, than love attentive to consider
and penetrate the beauty of the truths of faith.

KNOWLEDGE
is simply the same love
keeping us attentive to know ourselves
and creatures, to obtain a more perfect knowledge
of the service we owe to God.

COUNSEL
is also love, as it renders us careful,
attentive and skilled
in choosing the means proper
to serve God in a holy manner.

FORTITUDE
is love which encourages and animates the heart,
so as to carry out, that which Counsel
has determined must be done.

PIETY
is the love which sweetens labour
and makes us, with good heart,
gratitude and filial affection,
do works that please God our Father.

FEAR
is simply love as it causes us to fly
and shun what is displeasing to God’s majesty.”
(Treatise on the Love of God, Book 11, Chapter 15)

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

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PENTECOST, QUOTES on TRUTH, The HOLY GHOST

Thought for the Day – 28 May – The Feast of Pentecost

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

The Feast of Pentecost

“Let us pray fervently to the Holy Ghost.
Let us pray with the Church:
“Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.”

Let us recollect ourselves in prayer before the Spirit of God on this day of Pentecost.
Let us renew our resolutions and entrust them to Him so that He may help us to carry them out.

Aspiration: Come into our hearts, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/05/thought-for-the-day-5-june-the-feast-of-pentecost/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/23/thought-for-the-day-22-june-the-feast-of-pentecost/

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HOPE

Thought for the Day – 27 May – Mary, Our Hope

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

Mary, Our Hope

“O Mary, my Mother, I place my trust in you because I know, that your intercession, is all-powerful with your Divine Son, Jesus.
Help me to detach myself completely from sin and, to conquer my rebellious inclinations.
Grant that I may imitate the shining example of your sanctity in such a way, that you may be truly my hope and my sure refuge, now and at the hour of my death.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/13/thought-for-the-day-13-may-mary-our-hope/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/29/thought-for-the-day-29-october-mary-our-hope/

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on VANITY, QUOTES on WISDOM, The HOLY FACE

Quote/s of the Day – 27 May – St Bede the Venerable

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 May – The Feast of St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

“Christ is the Morning Star,
Who, when the night of this world is past,
gives to His saints, the promise of the Light of Life
and opens everlasting day.”

“We abide in God
insofar as we do not sin.”

“All the ways of this world
are as fickle and unstable
as a sudden storm at sea.”

“If one of us has a conscience
polluted by the stain of avarice,
conceit, vain-glory, indignation,
irascibility, or envy and the other vices,
he has “a daughter badly troubled by a demon”
like the Canaanite woman.”

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

“And I pray Thee, loving Jesus
that as Thou hast graciously given me
to drink in with delight,
the words of Thy knowledge,
so Thou wouldst mercifully grant me
to attain one day to Thee,
the Fountain of all Wisdom
and to appear forever before Thy Face.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/27/quote-s-of-the-day-27-may-st-bede-the-venerable/

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

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, NOVENAS, PENTECOST, QUOTES on WISDOM, The HOLY GHOST

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts – EIGHTH DAY 

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Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts

EIGHTH DAY

Foreword and Indulgences CLICK HERE : Foreword

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps which go astray!

Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues,
Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts.
Of Wisdom it is written:
“all good things come to me with her
and innumerable riches through her hands.”
It is the gift of Wisdom which strengthens our faith,
fortifies hope, perfects charity and promotes the practice of virtue
in the highest degree.
Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things Divine,
in the appreciation of which, earthly joys lose their savour,
whilst the Cross of Christ, yields a Divine sweetness,
according to the words of the Saviour:
“Take up thy cross and follow Me,
for My Yoke is sweet and My Burden light.”

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Wisdom
and reveal to my soul,
the Mysteries of heavenly things,
their exceeding greatness,
power and beauty.
Teach me to love them above
and beyond all the passing joys
and satisfactions of earth.
Help me to attain them
and possess them forever.
Amen

Our Father and Hail Mary – ONCE.
Glory be to the Father – SEVEN TIMES.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees,
I, before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,
offer myself, soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God.
I adore the brightness of Thy Purity,
the unerring keenness of Thy Justice
and the might of Thy Love.
Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul.
In Thee, I live and move and am.
I desire never to grieve Thee
by unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept
from the smallest sin against Thee.
Mercifully guard my every thought
and grant that I may always watch for Thy Light,
listen to Thine Voice
and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus,
looking at His Five Wounds
and trusting in His Precious Blood
and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart,
I implore Thee, Adorable Spirit,
Helper of my infirmity,
to keep me in Thy grace
that I may never sin against Thee.
Give me grace O Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee, always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thine servant hears.”
Amen.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, GOD ALONE!, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, OUR Cross, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, SAINT of the DAY, The LORD'S PRAYER, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Quote/s of the Day –26 May – St Philip Neri

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Quote/s of the Day –26 May – The Memorial of St Philip Neri (1515-1595) Confessor

When summoned to hear Confessions
or to see someone who had called,
St Philip came down instantly, with the words:

“We must leave Christ for Christ.”.  

“It is an old custom with the servants of God,
always to have some little prayers ready
and to be darting them up to Heaven
frequently during the day,
lifting their minds to God
out of the filth of this world.
He who adopts this plan,
will get great fruit, with little pains.”

“Watch me, O Lord, this day –
for, abandoned to myself,
I shall surely betray Thee!”

“He who wishes for anything but Christ,
does not know what he wishes;
he who asks for anything but Christ,
does not know what he is asking;
he who works and not for Christ,
does not know what he is doing.”

“If a man finds it very difficult to forgive injuries,
let him look at a Crucifix
and think that Christ shed all His Blood for him
and not only forgave His enemies
but, even prayed His Heavenly Father,
to forgive them too.
Let him remember,
that when he says the Pater Noster, everyday,
instead of asking pardon for his sins,
he is calling down VENGEANCE UPON HIMSELF!”

“We are generally,
the carpenters
of our own crosses.”

Rather old images below
but great words from our Saint, of course:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/26/quote-s-of-the-day-26-may-marys-month-the-memorial-of-st-philip-neri-1515-1595/

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on WATCHING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 May – – ‘Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning …’ Luke 12:35

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One Minute Reflection – 26 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and the Memorial of St Philip Neri (1515-1595) Confessor – Wisdom 7:7-14, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.” – Luke 12:35-36

REFLECTION – “God, the Word, stirs up the lazy and arouses the sleeper. For indeed, someone who comes knocking at the door is always wanting to come in. But it depends on us, if He does not always enter or always remain.,, May your door be open to Him who comes; open your soul, enlarge your spiritual capacities, that you may discover the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace and sweetness of grace. Expand your heart; run to meet the Sun of that Eternal Light that “enlightens everyone” (Jn 1,9). It is certain, that this true Light shines for all but, if anyone shuts their windows, then they themselves, shut themselves off from this Eternal Light.

So even Christ remains outside, if you shut the door of your soul. It is true, that He could enter but He does not want to use force, He does not put those who refuse under pressure. Descended from the Virgin, born from her womb, He shines throughout the universe to give light to all. Those who long to receive the light, that shines with an everlasting brightness, open up to Him. No night comes to intervene. Indeed, the sun we see each day, gives way to night’s darkness but the Sun of Justice (Mal 3,20) knows no setting, for Wisdom is not overcome by evil.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan and Father and Doctor of the Church (12th Sermon on Psalm 118).

PRAYER – O God, Who raised blessed Philip, Thy Confessor, to the glory of Thy Saints, graciously grant that we, who rejoice in his Feast, may profit by the example of his virtues.Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PEACE

Thought for the Day – 25 May – The Search for God

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

The Search for God

“Holy Mary, help me to aim at pleasing God throughout my life.
Help me to see Him in all things, to love Him in all my affections, to direct all my thoughts and desires towards Him.
This is the only way in which I can become like you, my Mother.
In this way, I shall find peace on earth, even in the midst of suffering and the happiness in Heaven, which will never pass away.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/11/thought-for-the-day-11-may-the-search-for-god/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/11/thought-for-the-day-11-may-the-search-for-god-2/

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DYING / LAST WORDS, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Quote/s of the Day –25 May – St Gregory VII

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Quote/s of the Day –25 May – The Memorial of St Gregory VII (1015-1085) Confessor and Pope

“It is the custom of the Roman Church
which I unworthily serve with the help of God,
to tolerate some things, to turn a blind eye to some,
following the spirit of discretion,
rather than the rigid letter of the law.”

“I have loved justice
and hated iniquity
and, therefore, I die in exile.”

(On his deathbed)

St Pope Gregory VII (1015-1085)

QUOTES OF St Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865)
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/25/quote-s-of-the-day-25-may-st-madeleine-sophie-barat/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The ASCENSION of the LORD, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 May – ‘ … Brother, since Christ your Treasure was lifted up to Heaven today, may your heart also be there …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 25 May – The Octave Day of the Ascension and the Memorial of St Gregory VII (1015-1085) Confessor and Pope – Acts 1:1-11, Mark 16:14-20 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And the Lord Jesus, after He spoke to them, was taken up into Heaven and took His seat at the Right Hand of God.” – Mark 16:19

REFLECTION – “Father, all those Thou gave Me, I would have in My company where I Am, to see this glory of Mine.” (Jn 17:24) Happy are they who now have, as their Advocate before God, their Judge in person; happy are they, who have interceding for them, the One Whom we must adore, equally with the Father, to Whom He Himself addresses this prayer. The Father cannot refuse to grant this desire which His Lips expressed (Ps 21:3), for He is united with Him in His Will, in His Power, since He is One and the Same God… “All those Thou gave Me I would have in My company where I Am.” What assurance for those who have faith, what confidence for the believers! … The saints, whose “youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps 103:5) “soar as with eagles’ wings.” (Isa 40:31) …

On that day, Christ “was lifted up before the eyes of the disciples in a cloud which took him from their sight.” (Acts 1:9) … He strove to draw their hearts to follow Him, by making Himself loved by them and He promised them, through the example of His Body that their body could be lifted up in the same way… Today, Christ in truth “mounted a cherub and flew, borne on the wings of the wind,” (Ps 18:11) which is to say, He goes beyond the power of the Angels. And yet, in His condescendence before your weakness, “as an eagle… hovering over its brood,” He wants to “receive you and to bear you up on His pinions.” (Deut 32:11) … Some people fly with Christ by means of contemplation; for you, let it at least be through love!

Brother, since Christ your Treasure was lifted up to Heaven today, may your heart also be there (Mt 6:21). Your origin is from there and that is where you will find your inheritance (Ps 16:6); from there, you are awaiting the Saviour (Phil 3:20).” – Blessed Guerric of Igny (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (Sermon for the Ascension).

PRAYER – O God, the strength of those who trust in Thee, Who fortified blessed Gregory, Thy Confessor and Pontiff, with the virtue of firmness to protect the freedom of the Church, grant us, by his example and intercession, bravely to overcome all 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).