Category: CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, DOCTRINE, DOGMA, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 10 December – ‘ … You are “all fair, the Beloved” of God.”’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 10 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – – Within the Octave – Proverbs 8:22-35 – Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The very fact
that God has elected her,
proves that none was ever
holier than Mary;
if any stain had disfigured her soul,
if any other virgin
had been purer and holier,
God would have selected her
and rejected Mary.”

St Jacob of Sarug (c 451-521)
Bishop, Theologian, Poet, Writer

“He Who is Infinite, Limitless,
came to dwell in your womb;
God, the Child Jesus,
was nourished by your milk.
You are the ever virginal
Doorway of God;
your hands hold your God;
your lap is a throne raised up above the Cherubim…
You are the wedding chamber of the Spirit,
the “city of the living God,
gladdened by the runlets of the stream”
that is to say, the waves of the Spirit’s gifts.
You are “all fair, the Beloved” of God.”

St John Damascene (675-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, DOGMA, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Hail MARY!, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

One Minute Reflection – 10 December – ‘… Mary is the new tree of life …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women” – Luke 1:28

REFLECTION – “Son of God, grant me your own admirable Gift that I may celebrate the wondrous beauty of Thy beloved Mother! The Virgin gave birth to a Son while preserving her virginity; she suckled Him Who gives nourishment to the peoples; in her immaculate breast, she bore Him Who carries the whole world in His Hands. She is Virgin and Mother, what will she not be hereafter? Holy in body, all beautiful in soul, pure of mind, upright in intelligence, perfect in feeling, chaste and faithful, pure of heart and filled with virtue.

May the hearts of virgins rejoice in Mary, since of her was born the One Who set humankind free from dreadful slavery. May the old Adam, wounded by the serpent, rejoice in Mary; it is Mary who gives Adam a posterity which allows Him to crush the accursed serpent and Who cures him of his mortal wound (Gen 3:15). Let Priests rejoice in the blessed Virgin; she has brought the High Priest into the world, Who gave Himself as a Victim, putting an end to the sacrifices of the Old Covenant. … Let the Prophets rejoice in Mary, since in her were fulfilled their visions, in her were realised their prophecies, in her were confirmed their oracles. Let all the Patriarchs rejoice in Mary, since she received the blessing promised to them, she, who, in her Son, has brought them to completion. …

Mary is the new tree of life who, instead of the bitter fruit picked by Eve, gives to mankind that sweet fruit on which the whole world is fed!” – St Ephrem (306-373) Deacon in Syria, Father and Doctor of the Church (Marian Hymn).

PRAYER – Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Thy only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve Thee with purified minds. Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 10 Decenber – INVIOLATA! INVIOLATE!

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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 ArchAngels and Angels, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ORIGINAL SIN, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on PURITY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Thought for the Day – 9 December – Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception, The Virginal Purity of Mary

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Thought for the Day – 9 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971) – Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception

The Virginal Purity of Mary

“Purity is the most beautiful of virtues.

It is a virtue which is admired by God and by men, even by the most corrupt.
It is often said, that it makes us like the Angels but in fact, looking at it in a particular way, it makes us superior to the Angels.
Since they have no bodies, the angels cannot sin against purity, while we have to fight many battles and overcome many temptations, in order to preserve our chastity.
Jesus had a very special love for this virtue.
He chose to be born of a Virgin and, He showed a particular affection for St John, who was a dedicated celibate.
On one occasion, He placed His Hands on the head of a little child and said: “Unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter into the kingdom of Heaven “(Mt:18.3)

Unfortunately, the virtue of purity is as fragile as it is beautiful.
It can be lost in a single moment of weakness.
We must love this virtue as Mary loved it.
We must be prepared to make any sacrifice, even the most heroic, rather than lose it.
Worldly charm and beauty attract us and the devil works ferociously to control our imagination and our affections.
On account of the disturbance of original sin, the flesh is like a terrible weight retarding our spiritual advancement.
Sometimes it seems as if it is irresistibly drawing us towards the abyss of impurity.
But we need not be dragged down, if we are prepared to fly from the occasions of sin and to pray to God and to our heavenly Mother for her intercession.
We must always act at once, for there is no time to dally.
It is fatal to remain inactive and to allow temptation to make its way into our soul.
This kind of battle, said St Francis de Sales, is won only by soldiers who flee.
We must fly from the occasions of sin, no matter what sacrifice this entails.
Jesus has warned us, that it is better to enter Heaven without a hand or a foot, than to be cast into hell.

We know the remedies – instant flight, heroic sacrifice and constant prayer.
We can leave the rest to the grace of God and to the maternal protection of Mary.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The INCARNATION, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Quote/s of the Day – 9 December – ‘O Mother blest! And chosen Shrine … ‘

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God – Proverbs 8:22-35 – Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“O Mary,
Conceived without sin,
pray for us
who have recourse to thee.”

“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

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, QUOTES on GRACE, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 December – ‘ … Thou enabled the world to read the Word, the Father’s Son!’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 9 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God – 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 – Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Thy only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve Thee with purified minds. Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOGMA, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on PURITY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 9 December– Tota Pulchra Es, Maria

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Our Morning Offering – 9 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave

Tota Pulchra Es, Maria
You Are All Beautiful, Mary
Unknown Author – 4th Century

You are all beautiful, Mary,
and the original stain is not in you.
You are the glory of Jerusalem,
you are the joy of Israel,
you give honour to our people.
You are an advocate of sinners.
O Mary, O Mary,
Virgin most intelligent,
Mother most merciful.
Pray for us,
Plead for us,
To the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tota pulchra es, Maria.
Et macula originalis non est in Te.
Tu gloria Ierusalem.
Tu laetitia Israel.
Tu honorificentia populi nostri.
Tu advocata peccatorum.
O Maria, O Maria,
Virgo prudentissima.
Mater clementissima.
Ora pro nobis.
Intercede pro nobis.
Ad Dominum Iesum Christum.

This prayer used by the Church since the 4th Century for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Purity of the Blessed Virgin. It takes some text from the book of Judith and other text from Song of Songs, specifically 4:7. Many composers have set this prayer to music over the centuries.

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOGMA, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MOTHER of GOD, ORIGINAL SIN, QUOTES on MEDITATION, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Thought for the Day – 8 December – THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

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Thought for the Day – 8 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

“Let us read the first chapter of St Luke’s Gospel in order to try and understand, as far as possible, the Immaculate Conception and the sublime holiness of Mary.
“The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin’s name was Mary. And when the angel had come to her, he said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women’” (Lk 1:26-28).
The Blessed Virgin was troubled when she heard these words but the Angel reassured her.
He told her that she had found favour with God and added, that she would become the Mother of God, for the Word would become flesh in her womb through the power of the Holy Ghost, in such a manner that in her nature, the privileges of virginity and of the divine motherhood, would be miraculously united.
Mary then gave her assent to the Will of God and, her ‘Fiat’ placed her on a pedestal, high above all the generations of humanity and all the choirs of the angelic kingdom.

It is on this passage of the Gospel that the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, chiefly depends.
She was full of grace and the supremely beloved of God.
How then could she have been subject to the rule of sin which we inherited from Adam?
If her soul had been stained with sin at the first moment of her conception, she would not have enjoyed the special favour of God and the plenitude of grace.
She was, moreover, predestined to become the Mother of God.
Was it possible that the Divine Word, Who was to become her Son, could have permitted her soul to have been sullied, even for a single instant, by sin, which deprives us of grace and makes us enemies of God?
It was on good grounds, therefore, that the Church defined, that from the first moment of her conception, Mary was free from all taint of sin, by a singular privilege conferred on her by God and through the merits of her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTRINE, DOGMA, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, PAPAL DECREE, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, St Francis de Sales, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The INCARNATION

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

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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

On 8 December 1854, Pope Pius IX promulgated Ineffabilis Deus, the Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
On 25 March 1858, at Lourdes, when asked by St Bernadette, who she was, Our Lady replied:

“I am the Immaculate Conception”

Our Lady to St Bernadette
at Lourdes on 25 March 1858

“She saw herself raised to the highest dignity
that ever was or will be, for although
it should please God to create anew many worlds,
He could never make a pure creature be greater
than the Mother of God.

Our Lady humbled herself
and acknowledged herself
unworthy of being raised
to the high dignity of Mother of God, therefore,
she was made to be His Mother,
for she had no sooner uttered the protestation of her littleness,
than, having abandoned herself to Him,
by an act of incomparable charity,
she became the Mother of the Most High,
Who is the Saviour of our souls!”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

“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!”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
The Fulfilment of the Decree

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 8 December – Immaculate! Immaculate! By Fr Faber

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Our Morning Offering – 8 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Immaculate! Immaculate!
By Fr Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)

O Mother! I could weep for mirth,
Joy fills my heart so fast;
My soul today is Heaven on earth,
O could the transport last!
I think of thee and what thou art,
Thy majesty, thy state
And I keep singing, in my heart,
Immaculate! Immaculate!

When Jesus looks upon thy face,
His Heart with rapture glows
And in the Church, by His sweet Grace,
Thy blessed worship grows.
I think of thee and what thou art,
Thy majesty, thy state
And I keep singing, in my heart,—
Immaculate! Immaculate!

The Angels answer with their songs,
Bright choirs in gleaming rows
And Saints flock round thy feet in throngs
And Heaven with bliss o’erflows.
I think of thee and what thou art,
Thy majesty, thy state
And I keep singing, in my heart,
Immaculate! Immaculate!

This Hymn comes from Hymns By Frederick Faber, (1871 edition) and is under the title “Immaculate! Immaculate!”
It is a Hymn for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December.

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, ORIGINAL SIN, QUOTES on PURITY, Quotes on SALVATION, The HOLY NAME of MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The INCARNATION, The NATIVITY of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 December ‘ … Pure and Immaculate Virgin, chosen from among all other beings … ‘

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 – “The degeneration caused by sin had obscured the beauty of our original nobility. But when the mother of Supreme Beauty is born, our nature finds its purity once more and sees itself moulded according to the perfect model, worthy of God (Gn 1:26)… We had all preferred the world below, to that above. There no longer remained any hope of salvation. The state of our nature cried aloud to Heaven to come to the rescue… Then at last, in His good pleasure, the world’s Divine Artificer determined to make a new world appear, a different world full of harmony and youth.

Now was it not fitting, that a most pure virgin without stain, should place herself at the service of this mysterious plan first of all?… And where was this virgin to be found, if not in this woman, alone of her kind, chosen by the world’s Creator before all generations? Yes, she indeed is Mother of God, divinely named Mary, whose womb gave birth to God Incarnate and whom, He Himself had supernaturally prepared, as His Temple…

In this way then, the design of the Redeemer of our race was to bring about a birth and, as it were, a new creation to replace the one that went before. Therefore, just as in Paradise, He had taken a little clay out of the pure and spotless earth, to fashion the first Adam (Gn 2:7), so, at the moment of bringing about His Own Incarnation, He made use of another earth, so to speak, namely, this Pure and Immaculate Virgin, chosen from among all other beings He had created. It is in her that He, Adam’s Creator, has remade us in our very substance and become a new Adam (1 Cor 15:45), that the old might be saved by the new and eternal.” – St Andrew of Crete (660-740) Bishop (Sermon 1 for the Nativity of the Mother of God ; PG 97, 812).

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 DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

The Immaculate Conception of the Glorious and Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, The Second Sunday of Advent and Memorials of the Saints for 8 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Immaculate Conception of the Glorious and Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God – 8 December.
Patronages – barrel makers, coopers, cloth makers, cloth workers, soldiers of the United States, Spanish infantry, tapestry workers, upholsterers, Argentina, Brazil, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Guam, Nicaragua, Panama, Portugal, Tanzania, Tunisia, United States, 68 Diocese, 8 Cities.
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/08/the-solemnity-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-8-december-2/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/12/08/the-feast-of-the-immaculate-conception-solemnity-8-december/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/08/8-december-the-solemnity-of-the-immaculate-conception/

St Anastasia of Pomerania
St Anthusa of Afric
St Casari of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon

St Eucharius of Trier (Died 3rd Century) the First Bishop of Trier, Germany, Date and place of birth are unknown but Eucharius is believed to have been of Italian origin. Additional Memorial in Limburg, Germany of the 3 Bishops sent by St Peter, occurs on 11 September. –
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Treves, St Eucharius, disciple of the blessed Apostle Peter and the first Bishop of that City.”
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/08/saint-of-the-day-8-december-saint-eucharius-of-trier-died-3rd-century-bishop/

St Pope Eutychian (Died 283) The 27th Pope
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/08/saint-of-the-day-8-december-saint-pope-eutychian-died-283/

St Gunthildis
St Macarius of Alexandria
St Patapius (7th Century) Hermit

St Romaric (Died 653) Married French noble layman, Abbot, Founder of the renowned Remiremont double Monastery in north-eastern France. Died in 653 of natural causes. He was Canonised on 3 December 1049 by Pope Leo IX.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In the Monastery of Luxeuil, St Romericus, Abbot, who left the highest station at the Court of King Theodebert, renounced the world and surpassed all others in the observance of monastic discipline.”
About St Romaric:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/08/saint-of-the-day-8-december-saint-romaric-died-653-abbot/

St Sophronius of Cyprus (6th Century) Bishop of the Island of Cyprus, off the coast of Greece, Apostle of widows and orphans, the poor and needy. It is believe, by his name which Greek meaning is ‘the wise‘, that he was of noble Greek origin.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Cyprus, the holy Bishop Sophronius, who was a devoted protector of orphans and widows and a friend to the poor and the opporessed.”
His Fervent Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/12/08/saint-of-the-day-8-december-saint-sophronius-of-cyprus-6th-century-bishop/

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Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 7 December – St Ambrose

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Quote/s of the Day – 7 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Ambrose (340-397) Confessor, Bishop, Father and 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)

“Our own evil inclinations
are far more dangerous,
than any external enemies. ”

“Up you get, then and hurry along to the Church —
there is the Father, there the Son, there the Holy Ghost.
He, Who hears you speaking
in the intimate depths of your soul,
is coming to meet you and, when you are still far off,
He sees you and starts running.
He sees your heart; He runs up lest anyone delay you
and embraces you … He flings His arms around your neck
to raise you up, you who were prostrate,
burdened with sins, face to the ground.
He turns you over to face Heaven,
so that you can seek your Creator there.
He causes a Robe, a Ring and Sandals to be brought.
The Robe is the garment of wisdom…
spiritual clothing — the wedding garment.
What is the Ring if not the seal of a genuine faith
and the imprint of truth?
And as for the Sandals —
these are the preaching of the Gospel.”

“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.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/12/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-december-st-ambrose-5/

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

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY INFANCY, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR

Our Morning Offering – 7 December – Veni Redemptor Gentium, Saviour of the Nations, Come! By St Ambrose

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“The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Advent II – The Feast of St Ambrose (340-397) – Confessor, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church

Veni Redemptor Gentium
Saviour of the Nations, Come!
By St Ambrose’s Advent Hymn

Saviour of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home!
Marvel now, O Heaven and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.

Not by human flesh and blood;
By the Spirit of our God
Was the Word of God made flesh,
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.

Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child
Of the Virgin undefiled!
Though by all the world disowned,
Still to be in Heaven enthroned.

From the Father forth He came
And returneth to the same,
Captive leading death and hell
High the song of triumph swell!

Thou, the Father’s only Son,
Hast over sin the victory won.
Boundless shall Thy Kingdom be;
When shall we its glories see?

Brightly doth Thy Manger shine,
Glorious is its Light Divine.
Let not sin o’ercloud this Light;
Ever be our faith thus bright.

Praise to God the Father sing,
Praise to God the Son, our King,
Praise to God the Spirit be
Ever and eternally.
Amen!

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, QUOTES on PEACE, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The FIVE FIRST Saturdays, THE FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTION, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 6 December – Prayer for Peace to the Immaculate Virgin By Pope Paul IV

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Our Morning Offering – 6 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The First Saturday of December in honour of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Pope Paul IV was a friend of St Cajetan and also a member
of his Order, the Theatines, named after Paul IV’s See as Bishop).

Prayer for Peace to the Immaculate Virgin
By Pope Paul IV CR (1476-1559)

Look down with maternal clemency,
most Blessed Virgin,
upon all your children.
Consider the anxiety of Bishops
who fear that their flocks will be tormented
by a terrible storm of evils.
Heed the anguish of so many people,
fathers and mothers of families
who are uncertain about their future
and beset by hardships and cares.
Soothe the minds of those at war
and inspire them with ‘thoughts of peace.’
Through your intercession,
may God, the avenger of injuries,
turn to mercy.
May He give back to nations
the tranquility they seek
and bring them to a lasting age
of genuine prosperity.
Amen

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, MOTHER of GOD, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 5 December – The Masterpiece

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

“This woman will be the Mother of God,
the door to light, source of life.
She will reduce to oblivion the judgement
that weighed on Eve.
Daughter of David the King and Mother of God,
King of the universe, masterpiece
in whom the Creator rejoices…
thou art to be nature’s full achievement.
For thou life is not thine,
thou were not born for thyself alone
but thou life is to be God’s.
thou came into the world for Him,
thou will serve for the salvation of all people,
fulfilling God’s design, established
from the beginning …”

“You are more to be valued than the entire creation,
for from you alone the Creator received
a share in the first-fruits of our humanity.
His Flesh was made of your flesh,
His Blood of your blood;
God was nourished by your milk
and your lips kissed the lips of God. …
In His foreknowledge of your dignity,
the God of all the world, has loved you
and, in accordance with His love for you,
He predestined you and called you into being ”

St John Damascene (675-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD is LOVE, INGRATITUDE, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, The NINE FIRST FRIDAYS

Our Morning Offering – 5 December – O Adorable Heart of my Jesus!

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

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,
that 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.

Posted in ADVENT, CHRIST the JUDGE, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY INFANCY

Our Morning Offering – 4 December – Daily Prayers to the Infant Jesus

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Our Morning Offering – 4 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Daily Prayers to the Infant Jesus

O Almighty God, in the form of a little Child!
Make me worthy to meditate upon
Thy Greatness and Power,
Thy Goodness and Mercy
and Thy Majesty as God and Man.

O Divine Infant!
With the most profound reverence,
I contemplate Thy Divine Countenance,
shedding its gentle and forgiving Light like the sun,
on good and bad.
Deign, O friendly Eyes of my Jesus,
to cast one look of grace upon me
and to give to my eyes, sincere tears of repentance
that on my judgement day, they need not fear
Thy look of righteous anger.

O Sweetest Jesus!
Fervent with admiration,
I praise Thy Holy Lips, filled with heavenly wisdom
and uttering words of grace for the remission of sin.
Lest, however, Thy Divine Lips might one day
be forced to pronounce the sentence
of condemnation upon me on account of my own words,
I beseech Thee, O Lord,
place a seal upon my lips, so that they may never
be opened to utter an uncharitable opinion
or a sinful word; may I ever preserve Thy Truth
and Thy Love in my heart and upon my tongue.
Amen

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

Our Morning Offering – 2 December – O Virgin Most Pure, Wholly Unspotted

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Our Morning Offering – 2 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – First Saturday of the Month

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 ADVENT QUOTES, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The DIVINE INFANT

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

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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 OUR Cross, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HOLY CROSS

Quote of the Day – 1 December – St Andrew, Apostle & Martyr

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Quote of the Day – 1 December – The Feast of St Andrew, Apostle of Christ, Martyr on the Cross for Christ

It is claimed, that the words below were spoken by St Andrew, according to an ancient account (which dates to the beginning of the 6th Century), entitled –

The Passion of Andrew

“Hail, O Cross, inaugurated by the Body of Christ
and adorned with His Limbs
as though they were precious pearls.
Before the Lord mounted you,
you inspired an earthly fear.
Now, instead, endowed with heavenly love,
you are accepted as a gift.

Believers know of the great joy that you possess
and of the multitude of gifts you have prepared.
I come to you, therefore,
confident and joyful,
so that you too may receive me,
exultant as a disciple of the One
Who was hung upon you….

O blessed Cross, clothed in the majesty
and beauty of the Lord’s Limbs!…

Take me, carry me far from men
and restore me to my Teacher,
so that, through you,
the One Who redeemed me by you,
may receive me.

Hail, O Cross, yes, hail indeed!”

Posted in Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, The BEATITUDES, The HOLY NAME

Thought for the Day – 29 November – The Blessedness of Those Who Suffer Persecution

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Thought for the Day – 29 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Blessedness of Those
Who Suffer Persecution

“Let us implore the Holy Ghost to enlighten us and to grant us this serene joy which is a reflection of the happiness of Heaven.
Oh by Thy Name we shall live in peaceful and fearless anticipation!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/06/thought-for-the-day-6-december-the-blessedness-of-those-who-suffer-persecution/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/thought-for-the-day-29-november-the-blessedness-of-those-who-suffer-persecution/

Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS for the SOULS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 9 November – Indulgenced Act of Oblation to Our Father

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Our Morning Offering – 9 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory”

By the Merit of the
Precious Blood of Jesus
By 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: On 15 August 1811 – the Feast of the Assumption – it is recorded that the Pope. Pius VII, celebrated Mass and was said to have entered a trance and began to levitate in a manner which drew him to the Altar.
This particular episode aroused great wonder and awe among participants which included the French Soldiers guarding him, who were ingreat amazement and awed disbelief, at the miraculous incident which had occurred.
Pope Pius VII has since been elected as the Patron of the Diocese of Savona and the

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St JOSEPH, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 November – The Octave Day of All Saints

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – The Octave Day of All Saints – Apocalypse 7:2-12; Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.”

Matthew 5:8

“The Almighty has concentrated in St Joseph,
as in a sun of unrivalled lustre,
the combined light and splendour
of all the other Saints.”

St Gregory Nanzianzen (330-390)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Death to the Saints is not a punishment but a reward.
“For so He giveth His beloved sleep.” (Ps cxxvii: 3).
The death of him, who loves God,
is not called death but sleep, so he can truly say:
“I will lay me down in peace
and take my rest.” (Ps iv: 9).

Cardinal St Fisher, as Saunders relates,
when about to die for the Faith,
put on the best clothes he had, saying, he was going to a wedding.
When he came in sight of the scaffold
he cast away his staff, saying:
“Make haste my feet, make haste, for we are not far from Paradise.”
And before dying he sang Te Deum,
in returning thanks to God, Who had allowed him
to die a Martyr’s death, for the holy Faith
and thus being filled with joy,
he placed his head under the axe.”

St John Fisher (1469-1535)
Bishop, Martyr, Cardinal

“Those in the Catholic Church,
whom some rebuke for praying to Saints
and going on pilgrimages,
do not seek any Saint as their saviour.
Instead, they seek Saints,
as those whom their Saviour loves
and whose intercession and prayer,
for the seeker, He will be content to hear.
For His Own sake,
He would have those He loves, honoured.
And when they are thus honoured for His sake,
then, the honour that is given them, for His sake,
overflows especially to Himself.”

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr, Confessor

“Let us read the lives of the Saints;
let us consider the penances
which they performed
and blush to be so effeminate
and so fearful of mortifying our flesh.”

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

O Paradise! O Paradise!
By Fr Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)
Written in 1854

O Paradise! O Paradise!
Who doth not crave for rest?
Who would not seek the happy land,
Where they that loved are blest.

Where loyal hearts and true,
Stand ever in the Light,
All rapture through and through,
In God’s most holy sight?

O Paradise! O Paradise!
The world is growing old;
Who would not be at rest and free
Where love is never cold?
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
Wherefore doth death delay;
Bright death which is the welcome dawn
Of our eternal day;
Where loyal hearts, &c

O Paradise! O Paradise;
‘Tis weary waiting here;
I long to be, where Jesus is,
To feel, to see Him near.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
I want to sin no more!
I want to be as pure on earth
As on thy spotless shore.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
I greatly long to see
The special place my dearest Lord
Is furnishing for me.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
I feel ’twill not be long;
Patience! I almost think I hear
Faint fragments of thy song.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

Tune: “Paradise” Joseph Barnby, 1856.

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, INDULGENCES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The HOLY SOULS

Thought for the Day – 7 November – How We Can Help the Faithful Departed

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Thought for the Day – 7 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

How We Can Help the Faithful Departed

“We have a natural obligation to help the faithful departed, for they are our fellow-men.
Are we capable of watching another human being in agony, without feeling pity for him?
If there is some way in which we can help him, moreover, ought we not to do so?
The Holy Souls are in agony, however, they are on fire with the love of God, yet cannot be united to Him.
We have a means of helping them through our prayers and good works.

There is a further obligation on us, arising from our religion.
They have been redeemed, like ourselves, by the Blood of Christ and God has told us that the same degree of mercy, will one day be shown to us, which we have shown to others.
The time will come when we also shall find ourselves in Purgatory and shall be in need of prayer.
If we remember the dead now, they will be in a position, one day, to do the same for us.
Blessed are the merciful, Jesus says, for they will obtain mercy.

When we appear before the judgement seat of God in order to account for the way in which we have spent our lives, He will count as done to Himself, whatever we have done to the poor, hungry and ill-clad.
Only if we have been merciful towards them, will He receive us into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Otherwise, He will send us away, accursed, for all eternity.
Now the Souls in Purgatory are more unfortunate than those who are poor, hungry and homeless in this world.
They hunger for God, they are full of regret for the sins which they have committed and they languish far from the eternal home, to which they belong.

Finally, we have a duty in justice, to help their souls.
Some of them are our parents, brothers, sisters, friends and benefactors.
Perhaps they are suffering now because they loved us too much because they wished to make money for us or because, they were led astray by our bad example!
It is not only charity, therefore but justice, which obliges us to pray for them.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MARIAN QUOTES, MOTHER of GOD, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on HERESY, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, ROSARY QUOTES, St JOSEPH

Quote/s of the Day – 7 November – Dominicans!

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Quote/s of the Day – 7 November – The Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers

St Dominic’s Blessing
By St Dominic de Guzman OP (1170-1221)

May God the Father,
Who made us, bless us.
May God the Son,
send His healing among us.
May God the Holy Ghost,
move within us
and give us eyes to see with,
ears to hear with,
and hands, with which Thy work,
might be done.
May we walk and preach
the Word of God to all.
May the Angel of peace
watch over us
and lead us at last,
by God’s grace,
to the Kingdom.
Amen

“Whoever devoutly serves the Blessed Virgin
through the recitation of the Rosary,
will infallibly, receive blessings
according to their spiritual
and temporal needs.”

“None who persevered in devotion
to the Holy Rosary, will be condemned.”

St Dominic OP (1170-1221)

“Saint Joseph was the just man:
by his constant fidelity -an effect of justice;
by his perfect discretion – a sister to prudence;
by his upright conduct – a mark of strength
and by his inviolable chastity – a flower of temperance.”

“The greater and more persistent
your confidence in God,
the more abundantly
you will receive,
all you ask for.”

St Albert the Great OP (1200-1280)
Universal Doctor of the Church

“The Blessed Virgin was chosen
to be the Mother of God
and, therefore, it is not to be doubted,
but that God fitted her for it
by His graces.”

St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis

“In the case, in which,
the Pope would become a heretic,
he would find himself,
by that fact, alone
and, without any other sentence,
separated from the Church.
A head separated from a body
cannot, as long as it remains separated,
be head of the same body
from which it was cut off.
A Pope, who would be
separated from the Church by heresy,
therefore, would,
by that very fact itself,
cease to be head of the Church.
He could not be a heretic
and remain Pope
because, since he is outside of the Church,
he cannot possess the keys of the Church.”

St Antoninus OP (1389-1459)

“If you persevere in reciting the Rosary,
this will be a most probable sign
of your eternal salvation.”

Blessed Alain de la Roche OP (1428-1475)

MORE DOMINICAN QUOTES:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/11/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-november-the-feast-of-all-saints-of-the-order-of-preacher/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, ON the SAINTS, PURGATORY, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The HOLY SOULS

Thought for the Day – 6 November – The Communion of Saints and the Souls in Purgatory

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Thought for the Day – 6 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Communion of Saints
and the Souls in Purgatory

“The consoling Doctrine of the Communion of Saints, is the foundation of devotion towards the faithful departed.
The universal Church, both on earth, in Purgatory and in Heaven, constitutes the Mystical Body of Christ, which is the channel of the Divine life of Jesus.

This life is not extinguished by death but only by mortal sin, which makes us like dead limbs separated from the vine which is Cbrist.
The souls of those belonging to us who have died in the state of grace, therefore, are living members of the Mystical Body of Christ.
Now, the different members of the human body, do not possess a separate life but are all co-ordinated and directed towards the good of the whole body.
In the same way, all the members of the Mystical Body, whether they are exiles on earth, suffering souls in Purgatory, or blessed in Heaven, should help one another so as to promote the welfare of the whole.

The blessed in Heaven and the faithful departed certainly do this and we ought to do the same.
We should preserve a bond of love and prayer between ourselves and our loved ones, who have departed from this life before us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CATHOLIC TIME, Of FATHERS, GRANDfathers, GRANDparents, Of PARENTS & FAMILIES of LARGE Families, PRAYERS & NOVENA to St Joseph, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS TO St Joseph, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY, St JOSEPH

Our Morning Offering – 5 November – A Parent’s Prayer to St Joseph

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Our Morning Offering – 5 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – On Wednesdays many Catholics make a special devotion to St Joseph by going to Mass on the 1st Wednesdays of 9 consecutive months and offering their Communions in his honour and for the salvation of the dying.

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.

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, DOCTRINE, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PRAYERS for the SOULS, PURGATORY, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the POOR, REDEMPTIVE Suffering, St Francis de Sales, The HOLY SOULS

Quote/s of the Day – 3 November – The Holy Souls in Purgatory

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 3 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” and the Feast of the Holy Souls in Purgatory

The Doctrine of Purgatory
by Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Bishop of Geneva
Doctor of Charity of the Church

From “The Catholic Controversy“
(originally published by Burns and Oates, London 1886)
Translated by Rev Henry Benedict Mackey OSB (19th Century)
English Canon of the Isle of Wight

https://www.goodcatholicbooks.org/francis/catholic-controversy/purgatory.html

Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
By St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35-c 108)
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

“The more one longs for a thing,
the more painful does deprivation of it become.
And because, after this life,
the desire for God, the Supreme Good,
is intense in the souls of the just –
(because this impetus toward Him,
is not hampered by the weight of the body
and that time of enjoyment,
of the Perfect Good, would have come)
had there been no obstacle.
The soul suffers enormously,
from the delay.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Angelic Doctor

“If, during life, we have been kind
to the suffering Souls in Purgatory,
God will ensure that help be not denied us,
after death.”

St Paul of the Cross (1694-1775)

“The Holy Souls must sometimes think, reproachfully,
how little their friends on earth do
to aid them in their present sufferings.
Among many other methods of aiding them,
I can offer up for them
all the pains of mind and body
which God sends me, asking God
to accept them in alleviation
of the sufferings of the holy souls.
This will help me to be patient
and to suffer willingly and,
when my time comes, I shall find
that patient suffering for others,
will shorten my time of banishment from God,
in the fires of Purgatory.”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PURGATORY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The HOLY SOULS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 November – ‘ … Why do we not hasten and run …’ John 5:28-29

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 3 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Within the Octave of All Saints – All Holy Souls in Purgatory – 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 – John 5:25-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Do not wonder at this, for the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs shall hear the Voice of the Son of God. And they who have done good, shall come forth unto the resurrection of Life but they who have done evil, until the resurrection of judgement.” – John 5:28-29

REFLECTION – “We should consider, beloved brethren and we should reflect constantly that we have renounced the world and as strangers and foreigners, we sojourn here for a time (Heb 11:13). Let us embrace the day which assigns each of us to his dwelling which, on our being rescued from here and released from the snares of the world, restores us to Paradise and the Kingdom. What man, after having been abroad, would not hasten to return to his native land? Who, when hurrying to sail to his family, would not more eagerly long for a favourable wind that he might more quickly embrace his dear ones? We account Paradise our country, we have already begun to look upon the patriarchs as our parents.

Why do we not hasten and run, so that we may see our country, so that we may greet our parents? A great number of our dear ones there, await us, parents, brothers, children; a dense and copious throng longs for us, already secure in their safety but still anxious for our salvation! … There, are to be found, the glorious choir of Apostles, there, the throng of exultant Prophets, there, the innumerable multitude of Martyrs wearing crowns on account of the glory and victory of their struggle and passion, there, the triumphant Virgins … the merciful enjoying their reward, who have performed works of justice by giving food and alms to the poor, who, in observing the precepts of the Lord, have transferred their earthlyinheritance to the treasuries of Heaven!

To these, beloved brethren, let us hasten with eager longing! let us pray that it may befall us speedily to be with them, speedily to come to Christ. May God see this our purpose … Who will give, more ample rewards of His charity, to those whose longings for Him have been greater.” – St Cyprian (200-258) Bishop of Carthage, Martyr, Father (On Mortality 26).

PRAYER – O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants and handmaids, the remission of all their sins, that they may obtain, by our loving prayer,s the forgiveness which they have always desired. Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).