Thought for the Day – 8 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Month of the Holy Rosary” The First Sorrowful Mystery The Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
“Let us pay particular attention to the scene in Gethsemane. Jesus is lying prostrate on the ground. He has given everything for sinful humanity. He has given His heavenly teaching, His miracles and His mercy. Even more, He has given Himself in the Blessed Eucharist, which He has instituted in the form of food and drink, to sustain men on their earthly journey.
Now, He lies prostrate in prayer. Near Him, are His Apostles who, already forgetful of the immense favours which they have received, are asleep!
Not far away, there is another Apostle, Judas, who has sold his Master for thirty pieces of silver, as a slave would be sold and is about to deliver Him to His executioners. But Jesus can see across the centuries – many other Judases, so many traitors, who will be indifferent and sleep, never thinking of Him and neglecting to make any return for His infinite love. His Passion is beginning now, here in Gethsemaneand will be protracted throughout the centuries. Before His Crucifixion, He drinks the bitter chalice of human ingratitude and, in His tremendous Agony, He perspires drops of Blood!”
Quote/s of the Day – 8 October – St Bridget of Sweden (c1303-1373) Widow
“The source of justice, is not vengeance but charity.”
“The world would have peace, if only men of politics would follow the Gospel.”
“My Lord Jesus Christ, Thy blessed, Royal and magnificent Heart, could never, be swayed, by torments , or terrors, or blandishments, from the defence of Thine Kingdom of Truth and Justice.”
Quote/s of the Day – 7 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
“Say the Rosary everyday to obtain peace for the world. And after each decade, say the following prayer: ‘O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.’”
Our Lady of Fatima 1917
Queen of the Holy Rosary
Queen of the Holy Rosary! Thee as our Queen we greet, And lay our lowly, loving prayers Like roses at thy feet. Would that these blossoms of our souls Were far more fair and sweet.
Queen of the Joyful Mysteries! Glad news God’s envoy bore. The Baptist’s mother thou didst tend; Angels thy Babe adore, Whom with two doves thou ransomest; Lost, He is found once more.
Queen of the Dolorous Mysteries! Christ ‘mid the olives bled, Scourged at the pillar, crowned with thorns, Beneath His Cross He sped Up the steep hill and there once more Thine arms embraced Him–dead!
Queen of the Glorious Mysteries! Christ from the tomb has flown, Has mounted to the highest heaven And sent His Spirit down And soon He raises thee on high To wear thy heavenly crown.
Queen of the Holy Rosary! We, too, have joys and woes. May they, like thine, to triumph lead! May labour earn repose, And may life’s sorrows and life’s joys In heavenly glory close.
Taken from: Cyril Robert – Mary Immaculate: God’s Mother and Mine. 1946
One Minute Reflection – 7 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary – Proverbs 8:22-24, 32-35, Luke 1:26-38 Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And Mary said: Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word.” – Luke 1:38
REFLECTION – “You have heard, O Virgin, that you are to conceive and bring forth a Son and that this will not be through the power of man but, by the virtue of the Holy Spirit. The Angel awaits your reply, for it is time that he should return to God Who sent him. We, too, are waiting, O Lady, for a word of mercy, we, who are groaning under the sentence of condemnation. See, the price of our salvation is offered to you; if you consent, we shall at once be delivered. By the Eternal Word of God were we all created and behold, we will all die. By your brief answer, we shall be refreshed and recalled to life! …
Hasten, then, O Lady, to give your answer; hasten to speak the word so longed for by all on earth, in limbo and in Heaven. Yes, the King and Lord of all things, Who has “greatly desired your beauty” (Ps 44:12), desires, as eagerly, your word of consent by which He has purposed to save the world. He, Whom you pleased by your silence, will be yet more pleased by your reply. Hark! He calls to you from Heaven – “O most beautiful among women, let me hear your voice” (Sg 1:8; 2:14) … Answer the Angel quickly, then; yes, through the Angel give your consent to your God. Answer one syllable, receive the Word; utter your own word and conceive that which is Divine. Speak the word that is transitory and embrace the Word which is everlasting! …”
“Behold,” she says, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to thy word.” – St Bernard (1091-1153) Father and Doctor of the Church (Homily 4 on the “Missus est” [He was sent] #8-9).
PRAYER – O God, Whose Only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has merited for us the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that, meditating on these Mysteries in the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. 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).
St Adalgis of Novara (Died c 850) Bishop St Apuleius of Capua
St Augustus of Bourges (Died c 560) Priest and Abbot. The Roman Martyrolog states of him today: “Near Bourges in Aquitaine, France, Saint Augustus, Priest and Abbot, who had his hands and feet so contracted that he could not support himself except with his knees and elbows. He was healed through the intercession of St Martin of Tours. He gathered around himself some Monks and waited intently on prayer.” His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/07/saint-of-the-day-7-october-saint-augustus-of-bourges-died-c-560/
St Canog ap Brychan St Dubtach of Armagh St Gerold of Cologne (c1201-1241) Layman Pilgrim St Helanus
St Justina of Padua (Died c 304) Virgin and Martyr. The Roman Martyrology states today: “At Padua, Saint Justina, Virgin and Martyr, who was Baptised by blessed Prosdocimus, disciple of St Peter. As she remained firm in the faith of Christ, she was put to the sword by order of the Governor Maximus and thus went to God.” Her Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/07/saint-of-the-day-7-october-saint-justina-of-padua-died-c-304-virgin-and-martyr/
St Marcellus of Capua (Died Third or Fourth Century) Martyr St Martin Cid St Osith St Palladius of Saintes St Quarto of Capua St Rigaldo
St Sergius and Companions – Martyrs
Mercedarian Nuns of Seville: Five Mercedarian Nuns at the Monastery of the Assumption in Seville, Spain noted for their piety – Sisters Agnese, Bianca, Caterina, Maddalena and Marianna.
Thought for the Day – 6 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Month of the Holy Rosary” The Fourth Joyful Mystery The Purification of Our Lady and The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
“Then Joseph and Mary carried the Infant Jesus to the Temple to offer Him to God and to buy Him back as their first-born Son, with the price paid by the poor, namely, with a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Let us reflect on this new act of humility on the part of the Holy Family. In spite of the supreme dignity which had been accorded them, they submitted quietly to the law which bound those in poverty and in sin. We, who are so fond of money and of ostentation, have much to learn from this scene. Jesus, the God-Man, is purchased back as a sinner for two for two young pigeons. Mary, the Immaculate Virgin and Mother and Joseph, the holiest and noblest of men, make themselves subject to the law of sin. We can derive from this, lessons in humility and in detachment from the goods of this world.”
Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Hebrews 10:32-38, Luke 12:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have nothing more they can do. … be afraid of him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell. ”
Luke 12:4-5
“Take courage: It is I, do not be afraid. And He got into the boat with them and the wind fell”
Mark 6:50-51
“Do not, therefore, lose your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of patience that, doing the will of God, you may receive the promise. For yet a very little while and He Who is to come, will come and will not delay.”
Hebrews 10:35-37
“Go forward bravely. Fear nothing. Trust in God – all will be well.”
St Joan of Arc (1412-1431)
“ Now it is that we are to show an invincible courage towards our Saviour, serving Him purely for the love of His will, not only without pleasure but amid this deluge of sorrows, horrors, distresses and assaults, as did his glorious Mother and St John, upon the day of His Passion. Amongst so many blasphemies, sorrows and deadly distresses, they remained constant in love …”
“The good Angels are around you, like a company of Sentinels on guard!”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis
“We think not enough of this Truth – that God is present with us that He sees our thoughts, even long before we have them. That He knows what we think and shall think, better than we ourselves that He sees the folds and recesses, of our heart and of this other Truth – that NOTHING HAPPENS to us but by the order of Providence. We should all be Saints, if we well apprehended these Truths. And truly, it is a great consolation, to know that God sees the bottom of our heart.”
St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641) Disciple and Collaborator with St Francis de Sales in Founding the Sisters of the Visitation
Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary, Refuge of Sinners, to whom else will we turn in our sorrow for sin, if not to thee. From whom shall we find comfort and consolation, in the shame of our sins, except from thee? Lead us back, dear Mother of Love, to the path of righteousness which leads to the Sacred Heart of thy Divine Son. We have sinned often, oh dear Mother and the remembrances of the errors of our ways troubles us. It shall be no more. We know that thy protecting care, will find peace and hope for us and the remission of our sins. We know too that as with Mary Magdalene of old, thy Son shall welcome us with a loving smile because, you have always pleaded for us. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima, Refuge of sinners, inflame our hearts with the love of Sorrow, Repentance, Penance and Reparation.
We pray our Daily Rosary now with the same Intention: “Forgiveness of Sin”
Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226) Confessor, Founder
“All I want to know is Christ and the power flowing from His Resurrection!”
“Jesus is happy to come with us, as Truth is happy to be spoken, as Life to be lived, as Light to be lit, as Love is to be loved, as Joy to be given, as Peace to be spread.”
“Be strengthened in Almighty God and in the power of His might, for with His help, nothing is difficult. Throw off the heavy load of your own will, cast aside the burden of sin and gird yourselves as valiant warriors! Forget what you are leaving behind; strain forward to the great things before you. I tell you that every place where you set foot, shall be yours. For the Spirit Who goes before your face is Christ the Lord. He will carry you to the topmost peak in the arms of His Love.”
“Keep a clear eye toward life’s end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God’s creature. What you are in His sight, is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received… but only what you have given – a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.”
Great and Glorious God By St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226)
Great and glorious God, my Lord Jesus Christ! I implore Thee to enlighten me and to disperse the darkness of my soul. Give me true faith, firm hope and perfect charity. Grant me, O Lord, to know Thee so well that in all things I may act by Thy Light and in accordance with Thy holy Will. Amen
Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace. “The Peace Prayer” By St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned and it is in dying, that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary, Virgin most pure, have compassion on those who are prone to the allurements of impurity. Give us, we beseech thee, strength to overcome our weaknesses and courage in the struggle against sin. We know it is thy ardent wish that we renew our pledge of holy purity. Oh, Immaculate Heart of Mary, we consecrate to thee here and now, without reserve, our eyes, ears, tongues, hearts– our whole beings. We promise that, with thy help, we shall be steady in our purpose to serve thee, with undefiled chastity. Give us the courage to resist all temptations and to avoid all things which may be the occasion of sin. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima, Virgin most pure, enflame our hearts with the love of Purity and Reparation for sin.
We pray our Daily Rosary now with the same Intention: “Purity of Body and Soul”
Thought for the Day – 3 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Month of the Holy Rosary” The First Joyful Mystery The Annunciation
“The Rosary is both a vocal and a mental prayer. When reciting the first five decades, we should meditate on the principal joyful mysteries of our faith, beginning with the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin. In other words, during the first decade, we should visualise the scene described in the Gospel.
“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 art thou among women” (Lk 1:26-28).
Note the manner in which the Angel greets Mary. He proclaims that she is full of grace, pleasing and acceptable to God. He bows before her and says that she is blessed among women. On previous occasions Angels had appeared to Patriarchs, Kings and Prophets but always, as superior beings bearing a command from Almighty God. Why, then, does an Angel bow before this maiden and salute her with such reverence? The reason is twofold. Mary is the purest of creatures, immaculate from the moment of her conception; she is also destined to become the Mother of God, a destiny of quasi-infinite dignity. Let we, poor sinners, bow before her also and beg her to obtain for us from God, the graces of forgiveness and of sanctification. It is in this spirit, of loving humility that we should recite the First Decade of the Holy Rosary.”
Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary, Virgin most powerful, we know that the vision of the terrible fires of hell which thou showed to the three little shepherd children at Fatima, was really meant for us. We beseech thee, Oh Mother Mary, to spare us the fate of a judgement which ordains such a punishment! Grant unto us, a faith so strong that we may ever realise that the evil of sin will be justly repaid with eternal punishment. I believe in the Infinite Justice of the One True God and the Infinite Love of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. We pray and beseech thee that through thy intercession, we may be given the grace to live so worthy a life on earth, as to enjoy the reward of eternal happiness in the Kingdom of thy Divine Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima, Virgin most powerful, inflame our hearts with the love of Reparation for the Salvation of Souls.
We pray our Daily Rosary now with the same Intention: Reparation for the Salvation of Souls.
Devotion for October, The Month of the Most Holy Rosary
The practice of dedicating the entire Month of October to the Holy Rosary developed toward the end of the 19th Century. Pope Leo XIII (Papacy: 1878-1903) strongly promoted the increase of devotion to the Blessed Mother and her Divine Son, by encouraging the constant use of the Rosary.
Beginning on 1 September 1883, with Supremo Apostolatus Officio, Pope Leo XIII wrote a total of eleven Encyclicals on the Rosary, ending with Diuturni Temporis in 1898. In 1885, Pope Leo XIII ordered the Rosary to be recited everyday during the month of October in every Parish Church and Cathedral, throughout the world. Those of the faithful who could not be present at this recital he exhorted to say it with their families or in private.
An Indulgence of 7 years is granted to all the faithful who devoutly recite the Rosary during the Month of October–granted by Pope Leo XIII, in the same Encyclical, Supremo Apostolatus Officio.
Please remember to offer Rosaries for the Poor Souls in Purgatory.
“Whoever observes this practice, [the Daily Rosary], is beyond the reach of adversity!”
St Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419)
“You must know that when you ‘hail’ Mary, she immediately greets you! Do not think that she is one of those rude women of whom there are so many, on the contrary, she is utterly courteous and pleasant. If you greet her, she will answer you right away and converse with you!”
Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother most merciful, to thee do we plead the cause of the poor suffering souls in Purgatory, e specially those most abandoned. In obedience to thy request at Fatima, we beg for their relief. Oh Mother most merciful, we ask thee to lessen their toll of expiation. Deign to accept our humble prayers and sacrifice in reparation and payment for the punishment that is due from them. We pray that through the treasures of thy Divine Son, thou own special merits and sorrows and those of the Saints that God may be mindful of our prayers on behalf of the suffering souls in Purgatory and bring them into His Kingdom, to love and serve Him forever. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima, Mother most merciful, inflame our hearts with the love and repartion for the Souls in Purgatory.
We pray our Daily Rosary now with the same Intention: “Relief for the Souls in Purgatory”
Thought for the Day – 1 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Month of the Holy Rosary
“We should say the Rosary devoutly everyday. This beautiful prayer is very pleasing to Our Lady and, the Church, is particularly anxious that we should recite it during the month of October. Families which say the Holy Rosary together can hope for a special blessing from God and for the maternal protection of Mary.
If possible, every family should gather together in the evening and recite the Rosary before an image of our Blessed Mother. If the parents set an example, their child will join them. It is consoling to come together after the toil and trouble of the day, in order to confide our cares and hopes to Mary.
Do you say the Rosary everyday? If you have neglected this pious practice, begin today! Do not plead lack of time. There is time for so many other things, so surely, there is time to pray and to entrust ourselves, in a special way, to the protection of our heavenly Mother!? The practice of reciting the Holy Rosary, will win for you, the blessing of God and the patronage of the Blessed Virgin.”
Quote/s of the Day – 1 October– “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”
The Fifteen Promises is a tradition held by the Order of Preachers, that the Blessed Virgin Mary made Fifteen specific Promises through Saint Dominic (1170-1221) and Blessed Alain de la Roche (1428-1475), to those who faithfully pray the Rosary.
The 15 Promises of The Most Holy Rosary Given by The Blessed Virgin Mary
1.Those who faithfully serve me, by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces. 2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces, to all those who shall recite the Rosary. 3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell. 4. It will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish. It will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God. It will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means. 5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish. 6. Whoever shall recite my Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its Sacred Mysteries, shall never be conquered and never overwhelmed by misfortune. God shall not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death Sinners shall convert. The just shall grow in grace and become worthy of eternal life. 7. Whoever shall have a true devotion to the Holy Rosary, shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church. 8. Those who are faithful, in reciting the Rosary, shall have, during their life and at their death, the Light of God and the plenitude of His graces. At the moment of death, they shall participate in the merits of the Saints in paradise. 9. I shall deliver from Purgatory, those who have been devoted to the Rosary. 10. The faithful children of the Rosary, shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven. 11. You shall obtain all you ask of me, by the recitation of the Rosary. 12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary, shall be aided by me, in their necessities. 13. I have obtained from my Divine Son, that all the advocates of the Rosary, shall have for intercessors, the entire Celestial Court during their life and at the hour of death. 14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons and brothers of my only Son, Jesus Christ. 15. Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.
“The Rosary, recited with meditation on the mysteries, brings about the following marvellous results:
It gradually gives us a perfect knowledge of Jesus Christ;
It purifies our souls, washing away sin;
It gives us victory over all our enemies;
It makes it easy for us to practice virtue;
It sets us on fire with love of Our Blessed Lord;
It enriches us with graces and merits;
It supplies us with what is needed to pay, all our debts to God and to our fellow men and finally, it obtains all kinds of graces for us from Almighty God.”
Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, we pray that the hope and promise made by thee at Fatima, will soon be realised. We know it is thou ardent wish and desire that there be peace in the world and it is only through Reparation to thou Immaculate Heart that such can be accomplished. Thou has told us thy wish in the Message of Fatima – Reparation through the Rosary and the practice of the First Saturdays. We beg of thee, Oh Mary Immaculate that, through thy pleadings, our prayers and example may show the world, the road to the true peace which the world itself cannot give. Bless, we beseech thee, our country and inspire us and our leaders to receive, understand and promote that glorious Message delivered by thee at Fatima.
Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of Peace, inflame our hearts with the love of “The True Peace of Christ.” Amen
We pray our Daily Rosary now with the same Intention: “The True Peace of Christ.”
Our Morning Offering – 30 September – St Jerome (347-419) Confessor, Father and Doctor, Priest, Monk, Translator of the Scriptures into Latin (the Vulgate), Theologian, Historian, Hermit, Mystic.
Merciful Jesus! Stretch Forth Thy Hand of Mercy (Excerpt – Prayer in a Time of Anguish) By St Jerome (347-419) Father and Doctor of the Church
Merciful Jesus! Thou art my strength, my refuge and my deliverer; in Thee I have believed and hoped; in Thee have I loved. Call me now, I beseech Thee and I will answer. Stretch forth Thy hand of mercy, to the work of Thy hands and let me not perish, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood. It is now time for dust to return to dust and my spirit to Thee Who gavest it. Open then, Lord, the gate of life and receive me. Receive me most merciful Lord, according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies, Who receivedst the thief on the cross and now prepare my soul for hearing the same promise of mercy which he did. I am ill, O Lord and Thee my Physician. Heal me then, my God and I shall be healed, let me not be confounded, for I put my trust in Thee. In Thee have I hoped – let me not be cast off forever! … Deal not with me, according to what I deserve, nor chastise me, according to my iniquities but help me, O God, my Saviour and for the glory of Thy Name deliver me. Now, at this hour, show mercy to me and whenever I depart, receive me into the number of Thy family that I, may be one of those, who are to praise Thee forever. Amen
IMAGE – Ribera, Jusepe de, lo Spagnoletto (Spanish) 1644 Oil on Canvas
Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
By Father Joseph Cacella, 1947
SECOND DAY
Intention: Greater love and appreciation for the Holy Rosary
Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, teach us to love those little beads. In every trial, tribulation and sorrow, they have been a source of comfort to all who trust in thee. We are happy in the possession of our Rosaries. May thy Rosary, O Immaculate Heart of Mary, ever strengthen us in all our weaknesses, be our peace in time of affliction, comfort in all matters of doubt, courage in time of temptation and a source of consolation throughout all our days on the earth. May it be our strong influence, in success or in failure. In all things, may we live in peaceful union with thee through the medium of thy Holy Rosary. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima, Queen of the Rosary, inflame our hearts with the love of thy Most Holy Rosary.
We pray our Daily Rosary with the same Intention: “Greater love and appreciation for the Holy Rosary”
Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
By Father Joseph Cacella, 1947
FIRST DAY
Intention:
Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Jesus, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, inspire me to grieve sincerely, for the sins which weigh heavily upon the souls of men.
Sorrowfully I recall the bitter and harsh punishments heaped upon thy Divine Son, when He was cruelly scourged at the pillar, unmercifully crowned with thorns. I recall His sad journey to Calvary, His Crucifixion and ignominious death on the Cross. Yet, they were but the instruments of pain. It was my sins which really caused His Precious Blood to be shed. His excessive love willed that He should suffer for my salvation. Thus, I will give my little love to make amends and atone for a thoughtless and unappreciative world.
Oh Immaculate Heart of Mary, thy who suffered and shared with Him each pain caused and inflicted by our sins, intercede for us that we may be privileged to unite our hearts with thine in an effort to make reparation for our sins and the sins of ungrateful mankind. Amen.
Our Lady of Fatima inflame our hearts with the love of Reparation.
Pray your Daily Rosaryafter each Day’s Novena Prayer with the same Intention.
Our Morning Offering – 25 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824) Bishop, Priest of the Passionist Order of St Paul of the Cross
Prayer Before The Crucifix (The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass) By St Vincent Strambi (1745-1824)
Jesus, by this Saving Sign, bless this listless soul of mine. Jesus, by Thine feet nailed fast, mend the missteps of my past. Jesus, with Thine riven hands, bend my will to love’s demands. Jesus, in Thine Heart laid bare, warm my inner coldness there. Jesus, by Thine thorn-crowned head, still my pride till it is dead. Jesus, by Thine muted tongue, stay my words that hurt someone. Jesus, by Thine tired eyes, open mine to faith’s surprise. Jesus, by Thine fading breath, keep me faithful until death. Yes, Lord, by this Saving Sign, save this wayward soul of mine. Amen
Our Morning Offering – 23 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and Our Lady’s Day
What Can I Say? By St Anselm (1033-1109) Magnificent Doctor Marian Doctor
My most merciful Lady, what can I say about the fountains which flowed from thy most pure eyes when thou saw thy only Son before thee, bound, beaten and suffering? What do I know of the flood which drenched thy matchless face, when thou beheld thy Son, thy Lord and thy God, stretched on the Cross without guilt, when the flesh of thy flesh was cruelly butchered by wicked men? How can I judge, what sobs, troubled thy most pure breast, when thou heard, “Woman, behold thy son,” and the disciple, “Behold, thy Mother,” when thou received as a son, the disciple, in place of the Master, the servant, for the Lord? Amen
From “The Prayers and Meditations of Saint Anselm with the Proslogion,” Benedicta Ward, trans,1973, Penguin classics, Penguin Group (UK)
Our Morning Offering – 22 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and Friday, the Day of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ
In Thine Hour of Holy Sadness By St Bernard (1090-1153) Father & Doctor of the Church
In Thine hour of holy sadness could I share with Thee, what gladness should Thine Cross to me be showing. Gladness past all thought of knowing, bowed beneath Thine Cross to die! Blessed Jesus, thanks I render that in bitter death, so tender, Thou now hear Thy supplicant calling, Save me Lord! and keep from falling, from Thee, when my hour is nigh. Amen.
Thought for the Day – 20 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
CARELESSNESS
“Reflect on the infinite generosity of God, Who created us, redeemed us from sin by shedding the Blood of His Divine Son and enriched our souls with grace and supernatural gifts. How can we remain indifferent and fail to correspond willingly with such goodness? Virtue cannot be achieved without diligence and we cannot be true Christians, without virtue. Let us consider the example given us by the Saints. They lived in a continual and prayerful union with God; they never refused any task or any sacrifice, in order to show their love for Jesus and their total dedication to His will; they made every effort to attract others towards holinesss and to bring about the triumph of the Kingdom of Christ in the world.
What are we doing? What are we prepared to do in future? Are we carelessly wiling away our days in indolence and pleasure?”
Our Morning Offering – 19 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”
O Merciful God By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus Doctor Communis
O merciful God, grant that I may ever perfectly do Thy Will in all things. Let it be my ambition to work only for Thy honour and glory. Let me rejoice in nothing but that which leads to Thee, nor grieve for anything, which leads away from Thee. May all passing things be as nothing in my eyes and may all which is Thine be dear to me and Thou, my God, dear above them all. May all joy be meaningless without Thee and may I desire nothing apart from Thee. May all labour and toil delight me, when it is for Thee. Make me, O Lord, obedient without complaint, poor without regret, patient without murmur, humble without pretence, joyous without frivolity, and truthful without disguise. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 16 September – Saints Cornelius and Cyprian – Wisdom 3:1-8, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And you shall be hated by all men, for My Name’s sake. But, not a hair of your head shall perish.”
Luke 21:17-18
“So, my brothers, let us pray as God our master has taught us. To ask the Father in words His Son has given us, to let Him hear the prayer of Christ ringing in His ears, is to make our prayer one of friendship, a family prayer. Let the Father recognise the words of His Son. Let the Son who lives in our hearts, be also on our lips. We have Him as an Advocate for sinners, before the Father, when we ask for forgiveness for ours sins, let us use the words given by our Advocate. He tells us – Whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you. What more effective prayer could we then make, in the name of Christ, than in the words of His own prayer?”
“He [Christ], protects their faith and gives strength to believers, in proportion to the TRUST, that each man, who receives that strength, is willing to place in Him.”
“ How grave is the case of a Christian, if he, a servant, is unwilling to suffer when his Master first suffered! … The Son of God suffered that He might make us sons of God and the son of man will not suffer that he may continue to be a son of God!? … The Maker and Lord of the world also warns us, saying: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated Me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own but because you are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world ” … remember the word that I said to you: “The servant is not greater than his Lord” (Jn 15:18-20).”
“I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilise it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not, you may cut it down.” Luke 13:8-9
“… This kind Master closes His Church to no-one. He not only receives and pardons those adversaries, those blasphemers, those persistent enemies of His Name, provided they do penance for their offence and acknowledge the crime committed but, He admits them to the reward of the Kingdom of Heaven. What can be called more patient, what more kind? Even he, who shed the Blood of Christ, is given life, by the Blood of Christ.”
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
Our Morning Offering – 16 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”
Hail Mary, Full of Sorrows! A Short Prayer to the Most Holy Virgin in her Desolation By Pope Pius IX (1792-1878) Papal Reign 1846-1878 (+102 Raccolta)
His Holiness Pope Pius IX, by a Decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, of 23 December 1847, deigned to grant:
An Indulgence of 100 days to all the faithful, everytime they say, with contrite heart, the following prayer in honour of the most Holy Virgin in her desolation.
HAIL MARY, full of sorrows! the Crucified is with thee; tearful art thou amongst women and tearful is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of the Crucified, grant tears to us crucifiers of thy Son, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
LATIN
Ave Maria, doloribus plena, Crucifixus tecum; lacrymabilis te in mulieribus et lacrymabilis Fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Crucifixi, lacrymas impertire nobis crucifixoribus Filii tui, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
Thought for the Day – 15 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
A Holocaust for our Redemption
“Scourged, crowned with thorns and derided, Jesus is finally condemned to death. Burdened with the Cross, He sets out for the place of execution in the midst of a crowd of enemies, blasphemers and idle speculators. Among them , there is only a tiny group which sympathises with Jesus, namely, Mary His Mother, the devout women and the beloved Apostle, St John.
The divine Redeemer goes forward labouriously beneath the heavy weight of the Cross. He has already lost a large quantity of blood in Gethsemane and during the scourging and crowning with thorns. His strength seems to be failing but love sustains Him. Looking feebly around Him, He sees the mocking Jews, the indifferent and disrespectful Roman soldiers and a throng of curious spectators looking for something to amuse them. Is there nobody else? Where are those whom He cured miraculously and those whom He comforted and forgave? Has nobody any pity for Him? Suddenly the crowd falls silent. A woman, pale and tearful, is approaching Him, supported by her friends. She defies the commands of soldiers and the scowls of the executions and comes close to Him.
Here and there, a murmur is heard – It must be His Mother, poor woman! Jesus and Mary gaze at one another. It would be impossible for us to guess at the immense depths of love contained in that loving exchange of glances. Neither utters a word, for no words could express their anguish, nor manifest their love. They look and understand one another, offering themselves as a holocaust for the redemption of wayward humanity.
Nevertheless, in this silent meeting, there was great consolation for the Heart of Jesus, for He had found someone who loved and understood Him, amongst those malicious throngs. Why do we not sympathise with Him too and love Him with all our hearts?”
Quote/s of the Day – 15 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and The Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin – Our Lady of Sorrows – Judith 13:22; 13:25, John 19:25-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Woman, behold thy son. … Behold thy mother”
John 19:26-27
“Whoever you are, who love the Mother of God, take note and reflect with all your innermost feelings, upon her, who wept for the Only-Begotten as He died… The grief she felt in the Passion of her Son, goes beyond all understanding.”
St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)
“ Now it is that we are to show an invincible courage towards our Saviour, serving Him purely for the love of His will, not only without pleasure but amid this deluge of sorrows, horrors, distresses and assaults, as did his glorious Mother and St John, upon the day of His Passion. Amongst so many blasphemies, sorrows and deadly distresses, they remained constant in love …”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis
“Holy Simeon foretold, that the sword of sorrow would pierce her heart. In fact, her life was altogether interwoven with hardship, want and suffering until, eventually, she knelt at the foot of the Cross on which Jesus was dying for the love of mankind and offered the divine Victim for our salvation. At the last moment, however, torn with sorrow though she was, she did not depart in the slightest from her spirit of perfect acceptance of God’s will. Consequently, her peace of soul was never diminished or extinguished. Let us learn from her, to accept everything from God’s hands, both the tiny pleasures which brighten our lives, from time to time and the humiliations, sufferings and death, which it pleases God to keep in store for us.”
Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
When Mary Weeps By Father Frederick M Lynk (1881-unknown)
When Mary weeps, her mother’s heart Is full to overflowing. When Mary weeps, pain’s piercing dart Stabs Him beyond all knowing, Who is by sinners Crucified, Blasphemed, forsaken and denied.
When Mary weeps, God’s holy wrath Is kindling cruel fires. When Mary weeps, poor mankind’s path Leads through war’s blood-soaked mires And makes all human mothers moan In love and pity for their own.
When Mary weeps, it’s time to pray To have our sins forgiven. When Mary weeps, each night and day By sorrow must be riven, Until His and her children will Once more seek peace on Calvary’s hill. When Mary weeps, we all must try To dry her tears of sorrow. When Mary weeps, we too must cry To glimpse a brighter morrow, When her Son’s name is recognised And all, in love adore the Christ. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 15 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and The Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin – Our Lady of Sorrows – Judith 13:22; 13:25, John 19:25-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.” – John 19:27
REFLECTION – “When Jesus was going round towns and villages preaching the Gospel, Mary was His inseparable companion, clinging to His footsteps and hanging upon His words, as He taught, so much so, that neither the storm of persecution, nor dread of punishment, could deter her from following her Son and Master.
“By the Lord’s Cross there stood Mary, His Mother.” Truly a Mother, who did not abandon her Son, even in the face of death! How could she be frightened of death, when “her love was as strong as death,” (Sg 8:6) or rather, stronger than death? Truly she stood by Jesus’ Cross, when, at the same time, the pain of the Cross crucified her mind and, as manifold a sword, pierced her own soul, (Lk 2:35) as she beheld the body of her Son, pierced with wounds. Rightly, therefore, was she recognised as His Mother there and by His care, entrusted to a suitable protector, in which both the mother’s unalloyed love for her Son and the Son’s kindness toward His Mother, were proved to the utmost …
Loving her as He did, Jesus “Loved her to the end” (Jn 13:1), so as not only to bring His life to an end, for her but also, to speak almost His last words for her benefit. As His last will and testament, He committed, to His beloved heir, the care of His Mother… The Church fell to Peter, Mary to John. This bequest belonged to John, not only by right of kinship but too, because of the privilege, love had bestowed and the witness, his chastity bore… It was fitting that none other than the beloved of her Son, should minister to the Mother of the Lord… Providence too arranged, very conveniently that he who was to write a Gospel, should have intimate conferences with her, who knew about them all, for she had taken note from the beginning, of everything that happened to her Son and “treasured all the words concerning Him, pondering them in her heart” (Lk 2:19).” – Blessed Guerric of Igny (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (4th Sermon for the Assumption).
PRAYER – O God, in Whose Passion the sword, according to the prophecy of blessed Simeon, pierced through the soul of Mary, the glorious Virgin and Mother, mercifully grant that we, who reverently commemorate her piercing through and her suffering, may, by the interceding glorious merits of all the Saints faithfully standing by the Cross, obtain the abundant fruit of Thine Passion. Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
AnaStpaul 
You must be logged in to post a comment.