Bl Albert of Siena St Aldric of Le Mans Bl Ambrose Fernandez St Anastasius of Sens St Brannock of Braunton St Candida of Greece St Cedd St Clerus of Antioch St Crispin I of Pavia St Cronan Beg St Emilian of Saujon St Felix of Heraclea St Giuliano of Gozzano (c350-c391) Deacon, Missionary St Januarius of Heraclea St Julian of Cagliari St Kentigerna St Lucian of Antioch (Died 312) Confessor, Priest, Martyr
St Pallada of Greece St Polyeuctus of Melitene St Reinhold of Cologne St Spolicostus of Greece St Theodore of Egypt St Tillo of Solignac
St Valentine of Passau (Died 475) Bishop in Passau in the Rhaetia region, Switzerland, an area in the border region of modern Italy, Austria and Switzerland, Monk, Abbot, Missionary, Hermit, Miracle-worker. Died on 7 January 475 at Mais, Tyrol, Austria of natural causes. Patronages – against convulsions, against cramps/stomach pain, against epilepsy, against gout, against plague/epidemics, against demonic possession, of cattle diseases, of pilgrims, poor people, City and Diocese of Passau. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/07/saint-of-the-day-7january-st-valentine-of-passau-died-475-bishop/
St Virginia of Ste-Verge Bl Wittikund of Westphalia
One Minute Reflection – 5 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family”– Vigil of the Epiphany – Galatians 4:1-7, Matthew 2:19-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Arise and take the Child and His Mother and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead who sought the life of the Child.” – Matthew 2:20
REFLECTION – “My dear Jesus, Thou art the King of Heaven but now I behold Thee as an Infant wandering over the earth – tell me, whom dost Thou seek? I pity Thee when I see Thee, so poor and humbled but I pity Thee more when I see Thee treated with such ingratitude by the same men whom Thou came to save. Thou dost weep but I also weep because I have been one of those, who in times past, have despised and persecuted Thee. But now I value Thy grace more than all the kingdoms of the world; forgive me, O my Jesus, all the evil I have committed against Thee and permit me to carry Thee always in my heart during the journey of my life to eternity, even as Mary carried Thee in her arms during the flight into [and return from] Egypt.” – St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Church”
PRAYER – O Almighty and everlasting God, do Thou order all our actions in conformity with Thy good pleasure that through the name of Thy well-beloved Son, we may worthily abound in all good works. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
One Minute Reflection – 4 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family”– Octave of the Holy Innocents – Apocalypse 14:1-5; Matthew 2:13-18 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“When Herod realised that he had been deceived by the Magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity, two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the Magi.” – Matthew 2:16
REFLECTION – “Where does this jealousy lead?… The crime committed today shows us. Fear of a rival to his earthly kingdom fills Herod with anxiety, he plots to suppress “the newborn King” (Mt 2:2), the Eternal King; he fights against his Creator and puts innocent children to death … As for those children, what fault had they committed? Their tongues were dumb, their eyes had seen nothing, their ears heard nothing, their hands done nothing. They accepted death who had not known life! … Christ reads the future and knows the secrets of the heart, He weighs our thoughts and probes our intentions (cf. Ps 138[139]): why did He forsake them? … Why did the newborn heavenly King abandon these companions in innocence, forget the sentinels watching around His crib, to such an extent that the foe, who wanted to get at the King, ravaged His whole army?
My brethren, Christ did not forsake His soldiers but covered them with honour, by allowing them to conquer, before they had lived and to carry away the prize, without a fight. … He wanted them to possess Heaven, rather than earth. … He sent them before Him as His heralds. He did not abandon them but saved those who went on ahead. He did not forget them. …
Blessed are they who have exchanged their travail for repose, their pains for ease, their suffering for joy. They are alive! Yes, they are alive, they live indeed who have undergone death for Christ’s sake. … Happy the tears their mothers shed for these infants, they have won them the grace of Baptism. … May He who deigned to rest in a stable, be pleased to lead us too, to the heavenly pastures.”– St Peter Chrysologus (400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 152 PL 52, 604).
PRAYER – O God, Whose praise the Innocents, Thy Martyrs, this day proclaimed, not by speaking but by dying, put to death in us all the wickedness of sin, so that Thy faith which our tongue professes, may be proclaimed also by our life.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 Morning Offering – 3 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family”
Jesu Dulcis Memoria By St Bernard (1090-1153) Father and Mellifluous Doctor Trans Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)
Jesu, the very thought of Thee with sweetness fills my breast, But sweeter far Thy Face to see and in Thy Presence rest.
Nor voice can sing nor heart can frame, Nor can the memory find a sweeter sound than Jesus’ Name, O Saviour of mankind.
O hope of every contrite heart, O joy of all the meek to those who fall, how kind Thou art, how good to those who seek!
But what to those who find? Ah this nor tongue nor pen can show, the love of Jesus, what it is, none but His loved ones know.
Jesus our only joy be Thou as Thou our prize wilt be. Jesus, be Thou our glory now and through eternity. Amen
Jesu, Dulcis Memoria is a celebrated 12th Century prayer/hymn by St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) Doctor Mellifluous. The entire Hymn has some 42 to 53 stanzas. Parts of this Hymn are used for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus.
Quote/s of the Day – 2 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” and the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus AND of the INFANT of PRAGUE – Acts 4:8-12; Luke 2:21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“His Name was called Jesus …”
Luke 2:21
May We Confess Your Name to the End By St Cyprian of Carthage (200-258)
Good God, may we confess Your Name to the end. May we emerge unmarked and glorious from the traps and darkness of this world. As You have bound us together by charity and peace and as together we have persevered under persecution, so may we also rejoice together in Your heavenly Kingdom. Amen
St Cyprian of Carthage (c 200-258) Martyr, Bishop of Carthage, Father of the Church
“Wake up then, believer and note what is stated here: “In My Name.” That [Name] is Christ Jesus. Christ signifies King, Jesus signifies Saviour. Therefore, whatever we ask for that would hinder our salvation, we do not ask in our Saviour’s Name and yet, He is our Saviour, not only when He does what we ask but also, when He does not. When He sees us ask anything to the disadvantage of our salvation, He shows Himself our Saviour by not doing it. The physician knows whether what the sick person asks for, is to the advantage or disadvantage of his health. And [the physician] does not allow what would be harmful to him, although the sick person himself, desires it. But the physician looks to his final cure.”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace of the Church
“[Jesus] is our only Master, Who must teach us; our only Lord, on Whom we must depend; our only Head, to Whom alone we should belong; our only Model, Whom we should imitate; our only Physician, Who must heal us; our only Shepherd, Who must feed us; our only Way, Who must lead us; our only Truth, Whom we must believe; our only Life, Who must be our life and our sole sufficiency in all things that, in Him, we may have all in All. Except the Name of Jesus, there is no other name given under Heaven, whereby we must be saved and apart from Jesus Christ, God has given us no other foundation of our salvation, our perfection and our glory! ”
St Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)
“Oh Most Sacred Name, Name of peace, Balsam of life, which is the centre of all the sighs, of the most fervent lovers of Jesus. The Sign of those, who truly love Jesus, is to bear Jesus imprinted in the heart and to name often and with devotion, the Most Holy Name of Jesus.”
St Leonard of Port Maurice (1676-1751)
Transport yourself “in spirit” to the Church in Prague where the original Statue of the Infant still stands and let Jesus help you with your intentions!
This wonderful prayer to the Infant Jesus of Prague is known as the Prayer of Father Cyrillus, (c 1637) truly one of the first champions of the loving little Infant!
Prayer of Fr Cyrillus, to the Beloved and Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague
Jesus, unto Thee I flee, Through Thy Mother praying Thee In my need to succour me. Truly, I believe of Thee God Thou art with strength to shield me; Full of trust, I hope of Thee Thou, Thy grace wilt give to me. All my heart I give to Thee, Therefore, do my sins repent me; From them breaking, I beseech Thee, Jesus, from their bonds to free me. Firm my purpose, is to mend me; Never more will I offend Thee. Wholly unto Thee I give me, Patiently to suffer for Thee, Thee to serve eternally. And my neighbour like to me I will love, for love of Thee. Little Jesus, I beseech Thee, In my need, to succour me, That with Joseph and Mary And the Angels, I may Thee Once enjoy eternally. Amen.
“Oh by Thy Name we shall live in peaceful and fearless anticipation!”
One Minute Reflection – 2 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” and the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus – Acts 4:8-12; Luke 2:21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the Child, His Name was called Jesus, the Name given Him by the Angel, before He was conceived in the womb.” – Luke 2:21
REFLECTION – “The Child is circumcised, He is, now, not only a member of the human race, He is made, today, a member of God’s chosen People. He subjects Himself to this painful ceremony, to this symbol of one devoted to the Divine service, in order that He may fulfil all justice.
He receives, at the same time, His Name–the Name is Jesus and it means a Saviour. A Saviour! Then, He is to save us? Yes and He is to save us by His Blood. Such is the Divine appointment and He has bowed down His will to it. The Incarnate Word is upon the earth in order to offer a Sacrifice and the Sacrifice is begun today. This first shedding of the Blood of the Man-God was sufficient to the fulness and perfection of a Sacrifice but, He is come, to win the heart of the sinner and that heart, is so hard that all the streams of that Precious Blood which flow from the Cross on Calvary, will scarcely make it yield. The drops which were shed today, would have been enough to satisfy the justice of the Eternal Father but not to cure man’s miseries and the Babe’s Heart would not be satisfied to leave us uncured. He came for man’s sake and His love for man, will go to what looks like excess–He will carry out the whole meaning of His dear name–He will be our “Jesus” our Saviour!” – Abbot Dom Prosper Guéranger OSB (1805-1875) (The Circumcision of Our Lord, 1870).
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, have bestowed upon mankind the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may enjoy the intercession of her, through whom we have been found worthy to receive among us, the Author of Life, our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 2 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” and the Feast of the Most Holy Name and of the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague
Daily Prayer to the Most Holy Name By St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444) Apostle of the Most Holy Name
Jesus, Name full of glory, grace, love and strength! Thou art the Refuge of those who repent, our Banner of warfare in this life, the Medicine of souls, the Comfort of those who mourn, the Delight of those who believe, the Light of those who preach the true faith, the Wages of those who toil, the Cure of the sick. To Thou, our devotion aspires; by Thee, our prayers are received; we delight in contemplating Thee. O Name of Jesus, Thou art the glory of all the Saints for eternity. Amen.
The Feast of the Infant Jesus of Prague the 16th Century wax-coated wooden Statue of the Child Jesus, holding a globus cruciger (the Orb and Cross) with the right hand being raised in benediction, is of Spanish origin and is just under half a metre in height. It is now located in the Discalced Carmelite Church of Our Lady of Victories in Malá Strana, Prague, Czech Republic, see the Church at the bottom (one where I have been immensely blessed to attend Holy Mass before the Infant each day for a week some years ago). The Statue is venerated on 2 January, on 14 January and on the first Sunday of May. Our Wonderful Infant: https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/02/saint-of-the-day-2-january-feast-of-the-infant-jesus-of-prague/
Bl Airaldus of Maurienne St Alverius of Agaunum St Asclepius of Limoges St Aspasius of Auch St Baudimius of Auvergne St Blidulf of Bobbio St Dietmar of Prague (Died 982) Bishop St Hortulana of Assisi St Isidore of Antioch St Isidore of Nitri St John Camillus the Good St Macarius of Rome
St Mark the Mute St Maximus of Vienne St Munchin of Limerick Bl Odino of Rot St Paracodius of Vienne St Sebastian of Agaunum St Seiriol Blessed Stephana de Quinzanis OP (1457-1530) Virgin, Dominican Tertiary, Mystic, Stigmatist Bl Sylvester of Troina St Telesphorus, Pope St Theodota St Theopistus St Vincentian of Tulle St Viance of Anjou
Many Martyrs Who Suffered in Rome: There were many Martyrs who suffered in the persecutions of Diocletian for refusing to surrender the holy books. Though we know these atrocities occurred, we do not know the names of the Saints and we honour them as a group. c 303 in Rome, Italy.
Martyrs of Antioch – 5 Saints: A group of Christian soldiers Martyred together for their faith. We know the names of five – Albanus, Macarius, Possessor, Starus and Stratonicus. They were born in Greece and were Martyred in Antioch (modern Antakya, Turkey).
Many Martyrs of Britain: The Christians of Britain appear to have escaped unharmed in the earlier persecutions which afflicted the Church but the cruel edicts of Diocletian were enforced in every corner of the Roman Empire and the faithful inhabitants of this land, whether native Britons or Roman colonists, were called upon to furnish their full number of holy Martyrs and Confessors. The names of few are on record but the British historian, Saint Gildas, after relating the Martyrdom of Saint Alban, tells us, that many others were seized, some put to the most unheard-of tortures and others immediately executed, while not a few hid themselves in forests and the caves of the earth, where they endured a prolonged death until God called them to their reward. The same writer attributes it to the subsequent invasion of the English, then a pagan people, that the recollection of the places, sanctified by these Martyrdoms, has been lost and so little honour paid to their memory. It may be added, that, according to one tradition, a thousand of these Christians were overtaken in their flight near Lichfield and cruelly massacred and that the name of Lichfield, or Field of the Dead, is derived from them.
Martyrs of Ethiopia – 3 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together for their faith. We know the names of three – Auriga, Claudia and Rutile.
Martyrs of Jerusalem – 2 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together for their faith. We know the names of two – Stephen and Vitalis.
Martyrs of Lichfield: Many Christians suffered at Lichfield (aka Lyke-field, meaning field of dead bodies), England in the persecutions of Diocletian. Though we know these atrocities occurred, we do not know the names of the Saints and we honour them as a group. Their Martyrdom occurred in 304 at Lichfield, England.
Martyrs of Piacenza: A group of Christians who died together for their faith in the persecutions of Diocletian. No details about them have survived. They were Martyred on the site of Church of Madonna di Campagna, Piacenza, Italy.
Martyrs of Puy – 4 Saints: Missionaries, sent by Saint Fronto of Périgueux to the area of Puy, France. Tortured and Martyred by local pagans. We know the names – Frontasius, Severinus, Severian and Silanus. They were beheaded in Puy (modern Puy-en-Velay), France and buried together in the Church of Notre Dame, Puy-en-Velay by Saint Fronto, their bodies laid out to form a cross.
Martyrs of Syrmium – 7 Saints: Group of Christians Martyred together, date unknown. We know the names of seven – Acutus, Artaxus, Eugenda, Maximianus, Timothy, Tobias and Vitus – but very little else. This occurred in the 3rd or 4th century at Syrmium, Pannonia (modern Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia).
Martyrs of Tomi – 3 Saints: Three brothers, all Christian soldiers, in the Imperial Roman army and all three Martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Licinius Licinianus. We know their names – Argeus, Marcellinus and Narcissus – but little else. They were Martyred in 320 at Tomi, Exinius Pontus, Moesia (modern Constanta, Romania).
We know that there is only ONE thing necessary and so, for this New Year, 2024, I wish you only that ONE THING – that HE may fill your heart, your mind, your soul, your whole being, everyday and every moment and then, nothing will be wanting to you, ALL will be yours and even sadness and pain will serve only to unite you more and more closely to our Divine Saviour. And so, abiding in His Sacred Heart, 2024 will be PERFECT!
“We must make our way towards eternity, never regarding what men think of us, or of our actions, studying only to please God.”
St Francis Borgia (1510-1572)
The One Thing Necessary By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
O my God, help me to remember, that time is short, eternity long. What good is all the greatness of this world at the hour of death? To love Thee, my God and save my soul is the one thing necessary. Without Thee, there is no peace of mind or soul. My God, I need fear only sin and nothing else in this life, for to lose Thee, my God, is to lose all. O my God, help me to remember, that I came into this world with nothing and shall take nothing from it, when I die. To gain Thee, I must leave all. But in loving Thee, I already have all good things – the infinite riches of Christ and His Church in life, Mary’s motherly protection and perpetual help and the eternal dwelling place Jesus has prepared for me. Eternal Father, Jesus has promised that whatever we ask in His Name will be granted us. In His Name, I pray, give me a burning faith, a joyful hope, a holy love for Thee. Grant me perseverance in doing Thine will and never let me be separated from Thee. My God and my All, make me a Saint! Amen
JANUARY – The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family
The Second Council of Lyons in 1274 decreed that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow; whenever that glorious name is recalled, especially during the Sacred Mysteries of the Mass, everyone should bow the knees of his heart, which he can do even by a bow of his head.”
It may very well be that the custom of bowing the head at the name of Jesus has passed out of general use, as have other laudable customs, in recent times but, that does not prevent us personally, from continuing to live it and passing on to our children this ancient custom.
The ideal of the Catholic family has been once fully realised. There have been many good examples, all more or less approaching the ideal. But all except one must be regarded as having failed, at least in some respects, to achieve the perfection of family life. That one, of course, is the Holy Family of Nazareth. Since, therefore, God has given us the ideal fully realised, in the concrete, it is to that rather than the more remote symbols that we must go for our lessons, as to what the Catholic family should be. The Word was made flesh, to reveal to us, the mind of the Eternal Father. In order, then, to learn the mind of the Eternal Father concerning the nature and end of the Catholic family life, we cannot do better than turn our thoughts to the little home at Nazareth.
… The purpose of the Incarnation, is the salvation of souls. The purpose of the Church, is the salvation of souls. The purpose of the first Catholic Family, is the salvation of souls. The first and foremost purpose, then, of every Catholic family, is to obtain for its members, the possession of everlasting life. The family does not exist merely for the sake of the love of husband and wife; nor for the love of parent and children; nor for the acquisition of worldly fortunes; nor for the promotion of the children in business; nor for the material prosperity of nations. All these are lawful and subordinate aims, subordinate to the final aim of all human life — to help immortal souls to reach Heaven. This is the first and, in a sense, the only lesson to be learned from the Holy Family of Nazareth — the purpose of the Catholic family is the undoing of sin, the hindrance of sin, the propagation of those truths and virtues which lead to Eternal Life!
Quote/s of the Day – 1 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – The Octave Day of the Nativity and the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord – Titus 2:11-15, Luke 2:21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“His Name was called Jesus”
Luke 2:21
“Born as a Son, led forth as a Lamb, sacrificed as a sheep, buried as a man, He rose from the dead as a God, for He was by nature God and man.
He is all things – He judges and so, He is Law. He teaches and so, He is Wisdom. He saves and so, He is Grace. He begets and so, He is Father. He is begotten,and so, He is Son. He suffers and so, He is Sacrifice. He is buried and so, He is Man. He rises again and so, He is God. This is Jesus Christ, to Whom belongs glory for all ages.”
St Melito of Sardis (Died c180) Bishop, Early Church Father
“If we would God discern The world we must despise, His love and hate must learn, See all things with His eyes. And we must self forgo If God we would attain, His grace must in us grow And ease us from all pain. So shall we sing His praise And be at one with Him, In peace our voices raise In the celestial hymn, That with quadruple harmony And all mellifluous melody, In Heaven resounds eternally.”
Blessed Jan van Ruusbroec (1293-1381)
Mary of Christmas Unknown Author
I know not how, dear Lady love, To offer you my praise, I cannot fashion as I wish The words that I would raise. You stand afar, celestial Queen, The stars are in your crown, They spangle at each gesture’s path And dust upon your gown. Perhaps I might recall the night You knelt beside the crib, The night when doors and casements shut And left a mountain’s rib, Alone, exposed, to hoard you close Beside the new-born Child And seek in Joseph’s kindly eyes For something worldly-mild. To counteract such mundane chill I hereby set my heart, Dim mirror of an Infant’s warmth, Its flaming but a part, A small, sad part of Endless Love That came on Christmas day To show a mother wonder-bright To guide us on our way. Amen.
One Minute Reflection – 1 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord – Titus 2:11-15, Luke 2:21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“His Name was called Jesus” – Luke 2:21
REFLECTION – “The Name “Jesus” in Hebrew means “salvation” or “Saviour.” It is a Name that for the prophets, referred to a very specific vocation . From whence came these words, sung with great desire to see Him: “My heart will rejoice in Thy salvation and will be joyful because of His salvation; my soul pines for Thy salvation” (Ps 12:6 ;34:9 ;118:81). “Yet will I rejoice in the Lord and exult in my saving God” (Hab 3:18). And especially: “O God, by Thy Name save me” (Ps 53:3). It is as though one were to say: “O Thou Who are called ‘Saviour,’ by saving me, manifest the glory of Thy Name.” And so the Name of the Son, born of the Virgin Mary, is Jesus, according to the Angel’s explanation: “He shall save His people from their sins”…
As for the word “Christ,” this designates priestly or royal status. Priests and Kings were in fact “chrismated” that is to say, anointed with holy oil. By this means, they became signs of Him Who, appearing in the world as true King and High Priest, received the anointing of “the oil of gladness above Thy fellows” (Ps 44:8). It is because of this anointing that He is called Christ and those, who share in this same anointing that of spiritual grace, are called Christians. May He grant, through His Name of Saviour, to save us from our sins! May He grant, through His anointing as High Priest, to reconcile us with God the Father. Through His anointing as King, may He give us the Eternal Kingdom of His Father.” – St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Father and Doctor of the Church (Homily 5; CCL 122,36).
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, have bestowed upon mankind the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may enjoy the intercession of her, through whom we have been found worthy to receive among us, the Author of Life, our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 1 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family”
Jesu, Decus Angelicum! Jesu, Angelic Glory! By St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) Mellifluous Doctor Trans Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)
O Jesu, Thou the Beauty art Of Angel worlds above; Thy Name is music to the heart, Enchanting it with love.
Celestial Sweetness unalloyed! Who eat Thee, hunger still; Who drink of Thee still feel a void, Which only Thou canst fill.
O my sweet Jesu! hear the sighs Which unto Thee I send; To Thee mine inmost spirit cries My being’s hope and end.
Stay with us. Lord and with Thy Light Illume the soul’s abyss; Scatter the darkness of our night, And fill the world with bliss.
O Jesu, spotless Virgin flower, Our Life and Joy; to Thee Be praise, beatitude, and power, Through all eternity. Amen.
Jesu, Dulcis Memoria is a celebrated 12th Century prayer/hymn by St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), Doctor Mellifluous. The entire hymn has some 42 to 53 stanzas. Parts of this hymn are used for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. Above are the stanzas most commonly used for the Feast of the Holy Name.
Our Morning Offering – 31 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” –Sunday Within the Octave of Christmas
O Jesus, Dear Holy Child By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873 – 1897)
O Jesus, dear Holy Child, my only treasure, I abandon myself to Thy every whim. I seek no other joy than that of calling forth Thy sweet Smile. Vouchsafe to me, the graces and the virtues of Thy Holy Childhood, so that, on the day of my birth into Heaven, the Angels and Saints may recognise in Thy Spouse, Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 30 December – The Sixth Day Within the Octave of the Nativity of our Lord
“With hearts truly grateful, Come, all ye faithful, To Jesus, to Jesus in Bethlehem; See Christ your Saviour, Heaven’s greatest favour. Let us hasten to adore Him; Our God and King.”
DEO GRATIAS!
“Open wide your door to the One who comes. Open your soul, throw open the depths of your heart to see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the sweetness of grace. Open your heart and run to meet the Sun of Eternal Light Who illuminates all men.”
St Ambrose (340-397) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Listen! the reason He is called Saviour is because, for all those to whom He is united, He gains salvation. Now salvation means, to be delivered from all ills and, at the same time, to find all blessings forever – Life instead of death, Light in place of darkness and, instead of the slavery of the passions and unworthy deeds, the complete freedom granted to all those, who are united to Christ, Saviour of all beings. Thus they will possess, without being able to lose it, all joy, all happiness, all blessedness … that that none can ever know, or conceive, or see, if not sincerely and ardently attached to Christ.”
St Symeon the New Theologian (c 949-1022)
“Taking up the newborn Emmanuel, Mary beheld a Light incomparably fairer than the sun and saw a Fire that water cannot quench. She received, in the covering of flesh Whom she had borne, the Light Who enlightens all things and she was worthy, to carry in her arms, the Word Who carries the universe!” ”
St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159) Bishop, Cistercian Monk
(Homilies in praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary IV SC 72)
Our Morning Offering – 30 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” –The Sixth Day Within the Christmas Octave
Afar from Where the Sun Doth Rise A Solis Ortus Cardine By Coelius Sedulius (Died c 450) Trans Msgr Ronald A Knox (1888-1957)
Afar from where the sun doth rise To lands beneath the western skies, Homage to Christ our King we pay, Born of a Virgin’s womb this day
Blessed Creator, Thou didst take__ A servant’s likeness for our sake, And didst in flesh our flesh restore To bid Thy creature live once more.
Chaste was the womb where Thou didst dwell, Of heavenly grace the hidden cell; Nor might the blessed Maid proclaim Whence her dread Guest in secret came.
Down from on high God came to rest__ His glory in a sinless breast; Obedience at His word believed, And virgin innocence conceived.
Ere long, that holy child she bore By Gabriel’s message named before, Whom yet unborn, with eager pride, The swift forerunner prophesied.
Fast doth He sleep, where straw doth spread, A humble manger for His bed. A Mother’s milk that strength renewed, Which gives the birds of heaven their food.
Glory to God, the angels cry; Earth hears the echo from on high; Mankind’s true Shepherd and it’s Lord By shepherd hearts is first adored.
One Minute Reflection – 29 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Thomas à Becket (1118-1170) Martyr – Hebrews 5:1-6, John 10:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“I am the Good Shepherd, I know My Own and My Own know Me.”- John 10:14
REFLECTION – “He shows in what manner a shepherd may be proved good and, He teaches that, he must be prepared to give up his life, fighting in defence of his sheep which was fulfilled in Christ. For man has departed from the love of God and fallen into sin and, because of this was, I say, excluded from the divine abode of paradise. And when he was weakened by that disaster, he yielded to the devil tempting him to sin and death, following that sin, he became the prey of fierce and ravenous wolves. But after Christ was announced as the True Shepherd of all men, He laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16), fighting for us against that pack of inhuman beasts. He bore the Cross for us that by His own death, He might destroy death. He was condemned for us that He might deliver all of us, from the sentence of punishment – the tyranny of sin being overthrown by our faith -fastening to the Cross, the decree that stood against us, as it is written (Colossians 2:14).
Therefore, as the father of sin had, as it were, shut up the sheep in hell, giving them to death to feed on, as it is written in the Psalms (Ps. 48:16), He died for us, as truly Good and truly our Shepherd, so that the dark shadow of death is driven away, He might join us to the company of the blessed in Heaven and, in exchange for abodes which lie far in the depths of the pit …grants us mansions in His Father’s House above. Because of this, He says to us in another place: Fear not, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you a Kingdom (Luke 12:32). Do you listen attentively to the Voice of the Good Shepherd and obey His Word? – ” – St Cyril of Alexander (376-444) Known as “The Pillar of Faith” Archbishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor of the Church. (Commentary on the Good Shepherd).
PRAYER – O God, for Whose Church Bishop Thomas, now in glory, fell by the swords of wicked men, grant, we beseech Thee, that the prayers of all who implore his assistanc, may be effective and may lead to salvation. 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 Morning Offering – 26 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave
Sleep, Holy Babe By Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)
Sleep, holy Babe, Upon Thy Mother’s breast! Great Lord of earth and sea and sky, How sweet it is to see Thee lie In such a place of rest!
Sleep, holy Babe, Thy Angels watch around, All bending low with folded wings Before th’incarnate King of kings In rev’rent awe profound!
Sleep, holy Babe, While I with Mary gaze In joy upon that Face awhile, Upon the loving Infant smile Which there divinely plays.
Sleep, holy Babe, And take Thy brief repose; Too quickly wilt Thy slumbers break And Thou to lengthened pains awake, That death alone shall close. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 25 December – The Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day!
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him and without Him, was made nothing which was made. In Him was Life and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines in darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
John 1:1-5
V. The Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt among us. V. Christ hath manifested Himself to us. R. Come let us adore Him!
“Let all your desires then, be directed toward Him, the Infinite One, the Giver of all Good.”
Bl Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306)
Nativity Song By Blessed Jacopone da Todi OFM (1230-1306) (Today is the Feast Day of Blessed Jacopone)
The beautiful Mother is bending Low where her Baby lies Helpless and frail, for her tending But she knows the glorious eyes.
The Mother smiles and rejoices, While the Baby laughs in the hay, She listens to heavenly voices: “This Child shall be King some day.”
O dear little Child in the manger, Let me make merry with Thee, O King, in my hour of danger, Wilt Thou be strong for me?
Thought for the Day – 24 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
A Christmas Novena IX The Holy Family – Joseph
“The third member of the Holy Family is St Joseph, the most just of men, faithful to his vocation as the foster-father of the Child Jesus and chaste spouse o the Blessed Virgin Mary. Let us imitate his purity, his utter dedication to the service of God and his burning love for Jesus, Whom he was privileged to clasp to his breast before any other man. Let us ask him to obtain for us the grace to be able to imitate him in his life so that we may also imitate him in his holy death. May he, who died with Jesus and Mary by his side, obtain peace for us in our final agony, so that we may expire with the names of Jesus and Mary on our lips and in our hearts.”
Thought for the Day – 23 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
A Christmas Novena VIII What Jesus Wants From Us
“There is one last thing which the Infant Jesus requires of each of us. No-one else can know what it is but we know well what He wants. There is bound to be some resolution which we have formed many times in the past but, have never properly fulfilled because it cost us too much. Let us not refuse Jesus this sacrifice, for He has loved us so much that he has sacrificed Himself entirely for us. As a result of this meditation, let us, at last, put this resolution into effect, with generosity and firmness.”
Thought for the Day – 22 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
A Christmas Novena VII Prayer and Dedication
“As we kneel before the Infant Jesus, let us beseech Him to enable us to grasp the truth of these reflections. Let us take more care of our soul than we do, as of our external talents and possessions. May God occupy the foremost place in our minds and may He be the principal object of our thoughts, desires and affections.
Let us imitate the humble recollection and ardent love for God, of the Holy Infant. Like Him, let us offer ourselves entirely to God. Let us ask Him to make us like Himself, in complete acceptance of the Divine Will, especially when we are in trouble or in pain, for in this way, we shall be able to show God how sincerely we love Him.”
Thought for the Day – 21 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
A Christmas Novena VI The Silence of the Divine Infant
“Let us kneel in spirit before the Holy Infant. He is silent but His heart beats with love for His heavenly Father and for the afflicted human race which He has come to redeem. Let us adore God in the Mystery of His silence and let us ask Him to favour us with His inspirations and graces. Let us ask Him to teach us to be like Him, so that our Hearts may be closed to the vain attractions of the world and open to the influence of the supernatural. Let us ask Him to help us to employ the gifts of speech, in order to adore, praise and thank God and to draw down His blessings upon ourselves and oupon our fellowmen.
May the words which we utter exercise a prayerful and fruitful apostolate, for it was chiefly for this purpose that God endowed us with the gift of speech.”
The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague
There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).
“The more you honour Me, the more I will bless you.”
Devotion of the Saints to the Holy Infant: Members of the Carmelite Order have been zealous, at all times, in promoting devotion to the Holy Infant of Prague. In particular might we mentioned a certain Father Ildephonse. This Priest always carried a picture of the Infant Jesus on his person and on one occasion was miraculously saved from shipwreck by imploring His assistance. It has been ordained that in all Convents of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, whether of men or of women, a Statue of the Holy Infant should be set up for veneration. St. Teresa of Jesus, the celebrated reformer of the Carmelite Order, was very fond of this devotion. The Blessed Crescentia of Kaufbeuern also possessed a Statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague which she had adorned with a beautiful dress. St Clement Maria Hofbauer, a Redemptorist, was another ardent worshiper of the Divine Infant and always had a Statue of the Little King in his room.
The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for: vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory, for my own salvation and that of the whole world, the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph, in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves, when the Saviour of the world was born. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born, the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him, the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body, when He submitted to circumcision. I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then, for the first time He shed for the salvation of the whole humanrace. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the humility, mortification, patience, charity, all the virtues of the Child Jesus and I thank Thee and I love Thee and I bless Thee without end, for the ineffable Mystery of the Incarnation of the Divine Word. Glory be to the Father, etc.
The Word was made Flesh, And dwelt among us.
LET US PRAY O God, Whose Only-begotten Son was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh, grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him, Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves, our souls may be inwardly renewed. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee forever and ever. Amen.
7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)
Our Morning Offering – 20 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Ember Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
Let Your Goodness, Lord, Appear to Us An Advent Prayer By St Bernard (1090-1153) Father and Mellifluous Doctor
Let Your goodness, Lord, appear to us, that we, made in Your image, conform ourselves to it. In our own strength we cannot imitate Your majesty, power and wonder, nor is it fitting for us to try. But Your mercy reaches from the heavens through the clouds to the earth below. You have come to us as a small child but You have brought us the greatest of all gifts, the gift of eternal love. Caress us with Your tiny hands, embrace us with Your tiny arms and pierce our hearts with Your soft, sweet cries. Amen
Thought for the Day –19 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
A Christmas Novena IV The First Hours of the Childhood of Jesus Christ
“When we contemplate the Mystery of Love which caused God-made-man, to weep for our sins, we may not be moved to shed actual tears. But, we should at least, shed spiritual tears of repentance and of love and of longing for holiness and for complete dedication to Jesus Christ. We should love Jesus for the countless numbers who do not love Him, or who blaspheme and ignore Him. We should yearn to make reparation for so much ingratitude and neglect, by our prayers and penances. The Infinite Love of the God Child, demands all our love in return!”
The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague
There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).
“The more you honour Me, the more I will bless you.”
Devotion to the infant Jesus of Prague is devotion to the Child Jesus. It is veneration of the Son of God, Who in the form of a lovely Infant chose a stable for a palace, a manger for a cradle and shepherds for worshipers. Our Saviour grants special graces to all who venerate His sacred Infancy.
The secret of this devotion may be found in the words of a poor labourer who earned very low wages and was unable to meet the demands of his creditors. Hearing of the wonders of the Infant Jesus of Prague, he said to himself: ‘I shall apply to the Divine Infant, for just as it is easy to obtain everything from a child, so I think Our Lord will the sooner hear me if I venerate His holy Infancy.” He made a Novena to the Divine Infant and on the last day received assistance.
The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for: vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.
THE NOVENA PRAYERS
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory, for my own salvation and that of the whole world, the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph, in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves, when the Saviour of the world was born. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born, the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him, the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body, when He submitted to circumcision. I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then, for the first time He shed for the salvation of the whole humanrace. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the humility, mortification, patience, charity, all the virtues of the Child Jesus and I thank Thee and I love Thee and I bless Thee without end, for the ineffable Mystery of the Incarnation of the Divine Word. Glory be to the Father, etc.
The Word was made Flesh, And dwelt among us.
LET US PRAY O God, Whose Only-begotten Son was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh, grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him, Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves, our souls may be inwardly renewed. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee forever and ever. Amen.
7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)
Quote/s of the Day – 18 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conceptio of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Monday of the Third Week of Advent – Ferial Day – Philippians 4:4-7; John 1:19-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“The Lord is near. Have no anxiety …”
Philippians 4:5-6
“Let your door stand open to receive Him, unlock your soul to Him, offer Him a welcome in your mind and then you will see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the joy of grace. Throw wide the gate of your heart, stand before the Sun of the Everlasting Light!”
St Ambrose (340-397) Father and Doctor of the Church
“He became small because you were small – understand how great He is and you will become great along with Him. This is how houses are built, how the solid walls of a building are raised. The stones brought to construct the building increase, you, too, increase, understanding how great Christ is and how He, Who appeared to be small, is great, very great indeed…”
St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church
“In adoring our Saviour’s birth, it is our origin we celebrate. Christ’s temporal generation is the source of the Christian people, the birth of His Mystical Body. All of us encounter in this Mystery, a new birth in Christ.”
St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Father & Doctor of the Church
“If we would please this Divine Infant, we too must become children, simple and humble. We must carry to Him, flowers of virtue, of meekness, of mortification, of charity. We must clasp Him in the arms of our love.”
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
The Monthly Novena to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague
There are two standard Novenas to the Infant Jesus of Prague – the one we will use below and the other for the Feast on 2 January. The Monthly Novena attracts Indulgences (see Note below).
“The more you honour Me, the more I will bless you.”
Sweet and merciful Infant Jesus, could we but relate all the wonders of Thy power and goodness! Bless at least these few pages written for Thy greater honour and glory! May they assist in making Thee better known and in instilling devotion to Thee in the hearts of all men!
The Infant’s Patronage is especially sought for: vocations, good health, financial issues, a holy family life, schools, the welfare of children, freedom and peace, the missions and safety in travel.
“Peaceful King, employ Thy graces and Thy charms to gain the love of men and through the sweetness of Thy Divine Infancy, establish throughout the world, Thy blissful reign.”
Nihil Obstat ij* Stephanus Schappler, OSB Abbas Coadjutor Im. Conceptionis
27th Edition, January 1956
THE NOVENA PRAYERS
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory, for my own salvation and that of the whole world, the Mystery of the Birth of our Divine Saviour. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St Joseph, in that long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I offer Thee the sorrow of their hearts when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves, when the Saviour of the world was born. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the sufferings of Jesus in the stable where He was born, the cold He endured, the swaddling clothes which bound Him, the tears He shed and His tender Infant cries. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the pain which the Holy Child Jesus felt in His tender body, when He submitted to circumcision. I offer Thee that Precious Blood which then, for the first time He shed for the salvation of the whole humanrace. Glory be to the Father, etc.
Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honour and glory and for my eternal salvation and that of the whole world, the humility, mortification, patience, charity, all the virtues of the Child Jesus and I thank Thee and I love Thee and I bless Thee without end, for the ineffable Mystery of the Incarnation of the Divine Word. Glory be to the Father, etc.
The Word was made Flesh, And dwelt among us.
LET US PRAY O God, Whose Only-begotten Son was made manifest to us in the substance of our flesh, grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him, Whom we acknowledge to be like unto ourselves, our souls may be inwardly renewed. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee forever and ever. Amen.
7 years Indulgence each day, if the above prayers are recited on the 9 days preceding the 25th of any month. Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions, when the Novena is completed. (125)
Thought for the Day – 17 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
A Christmas Novena II Preparation for the Nativity
“Our preparation, finally, should also embrace the will. In other words, we should make good resolutions during our Christmas Novena. We should resolve to be more fervent in prayer, to be more mortified and, to make greater efforts to practise virtue.
Everyday and, if possible, every hour, let us think of and invoke the Divine Child. Let us ask Him to help us to model our lives on His, so that they may be full of humility, of love for God and for our fellowmen, of perfect resignation to suffering and of voluntary mortification and penance, designed to prove our love for Jesus and to expiate our sins.”
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