CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month – Page 70

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, The HOLY NAME

Our Morning Offering – 14 January – Month of the Holy Name of Jesus

Posted on January 14, 2019January 14, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 14 January – Month of the Holy Name of Jesus

The Golden Arrow

May the most holy,
most sacred,
most adorable,
most mysterious
and unutterable Name of God
be always praised,
blessed,
loved,
adored
and glorified in heaven.
on earth and under the earth,
by all the creatures of God
and by the Sacred Heart
of our Lord Jesus Christ
in the most Holy Sacrament
of the altar.
Amen

This prayer was revealed by Jesus Himself to Sr Marie of St Peter, a Carmelite Nun of Tours in 1843 as a reparation for blasphemy. “This Golden Arrow will wound My Heart delightfully,” He said “and heal the wounds inflicted by blasphemy.”

When it comes to our salvation. the Golden Arrow is no magic bullet. Still it can bring us closer to Christ by helping to make amends for the many insults He suffers on a daily basis. Today, as in Sister Mary’s time, we often read and hear harsh, offensive language about our Lord.
Have you ever noticed how many such abusive comments come especially from those considered most sophisticated in our society? We’ve also seen television shows and movies that attempt to strip away Christ’s Divinity and His Dignity, much as those who jeered at Him during His Passion.
There are also more than a few “smart” people these days who would rather think of our Lord just as some philosopher and leave it at that. This prayer can help us all, provide our Lord with comfort, for these various slings and arrows, He suffers each day!

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, JESUIT SJ, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL MESSAGES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The HOLY NAME, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Thought for the Day – 3 January – The Name, the Heart and the Blood

Posted on January 3, 2019January 3, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 3 January – The Name, the Heart and the Blood

A name represents that person, his or her identity. According to Matthew 1:21, Joseph was directed by an angel to call Mary’s son “Jesus,” a name that means “God saves.” This is Jesus’ identity. He is the Saviour of the world. As such His Name is “above every name” and is the name at which “every knee should bend” (Philippians 2:9-10). Moreover, according to a speech that St Peter gave in front of the Sanhedrin, “There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved” (Acts: 4:12). The Name of Jesus says it all and is all-powerful. It’s a prayer in itself.

As Jesus can be represented by His Name, so He is also represented by His Heart. The heart is the centre of a person, that person’s deepest interior or identity. Thus devotion to the Name of Jesus goes with devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus fulfilled the Name given to Him when He suffered and died on the cross, when His Heart was pierced so that Blood and Water, the sacramental life of the Church, would flow forth and save the world.

Devotion to Jesus’ Name and Heart includes devotion to His Precious Blood. These three go together: the Name, the Heart, and the Blood. In fact, Saint John XXIII wrote about this in a 30 June 1960 letter entitled “On Promoting Devotion to the Most Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.” He wrote:

“We judge it most timely to call our beloved children’s attention to the unbreakable bond which must exist between the devotions to the Most Holy Name and Most Sacred Heart of Jesus — already so widespread among Christians — and devotion to the incarnate Word’s Most Precious Blood, ‘shed for many, to the remission of sins.’
“Suffice it to recall the spiritual favours that our predecessors from the sixteenth century on have attached to practising devotion to the Most Holy Name of Jesus, which in the previous century St Bernardine of Siena untiringly spread throughout Italy. No less striking, are the benefits the popes have attached to practicing devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, whose rise and spread owe so much to the revelations of the Sacred Heart to St Margaret Mary Alacoque. So highly have all the popes regarded this devotion that again and again in their official acts they have expounded its nature, defended its validity, promoted its practice.

“Likewise the devotion to the Most Precious Blood, which owes its marvelous diffusion to the 19th-century Roman priest, St Gaspar del Bufalo, has rightly merited the approval and backing of this Apostolic See.

“Amid today’s most serious and pressing spiritual needs, may this latest exercise of that ‘care for all the churches’ proper to our sovereign office awaken in Christian hearts a firm conviction about the supreme abiding effectiveness of these three devotions.”

Jesus—the Name, the Heart, and the Blood that flowed from it to save the world—all represent the Person. May the Name of Jesus be reverenced and honoured at all times and places world without end. Amen

Apostles of Prayer – Fr James Kubicki SJ

LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME A SINNER

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 January – The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Posted on January 3, 2019January 1, 2023 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 3 January – The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

“The sweet Name of Jesus
produces in us holy thoughts,
fills the soul with noble sentiments,
strengthens virtue,
begets good works
and nourishes pure affection.
All spiritual food leaves the soul dry,
if it contain not,
that penetrating oil,
the Name Jesus.”

St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153) Doctor of the Church

“The name of Jesus, is in fact,
the great foundation of the faith
that turns people into children of God.
The Catholic Faith indeed,
consists in the news of Jesus Christ,
as light of the soul,
gate of life
and foundation
of eternal salvation.”

“The Name of Jesus is the glory of preachers
because the shining splendour of that Name
causes His word to be proclaimed and heard.
And how do you think such an immense,
sudden and dazzling light of faith came into the world,
if not because Jesus was preached?
Was it not through the brilliance
and sweet savour of this Name
that God called us into His marvelous light?”

St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)

“Oh that you were worthy
to suffer something for the
Name of Jesus!
What great glory would await you,
what great rejoicing among all the Saints
and, moreover, what great edification
to your neighbour!”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

(Imitation Book 2- Chapter 12)

…There is one Christian name in the world
which casts a spell over eye or ear
when we see it written on the page of a book,
or overhear it mentioned in conversation.
We are thrilled by the mere encounter of it.
…It produces in us a sudden lightening of the heart,
because we are in love!”

Monsignor Ronald Knox (1888-1957)

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, JESUIT SJ, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 January – The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus & The celebration of the Titular Feast of the Society of Jesus

Posted on January 3, 2019January 3, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 3 January – The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus & The celebration of the Titular Feast of the Society of Jesus

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus…Luke 2:21 at the end of 8 days he was called jesus 3 jan 2019

REFLECTION – “In the autumn of 1537, on his way to Rome with a group of his first companions, Ignatius wondered, ‘if people ask who we are, how should we answer?’ The answer came spontaneously: ‘we shall say that we are the “Society of Jesus.” This demanding name intends to suggest a relationship of very close friendship and of total affection for Jesus, in whose footsteps they wanted to follow. Why have I told you about this event? Because St Ignatius and his companions had realised that Jesus was teaching them how to live well, how to live a life that had profound meaning, that imparted enthusiasm, joy and hope. They had understood that Jesus is a great teacher of life and model of life and that He was not only teaching them but also inviting them to follow Him on this path….like Jesus, we exist for the Father; that, like Jesus, we live to serve, not to be served. …For the life of a Jesuit, the Passover of the Lord is sufficient.”...Pope Francis

PRAYER – We pray, to the eternal Lord of the universe, through the help of Your glorious Mother, we may live to empty ourselves for the sake of the glory of Your Kingdom and our own eternal happiness with You. Mary, Mother of God, help us to be messengers of your Son. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, in union with God our Father, one God forever and ever. All you holy Jesuit Saints in heaven, pray for us! Amen. jesuits-saints-pray-for-us-3-jan-2016

titular-feast-jesuit-3-jan-2018-no-2 (1)

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Our Morning Offering – 3 January – Jesu, Dulcis Memoria

Posted on January 3, 2019December 28, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 3 January – The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Jesu, Dulcis Memoria is a celebrated 12th century hymn by St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), Doctor Mellifluous. The entire hymn has some 42 to 53 stanzas depending upon the manuscript. Parts of this hymn are used for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus.

Hymn or Prayer
Jesu, Dulcis Memoria
By St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

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!
0 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 jesu, dulcis memoria st bernard of clairvaux hymn or prayer

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus – 3 January

Posted on January 3, 2019January 2, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus – 3 January

Holy Mother Church reveals to us the greatness of His name. It was on the occasion of the rite of Circumcision that a name was given to children among Jews, eight days after birth. So the Church uses the same Gospel as that of the Feast of the Circumcision and dwells on the second part which tells us that “the Child was called Jesus” (Gospel), “as God had bid that He should be called” (Collect). This name means Saviour, for “there is no other name given to men whereby we must be saved” (Epistle). holy_name_pic

The name Jesus comes from the Greek Iesous which was derived from the Aramaic, Yeshu. It means “Yaweh is salvation.” The name was not unique, even in biblical times, and today it is common in Arabic-speaking East and in Spanish-speaking countries. From apostolic times the name has been treated with the greatest respect, as honour is due the name which represents Our Lord, Himself.

Our Lord Himself solemnly promises that whatever we ask the Father in His Name, we shall receive. God never fails to keep His word. When, therefore, we say, “Jesus,” let us ask God for all we need with absolute confidence of being heard. For this reason, the Church ends her prayer with the words, “through Jesus Christ,” which gives the prayer a new and Divine efficacy. But the Holy Name is something still greater. john-14-13-14-10-jan-2018

Each time we say, “Jesus,” we give God infinite joy and glory, for we offer Him all the infinite merits of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ. St Paul tells us, that Jesus merited the Name Jesus by His Passion and Death. “The Holy Name of Jesus is, first of all, an all-powerful prayer. Our Lord Himself solemnly promises, that whatever we ask the Father in His Name, we shall receive. God never fails to keep His word. Each time we say “Jesus,” it is an act of perfect love, for, we offer to God, the infinite love of Jesus”…St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Church

The Holy Name of Jesus saves us from innumerable evils and delivers us especially from the power of the devil, who is constantly seeking to do us harm. The Holy Name of Jesus gradually fills our souls with a peace and joy we never had before. The Holy Name of Jesus gives us strength that our sufferings become light and easy to bear.

Anyone who is finding it hard to pray, or experiencing the ”desert” in their lives, can benefit from simply praying the Holy Name of Jesus. The loving invocation of the Holy Name can also be an effective way to make reparation to Our Blessed Lord for the atmosphere of blasphemy and irreligion which prevails generally today and remember, that although now fallen into obscurity in many countries, Catholics always bow their heads at the name of Jesus!

IHS panel

The origin of this feast is traced to the sixteenth century, when it was celebrated by the Franciscan Order. The devotion developed through the construction of special altars dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. St Bernadine of Siena OFM (1380-1444) painted a wooden tablet with the Monogram of the Holy Name of Jesus – IHS – surrounded by the rays of the sun to help spread the devotion far and wide.

The holy name and -saint-bernardino-of-siena

In 1721 the Church, under the rule of Pope Innocent XIII, made the keeping of this solemnity universal. It is the central feast of all the mysteries of Christ the Redeemer, it unites all the other feasts of the Lord, as a burning glass focuses the rays of the sun in one point, to show what Jesus is to us, what He has done, is doing and will do for mankind. Such joy Catholics are given, with this feast celebrated for an entire month – thus enabling constant reinforcement and reminders of our devotion.

The Office and the Mass composed by Bernardine dei Busti (died 1500) were approved by Sixtus IV. The feast was officially granted to the Franciscans on 25 February 1530 and spread over a great part of the Church. The Office used at present is nearly identical with the Office of Bernardine dei Busti. The hymns “Jesu dulcis memoria,” “Jesu Rex admirabilis,” “Jesu decus angelicum,” are ascribed to St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), Doctor of the Church.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us

”The invocation of the Holy Name of Jesus is the simplest way of praying always. When the Holy Name is repeated often by a humbly attentive heart, the prayer is not lost by heaping up empty praises but holds fast to the Word and ”brings forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15). This prayer is possible at all times because it is not one occupation among others but the only occupation – that of loving God which animates and transfigures every action in Christ Jesus” (CCC 2668).

Last year I posted the little booklet “The Wonders of the Holy Name by Fr Paul O’Sullican. You open the category “The Holy Name” and the posts will be there. I think there were 14 posts in total, so it will take you a few days to go through them.

Last year’s post for this Feast Day is here: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/01/03/3-january-feast-of-the-most-holy-name-of-jesus/

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The HOLY NAME, Uncategorized

JANUARY is the Month of THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS

Posted on January 1, 2019December 31, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Monthly Catholic Devotions:

JANUARY is the Month of THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS

The month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. “In the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth and under the earth” (Phil 2:10). Christ’s name is chosen in heaven and the Angel Gabriel announces it when he informs the Blessed Virgin of the incarnation: “Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus”. It is a name that has marvellous implications, for it means “saviour.” The very name bespeaks the magnitude of His mission, His infinite love, a love that will cause Him to offer Himself up for us. 1-january-2018-the-most-holy-name

The name of Jesus is the sweetest of all names and He who bears it is most worthy of all love. He who calls Jesus his friend can be assured that this friend is the most devoted and unselfish of all friends.

Jesus is our all. In His name we may pray to the Father with assurance of being heard. In His name the Church administers all her sacraments. In His name she offers all her prayers and blesses homes, the fields and the sick. In the name of Jesus she casts out evil spirits and at the hour of our death bids us, “Go forth, Christian soul.” She assures us that whoever shall call upon this name will be saved. When our soul has departed this life to seek its eternal home, the Church asks in the name of Jesus, “Eternal rest give unto him, O Lord.”…Dom Benedict Baur O.S.B. (1877-1963)

The very Angels in Heaven bow at the name of Jesus. And even the demons in Hell. Let us do likewise, this old Catholic practice still in use in many countries should be a standard, like the Sign of the Cross.

This month, why not take a few minutes to memorise the Jesus Prayer and pray it during those moments of the day when you are between activities, or travelling, or simply taking a rest? Keeping Christ’s Name always on our lips is a good way to ensure that we draw ever nearer to Him.

THE JESUS PRAYER
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner

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Christmas Wisdom with St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) – 1 January

Posted on January 1, 2019January 1, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Christmas Wisdom with St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)

1 January- The Octave Day of Christmas and the First Day of the Month of the Holy Name

The name of Jesus is holy

“Consider that the name of Jesus is a name of gladness, a name of hope and a name of love.
A name of gladness, because if the memory of past sins afflicts us, this name comforts us, reminding us that the Son of God became human for this purpose, to make Himself our Redeemer.
The name of Jesus, is a name of hope, because the person that prays to the eternal Father in the name of Jesus, may hope for every grace.
The name of Jesus is a name of love, because it is a sing that represents top us how much God has done for our love.
The name of Jesus, helps us to remember all the sufferings that He endured for us in His life and in His death. As a devout writer says of the Holy Name, ‘my Jesus, how much has it cost You to be Jesus – that is to say, my Redeemer!'”

Scripture

“At the name of Jesus,
every knee should bow,
of those that are in heaven,
on earth and under the earth”
Philippians 2:10

Prayer (St Alphonsus)

My beloved Jesus,
write Your Name on my poor heart
and on my tongue,
in order that when I am tempted to sin,
I may resist all sin
by invoking Your Holy Name.
If I am tempted to despair,
Your Name will help me to trust.
If I feel myself becoming tepid
in my love for You,
Your Name will inflame my heart.
Help me always to call upon
Your Holy Name.
Amen. christmas with st alphonsus -my beloved jesus write your name - 1 jan 2018.jpg

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Thought for the Day – Virgin Mary, all Nature is Blessed by You – St Anselm

Posted on December 8, 2018December 8, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 8 December – The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Virgin Mary, all Nature is Blessed by You

From a sermon by Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)
Bishop and Doctor of the Church

“Blessed Lady, sky and stars, earth and rivers, day and night – everything that is subject to the power or use of man – rejoice that through you they are in some sense restored to their lost beauty and are endowed with inexpressible new grace. All creatures were dead, as it were, useless for men or for the praise of God, who made them. The world, contrary to its true destiny, was corrupted and tainted by the acts of men who served idols. Now all creation has been restored to life and rejoices that it is controlled and given splendour by men who believe in God. The universe rejoices with new and indefinable loveliness. Not only does it feel the unseen presence of God Himself, its Creator, it sees Him openly, working and making it holy. These great blessings spring from the blessed fruit of Mary’s womb.

Through the fullness of the grace that was given you, dead things rejoice in their freedom and those in heaven are glad to be made new. Through the Son who was the glorious fruit of your virgin womb, just souls who died before His life-giving death rejoice as they are freed from captivity and the angels are glad at the restoration of their shattered domain.

Lady, full and overflowing with grace, all creation receives new life from your abundance. Virgin, blessed above all creatures, through your blessing all creation is blessed, not only creation from its Creator but the Creator Himself has been blessed by creation.

To Mary, God gave His only-begotten Son, whom He loved as Himself. Through Mary, God made Himself a Son, not different but the same, by nature Son of God and Son of Mary. The whole universe was created by God and God was born of Mary. God created all things and Mary gave birth to God. The God who made all things gave Himself form, through Mary and thus He made His own creation. He who could create all things from nothing would not remake His ruined creation, without Mary.

God, then, is the Father of the created world and Mary the mother of the re-created world. God is the Father by whom all things were given life and Mary the mother through whom all things were given new life. For God begot the Son, through whom all things were made and Mary gave birth to Him as the Saviour of the world. Without God’s Son, nothing could exist; without Mary’s Son, nothing could be redeemed.

Truly the Lord is with you, to whom the Lord granted that all nature should owe as much to you as to Himself.
Holy Mary, Blessed Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of God and Mother of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer, pray for us!”

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DEVOTIO, DOGMA, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Catholic Devotion for December – The Immaculate Conception

Posted on December 1, 2018December 1, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Catholic Devotion for December – The Immaculate Conception

The Solemnity of the The Immaculate Conception, is celebrated on 8 December. december month of the imm conception - 1 dec 2018

In 1854, Pope Pius IX’s solemn declaration, Ineffabilis Deus, clarified with finality the long-held belief of the Church that Mary was conceived free from original sin. In proclaiming the Immaculate Conception of Mary, as a dogma of the Church, the pope expressed precisely and clearly that Mary was conceived free from the stain of original sin. This privilege of Mary’s, derives from God’s having chosen her as Mother of the Saviour, thus she received the benefits of salvation in Christ, from the very moment of her conception.

This great gift to Mary, an ordinary human being just like us, was fitting because she was destined to be Mother of God. The purity and holiness of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a model for all Christians.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says of the Immaculate Conception of Mary:

490. To become the mother of the Saviour, Mary “was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role”. The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as “full of grace”. In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God’s grace.

491. Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, “full of grace” through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception . That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1844: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.” (Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus, 1854.)

492. The “splendour of an entirely unique holiness” by which Mary is “enriched from the first instant of her conception” comes wholly from Christ – she is “redeemed, in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her Son.” The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person “in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” and chose her “in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before him in love.”

493. The Fathers of the Eastern tradition call the Mother of God “the All-Holy” (Panagia) and celebrate her as “free from any stain of sin, as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature”. By the grace of God Mary remained free of every personal sin her whole life long.

Immaculate Mary, Pray for the Church, the Mystical Body of your Son!

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Thought for the Day – 2 November – The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

Posted on November 2, 2018November 2, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 2 November – The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

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

And Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him.”...John 11:35-36 and jesus wept and the jews said see how he loved him - john 11 35-36 - 2 nov 2018

Why do I pray for you, O my brother, who loved me so much and have been carried off from me… ? For I have not lost my relationship to you, rather it has been completely changed in my regard. Up to now, it was inseparable from the body but now, it is indissoluble from feeling. ,,You remain with me and will remain so always… Paul the apostle calls me back and places a sort of brake on my sadness with these words: “We do not want you to be unaware about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest who have no hope” (1Thes 4:13)…

But not all weeping is a sign of lack of faith or of weakness. Natural sorrow is one thing, the sadness of unbelief is another… Sorrow is not alone in having its grief and prayer bathes our bed with tears according to the prophet (Ps 6:7). When the patriarchs were enslaved, their people wept bitterly for themselves, as well. Thus tears are signs of affection and not incitements to sorrow. I confess that I have wept but the Lord also wept (Jn 11:35). He wept for someone not of his own kin, I for a brother. He wept for all men in one man – as for me, I will weep for you, my brother, in every man.

Christ wept with the feeling that is ours, not His own, for divinity has no tears… He wept in that man who was “sorrowful even to death” (Mt 26:38); He wept in him who was crucified, who died, who was buried; He wept in that man… who was born of the Virgin.

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, MORNING Prayers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY SOULS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 2 November – The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

Posted on November 2, 2018November 2, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 2 November

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

We believe that Jesus died and rose again,
so we believe, that God will bring with Jesus,
those who have died, believing in him.…

1 Thessalonians 4:14

“He who saves a soul,
saves his own and satisfies
for a multitude of sins.”

James 1:20

“The whole Church observes this practice
which was handed down by the Fathers –
that it prays for those who have died
in the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ,
when they are commemorated
in their own place in the sacrifice itself
and the sacrifice is offered,
also in memory of them, on their behalf.”

St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church

“What great power the holy souls in purgatory
have over the heart of God!
If we realised this fact
and averted to all the graces
that we can gain through their intercession,
these souls would not be so forgotten.”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

“If today we are remembering
these brothers and sisters of
ours who lived before us and are
now in heaven, they are there
because they were washed in the
Blood of Christ, that is our hope
and this hope does not disappoint.
If we live our lives with the Lord,
He will never disappoint us.”

Pope Francis

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Catholic Devotion for the Month of November – The Holy Souls/The Faithful Departed

Posted on November 1, 2018November 1, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Catholic Devotion for the Month of November – The Holy Souls/The Faithful Departed

It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.”–2 Maccabees 12:46

The Holy Souls are those who have died in the state of grace but who are not yet free from all punishment due to their unforgiven venial sins and all other sins already forgiven for which satisfaction is still to be made. They are certain of entering Heaven but first they must suffer in Purgatory. The Holy Souls cannot help themselves because for them the night has come, when no man can work (John 9:4). It is our great privilege that we can shorten their time of separation from God by our prayers, good works and, especially, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

The doctrine of Purgatory gives to Catholics comfort and joy. They feel the black gulf of death is bridged across and they are still knit together to those near and dear to them in the bonds of love and sympathy. The sting of death and the sharpness of its sorrow, is mitigated by the thought, that they are still bound to these departed, by the golden chain of prayer. Whilst they are able to pray for us, they cannot pray for themselves.

The Council of Trent told us “That there is a Purgatory and that the souls there detained are assisted by the most acceptable sacrifice of the altar.”

A Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory

O most gentle Heart of Jesus,
ever present in the Blessed Sacrament,
ever consumed with burning love
for the poor captive souls in Purgatory,
have mercy on the souls
of Your departed servants.
Be not severe in Your judgments,
but let some drops of Your Precious Blood
fall upon the devouring flames.
And do You, O Merciful Saviour,
send Your holy angels to conduct them
to a place of refreshment, light and peace.
Amen

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

Quote of the Day – 18 October – The Feast of St Luke the Evangelist

Posted on October 18, 2018October 18, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – – 18 October – The Feast of St Luke the Evangelist

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my saviour.
For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness,
henceforth, all generations will call me blessed.”

Luke 1:46-48

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, NOVENAS, PAPAL ENCYLICALS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

NOVENA to St John Paul the Great DAY TWO – 14 OCTOBER

Posted on October 14, 2018October 13, 2018 by AnaStpaul

NOVENA to St John Paul the Great DAY TWO – 14 OCTOBER

Little Known Fact #2: While working in a factory during the Nazi Occupation of Poland, Karol Wojtyla heard that one of his co-workers was expecting a child. The man worked the night shift and found out that his wife gave birth to their child. After a full day of work during the day, Karol told his co-worker to go home to be with his family. Karol then worked the entire night shift in place of the new father. He continued to work the night shift after his own shift until his co-worker’s wife regained her strength and he could return to work.

REFLECTION: ”Follow me! In July 1958 the young priest Karol Wojtyla began a new stage in his journey with the Lord and in the footsteps of the Lord. Follow me – Karol Wojtyla accepted the appointment, for he heard in the Church’s call the voice of Christ. And then he realised how true are the Lord’s words: “Those who try to make their life secure will lose it but those who lose their life will keep it” (Lk 17:33). Our Pope – and we all know this – never wanted to make his own life secure, to keep it for himself; he wanted to give of himself unreservedly, to the very last moment, for Christ and thus also for us. And thus he came to experience how everything which he had given over into the Lord’s hands came back to him in a new way. His love of words, of poetry, of literature, became an essential part of his pastoral mission and gave new vitality, new urgency, new attractiveness to the preaching of the Gospel, even when it is a sign of contradiction.”…Pope Benedict

Let us Pray:

O Holy Trinity, we thank You for having given to the Church Pope John Paul II and for having made him shine with Your fatherly tenderness, the glory of the Cross of Christ and the splendour of the Spirit of love.

He, trusting completely in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, has shown himself in the likeness of Jesus the Good Shepherd and has pointed out to us the way of holiness as the path to reach eternal communion with You Grant us, through his intercession, according to Your will, the grace that we implore,

………………….. [state your intention here].

Continue, beloved St John Paul, we implore you, to sustain from heaven the faith of God’s people. We praise and thank You Father that St John Paul has been numbered among Your saints and make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God forever.

Totus Tuus, Amen.

Quote Day Two:

“Mary is ‘the Mother of the Son of God.
As a result she is also the favourite daughter of the Father
and the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Because of this gift of sublime grace,
she far surpasses all other creatures,
both in heaven and on earth.”
(REDEMPTORIS MATER – 1987)

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES on HOPE, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Quote of the Day – 13 October – The Memorial of the Sixth and Final Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima

Posted on October 13, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 13 October – The Memorial of the Sixth and Final Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima

“My Immaculate Heart will triumph”

Our Lady of Fatima – 1917

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES on PRAYER, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 12 October – Month of the Holy Rosary

Posted on October 12, 2018October 12, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 12 October – Month of the Holy Rosary

As we travel with St Luke at present in the Daily Gospel, it becomes so clear that St Luke, the artist, lives very clearly in his words. It is a blessed gift to find the icons of Rosary so clearly ‘painted’ in his Gospel.

Contemplating the Mysteries With Saint Luke

The contemplation of the “icons” of Saint Luke’s Gospel, especially through the prayer of the Rosary, is transforming. The Rosary is, a uniquely Lukan prayer. Consider Saint Luke’s icon of the Annunciation (Lk 1:26 38) and, with Mary, become “Yes” to the Word. Look at the Visitation (Lk 1:39 56) and learn the language of Mary’s praise. Look at the Child lying in the manger (Lk 2:16) and become little and poor.

Look at the merciful Christ (Lk 4:40 – 5:26) and become merciful – at the healing Christ (Lk 7:1-10) and become an instrument of healing; at the solitary Christ in prayer (Lk 11:1) and learn to converse with the Father.

Look at the icon of Christ in Gethsemane (Lk 22:39-46), agonising and comforted by an angel and enter into His submission to the Father’s will. Look at the crucified Jesus (Lk 23:33-47) and learn from Him to forgive and to show mercy, even in the hour of darkness. Look at the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:13-32) and know that He walks with you always, opening the Scriptures, breaking the Bread, causing your hearts to burn with a mysterious fire. Finally, look at the icon of the Church in the last sentence of Saint Luke’s Gospel — “They were continually in the temple blessing God” (Lk 24:53) — and learn to bless God always and everywhere, learn to give the last word to praise.

Holy God, we praise Thy Name!

Mother of the Holy Rosary, Pray for Us!

Excerpted from Fr Mark’s blog

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Thought for the day – 7 October – 33 Day Consecration by St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort

Posted on October 7, 2018October 17, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the day – 7 October – The Memorial of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary
33 Day Consecration by St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort

St Thomas Aquinas assures us that, “following the order established by His divine Wisdom, God ordinarily imparts His graces to men through Mary. Therefore, if we wish to go to Him, seeking union with Him, we must use the same means which He used in coming down from heaven to assume our human nature and to impart His graces to us. That means, was a complete dependence on Mary His Mother, which is true devotion to her.”

St Louis de Montfort recommends consecrating yourself on one of Mary’s Feast days.
Here is a typical list using the 33-day preparation method, set out for us by St Louis. The method includes daily prayer, meditation and a daily Rosary of course.
Many of us have done this a few times perhaps, before but as the Holy Father has recently requested us all to pray to our Mother, most especially for the Church and for the whole world, this might be a good time to reconsecrate ourselves to her!
I am thinking 17 October – 19 November, the Memorial of Our Lady of Divine Providence. Will you join me? MY 33 DAY CONSECRATION CHART.jpg

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Pray for Us!

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL SERMONS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 7 October – Our Lady of the Rosary

Posted on October 7, 2018October 7, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 7 October – Our Lady of the Rosary

Open your petals, like roses planted near running waters…Sirach 39:13
“To discover whether people are of God,
I have found no better way than the following.
Observe whether they say the Hail Mary and the Rosary.”

“The Rosary is the most powerful weapon
to touch the Heart of Jesus, Our Redeemer,
who loves His Mother.”

THE SEVEN BLESSINGS OF THE ROSARY

“The Rosary, recited with meditation on the mysteries, brings about the following marvellous results:

1. It gradually gives us a perfect knowledge of Jesus Christ;
2. It purifies our souls, washing away sin;
3. It gives us victory over all our enemies;
4. It makes it easy for us to practice virtue;
5. It sets us on fire with love of Our Blessed Lord;
6. It enriches us with graces and merits;
7. It supplies us with what is needed to pay,
all our debts to God and to our fellow men
and finally, it obtains all kinds of graces for us from Almighty God.”

St Louis Marie Grignion De Montfort (1673-1716)

“When reciting the Rosary,
the important and meaningful moments
of salvation history are relived.
The various steps of Christ’s mission are traced.
With Mary the heart is oriented
toward the mystery of Jesus.
Christ is put at the centre of our life,
of our time, of our city,
through the contemplation and meditation
of His holy mysteries
of joy, light, sorrow and glory.”

Pope Benedict XVI

Basilica of Saint Mary Major – Saturday, 3 May 2008

“Mary joins us, she fights at our side.
She supports Christians in the fight
against the forces of evil… through the Rosary.”

“Do you pray the Rosary each day?”

Pope Francis

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL MESSAGES, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

October – The Month of the Holy Rosary REMINDER

Posted on October 6, 2018October 6, 2018 by AnaStpaul

October – The Month of the Holy Rosary
REMINDER

of the Prayers to be conclude the Rosary each day of October (most especially) but I will add these always.

From Pope Francis’ Message – 29 September

“The Holy Father has decided to invite all the faithful, of all the world, to pray the Holy Rosary every day, during the entire Marian month of October and thus to join in communion and in penitence, as the people of God, in asking the Holy Mother of God and Saint Michael Archangel to protect the Church from the devil, who always seeks to separate us from God and from each other.”

The invocation “Sub tuum praesídium” is recited as follows:

“Sub tuum praesídium confúgimus,
sancta Dei Génetrix;
nostras deprecatiónes ne despícias in necessitátibus,
sed a perículis cunctis líbera nos semper,
Virgo gloriósa et benedícta”.

We fly to Thy protection,
O Holy Mother of God.
Do not despise our petitions
in our necessities
but deliver us always
from all dangers,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin

and

The Holy Father has also asked that the recitation of the Holy Rosary during the month of October conclude with the prayer written by Pope Leo XIII:

“Sancte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in próelio;
contra nequítiam et insídias diáboli esto praesídium.
Imperet illi Deus, súpplices deprecámur,
tuque, Prínceps milítiae caeléstis,
Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos,
qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in mundo,
divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Amen”.

Saint Michael Archangel,
defend us in battle,
be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil,
may God rebuke him, we humbly pray
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God, cast into hell Satan
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl throughout the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Our Morning Offering – 5 October – The Memorial of Blessed Bartholomew Longo (1841-1926) – Apostle of the Holy Rosary

Posted on October 5, 2018October 4, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 5 October – The Memorial of Blessed Bartholomew Longo (1841-1926) – Apostle of the Holy Rosary and the Month of the Holy Rosary

In this prayer to Our Lady of the Rosary, we ask the Virgin Mary to help us to cultivate a habit of interior prayer through the daily recitation of the rosary. We pray this prayer, particularly during the month of October, as we daily cultivate the habit of praying the Holy Rosary. This is the object of all of our prayers- to arrive at the point where we can “pray without ceasing,” as Saint Paul tells us to do.

To Our Lady of the Rosary

O Virgin Mary,
grant that the recitation of your Rosary
may be for me each day,
in the midst of my manifold duties,
a bond of unity in my actions,
a tribute of filial piety,
a sweet refreshment,
an encouragement to walk joyfully
along the path of duty.
Grant, above all, O Virgin Mary,
that the study of the mysteries may form in my soul,
little by little, a luminous atmosphere, pure, strengthening
and fragrant, which may penetrate my understanding,
my will, my heart, my memory, my imagination, my whole being.
So shall I acquire the habit of praying while I work,
by interior acts of admiration and of supplication,
or by aspirations of love.
I ask this of you, O Queen of the Holy Rosary,
through Saint Dominic and Blessed Bartholomew Longo,
your sons of predilection,
the renowned preachers of your mysteries
and the faithful imitators of your virtues.
Amen to our lady of the rosary - 5 oct 2018 - memorial of bl bartholomew longo

Queen of the Holy Rosary, Pray for us

Bl Bartholomew Longo, Pray for us.

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October – The Month of the Holy Rosary Message from Pope Francis

Posted on October 1, 2018 by AnaStpaul

October – The Month of the Holy Rosary
Message from Pope Francis

Below is the complete and entire Message issued by the Holy See Press Office on 29 September 2018.

Holy See Press Office Communiqué, 29.09.2018

The Holy Father has decided to invite all the faithful, of all the world, to pray the Holy Rosary every day, during the entire Marian month of October and thus to join in communion and in penitence, as the people of God, in asking the Holy Mother of God and Saint Michael Archangel to protect the Church from the devil, who always seeks to separate us from God and from each other.

In recent days, before his departure for the Baltic States, the Holy Father met with Fr Fréderic Fornos, S.J., international director of Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network and asked him to spread this appeal to all the faithful throughout the world, inviting them to conclude the recitation of the Rosary with the ancient invocation “Sub tuum praesídium” and with the prayer to Saint Michael Archangel that he protect us and help us in the struggle against evil (cf. Revelation 12, 7-12).

The prayer – the Pontiff affirmed a few days ago, on 11 September, in a homily at Santa Marta, citing the first chapter of the Book of Job – is the weapon against the Great Accuser who “goes around the world seeking to accuse”. Only prayer can defeat him . The Russian mystics and the great saints of all the traditions advised, in moments of spiritual turbulence, to shelter beneath the mantle of the Holy Mother of God pronouncing the invocation “Sub tuum praesídium”.

The invocation “Sub tuum praesídium” is recited as follows:

“Sub tuum praesídium confúgimus,
sancta Dei Génetrix;
nostras deprecatiónes ne despícias in necessitátibus,
sed a perículis cunctis líbera nos semper,
Virgo gloriósa et benedícta”.

We fly to Thy protection,
O Holy Mother of God.
Do not despise our petitions in our necessities
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

With this request for intercession the Holy Father asks the faithful of all the world to pray that the Holy Mother of God place the Church beneath her protective mantle – to preserve her from the attacks by the devil, the great accuser and at the same time to make her more aware of the faults, the errors and the abuses committed in the present and in the past and committed to combating without any hesitation, so that evil may not prevail.

The Holy Father has also asked that the recitation of the Holy Rosary during the month of October conclude with the prayer written by Pope Leo XIII:

Saint Michael Archangel,
defend us in battle,
be our protection
against the wickedness
and snares of the devil,
may God rebuke him,
we humbly pray
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
cast into hell Satan
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl throughout the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen

Note: In recent weeks the bishops of several dioceses, across the world, have encouraged the praying of the Saint Michael Prayer after Mass – as we used to do. And I would add, Alleluia!

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

The Holy Father’s Prayer Intention for October 2018

Posted on October 1, 2018September 30, 2018 by AnaStpaul

The Holy Father’s Prayer Intention for October 2018

Evangelisation:
The Mission of Religious

That consecrated religious men
and women may bestir themselves
and be present among the
poor, the marginalised
and those who have no voice.

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MORNING Prayers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

October: Month of the Holy Rosary

Posted on October 1, 2018September 30, 2018 by AnaStpaul

October: Month of the Holy Rosary

There are 5 Marian Months, which Holy Mother Church, has given the faithful. They are: May – the Month of Mary, August – the Month of the Immaculate Heart, September – the Month of the Sorrowful Mother, October – the Month of the Holy Rosary and December – the Month of the Immaculate Conception. For devotion to Mary leads us to her Son, in our Mother Mary we find the image of the Church, the mercy of motherhood.

On 7 October the Church celebrates the feast day of Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary. This feast was established by Pope Saint Pius V on the anniversary of the victory at Lepanto on 7 October 1571. The naval victory was attributed to the Virgin Mary whose intercession was entreated through the recitation of the Holy Rosary.
The Church then proceeded to dedicate the entire month of October to the Holy Rosary so that individuals, families and communities would pray the Holy Rosary, on a daily basis for peace in the world.
“Not only do we earnestly exhort all Christians to give themselves to the recital of the pious devotion of the Rosary publicly, or privately in their own house and family and that unceasingly but we also desire that the whole of the month of October … should be consecrated to the Holy Queen of the Rosary” (Excerpt from the Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII, On Devotion of the Rosary, 1 September 1883). the rosary info the rosary guide

The Holy Rosary and the Saints:

“The experience of the Saints bears witness to it – this popular Marian prayer, the Holy Rosary, is a precious spiritual means to grow in intimacy with Jesus and to learn at the school of the Blessed Virgin always to fulfil the divine will. To be apostles of the Rosary… it is necessary to experience personally the beauty and depth of this prayer which is simple and accessible to everyone. It is first of all necessary to let the Blessed Virgin take one by the hand to contemplate the Face of Christ, a joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious Face. Those who, like Mary and with her, cherish and ponder the mysteries of Jesus assiduously, increasingly assimilate His sentiments and are conformed to Him.” – Excerpt from the Meditation of Pope Benedict XVI, On the Recitation of the Holy Rosary,19 October 2008.

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 15 September – The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Posted on September 15, 2018September 15, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 15 September – The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

The Seven Sorrows of
the Blessed Virgin Mary

1. The prophecy of Simeon
2. The Flight to Egypt
3. Loss of Child Jesus for 3 days
4. Meeting Jesus carrying His Cross
5. The Crucifixion of Jesus
6. The Pieta – receiving Jesus’ Body
7. The Burial of Jesus

“The Liturgy teaches us to meditate on the sorrows of Mary. So we turn once more to a memory of sadness, an example of patient endurance, to remind ourselves, for our own good, that our whole life here below is beset with trials and difficulties. It is a life of hardships but at the end, we shall receive the reward of eternal joy.

So we must always take courage – Jesus, Mary and Joseph, give us the certainty of future triumphs. In every moment of their earthly lives, they knew sorrow, privations and suffering and yet, they always reflected the eternal splendour of heaven.

The lesson all the faithful may learn from such sublime examples, is a continual encouragement and strength, by means of which, rising again after every failure and correcting the faults of our temperaments, we may all seek to reach that shore, whee perfect peace and blessing are to be found.”…St Pope John XXIII

John’s account of Jesus’ death is highly symbolic. When Jesus gives the beloved disciple to Mary, we are invited to appreciate Mary’s role in the Church – she symbolises the Church, the beloved disciple represents all believers. As Mary mothered Jesus, she is now mother to all his followers. Furthermore, as Jesus died, he handed over His Spirit. Mary and the Spirit co-operated in begetting new children of God—almost an echo of Luke’s account of Jesus’ conception. Christians can trust that they will continue to experience the caring presence of Mary and Jesus’ Spirit throughout their lives and throughout history.

Prayer to our Lady of Sorrows
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Doctor of the Church

O most holy Virgin,
Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the overwhelming grief you experienced
when you witnessed the martyrdom,
the crucifixion
and the death, of your divine Son,
look upon me with eyes of compassion
and awaken in my heart a tender
commiseration for those sufferings,
as well as a sincere detestation
of my sins, in order that,
being disengaged from all undue affection
for the passing joys of this earth,
I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem
and that henceforward all my thoughts
and all my actions may be directed
towards this one most desirable object,
the honour, glory and love
to our divine Lord Jesus,
and to the you,
the Holy and Immaculate
Mother of God.
Amen

Our Lady of Sorrows,

Our Lady our Mother,

Our Lady our Consoler,

Pray for us all!

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 15 September – The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Posted on September 15, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 15 September – The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

“While other martyrs suffered by sacrificing their own lives,
the Blessed Virgin suffered by sacrificing her Son’s life,
a Life that she loved far more than her own;
so that she not only suffered in her soul
all that her Son endured in His Body but moreover,
the sight of her Son’s torments,
brought more grief to her heart,
than if she had endured them all in her own person”.

St Anselm (1033-1109) Doctor of the Church

“Truly, O Blessed Mother, a sword has pierced your heart….
He died in body through a love greater than anyone had known.
She died in spirit through a love unlike any other since His.”

“The Martyrdom of Mary,
was not caused by the executioner’s sword
but proceeded from bitter sorrow of heart.”

St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) Doctor of the Church

During the entire course of her life,
the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
never deviated in the slightest
from the precepts and examples of her Divine Son.
This was true both in the most sweet joys Mary experienced
and in the cruel sufferings she underwent,
which made the the Queen of Martyr.

Venerable Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)

“If you want to assist at Mass,
with devotion and with fruit,
think of the sorrowful Mother
at the feet of Calvary.”

St Padre Pio

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL SERMONS, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 September – The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Posted on September 15, 2018September 15, 2018 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 15 September – The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Near the cross of Jesus, there stood his mother…..John 19:25 john-19-25-near the cross stood his mother - 15 sept 2017 our lady of sorrows

REFLECTION – “Mary “stood by”; she was simply there . Here again the young woman of Nazareth, hair now grayed with the passage of time, still struggling with a God who must only be embraced and with a life that has come to the threshold of the darkest night. Mary “stood by” in the thickest darkness but she “stood by”. She did not go away. Mary is there, faithfully present, each time a candle must be held aflame in a place of fog and haze. She does not even know the future resurrection her Son was opening at that instant for us, for all of mankind – she stands there out of faithfulness to the plan of God whose handmaid she proclaimed herself to be on the first day of her vocation but also due to her instinct as mother who simply suffers, each time there is a child who undergoes suffering. The suffering of mothers – we have all known strong women who have faced their children’s suffering!”…Pope Francis – General audience, 10 May 2017

PRAYER – Our Father, when Jesus Your Son, was raised up on the Cross, it was Your will that Mary, His Mother, should stand there and suffer with Him in her heart. Grant that in union with her, the Church may share in the passion of Christ and so be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Be our intercessor and our consolation, Our Lady of Sorrows! We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen. our-lady-of-sorrows-pray-for-us.15 sept 2017

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Our Morning Offering – 15 September – STABAT MATER

Posted on September 15, 2018September 15, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 15 September – The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

STABAT MATER

At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword had passed.

Oh, how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother highly blest,
Of the sole begotten One!
Christ above in torment hangs.
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,
Whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?
Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that Mother’s pain untold?

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child,
All with bloody scourges rent.
For the sins of His own nation,
Saw Him hang in desolation
Till His spirit forth He sent.

O thou Mother: fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with thine accord.
Make me feel as thou hast felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ my Lord.

Holy Mother, pierce me through;
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Savior crucified.
Let me share with thee His pain,
Who for all my sins was slain,
Who for me in torment died.

Let me mingle tears with thee,
Mourning Him who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live.
By the Cross with thee to stay;
There with thee to weep and pray,
Is all I ask of thee to give.

Virgin of all virgins best,
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share thy grief divine.
Let me to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of thine.

Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it hath swooned
In His very blood away.
Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In His awful Judgment day.

Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
Be Thy Mother my defense,
Be Thy Cross my victory.
While my body here decays,
May my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in Paradise with Thee.
Amen

Note: This text of the Stabat Mater is one of over 60 translations of this famous Latin hymn that can also be recited in prayer. It is often used when praying the Stations of the Cross. The original Latin text of the Stabat Mater has also been set to music by such composers as Haydn, Rossini, and Poulenc.

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, PAPAL SERMONS, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Memorial of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 15 September

Posted on September 15, 2018September 14, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Memorial of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Excerpt from the Homily of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI,
at the Esplanade in front of the Basilica of Notre-Dame du Rosaire, Lourdes
Monday, 15 September 2008

“Yesterday we celebrated the Cross of Christ, the instrument of our salvation, which reveals the mercy of our God in all its fullness. The Cross is truly the place where God’s compassion for our world is perfectly manifested. Today, as we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, we contemplate Mary sharing her Son’s compassion for sinners. 700-pieta HEADER & WP ourlady of sorrows - bougeureau

As Saint Bernard declares, the Mother of Christ entered into the Passion of her Son through her compassion (cf. Homily for Sunday in the Octave of the Assumption). At the foot of the Cross, the prophecy of Simeon is fulfilled: her mother’s heart is pierced through (cf. Lk 2:35) by the torment inflicted on the Innocent One born of her flesh. pieta - fr james bradley

Just as Jesus cried (cf. Jn 11:35), so too Mary certainly cried over the tortured body of her Son. Her self-restraint, however, prevents us from plumbing the depths of her grief; the full extent of her suffering is merely suggested by the traditional symbol of the seven swords. As in the case of her Son Jesus, one might say that she too was led to perfection through this suffering (cf. Heb 2:10), so as to make her capable of receiving the new spiritual mission that her Son entrusts to her immediately before “giving up his spirit” (cf. Jn 19:30) – that of becoming the mother of Christ in his members. In that hour, through the figure of the beloved disciple, Jesus presents each of his disciples to his Mother when he says to her – Behold your Son (cf. Jn 19:26-27). our lady of sorrows

Today Mary dwells in the joy and the glory of the Resurrection. The tears shed at the foot of the Cross have been transformed into a smile which nothing can wipe away, even as her maternal compassion towards us remains unchanged. The intervention of the Virgin Mary in offering succour throughout history testifies to this and does not cease to call forth, in the people of God, an unshakable confidence in her, the Memorare prayer expresses this sentiment very well. Mary loves each of her children, giving particular attention to those who, like her Son at the hour of his Passion, are prey to suffering, she loves them quite simply because they are her children, according to the will of Christ on the Cross.

The psalmist, seeing from afar this maternal bond which unites the Mother of Christ with the people of faith, prophesies regarding the Virgin Mary that “the richest of the people … will seek your smile” (Ps 44:13). In this way, prompted by the inspired word of Scripture, Christians have always sought the smile of Our Lady, this smile which medieval artists were able to represent with such marvellous skill and to show to advantage. This smile of Mary is for all but it is directed quite particularly to those who suffer, so that they can find comfort and solace therein. To seek Mary’s smile is not an act of devotional or outmoded sentimentality but rather the proper expression of the living and profoundly human relationship which binds us to her whom Christ gave us as our Mother.

mother of sorrows monstrate

To wish to contemplate this smile of the Virgin, does not mean letting oneself be led by an uncontrolled imagination. Scripture itself discloses it to us through the lips of Mary when she sings the Magnificat: “My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit exults in God my Saviour” (Lk 1:46-47). When the Virgin Mary gives thanks to the Lord, she calls us to witness. Mary shares, as if by anticipation, with us, her future children, the joy that dwells in her heart, so that it can become ours. Every time we recite the Magnificat, we become witnesses of her smile.”

You, Holy Mother of Sorrows, who are the smile of God, the reflection of the light of Christ, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, smile upon us and pray for us!

CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows and the Saints – 15 September

Posted on September 15, 2018September 14, 2018 by AnaStpaul

Our Lady of Sorrows (Memorial)
About this Sorrowful Memorial: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/15/memorial-of-our-lady-of-sorrows-15-september/

St Aichardus
St Albinus of Lyon
Bl Anton Maria Schwartz
St Aprus of Toul
St Bond of Sens
St Catherine of Genoa
Bl Camillus Constanzo
St Emilas of Cordoba
St Eutropa of Auvergne
St Hernan
Bl Jacinto de Los Ángeles and Bl Juan Bautista
St Jeremias of Cordoba
St Joseph Abibos
St Mamillian of Palermo
St Melitina
St Mirin of Bangor
St Nicetas the Goth
St Nicomedes of Rome
St Porphyrius the Martyr
St Ribert
St Ritbert of Varennes
Bl Rolando de Medici
Bl Tommasuccio of Foligno
St Valerian of Châlon-sur-Saône
St Valerian of Noviodunum
St Vitus of Bergamo
Bl Wladyslaw Miegon
—
Martyrs of Adrianopolis – 3 saints: Three Christian men martyred together in the persecutions of Maximian – Asclepiodotus, Maximus and Theodore. They were martyred in 310 at Adrianopolis (Adrianople), a location in modern Bulgaria.

Martyrs of Noviodunum – 4 saints: Three Christian men martyred together, date unknown – Gordian, Macrinus, Stratone and Valerian.
They were martyred in Noviodunum, Lower Moesia (near modern Isaccea, Romania).

Mercedarian Martyrs of Morocco – 6 beati: A group of six Mercedarians who were captured by Moors near Valencia, Spain and taken to Morocco. Though enslaved, they refused to stop preaching Christianity. Martyrs. – Dionisio, Francis, Ildefonso, James, John and Sancho. They were crucified in 1437 in Morocco.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
Bl Antonio Sierra Leyva
Bl Pascual Penades Jornet

	Santo Adelbertus dar… on Saint of the Day – 23 Ap…
	Santo Georgius, Oran… on Saint of the Day – 23 Ap…
	Santo Konradus dari… on Saint of the Day – 21 Ap…
	Santo Anselmus dari… on Saint of the Day – 21 Ap…
	Beato James Duckett… on Saint of the Day – 19 Ap…

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St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153) Doctor of the Church

St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Monsignor Ronald Knox (1888-1957)

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Virgin Mary, all Nature is Blessed by You

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Immaculate Mary, Pray for the Church, the Mystical Body of your Son!

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

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1 Thessalonians 4:14

James 1:20

St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

Pope Francis

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A Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory

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Luke 1:46-48

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Our Lady of Fatima – 1917

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Contemplating the Mysteries With Saint Luke

Holy God, we praise Thy Name!

Mother of the Holy Rosary, Pray for Us!

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Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Pray for Us!

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St Louis Marie Grignion De Montfort (1673-1716)

Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Francis

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Queen of the Holy Rosary, Pray for us

Bl Bartholomew Longo, Pray for us.

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Holy See Press Office Communiqué, 29.09.2018

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The Holy Father’s Prayer Intention for October 2018

Evangelisation: The Mission of Religious

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October: Month of the Holy Rosary

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Our Lady of Sorrows,

Our Lady our Mother,

Our Lady our Consoler,

Pray for us all!

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St Anselm (1033-1109) Doctor of the Church

St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) Doctor of the Church

Venerable Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)

St Padre Pio

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You, Holy Mother of Sorrows, who are the smile of God, the reflection of the light of Christ, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, smile upon us and pray for us!

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Evangelisation:
The Mission of Religious