Thought for the Day – 4 July – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Octave Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the First Friday of July
From “The Devout Year” By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) The Eating of the Paschal Lamb
Our Blessed Lord , before He suffered , celebrated the Jewish rite which, above all the rest, foreshadowed His own sacred sufferings. The paschal lamb was an exact type of Himself, the Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sins of the world.
+1. The paschal lamb was the means employed by Almighty God to deliver His people from Egypt. It was the sprinkling of its blood on the door-posts which caused the avenging Angel to pass by and leave the inmates unharmed. So the Blood of Jesus Christ sprinkled on our souls, in the Sacraments and when we make an Act of Contrition, saves us from the vengeance which would otherwise fall upon us. O Jesus! sprinkle me with One Drop of Thy Precious Blood and I shall be free from sin.
+2. The paschal lamb had to be drained of the last drop of its blood. So the Lamb of God, shed the last drop of His Precious Blood for us. He was not satisfied with merely giving His Life for us but, He must needs endure all the intense agony, the burning thirst which came of this draining of His whole body for love of us. How can I ever thank Him as I ought?
+3. The lamb suffers uncomplainingly. It never murmurs against its lot, or struggles against those who lead it here and there; unlike the filthy swine which grunt and grumbles at every attempt to control them. None was ever so submissive as the Lamb of God. “Lo, I come to do Thy Will, O my God. I am content to do it.” Can I echo these words?
One Minute Reflection – 4 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Octave Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the First Friday of July – Within the Octave of Sts Peter and Paul – Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19 – John 19:31-37 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But one of the soldiers, with a spear, opened His side and, immediately, there came forth, blood and water. ” – John 19:34
REFLECTION – “Brethren, let us pursue our calling – we are called by Life to the Source of Life and this Source is a source, not just of ‘living water’ (Jn 4:10) but of eternal life, Source of Light and illumination. Indeed, all things flow from it, wisdom, life and eternal light… O Lord, Thou are Thineself this Source Who always exists and is always to be desired and, at where it is always permitted and always necessary for us to draw. ‘Lord Jesus, give us this water always’ that it may also become within us, a spring of water \welling up to eternal life’ (Jn 4:15.14). It is true that I am asking Thee for a great deal, who could deny it? But Thou, O King of glory, know well how to give great things and Thou hast promised them. There is nothing greater than Thou art and, it is Thee Thyself Who give to us, it is Thee Who gave Thyself for us.
Therefore, it is Thee we are asking for … since we desire nothing other than Thee. Thou art our All, our Life, our Light and our Salvation, our Food and our Drink, our God. Breathe into our hearts, I beseech Thee, O our Jesus; with the breath of Thine Spirit, wound our souls with Thy Love that each of us may say in truth – “Show me Him Whom my soul loves” (Sg 3:3) for I have been wounded by Thy Love.
I desire these wounds to be in me, O Lord. Happy the soul who loves wounds in this way – the soul who seeks the Source, who drinks and who, nevertheless, never ceases to thirst even as it drinks, nor to draw continually by desire, nor to continue drinking in its thirst. Thus, it always seeks in loving, for in its wound, it finds healing.” – St Columban (543-615) Father of the Church, Monk, Missionary, Founder of many Monasteries (Spiritual Instructions No 13: 2-3).
PRAYER – God, Who hast consecrated this day to the Martyrdom of Thy Apostles Peter and Paul, give Thy Church a precept to follow them in all things. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
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.
1 July The Feast and the Month of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ
In his book, The Precious Blood, Father Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863), calls St Paul ,the Doctor of the Precious Blood owing to his evident fondness of preaching on Ithis subject in his Epistles (Romans 3:25; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12 et al).
He recounts that the lives of the Saints are replete with devotion to the Precious Blood making special mention of St John Chrysostom, St Augustine, St Gertrude and St Catherine of Sienna, the last whom he considered the Prophetess of the Precious Blood for putting emphasis on It as the solution to the ills of her times.
Constant Prayer to the Precious Blood of Jesus By St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Precious Blood, Ocean of Divine Mercy, Flow upon us! Precious Blood, Most Pure Offering, Procure us every grace! Precious Blood, Hope and Refuge of sinners, Atone for us! Precious Blood, Delight of holy souls, Draw us! Amen
Father Faber also remarks that the Precious Blood makes us appreciate more,, Christ’s redemption of mankind, His sacrifice and Passion. It makes us comprehend too, the beautiful doctrine and the august realities of the Blessed Sacrament, as we kneel in front of the Tabernacle, in humble adoration.
Over time, the Church gave Her blessing to the devotion by approving societies like the Missionaries of the Precious Blood; enriching confraternities like that of St Nicholas in Carcere, in Rome and that of the London Oratory; attaching Indulgences to prayers and Scapulars in honour of the Precious Blood and instituting commemorative Feasts of the Precious Blood, Friday after the fourth Sunday in Lent and, since Pius IX, the first Sunday of July. St Pius X assigned the date of 1 July to this Feast.
Thought for the Day – 1 July – “The Feast and Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Passion of Our Lord
“Meditation on the Passion of Jesus” writes St Albert the Great, “is more profitable than fasting on bread and water or than scourging ourselves.”
This is because, when we meditate with love and gratitude on the Passion of our Redeemer, we have the experience of being transformed and set aglow with charity. We realise the truth of St Paul’s words, “The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, that will be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18)).
Let us cast ourselves, therefore, into the merciful arms of God and be prepared to suffer everything, even death, for the love of Jesus.”
Quote/s of the Day – 1 July – “The Feast and Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus”
“Carry me, O Christ, on Thy Cross which is salvation to the wanderer, rest for the wearied and, in which alone, is Life for those who die.”
St Ambrose (340-397) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Look on thy God, Christ hidden in our flesh. A bitter word, the Cross and bitter sight – Hard rind without, to hold the Heart of Heaven. Yet, sweet it is, for God upon that tree Did offer His Life upon that rood – My Life hung, that my Life might stand in God. Christ, what am I to give Thee for my life? Unless, take from Thy Hands, the cup they hold, To cleanse me with the precious draught of death. What shall I do? My body to be burned? Make myself vile? The debt is not paid out yet. Whate’er I do, it is but I and Thee And still do I come short, still must Thou pay My debts, O Christ, for debts Thyself had’st none! What love may balance Thine? My Lord was found In fashion like a slave that so His slave Might find himself in fashion like his Lord. Think you the bargain’s hard, to have exchanged The transient for the eternal, to have sold Earth to buy Heaven? More dearly God bought me!”
St Paulinus of Nola (c354-431) Father of the Church
“Embrace, then, Jesus Crucified, raising to Him the eyes of your desire! Consider His burning love for you which made Jesus pour out His Blood from every part of His body! Embrace Jesus Crucified, loving and beloved and in Him, you will find true life because He is God made Man. Let your heart and your soul burn with the fire of love drawn from Jesus on the Cross! … You will have no other desire than to follow Jesus! Run, … do not stay asleep because time flies and does not wait one moment! Dwell in God’s sweet love!”
St Catherine of Sienna (1347-1380)
“O souls! Seek a refuge, like pure doves, in the shadow of the Crucifix. There, mourn the Passion of your Divine Spouse and drawing from your hearts, flames of love and rivers of tears, make of them a precious balm with which to anoint the Wounds of your Saviour.”
One Minute Reflection – 1 July – “The Feast and Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Octabe Day of the Nativity of St John the Baptist– Hebrews 9:11-15 – John 19:30-35 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But one of the soldiers opened His side with a lance and immediately there came forth, Blood and water.” – John 19:34
REFLECTION – “The lovers of this world display their generosity by giving money, clothes and various gifts but not one of them gives his own blood. Christ gives His! In this way, He demonstrates the tenderness He feels for us and His ardent Love. Under the Old Law, … God consented to receive the blood of sacrifices but this was just to prevent His people from offering it to false gods and already, this was proof of a very great Love. But Christ transformed this rite … there is no longer the same sacrificial victim, it is Himself He offers in sacrifice!
“The bread we break, is it not a communion in the Body of Christ?” (1 Cor 10:16) … What is this bread? The Body of Christ. What becomes of those who communicate in it? The Body of Christ – not a large number of bodies but just One Body. Just as this bread, made up of so many wheat grains, makes only one loaf into which the grains disappear – foreven though the grains remain in it, yet it is impossible to distinguish them in such a closely compacted mass – so all of us, together with Christ, make up a single whole … Now, if we all share in the same bread and are united to the same Christ, why do we not show the same love for each other? Why do we not become one in this case too?
This is what was seen at the beginning: “The community of believers was of one heart and mind” (Acts 4:32) … Christ came in search of you who were far away from Him to unite Himself to you but you, do not wish to become one with your brother? … You violently separate yourself from him after winning from the Lord so great a proof of His Love – and life! For He did not only give His Body but, just as our flesh, drawn from the earth, had lost its life and died through sin, so He has introduced, so to speak, another substance like a leaven – this is His Body, the Body sharing the same nature as ours but free from sin and abounding in Life. And He has given it to all of us, so that, fed with this Banquet of this new food … we might enter immortal life.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (Excerpt from 24th Sermon on the 1st letter to the Corinthians).
PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who made Thine Only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and, willed to be reconciled by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to worship in this Sacred rite the price of our salvation and to be so protected, by its power against the evils of the present life on earth, that we may enjoy its everlasting fruit in Heaven. 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).
Aspiration:Precious Blood, ocean of Divine Mercy, Flow upon us.
Our Morning Offering – 1 July – “The Feast and Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus”
Salvete Christi Vulnera Hail, Holy Wounds of Jesus, Hail! Anonymous Latin Hymn, 17th Century
Hail, holy Wounds of Jesus, hail, Sweet pledges of the saving Rood, Whence flow the streams that never fail, The purple streams of His dear Blood.
Brighter than brightest stars ye show, Than sweetest rose your scent more rare, No Indian gem may match Your glow, No honeys taste with Yours compare.
Portals ye are to that dear home Wherein our wearied souls may hide, Whereto no angry foe can come, The Heart of Jesus crucified.
What countless stripes our Jesus bore, All naked left in Pilates hall! From His torn flesh flow red a shower Did round His sacred person fall!
His beauteous brow, oh, shame and grief, By the sharp thorny crown is riven; Through hands and feet, without relief, The cruel nails are rudely driven.
But when for our poor sakes He died, A willing Priest by love subdued, The soldiers lance transfixed His side, Forth flowed the Water and the Blood.
In full atonement of our guilt, Careless of self, the Saviour trod Een till His Hearts best Blood was spilt The wine-press of the wrath of God.
Come, bathe you in the healing flood, All ye who mourn, by sin opprest; Your only hope is Jesus Blood, His Sacred Heart your only rest.
All praise to Him, the Eternal Son, At Gods right hand enthroned above, Whose Blood our full redemption won, Whose Spirit seals the gift of love.
Office Hymn at Lauds on the Feast of the Most Precious Blood. (The Hymn is also used for Lauds on the Friday after the Fourth Sunday in Lent, for the Office of the Instruments of the Passion.) Translated by – Henry Nutcombe Oxenham (1829-1888) for whom I find little information.
Thought for the Day – 30 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Worship of the Sacred Heart in Relation to the Love of God and of Our Neighbour
“There is nothing sentimental about having devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Neither does this devotion consist only in prayers and pious practices. It is much deeper than this. It should flood our whole being, enkindle the fire of divine love in our hearts and transform our lives in accordance with the commands of Jesus. A love which is not active cannot be genuine, it is only a passing emotion.
Our love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus should be real and effective. As far as possible, it should change us into living replicas of Jesus Christ.
“You are My friends,” He said, “if you do the things I command you” (Jn 15:14). Which commands does He mean? All of them, of course. “Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29). “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me” (Mt 16:24). “Thy shalt love the Lord thy God, with they whole heart and with they whole soul” (Mt 22:37).
Anyone who practises these precepts and all others which are contained in the Gospel, is sincerely devoted to the Sacred Heart. If anyone neglects to put them into practice but is satisfied with prayers, aspirations and the performance of spiritual exercises, his devotion is empty and has no foundation.
These prayers, aspirations and pious practices have their value, insofar, as they can attract God’s grace. But, we must co-operate with God’s grace by our good actions. Then our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, will be sincere and effective.”
Our Morning Offering – 30 June – The Last Day of the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
O Adorable Heart of my Jesus! By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
O Adorable Heart of my Jesus, Heart yearning expressly. for the love of men! Until now, I have shown towards Thee only ingratitude. Pardon me, O my Jesus. Heart of my Jesus, Abyss of Love and of Mercy, how is it possible, hat I do not die of sorrow, when I reflect on Thy Goodness to me and my ingratitude to Thee? Thou, my Creator, after having created me, hast given Thy Blood and Thy Life for me and, not content with this, Thou hast invented a means of offering Thyself everyday for me, in the Holy Eucharist, exposing Thyself to a thousand insults and outrages! Ah, Jesus, do Thou wound my heart with a great contrition for my sins and a lively love for Thee. Through Thy Tears and Thy Blood, give me the grace of perseverance in Thy fervent love, until I breathe my last sigh. Amen.
Thought for the Day – 28 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Promises Made to Those Who Practise Devotion to the Sacred Heart
“The promises made by Jesus to those who are truly devoted to His Sacred Heart, are a new proof of His Infinite Love and Mercy. However, if anyone were to cultivate devotion to the Sacred Heart, merely to gain His benefits and to think more of his own spiritual and temporal advantage than of Jesus, he would display a niggardly spirit, quite unworthy of the Lord’s favour.
The worship of the Sacred Heart could degenerate into a kind of utilitarian egoism, undeserving of the name of devotion at all! Pious practices, could become cold and formal and degenerate into sentimentality tinged with superstition. There is nothing to prevent us asking the Sacred Heart for graces and favours which we need. In fact, we should do so, for it is He Who has made these promises to us and is eager to fulfil them because He loves us. But, we should be generous with Jesus in return for His Infinite Generosity towards us. We should love Him because He is so worthy of our love. Our love should be expressed, not only in prayers and outward forms but, in a deep personal transformation, which will make us more like Jesus.
True love transforms and unites two hearts. Let us love Jesus and we shall live with Jesus, through Jesus and in Jesus. His love will effect in us, the miracle which it produces in St Paul. “To me to live is Christ!” (1 Phil 1:21).”
Quote/s of the Day – 28 June – St Irenaeus (c130–c202) Bishop, Martyr, Father of the Church
“As long as anyone has the means of doing good to his neighbour and does not do so, he shall be reckoned a stranger to the Love of the Lord.”
“For, as Scripture says, “The first living creature was like a lion,” (Rev 4:7) symbolising His effectual working, His leadership and Royal Power; “the second was like a calf,” signifying His Sacrificial and Priestly order but, “the third had, as it were, the face as of a man,” – an evident description of His coming as a human being; “the fourth was like a flying eagle,” pointing out the gift of the Spirit hovering with its wings over the Church. And, therefore, the Gospels of Mark, Luke, Matthew and John are in accord with these living things, among which Christ Jesus is seated. …”
“For our flesh feeds on the Lord’s Body and Blood and is His member. So Saint Paul writes: “We are members of His Body, of His Flesh and of His Bones” (Eph 5:30; Gn 2:23). He is not speaking about some spiritual and invisible man… he is speaking of the anatomy of a real man, consisting of flesh, nerves and bones. It is this that is nourished by His Chalice, the Chalice of His Blood and gains growth from the Bread which is His Body… ”
Thought for the Day – 27 June – “The Month and the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus”
Consecrating the Family to the Sacred Heart
Excerpt – Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the Home By Father Joseph Husslein SJ (1873-1952) Imprimatur 1917
“My desire is to reign through My Heart,” our Divine Lord said to St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690), “I shall bestow abundant graces on the houses where the image of My Sacred Heart is exposed and especially honoured.”
These words are the foundation of a practice whose object is the solemn Consecration of the entire family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, made before an image of that Divine Heart displayed in the home. It is a practice which should profoundly appeal to the laity and there should be no Catholic family which has not been dedicated to that Divine Source of Love and blessings.
“For the Christians living in the world,” wrote St Margaret Mary, “my Sovereign Master assured me that they would find, in the devotion to the Sacred Heart, all the help necessary for their state of life, peace in their families and consolation in their miseries.
That adorable Heart has likewise pledged Itself by means of this devotion, to reunite families who have been divided and to bring about peace among them, to protect those who shall be in any necessity and, to turn aside the punishments of the just wrath of God in restoring them to His grace, should they by sin, have fallen from it.
Finally, it is properly within the Divine Heart Itself, that these Christians shall find a place of refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.” These promises are translated from the authentic text of the revelations made to the great servant of the Sacred Heart, St Margaret Mary.
METHOD
The picture selected … [the image above was the only one ever used when I was a child] should be exposed in the room where all the members of the family usually meet, that it may always be conspicuously in their sight. Thus laying aside human respect, they will openly acknowledge Christ as the King of their home. Under His eyes the little ones will grow up into a noble manhood and womanhood, for His image will constantly serve to keep them in mind of His Love and to model their lives upon His. Before It, all the great family events will transpire, its joys and its sorrows and Christ will ever be in their midst, where parents and children are united in His Name.
The head of each family, the father, or, in his absence, the mother, or the oldest of the children, or whoever may hold the place of authority, should take the initiative in bringing about this Consecration. So likewise, Apostolates, schools, colleges, asylums, associations, convents and institutions of every kind, may wisely adopt this practice. Although the ceremony, according to the customary method, is for the first time performed by the Priest in the presence of the entire family and a ceremonial has even been prepared for the purpose, yet often this cannot readily be done and, therefore, the head of the family will suffice and he too must ensure that frequent renewals occur to make it living and effective.. A lovely practice is to renew on the annual Feast of the Sacred Heart AND during the Season of Christmas AND on each family member’s Birthday.
Solemnity and beauty should be given to the ceremony, by placing flowers and lit candles about the image of the Sacred Heart and, it is well that the picture of Mary’s Immaculate Heart and of St Joseph, should not be wanting to complete the religious beauty of that family room.
What greater joy for Christian mothers than frequently to repeat this Act and to know that their dear ones are safely hidden and protected in the Heart of Jesus, there to live and there to die?
ACT of CONSECRATION: The following is the Act of Consecration omitting the ceremonies in the absence of a Priest. Mere words alone do not, of course, suffice – the family should henceforth strive to live in the spirit of this Consecration:
Lord Jesus, vouchsafe to visit this home, in the company of Thy sweet Mother and confer on its inhabitants the graces promised to families, especially consecrated to Thy Divine Heart. Thou Thyself, O Saviour of the world, didst solicit, with merciful purposes, the solemn homage of universal love toward the Heart which has so loved men and by whom, such ungrateful returns are made to Thee, as Thou hast revealed to Thy servant Margaret Mary.
Therefore, this family hastens to Thy call and in reparation for the apostasy of so many souls, by whom Thou art forsaken, proclaims Thee, O Sacred Heart, their amiable Sovereign and Consecrates to Thee ,absolutely their joys, their troubles and their sadness, the present and the future of this their Home which is to be, henceforth and forever Thine. Bless, then, sweet Jesus, those present and absent and bless those who, by the will of Heaven, have been snatched away by death.
We beseech Thee, O Loving Heart, through the love of the Virgin Mary that Thou wouldst establish in this house of Thine, the empire of Thy charity; inspire all its inhabitants with Thy spirit of faith, of sanctity and of purity and win their souls for Thee, leading them away from the world and its foolish vanities. Open, O Lord, the radiant wound of Thy merciful Heart and keep therein, as in the Ark of Salvation, all those who belong to Thee for all eternity. May the conquering Heart of Jesus be always loved, blessed, and glorified amongst us! Amen.
Consecration to the Sacred Heart By Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903) Pope from 1878-1903
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thine altar. We are Thine and Thine we wish to be but, to be more surely united with Thee, behold each one of us, freely consecrates himself today to Thy most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known Thee, many too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart. Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful, who have never forsaken Thee but also of the prodigal children, who have abandoned Thee, grant that they may quickly return to Thy Father’s house lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbour of truth and unity of faith, so that there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Be Thou, King of all those. who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry or of Islamism and refuse not, to draw them into the light and kingdom of God. Turn Thine eyes of mercy towards the children of the race, once Thy chosen people – of old they called down upon themselves the Blood of the Saviour; may it now descend upon them, a laver of redemption and of life. Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church, assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations and make the earth resound from pole to pole, with one cry: “Praise be to the Divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honour forever.” Amen
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The above prayer, composed by Pope Leo XIII was included in the 1899 Encyclical, Annum Sacrum, issued by Leo XIII as he Consecrated the entire world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Consecration was influenced by two letters written to the Holy Father by Blessed Sister Mary of the Divine Heart, who stated that in visions of Jesus Christ, she had been told to request the Consecration.
One Minute Reflection – 27 June – “The Month and the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Mother of Perpetual Succour – Within the Octave of St John the Baptist – Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19 – John 19:31-37 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“… One of the soldiers opened His side with a lance and immediately there came forth blood and water. ” – John 19:34
REFLECTION – “Let us draw near to the Heart of our most sweet Lord Jesus and we shall be glad and rejoice in it. How good and how sweet it is to dwell in this Heart! This is the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price which we discover, O Jesus, when we dig in the field of Thy Body (cf Mt 13:44). Who, then, would cast aside this Pearl? Far from it! For It, I will give away all my goods and offer in exchange, all my concerns and affections. I will lay down all my cares in the Heart of Jesus, it is He Who will suffice for me and Who will, without fail, supply all I need to live on!
It is within this temple, this Holy of holies, this Ark of the Covenant, that I shall come to offer worship and praise to the Lord’s Name. “I have found a heart with which to pray to my God” said David (1 Ch 17:25). And I too have found the Heart of my Lord and King, my Brother and Friend. Shall I not pray to Him, then? Indeed I shall pray, for, I dare to say it – His Heart is all mine…
O Jesus, deign to receive and answer my prayer. Draw me wholly into Thine Heart. Although the deformity of my sins prevents me from entering in, yet, Thou can receive and purify me from my impurities since, through an incomprehensible Love, this Heart has expanded and opened wide. O most pure Jesus, wash me from my iniquities so that, purified by Thee, I may dwell in Thy Heart all the days of my life, to see and do Thy will. If Thine Side has been pierced, then it is so that our entrance there should be opened. If Thine Heart has been wounded, then it is so that, sheltered from outward distress, we can make our home within it. And, too, it is so that in this visible wound, we might see the invisible wound of Love.” – [Attrib] St Bonaventure (1221-1274) Franciscan, Doctor of the Church (editations on the Lord’s Passion 3).
PRAYER – God our Father, Thou opens the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven to those who are born again of water and the Holy Ghost. Increase the grace Thou hast given, so that the people who have been purified from all sin, may not forfeit the promised blessing of Thy love. Grant that we may ever keep Thy Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, before our eyes and do all in Him and through Him and for Him and may the prayers of our Mother of Perpetual Succour ever guide and bear us in her care! We make our pray through Christ, our Lord,who livest and reignest with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God forever, amen. (Collect).
Ejaculation:My Lady and my Mother, remember, I am thine; protect and defend me as thy property and possession.
One Minute Reflection – 25 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Within the Corpus Christi Octave – St William (1085-1142) Abbot – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6 – Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And everyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29
REFLECTION – “There is a kind of wealth which is deadly to all – the loss of it, unwelcome. Which, when it makes the soul pure – that is, poor and bare – hears the Saviour speaking thus: “Come, follow Me.” For to the pure in heart, He now becomes the Way. But into the impure soul the grace of God finds no entrance because that soul is unclean which is rich in lusts and enthrall to many worldly posessions.
For whoever holds possessions, gold, silver and houses, as gifts of God, witnesses his thanksgiving to God by coming to the aid of the poor. He knows that he possesses them more for the sake of others than his own and is superior to the possession of them, not the slave of the things he possesses. He does not carry them about in his soul, nor bind and circumscribe his life within them but is ever labouring at some good and divine work. Even should he be necessarily, at some time or other, deprived of them, he is able, with cheerful mind, to bear their removal equally with their abundance. This is someone who is blessed by the Lord and called “poor in spirit”a fitting heir of the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt 5:3)…
But someone who carries his riches around enclosed within his soul and, bears in his heart, instead of God’s Spirit, gold or land and is always acquiring possessions without end and is perpetually on the lookout for more, never looking up to Heaven, such a one is fettered in the toils of the world, being earth and destined to return to the earth (Gn 3:19). How can someone like that be able to desire the Kingdom of Heaven who, instead of a heart, carries land or metal and who is due to be surprised by death in the midst of his uncontrolled desires? For “where your heart is, there also will your treasure be” (Mt 6:21).” – St Clement of Alexandria (150-215) Father of the Church, Theologian (Sermon “What rich man can be saved?” )
PRAYER – O God, Who made Thy Saints an example and a help for our weakness, grant us, as we walk the path of salvation, so to venerate the virtues of the blessed Abbot William that we may obtain his intercession and follow in his footsteps. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
“JESUS, meek and humble of HEART, make my heart like unto Thine.” – 300 Days, EVERYTIME. (Unless otherwise stated, e.g., “once a day,” a partial Indulgence may be gained any number of times in succession.) St Pope Pius X, 15 September 1905.
Our Morning Offering – 20 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Within the Corpus Christi Octave
O Divine Jesus! Lonely in So Many Tabernacles By St Pope Pius X (1835-1914) “Pope of the Blessed Sacrament”
O Divine Jesus! Lonely today in so many Tabernacles, without visitor or worshipper, I offer Thee my lonely heart. May it’s every beat be a prayer of love to Thee. Thou are ever watching under the Sacramental Veils, in Thou love, Thou never sleeps and Thou are never weary of Thy vigils for sinners. O Loving Jesus! O Lonely Jesus! may my heart be a lamp, the light of which shall burn and beam for Thee alone. Watch, Sacramental Sentinel! Watch for the weary world, for the erring soul and for Thy poor lonely child.
O Jesus, my God, I adore Thee, here present in the Sacrament of Thy love. Amen
Indulgences: 100 days each time before the Tabernacle 300 days each time before the Blessed Sacrament Exposed (St Pope Pius X – 3 July 1908) Prayers to the Sacred Heart 15th Ed 1936
Quote/s of the Day – 18 June – St Ephrem (306-373) Father & Doctor of the Church, “The Harp of the Holy Ghost!”
“And lo a Voice out of the cloud, saying: This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I Am well pleased, hear ye Him.” Matthew 17:5
“He leads them up a high mountain and shows them His royalty before suffering, His power before dying, His glory before being insulted and His honour before undergoing ignominy. In this way, when He will be captured and Crucified, His Apostles will understand that He did not undergo this because of weakness but, to consent and willingly so, for the salvation of the world.”
“The Cross gives Light to the whole universe; it casts out darkness and gathers nations together in charity, into One Church, One Faith, One Baptism…”
“Our Lord Jesus Christ Has appeared to us from the bosom of the Father. He has come and drawn us out of the shadows And enlightened us with His joyful Light.
Day has dawned for humankind, Cast out the power of darkness. For us, a Light from His Light has arisen That has enlightened our darkened eyes.
Over the world He has made His glory arise And has lit up the deepest depths. Death is no more, darkness has ended, The gates of hell are shattered.
He has illumined every creature, All the shades from times long past. He has brought about salvation and given us Life; Next He will come in glory.
Our King is coming in His great glory: Let us light our lamps and go out to meet Him (Mt 25,6); Let us be glad in Him, as He has been glad in us And gives us gladness, with His glorious Light.
My friends, arise! make yourselves ready To give thanks to our Saviour King, Who will come in His glory and make us joyful With His joyous Light in the Kingdom.”
(Hymn I on the Resurrection)
“She is Virgin and Mother, what will she not be hereafter? Holy in body, all beautiful in soul, pure of mind, upright in intelligence, perfect in feeling, chaste and faithful, pure of heart and filled with virtue.
… Mary is the new Tree of Life, who, instead of the bitter fruit picked by Eve, gives to mankind that Sweet Fruit on which the whole world is fed.”
“In her, God spun a garment with which to save us.”
Our Morning Offering – 18 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus”
O Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament By The League of the Sacred Heart 1929 (Ireland)
O Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, overflowing with gentleness, tenderness and charity, I bury in the abyss of Thy Mercy, all my iniquities and all my negligence. I offer Thee my labours and my sufferings, my sorrows and my miseries, I recommend to Thee my life and my death. Solace my doubts Sweet Jesus, calm my fears and grant, that day-by-day, I may become more united to Thy Sacred Heart, learning Thy love and Thy holiness. Amen
Thought for the Day – 17 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Necessity of Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
“It is necessary to develop and meditate on these words of Pius XI, (see Part One) from which, it is clear, that the cult of the Sacred Heart, not only contains the synthesis of Christianity, the religion of love but, contains the most effective guide to the knowledge, love and imitation of Jesus Christ. From the first moment of His life, when He was an Infant in the cold, damp cave of Bethlehem, to the final moment, when He breathed His last upon the Cross, the Heart of Jesus was overflowing with love for us. We can learn from this, to know our Divine Saviour better, so that appreciating more fully His infinite love for us, we shall feel an upsurge of gratitude and, of love. We shall feel determined to live entirely for Him, as He lived entirely for us, to obey His commandments with generosity and, to imitate His example with the assistance of His grace. This should be the result of our devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, especially during this month, which is consecrated to Him.”
One Minute Reflection – 17 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – 1 John 4:8-21 – Luke 6:36-42 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“The disciple is not above his Master …” – Luke 6:40
REFLECTION – “The blessed disciples were to be the spiritual guides and teachers of the whole world. It had, therefore, to be clearly seen by all that they held fast to the True Faith. It was essential for them to be familiar with the Gospel way of life, skilled in every good work and to give teaching which was precise, salutary and scrupulously faithful to the Truth they themselves had long pondered, enlightened by the Divine Radiance. Otherwise, they would be blind leaders of the blind. Those imprisoned in the darkness of ignorance can never lead others in the same sorry state, to knowledge of the Truth. Should they try, both would fall headlong into the ditch of the passions.
To destroy the ostentatious passion of boastfulness and stop people from trying to win greater honour than their teachers, Christ declared: “The disciple is not above his teacher.” Even if some should advance so far as to equal their teachers in holiness, they ought to remain within the limits set by them and follow their example. Paul also taught this when he said: “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ,” (1Cor 11:1).
So then, if the Master does not judge, why are you judging? He came not to judge the world (Jn 12:47) but to take pity on it. What He is saying, then, is this: “If I do not pass judgment, neither must you, My disciple. You may be even more guilty of the faults of which you accuse another… Why do you look for the speck in your brother’s eye?” – St Cyril of Alexandria (380-444) Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, 6).
PRAYER – From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of Thy blessed Apostles, Peter and Paul and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
HEART of JESUS burning with love of us, inflame our hearts with love of Thee. – 100 Days, once a day. (See Instructions. – Unless otherwise stated, e.g., “once a day,” a partial Indulgence may be gained any number of times in succession.) [169 Raccolta or Collection of Indulgences, 1910] Pope Leo XIII, 16 July 1893.
Prayer in Adoration of the Sacred Heart By St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) Visionary and Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God, Whom I believe to be really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, receive this most profound Act of Adoration to supply for the desire I have, to adore Thee unceasingly and in thanksgiving, for the sentiments of love which Thy Sacred Heart has for me in this Sacrament. I cannot better acknowledge them, than by offering Thee, all the Acts of Adoration, resignation, patience and love which this same Heart has made during its mortal life and which it makes still and which it shall make eternally in Heaven, in order that through it, I may love Thee, praise Thee and adore Thee worthily, as much as it is possible for me. I unite myself to this Divine Offering which Thou dost make to Thy Divine Father and I consecrate to Thee, my whole being, praying Thee, to destroy in me, all sin and not to permit that I should be separated from Thee, in time and eternally. Amen.
Thought for the Day – 16 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Divine Worker
“We should accept our daily work and sanctify it with prayer as Jesus did. “To pray and to work” was the ancient motto of the Benedictines.
All work which is done with and for God, becomes, as it were, a sacrament which purifies and sanctifies us. When we offer the sweat of our brow to God it becomes like holy water which washes away our faults, while our weariness is converted into prayer.
Aspiration: Jesus, Divine Worker, bless me, help me and makle me holy.”
Quote/s of the Day – 16 June – St John Francis Régis SJ (1597-1640) Priest, Confessor, Missionary
“The Catholic religion was the religion of your forefathers and the only one Jesus Christ founded; – the one which He promised would endure till the end of time. It is in the Catholic religion alone that you can save your soul.”
“How long are you going to be deaf to His call? Or are you going to lose your soul, which Jesus Christ bought at the price of His Precious Blood?”
“My child, it is indeed the Voice of God you have heard. He has given you a great grace in thus calling you into His one true Church. While you live, never cease to thank Him and bless Him for it.”
(All the above from – Rev Fr D. Chisholm, The Catechism in Examples (London: R & T Washbourne, Ltd
“Brother, I see our Lord and our Lady opening the gates of Paradise for me. Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.” St John Francis Regis on his deathbed
Our Morning Offering – 16 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus”
Be the Heart of My Heart By St John Eudes (1601-1680) Apostle of the Sacred Heart
O Heart all Lovable and all Loving of my Saviour, be the Heart of my heart, the Soul of my soul, the Spirit of my spirit, the Life of my life and the sole Principle of all my thoughts, words and actions, of all the faculties of my soul and of all my senses, both interior and exterior. Amen
St John Eudes is the Author of the Proper for the Mass and Divine Office of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ and the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin. St John was an ardent proponent of the Sacred Heart and dedicated himself to it’s promotion and celebration. The Masses he compiled for both the Sacred Heart of Jesus and for the Immaculate Heart of Mary, were both first celebrated during his lifetime. He preached missions across France, including Paris and Versailles, while earning recognition as a popular Evangelist and Confessor. St John Eudes was also a prolific writer and wrote on the two Holy Hearts despite opposition from the Jansenists.
St Berthaldus St Ceccardus of Luni St Cettin of Oran St Colman McRhoi St Crescentius of Antioch St Cunigunde of Rapperswil St Curig of Wales St Cyriacus of Iconium (c 301-c 304) Child MartyrSt Elidan St Felix of San Felice St Ferreolus of Besançon St Ferrutio of Besançon Bl Gaspare Burgherre St Graecina of Volterra St Ismael of Wales St Julitta of Iconium St Justina of Mainz
St Maurus of San Felice St Palerio of Telese St Similian of Nantes Bishop and Confessor Blessed Thomas Redyng (1537) O.Cart. Monk Martyr St Tycho of Amathus
Martyrs of Africa: A group of 5 Christians Martyred together. We know nothing else but the names – Cyriacus, Diogenes, Marcia, Mica, Valeria. They were martyred in an unknown location in Africa, date unknown.
Thought for the Day – 14 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Learn From Me, For I Am Meek and Humble of Heart”
“Jesus is perfection itself. In Him, therefore, every virtue is to be found. He could truly claim that He fulfilled in Himself the precept: “You are to be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). Throughout His life, He performed in a perfect manner, the will of His heavenly Father: “I do always the things that are pleasing to Him” (Jn 8:29).
Jesus Christ provided us with an example of every virtue. As the foundation of all the virtues, He insisted on the great precept of loving God above all things and our neighbour as ourselves. In proposing Himself as a model, however, this is what He said: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart and ou will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:29). The outstanding example which Jesus gave us for our imitation, was this meekness and humility of heart. We shall have peace of soul only, if we are meek and humble.
In what did the humility of Jesus consist? He was God and He became man. He, Who possessed everything was born poor in a wretched stable and lived as a lowly workman for thirty years. He allowed Himself to be betrayed by one of His Apostles, to be sentenced to death as an evildoer and, finally, to be executed on the Cross.
He combined humility with gentleness. He was happy when He could receive back penitent sinners and grant them forgiveness and peace. Let us recall the examples of Mary Magdalen, the adulteress, the lost sheep, the prodigal son and, finally, the repentant thief, to whom He promised the reward of Heaven. What greater gentleness and mercy could we ever find?
To the present day, moreover, Jesus Christ is hidden in the Blessed Eucharist under the consecrated species and appeals to us to imitate and love Him.
When we are disturbed by pride, ambition, or worldly desires, let us go to Jesus and kneel in silence before the Tabernacle. “Learn from me,” He will say to us once more, “for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls.”
Our Morning Offering – 14 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”
Daily Offering to the Sacred Heart By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (of Lisieux) OCD (1873-1897)
O my God! I offer Thee all my actions of this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to His Infinite Merits and I wish to make reparation for my sins, by casting them into the furnace of His Merciful Love. O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfil perfectly Thine Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee, the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day, be united together in Heaven for all Eternity. Amen
Thought for the Day –13 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Surmounted by a Flaming Cross
“St Margaret Mary saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus, surmounted by flames in the midst of which, a Cross was raised on high. These flames and this Cross, were the symbol of the Infinite Love of Jesus. Let us reflect a little. God, immeasurably happy in Himself, wished to communicate a share in His happiness to men, whom He created in a state of earthly happiness. He was offended by men and, when He saw that they were heading for destruction, He sent His Eternal Word to them. The Word took a human nature and became our Brother; He preached the way to Heaven and gave us the means to achieve it. More than this, He offered Himself as a Divine victim of expiation for our sins. Having been condemned by those whom He had come to show the way, He died on the Cross and shed all His Blood, for our salvation.
Pagans of all times have called this “the folly of the Cross.” In fact, it is the miracle of the Infinite Love of God for humanity. Let us remember, however, that, although His Love and Goodness are Infinite, so also is His Justice! It is an overwhelming miracle of love on the part of God, that He became man and died for us. It will be our own downfall if we fail to co-operate with this miracle of love!
The same Jesus, Who died on the Cross for us and revealed His Heart, pierced and flaming with love, will one day appear with the same glorious Sign of the Cross, as our Supreme Judge. Then, He will say to the wicked: “Depart from me, accursed ones, into everlasting fire!”
God’s Justice is, as Infinite as His charity! We must choose either the way of the Cross, the way of love and goodness to which the Sacred Heart of Jesus invites us, or the way of sin, which leads to the gulf of ruin and the final condemnation of the Supreme Judge. This is the tremendous choice we have to make!”
Our Morning Offering – 13 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – The Feast of St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Cpmfessor, Evangelical Doctor of the Church
Sweet Jesus, Thy Name is Joy By St Anthony of Padua OFM (1195-1231) Doctor of the Church
Sweet Jesus, is there anything sweeter than Thee? To remember Thee is more delightful than everything else. Thy Name is joy – it is the true Gate of our Salvation. What else are Thou, Jesus, if not our Saviour? Be our Redeemer. Give us the virtues of hope and love, just as Thou hast given us faith, our primary joy. Give us the words which we need to praise Thee always. With the help and through the prayers of Thy Mother. Thou Who art blessed throughout the ages. Amen
Our Morning Offering – 12 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”
O Heart of Jesus! By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)
Sanctity of the Heart of Jesus, consecrate my heart; Providence of the Heart of Jesus, watch over my heart; Unchangeableness of the Heart of Jesus, strengthen my heart; Purity of the Heart of Jesus, purify my heart; Obedience of the Heart of Jesus, subjugate my heart; Amiability of the Heart of Jesus, make Thyself known to my heart; Divine attractions of the Heart of Jesus, captivate my heart; Riches of the Heart of Jesus, do ye suffice for my heart; Floods of grace and blessing which flow from the Heart of Jesus, inundate my heart. O Heart of Jesus! be Thou my joy, my peace, my repose in this world and in the next. O Heart of Jesus! adored in Heaven, Invoked on earth, feared in hell, Reign over all hearts, Reign throughout all ages, Reign forever in celestial glory. Amen
Thought for the Day – 11 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Revealed in the Gospel
“If we meditate upon the pages of the Gospel, we shall find they are vibrant with the Infinite Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us, in imagination, enter the cave of Bethlehem and kneel before the crib where the Divine Infant is lying. Darkness is all around, darkness over the earth, darkness in the minds and hearts of the majority of men. But, now, the heavens open and from the brightness the voices of Angels ring out, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace among men of goodwill.” Who is this Infant? He is the Eternal Word, the substantial Image of God, Who, for love of us, has been made man. He is the Infinite One Who has willed to unite Himself with the finite, in order to lift us towards Himself. This little Heart is throbbing like that of any baby but, in this throb, is expressed the love of the God-Man. It is a profound Mystery, that God should have loved man so much, that He became a tiny Infant. Yet, He did this so that we might love Him more easily and in order to show us His own immeasurable Love. There is about this Infant, a fascination, at once human and divine which compels us to love Him, even as Mary, Joseph and the simple shepherds loved Him. He is asking us for love, adoration and complete surrender. Can we refuse Him?
Now let us take ourselves in imagination to Calvary and kneel at the foot of the Cross. The Heart which began to beat with the Sacred Love in the manger at Bethlehem, has given everything for us, has poured forth It’s Precious Blood for our salvation and, has bestowed on us, as a final gift, the Blessed Mother of God. Now, this Heart is consumed with Love for us and ceases to beat only when it has give us everything. “It is consummated” (Jn 19:30). At Bethlehem we have experienced a joyful ecstasy of love. Here, at the foot of the Cross, we should experience a deep sorrow, which will cause us to weep for our sins and to transform our lives after the model of Jesus Christ.”
AnaStpaul 
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