Our Morning Offering – 26 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity”
Omnipotentia Patris
Unknown Author
O Omnipotence of the Father,
help my frailty
and save me from the depths of misery.
O Wisdom of the Son,
direct all my thoughts,
my words and my deeds.
O Love of the Holy Ghost,
be the source of all the actions of my mind,
that they may always be conformed
to God’s good pleasure.
Amen
Thought for the Day – 25 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)
“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5
“+++ When reading, behold your Lord in the words and receive them as from His Divine Lips!
+++ When you look upon the Holy Cross, consider that it is the Standard of your warfare – that, by forsaking it, you will fall into the hands of cruel enemies but that, by following it, you will enter Heaven laden with glorious spoils.
++ + When you see the dear image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let your heart turn to her ,who reigns in Paradise, thanking her that she was ever ready to do the will of God that, she brought forth and nourished the Redeemer of the world and,that her favour and assistance, never fail us in our spiritual conflict.
+++ The images of the Saints represent to you, so many champions, who, having courageously run their course, have opened a way for you, wherein, if you will press onward, you also shall, with them, be crowned with immortal glory.
+++ When you see a Church, you may, amid other devout reflections, consider that your soul is the temple of God and, therefore, to be kept pure and spotless as His dwelling-place.
+++ When you hear the triple sound of the Angelus [even if these days, the sound is only in your heart and mind] make the following brief meditations, in conformity with the words which are said before each recitation of the Ave Maria.
At the first stroke of the bell, thank God for that embassy from Heaven to
earth which was the beginning of our salvation.
At the second, rejoice with the Blessed Mary at the sublime dignity to which she was exalted by her singular and most profound humility.
At the third, adore, together with the most Blessed Mother and the Angel Gabriel, the Divine Child just now conceived and forget not, reverently, to bow your head at each signal, especially the last, even to genuflect if possible!
These meditations will serve for all seasons.”
Our Morning Offering – 25 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” – The Second Sunday in Lent
The Golden Arrow
This prayer was revealed by Jesus Himself to 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.”
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
Our Morning Offering – 21 February – Ember Wednesday
Lord Jesus, Think on Me
By St Synesius of Cyrene (375-430)
Bishop of Ptolemais, Father
Lord Jesus, think on me
and purge away my sin,
from earth-born passions set me free,
and make me pure within.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
With care and woe oppressed,
let me Thy loving servant be
and taste Thy promised rest.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
nor let me go astray,
through darkness and perplexity
point Thou the heav’nly way.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
that, when the flood is past,
I may eternal brightness see
and share Thy joy at last.
Amen
Our Morning Offering – 17 February – The First Sunday of Lent
Ex More Docti Mystico
The Fast, As Taught by Holy Lore
By St Gregory the Great (540-604)
Pope, Father, Doctor of the Church
Trans. John Mason Neale
The fast, as taught by holy lore,
We keep in solemn course once more.
The fast to all men known and bound
In forty days of yearly round.
The law and seers that were of old
In divers ways this Lent foretold,
Which Christ, all seasons’ King and Guide,
In after ages sanctified.
More sparing, therefore, let us make
The words we speak, the good we take,
Our sleep and mirth – and closer barred
Be every sense in holy guard.
Avoid the evil thoughts that roll
Like water o’er the heedless soul;
Nor let the foe occasion find
Our souls in slavery to bind.
In prayer together let us fall,
And cry for mercy, one and all,
And weep before the Judge’s Feet,
And His avenging wrath entreat.
The grace have we offended sore,
By sins, O God, which we deplore;
But pour upon us, from on high,
O pardoning One, Thy clemency.
Remember Thou, though frail we be,
That yet Thine handiwork are we;
Nor let the honour of Thy Name
Be by another put to shame.
Forgive the sin that we have wrought;
Increase the good that we have sought
That we at length, our wanderings o’er,
May please Thee here and evermore.
Grant, O Thou Blessed Trinity,
Grant, O Essential Unity,
That this our fast of forty days
May work our profit and Thy praise.
There are twelve translations of this lovely Lenten Hymn.
This one by L M Neale
Liturgical Use: Matins Hymn on Sundays
and week-days during Lent.
One Minute Reflection – 13 February – Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus – Ferial Day – 1 Cor. 13:1-13; Luke 18:31-43 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And immediately he saw and followed him, glorifying God.” – Luke 18:43
REFLECTION – “Our Redeemer foresaw that the hearts of His disciples would be greatly disturbed by His Passion. He foretold to them, far ahead, of both the agony of His Passion and the glory of His Resurrection (Lk 18:31-33). Then, when they beheld Him dying, as had been foretold, they would not doubt that He was to rise again. But since the disciples, still worldly as they were, were entirely unable to grasp, the Words of the Mystery (v.34), there was need of a miracle! A blind man received the Light before their eyes, so that a heavenly deed might strengthen the faith of those who failed to grasp the Words of the heavenly Mystery.
We must understand the miracles of our Lord and Saviour, dearly beloved, so as to believe that they have been truly effected and that their meaning, nevertheless, still signifies something else too … We do not know the historical identity of the blind man but we do know whom he mystically denotes. The blind man is the human race. In our first parents it was driven from the joys of paradise and ignorant of the brightness of the Divine Light, it suffered the darkness of its condemnation. But yet, it is enlightened by the presence of its Redeemer, to see already, the joys of inward light, by desire and to direct the footsteps of its good works, in the way of Life.” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on the Gospels).
PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, mercifully hear our prayers; loose us from the chains of our sins and keep us from all adversity. 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).
An Aspiration to the Eternal Father
to be Frequently Recited During the Day …
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Holy Face of Jesus,
covered with blood, sweat, dust and spittle,
in reparation for our sins
and the sins of the whole world.
Our Morning Offering – 10 February
Ave Regina Caelorum
Queen of Heaven Enthroned
Hail, O Queen of Heaven enthroned.
Hail, by Angels mistress owned.
Root of Jesse, Gate of Morn
Whence the world’s true Light was born,
Glorious Virgin, Joy to thee,
Loveliest whom in Heaven they see;
Fairest thou, where all are fair,
Plead with Christ, our souls to spare.
V. Vouchsafe that I may praise thee,
O sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thine enemies.
Let us pray:
We beseech thee, O Lord,
mercifully to assist our infirmity,
that like, as we do now
commemorate the Blessed Mary
Ever-Virgin, Mother of God;
so by the help of her intercession
we may die to our former sins
and rise again to newness of life.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen
“Ave Regina caelorum” is one of the Marian antiphons said or sung in the Liturgy of the Hours at the close of compline. In the Roman Breviary as revised by Pope Pius V in 1569 it was assigned for this use from compline of 2 February until compline of Wednesday of Holy Week.
The original author is unknown – it has been found in a manuscript from the twelfth-century.
It has been set to music by various composers including Hyden and many others.
Our Morning Offering – 8 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity”
An Act of Thanksgiving
By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)
(Excerpt from her Revelations)
May my soul bless Thee,
O Lord God my Creator,
may my soul bless Thee!
From the very core of my being,
may all Thy merciful gifts sing Thy praise.
Thy generous care, for Thy daughter,
has been rich in mercy;
indeed, it has been immeasurable
and as far as I am able,
I give Thee thanks.
I praise and glorify,
Thy great patience which bore with me.
I offer Thee, most loving Father,
all the sufferings of Thine Beloved Son,
from that first Infant cry
as He lay on the hay in the manger,
until that final movement, when,
bowing His Head, with a mighty Voice,
Christ gave up His Spirit.
I think, as I make this offering,
of all that He underwent,
His needs as a Babe,
His dependence as a young Child,
the hardships of Youth
and the trials of early Manhood.
To atone for all my neglect,
I offer, most loving Father,
all that Thine Only-begotten Son did
during His Life,
whether in thought, word or deed.
And now, as an act of thanksgiving,
I praise and worship Thee Father,
in deepest humility,
for Thy most loving kindness and mercy.
Amen
Our Morning Offering – 7 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity”
Lord, for Tomorrow and its Needs
By Sister Mary Xavier (1877)
Lord, for tomorrow and its needs
I do not pray;
keep me, my God, from stain of sin,
just for today.
Let me both diligently work
and duly pray;
let me be kind in word and deed,
just for today.
Let me no wrong or idle word
unthinking say;
set Thou a seal upon my lips,
just for today.
And if today my tide of life
should ebb away,
give me Thy Sacraments Divine,
sweet Lord, today.
So, for tomorrow and its needs
I do not pray
but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord,
just for today.
Amen
Our Morning Offering – 6 February –St Titus (Died c96) Bishop, Confessor
O Fathers of Our Ancient Faith
O Fathers of our ancient faith,
With all the heav’n, we sing your fame
Whose sound went forth in all the earth
To tell of Christ and bless His Name.
You took the Gospel to the poor,
The Word of God alight in you,
Which in our day is told again,
That timeless Word, forever new.
You told of God, Who died for us
And out of death triumphant rose,
Who gave the Truth which made us free
and changeless through the ages goes.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Whose gift is faith that never dies,
A light in darkness now, until
The Day-Star in our hearts arise.
O Fathers of Our Ancient Faith is written by the Benedictine Nuns of Stanbrook Abbey. In the Divine Office it is sung at Morning Prayer in the Common of Apostles. It is set to the anonymous tune associated with the 7th Century Latin Hymn, Creator Alme Siderum.
Quote/s of the Day – 5 February – In Sexagesima Week, Preparing for Lent
“Listen to the Lord’s appeal:
‘Come, then, return to Me
and learn to know Me as your Father,
Who repays good for evil,
love for injury
and boundless charity
for piercing wounds!”
Have Mercy, Lord
By St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Father & Doctor of the Church
Have mercy, Lord,
on all my friends and relatives,
on all my benefactors,
on all who pray to Thee for me
and on all who have asked me
to pray to Thee, for them.
Give them the spirit of fruitful penance,
mortify them in all vices
and make them flower
in all Thy virtues.
Amen
“What better penance
can a heart do
which commits faults,
than to submit
to a continual abnegation
of self-will?”
O Jesus, My Sweet Love!
(I too have kept Thee suffering)
Prayer of Contrition
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
O Jesus, my sweet Love!
I too have kept Thee suffering
through all Thy life.
Tell me, then, what I must do
in order to win Thy forgiveness.
I am ready to do all Thou askest of me.
I am sorry, O sovereign Good,
for all the offences I have committed against Thee.
I love Thee more than myself,
or at least, I feel a great desire to love Thee.
Since it is Thou Who hast given me this desire,
do Thou also give me the strength to love Thee exceedingly.
It is only right that I,
who have offended Thee so much,
should love Thee very much.
Always remind me of the love
Thou hast borne me,
in order that my soul may ever burn
with love of Thee and long to please Thee alone.
O God of love,
I, who was once a slave of hell,
now give myself all to Thee.
Graciously accept me and bind me to Thee
with the bonds of Thy love.
My Jesus, from this day and forever,
in loving Thee will I live
and in loving Thee will I die.
O Mary, my Mother and my hope,
help me to love Thy dear God and mine.
This is the only favour I ask of thee
and through thee, I hope to receive it.
Amen
Our Morning Offering – 3 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” –
O SANCTISSIMA~
O MOST HOLY!
Indulgenced Prayer
to the Most Holy Trinity
O Most Holy Trinity,
I adore Thee,
Who art dwelling,
by Thy grace,
within my soul.
O Most Holy Trinity,
Who art dwelling,
by Thy grace,
within my soul,
make me love Thee,
more and more.
O Most Holy Trinity,
Who art dwelling,
by Thy grace,
within my soul,
sanctify me more and more.
Abide with me,
O Lord, be Thou my true joy.
Amen
Our Morning Offering – 21 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – The Third Sunday after Epiphany
Give me Thyself, O My God
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace
Give me Thyself, O my God,
give Thyself to me.
Behold I love Thee
and if my love is too weak a thing,
grant me to love Thee more strongly.
I cannot measure my love, to know
how much it falls short of being sufficient
but let my soul hasten to Thine embrace
and never be turned away,
until it is hidden in the secret shelter
of Thine presence.
This only do I know,
that it is not good for me
when Thou art not with me,
when Thou art only outside me.
I want Thee in my very self.
All the plenty in the world
which is not my God,
is utter want!
Amen
Our Morning Offering – 5 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – The Vigil of the Epiphany of Our Lord
The Eastern Kings the Star Have Seen!
Unknown Author
The Eastern Kings the Star have seen,
They hasten on their way;
Long time they’ve watched and waiting been
The dawning of that Day:
The dawning of the Day of grace,
The gleam of Jacob’s Star,
The Virgin’s Child of Jesse’s race
Whom Prophets saw afar.
Glory give to God on high!
And now they open treasures rare
Which Indian silks enfold,
Of Myrrh which sweetly scents the air,
Of Frankincense and gold.
Their kingly heads they meekly bow
The cradled Babe before,
Their God confess, and kneeling low
In humble faith adore.
Glory give to God on high!
With them I come to greet my King,
Yet not with them to part;
No Gold, no Frankincense I bring,
I offer Him my heart.
With Him to live, with Him to die,
Who by His lowly birth,
Gave glory to our God on high
And peace to men on earth.
Glory give to God on high!
Amen!
Thought for the Day – 3 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“With desolation all the land made desolate because, there is none that considereth in the heart” (Jer 12:11).
Very often the world is plunged in the desolation of evil because, there is nobody who will speak with God, in the silence of his heart and try to regulate his life according to His holy commandments.
It is in a particularly outstanding way today, that the heresies of actionism and externalism, dominate the great mass of mankind.
To act, to rush, to arrive … above all, to arrive!
But to arrive where?
In this frantic, frenzied and tumultuous race, which good people are often found competing, two very sure things are forgotten, namely, that we shall finally arrive at death and, that from death, we shall pass onto eternity.
The whole course of our lives, therefore, should be directed towards this end.
But, if we are to keep this end in view, prudent reflection is essential, especially meditation, made with the assistance of the Divine light, on the eternal truths.
Absorbed in the deafening din of the world around us, it is difficult to hear the Voice of God.
At least, for a little while each day, we must create, within ourselves, a zone of silence, in order to listen to His Voice.
Since God speaks readily in the silence of the heart, let us recollect ourselves before Him, in this quiet oasis.
At least a quarter of an hour of daily meditation is essential for the life of a Catholic.
This should be the diving-board for all the actions of day, if we wish these to be correct and productive of good.
It is very useful, moreover, to recall to mind frequently during the day, the resolutions which have been formed and to accompany these reflections, with short prayers, aspirations and acts of love for God.”
Our Morning Offering – 29 December – St Thomas à Becket (1118-1170) Martyr, Archbishop of Canterbury
Please Lord, Make me Worthy!
Prayer of Supplication and Repentance
By St Thomas à Becket (1118-1170)
Martyr, Archbishop of Canterbury
My Lord,
I find it difficult to talk to Thee.
What can I say?
I, who have turned away from Thee
so often with indifference.
I have been a stranger to prayer,
undeserving of Thy friendship and love.
I have been without honour
and feel unworthy.
I am a weak and shallow creature,
clever only in the second-rate and worldly arts,
seeking my comfort and pleasure.
I gave my love, such as it was, elsewhere,
putting service to my earthly King,
before my duty to Thee.
Please Lord, teach me how to serve Thee
with all my heart, to know at last,
what it really is, to love, to adore.
So that I may worthily minister to
Thine Kingdom, here on earth
and find my true honour,
in observing Thine divine will.
Please Lord, make me worthy!
Amen
St Thomas à Becket (1118-1170) Martyr, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He engaged in conflict with Henry II, King of England, over the rights and privileges of the Church and was murdered by followers of the King in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon after his death, he was Canonised by Pope Alexander III.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/12/29/saint-of-the-day-29-december-st-thomas-a-becket-1118-1170/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/29/saint-of-the-day-29-december-st-thomas-a-becket-1118-1170-martyr-archbishop-of-canterbury/
Unsere Liebe Frau vom Speyer / Our Lady of Speyer, Germany Featuring the Salve Regina and St Bernard (1146) – 29 December:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/29/the-fifth-day-of-the-octave-of-christmas-unsere-liebe-frau-vom-speyer-our-lady-of-speyer-germany-featuring-the-salve-regina-and-st-bernard-1146-and-memorials-of-the-saints-29-december/
St Aileran of Clonard
St Albert of Gambron
St Aproniano de Felipe González
St David the King
St Ebrulf of Ouche (c626-c706) Abbot, Hermit, Founder of many Monasteries, Married but separated by mutual agreement, Miracle-worker.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/29/saint-of-the-day-29-december-saint-ebrulf-of-ouche-c-626-7c-06/
St Florent of Bourges
Bl Francis Ruiz
Blessed Gérard Cagnoli OFM (c 1267-1342) Confessor, Lay Brother of the Friars Minor, Hermit, graced with the gift of visions and prophecy. He was known for miracles, in addition to his humble, simple childlike nature which people believed was one of the signs of his holiness.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/29/saint-of-the-day-29-december-blessed-gerard-cagnoli-ofm-c-1267-1342-confessor/
St Girald of Fontenelle
St Libosus of Vaga
St Marcellus the Righteous
St Martinian of Milan
Bl Paul Mary
Bl Peter the Venerable
St Quartillosa of Carthage
St Thaddeus of Scythia
St Trophimus of Arles (Died c280) Bishop
St Trophimus of Ephesus
Blessed William Howard (1614–1680) Martyr, Married Laymam and Father, 1st Viscount Stafford. William was the grandson of the Venerable Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel, fifth son of Earl Thomas (the first great art collector of England) and Uncle of Thomas Philip – Cardinal Howard. Beatified on 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/29/saint-of-the-day-29-december-blessed-william-howard-1614-1680-martyr/
Martyrs of North Africa – 8 Saints: A group of Christians executed together for their faith. The only details to survive are eight names – Crescentius, Dominic, Honoratus, Lybosus, Primian, Saturninus, Secundus and Victor.
Martyrs of Rome – 3 Saints: A group of Christians executed together for their faith. The only details to survive are three names – Boniface, Callistus and Felix.
Our Morning Offering – 25 December – The Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day!
Adeste Fidelis
O Come, All Ye Faithful!
By John Francis Wade (c1711-1786)
Composer, Hymnist, Professor of Music at the Douay Seminary
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels!
Refrain:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
God of God, Light of Light,
Lo, He abhors not the virgin’s womb;
Very God, begotten, not created.
[Refrain]
Sing, Choirs of Angels; sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!
[Refrain]
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
[Refrain]
John Francis Wade (1711 or 1712-1786) is now generally recognised as both Author and Composer of the hymn “Adeste fideles,” originally written in Latin in four stanzas.
The earliest manuscript signed by Wade is dated about 1743. By the early 19th Century, however, four additional stanzas had been added by other writers.
A Roman Catholic, Wade apparently moved to France because of discrimination against Roman Catholics in 18th Century England—especially so. after the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.
He taught music at an English college in Douay and hand copied and sold Chant music for use in the Chapels of wealthy families. Wade’s copied manuscripts were published as Cantus Diversi pro Dominicis et Festis per annum (1751)
The Translator is Father Frederick Oakeley (1802-1880), ex Anglican minister, in 1845, he became a Catholic and a Priest and Canon of the Diocese of Westminister.
His publications are numerous, and some of them have considerable value.
Our Morning Offering – 24 December – The Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Veni Redemptor Gentium
Saviour of the Nations, Come!
By St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor of the Church
Saviour of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home!
Marvel now, O Heaven and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.
Not by human flesh and blood;
By the Spirit of our God
Was the Word of God made flesh,
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.
Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child
Of the Virgin undefiled!
Though by all the world disowned,
Still to be in Heaven enthroned.
From the Father forth He came
And returneth to the same,
Captive leading death and hell
High the song of triumph swell!
Thou, the Father’s only Son,
Hast over sin the victory won.
Boundless shall Thy Kingdom be;
When shall we its glories see?
Brightly doth Thy manger shine,
Glorious is its Light Divine.
Let not sin o’ercloud this Light;
Ever be our faith thus bright.
Praise to God the Father sing,
Praise to God the Son, our King,
Praise to God the Spirit be
Ever and eternally.
Amen!
Our Morning Offering – 23 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Ember Saturday
Magnis Prophetæ Vocibus
With Mighty Voice the Prophets Cry
Unknown Author
With mighty voice the prophets cry
that Christ the Lord is drawing nigh;
rejoicing, they foresee the grace
by which He saves us and redeems.
And so our morning sun shines forth,
our hearts ablaze with radiant joy;
we hear the faithful voice resound,
precursor of God’s glorious gift.
At that first Advent, Christ our God
came forth not to condemn the world,
but came to cleanse our gaping wound,
to seek and save what had been lost.
Christ’s Second Coming warns us all
that He is standing at the gates,
to give to saints their glorious crowns
and open wide the heav’nly realm.
Eternal light is now foretold,
the saving star is shining forth,
its radiant splendour summons us
and calls us to the heav’nly court.
Christ Jesus, Thou alone we seek
to see Thee face to face as God;
may this unending vision be
an everlasting hymn of praise.
Amen.
Quote/s of the Day – 13 December – Feast of St Lucy, Virgin Martyr – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, 11:1-2; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“The Kingdom of Heaven
is like a treasure
hidden in a field.”
“For the man who loves God,
it is sufficient to please the One he loves
and, there is no greater recompense to be sought,
than the loving itself.
For love is from God, by the very fact
that God Himself is love.
The good and chaste soul
is so happy to be filled with Him
that it desires to take delight in nothing else.
For what the Lord says is very true:
‘Where your treasure is,
there also will your heart be.’”
I will love Thee, Lord,
in every way
and without setting limits
to my love.
Thou set no limits to what Thou
hast done for me;
Thou hast not measured Thy gifts.
I will not measure my love.
I will love Thee, Lord,
with all my strength,
with all my powers,
as much as I am able.
Amen
“Amongst all loves,
God’s is so to be preferred
that we must always stand prepared in mind
to forsake them all
for that alone. ”
(Treatise on the Love of God,
Book 10, Chapter 7)
“The love of God is the end,
the perfection and the excellence,
of the universe. ”
(Treatise on the Love of God,
Book 10, Chapter 1)
Lord Jesus,
let my heart never rest
until it finds Thee,
Who are its source,
its love and its happiness.
By the wound in Thy Heart
pardon the sins I have committed,
whether out of weakness,
or out of evil desires.
Place my weak heart
in Thy own Divine Heart,
continually under Thy protection and guidance,
so that I may persevere in doing good
and in fleeing evil,
until my last breath.
Amen
To All the Faithful who, by themselves or with others, in Church or at home, with at least contrite hearts and devotion, shall make this novena:
(1) 300 days Indulgence for each of the nine days;
(2) a Plenary Indulgence on one day of the novena or of the eight days following it. (Pius IX, 5 January 1849.) Conditions – Confession, Communion and prayer, according to the intentions of the Holy Father.
Whenever, in the following pages, an Indulgence is said to be granted “under the usual conditions,” these conditions are the same as above.
*Note – The above Indulgences may also be gained by making the novena at any other time of the year and are not attached to any prescribed formula of prayer. The same applies to all other Novenas in honour of the Blessed Virgin.
[A simple short Novena here AND REMEMBER * ABOVE APPLIES:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/29/immaculate-conception-novena-day-one-29-november/ ]
PREPARATORY PRAYER:
In thy conception, O Virgin Mary,
thou wast immaculate;
pray for us to the Father, Whose Son Jesus,
conceived in thy womb by the Holy Ghost,
thou didst bring forth.
Indulgence. 200 days, every time. (Pius VI, 21 November 1793).
MEDITATION:
Holy Church, our Mother, purposely gathered into the Season of Advent, everything which might contribute to assist us in preparing for the coming of the Redeemer. Purity of heart is the most necessary and helpful requirement for receiving God worthily and for participating in the fruits of our Redemption through Christ. To remind us of this, Holy Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, this primary Feast of purity, in Advent.
The Church, moreover, intends to remind us that the coming of Christ, our promised Redeemer, depended on the consent of the Blessed Virgin. The Redeemer could not appear before she was born, of whom He was to be born. The aurora must precede the rising sun. Thus also, Mary, the spiritual aurora, had to be conceived and born, before the appearance of the Sun of Justice in this world.
PRACTICE:
In Mary appeared the woman who was to crush the serpent’s head, who was to repair, by her willing co-operation with God’s designs, the damage wrought by the disobedience of our first parents and who was to become our Mother and mighty Advocate with God.
The designs of God concerning Mary were fully accomplished. God also has designs concerning us. Our life was planned by Him from all eternity and we were destined to co-operate with Him harmoniously and conscientiously, in working out our salvation. Have we corresponded with God’s designs? Did we not oppose them by yielding to our evil inclinations and passions? What a disparity between God’s intentions concerning us and our own co-operation, between His merciful designs and our cowardly resistance to them!
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH:
O God, Who through the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling-place
for Thy Divine Son; grant that, as in view of Thy Son,
Thou didst preserve her from all taint,
so Thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us
that cleansed from all sin by her intercession,
we too may arrive at Thine eternal glory.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER:
Behold, Virgin Immaculate,
at thy sacred feet I bow,
while my heart overflows with joy
in union with thine own
because, from eternity,
thou wast the Mother-elect
of the eternal Word
and was preserved stainless
from the taint of Adam’s sin.
Forever praised, forever blessed
by the Most Holy Trinity,
Who, in thy conception,
poured out upon thy soul,
the riches of that matchless privilege.
I humbly pray thee, most gracious Mother,
obtain for me the grace,
to overcome the bitter results of original sin.
Make me victorious over them
that I may never cease to love my God.
Amen
Hail Mary, Glory Be …
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.*
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honour, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant, pray for us.
Gate of Heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God,
unto us Thy servants
that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body
and, by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin,
may be delivered from present sadness
and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Morning Offering – 26 November – The Last Sunday after Pentecost
Consecration to Our Lady of the Eucharist
After Holy Communion
By the Claretian Fathers Teaching Ministr
Order founded by St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)
Mary is called Our Lady of the Eucharist, because
without her, there would be no physical Body of Jesus
to be present in the Eucharist. (See John 6:51)
Most kind Mother,
we consecrate to thee, our bodies,
which have just been
honoured and sanctified,
by the presence of thy Divine Son,
our souls which have
conversed with Him
and our hearts which have loved Him.
O dearest Mother,
may the words which we have spoken, be made
acceptable to Him. through thy intercession.
Tell Him the things which we should have said
but were unable to express.
Love Him and beseech Him for us,
thy poor children.
Receive and keep us in thine heart.
Warn us, protect us
and guide us during this day
that we may faithfully serve thy Divine Son
and please Him
in all our thoughts, desires and actions.
Amen
“It is, therefore, a holy and wholesome thought
to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from sins.“
2 Machabees 12:46
The faithful who recite prayers or perform other devout exercises in supplication for the faithful departed during the Month of November, may gain:
An Indulgence of 3 years once a day, on each day of the Month.
A Plenary Indulgence on the usual conditions, if they perform these devotions DAILY for the ENTIRE Month of November.
The De Profundis and Requiem aeternam, of themselves, attract a further 100 days Partial Indulgence.
A prayer of a sinner, trusting in the mercies of God.
The Sixth Penitential Psalm.
Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord:
Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplication.
If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities:
Lord, who shall stand it.
For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness
and because of Thy law,
I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath waited on His word:
my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch, even until night,
let Israel hope in the Lord.
For with the Lord there is mercy
and with Him plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
(Eternal rest or “Requiem aeternam”)
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And may perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
(Indulgence of 100 Days)
*Psalm 129 in Douay Rheims
Pope Clement XII. was the first who, in order to move the piety of Christians to pray for the souls in Purgatory, granted, by a Brief of 4 August 1736, Coelestes Ecclesiae thesauros –
i. The Indulgence of 100 days to all the faithful, everytime that, at the sound of the bell, at the first hour after the evening Ave Maria, they say devoutly, on their knees the psalm De profundis, with a Requiem aAternamat the end of, it.
(The evening Ave Maria in Rome varies with the season; it is commonly taken as 6 o’clock.)
ii. A Plenary Indulgence to those who perform this pious exercise, for a year, at the hour appointed, once in the year, on any one day, after Confession and Communion. Those who do not know by heart the De Profundis, may gain these Indulgences by saying, in the way already mentioned for the De profundis, one Pater Noster and one Ave Maria, with the Requiem Aeternam.
Observe also, that the aforesaid Clement XII. declared, on 12 December 1736, that these Indulgences might be gained by saying the De Profundis etc, as above, although, according to the custom of a particular Church or place, the “signal for the dead,” as it is called, be given by the sound of the bell either before, or after one hour after the evening Ave Maria.
Pope Pius VI, by a Rescript of 18 March 1781, granted the above-named Indulgences to all the faithful, who should chance to dwell in any place where no bell for the dead is sounded and who, shall say the De Profundis or Pater Noster, as aforesaid, about the time specified above.
One Minute Reflection – 1 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – All Saints Day – Apocalypse 7:2-12, Matthew 5:1-12 – – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in Heaven.” – Matthew 5:12
REFLECTION – “Dearly beloved, let us anxiously attend to all that concerns the profession of our common life, “keeping the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace,” by “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the imparting of the Holy Spirit ”(Eph 4,3; 2 Cor 13:13). From the love of God comes the unity of the spirit; from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ comes the bond of peace; from the imparting of the Holy Spirit, comes that communion which is necessary to those who live in common. …
“I believe, 0 Lord, in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints” (Credo). This is my hope, this is my trust, this is my confidence, this is the whole of my security in the professing of my faith. … If I am allowed, O Lord, to “love Thee and love my neighbour,” (Mt 22:37-39) although my merits are small and few, yet will my hopes reach beyond them. I am confident that the merits of the Saints will help me by the communion of charity, so that the Communion of Saints will make up for my insufficiency and imperfection. … Let charity expand our hope, as far as the Communion of Saints, in the sharing of merits and rewards but the sharing of the latter belongs to the future, for it is the sharing in the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Since, then, there are three communions – the first of nature, which includes the sharing of guilt … the second of grace and the third, of glory. By the communion of grace, that of nature begins to be remade and the sharing of guilt to be excluded but, by the communion of glory, that of nature will be perfectly restored and the communion of anger, will be entirely excluded, when “God will wipe away every tear from the eyes” of the Saints (Is 25:8; Rv 21:4). Then, among all the Saints, there will be “one heart and one soul” and “all things will be in common”when God will be “all in all” (Acts 4:2; 1 Cor 15:28). That we may all arrive at this communion and that we all may be one, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the imparting of the Holy Spirit be with us all forever. Amen.” – Baldwin of Forde O.Cist ( c 1125–1190) Cistercian Abbot, Bishop, then Archbishop of Canterbury (Treatise on the common life).
PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who granted us to honour the merits of all Thy Saints in a single solemn festival, bestow on us, we beseech Thee, through their manifold intercession, that abundance of Thymercy for which we yearn. 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).
Thought for the Day – 31 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“We have come to the end of this month, which we have dedicated to Mary and her blessed Rosary.
Let us remember, however, that apart from this Month of October, we should dedicate our whole lives to her, up to our final moment of death.
We are always in need of Mary’s patronage and intercession with God.
Let us always have recourse to her, therefore, especially in danger and in suffering but, most especially, at the decisive moment of death, for this is the moment on which eternity depends.
This day will arrive sooner or later but, it will certainly come, “at an hour that you do not expect” (Lk 12:40).
In the second part of the Hail Mary, the Church places on our lips, these words of supplication: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.”
How many times we have recited this prayer?!
But do we ever think of death?
Let us remember that a mediation on death is the most valuable lesson in life.
One day, we shall find ourselves face-to-face with God, drawing our last breath on earth.
It may be on a sick bed, it may be in the middle of a street – we do not know.
It may be after a long illness at the end of which we are comforted by the Holy Sacraments and blessed by a Priest, or it may be quite unexpected.
But, it is certain that death will come.
Let us aim, therefore, at being always prepared, so that it may not come when we have no good works to offer and when our hearts are full of ourselves and of worldly interests.
Like Mary, let us lead lives of holiness and we shall be sure to die holy deaths.
Let us beseech our heavenly Mother to be by our side at that final moment to sustain us in the conflict and to consign our souls to her divine Son, Jesus. Amen.”
Antonio Cardinal Bacci
Thought for the Day – 29 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“These expressions of confidence in Mary’s powerful intercession, should not lead us astray, however.
They hold good with absolute certainty, only for those who have true devotion to Mary.
Even if they are sinners, such clients of Mary, must have at least the good intention of changing their lives and never offending God again.
Sin and sincere devotion to Our Lady, cannot co-exist!
“Relinquish every intention of sinning.” St Gregory VII wrote to the Princess Matilde, “and you will find Mary more eager to help you than any earthly mother” (Lib 1, Ep 47).
We should ask, furthermore, for spiritual favours first of all.
Later we can ask for temporal favours, if they are to our spiritual advantage.
Finally, if we are to have a true devotion to Mary, we must love and imitate her. as well as pray to her.
Anyone who sincerely tries to do all this, is certain of salvation!”
PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/29/thought-for-the-day-25-october-mary-our-hope-our-life-our-sweetness-and-our-hope/
Our Morning Offering – 28 October – Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
Exsultet Orbis!
Let the World Rejoice!
Unknown Author
Now let the earth with joy resound,
And Heaven the chant re-echo round;
Nor Heaven nor earth too high can raise
The great Apostles’ glorious praise.
O ye who, throned in glory dread,
Shall judge the living and the dead,
Lights of the world forever more!
To you the suppliant prayer we pour.
Ye close the Sacred Gates on high.
At your command apart they fly.
O loose for us the guilty chain
We strive to break and strive in vain.
Sickness and health your voice obey,
At your command they go or stay.
From sin’s disease our souls restore;
In good confirm us more and more.
So when the world is at its end.
And Christ to Judgment shall descend,
May we be called, those joys to see
Prepared from all eternity.
Praise to the Father, with the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One;
As ever was in ages past
And so shall be while ages last.
Amen
(Roman Breviary for the Common of Apostles)
An Office Hymn that was traditionally prescribed for Vespers and Lauds on the Feasts of Apostles and Evangelists outside Easter time. The Hymn is found as early as the tenth century in a hymnal of Moissac Abbey.
Thought for the Day – 27 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“The Angel’s greeting was later completed by the salavation of St Elizabeth.
As soon as Elizabeth saw the Blessed Virgin coming to visit her, she cried out in humble veneratin: “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!” (Lk 1:42).
In the first part of the Hail Mary, then, we pay her the words of the Gospel, the highest tributes ever accorded to any human creature, proclaiming her to be full of grace, blessed among women and Mother of the Redeemer.
The second part, which was later added by the Church, (composed and proposed by St Peter Canisius 1521-1597) Doctor of the Church), is a heartfelt supplication addressed to Mary as the Mother of God and our Mother.
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen.”
It would be hard to find a more touching plea.
We ask our heavenly Mother to intercede for us now – because we have such great need of her assistance in this vale of tears and temptations.
May she be always by our side, to shelter us beneath her mantle!”
PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/26/thought-for-the-day-25-october-hail-mary/
Our Morning Offering – 24 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of St Raphael the Archangel
Placare, Christe, Servulis (Nobis)
Christ, Thy Servants’ Wanderings Spare
Words: Unknown Author,
Roman Breviary (Divino Afflatu), 1911
Christ, Thy servants’ wanderings spare;
For whom Thy Maiden-Mother’s prayer
Beseech at Thy throne of grace
Mercy before the Father’s face.
Be near us, Angel from on high,
Whose name God’s might doth signify;
Strengthen the weak with ceaseless ward
And to the sad thine help afford.
Ye ninefold ranks of Angel-choirs,
Whose order for our help conspires,
All past and present ills dispel,
From future danger guard us well.
Drive far away in shamed disgrace
From Christian lands, the faithless race
That so the rule One Shepherd hold
Over one flock, one single fold.
To God the Father, praise be done,
Who hath redeemed us through His Son,
Anoints us by the Holy Ghost
And guards us by the Angel-host.
Amen.
This is the Hymn for Lauds on the Feast of St. Raphael the Archangel.
Tune: Unknown
Meter: 88.88
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