Thought for the Day – 30 June – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
The Adorable Heart of Jesus Meditations for a Month
EXERCISES OF DEVOTION.
Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to make amends for the outrages He suffers in the Blessed Sacrament
O Heart of Jesus, ever on fire with love for men and ever outraged by their ingratitude! Thou hast done everything on earth, during Thy mortal life, to show Thy Love to men, even so far, as to wear Thyself out and to consume Thyself for them. Thy Love was repaid then, by nothing but contempt and the most disgraceful insult. And now that Thou burnest with the self-same love in the Holy Eucharist, where Thou art still dwelling in Thy Sacrament of Love in the midst of us, Thou dost suffer at the hands of ungrateful men the most cruel outrages, although they have no longer the excuse of ignorance and know now, what Thou art.
I see Thee on our Altars expose, during the lapse of so many hundred years, to numberless irreverences, sacrileges and insults, the memory of which fills me with horror and which, are going on now, even amongst those who believe in the True Faith!
Moved by these outrages, I prostrate myself before Thee, O Adorable Heart and weep for Thine outraged Love. I beg Thy pardon for the ingratitude of which I myself am guilty. I detest the sins which I have committed in Thy Presence by irreverence, coldness, and negligence. I would make reparation for them, as also, for the abominations committed against Thee by so many heretics and bad Catholics.
Would that by my homage and my grief, I could make amends to Thy injured honour. Would that by my tears and my blood, I could wash out the insults I deplore. Would that by some new kind of homage, I could atone for so many irreverences, insults and sacrileges. My life would not be too much to sacrifice for so worthy an object. Grant me, O Sacred Heart, by Thine own sweetness and boundless mercy, the pardon which I ask for, and give me grace to keep the resolution, which I now make, to do all I can in the future , to pay Thee, in the Sacrament of Thy Love, the profound adoration which I owe Thee and to show Thee that gratitude and love which are justly due to Thee. I resolve to repair my past faults by the modesty of my deportment in Thy churches, by my constancy in visiting Thee, my devotion and fervo.r in receiving Thee and, in fulfilment of Thy desire, I impose upon myself the duty of often repeating Acts of Reparation in Thy Presence, as Thou hast deigned to direct, in order, as far as I can, to atone for the injuries done Thee by others and of which Thy very love makes Thee the Victim in this Divine Sacrament.
Bless, I beseech Thee, this resolve and give me grace to keep it faithfully. Amen.
Quote/s of the Day – 30 June – “The Last Day of Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”
The Nine First Friday of the Month Dedicated to the Devotion of Love and Reparation the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
“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 First Friday’s Devotion:
Attend Holy Mass and 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.
Act of Love to the Sacred Heart of Jesus By Servant of God Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val (1865-1930)
Reveal Thy Sacred Heart to me, O Jesus and show me Its attractions. Unite me to It forever. Grant that all my aspirations and all the beats of my heart, which cease, not even while I sleep, may be a testimonial to Thee, of my love for Thee and may it say to Thee – “Yes, Lord, I am all Thine” the pledge of my allegiance to Thee, rests forever in my heart and will never cease to be there. May Thou accept, the slight amount of good that I do and be graciously pleased, to repair all my wrong-doing – so that I may be able, to bless Thee, in time and in eternity. Amen
Act of Consecration and Reparation to the Sacred Heart By Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903) Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thine Altar. We are Thine and Thine we wish to be but, to be more surely united with Thee, behold each one of us, freely consecrates himself today to Thy Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known Thee, many too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus and draw them to Thine Sacred Heart. Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful, who have never forsaken Thee but also of the prodigal children, who have abandoned Thee, grant that they, may quickly return to Thy Father’s House lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbour of truth and unity of faith, so that there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Be Thou, King of all those. who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry or of Islamism and refuse not, to draw them into the Light and Kingdom of God. Turn Thine Eyes of Mercy towards the children of the race, once Thy chosen people – of old they called down upon themselves the Blood of the Saviour; may it now descend upon them, a laver of redemption and of life. Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church, assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations and make the earth resound from pole to pole, with one cry: “Praise be to the Divine Heart which wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honour forever!” Amen
The above prayer, composed by Pope Leo XIII was included in the 1899 Encyclical, Annum Sacrum, issued by Leo XIII as he Consecrated the entire world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Consecration was influenced by two letters written to the Holy Father by Blessed Sister Mary of the Divine Heart, who stated that in visions of Jesus Christ, she had been told to request the Consecration.
Our Morning Offering – 30 June – “The Last Day of the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Pentecost VI
A Magnificat By St John Eudes (1601-1680) A Hymn of Praise and Thanksgiving to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Holy Heart of Mary
My soul doth magnify the admirable Heart of Jesus and Mary And my spirit rejoices in Thou great Heart. Jesus and Mary have given me their Heart, This immense Heart, in order that all in me May be performed in its love.
Infinite praise to them, for their ineffable gift. This Heart infinitely merciful, has done great things for me. It has possessed me from the womb of my mother. Infinite thanksgiving for Thou ineffable gifts.
The abyss of my misery has called on the abyss of His Mercy. Infinite thanksgiving for His ineffable gifts. This Heart infinitely meek has presented me With blessings of its sweetness. Infinite thanksgiving for His ineffable gifts. Amen
Our Morning Offering – 28 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”
O Adorable Heart of my Jesus! By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
O Adorable Heart of my Jesus, Heart yearning expressly. for the love of men! Until now, I have shown towards Thee only ingratitude. Pardon me, O my Jesus. Heart of my Jesus, Abyss of Love and of Mercy, how is it possible, hat I do not die of sorrow, when I reflect on Thy Goodness to me and my ingratitude to Thee? Thou, my Creator, after having created me, hast given Thy Blood and Thy Life for me and, not content with this, Thou hast invented a means of offering Thyself everyday for me, in the Holy Eucharist, exposing Thyself to a thousand insults and outrages! Ah, Jesus, do Thou wound my heart with a great contrition for my sins and a lively love for Thee. Through Thy Tears and Thy Blood, give me the grace of perseverance in Thy fervent love, until I breathe my last sigh. Amen.
Our Morning Offering – 26 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”
O Heart of Jesus! By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)
Sanctity of the Heart of Jesus, consecrate my heart; Providence of the Heart of Jesus, watch over my heart; Unchangeableness of the Heart of Jesus, strengthen my heart; Purity of the Heart of Jesus, purify my heart; Obedience of the Heart of Jesus, subjugate my heart; Amiability of the Heart of Jesus, make Thyself known to my heart; Divine attractions of the Heart of Jesus, captivate my heart; Riches of the Heart of Jesus, do ye suffice for my heart; Floods of grace and blessing which flow from the Heart of Jesus, inundate my heart. O Heart of Jesus! be Thou my joy, my peace, my repose in this world and in the next. O Heart of Jesus! adored in Heaven, Invoked on earth, feared in hell, Reign over all hearts, Reign throughout all ages, Reign forever in celestial glory. Amen
Our Morning Offering – 25 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”
Be my Strength, O Sacred Heart! By St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) Visionary of the Sacred Heart
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I fly to Thee, I unite myself to Thee, I enclose myself in Thee! Receive my call for help, O my Saviour, as a sign of my horror of all within me, contrary to Thy holy love. Let me die rather a thousand times, than consent to sin against Thee! Be my strength, O God – defend me, protect me. I am Thine and desire forever to be Thine! Amen
Thought for the Day – 23 June – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
The Adorable Heart of Jesus Meditations for a Month
On The Difference Between Devotion to the SACRED HEART and Devotion to the BLESSED SACRAMENT
There have been, from the very beginning, people who asserted that there was no essential difference between Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and that to the Sacred Heart and who consequently, rejected the latter as only adding a new name to a very old Devotion. But whoever has read, what we have said in the preceding chapters, will readily perceive how far this opinion is removed from the truth, it being evident that these two Devotions differ from each other – firstly, in their objects ; secondly, in the motives for honouring these objects; thirdly, in the essential end of their institution. This is to say, they differ in the three most important points which can distinguish Devotions one from the other.
They differ in the first place in their object; for, in the one is proposed alone the Adorable Heart of Jesus Christ, without any reference to the rest of His Body. In the other the entire Body of Jesus Christ is proposed under the Sacramental Species, without any special reference to His Heart.
They differ, in the second place, in the motives for honouring the object, for in the Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, the motive for honouring the Body of Jesus Christ, is the Infinite Dignity of this Adorable Flesh which, through its union with the Word, is worthy of the adoration of Angels and men. In the Devotion to the Sacred Heart, the essential motive for honouring I, is the love with which It is inflamed and the sufferings It endured, through the ingratitude of men which has relation to the Divine Heart and to no other part of the Body.
In short, in instituting the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament the object was to render to Jesus Christ, abiding amongst us, the adoration, the gratitude and the love which are so justly due to Him in this Ineffable Mystery. It is in order to satisfy these obligations that the Church has instituted the festival of the Blessed Sacrament with its Solemn Octave, with processions, decorations and all the pomp and magnificence with which this Feast is celebrated. But in that of the Sacred Heart the principal object of its institution is to make reparation to our Lord for the insults His Love has received in the Holy Sacrament through the ingratitude of men — a reparation which Jesus Christ desires should be directed to His Heart which is, as it were, the Source and the Seat of this Love.
Now it is clear that this object is not attained by Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, for this Devotion would still remain intact, even if our Lord had never been outraged in this Mystery. All that is now done in honour of this Adorable Sacrament would still be justly given without any other aim than to render, to our Lord, the outward marks of respect and gratitude due to His Divine Presence among us.
Our Morning Offering – 23 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Pentecost V
Auctor Beate Sæculi Jesu, Creator of the World! Unknown Author
Jesu, Creator of the world! Of all mankind Redeemer blest! True God of God in whom we see The Father’s Image clear expressed!
Thee Saviour, love alone constrained To make our mortal flesh Thine own; And as a second Adam come, For the first Adam to atone.
That selfsame Love that made the sky, Which made the sea and stars and earth, Took pity on our misery, And broke the bondage of our birth.
O Jesu! in Thy Heart Divine May that same Love forever flow, Forever mercy to mankind From that exhaustless Fountain flow.
For this Thy Sacred Heart was pierced, And both with blood and water ran; To cleanse us from the stains of guilt, And be the hope and strength of man.
Jesu! to Thee be glory giv’n, Who from the Heart dost grace outpour, With Father and with Holy Ghost, Through endless ages evermore.
Trans. The Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK slightly adapted from Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878) original translation Music: PUER NOBIS, LM; adapted by Michael Praetorius, (1571-1621). This particular Vespers Hymn is taken from the Feast of the Sacred Heart. In a Seminary or Monastery, this hymn would be sung. It has a very compelling melody, which adds to the beauty of a Hymn which extolls the mercy of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The theme of the entire piece is Our Lord’s Sacred Heart and how It is the Fount of Mercy for all who come to Him. It tells how we should value the Infinite Redemption He wrought for us.
Our Morning Offering – 22 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and Mary’s Day
The Mater Christi! Unknown Author
Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, What shall I ask of thee? I do not sigh for the wealth of earth For the joys that fade and flee, But, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, This do I long to see — The bliss untold which thy arms enfold, The Treasure upon thy knee.
Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, He was All-in-All to thee, In the winter’s cave, in Nazareth’s home, In the hamlets of Galilee, So, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, He will not say nay to thee, When He lifts His Face to thy sweet embrace, Speak to Him, Mother, of me.
Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, The world will bid Him flee, Too busy to heed His gentle Voice, Too blind His charms to see, Then, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, Come with thy Babe to me, Tho’ the world be cold, my heart shall hold A shelter for Him and thee.
Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, What shall I do for thee? I will love thy Son with the whole of my strength, My only King shall He be. Yes! Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, This will I do for thee, Of all that are dear or cherished here, None shall be dear as He.
Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, I toss on a stormy sea, O lift thy Child as a Beacon Light, To the Port where I fain would be! And, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, This do I ask of thee — When the voyage is o’er, oh! stand on the shore And show Him at last to me!
Our Morning Offering – 21 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” –
Eternal Father, I Offer unto Thee By St Margaret Mary Alacogue (1647-1690) Visionary and Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Eternal Father, I offer unto Thee the infinite satisfaction which Jesus rendered to Thy Justice, on behalf of sinners, upon the tree of the Cross and I pray that, Thou wouldst make the merits of His Precious Blood available to all guilty souls to whom sin has brought death. May they rise again to the life of grace and glorify Thee forever.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the fervent devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in satisfaction for the lukewarmness and cowardice of Thy chosen people, imploring Thee, by the burning Love which made Him suffer death that it may please Thee, to rekindle their hearts, now so lukewarm in Thy service and to set them on fire with Thine Love that they may love Thee forever.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the submission of Jesus to Thy Will and I ask of Thee, through His merits, the fullness of all grace and the accomplishment of all Thine Holy Will. Blessed be God! Amen.
The Twelve Promises of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary and to those Devoted to His Sacred Heart:
I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
I will establish peace in their families.
I will console them in all their troubles.
They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.
I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
Tepid souls shall become fervent.
Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honoured.
I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of Nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.
“His Heart is the natural Sign and Symbol of His boundless love for the human race.”
Our Morning Offering – 19 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” –
O DIVINE Heart of JESUS Pope Leo XIII Indulgence 100 Days, Once a day Raccolta 167 13 March 1901.
O DIVINE Heart of JESUS, grant, we beseech Thee, eternal rest to the souls in purgatory, the final grace to those who shall die today, true repentance to sinners, the light of the faith to pagans and Thy Blessing to me and mine. To Thee, O most compassionate Heart of JESUS! I commend all these souls and I offer to Thee, on their behalf, all Thy merits, together with the merits of Thy most Holy Mother and of all the Saints, Angels and all the Sacrifices of the Holy Mass, Communions, prayers and good works, which shall be accomplished today, throughout the Christian world. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 18 June – “The Harp of the Holy Ghost!” Father & Doctor of the Church, Confessor
“The Cross gives Light to the whole universe; it casts out darkness and gathers nations together in charity, into One Church, One Faith, One Baptism…”
“Virtues are formed by PRAYER. PRAYER preserves temperance. PRAYER suppresses anger. PRAYER prevents emotions of pride and envy. PRAYER draws the Holy Ghost, into the soul and raises man to Heaven.”
“Let Heaven sustain me in its embrace because, I am honoured above it. For Heaven was not Thy Mother but Thou hast made it Thy Throne. How much more honourable and venerable, than the throne of a king, is His Mother?!”
“Thou alone and Thy Mother, are in all things fair, there is no flaw in Thee and no stain in Thy Mother.”
“Some people, who were opposed to the Holy Ghost, said: “These people have had too much new wine; they are drunk.” Indeed, you speak truly! However, it is not as you think it is. It is not wine from the vineyard they have drunk. It is a new wine that flows from Heaven – a wine newly pressed on Golgotha. The Apostles caused it to be drunk and thus , they inebriated all creation. This is wine that was pressed on the Cross!”
Our Morning Offering – 18 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” –
May the Heart of Jesus be the King of My Heart! By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of Charity
May Thy Heart dwell always, in our hearts! May Thy Blood ever flow, in the veins of our souls! O Sun of our hearts, Thou give life to all things, by the rays of Thy goodness! I will not go, until Thy Heart has strengthened me, O Lord Jesus! May the Heart of Jesus be the King of my heart! Blessed be God forever! Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 17 June – Ferial Day – Visiting St Augustine
“Our hearts were made for Thee, O God And restless must they be Until, O God, this grace accord, Until they rest in Thee!”
“So Saul was led to Ananias – the ravaging wolf is led to the sheep. But the Shepherd, Who guides everything from Heaven above, reassures him… “Do not fear, I will show him what he will have to suffer, for My Name’s sake” (Acts 9:16). What wonder is this! The wolf is led, a captive, to the sheep… The Lamb who died for the sheep, teaches it not to be afraid anymore!”
“He asks for our faith and offers us salvation. What He offers us, is so precious that what He asks of us, is as nothing!”
Breathe in Me, O Holy Ghost By St Augustine (354-420) Father and Doctor of the Church
Breathe in me, O Holy Ghost, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Ghost, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Ghost, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Ghost, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Ghost, that I always may be holy. Amen
“Then they tried to seize Him.” If only they had seized Him! But by faith and intellect, not so as to mock and put Him to death! At this very moment, as I speak to you … all of us, both you and I, are wanting to seize Christ. To ‘seize’ what does that mean? You have ‘seized’ when you have understood. But Christ’s enemies were looking for something different. You have seized in order to possess but they wanted to seize Him in order to get rid of Him! And because, this was how they wanted to seize Him, what does Jesus do? “He escaped from their power.” They were unable to seize Him because they did not have the hands of faith. … We truly seize Christ, if our minds grasp the Word!”
“Let Us Hate Our Sins and Love Him Who Will Exact Punishment for Them. What then should the Christian do? He ought to use the world, not become its slave. And what does this mean? It means having, as though not having. … Are we really certain that we love Him? Or do we love our sins more? Therefore, let us hate our sins and love Him Who, will exact punishment for them. He will come whether we wish it or not. Do not think that because He is not coming just now, He will not come at all. He will come, you know not when and provided He finds you prepared, your ignorance of the time of His coming, will not be held against you.”
Watch, O Lord! With Those Who Wake, or Watch, or Weep Tonight By St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight and give Thy Angels and Saints, charge over those who sleep. Tend Thy sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest Thy weary ones. Bless Thy dying ones. Soothe Thy suffering ones. Pity Thy afflicted ones. Shield Thy joyous ones. And all, for Thine Love’s sake. Amen
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church
Our Morning Offering – 17 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”
Morning Offering to the Sacred Heart Everyday of My Life Belongs to Thee, O My God! (Treasury of the Sacred Heart 1950)
Everyday of my life belongs to Thee, O my God! and every action of my life should be performed with the pure intention of honouring Thee alone. From this moment, I offer them to Thy Sacred Heart and by this offering, I consecrate them, without reserve, to Thy glory. What a motive for performing all my actions with all possible perfection! Do not permit them, O my Divine Saviour, to be sullied by any motives unworthy of Thy Sacred Heart. I renounce all which could lessen the merit of my offering. I renounce all vanity, self-love and human respect. Grant, O my God, that I may commence, continue and end this day in Thine grace and solely from the pure motive of pleasing and honouring Thee. Amen
Father’s Day + 2024 Wishing all Dads a Blessed and Happy Father’s Day!
A Parent’s Prayer to St Joseph
O holy Joseph, thou faithful Spouse of the Blessed Mother, thou who didst protect her and her Divine Child with such care and didst devote thy whole life to them; I beseech thee to be also my and my children’s protector and advocate, with Jesus, thy adopted Son. Obtain for me the grace to fulfil my duties to my children, as thou and Mary have done to Jesus.
St Joseph Pray for all our Fathers and for our spiritual Fathers of Holy Mother Church Amen.
St Berthaldus St Ceccardus of Luni St Cettin of Oran St Colman McRhoi St Crescentius of Antioch St Cunigunde of Rapperswil St Curig of Wales St Cyriacus of Iconium (c 301-c 304) Child Martyr
Blessed Donizetti Tavares de Lima (1882-1961) Priest, Apostle of the poor, the elderly and the sick, miracle-worker, known to bilocate. A prophecy related to Vatican II: “No, no, Archbishop! We won’t see this disgrace (prophesying that they both would die soon) but it will come! This was not just a dream, nor a nightmare! The darkness will fall over this world! I beg you: don’t let them destroy the Altars!” An amazing life: https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/16/saint-of-the-day-16-june-blessed-donizetti-tavares-de-lima-1882-1961/
St Elidan St Felix of San Felice St Ferreolus of Besançon St Ferrutio of Besançon Bl Gaspare Burgherre St Graecina of Volterra St Ismael of Wales St Julitta of Iconium St Justina of Mainz
St Maurus of San Felice St Palerio of Telese St Similian of Nantes Bishop and Confessor Bl Thomas Redyng St Tycho of Amathus
Martyrs of Africa: A group of 5 Christians Martyred together. We know nothing else but the names – Cyriacus, Diogenes, Marcia, Mica, Valeria. They were martyred in an unknown location in Africa, date unknown.
Quote/s of the Day – 15 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Our Lady’s Saturday
“No matter how sinful one may have been, if he has devotion to Mary, it is impossible that he be lost.”
St Hilary of Poitiers (315-368) Father & Doctor of the Church
“O, that the soul of Mary were in us, to glorify the Lord! That the spirit of Mary were in us, to rejoice in God. May the life of Blessed Mary be ever present to our awareness. In her, as in a mirror, the form of virtue and beauty of chastity, shine forth. She was Virgin, not only in body but in mind and spirit. She never sullied the pure affection of her heart by unworthy feelings. She was humble of heart. She was serious in her conversations. She was prudent in her counsels. She preferred to pray rather than to speak. She united in her heart the prayers of the poor, and avoided the uncertainty of worldly riches. She was ever faithful to her daily duties, reserved in her conversations and always accustomed to recognise God as the witness of her thoughts. Blessed be the Name of Jesus!”
(On Virginity II 2.7)
St Ambrose (340-397) Father and Doctor of the Church
“ … For His brothers His relatives according to the flesh who did not believe in Him, of what advantage was that relationship? … Even her maternal relationship would have done Mary no good, unless she had borne Christ more happily in her heart, than in her flesh.”
St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of Grace
“It is an axiom in Theology that when a person is chosen by God for any state, he receives, not only the dispositions necessary for it but, even the gifts which he needs to sustain that state with decorum.” (Speaking on the subject of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God).
St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)
“No-one who shall invoke this Mother of Grace, with devotion and perseverance, can possibly perish forever.”
St John Eudes (1601-1680) “The Apostle of Two Hearts”
Look Down, O Mother Mary! By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor Transl, Fr Edmund Vaughan, CSSR in 1863
Look down, O Mother Mary! From thy bright throne above; Cast down upon thy children One only glance of love.
And if a heart so tender With pity flows not o’er, Then turn away, O Mother! And look on us no more.
See how, ungrateful sinners, We stand before thy Son; His loving Heart upbraids us The evil we have done.
But if thou wilt appease Him, Speak for us—but one word; Thou only canst obtain as The pardon of our Lord.
O Mary, dearest Mother! If thou wouldst have us live, Say that we are thy children, And Jesus will forgive.
Our sins make us unworthy That title still to bear But thou art still our Mother, Then show a Mother’s care.
Open to us thy mantle, There stay we without fear, What evil can befall us If, Mother, thou art near?
O sweetest, dearest Mother! Thy sinful children save; Look down on us with pity, Who thy protection crave.
One Minute Reflection – 15 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Our Lady’s Saturday – Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16; Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Blessed is the womb that bore you ’” – Luke 11:27
REFLECTION – “By the Spirit, from the womb of the Virgin, was born our Head, the Son of Man and, by the same Spirit, in the waters of Baptism, we are reborn as His Body and as sons of God. And just as He was born without any sin, so we are reborn in the forgiveness of all our sins. As on the Cross, He bore the sum total of the whole Body’s sins in His own physical Body, so He gave His members the grace of rebirth, in order that no sin might be imputed to His Mystical Body. It is written: Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes no sin. The blessed man of this text is undoubtedly Christ, Who forgives sins, insofar as God, is His Head. Insofar as this Man is the Head of the Body, no sin is forgiven Him. But, insofar as the Body that belongs to this Head, consists of many members, sin is not imputed to it.
Just as in Himself, it is He Who justifies Himself. He alone is both Saviour and saved. In His own Body on the Cross, He bore what He had washed from His Body by the waters of Baptism. Bringing salvation through wood and through water, He is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world which He took upon Himself. Himself a Priest, He offers Himself as Sacrifice to God and He Himself, is God. Thus, through His own Self, the Son is reconciled to Himself as God, as well as to the Father and to the Holy Ghost.” – Blessed Isaac of Stella O.Cist. (c 1100 – c 1170) Cistercian Monk, Abbot, Theologian, Philosopher (An excerpt from his Sermon 42),
PRAYER – Grant us, Thy servants, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body and by the intercession of glorious and blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake to the full of eternal appiness.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
OUR Lady of the Sacred Heart, Pray for Us! – Indulgence 100 Days. Everytime – Raccolta 174 St Pius X, 9 July 1904.
Our Morning Offering – 15 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Our Lady’s Saturday
Memorare to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus By the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) Patronag: Of Difficult and Impossible Causes.
Remember, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, what ineffable power thy Divine Son hath given thee over His own adorable Heart. Full of trust in thy merits, we come before thee and beg thy protection. O heavenly Treasurer of the Heart of Jesus that Heart which is the inexhaustible source of all graces which thou mayest open to us at thy good pleasure, in order that, from it may flow forth upon mankind the riches of love and mercy, light and salvation which are contained therein; grant unto us, we beseech thee, the favours which we seek. We can never, never be refused by thee and since thou art our Mother, O our Lady of the Sacred Heart, graciously hear our prayers and grant our request. Amen
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is a title which originated with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, founded by Fr J Chevalier (1824-1907) at Issoudun/France. This religious Congregation was founded to revive and regenerate the Christian faith, thanks to a special devotion to the Sacred Heart and to Our Lady. Their spirituality is based on a strong faith in the love of God the Father which revealed itself in the Heart of Jesus. This Christocentric orientation is linked with a lively devotion to Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. It is said in the Rule of Life of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, “Since Mary was so intimately related to the Mystery of her Son’s Heart, we pray to her as did Fr Chevalier and we invoke her under the title of Our Lady of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. She knew of the inexhaustible riches of Christ; she was totally filled with His Love. She leads us to Him and directs us to His Heart which is the Source of Love …” ( #18)
One Minute Reflection – 14 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and the Octave Day of the Sacred Heart – Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19, John 19:31-37 – – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“… One of the soldiers opened His side with a lance and immediately there came forth blood and water. ” – John 19:34
REFLECTION – “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!
It is within this temple, this Holy of holies, this Ark of the Covenant, that I shall come to offer worship and praise to the Lord’s Name. “I have found a heart with which to pray to my God” said David (1 Ch 17:25). And I too have found the Heart of my Lord and King, my Brother and Friend. Shall I not pray to Him, then? Indeed I shall pray, for, I dare to say it – His Heart is all mine…
O Jesus, deign to receive and answer my prayer. Draw me wholly into Thine Heart. Although the deformity of my sins prevents me from entering in, yet, Thou can receive and purify me from my impurities since, through an incomprehensible Love, this Heart has expanded and opened wide. O most pure Jesus, wash me from my iniquities so that, purified by Thee, I may dwell in Thy Heart all the days of my life, to see and do Thy will. If Thine Side has been pierced, then it is so that our entrance there should be opened. If Thine Heart has been wounded, then it is so that, sheltered from outward distress, we can make our home within it. And, too, it is so that in this visible wound, we might see the invisible wound of Love.” – [Attrib] St Bonaventure (1221-1274) Franciscan, Doctor of the Church (editations on the Lord’s Passion 3).
PRAYER – We beseech Thee, O Lord, hear our prayers which we offer on the festival of blessed Basil, Thy Confessor and Bishop and through his intercessory merits, who had the grace to serve Thee worthily, absolve us from all our sins. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
MAY the Heart of JESUS in the most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the Tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. – Indulgence 100 Days, Once a Day. Raccolta 161 Pius IX, 29 February 1868.
Our Morning Offering – 14 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and the Octave Day of the Sacred Heart
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I Place my Trust in Thee Attr to Sr Mary Gisela of Notre Dame Convent (USA 1957)
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee, Whatever may befall me, Lord, though dark the hour may be; In all my woes, in all my joys, though nought but grief I see, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee.
When those I love have passed away and I am sore distressed, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I fly to Thee for rest. And when the cross is heavy, my confidence shall be Unshaken as I cry, dear Lord, “I place my trust in Thee.”
This is my one sweet prayer, dear Lord, my faith, my trust, my love But most of all in that last hour, when death points up above, O Sweet Saviour, may Thy Face smile on my soul all free. Oh may I cry with rapturous love, “I’ve placed my trust in Thee!”
The above been set as a Hymn to the tune PASSION CHORALE by Hans Leo Hassler (1601) – the tune which is commonly used for a “O Sacred Head now Wounded”
Our Morning Offering – 13 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and the Feast of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus instituted by Pope Benedict XV
O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus! By Pope Benedict XV (1854-1922)
O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus! O Fount of every good! I adore Thee, I love Thee and sincerely repenting of my sins, I present to Thee my poor heart. Give it back to me humble, patient, pure and in everything, conformed to Thy wishes. Make me, O good Jesus, live in Thee and for Thee. Protect me in dangers, comfort me in afflictions, grant me health of body, succour in my temporal needs, Thy blessing in all my works and the grace of a holy death. Amen
Indulgence – 100 days Once a day Pope Benedict XV 4 December 1916
St Fandilas of Penamelaria St Felicula of Rome St Fortunatus of North Africa
Blessed Gerard of Clairvaux (Died 1138) – was the elder brother of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. He was a Soldier. When he was wounded in combat at the siege of Grancy, Gerard resolved to become a Monk. He became a Benedictine Cistercian Monk at Citeaux. He worked with Saint Bernard at Clairvaux and became his closest confidant. He died in 1138 of natural causes.
St Lucian of North Africa St Mac Nissi of Clonmacno St Maximus of Cravagliana St Nicolas Bùi Ðuc The St Peregrinus of Amiterno St Rambert St Salmodio Bl Servatius Scharff St Thecla
One Minute Reflection – 12 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Within the Octave of the Sacred Heart – St Juan de Sahagun (1419-1479) Confessor, Priest and Friar of the Order of the Augustinians – – Ecclesiasticus i 31:8-11; Luke 12:35-40– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Jesus said to His disciples: Let your … lamps burn in your hands.” – Luke 12:35
REFLECTION – “Prayer offered during the hours of night possess great power, even more than that offered during the day. That is why all the Saints were in the habit of praying at night, combating the body’s drowsiness and the sweetness of sleep and overcoming their bodily nature. The Prophet also said: “I am wearied with sighing; every night I flood my bed with weeping” (Ps 6:7) as he uttered heartfelt sighs in impassioned prayer. And elsewhere: “At midnight I rise to give Thee thanks because of Thy just ordinances, O just God” (Ps 118:62). For every request for which the Saints desired to importune God, they armed themselves with nocturnal prayer and, at once received that which they besought Him.
Satan himself fears nothing as much as prayer offered during the night watches. Even if they are accompanied by distractions, it does not return fruitless, as long as something inappropriate is not being asked for. That is why Satan engages in severe combat against those who keep watch at night, so as to deter them from this practice if he can, especially if they show themselves to be persevering. But those who are in any way defended against his pernicious wiles and have tasted the gifts God grants, at these times of vigil and, have had personal experience, of the greatness of the help God gives them, wholly despise him, he and all his craftiness.” – St Isaac the Syrian of Nineveh (c613-c700) Bishop of Nineveh, Monk at Mosul, Father of the Church (Ascetical Discourses)
PRAYER – O God, Author of peace and lover of charity, Who endowed blessed John, Your Confessor, with a wondrous grace for reconciling enemies; grant by his merits and intercession that, being ourselves firmly rooted in Thy charity, we may not be separated from Thee by any temptations.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).
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine. – 300 Days, EVERYTIME. (Unless otherwise stated, e.g., “once a day,” a partial Indulgence may be gained any number of times in succession.) St Pope Pius X, 15 September 1905.
Our Morning Offering – 12 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”
Daily Offering to the Sacred Heart By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (of Lisieux) OCD (1873-1897)
O my God! I offer Thee all my actions of this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to His Infinite Merits and I wish to make reparation for my sins, by casting them into the furnace of His Merciful Love. O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfil perfectly Thine Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee, the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day, be united together in Heaven for all Eternity. Amen
Our Morning Offering – 10 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Within the Octave of the Sacred Heart
Be the Heart of My Heart By St John Eudes (1601-1680) Apostle of the Sacred Heart
O Heart all Lovable and all Loving of my Saviour, be the Heart of my heart, the Soul of my soul, the Spirit of my spirit, the Life of my life and the sole Principle of all my thoughts, words and actions, of all the faculties of my soul and of all my senses, both interior and exterior. Amen
St John Eudes is the Author of the Proper for the Mass and Divine Office of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ and the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin. St John was an ardent proponent of the Sacred Heart and dedicated himself to it’s promotion and celebration. The Masses he compiled for both the Sacred Heart of Jesus and for the Immaculate Heart of Mary, were both first celebrated during his lifetime. He preached missions across France, including Paris and Versailles, while earning recognition as a popular Evangelist and Confessor. St John Eudes was also a prolific writer and wrote on the two Holy Hearts despite opposition from the Jansenists.
Quote/s of the Day – 9 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and within the Octave of the Sacred Heart – Pentecost III
“Learn of the Heart of God in the Words of God, so that you may ardently long for eternal things.”
St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) Great Father and Doctor of the Church
“In the Sacred Heart, there is the Symbol and the express Image of the Infinite Love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love in return.”
“And since, there is in the Sacred Heart, a symbol and a sensible image of the Infinite Love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love one another, therefore, is it fit and proper that we should consecrate ourselves to His most Sacred Heart – an act which is nothing else than an offering and a binding of oneself to Jesus Christ, seeing that whatever honour, veneration and love is given to this Divine Heart, is really and truly given to Christ Himself.”
Encyclical Annum Sacrum (1899)
“This Devotion, [to the Sacred Heart] which we recommend to all, will be profitable to all!”
Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)
“Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart is the extraordinary remedy for the extraordinary needs of our time.”
Pope Pius XI (1857-1939)
(1928)
“It is altogether impossible to enumerate the heavenly gifts which Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has poured out upon the souls of the faithful, purifying them, offering them heavenly strength, rousing them to the attainment of all virtues.”
(1956)
“His Heart is the natural Sign and Symbol of His boundless love for the human race.”
Our Morning Offering – 9 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Sunday Within the Octave of the Sacred Heart – Pentecost III
Prayer in Adoration of the Sacred Heart By St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) Visionary and Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God, Whom I believe to be really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, receive this most profound Act of Adoration to supply for the desire I have, to adore Thee unceasingly and in thanksgiving, for the sentiments of love which Thy Sacred Heart has for me in this Sacrament. I cannot better acknowledge them, than by offering Thee, all the Acts of Adoration, resignation, patience and love which this same Heart has made during its mortal life and which it makes still and which it shall make eternally in Heaven, in order that through it, I may love Thee, praise Thee and adore Thee worthily, as much as it is possible for me. I unite myself to this Divine Offering which Thou dost make to Thy Divine Father and I consecrate to Thee, my whole being, praying Thee, to destroy in me, all sin and not to permit that I should be separated from Thee, in time and eternally. Amen.
AnaStpaul 
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