Category: CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PAPAL PRAYERS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The GOOD SHEPHERD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 December – Our Lady Speaks

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 12 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

“I am the Immaculate Conception.”

Our Lady to St Bernadette
at Lourdes on 25 March 1858

(Remember the Dogma was proclaimed in 1954)

“Come, then and search out Thy sheep,
not through Thy servants or hired men
but do it Thineself.
Lift me up bodily and in the flesh,
which is fallen in Adam.
Lift me up, not from Sarah but from Mary,
a Virgin, not only undefiled
but a Virgin, whom grace had made inviolate,
free of every stain of sin.”

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

Our Lady of Guadalupe,
Mystical Rose
Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe
By St Pius X (1835-1914)

Our Lady of Guadalupe,
Mystical Rose,
make intercession
for the holy Church,
protect the Sovereign Pontiff,
help all those who invoke thee in their necessities,
and since thou art the ever Virgin Mary
and Mother of the true God,
obtain for us from thy most holy Son
the grace of keeping our faith,
sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life,
burning charity and the precious gift
of final perseverance.
Amen

This prayer was approved and enriched with an Indulgence of Five Hundred Days by St Pius X at an Audience held on 15 August, 1908 and was included in the official edition of Approved Indulgenced prayers (1950).
Raccolta number 389, 500 days Indulgence, St Pope Pius X Audience, 15 August 1908.

OUR LADY SPEAKS HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/12/quote-s-of-the-day-12-december-our-lady-of-guadalupe/

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOGMA, FATHERS of the Church, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 12 December – O Gloriosa Femina, O Glorious Maid, Exalted Far

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 12 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave

O Gloriosa Femina
O Glorious Maid, Exalted Far
By St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609)
Bishop, Father o the Church

O Glorious Maid, exalted far
Beyond the light of burning star,
From Him who made thee, thou hast won
Grace to be Mother of His Son.

That which was lost in hapless Eve
Thy holy Scion did retrieve:
The tear-worn sons of Adam’s race
Through thee have seen the heavenly place.

Thou wast the gate of Heaven’s high Lord,
The door through which the Light hath poured.
Christians rejoice, for through a Maid
To all mankind is life conveyed!

All honour, laud and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.
Amen.

This Hymn was used for Lauds in the Sarum Breviary for the Feasts of the Immaculate Conception, the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Annunciation, the Assumption and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The above is the original text of this Hymn as it appears in The English Hymnal (1906), where it is listed as a Morning Office Hymn for Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
Chant Tone: “O Gloriosa Domina” Gregorian Chant, Mode II, traditional.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 11 December – O Virgin Most Pure, Wholly Unspotted

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 11 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave

O Mary, Mother of God
(O Virgin Most Pure, Wholly Unspotted)
By St Ephrem of Syria (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O Virgin most pure, wholly unspotted,
O Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of the universe,
thou art above all the saints,
the hope of the elect
and the joy of all the blessed.
It is thou who hast reconciled us with God;
thou art the only refuge of sinners
and the safe harbour of those
who are shipwrecked;
thou art the consolation of the world,
the ransom of captives,
the health of the weak,
the joy of the afflicted
and the salvation of all.
We have recourse to thee
and we beseech thee
to have pity on us.
Amen

Posted in CARMELITES, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOMINICAN OP, GATE of HEAVEN, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on PURITY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 10 December – INVIOLATA!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 10 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave

INVIOLATA!
INVIOLATE!
Unknown Author
(11th Century)

Thou art inviolate, undefiled
and chaste, O Mary.
Thou has become the resplendent
Gate of Heaven,
O loving and dearest Mother of Christ,
Accept our devout acclamations
in praise of thee.
That our minds and bodies
may be pure,
Devoted hearts and lips
now implore thee.
Through thy sweet sounding prayers,
Gain us pardon forever.
O kind one, who alone
didst remain inviolate.
Amen

The Hymn Inviolata has been claimed by the Carmelite Order, as a Traditional Hymn originating within their ranks. The Hymn is also used by Dominican Friars in the chanting of Compline. Its origins trace to the 11th Century. It appears in Hymnals from 1860 to 1920.

Posted in ADVENT, ADVENT REFLECTIONS, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, HOLY COMMUNION, Meditations for ADVENT, QUOTES on PURITY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Thought for the Day – 9 December – The Fulfilment of the Decree

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 9 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Advent
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

The Fulfilment of the Decree

+1. The promised Coming of the Redeemer had indeed been long delayed. Patriarch had succeeded Patriarch, and died without having the privilege of seeing that long-expected day . The long line of the Prophets had passed away but, their desire, for the Messias, had not been satisfied. God always keeps His servants waiting, for His best gifts and, therefore, it was but fitting, they should wait for thousands of years before receiving this Gift of gifts, this Gift in which He gave them Himself.

+2. The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity had also been waiting for one, whose immaculate purity should make her fit, as far as any child of Adam could be fit, to be His Mother. There had been many holy women among the daughters of Abraham but none, without sin and, therefore, none in whose womb the Son of God could find repose.
If Christ thus could not come to dwell with one who was stained with sin, what must be the purity He requires now, of those whose Guest He becomes in Holy Communion
O Jesus, forgive me all my careless receptions of Thee, my want of careful preparation, my faults innumerable!

+3. Christ Himself had prepared a resting-place for Himself in Mary’s sacred breast. As we read in Holy Scripture “The Most High has sanctified a tabernacle for Himself.”
So now, if I am to be fit to receive Him, He must prepare my
heart. Do I think of this during my preparation for Communion and pray Him to cleanse me from every stain in His Most Precious Blood, to beautify with many graces the tabernacle where He is to abide?

Posted in ADVENT, ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOGMA, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, Meditations for ADVENT, MOTHER of GOD, QUOTES on MOTHERHOOD, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The NATIVITY of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 8 December – The Approaching Day

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 8 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Advent
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

The Approaching Day

+1. When the sun is soon to appear above the horizon, the morning star, shining with a light derived indeed from Him but, nevertheless, shining bright and clear, even before His Coming, gives the signal of His approach. So, the holy Mother of God, dawning upon the world, with a grace and beauty which was the gift of her Divine Son, anticipated His Incarnation and made the world more beautiful in God’s Sight, than it had ever been before. Mary was more precious to God than all the rest of men and this, quite independently of her Divine Maternity.
Consider why this was and learn a lesson for yourself.

+2. The morning star is still clearly seen when all other stars have been extinguished by the light of the Coming Day . Mary has a brilliancy so great that the brightness of all the other Saints fades into nothing in comparison with hers. If this was the case even in comparison with the glory of St John Baptist, St Joseph, Abraham the Patriarch, the friend of God – Job, the model of patience, Daniel, the beloved of God, what must her glory be!
Thank God for having created one child of Adam worthy of Himself!

+3. Mary’s consummate beauty is the consequence of there being in her, nothing of her own. All was God’s ; no mixture of self in her motives, in her aims, in her joys and sorrows, her love and hatred.
Her affections were simply a reflection of what God loved and hated; like God she loved all things except sin and those who were the declared and eternal enemies of God.
She desired nothing for herself, except that, she might see God’s holy Will fulfilled in all.
Is this the account which you can give of yourself ?
Only if this is so, are you a worthy child of Mary.

Posted in ADVENT QUOTES, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, DOGMA, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, MOTHER of GOD, PAPAL ENCYLICALS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 8 December – The Immaculate Conception

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 8 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

“Hail, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee,
blessed art thou among women”

Luke 1:28

“Thou alone and Thy Mother,
are in all things fair,
there is no flaw in Thee
and no stain in Thy Mother.”

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

“You have guarded the integrity
of the temple [of your body];
you have kept your tabernacle free from all sin,
so that the Father becomes your guest,
the Holy Ghost overshadows you
and the Only-begotten Son Incarnate
is born of you.”

St Hesychius of Jerusalem (Died c450)
Priest, Exegete, Father

“O Mother blest!
And chosen Shrine
wherein the Architect Divine,
Whose Hand contains the earth and sky
vouchsafed in hidden guise to lie;
Blest in the message Gabriel brought;
blest in the work, the Spirit wrought;
Most blest, to bring to human birth,
the long desired of all the earth!”

St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609)
Bishop, Poet, Theologian, Father

“Let all the children of the Catholic Church,
who are so very dear to us, hear these words of ours.
With a still more ardent zeal for piety, religion and love,
let them continue to venerate, invoke
and pray, to the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
conceived without original sin.
Let them fly with utter confidence
to this most sweet Mother of mercy and grace
in all dangers, difficulties, needs, doubts and fears.
Under her guidance,
under her patronage,
under her kindness and protection,
nothing is to be feared; nothing is hopeless.
Because, while bearing toward us, a truly motherly affection
and having in her care, the work of our salvation,
she is solicitous about the whole human race.
And since, she has been appointed by God,
to be the Queen of Heaven and Earth
and is exalted above all the Choirs of Angels and Saints
and, even stands at the Right Hand,
of her only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
she presents our petitions in a most efficacious manner.
What she asks, she obtains.
Her pleas can never be unheard!”

Pope Pius IX (1792-1878)
Ineffabilis Deus
(which proclaimed the Dogma of
the Immaculate Conception
on 8 December 1854)

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOGMA, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Hail MARY!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 December – “Hail, full of grace …” – Luke 1:28

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 8 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of the Immaculate Conception – Proverbs 8:22-35, Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Hail, full of grace …” – Luke 1:28

REFLECTION – “How can I speak? What praises could I possibly make of the holy and glorious Virgin? She surpasses all other beings except for God Himself. She is by nature more beautiful than the Cherubim and Seraphim and the whole Angelic Host. No language, whether of Heaven or earth, or even of the Angels, is enough to praise her. Blessed Virgin, spotless dove, heavenly bride… temple and throne of the Godhead! Christ, the Sun Who shines resplendently in Heaven and on earth, belongs to thee. Thou art the luminous cloud which brought Christ down to earth, He Who is the bright streak of lightening, Who shines across the world.

Rejoice, full of grace, gate of Heaven! It was of thee, the author of the Song of Songs speaks … when he cries aloud: “A garden enclosed is my sister, my bride; an enclosed garden, a fountain sealed” (4:12)… Holy Mother of God, spotless ewe – thou gave birth to Christ, the Lamb, the Word made flesh in thee … How amazing a wonder in the heavens – a woman clothed with the sun (Apoc 12:1), carrying the Light in her arms! … How amazing a wonder in the heavens – the Lord of Angels becomes the Virgin’s Child. Angels judged Eve; now they fill Mary with glory, since it was she who raised Eve from her fall and brought Adam, expelled from Paradise, into Heaven.

Vast is the grace given to this Holy Virgin. Hence Gabriel, first addresses her with this greeting: “Hail, full of grace” resplendent as the Heaven. “Hail, full of grace” Virgin adorned with countless virtues… “Hail, full of grace” thou quench our thirst at the sweetness of the everlasting stream. Hail, holy and Immaculate Mother, thou conceived the Christ Who existed before thee. Hail, royal purple, thou clothed the King of Heaven and earth. Hail, O sealed book, thou enabled the world to read the Word, the Father’s Son!” – St Epiphanius of Salamis (c315-403) Bishop of Salamis,  known as the Oracle of Palestine and Father of the Church (Sermon No 5)

PRAYER – O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Thy Son, and Who, by Thy Son’s death, foreseen by Thee, preserved her from all taint, grant, we beseech Thee, through her intercession that we too, may come to Thee, unstained by sin. T 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 ADVENT, ADVENT PRAYERS, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, CHRISTMASTIDE!, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, The DIVINE INFANT, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR

Our Morning Offering – 7 December – A Great and Mighty Wonder

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 7 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Vigil of the Immaculate Conception

A Great and Mighty Wonder
By St Germanus (c640-c 733)
Father of the Church

A great and mighty wonder,
a glorious mystery,
a Virgin bears an Infant
who veils His Deity.
Refrain:
Proclaim the Saviour’s birth,
“To God on high be glory
and peace to all the earth!”
The Word becomes incarnate
and yet remains on high,
and Cherubim sing anthems
to shepherds from the sky. … [Refrain]
While thus they sing your monarch,
those bright angelic bands,
rejoice, O vales and mountains
and oceans, clap your hands. [Refrain]
Since all, He comes to ransom,
by all, be He adored,
the Infant born in Bethl’em,
the Saviour and the Lord. [Refrain]
All idols then shall perish
and Satan’s lying cease,
and Christ shall raise His sceptre,
decreeing endless peace. [Refrain]

St Germanus was one of the Greek hymnwriters and one of the grandest among the defenders of the Icons. He was born at Constantinople of a patrician family, was Ordained there and became subsequently, Bishop of Cyzicus. He was present at the Synod of Constantinople in 712, which restored the Monothelite heresy but, in after years, he condemned it.
He was made Archbishop of Constantinople in 715. In 730 he was driven from the See, not without blows, for refusing to yield to the Iconoclastic Emperor, Leo the Isaurian. He died shortly afterwards in exile at a good old age.
His Life below:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/12/saint-of-the-day-12-may-saint-germanus-of-constantinople-c-640-733/

Posted in JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, The NINE FIRST FRIDAYS

First Friday, Day 8 of the Immaculate Conception Novena, Notre-Dame de Séez/ Our Lady of Séez, France (5th Century), St Nicholas and Memorials of the Saints – 6 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

First Friday of the Month:
“I promise you, in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all powerful love, will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday, for Nine Consecutive Months, the grace of final repentance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving the Sacraments; my Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge, in that last moment.” — Our Lord to St Margaret Mary

How to complete the Nine First Friday’s Devotion:

Receive Holy Communion on each First Friday;

The Nine Fridays must be consecutive;

They must be made in honour and in reparation to His Sacred Heart.

    Notre-Dame de Séez/ Our Lady of Séez, Normandy, France (5th Century) – 6 December:
    HERE:
    https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/06/notre-dame-de-seez-our-lady-of-seez-normandy-france-5th-century-and-memorials-of-the-saints-6-december/

    Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
    of the Blessed Virgin Mary: – LINK to the 8th Day: – THE EIGHTH DAY – 6 December

    St Nicholas (270-343) Confessor, Bishop, Abbot, Apostle of Charity, Miracle-worker.
    Full Biography here:
    https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/12/06/saint-of-the-day-6-december-st-nicholas-270-343/
    More:
    https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/06/saint-of-the-day-st-nicholas-270-343-bishop/

    St Abraham of Kratia ( c474–c558) Bishop, Monk, Hermit.
    Biography:
    https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/06/saint-of-the-day-6-december-saint-abraham-of-kratia-c-474-c-558/

    St Aemilianus the Martyr

    Blessed Angelica Leonti of Milazzo TOM (1519-1559) Virgin, Lay Tertiary of the Order of the Minim.
    A Model for our Times:
    https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/06/saint-of-the-day-6-december-blessed-angelica-leonti-of-milazzo-tom-1519-1559-virgin/

    St Asella of Rome (Died c 406) Virgin Hermit Friend of St Jerome
    A Flower of the Lord:
    https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/06/saint-of-the-day-6-december-saint-asella-of-rome-a-flower-of-the-lord-died-c-406/

    St Boniface the Martyr
    St Dativa the Martyr
    St Dionysia the Martyr

    St Gerard of La Charité (Died c1109) Abbot, Founder of Monasterie, Reformer.
    Biography:
    https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/06/saint-of-the-day-6-december-saint-gerard-of-la-charite-osb-died-c-1109/

    St Gertrude the Elder the Elder (c560-649) Widow, Abbess
    St Isserninus of Ireland
    St Leontia the Martyr
    St Majoricus the Martyr
    St Polychronius
    St Tertus

    Posted in ADVENT, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

    Our Morning Offering – 5 December – I’ll Sing a Hymn to Mary

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Our Morning Offering – 5 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

    I’ll Sing a Hymn to Mary
    By Father John Wyse (1825-1898)
    Irish Priest and Hymn writer

    I’ll sing a hymn to Mary,
    The Mother of my God,
    The Virgin of all virgins,
    Of David’s royal blood.
    O teach me, Holy Mary,
    A loving song to frame,
    When wicked men blaspheme thee,
    To love and bless thy name.

    O Lily of the Valley,
    O Mystic Rose, what tree,
    Or flower, e’en the fairest,
    Is half so fair as thee?
    O let me, tho’ so lowly
    Recite my Mother’s fame.
    When wicked men blaspheme thee,
    I’ll love and bless thy name.

    O noble Tower of David,
    Of gold and ivory.
    The ark of God’s own promise,
    The gate of Heav’n to me.
    To live and not to love thee
    Would fill my soul with shame.
    When wicked men blaspheme thee,
    I’ll love and bless thy name.

    When troubles dark afflict me
    In sorrow and in care,
    Thy light doth ever guide me
    O beauteous Morning Star.
    Lo, I’ll be ever ready
    Thy goodly help to claim,
    When wicked men blaspheme thee,
    To love and bless thy name.

    The Saints are high in glory,
    With golden crowns so bright;
    But brighter far is Mary,
    Upon her throne of light.
    Oh that which God did give thee,
    Let mortal ne’er disclaim;
    When wicked men blaspheme thee,
    I’ll love and bless thy name.

    But in the crown of Mary,
    There lies a wonderous gem,
    As Queen of all the Angels,
    Which Mary shares with them;
    No sin hath e’er defiled thee,
    So doth our faith proclaim;
    When wicked men blaspheme thee,
    I’ll love and bless thy name.

    And now O Virgin Mary
    My mother and my Queen,
    I’ve sung thy praise so bless me,
    And keep my heart from sin.
    When others jeer and mock thee,
    I’ll often think how I
    To shield my Mother, Mary,
    Would lay me down and die.

    Verses 4, 5 and 6 omitted on image.

    Posted in ADVENT QUOTES, APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on The SOUL, The DIVINE INFANT, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The INCARNATION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

    Quote/s of the Day – 4 December – Saint “Golden Words”

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Quote/s of the Day – 4 December – St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450) “Golden Words” Confessor, Father & Doctor of the Church

    “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”
    Matthew 22:20

    “The Creator seeks out what else
    He can add to your dignity –
    He sets His image within you (Gen 1:27)
    so that your visible image, might make present,
    upon earth, the invisible Creator and, to you,
    He entrusts the care of earthly goods, so that,
    as vast a domain as this, should not be lacking
    a representative from the Lord. …
    And what God accomplished in you by His power,
    He graciously assumed into Himself –
    He wanted to be truly manifested in the man
    in whom, hitherto, He had only appeared in image.
    He enabled us to become, in reality,
    what had only been a mere likeness before. …
    And so, Christ is born, to restore
    all its integrity, to fallen nature!     ”

    “Why does your Master
    eat with publicans and sinners?     ”
    Matthew 9:11

    “But Christ, my brethren, came to this meal –
    Life came amongst these guests that those
    who were going to die, might live with Him,
    the same Life as He.
    The Resurrection reclined at this table
    that those who lay in death, might rise from their tombs;
    Grace stooped down to raise sinners up, to forgiveness;
    God came to man that man might attain to God;
    the Judge came to the meal of the guilty,
    to release humankind from the sentence of condemnation;
    the Doctor came to the sick, to restore their depleted strength
    by eating with them; the Good Shepherd bent down
    to carry the lost sheep back to salvation’s fold     (Lk 15:l3).”

    “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.    ”

    MORE:
    https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-december-st-peter-chrysologus/

    St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450)
    “Golden Words”
    Father & Doctor of the Church

    Posted in JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MIRACLES, ON the SAINTS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

    One Minute Reflection – 3 December – ‘ … Even today! …’

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    One Minute Reflection – 3 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552) Confessor – Romans 10:10-18, Mark 16:15-18 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

    “And these signs shall follow them who believe: In My Name they shall cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents and, if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay their hand upon the sick and they shall recover.” – Mark 16:17-18

    REFLECTION – “The Lord said to the Eleven: “And these signs shall follow them who believe: In My Name they shall cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents and, if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay their hand upon the sick and they shall recover.” In the primitive Church all the signs the Lord lists here, were fulfilled to the letter, not only by the Apostles but, many other of the Saints. The Gentiles would not have abandoned the worship of idols if the Gospel preaching had not been confirmed with so many signs and wonders. Indeed, did not the disciples preach “a Crucified Christ, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,” according to Saint Paul’s saying? (1 Cor 1:23) …

    As for us, from now, on signs and wonders are no longer needed, it is enough for us to read or hear an account of those which have happened. For we believe in the Gospel, we believe in the Scriptures which relate them. And yet, signs still take place daily and, if we would mark them well, we would acknowledge that they have far more worth than the concrete miracles of former times.

    Every day Priests administer Baptism and call to conversion – is not this to cast out demons? Every day they speak a new language when they explain holy Scripture by replacing the old letter with the newness of its spiritual sense. They put serpents to flight, when they free sinners’ hearts from their attachment to evil with gentle exhortation … They cure the sick, when they reconcile weak souls to God with their prayers. Such are the signs the Lord had promised his Saints – it is these they accomplish even today!” – St Bruno of Segni O.Cart. (c1030 -1101) Cistercian Bishop (Commentary on Saint Mark’s Gospel).

    PRAYER – O God, Thou Who were pleased to gather into Thy Church the peoples of the Indies by the preaching and miracles of blessed Francis, mercifully grant that we, who honour his glorious merits, may also imitate the example of his virtues. 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 CARMELITES, franciscan OFM, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The HEART, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

    Quote/s of the Day – 2 December –That precious pearl, that treasure …

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Quote/s of the Day – 2 December – St Bibiana (Died c 361) Virgin Martyr – Sirach 51:13-17; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

    “Jesus said in parables:
    The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure,
    hidden in a field. … Again, the Kingdom of Heaven
    is like unto a merchant seeking good pearls.     ”

    Matthew 13:44, 45

    “Do you possess a pearl?
    Then you know your wealth, it is clenched
    in the palm of your hand,
    no-one is aware of your fortune.
    So it is with the Gospel, if you embrace it with faith,
    if it remains enclosed in your heart,
    what a treasure you have
    You alone know it is there.
    Unbelievers, who know neither what it is,
    nor what value it has, have no idea
    of your incredible wealth!    ”

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

    “Let us draw near to the Heart
    of our most sweet Lord Jesus
    and we shall be glad and rejoice in it.
    How good and how sweet it is to dwell in this Heart!
    This is the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price
    which we discover, O Jesus, when we dig
    in the field of Thy Body (cf Mt 13:44).
    Who, then, would cast aside this Pearl?
    Far from it! For It, I will give away all my goods
    and offer in exchange, all my concerns and affections.
    I will lay down all my cares in the Heart of Jesus,
    it is He Who will suffice for me and Who will,
    without fail, supply all I need to live on!    ”

    St Bonaventure (1221-1274) [Attrib]
    Seraphic Doctor of the Church

    “It is above all, the Gospel
    which supports me during my prayer.
    There, I find all which
    my poor little soul needs.
    There, I always discover new lights,
    hidden and mysterious meaning.
    … Just when I need it, I discover lights
    which I had not seen before.”

    St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897)

    Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, The DIVINE INFANT

    DECEMBER: – The Month of Devotion to The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    DECEMBER:
    The Month of Devotion to The DIVINE INFANCY
    and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
    of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

    The observance of Divine Infancy Month recalls the first Christmas more than 2,000 years ago when Jesus humbled Himself and became Completely Human, while remaining Completely Divine.
    The Blessed Virgin Mary was chosen to be the glorious Tabernacle of the Son of God. Therefore, in the first moment of her existence, God, called her into being that she might assume the exalted dignity of the Mother of His Son and, therefore, granted her the singular privilege of exemption from Original Sin.

    Look to Our Lady – she is already waiting at the crib, desiring to teach us to make our hearts a pleasant crib for the Christ Child to dwell in.

    Cultivate a spirit of prayer and attentiveness to His Presence as the Divine Infant by adopting Aspirations suitable to the season, such as:

    Divine Infant King Jesus, come down into our hearts!
    ​
    ​Lord Jesus, through Thy Infant cries in the manger,
    when Thou was born for me;
    through Thy tears, when Thou died for me on the Cross;
    throughThy love, as Thou do live for me
    in the Tabernacle, have mercy upon me and save me.
    Amen!

    Posted in ADVENT QUOTES, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, St JOSEPH, The DIVINE INFANT, The HEART, The HOLY CROSS

    Quote/s of the Day – 1 December – ‘Open your heart and run to meet the Sun of Eternal Light …’

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Quote/s of the Day – 1 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The First Sunday of Advent

    “Open wide your door to the One who comes.
    Open your soul,
    throw open the depths of your heart
    to see the riches of simplicity,
    the treasures of peace,
    the sweetness of grace.
    Open your heart
    and run to meet
    the Sun of Eternal Light
    Who illuminates all men.    ”

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

    “And the Lord God shall give unto Him
    the throne of David, His father
    and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever.
    And of His Kingdom there shall be no end.    ”

    Luke 1:32-33

    “What is said of the House of David
    applies, not only to Joseph but also to Mary.
    It was a precept of the law that each man should marry
    a wife from his own tribe and kindred.    ”

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

    “The day will come when this Child
    will no longer be offered in the Temple,
    nor in Simeon’s arms
    but outside the City
    in the arms of the Cross.
    The day will come when He
    will not be redeemed
    by the blood of a sacrifice
    but redeem others ,
    with His own Blood. …”
    That will be the evening sacrifice;
    this is the morning sacrifice;
    this one is the happiest
    but that one is the most complete;
    for this one was offered
    at the time of birth
    and that one will be offered
    in the fullness of time,..    ”

    St Bernard (1091-1153)
    Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

    Posted in Act of SPIRITUAL COMMUNION, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on SLOTH, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY NAME

    Quote/s of the Day – 26 November – St Leonard of Port Maurice

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Quote/s of the Day – 26 November – St Leonard of Port Maurice OFM (1676-1751) Confessor, Priest and Franciscan Friar

    “Oh Most Sacred Name,
    Name of peace,
    Balsam of Life,
    which is the centre of all the sighs,
    of the most fervent lovers of Jesus.
    The Sign of those who truly love Jesus
    is to bear Jesus imprinted in the heart
    and to Name often and with devotion,
    the Most Holy Name of Jesus.”

    “What graces, gifts and virtues
    the Holy Mass calls down!    ”

    “If you practice the holy exercise
    of Spiritual Communion a good many times each day,
    within a month you will see
    yourself completely changed    .”

    A Short Act of Spiritual Communion
    By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
    Doctor of the Church

    My Jesus,
    I believe that Thou art present
    in the Blessed Sacrament.
    I love Thee above all things
    and I desire Thee in my soul.
    Since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally,
    come at least spiritually, into my heart.
    As though Thou were already there,
    I embrace Thee
    and unite myself wholly to Thee,
    permit not, that I should ever,
    be separated from Thee.
    Amen

    “Avoid sloth, bad company,
    dangerous conversations and games;
    remembering that time passes and never returns
    that you have a soul and, if you lose
    your soul, you lose all.    ”

    St Leonard of Port Maurice OFM (1676-1751)

    Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, OUR Cross, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The SECOND COMING, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD

    One Minute Reflection – 24 November – ‘… What we shall need to discover, is whether He comes with His Cross! …’

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    One Minute Reflection – 24 November – The Last Sunday after Pentecost – St John of the Cross OCD (1542-1591) Confessor, Doctor of the Church – Colossians 1:9-14; Matthew 24:15-35 – Scripture search here:

    “Then the Sign of the Son of Man will appear in Heaven” – Matthew 24:30

    REFLECTION – “Would you like to learn that the Cross can be a Sign of the Kingdom? This is the Sign with which the Lord is to come at His Second, glorious Coming! That you might learn just how worthy of veneration the Cross is, He has made it His Title of Glory …

    As we know, His First Coming was effected secretly and, that discretion was justified, for He came to seek out what was dead. But this Second Coming is not to happen like that … He will appear suddenly to all and no-one will need to ask if Christ is here or there (Mt 24:26) … we shall not need to investigate, whether Christ is indeed present. What we shall need to discover, is whether He comes with His Cross!

    When the Son of Man comes “the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light” (Mt 24:29). The splendour of His Light will be so great that the most brilliant of the stars must dim before it. “Then the stars will fall from the sky … and the Sign of the Son of Man will appear in Heaven.” Do you see the power of this Sign of the Cross? “The sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light” but the Cross will shine, clearly visible, so that you might know that its splendour is greater than that of the sun and the moon. Just as soldiers heave the royal standards to their shoulders at the king’s coming and bear them before him, to announce his arrival, so the cohort of Angels and Archangels, bearing this Sign on their shoulders, will warn us of the arrival of that King, Who is Christ at the Lord’s descent from Heaven! Alleluia!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Great Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon on the Cross and the thief).

    PRAYER – O God, Who made blessed John, Thy Confessor and Teacher, an extraordinary lover of perfect self-denial and the Cross, grant that, by continually striving to imitate him, we may reach everlasting glory. 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 APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD is LOVE, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, PAPAL PRAYERS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on VANITY, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION, The RESURRECTION

    Quote/s of the Day – 23 November – St Clement I

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Quote/s of the Day – 23 November – St Clement I – Papacy (c88–c101) Pope Martyr, Apostolic Father.

    “Who can describe the bond of God’s Love?
    Who is able to explain the majesty of its beauty?
    The height to which love leads is indescribable.
    … In Love the Master received us,
    Jesus Christ our Lord, in accordance
    with God’s Will, gave His Blood for us
    and His Flesh for our flesh
    and His Life for our lives.    ”

    “How blessed and amazing are God’s Gifts, dear friends!
    Life with immortality,
    splendour with righteousness,
    truth with confidence,
    faith with assurance,
    self-control with holiness!
    And all these things are
    within our comprehension.    ”

    “God hates those
    who praise themselves.”

    In The Name Of The Whole
    Christian People
    The Universal Prayer of St Clement I (c88–c101)
    Pope and Martyr,
    Apostolic Father of the Church

    We beg Thee, Master,
    be our help and strength.
    Save those among us who are oppressed,
    have pity on the lowly
    and lift up the fallen.
    Heal the sick,
    bring back the straying
    and feed the hungry.
    Release those in prison,
    steady those who falter
    and strengthen the fainthearted.
    Let all nations come to know Thee,
    the One God, with Thy Son Jesus Christ
    and ourselves, Thy people
    and the sheep of Thy pasture.
    Do not keep count of the sins of Thy servants
    but purify them, through the bath of Thine Truth
    and direct our steps.
    Help us to walk in holiness of heart
    and to do what is good and pleasing in Thine eyes
    and in the eyes of our rulers.
    Master, let Thine face shine on us
    to grant us every good in peace,
    protect us by Thine powerful Hand,
    deliver us from every evil, by the might of Thine Arm.
    Grant us and all who dwell on this earth,
    peace and harmony, O Lord.
    Amen

    MORE:
    https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/23/quote-s-of-the-day-23-november-st-pope-clement-i-2/

    St Pope Clement I – Papacy (c88 – c101)

    Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The REDEMPTION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

    Quote/s of the Day – 22 November – Let us go out to meet Him …

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Quote/s of the Day – 22 November – St Cecilia (Died 3rd Century) Virgin Martyr – Ecclesiasticus 51:13-17; Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

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

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

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

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

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

    St Ephrem (306-373)
    Father of the Church

    (Hymn I on the Resurrection)

    “And He said to them:
    Why are you troubled and why
    do thoughts arise in your hearts    ?”
    Luke 24:38

    “Christ is truly the Word,
    the Only-begotten Son equal to the Father,
    united to a truly human soul
    and a real body, clean of all sin.
    This is the Body which died,
    the Body which rose again,
    this Body was fastened to the Cross,
    this Body laid in the tomb,
    this Body is seated in the Heavens.
    Our Lord wished to persuade His disciples
    that what they were seeing was truly bone and flesh…
    Why did He want to convince me of this truth?
    Because He knew, just how much it was to my own good,
    to have faith in it and how much
    I had to lose, if I did not.
    You too, then, have faith – it is He, the Bridegroom!    ”

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

    “Behold, the Bridegroom is coming,
    go forth to meet Him!”
    Matthew 25:6

    “He worked and struggled as our Champion
    against our enemies,
    broke open the bars of our prison,
    won the struggle,
    vanquished our death through His Own,
    redeemed us through His Blood,
    freed us through His water in Baptism
    and made us rich,
    through His Sacraments and His gifts,
    so that, as He says in the Gospel (Mt 25:6),
    we might “go out” with all virtues to,
    “meet Him” in the palace of His glory
    and enjoy Him forever in eternity.”

    Blessed Jan van Ruysbroeck (1293-1381)

    Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS for the SOULS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

    Our Morning Offering – 22 November – By the Merit of the Precious Blood of Jesus (Indulgenced)

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Our Morning Offering – 22 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” and a Friday of the Passion

    By the Merit of the
    Precious Blood of Jesus
    By Servant of God Pope Pius VII (1742-1823)
    Papacy from 1800 to 1823
    Indulgenced Act of Oblation to Our Father

    Eternal Father!
    I offer Thee the merit
    of the Precious Blood of Jesus,
    Thy well-beloved Son,
    my Saviour and my God,
    for all my wants,
    spiritual and temporal,
    in aid of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
    and chiefly for those
    who most loved this Precious Blood,
    the price of our redemption
    and who were most devout
    to the sorrows and pains
    of most Holy Mary,
    our dear Mother.

    Glory be to the Blood of Jesus,
    now and forever
    and throughout all ages.
    Amen

    Indulgence of 300 days, each time this prayed is offered
    22 September 1817 with a Plenary Indulgence, once a month,
    under the usual conditions.

    Note of Interest: On 15 August 1811 – the Feast of the Assumption – it is recorded that the Pope celebrated Mass and was said to have entered a trance and began to levitate in a manner that drew him to the Altar. This particular episode aroused great wonder and awe among attendants, which included the French soldiers guarding him, who were awestruck at what had occurred and left records of it.

    Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PRAYERS for the SOULS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on the POOR, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, The HOLY SOULS

    Quote/s of the Day – 20 November – The Holy Souls in Purgatory

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Quote/s of the Day – 20 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”

    “May the souls
    of the faithful departed
    through the mercy of God,
    rest in peace,
    amen.    ”

    Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
    By St Ignatius of Antioch (c35-c108)
    Apostolic Father of the Church

    Receive in tranquility and peace,
    O Lord, the souls of Thy servants,
    who have departed this present life
    to come to Thee.
    Grant them rest and place them
    in the habitations of Light,
    the abodes of blessed spirits.
    Give them the life that will not age,
    good things that will not pass away,
    delights that have no end,
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
    Amen.

    “ … Yet only grant me repentance here below
    That I may make reparation for my sins, …
    That these tears may extinguish the blazing furnace
    With its burning flames. …

    And, instead of acting like the merciless,
    Set merciful compassion within me,
    That, by showing mercy to the poor,
    I may obtain Your mercy.    ”

    St Nerses Chnorhali (1102-1173)
    Armenian Bishop

    “How pleasing to Him it will be,
    if you sometimes forget yourself
    and speak to Him of His own glory;
    of the miseries of others,
    especially those who mourn in sorrow;
    of the souls in purgatory,
    His spouses, who long to behold Him in Heaven
    and, of poor sinners,
    who live deprived of His grace.    ”

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

    Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for the SOULS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The HOLY SOULS, The WORD

    Our Morning Offering – 20 November – Indulgenced Psalm 129 The De Profundis

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Our Morning Offering – 20 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”

    The De Profundis
    Psalm 129

    A prayer of a sinner, trusting in the mercies of God.
    The Sixth Penitential Psalm.

    Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord:
    Lord, hear my voice.
    Let Thine ears be attentive
    to the voice of my supplication.
    If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities:
    Lord, who shall stand it.
    For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness
    and because of Thy law,
    I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
    My soul hath waited on His word:
    my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
    From the morning watch, even until night,
    let Israel hope in the Lord.
    For with the Lord there is mercy
    and with Him plenteous redemption.
    And He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

    (Eternal rest or “Requiem aeternam”)
    Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
    And may perpetual light shine upon them.
    May they rest in peace.
    Amen.

    (Indulgence of 100 Days)

    *Psalm 129 in Douay Rheims

    Posted in APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on DEATH, Quotes on SALVATION, The RESURRECTION

    Quote/s of the Day – 17 November – St Gregory Thaumaturgus

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Quote/s of the Day – 17 November – St Gregory Thaumaturgus (c213-c270) “The Wonder-Worker,” Bishop, Confessor

    “Since the hour when Christ
    despoiled Hades, men have danced
    in triumph over death.    ”

    “For men who lie on earth,
    there is but one salvation,
    that their souls acknowledge
    and wing their way to Him
    by Whom they have been created.    ”

    “By a woman came the flood of our ills
    and, by a woman too,
    our blessings have their spring.    ”

    MORE:
    https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/17/quote-s-of-the-day-17-november-st-gregory-thaumaturgus/

    St Gregory Thaumaturgus (c213-c270)
    “the Wonder-Worker” Bishop, Confessor, Father

    Posted in JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

    Our Morning Offering – 16 November – O Sacred Heart of Jesus By St Gertrude

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Our Morning Offering – 16 November – Feast of St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302) Virgin

    O Sacred Heart of Jesus
    By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

    O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
    Fountain of eternal life,
    Your Heart is a glowing Furnace of Love.
    You are my Refuge and my Sanctuary.
    O my adorable and loving Saviour,
    consume my heart with the burning fire
    with which Your Heart is enflamed.
    Pour down on my soul those graces
    which flow from Your love.
    Let my heart be united with Your Heart.
    Let my will be conformed to Your Will in all things.
    May Your Will be the Rule of all my desires and actions.
    Amen

    Posted in HOW to PRAY at ALL TIMES, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PRAYERS for the SOULS

    Thought for the Day – 15 November – Pray For Your Neighbour

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Thought for the Day – 15 November – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

    “How to Pray at All Times”
    By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

    Pray For Your Neighbour
    Excerpt from Chapter Three:VI

    “Recommend to God with confidence not only your own needs but also the needs of others.
    How pleasing to Him it will be if you sometimes forget yourself and speak to Him of His own glory, of the miseries of others, especially those who mourn in sorrow; of the souls in purgatory, His spouses, who long to behold Him in Heaven and of poor sinners, who live deprived of His grace.

    Pray to Him for sinners thus –
    ‘Lord, Thou art all goodness and worthy of an infinite love – how, then, canst Thou endure in the world, so many souls on whom Thou hast lavished Thy favours and who yet, have no desire to know Thee, who have no desire to love Thee, who even offend and despise Thee?’
    Ah, my most amiable God, make Thyself known-make Thyself loved. Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come. May Thy Name be adored and loved by all men.
    May Thy love reign in all hearts. Do not let me depart from Thee without granting me some grace for the unhappy souls for whom I pray.”

    Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MARIAN QUOTES, OUR Cross, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WATCHING, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HEART, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

    Quote/s of the Day – 12 November – St Theodore the Studite

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Quote/s of the Day – 12 November – St Theodore the Studite (759-826) Abbot, Confessor, Father of the Church

    “Day by day follow God’s path,
    keeping Him closely attached to you by His promise.
    In fact, He Himself said, through the mediation of His Apostles,
    to all those who seek His will and His testimonies
    that He would be with them
    until the end of the world (Mt 28:20)
    where paths and footsteps
    will be unknown (cf Ps 76:20),
    as the divine David said in his songs.
    Yet, in an invisible way,
    He is present to the eyes of the mind,
    making Himself seen by those
    who have a pure heart
    and conversing with them.
    So pursue your path ….     ”

    “He who is immortal, voluntarily shed His Blood.
    He who created the Host of Angels,
    was bound at the hands of soldiers
    and He who is to judge the living and the dead,
    was dragged to justice (cf. Acts 10:42; 2 Tm 4:1).
    Truth was exposed to false witnesses,
    was slandered, struck, covered with spittle,
    hung on the Wood of the Cross –
    the Lord of Glory (cf. 1 Cor 2:8)
    endured every outrage and suffering
    without Himself needing these trials. …

    So there is nothing surprising about it,
    if we submit to even one of these trials,
    since such is our condition …
    Therefore, we too have to be offended and tempted,
    afflicted by the cutting off of our wills.    ”
    (Catecheses 1)

    “By the Cross, death was slain
    and Adam was restored to life.
    The Cross is the glory of all the Apostles,
    the Crown of the Martyrs,
    the Sanctification of the Saints.
    By the Cross, we put on Christ
    and cast aside our former self.
    By the Cross we, the sheep of Christ,
    have been gathered into one flock,
    destined for the Sheepfold of Heaven.    ”

    “Who will gather the fruits of life
    without having planted virtues in his soul?
    Cultivate them, prepare the earth
    with the greatest care,
    take trouble over it, sweat over it, children,
    God’s workers, imitators of the Angels,
    competitors with incorporeal beings,
    lights for those who are in the world!    ”

    “Let us hike up our tunics, be on the alert,
    have eagle eyes – this is the speediest flight
    for the trip which leads us from earth to Heaven!
    It is true, travellers can have something to endure.
    And this happens to you too –
    indeed, as you see, you struggle under hard labours …
    Briefly, each is at their post.
    All go forward on the highway to God,
    they approach the great City and, in death,
    they will have entry to the unutterable joy
    of the good things God reserves,
    for all those who have loved Him!     ”

    “Rejoice, O Mary, House of the Lord,
    earth trodden by the Footsteps of God…
    Rejoice, O Paradise
    more happy than the Garden of Eden,
    where every virtue has been seeded
    and where the Tree of Life has grown.    ”

    St Theodore the Studite (759-826)
    Abbot, Confessor, Father of the Church

    Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The HOLY NAME

    Our Morning Offering – 12 November – Daily Prayer to the Most Holy Name By St Bernardine of Siena

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Our Morning Offering – 12 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”

    Daily Prayer to the Most Holy Name
    By St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)
    Apostle of the Most Holy Name

    Jesus,
    Name full of glory, grace, love and strength!
    Thou art the Refuge of those who repent,
    our Banner of warfare in this life,
    the Medicine of souls,
    the Comfort of those who mourn,
    the Delight of those who believe,
    the Light of those who preach the True Faith,
    the Wages of those who toil,
    the Cure of the sick.
    To Thou, our devotion aspires;
    by Thee, our prayers are received;
    we delight in contemplating Thee.
    O Name of Jesus,
    Thou art the glory
    of all the Saints for eternity.
    Amen

    Posted in GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The HOLY NAME, The SIGN of the CROSS

    Quote/s of the Day – 11 November – St Martin of Tours

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Quote/s of the Day – 11 November – St Martin of Tours (c316-397) “Martin the Merciful,” Bishop, Confessor, Miracle-Worker.

    “Hitherto I have served you as a soldier;
    allow me now to become a soldier of God.
    Let the man who is to serve you
    receive your largesse.
    I am a soldier of Christ;
    combat is not permitted me    .”

    “In the Name of the Lord Jesus
    and protected only
    by the Sign of the Cross,
    without shield or helmet,
    I shall penetrate the enemy’s ranks
    and not be afraid.    ”

    I Will Fight Beneath Thy Banner, Lord
    Prayer of St Martin of Tours (c316-397)

    Lord, if Thy people still have need
    of my services,
    I will not avoid the toil.
    Thy Will be done.
    I have fought the good fight long enough.
    Yet, if Thou bid me continue, to hold
    the battle line in defence
    of Thy camp,
    I will never beg to be excused
    from failing strength.
    I will do the work Thou entrust to me.
    While Thou command,,
    I will fight beneath Thy banner.
    Amen

    St Martin of Tours (c 316-397)

    Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for the SOULS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

    Our Morning Offering – 11 November – Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory By St Alphonsus

    Posted on by AnaStpaul

    Our Morning Offering – 11 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”

    My God! I Recommend to Thee …
    Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
    By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
    Most Zealous Doctor

    My God! I recommend to Thee,
    the souls of my relatives,
    my benefactors, my friend, my enemies
    and of those, who are in Purgatory on my account.
    I recommend to Thee,
    the souls of Evangelical labourers,
    of Religious and Priests
    and especially of those,
    who had charge of my soul.
    I recommend to Thee,
    the souls of those, who were most devout
    to the Passion of Our Lord,
    to the Blessed Sacrament,
    to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
    and to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
    the souls, who are most abandoned,
    those, who suffer most
    and those, who are nearest
    to the entrance into Paradise.
    Amen