Category: CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Posted in CREEDS, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 November – ‘ … The Communion of Saints will make up for my insufficiency and imperfection. … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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).

Posted in Hail MARY!, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, ROSARY QUOTES

Thought for the Day – 31 October – “Pray for Us … at the Hour of Our Death”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 31 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“Pray for Us … at the Hour of Our Death”

“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

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on HOPE, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 29 October – “Mary, Our Hope”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 29 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“Mary, Our Hope”

“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!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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/

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 28 October – Exsultet Orbis! Let the World Rejoice!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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.

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Hail MARY!, MARIAN QUOTES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 27 October – “Hail Mary … Holy Mary”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 27 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“Hail Mary … Holy Mary”

“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!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/26/thought-for-the-day-25-october-hail-mary/

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 24 October – Christ, Thy Servants’ Wanderings Spare

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

St Raphael Archangel, 1775 by Fray Miguel de Herre
Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 22 October – O Jesus, Sweetest Love, Come Thou to Me

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 22 October – The 21st Sunday after Pentecost

O Jesus, Sweetest Love,
Come Thou to Me
(1940)
By Fr Francis Xavier Lasance (1860–1946)

O JESUS, sweetest Love, come Thou to me.
Come down in all Thy beauty unto me.
Thou Who didst die for longing of me
And never, never more depart from me.
Free me, O beauteous God, from all but Thee;
Sever the chain that holds me back from Thee;
Call me, O tender Love, I cry to Thee;
Thou art my all! O bind me close to Thee.
O suffering Love, Who hast so loved me;
O patient Love, Who wearies not of me.
Thou alone O Love! Thou weary not of me!
Ah! Weary not till I am lost in Thee,
Nay, weary not, till I am found in Thee.
Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 18 October – Holy and Learned, Great Saint Luke

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 18 October – The Feast of St Luke, the Evangelist

Holy and Learned, Great Saint Luke
Prayer/Hymn in Honour of St Luke
“Plausibus Luca canimus”
Trans the Benedictines of
Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK

Holy and learned, great Saint Luke,
we praise you,
Closely you followed in the steps of Jesus,
As supreme witness to His life and teaching
Shedding your life-blood.

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
You left in writing, for all time to study
Stories unrivalled for their depth and beauty,
Christ’s love revealing.

Yours are the records
which we read with pleasure
Of the beginning of the Church so fervent,
Under the impulse of the true and living
Spirit of Jesus.

Paul’s earnest helper, sharer in his travels,
Zealous as he was, with a heart as loving,
Make our souls also steadfast and devoted
To the Lord Jesus.

Tender physician, use your gift of healing,
Comfort our weakness with a faith unswerving,
So that rejoicing, we may praise forever
God the Almighty.
Amen

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on WATCHING, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 15 October – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 15 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila OCD (1515-1582) Virgin and Doctor of the Church

“It is love alone
which gives worth
to all things.”

“Hope, O my soul, hope!
You know neither the day, nor the hour.
Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly,
even though your impatience, makes doubtful,
what is certain and turns
a very short time, into a long one.”

“Accustom yourself,
to make many acts of love, continually,
for they enkindle and melt the soul.”

“God withholds Himself
from no-one who perseveres.”

“The important thing,
is not to think much
but to love much.”

Thy Holy Will
By St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of the Church

Lord,
grant that I may always
allow myself to be guided by Thee,
always follow Thy plans
and perfectly accomplish Thy Holy Will.
Grant that in all things,
great and small,
today and all the days of my life,
I may do,
whatever Thou may require of me.
Help me to respond
to the slightest prompting
of Thy grace,
so that I may be Thy trustworthy instrument,
for Thy honour.
May Thy Will be done in time
and eternity –
by me, in me and through me.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/15/quote-s-of-the-day-15-october-st-teresa-of-jesus/

St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 13 October – Prayers of the Angel of Peace of Fatima

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 13 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Our Lady of Fatima: The Sixth & Final Apparition

Prayers of the Angel of Peace of Fatima
(Given to the three children by the Angel
who preceded Our Lady’s first appearance to them.)

I.
My God,
I believe, I adore,
I hope and love Thee.
I ask pardon for those
who do not believe,
who do not adore,
who have no hope
and who do not love Thee.

II.
Most Holy Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
I offer to Thee,
while I adore them –
the Most Precious
Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
present in all the Tabernacles
throughout the world,
in reparation for the outrages
by which He is Himself, offended.
By the Infinite Merits
of His Sacred Heart
and by the intercession
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I beg of Thee,
the conversion of sinners.

The Angel of Peace

One day in the spring of 1916, when three little children, Lucia dos Santos, aged ten and her little cousins, Francisco Marto, aged nine,and his little sister Jacinta, only seven years old, were tending sheep near the village of Fatima, Portugal, the appearance of an oval of light, of unusual brilliance, startled them.
The dazzling light seemed to advance, from the end of the field toward the cave, in which the young shepherds had sought shelter.
In the midst of this light they beheld a young man who announced himself as the Angel of Peace.
He taught the little seers a new prayer and then vanished.

A few months later, the Angel of Peace made his second appearance and urged the children to offer up sacrifices and prayers at all times.
Upon asking what was meant by “sacrifice,” they were told to offer everything in reparation to God, for the sins by which He is offended and, as a petition for the conversion of sinners.
“Thus you will bring peace to our country,” was the Angel’s promise.
At this last saying, the children were baffled.
Reading their thoughts, the Angel revealed that he was the Guardian Angel of Portugal.

In the Autumn of the same year, the Angel appeared a third time.
He carried a host in his right hand extended over a Ciborium which he held with the left hand.
Again the Angel taught the children a beautiful prayer and before parting distributed Holy Communion to the three little ones.

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MERCY, The GOOD SHEPHERD

Our Morning Offering – 6 October – O Lord, Show Thy Mercy to Me

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 6 October

O Lord, Show Thy Mercy to Me
By St Jerome (347-419)
Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

O Lord, show Thy mercy to me
and gladden my heart.
I am like the man
on the way to Jericho,
who was overtaken by robbers,
wounded and left for dead.
O Good Samaritan,
come to my aid.
I am like the sheep which went astray.
O Good Shepherd,
seek me out and bring me home,
in accord with Thy will.
Let me dwell in Thy house
all the days of my life
and praise Thee,
forever and ever
with those who are there.
Amen.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, HYMNS, JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 2 October – Praise We the Guardian Angels of Men

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 2 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”

Custodes Hominum Psallimus Angelos
Praise We the Guardian Angels of Men
By St Robert Bellarmine SJ (1542-1621)
Archbishop of Capua, Theologian
Doctor of the Church

Angel-guardians of men,
spirits and powers we sing,
Whom our Father hath sent,
aids to our weakly frame,
Heavenly friends and guides,
help from on high to bring,
Lest we fail through the foeman’s wile.

He, the spoiler of souls,
Angel-traitor of old,
Cast in merited wrath
out of his honoured place,
Burns with envy and hate,
seeking their souls to gain
Whom God’s mercy invites to Heaven.

Therefore, come to our help,
watchful ward of our lives:
Turn aside from the land,
God to thy care confides
Sickness and woe of soul,
yea and what else of ill
Peace of heart to its folk denies.

Now to the Holy Three
praise evermore resound:
Under Whose Hand Divine
resteth the triple world
Governed in wondrous wise,
glory be Theirs and Might
While the ages unending run.
Amen

This Hymn by St Robert Bellarmine,was added to the Roman Breviary in 1608, by command of Pope Paul V. It is for Vespers in the Office for “the Holy Guardian Angels. Double of the second class, 2 October.”

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, ACT of PERFECT CONTRITION, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the POOR

Quote/s of the Day – 22 September – St Thomas of Villanova

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 22 September – St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor.

“Contrition is the remedy for sin.”

Criticised because he refused to be harsh
or swift in correcting sinners, Thomas said:
“Let him (the complainer) inquire
whether Saint Augustine
and Saint John Chrysostom
used anathemas and excommunication,
to stop the drunkenness and blasphemy
which were so common among the people
under their care.”

“If there are people who refuse to work
that is for the governor and the police to deal with.
My duty is to assist
and relieve those
who come to my door.”

I Will Love Thee, Lord
By St Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555)

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

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/22/quote-s-of-the-day-22-september-the-memorial-of-st-thomas-of-villanova/

St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555)

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, REDEMPTIVE Suffering, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION

Our Morning Offering – 11 September – Mother of Love, of Sorrow and of Mercy

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 11 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”

Mother of Love, of Sorrow and of Mercy
By St Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373)

O Blessed Virgin Mary,
Immaculate Mother of God,
who endured a Martyrdom of love and grief,
beholding the sufferings and sorrows of Jesus!
Thou didst co-operate in the benefit of my redemption
by thy innumerable afflictions
and by offering to the Eternal Father,
His only-begotten Son, as a holocaust
and victim of propitiation for my sins.
I thank thee for the unspeakable love
which led thee to deprive thyself
of the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus,
true God and true Man, to save me, a sinner.
Oh! make use of the unfailing intercession
of thy sorrows with the Father and the Son,
that I may steadfastly amend my life
and never again crucify
my loving Redeemer by my sins
and that, persevering till death in His grace,
I may obtain eternal life
through the merits of His Cross and Passion.
Amen
Mother of love, of sorrow and of mercy, pray for us!

Posted in HOLY SPIRIT, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on TIME, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HOLY GHOST

Our Morning Offering – 4 September – Prayer for Union with the Holy Ghost by St Pius X

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 4 September – Monday is the day in which we begin the work week with extra devotion to the Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Most Blessed Trinity to Whom we pray for enlightenment, for wisdom, for the light of inspiration.
We ask the Holy Ghost to work through us over the course of the day and the week. To remind us that we are instruments and help us to seek only the Will of God.

Prayer for Union with the Holy Ghost
By St Pius X (1835-1914)
Supreme Pontiff from August 1903-August 1914

O Holy Spirit of Light and Love,
to Thee I consecrate my heart,
my mind and my will
for time and for eternity.
May I be ever docile
to Thy Divine inspirations
and to the teachings
of the Holy Catholic Church,
whose infallible guide Thy art.
May my heart be ever inflamed
with the love of God and love of neighbour.
May my will be ever in harmony
with Thy Divine Will.
May my life faithfully imitate
the life and virtues
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To Him, with the Father
and Thee, Divine Spirit,
be honour and glory forever.
Amen.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, INDULGENCES, PAPAL MESSAGES, PAPAL PRAYERS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PLENARY Indulgences, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 3 September – St Pius X

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 3 September – St Pius X (1835-1914) Pope, Confessor

“My hope is in Christ,
Who strengthens the weakest
by His Divine help.
I can do all in Him
Who strengthens me.
His Power is Infinite
and if I lean on Him,
it will be mine.
His Wisdom is Infinite
and if I look to Him for counsel,
I shall not be deceived.
His Goodness is Infinite
and if my trust is stayed in Him,
I shall not be abandoned.”

O Divine Jesus!
Lonely in So Many Tabernacles
By St Pope Pius X (1835-1914)
“Pope of the Blessed Sacrament”

O Divine Jesus!
Lonely today in so many Tabernacles,
without visitor or worshipper,
I offer Thee my lonely heart.
May it’s every beat be a prayer of love to Thee.
Thou are ever watching under the Sacramental Veils,
in Thou love, Thou never sleeps
and Thou are never weary of Thy vigils for sinners.
O Loving Jesus!
O Lonely Jesus!
may my heart be a lamp,
the light of which shall burn and beam
for Thee alone.
Watch, Sacramental Sentinel!
Watch for the weary world,
for the erring soul
and for Thy poor lonely child.

O Jesus, my God, I adore Thee,
here present in the Sacrament of Thy love.
Amen

Indulgences:
100 days each time before the Tabernacle
300 days each time before the Blessed Sacrament Exposed
(St Pope Pius X – 3 July 1908)
Prayers to the Sacred Heart
15th Ed 1936

MORE HERE;
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/03/quote-s-of-the-day-3-september-st-pius-x-and-st-gregory-the-great/

St Pope Pius X (1835-1914)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC, franciscan OFM, HOLY COMMUNION, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 3 September – St Bonaventure’s My Lord, I am Unworthy!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 3 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The 14th Sunday after Pentecost

My Lord, I am Unworthy!
Prayer before Holy Communion
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

My Lord,
Who art Thou
and who am I,
that I should dare to take Thee
into my body and soul?
A thousand years
of penance and tears,
would not be sufficient
to make me worthy to receive,
so Royal a Sacrament even once!
How much more am I unworthy of it,
who fall into sin daily,
I, the incorrigible,
who approach Thee so often
without due preparation!
Nevertheless, Thy mercy
infinitely surpasses my unworthiness.
Therefore, I make bold
to receive this Sacrament,
trusting in Thy love.
Amen

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, MARIAN Aspirations and Ejaculations, MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PLENARY Indulgences, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS

September – Month of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross

Posted on by AnaStpaul

SEPTEMBER

Month of The Seven Sorrows
of the Blessed Virgin Mary and
The Holy Cross

Bid me bear, O Mother Blest,
On my heart, the wounds imprest,
Suffered by the Crucified!

An Indulgence of 50 days each time.
Plenary Indulgence once a month under the usual conditions.

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
The Burial of Jesus

What Can I Say?
By St Anselm (1033-1109)
Magnificent Doctor
Marian Doctor

My most merciful Lady,
what can I say about the fountains
that flowed from your most pure eyes
when you saw your only Son before you,
bound, beaten and suffering?
What do I know of the flood
that drenched your matchless face,
when you beheld your Son,
your Lord and your God,
stretched on the Cross without guilt,
when the flesh of your flesh
was cruelly butchered by wicked men?
How can I judge, what sobs,
troubled your most pure breast,
when you heard, “Woman, behold your son,”
and the disciple, “Behold, your Mother,”
when you received as a son
the disciple in place of the Master,
the servant for the Lord?
Amen

From “The Prayers and Meditations of Saint Anselm with the Proslogion,” Benedicta Ward, trans,1973, Penguin classics, Penguin Group (UK).

Posted in ACT of PERFECT CONTRITION, EXTREME UNCTION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, The LAST THINGS, VENIAL SIN

Thought for the Day – 25 August – EXTREME UNCTION

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 25 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

EXTREME UNCTION

“The Sacrament of Extreme Unction is the final link in the chain of favours with which our lives are girdled.
It heals the wounds which sin has left in us, comfers grace upon the soul and can even restore the health of the body if this coincides with our spiritual welfare.
“Is anyone among you sick?” asks St James. “Let him bring in the presbyters of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (Js 5:14-15).

Extreme Unction is a Sacrament of the living and should, therefore, be received in the state of grace.
If, for some grave reason, however, it is impossible for the sick man to make his confession, he can make, as far as is possible, an act of perfect contrition and receive this Sacrament, thereafter.
In this case, Extreme Unction can remit even the mortal sins which he is unable to confess.

Of itself, however, this Sacrament increases Sanctifying grace in the soul, pardons venial sins, remits the temporal punishment due to sins which have already been forgiven and removes the evil inclinations and weakness of will, which are the result of sin.
It enables the soul, moreover, to endure suffering and temptation and to await death with calmness and resignation.
We should be deeply grateful to God for deigning to comfort and assist us in our final trial!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 10 August – Holy Deacon Martyr, St Lawrence!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 10 August – St Lawrence (Died 258) “Keeper of the Treasures of he Church,” Martyr, Archdeacon.

Holy Deacon Martyr, St Lawrence!
Unknown Author

Holy Deacon! by thy yearning
For the Martyr’s glorious crown;
By thy tortures, by thy burning,
By thy death of bright renown;
When the world and flesh and devil
Tempt our souls to sin and evil,
Dear Saint Lawrence, pray for us!

By the love that thou didst ever
To thy Pontiff-Father bear,
Pray that no base act may sever
Us from Peter’s loving care!
But when men would once more lead us
Into bonds from which Christ freed us,
Dear Saint Lawrence, pray for us!

By the Pontiff’s words of warning,
Bidding all thy sorrows cease,
Words foretelling bitter mourning
Leading unto lasting peace!
That to Jesus in our sadness
We may look for help and gladness,
Dear Saint Lawrence, pray for us!

By thy love, which knew no measure,
For the needy and the old,
Giving them the Church’s treasure
Dearer they than gems and gold!
Teaching us that alms well given
Are but treasures stored in Heaven,
Dear Saint Lawrence, pray for us!

By thy fervent love for Jesus,
By thy strong and constant faith,
Of our sinful burdens ease us!
Help us at the hour of death!
When the fears of death confound us
When the cleansing fires surround us!
Dear Saint Lawrence, pray for us!

Posted in INDULGENCES, MARIAN Aspirations and Ejaculations, MARIAN NOVENAS

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, the Third Day, The Empty Tomb – 8 August

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, DAY THREE

The Third Day:
The Empty Tomb

Preparatory Prayer
by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Mary, Virgin most Blessed
and Mother of Our Lord
and Redeemer Jesus Christ,
through thy mercy I beseech thee,
to come to my aid
and to inspire me
with such confidence in thy power
that I may have recourse to thee,
pray to thee
and implore thy aid,
in all needs of soul and body.
Amen

Meditation:
St John Damascene (675-749) Father and Doctor of the Church, writes:
“St Thomas was not with the other Apostles when the Blessed Virgin died but arrived in Jerusalem on the third day after that event.
Ardently desiring to see once more and to venerate the sacred body which had given flesh and blood to his Beloved Master, the grave was opened for this purpose. The body could nowhere be seen and a delicious perfume filled the empty tomb.
The Apostles then became convinced, that as God had preserved the body of Mary free from sin before, in and after the Birth of His Son, He was pleased, likewise, after her death, to preserve that same body from corruption and, to glorify it in Heaven.”

A Council held in Jerusalem, in the year 1672, declared:
“It is beyond all doubt, that the Blessed Virgin is not only a great and miraculous sign on earth because she bore God in the flesh and yet remained a virgin but, she is also, a great and miraculous sign in Heaven because she was taken up to Heaven, with soul and body.
For although her sinless body was enclosed in the tomb, yet, like the body of Our Lord, it arose on the third day and was carried up to Heaven.”

Although the Doctrine of the bodily Assumption of Mary into Heaven, was not defined by the Church as an Article of Faith in the strict sense, yet, the learned Pope Benedict XIV rdeclares, “It would be presumptuous and blameworthy in anyone, to call into doubt or to question, this beautiful and consoling belief of ages.”

Practice: Let us rejoice at the thought of the glorious resurrection of our dear Mother. Let us unite ourselves in spirit with the Apostles in Heaven and with Holy Church, to congratulate her on this extraordinary privilege.
But let us also rejoice at the thought of our own resurrection. True, it shall not take place immediately after death but. it is, therefore, not the less certain and it depends on us, to make it glorious and blessed.

Prayer of the Church: We beseech Thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants that we who, by our own works, are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Novena Prayer: Day Three

Glorious Virgin and Mother of God, Mary!
As thy sacred body, after death,
was preserved from corruption
and, united with thy sinless soul,
was borne to Heaven by the Angels;
obtain for me the grace
that my life and death be holy,
so that on the Day of Judgement,
I may arise to glory everlasting.
Obtain for me too, I beg thee,
the granting of this my special petition:
……………………………
Amen

Hail Mary …….

Ejaculation: Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation!

Indulgence. (1) 100 days, every time. (2) A Plenary Indulgence, once a month, on any day, to all who shall have said it everyday for a month, under the usual conditions.

Posted in MARIAN Aspirations and Ejaculations, MARIAN NOVENAS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, THE ASSUMPTION

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption, the Second Day – 7 August

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption DAY TWO

The Second Day: At Mary’s Deathbed and Tomb

Preparatory Prayer
by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Mary, Virgin most Blessed
and Mother of Our Lord
and Redeemer Jesus Christ,
through thy mercy I beseech thee,
to come to my aid
and to inspire me
with such confidence in thy power
that I may have recourse to thee,
pray to thee
and implore thy aid,
in all needs of soul and body.
Amen

Meditation:

Ancient legend relates that, led by Heaven, all the Apostles, except St Thomas, Wwho joined them a little later, assembled at the Blessed Virgin’s deathbed. After she had breathed forth her pure spirit, her sacred remains were prepared for the grave by wrapping the body in new white linen and decking it with flowers . Meanwhile ,the Apostles, assembled in another room, sang Psalms and Hymns, in praise of their departed Mother. The Apostles, all the disciples and the faithful dwelling in Jerusalem, followed the blessed remains to the grave chanting Psalms and Hymns. Arriving in the valley of Josaphat, the body was gently placed in a sepulcher of stone, not far from the Garden of Olives. After the entombment ,the Apostles and crowds of the faithful, lingered near the sacred spot in prayer, meditation and chanting of Psalms in which Angels’ voices were heard to mingle.

Practice: Join in spirit with the Apostles and faithful in their prayer and meditation at the grave of our Blessed Mother. Contemplate and review her whole life. Could a course like hers have terminated more appropriately than with so beautiful, painless and tranquil a passing away? Prepare yourself, even now, for your departure from this life. Do not postpone the settlement of your affairs, spiritual and temporal, until the last uncertain hours. Above all, remove now, or as soon as possible, all doubts, anxieties and irregularities of conscience because, delay is dangerous and leads to impenitence and because, in the last hours, the powers of hell usually assail the departing soul with all their might.

Prayer of the Church: We beseech Thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants that we who, by our own works, are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Novena Prayer: Day Two

Glorious Virgin,
who for thy consolation
didst deserve to die comforted
by the sight of thy dear Son Jesus
and in the company of the Apostles and Angels,
pray for us, that at that awful moment we, too,
may be comforted by receiving Jesus
in the most holy Sacrament
and may feel see nigh,
when we breathe forth our soul.
Obtain for me too, I beseech thee,
this my special petition ………………..
Amen

Hail Mary …….

Ejaculation: Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation!

Indulgence . (1) 100 days, every time. (2) A Plenary Indulgence, once a month, on any day, to all who shall have said it everyday for a month, under the usual conditions.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Thought for the Day – 2 August – Acts which Catholics should Perform Everyday (Part One) by St Alphonsus Liguori

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 2 August – Meditations with our Saint of the Day, St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

Acts which Catholics
Should Perform Everyday (Part One)
from The Mysteries of the Faith: –
The Incarnation Vol. IV
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Upon Rising, after having made the Sign of the Cross:

My God!
I adore Thee,
I love Thee with my whole heart.
I thank Thee for all Thy benefits,
especially for having preserved me
during the past night.
I offer Thee all my actions
and sufferings of this day,
in union with the actions of Jesus and Mary
and I make the intention of gaining
all the Indulgences which I can gain.
I purpose, O Lord!
especially to avoid offending Thee this day!
Amen.

It is good to make a Resolution, particularly in regard to
the fault into which we fall the most often.

I beg Thee, for the love of Jesus,
to grant me the grace of perseverance.
I resolve to conform myself to Thy holy will
and particularly, in those things which are contrary to my inclination,
saying always, O Lord! Thy will be done.
My Jesus, keep Thy hand over me this day!
Most Holy Virgin Mary, take me beneath thy mantle.
And do Thou, O Eternal Father, help me,
for the love of Jesus and Mary!
O my Angel Guardian and my holy Patron Saints, assist me.
Amen.”

Say the Our Father, the Creed, three Hail Marys:
in honour of the purity of Mary.

When the Clock Strikes the Hour:

My Jesus, I love Thee;
never permit me to offend Thee again
and let me never be separated from Thee.

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Of PILGRIMS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, St Francis de Sales, The HOLY FACE

Quote/s of the Day – 13 July – “He who most loves,will be most loved.”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 13 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – 1 Petet 5:1-4; 5:10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:16

“Hide me then in the day of evil, O Lord,
in the secret place of Thy tabernacle,
in the hidden recesses of Thy Face,
“far from the strife of tongues” (Ps 26:5; 30:21),
for Thy yoke is easy and the burden
Thou hast laid on me is light (Mt 11:30).
And when Thou show me the difference
between Thy service and the service of the world,
gently and tenderly Thou asks me
if it is not better to serve Thee,
the living God, than to serve strange gods
(Cf 2 Chron 12:8). And I, for my part,
adore the hand that lays the load,
I kiss the yoke and I embrace the burden
and it is very sweet to me to sweat beneath its weight.
For masters other than Thee, have long possessed me…
I acknowledge Thy yoke and Thy light burden
which lifts me up and does not crush me down. …”

William of St Thierry O.Cist (c1075 – c1148)

“It is an old custom with the servants of God,
always to have some little prayers ready
and to be darting them up to Heaven
frequently during the day,
lifting their minds to God
out of the filth of this world.
He who adopts this plan,
will get great fruit, with little pains.”

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

“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)

“Let us always belong to God,
unreservedly and without interruption.
May He ever live and reign in our hearts.”

(Letter to Madame de Chantal)

“He who most loves,
will be most loved.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY SPIRIT, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 July – Live to Christ … Grow onto Him

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 3 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Leo II (611–683) Pope, Confessor – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:16

“Then go and learn,
neither to be moved with injuries nor flatteries.
If you die to the world and to yourself,
you will begin to live to Christ.”

St Macarius of Egypt (c300-390)

“He who abides in Me and I in Him,
the same bears much fruit”

John 5:5

“We are preserved in being, if we grow onto Him
and cling fast to the holy commandment,
which has been handed down to us
and, if we are eager to keep the blessing of nobility,
that is to say, if we never consent, in any way,
to “grieve the Holy Spirit” (Eph 4:30),
Who has come to dwell in us and, through Whom,
we believe, God has made His home in us. …
For just as the vine-stock supplies and distributes,
the virtue of its own inherent natural quality to the shoots,
so, too, the Only-Begotten Word of God,
implants, in His people, a sort of affinity
with His own nature and that of the Father.
By the gift of the Spirit, they are united with Him
by every kind of holiness.
He nourishes them, so that they become devout
and He moves them to knowledge of all virtue
and good works.”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Christ said that the shepherd
enters through the gate
and that He is Himself the Gate,
as well as the Shepherd.
Then, it is necessary,
that He enter through Himself.
By so doing, He reveals Himself
and through Himself, He knows the Father.
But we enter through Him
because through Him. we find happiness.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus
Doctor Communis

“Those with pride
are not Christ’s sheep
but the devil’s goats!”

St Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419)

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 1 July – Salvete Christi vulnera – Hail, Holy Wounds of Jesus, Hail!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 1 July – “The Feast and Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus”

Salvete Christi vulnera
Hail, Holy Wounds of Jesus, Hail!
Anonymous Latin Hymn, 17th Century

Hail, holy Wounds of Jesus, hail,
Sweet pledges of the saving Rood,
Whence flow the streams that never fail,
The purple streams of His dear Blood.

Brighter than brightest stars ye show,
Than sweetest rose your scent more rare,
No Indian gem may match Your glow,
No honey’s taste with Yours compare.

Portals ye are to that dear home
Wherein our wearied souls may hide,
Whereto no angry foe can come,
The Heart of Jesus crucified.

What countless stripes our Jesus bore,
All naked left in Pilate’s hall!
From His torn flesh flow red a shower
Did round His sacred person fall!

His beauteous brow, oh, shame and grief,
By the sharp thorny crown is riven;
Through hands and feet, without relief,
The cruel nails are rudely driven.

But when for our poor sakes He died,
A willing Priest by love subdued,
The soldier’s lance transfixed His side,
Forth flowed the Water and the Blood.

In full atonement of our guilt,
Careless of self, the Saviour trod—
E’en till His Heart’s best Blood was spilt—
The wine-press of the wrath of God.

Come, bathe you in the healing flood,
All ye who mourn, by sin opprest;
Your only hope is Jesus’ Blood,
His Sacred Heart your only rest.

All praise to Him, the Eternal Son,
At God’s right hand enthroned above,
Whose Blood our full redemption won,
Whose Spirit seals the gift of love.

Office Hymn at Lauds on the Feast of the Most Precious Blood. (The Hymn is also used for Lauds on the Friday after the Fourth Sunday in Lent, for the Office of the Instruments of the Passion.)
Translated by – Henry Nutcombe Oxenham (1829-1888) for whom I find little information.

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 28 June – Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ – The Angelus

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 28 June – Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ / The institution of the Angelus on 28-29 June 1456 by Pope Callistus III.

Pope Innocent XI, after the victorius battle of Vienna in 1683, requested the whole Christian world to recite the Angelus for peace.
Let us renew this pious practice if we have become lax in our devotion and let us pray the Angelus, for the protection of the Church in our own times, from the many menaces, on all fronts, internally and exteriorly facing the Faith, the world and the whole existence of the Catholic Church.

The Angelus
6.00a.m. + 12.00Noon + 6.00p.m.

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, etc.

V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc.

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

LET US PRAY:
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord,
Thy grace into our hearts
that we to whom the Incarnation
of Christ Thy Son was made known
by the message of an Angel,
may by His Passion and Cross
be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.
Through the same Christ Our Lord.
Amen

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN Aspirations and Ejaculations, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE, St JOHN the BAPTIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 June – – ‘ … Consider, then, the merit of the holy Baptist …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 27 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour, Within the Octave of St John – Isaias 49:1-3, 5-7, Luke 1:57-68 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed and he spoke blessing God.” – Luke 1:64

REFLECTION – “When John, his son was born, among his neighbours there was concern about what name he should be given. Writing tablets were offered to his father, so that he himself could put down the name that he had decided upon, so that he might express, in writing, what he could not, in speech. Then, in a wonderful manner, when he had taken the tablets in order to begin writing, his tongue was loosened, the written word gave way to speech and he did not write “John” but spoke it. Consider, then, the merit of the holy Baptist: he gave his father back his voice, he restored the faculty of speech to the priest. Consider, I say, his merit – John unloosed the mouth that the Angel had bound. What Gabriel had closed, the little child unlocked. When John is born, the father suddenly becomes a prophet or priest, speech attains its use, love receives an offspring, the office recognises the priest.” – – St Maximus of Turin (Died c 420) Bishop of Turin, Father (Sermon 6) St Maximus’ Feast Day today.

PRAYER – God our Father, Thou opens the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven to those who are born again of water and the Holy Ghost. Increase the grace Thou hast given, so that the people who have been purified from all sin, may not forfeit the promised blessing of Thy love. Grant that we may ever keep Thy Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, before our eyes and do all in Him and through Him and for Him and may the prayers of our Mother of Perpetual Succour ever guide and bear us in her care! We make our pray through Christ, our Lord,who livest and reignest with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God forever, amen. (Collect).

Ejaculation: My Lady and my Mother, remember, I am thine;
protect and defend me as thy property and possession.

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 23 June – Auctor Beate SæculiJesu, Jesu, Creator of the World!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 23 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and the Octave Day of the Sacred Heart

Auctor Beate Sæculi
Jesu, Creator of the World!
Unknown Author

Jesu, Creator of the world!
Of all mankind Redeemer blest!
True God of God in whom we see
The Father’s Image clear expressed!

Thee Saviour, love alone constrained
To make our mortal flesh Thine own;
And as a second Adam come,
For the first Adam to atone.

That selfsame Love that made the sky,
Which made the sea and stars and earth,
Took pity on our misery,
And broke the bondage of our birth.

O Jesu! in Thy Heart Divine
May that same Love forever flow,
Forever mercy to mankind
From that exhaustless Fountain flow.

For this Thy Sacred Heart was pierced,
And both with blood and water ran;
To cleanse us from the stains of guilt,
And be the hope and strength of man.

Jesu! to Thee be glory giv’n,
Who from the Heart dost grace outpour,
With Father and with Holy Ghost,
Through endless ages evermore.

Trans. The Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK slightly adapted from  Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878) original translation
Music: PUER NOBIS, LM; adapted by Michael Praetorius, (1571-1621).
This particular Vespers Hymn is taken from the Feast of the Sacred Heart. In a Seminary or Monastery, this hymn would be sung. It has a very compelling melody, which adds to the beauty of a Hymn which extolls the mercy of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The theme of the entire piece is Our Lord’s Sacred Heart and how It is the Fount of Mercy for all who come to Him. It tells how we should value the Infinite Redemption He wrought for us.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FREEDOM, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 June – ‘ … Please set us in the freedom of the children of God.’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – St Paulinus of Nola (c 354-431) Bishop, Confessor – 2 Corinthians 8:9-15, Luke 12:32-34 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” – Luke 12:34

REFLECTION – “Where is the heart which loves? On the thing it loves. Therefore, where our love is, there our heart is held captive. It cannot leave it; it cannot be lifted higher, it cannot go either to the right or the left; see, it is fixed. Where the miser’s treasure is, there is his heart and where our heart is, there is our treasure. And what is so deplorable is that the things which hold us in servitude, are, for the most part, such unworthy things!

And what is this? Some nothing, some imagination, a bitter word spoken to us, a lack of gracious welcome, a little refusal, the mere thought that someone does not think much of us – all these things wound and put us out of countenance, to such an extent that we are unable to let them go! Self-love attaches us to these imaginary wounds – we do not know how to escape them, we are always inside ourselves. And why? Because we are prisoners of this emotion and vice … Are we in “the freedom of the children of God?” (Rm 8,21). Or are we chained to goods, comforts, honours? …

O Saviour, Thou hast opened up the door of liberty to us, teach us to find it! Make us understand the importance of our liberty, make us turn to Thee, to come to understand it. Enlighten us, O my Saviour, that we may see what we are attached to and please set us in the freedom of the children of God.” – St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) Priest, Founder of Religious Communities (Conference of 16 May 1659, On indifference).

PRAYER – O God, Who promised to those who forsake all things in this world for Thee, a hundred-fold reward in the world to come and life everlasting, mercifully grant that, following closely in the footsteps of the holy Bishop, Paulinus, we may look upon earthly things as nought and long only for those of Heaven. Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

MAY the Heart of JESUS in the most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the Tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen. Indulgence 100 Days, Once a day. Raccolta 161 Pope Pius IX, 29 February 1868.