Category: CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month

Posted in IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN NOVENAS, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY THREE – 1 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary

THE THIRD DAY – 1 December
The Ever-Virgin Mary, the Victrix of Satan

A simple short Novena DAY THREE here (which also attracts Indulgences):
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/01/immaculate-conception-novena-day-three-1-december/
NOTE on Indulgences HERE: https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/

PREPARATORY PRAYER:
In thy conception, O Virgin Mary,
thou wast immaculate;
pray for us to the Father, Whose Son Jesus,
conceived in thy womb by the Holy Ghost,
thou didst bring forth.

Indulgence. 200 days, every time. (Pius VI, 21 November

MEDITATION:
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary inaugurated the fulfilment of the Divine promise made to our first parents in Paradise, in the words addressed to the serpent: “I shall put enmities’ between thee and the woman and thy seed and her seed; she shall crush thy head” (Gen. iii. 15).
Mary is the woman in whom Satan never had a part. Her intimate connection with God was announced by the Angel: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!” Now was fulfilled the saying of the Psalmist, “The Most High hath sanctified His own tabernacle.
God is in the midst, thereof, it shall not be moved: God will help it in the morning early” (Ps. xlv. 5-6).
Mary was chosen to be the glorious tabernacle of the Son of God “in the morning early,” that is, in the first moment of her existence. God, called her into being that she might assume the exalted dignity of the Mother of His Son and, therefore, granted her the singular privilege of exemption from Original Sin.
In her were fulfilled Solomon’s prophetic words of praise, “Thou art all fair, O my love and there is not a spot in thee” (Cant. iv. 7).
It was in view of her Son’s merits, applied to her beforehand that God thus produced in her, the image of the new man regenerated in the Holy Ghost.

PRACTICE:
The spirit of darkness holds mankind enslaved but one human being escapes him.
A destructive fire lays waste the whole earth but one tree remains unscathed.
A terrible tyrant conquers the whole world but one fortified city repels his assaults.
This human being retaining liberty, this tree escaping destruction, this city repelling the enemy’s attack is the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Will the Almighty and Merciful God, Who has accomplished such great things in Mary, Who has selected her for His Mother, not to listen to her prayers, when she intercedes for us?
St William of Paris exclaims: “No other created being can obtain for us, so many and so great graces from God, as His Mother. By the all-powerful might of her intercession, He honours her – not only as His handmaid but also, as His Mother.”
Therefor,e we ought not be surprised when the holy Fathers maintain that a single sigh of Mary, is more effective with God, than the combined intercession of all the Angels and Saints.
If, then, Mary’s power is so great, she will surely hear us when we invoke her help, in our combat with Satan. Having conquered him herself, she will also help us to conquer him!

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH:
O God, Who through the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling-place
for Thy Divine Son; grant that, as in view of Thy Son,
Thou didst preserve her from all taint,
so Thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us
that cleansed from all sin by her intercession,
we too may arrive at Thine eternal glory.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER:
Mary, thou mystical rose of purity,
my heart rejoices with thine
at the glorious triumph
which thou didst gain over the infernal serpent
by thy Immaculate Conception
and because thou wast conceived
without stain of Original Sin.
I thank and praise, with my whole heart,
the ever-blessed Trinity,
Who granted thee this glorious privilege
and I pray thee,
to obtain for me strength to overcome
all the wiles of the infernal foe,
and never to stain my soul with sin.
Be thou mine aid;
make me, by thy protection,
victorious over the common foe of our eternal welfare.

Hail Mary, Glory be … etc.

LITANY of LORETO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/

Aspiration: O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Indulgence. 100 days, once a day. (Pope Leo XIII, 25 March 1884).

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The DIVINE INFANT

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

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The ANNUNCIATION, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Our Morning Offering – 1 December – The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 1 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception”

The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky
By St Venantius Fortunatus (c 530 – c 609)

The God whom earth and sea and sky
Adore and praise and magnify,
Whose might they claim, whose love they tell,
In Mary’s body comes to dwell.

O Mother blest! the chosen shrine
Wherein the architect Divine,
Whose hand contains the earth and sky,
Has come in human form to lie.

Blest in the message Gabriel brought,
Blest in the work the Spirit wrought,
Most blest, to bring to human birth
The long desired of all the earth.

O Lord, the Virgin-born, to You
Eternal praise and laud are due,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Spirit blest for evermore.

Posted in DOCTRINE, DOGMA, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY TWO – 30 November

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary

THE SECOND DAY – 30 November:
The Blessed Virgin’s Immaculate Conception

A simple short Novena DAY TWO here (which also attracts Indulgences):
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/30/immaculate-conception-novena-day-two-30-november/
NOTE on Indulgences HERE: https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/

PREPARATORY PRAYER:
In thy conception, O Virgin Mary,
thou wast immaculate;
pray for us to the Father, Whose Son Jesus,
conceived in thy womb by the Holy Ghost,
thou didst bring forth.

Indulgence. 200 days, every time (Pope Pius VI, 21 November

MEDITATION:
According to the definition of Pope Pius IX, the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is that privilege by which she was preserved, in view of the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, from Original Sin in the first moment of her conception.

By solemnly proclaiming the Dogma of Mary’s Immaculate Conception, the Church confirmed anew, the fundamental principles of Christianity which, in our times, are so frequently attacked, derided, or forgotten.
God reserved the solemn proclamation of this Dogma which seemingly, has no practical bearing on the Christian life, for our age, to recall to our mind the Doctrines resulting from it.

PRACTICE:
The most important of these Doctrines, is that of Original Sin, which today is rejected by many as a debasement of human nature and is forgotten by others, as having no practical influence on our moral state. By the promulgation of the Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church solemnly declares and defines, as an article of faith, that the Blessed Virgin Mary is conceived without the stain of Original Sin, by a special privilege and grace of God. If, then, Mary’s sinlessness is an exception, the general rule remains in force and all other human beings enter this world in the state of Original Sin.
Thus, by the proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, the Church combats human pride and sensuality, the foremost vices of the age.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH:
O God, Who through the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling-place
for Thy Divine Son; grant that, as in view of Thy Son,
Thou didst preserve her from all taint,
so Thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us
that cleansed from all sin by her intercession,
we too may arrive at Thine eternal glory.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER
Mary, unsullied lily of heavenly purity,
I rejoice with thee
because, at thy conception’s earliest dawn,
thou wast full of grace
and endowed with the perfect use of reason.
I thank and adore the ever-blessed Trinity,
Who gave thee such high gifts.
I am overwhelmed with shame in thy presence,
to see myself so poor in grace.
O thou who wast filled with heavenly grace,
impart some portion of it to my soul
and make to me share the treasures
of thy Immaculate Conception.

Hail Mary, Glory Be …

LITANY of LORETO:

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY ONE – 29 November

Aspiration: O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Indulgence. 100 days, once a day. (Pope Leo XIII, 25 March 1884).

Posted in DOCTRINE, DOGMA, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, INDULGENCES, LITANIES, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – DAY ONE – 29 November

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary

THE FIRST DAY – 29 November
Predestination of the Blessed Virgin Mary

To All the Faithful who, by themselves or with others, in Church or at home, with at least contrite hearts and devotion, shall make this novena:
(1) 300 days Indulgence for each of the nine days;
(2) a Plenary Indulgence on one day of the novena or of the eight days following it. (Pius IX, 5 January 1849.) Conditions – Confession, Communion and prayer, according to the intentions of the Holy Father.
Whenever, in the following pages, an Indulgence is said to be granted “under the usual conditions,” these conditions are the same as above.
*Note – The above Indulgences may also be gained by making the novena at any other time of the year and are not attached to any prescribed formula of prayer. The same applies to all other Novenas in honour of the Blessed Virgin.

[A simple short Novena here AND REMEMBER * ABOVE APPLIES:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/29/immaculate-conception-novena-day-one-29-november/ ]

PREPARATORY PRAYER:
In thy conception, O Virgin Mary,
thou wast immaculate;
pray for us to the Father, Whose Son Jesus,
conceived in thy womb by the Holy Ghost,
thou didst bring forth.

Indulgence. 200 days, every time. (Pius VI, 21 November 1793).

MEDITATION:
Holy Church, our Mother, purposely gathered into the Season of Advent, everything which might contribute to assist us in preparing for the coming of the Redeemer. Purity of heart is the most necessary and helpful requirement for receiving God worthily and for participating in the fruits of our Redemption through Christ. To remind us of this, Holy Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, this primary Feast of purity, in Advent.

The Church, moreover, intends to remind us that the coming of Christ, our promised Redeemer, depended on the consent of the Blessed Virgin. The Redeemer could not appear before she was born, of whom He was to be born. The aurora must precede the rising sun. Thus also, Mary, the spiritual aurora, had to be conceived and born, before the appearance of the Sun of Justice in this world.

PRACTICE:
In Mary appeared the woman who was to crush the serpent’s head, who was to repair, by her willing co-operation with God’s designs, the damage wrought by the disobedience of our first parents and who was to become our Mother and mighty Advocate with God.

The designs of God concerning Mary were fully accomplished. God also has designs concerning us. Our life was planned by Him from all eternity and we were destined to co-operate with Him harmoniously and conscientiously, in working out our salvation. Have we corresponded with God’s designs? Did we not oppose them by yielding to our evil inclinations and passions? What a disparity between God’s intentions concerning us and our own co-operation, between His merciful designs and our cowardly resistance to them!

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH:
O God, Who through the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling-place
for Thy Divine Son; grant that, as in view of Thy Son,
Thou didst preserve her from all taint,
so Thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us
that cleansed from all sin by her intercession,
we too may arrive at Thine eternal glory.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER:
Behold, Virgin Immaculate,
at thy sacred feet I bow,
while my heart overflows with joy
in union with thine own
because, from eternity,
thou wast the Mother-elect
of the eternal Word
and was preserved stainless
from the taint of Adam’s sin.
Forever praised, forever blessed
by the Most Holy Trinity,
Who, in thy conception,
poured out upon thy soul,
the riches of that matchless privilege.
I humbly pray thee, most gracious Mother,
obtain for me the grace,
to overcome the bitter results of original sin.
Make me victorious over them
that I may never cease to love my God.
Amen

Hail Mary, Glory Be …

LITANY of LORETO:

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.*
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honour, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant, pray for us.
Gate of Heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of Peace, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God,
unto us Thy servants
that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body
and, by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin,
may be delivered from present sadness
and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Aspiration: O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Indulgence. 100 days, once a day. (Leo XIII, 25 March 1884).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Holy Name PRAYERS, I BELIEVE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUTH, St PAUL!, The HOLY NAME, The PASSION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 29 November – Putting on our Lord Jesus Christ

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 29 November – Vigil of the Feast of St Andrew – Romans 13:11-14, Luke 21:25-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Let us walk becomingly, as in the day,
not in revelry and drunkenness,
not in debauchery and wantonness,
not in strife and jealousy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 13:13-14

“And Jesus, seeing their faith,
said to the paralytic,
Take courage, son,
your sins are forgiven you.”

Matthew 9:2

“Perhaps, your own faith is feeble.
Nevertheless, the Lord, who is love
will stoop down to you,
provided only that you are penitent
and can say sincerely,
from the depths of your soul:
“Lord, I believe.
Help thou mine unbelief,”
(Mark 9:23)……”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

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

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

St Theodore the Studite (759- 826)
Monk at Constantinople, Father

(Catecheses 1)

“Nothing so curbs the onset of anger,
so allays the upsurge of pride.
It cures the wound of envy,
controls unbridled extravagance
and quenches the flame of lust.
It cools the thirst of covetousness
and banishes the itch of unclean desire…
For when I Name Jesus,
I set before myself,
a Man Who is meek and humble of heart,
kind, prudent, chaste, merciful,
flawlessly upright and holy
in the eyes of all
and this same Man, is the all-powerful God
Whose way of life heals me,
Whose support is my strength.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father and Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

Lord Jesus, Bind Me to Yourself

Lord Jesus, Bind Me to Yourself
Lord Jesus, bind me to Yourself
and to my neighbour, with love.
May my heart not be turned away from You.
May my soul not be deceived,
nor my talent or mind,
enticed by allurements of error,
so that I may never
distance myself from Your love.
Thus may I love my neighbour as myself,
with strength, wisdom and gentleness,
with Your help,
You who are blessed
throughout all ages.
Amen.

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

“… How can anyone put on Jesus Christ
and imitate His example,
if he does not study this Jesus,
who must inspire and perfect our faith?
He must run the race to which he is challenged,
the glorious race in which,
he overcomes the enemy of the human family
and follows the Way of the Cross.
Under the lordly banner of that Cross,
he will attain eternal life.”

St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824)

(From his first Pastoral Letter as Bishop)

Hear Me, O Lord
By St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562)

Hear me, O Lord,
my soul’s delight,
joy of my heart,
not because of my merits
but because of Thy boundless goodness.
Teach me, enlighten me, direct me,
help me in all things
that I may never say
or do anything
but that which I know
to be pleasing in Thou sight.
Guide me, O God,
my Love, my Light and my Life!
Amen.

St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562)

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PURGATORY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, The HOLY SOULS

Our Morning Offering –29 November – Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory By St Ignatius of Antioch

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering –29 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”

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

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

Posted in DOGMA, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena

Reminder: The Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception begins on 29 November

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena in honour of the Immaculate Conception
Begins 29 November
Feast 8 December

The Dogma was promulgated by Blessed Pius IX in 1854 in the Bull Ineffabilis Deus.
This Dogma is rejected by all Protestants including the Orthodox – another reason why we cannot interact with these the way some do and the Vatican II church endorses.

Let us Pray to our Mother, the Immaculate and Blessed Virgin Mary, conceived without sin.

Posted in INDULGENCES, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The HOLY SOULS

Our Morning Offering – 25 November – O DIVINE Heart of JESUS

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 25 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”

O DIVINE Heart of JESUS
Pope Leo XIII
Indulgence 100 Days, Once a day
Raccolta 167
13 March 1901.

O DIVINE Heart of JESUS,
grant, we beseech Thee,
eternal rest to the souls in purgatory,
the final grace to those who shall die today,
true repentance to sinners,
the light of the faith to pagans
and Thy Blessing to me and mine.
To Thee, O most compassionate Heart of JESUS!
I commend all these souls
and I offer to Thee, on their behalf,
all Thy merits,
together with the merits
of Thy most Holy Mother
and of all the Saints, Angels
and all the Sacrifices of the Holy Mass,
Communions, prayers and good works,
which shall be accomplished today,
throughout the Christian world.
Amen

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The REDEMPTION

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

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Quote/s of the Day – 23 November – St Clement I (c 88–c 101) Pope Martyr and St Columban (543-615) Monk, Missionary

“Follow the Saints
because those who follow them,
will become Saints.”

“This world and the world to come, are two enemies.
We cannot. therefore. be friends to both
but, we must decide which we will forsake
and which, we will enjoy.”

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

St Clement I (c 88–c 101) Pope Martyr

MORE By St Pope Clement I:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/23/quote-s-of-the-day-23-november-st-pope-clement-i/

“We are all fellow members of one body,
whether Franks or Britons or Irish or whatever our race.
Thus, let all our races rejoice,
in knowledge of the faith
and in recognising the Son of God …
In Him, let us love one another,
praise one another,
correct one another,
encourage one another,
pray for one another.”

(Letter 2, to the French bishops)

Lord, Kindle our Lamps
By St Columban (543-615)

Lord, kindle our lamps,
Saviour most dear to us,
that we may always shine
in Your presence
and always receive Light
from You,
the Light Perpetual,
so that our own
personal darkness,
may be overcome
and the world’s darkness
driven from us.
Amen

(This is an excerpt from a much longer prayer and is taken from the wonderful Sermon XII by St Columban/us)

MORE By St Columban:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/23/quote-s-of-the-day-23-november-the-memorial-of-st-columban-543-615/

Posted in GOD the FATHER, INDULGENCES, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, PURGATORY, The HOLY SOULS

Our Morning Offering – 22 November – By the Merit of the Precious Blood of Jesus – Indulgenced prayer for the Holy Souls

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The WORD

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

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

“Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.
Rend your hearts, not your garments
and return to the LORD, your God.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger,
rich in kindness
and relenting in punishment.”

Joel 2:12-13

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

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

St Nerses Chnorhali (1102-1173)
Armenian Bishop

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

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Angelic Doctor

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

St Paul of the Cross (1694-1775)

Posted in BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), Holy Name PRAYERS, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The HOLY NAME, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Our Morning Offering – 20 November – Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

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Our Morning Offering – 20 November – The Last Sunday after Pentecost

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
By Fr Ignaz Franz Poland (1719-1790) (Attri)
Archbishop of Schlawa, Germany

Holy God, we praise Thy Name.
Lord of all, we bow before Thee.
All on earth Thy sceptre claim;
all in heav’n above adore Thee.
Infinite Thy vast domain,
everlasting is Thy reign.

Hark, the loud celestial hymn,
angel choirs above are raising.
Cherubim and seraphim,
in unceasing chorus praising,
fill the heav’ns with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy Lord.

Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Ghost, three we name Thee
While in essence only One,
Undivided God, we claim Thee
and adoring, bend the knee,
while we own the Mystery.

Spare Thy people Lord, we pray,
By a thousand snares surrounded.
Keep us without sin today,
Never let us be confounded.
Lo, I put my trust in Thee,
Never Lord, abandon me.

Fr Ignaz Franz Poland (1719-1790)
Archbishop of Schlawa, Germany, Hymnist, Musician
He also functioned as the Assessor for Theological Affairs at the Apostolic Vicariate. He wrote hymn lyrics and compiled religious music.
Trans. by Fr Clarence A Walworth (1820-1900)
Convert, writer. He was one of the Founders
of the Order of the Paulists in the U.S.A.

Posted in CONSECRATION Prayers, GOD ALONE!, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PURITY, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 16 November – O Heart of Jesus! By St Gertrude the Great

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Our Morning Offering – 16 November – St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302) Virgin, Benedictine Religious, Mystic, Theologian, Writer.

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

Sanctity of the Heart of Jesus,
consecrate my heart;
Providence of the Heart of Jesus,
watch over my heart;
Unchangeableness of the Heart of Jesus,
strengthen my heart;
Purity of the Heart of Jesus,
purify my heart;
Obedience of the Heart of Jesus,
subjugate my heart;
Amiability of the Heart of Jesus,
make Thyself known to my heart;
Divine attractions of the Heart of Jesus,
captivate my heart;
Riches of the Heart of Jesus,
do ye suffice for my heart;
Floods of grace and blessing
which flow from the Heart of Jesus,
inundate my heart.
O Heart of Jesus! be Thou my joy,
my peace, my repose in this world
and in the next.
O Heart of Jesus! adored in Heaven,
Invoked on earth, feared in hell,
Reign over all hearts,
Reign throughout all ages,
Reign forever in celestial glory.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OPEN HOUSE...Conversations with..., QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY NAME

Thought for the Day – 15 November – Conversation with God and with Men

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Thought for the Day – 15 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Conversation with God and with Men

“Do not speak too often with men but speak often with God.
We should always be in communication with God because, to converse with God, is to pray.
Jesus has told us that we ought always to pray (Lk 18:1).
We have a great need of intimacy with God, for if the life of grace does not flow within us, we become like arid branches and fall prey to temptations and to tepidity.
In order to remain close to God, we must pray constantly.
As St Paul says, “whatever you do, in word or in work, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through Him” (Col 3:17).
This is what the Saints did.
While their feet walked the earth, their minds were in Heaven.

We should imitate them by trying to cultivate the interior life which will keep us detached from the world and from sin and always close to God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/15/thought-for-the-day-15-november-conversation-with-god-and-with-men/

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Holy Name PRAYERS, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY NAME

Our Morning Offering – 14 November – Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee!

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Our Morning Offering – 14 November

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee!
By St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast!
Yet sweeter far Thy face to see
And in Thy presence rest.

No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find,
A sweeter sound than Jesus’ Name,
The 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 hope be Thou,
As Thou our prize shall be;
In Thee be all our glory now
And through eternity.
Amen

Posted in Act of SPIRITUAL COMMUNION, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, Holy Name PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY NAME

Our Morning Offering – 13 November – Act of Spiritual Communion by St Bernard

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Our Morning Offering – 13 November – The Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost – All Saints of the Benedictine & Cistercian Orders

Act of Spiritual Communion
By St Bernard O. Cist (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

As I cannot this day enjoy the happiness
of assisting at the Holy Mysteries, O my God,
I transport myself in spirit to the foot of Your Altar.
I unite with the Church, which, by the hands of the Priest,
offers You, Your adorable Son in the Holy Sacrifice.
I offer myself with Him, by Him and in His Name.
I adore, I praise and thank You,
imploring Your mercy,
invoking Your assistance
and presenting to You,
the homage I owe You as my Creator
and the love due to You, as my Saviour.

Apply to my soul, I beseech You, O Merciful Jesus,
Your infinite merits;
apply them also to those
for whom I particularly wish to pray.
I desire to communicate spiritually,
that Your Blood, may purify,
Your Flesh, strengthen
and Your Spirit, sanctify me.
May I never forget that You,
my divine Redeemer,
died for me.
May I die to all that is not You,
that hereafter, I may live eternally with You.
Amen.

Posted in ABOUT Me - Anastpaul, Hail MARY!, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY SOULS

Our Morning Offering – 12 November – O Gloriosa Virginum

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Our Morning Offering – 12 November – Mary’s Saturday – “The Month of the Holy ouls in Purgatory”

O Gloriosa Virginum
By St Venantius Fortunatus (c 530 – c 609)

O Glorious Virgin, ever blest,
Sublime above the starry sky,
Who nurture from thy spotless breast
To thy Creator didst supply.

What we had lost through hapless Eve,
The Blossom sprung from these restores,
And, granting bliss to souls that grieve,
Unbars the everlasting doors.

O Gate, through which hath passed the King.
O Hall, whence Light shone through the gloom;
The ransomed nations, praise and sing
Life given from the Virgin womb.

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

O Gloriosa Domina is the second half of the hymn: Quem Terra, Pontus, Aethera. It was composed by St Venantius Fortunatus (c 530 – c 609) the Bishop of Poitiers.
In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to O Gloriósa Vírginum.
It is sung in the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Roman Breviary.
It is said that St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) was always singing this hymn. His mother sang it to him as a baby,and even on his death bed after receiving Extreme Unction, he intoned the hymn.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, INDULGENCES, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The HOLY SOULS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 11 November – ‘He wants you to become a living force for all mankind, lights shining in the world. …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – St Martin of Tours (c 316-397) Bishop, Confessor – Sirach 44:16-27; 45:3-20, Luke 11:33-36 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“No man lights a candle
and puts it in a hidden place,
nor under a bushel but upon a candlestick,
that they who come in, may see the light.”

Luke 11:33

“Light came into the world”

John 3:19

“This is the meaning of the new creation
(Gal 6,15; Rv 21,1)
for the Sun of Righteousness (Mal 3,20),
pursuing His course through the universe,
visits all alike, in imitation of His Father,
“who makes his sun rise upon all” (Mt 5,45)
and bedews everyone with His truth…
He, it is, Who has changed sunset into dawn
and death into life by His Crucifixion,
He, it is, Who has snatched the human race
from perdition and exalted it to the skies.
Transplanting what was corruptible,
to make it incorruptible,
He has transformed earth into Heaven!…”

St Clement of Alexandria (150- 215)
Theologian, Father of the Church

“He wants you to become
a living force for all mankind,
lights shining in the world.
You are to be radiant lights
as you stand beside Christ,
the Great Light,
bathed in the glory of Him
who is the Light of Heaven.”

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

“Start being brave about everything!
Drive out darkness and spread light.
Do not look at your weaknesses.
Realise instead, that in Christ Crucified,
you can do all things.”

St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Doctor of the Church

DIVINE Heart of JESUS, convert sinners,
save the dying, set free the holy souls in Purgatory.
Indulgence 300 Days Everytime –
St Pius X, 11 September, 1907

Posted in DEVOTIO, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The HOLY SOULS

Thought for the Day – 8 November – The Advantages of Devotion to the Souls in Purgatory

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

The Advantages of Devotion
to the Souls in Purgatory

“The story is told of St John of God who, on one occasion, when he was finding it difficult to provide for the crowds of sick people, whom he had in his hospital, he went about the streets of Granada, crying: “My dear brothers, give alms to yourselves!”
Many were astonished at these words but, the Saint explained that Jesus regards as done to Himself anything which we do for the poor and unfortunate and that, therefore, He repays the generous giver handsomely.
Since the Souls in Purgatory, are poor and needy, it is certain that whatever we do for them, will redound to our own advantage.

St Margaret of Cortona had a keen devotion to the Faithful Departed.
It is related of her that when she was dying, she saw a band of blessed spirits descending from above, in order to escort her into Heaven.
These were the countless souls whom her prayers had rescued from the pains of Purgatory.

“If only everyone realised,” the Cure d’Ars once said to a fellow Priest, “what great influence with God, the Holy Souls in Purgatory possess and, the vast number of favours which we obtain through their intercession, they certainly would not be forgotten. Let us pray earnestly for them and they will intercede strongly for us!”

“Whenever I wish to obtain some favour from our Heavenly Father,” said St Catherine of Bologna, “I have recourse to the Souls in Purgatory. I beseech them to present my petition to the Divine Majesty, in their name and through their inetercession, my request is granted.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/08/thought-for-the-day-7-november-they-advantages-of-devotion-to-the-souls-in-purgatory/

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

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

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

How We Can Help the Faithful Departed

“There are many ways in which we can come to the assistance of the faithful departed.

(a) We can help them by prayer.
This is the simplest way and one which is possible for everyone.
When we pray for our dead, we feel that we are close to them and are consoled in our sorrow.
Moreover, we can be sure of gaining a great deal in return, for the prayers which they offer on our behalf, are very pleasing to God.

(b) We can offer Holy Mass for them.
When we do this, it is not only we who pray but Jesus joins with us and offers Himself as a victim of reparation on behalf of the suffering souls.
The Mass has an infinite value and one Mass alone would be enough to empty Purgatory.
But the application of its infinite merits are always limited, in accordance with the hidden designs of God.
Ir is certain, however, that there is no more effective means of helping the faithful departed.

(c) We can offer our good works on their behalf.
Every good action has power to satisfy God for some of the debts which we or others have contracted in His regard.
Among the good works which we can offer for the souls in Purgatory, are Holy Communion, voluntary mortifications, meek acceptance of the unavoidable sorrows of life, acts of patience and of compassion, spiritual and corporal works of mercy, Indulgences and almsgivine.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/07/thought-for-the-day-7-november-how-we-can-help-the-faithful-departed/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, DYING / LAST WORDS, HOLY COMMUNION, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARIAN QUOTES, ON the SAINTS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on VANITY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY NAME, The TRANSFIGURATION

Quote/s of the Day – 7 November – St Dominic and Friends OPs

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

“These, my much loved ones,
are the bequests which I leave to you, as my sons –
have charity among yourselves,
hold fast to humility,
keep a willing poverty.”

“Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you
after my death and I shall help you then,
more effectively, than during my life.”

St Dominic OP (1170-1221)

“Eternal life flows
from this Sacrament
because God,
with all sweetness,
pours Himself out
upon the blessed.”

“Mary is the divine Page
on which God the Father
wrote the Word of God, His Son.
Let us draw near to her and read her!”

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

“At His Transfiguration
Christ showed His disciples,
the splendour of His Beauty,
to which He will shape and colour,
those who are His :
‘He will reform our lowness
configured to the Body of His Glory.”

“Charity is
the form,
mover,
mother
and root
of all
the virtues.”

“To love is to
will the good
of the other.”

“The greatest kindness
one can render
to any man
consists in leading him
from error to truth.”

St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225 – 1274)
Angelic Doctor of the Church

“The eternal God
asks a favour of His bride:
“Hold Me close to your heart,
close as locket or bracelet fits.”
No matter whether
we walk or stand still,
eat or drink,
we should at all times
wear the golden locket
“Jesus” upon our heart.”

Bl Henry Suso OP (1295-1366)

“Enrich your soul in the great goodness of God –
The Father is your Table,
the Son is your Food
and the Holy Spirit waits on you
and then makes His Dwelling in you.”

“Charity is the sweet and holy bond
which links the soul
with its Creator;
it binds God with man
and man with God.”

St Catherine of Siena OP (1347-1380)
Doctor of the Church

“Once humility is acquired,
charity will come to life
like a burning flame devouring
the corruption of vice
and filling the heart so full,
that there is no place for vanity.”

“A vain question deserves nothing
but silence.
So learn to be silent for a time;
you will edify your brethren
and silence will teach you,
to speak when the hour is come.”

St Vincent Ferrer OP (1350-1419)

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

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

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

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

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

The Communion of Saints
and the Souls in Purgatory

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

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

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/06/thought-for-the-day-6-november-the-communion-of-saints-and-the-souls-in-purgatory/

Posted in HYMNS, MARIAN TITLES, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY

Nostra Signora del Suffragio / Our Lady of Suffrage for the Souls in Purgatory – 6 November

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Saint of the Day – 6 November – Nostra Signora del Suffragio / Our Lady of Suffrage for the Souls in Purgatory.

The Archconfraternity of Death and Prayer (mortis et orationis), founded in Rome, 1538, to provide for the burial of the poor and abandoned, still exists (cf. Berignani, loc. cit).
At the beginning of the 17th Century, it was granted a new Indulgences by Pope Paul V (Rescr. auth. S. C. Indulg., n. 26, pp. 448 sqq. Moroni, II, 303).
About 1687, the Rules for a special Confraternity “for the relief of the Most Needy Souls in Purgatory” under the Sacred Names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, were approved in Rome.
The Confraternity for the relief of the departed under the title of “Jesus Christ on Mount Calvary and the Sorrowful Mother” enjoyed special popularity and on 8 September 1760, inaugurated, the processions of the Way of the Cross in the Roman Coliseum. Among its illustrious members was St Leonard of Port Maurice OFM (1676-1751).

In 1874, the Ingolstadt Mass Association, formed by the Franciscans of Ingolstadt in 1726, to procure for all members the grace of a happy death and for those already deceased, speedy assistance and liberation form the pains of Purgatory, was raised to a formal and legal Confraternity, under the title of the Immaculate Conception.
An ancient, highly venerated painting of the Mother of God, was adopted as the Titular image of the Association, which has received all the Indulgences of the Confraternity of the same name, in the Ara Coeli at Rome, that is, the Indulgences of the Blue Scapular.
It numbers its members by tens and hundreds of thousands; almost 2000 Masses are daily celebrated for the intentions of the Marian Mass Association, which includes the intention of particularly assisting for the most recently deceased members.

At the close of the Middle Ages, the old Confraternities, generally confined to a town or small district, gradually disappeared, as also did many of the later ones in the confusion at the end of the eighteenth century, while others preserved only a semblance of life.
Since the beginning of the 19th Century, they have been replaced by vigorous new Associations, which, richly endowed with Indulgences by ecclesiastical authorities, have rapidly extended to the entire Church.

By brief of 5 October, 1818, Pope Pius VII endowed the Archconfraternity of Our Mother of Sorrows and Suffrage of the Poor Souls in Purgatory, which was erected in the Basilica of San Maria in Trastevere, with rich Indulgences.

St Teresa of Jesus of Avila, intercedes with Our Lady of Suffrage for the Poor Souls in Purgatory

First among the later Confraternities which have extended throughout Christendom, is the “Archconfraternity for the Relief of the Poor Souls in Purgatory under the title of the Assumption of Mary, in the Redemptorist Church of San Maria in Monterone at Rome.” Founded in 1841, it rapidly developed, especially in England and North America and was endowed with Indulgences in 1841-63. Priests empowered to receive the faithful into the Confraternity enjoy various other faculties. This Confraternity is especially adapted for rapid expansion because in 1860, it was expressly authorised to include, every Confraternity of whatever name and object and to communicate to them its graces and privileges, provide they added to their original Titles “and for the relief of the Poor Souls in Purgatory.” The Redemptorist Fathers conduct this Archconfraternity.

Indulgences of the Confraternities are ever applicable to the Souls in Purgatory and the privileges of the Altar for Churches and for Priests, who are members, may be used in favour of dead members or for all poor souls. The formation of the “Catholic League for Constant Intercession for the Poor Souls in Purgatory” was proposed by certain pious citizens of Rome, approved by Leo XIII in the last years of his reign, and enriched with Indulgences. The only requisite for membership is to recite thrice daily the prayer, “Requiem æternam – Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord …” thereby gaining, once daily, an Indulgence of 200 days.

O Turn to Jesus, Mother! Turn
By Fr Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)

O turn to Jesus, Mother! turn,
And call Him by His tenderest Names;
Pray for the Holy Souls that burn,
This hour amid the cleansing flames.

Ah! they have fought a gallant fight;
In death’s cold arms, they persevered
And after life’s uncheery night,
The harbour of their rest is neared.

In pains beyond all earthly pains,
Favourites of Jesus! there they lie,
Letting the fire wear out their stains,
And worshipping God’s purity.

Spouses of Christ, they are, for He
Was wedded to them by His Blood
And Angels o’er their destiny
In wondering adoration brood.

They are the children of thy tears,
Then hasten, Mother! to their aid;
In pity think each hour appears
An age while glory is delayed.

See, how they bound amid their fires,
While pain and love their spirits fill;
Then with self-crucified desires
Utter sweet murmurs, and lie still.

Ah me! the love of Jesus yearns
O’er that abyss of sacred pain,
And as He looks His Bosom burns
With Calvary’s dear thirst again.

O Mary! let thy Son no more
His lingering Spouses thus expect,
God’s children to their God restore,
And to the Spirit, His elect.

Pray then, as thou hast ever prayed;
Angels and Souls, all look to thee,
God waits thy prayers, for He hath made
Those prayers, His law of charity.

Tune: “Eltham” Nathaniel Gawthorn – 18th Century

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, SAINT of the DAY

The Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost, Within the All Saints Octave, Notre-Dame de Valfleury / Our Lady of Valfleury, France (800), Nostra Signora del Suffragio / Our Lady of Suffrage (For the Souls in Purgatory)and Memorials of the Saints – 6 November

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost
Within the All Saints Octave

Notre-Dame de Valfleury / Our Lady of Valfleury, France (800) – 6 November:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/06/notre-dame-de-valfleury-our-lady-of-valfleury-france-800-and-memorial-of-the-saints-6-november/

Nostra Signora del Suffragio / Our Lady of Suffrage (For the Souls in Purgatory)

St Atticus
St Barlaam of Novgorod
Bl Beatrice of Olive
Bl Christina of Stommeln
St Demetrian of Cyprus
St Edwen of Northumbria
St Efflam of Brittany
St Emilian of Faenza
St Erlafrid of Hirschau
St Felix of Fondi
St Felix of Genoa
St Felix of Thynissa
St Illtyd
St Israel of Limoges

St Leonard of Noblac (c 496-559) Monk, Hermit, Abbot, Miracle-worker.
About St Leonard:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/06/saint-of-the-day-st-leonard-of-noblac-c496-559/

St Leonard of Reresby
Bl Leonianus of Autun
St Melaine of Rennes
St Paul of Constantinople
St Pinnock
St Protasius of Lausanne
St Severus of Barcelona
Bl Simon of Aulne
St Stephen of Apt
St Theobald of Dorat
Bl Thomas Ochia Jihyoe
St Valentine of Genoa
St Victor Chumillas-Fernández

St Winnoc of Wormhoult (Died 716/717) Abbot, Miracle-worker
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/06/saint-of-the-day-6-november-saint-winnoc-of-wormhoult-died-716-717/

Martyrs of Antioch – 10 Saints: Ten Christians murdered together by Arabs after their seizure of Antioch, Syria. No names or other details about them have come down to us. 637 in Antioch, Syria.

Martyrs of Gaza – 9 Saints: A group of Christian soldiers who were captured by Saracens invading the area of Gaza in Palestine. When the men continued to profess their Christianity, they were executed. We know the names of some of the Martyrs – Himerius, John (2 of them), Kallinikos (Callinoco), Paul, Peter, Stephen and Theodore (2 of them). They were beheaded in Gaza, Palestine.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 5 November – The Consolations of the Suffering Souls in Purgatory

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 5 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Consolations of the
Suffering Souls in Purgatory

“In her description of Purgatory, St Catherine of Genoa, writes as follows:

“The soul in Prgatory is happy with its lot but, its happiness is similar to that of the Martyr at the stake.
Its happiness, in other words, is of a pure and supernatural kind which the world could not understand.
The Martyr allows himself to be put to death, rather than offend God; he feels the pain of dying but, despises death because of his ardent love for God.
In the same way because it realises that God desires and commands its agony, the soul in Purgatory, loves Him and is happy to allow Him to refine and purify it spiritually, through suffering.”

In one of her ecstasies, St Mary Magdalen de Pazzi was accorded a vision of Purgatory so terrifying that it caused her to grow pale and cry out.
Suddenly she saw her own recently deceased brother among the suffering souls.
“My poor brother!” she exclaimed, “how much you are suffering. Yet, I can see too, how greatly you are consoled. Although you are tortured by fire, you are content because, you know that these tortures are the prelude to everlasting happiness.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/05/thought-for-the-day-5-november-the-consolations-of-the-suffering-souls-in-purgatory/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on SIN, VENIAL SIN

Thought for the Day – 4 November – More About the Sufferings of Purgatory

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Thought for the Day – 4 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

More About the Sufferings of Purgatory

“The vision of Purgatory accorded to St Frances of Rome, is well known.
She saw Purgatory divided into three separate sections.

(1) The firs was the part furthest from Heaven and bordering, as it were, on Hell.
In it two kinds of people were suffering terrible torments, namely, lay folk who had committed grave sins and postponed their conversion until the moment of death;
and – men and women who had dedicated their lives to God but on account of venial sins, neglect of duty, tepidity and lack of gratitude for their great vocations, had heavy debt to pay to Divine Justice.

(2) The second place, was the most crowded.
Here, the physical pain was still unimaginably severe, while the desire to be purified and to b with God was the cause of intense spiritual anguish.
The souls in this region, however, were not only resigned to their lot but, even longed for greater sufferings which would finally wash away the imperfections which kept them apart from God.

(3) The Third section was the nearest to Heaven and was the abode of purer and more perfect souls.
These did not have to endure much sensible pain but, their yearning for God was so insistent that, every moment of separation, seemed like an eternity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/04/thought-for-the-day-4-november-more-about-the-sufferings-of-purgatory/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on The SOUL

Thought for the Day – 3 November – The Pain of Purgatory

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Thought for the Day – 3 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Pain of Purgatory

“In the course of her vivid description of Purgatory, St Catherine of Genoa writes: “The suffering souls experience such torments as the human tongue could not describe, nor the human intellect comprehend, unless God Himself, revealed them by means of a special grace!”

The ordinary teaching of the Church includes fire as the principal torment.
However, the Church has never defined the nature of this fire, nor determined whether it is physical or spiritual.
It is certain that this fire is as real as the flames of Hell and is created by God, not to be an instrument of service to men but, to be a means of expiation and purification.
This is why it is a far more tormenting fire than that which we know and use on earth.
St Thomas Aquinas holds that it is actually a physical fire.
He meets the objection that material fire could never touch a spiritual soul by saying that, even as the soul is affected on earth, by the suffering of the body, to which it is joined, so it can be subject in the next life, to the action of the fires of Purgatory (Supplementum Tertiae Partis q7, a3).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/03/thought-for-the-day-2-november-the-pain-of-purgatory/

Posted in DOCTRINE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, VENIAL SIN

Thought for the Day – 2 Novemer – “Purgatory”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 2 Novemer – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Purgatory”

“The clear testimony of the New Testament may also be invoked in support of this teaching.
Jesus refers to sins which cannot be forgiven, either in this life or in the next, (Cf Mt 12:31-32) from which, the Fathers deduce that there are sins, namely those of a venial nature, which can be forgiven after death.

St Paul, moreover, speaks of imperfections which will be expiated and purged by fire after death (Cf 1 Cor 3:10-15).
Obviously, this cannot take place in Hell but, only in Purgatory.
It would be impossible to cite here, all the testamoies of the Fathers and of theological writers.
No-one, can deny, that they exist, however, for they combine to build up a tradition which the Council of Trent (Sess XXV) gathered together, when proclaiming the existence of Purgatory and the obligation of the faithful to pray for the dead, who are expiating their sins there.

This is a very consoling Doctrine.
It is comforting to know that one day, we shall find a way of purifying ourselves of all trace of sin and imperfection and that, meanwhile, we can be spiritually united with our departed loved ones and can help them by our prayers.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/02/thought-for-the-day-1-november-purgatory/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/07/thought-for-the-day-7-february-purgatory/

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, INDULGENCES, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL DECREE, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PURGATORY, The HOLY SOULS

Our Morning Offering – 2 November – The De Profundis

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Our Morning Offering – 2 November – All Souls Day – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”

The De Profundis
Psalm 129

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

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

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

(Indulgence of 100 Days)

*Psalm 129 in Douay Rheims

Pope Clement XII. was the first who, in order to move the piety of Christians to pray for the souls in Purgatory, granted, by a Brief of 4 August 1736, Coelestes Ecclesiae thesauros –
i. The Indulgence of 100 days to all the faithful, everytime that, at the sound of the bell, at the first hour after the evening Ave Maria, they say devoutly, on their knees the psalm De profundis, with a Requiem aAternamat the end of, it.
(The evening Ave Maria in Rome varies with the season; it is commonly taken as 6 o’clock.)
ii. A Plenary Indulgence to those who perform this pious exercise, for a year, at the hour appointed, once in the year, on any one day, after Confession and Communion. Those who do not know by heart the De Profundis, may gain these Indulgences by saying, in the way already mentioned for the De profundis, one Pater Noster and one Ave Maria, with the Requiem Aeternam.
Observe also, that the aforesaid Clement XII. declared, on 12 December 1736, that these Indulgences might be gained by saying the De Profundis etc, as above, although, according to the custom of a particular Church or place, the “signal for the dead,” as it is called, be given by the sound of the bell either before, or after one hour after the evening Ave Maria.
Pope Pius VI., by a Rescript of 18 March 1781, granted the above-named Indulgences to all the faithful, who should chance to dwell in any place where no bell for the dead is sounded and who, shall say the De Profundis or Pater Noster, as aforesaid, about the time specified above.