Thought for the Day – 16 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
A Christmas Novena The Cave of Bethlehem
“The main resolution which we should make, at the foot of the manger, is one of humility. We should be humble in mind because we should remember that we are nothing without God and that, everything which we have, comes from Him. In fact, we are less than nothing, for our physical and spiritual gifts have been given to us by God, whereas our sins belong entirely to ourselves!
We should also be humble of heart. We should be innocent and simple, like children, as the Gospel commands, trusting and loving, so that we may be worthy of God’s favours and consolations.
Unless we acquire the innocence and humility of spiritual children, we cannot be pleasing to God!”
Thought for the Day – 1 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Feast of All Saints
“Today’s feast should inspire in us, a burning desire to become holy. Men long for many things in this world, things which are often useless and, even sinful. They desire riches, pleasure, honours, success and material comfort. These things may be lawful but, they cannot satisfy the human heart, which is made for God. Whenever we achieve any of our ambitions in this world, are we in fact, happy or even perfectly satisfied? The truth is that we are not! because, the soul is greater than the objects which surround us. God alone can fill and satisfy it.
Sanctity should be our principal ambition. We should yearn to be more closely united to God, so that His Divinity may be reflected in our thoughts and in our actions. If we enjoy God’s friendship, we shall become more like God and shall be lifted up above petty mundane considerations. Perhaps, we doubt our ability to reach such a high spiritual level? Even so, we should, nevertheless, desire to reach it and, not just in a passing and indifferent manner but, constantly and actively. We should keep our desire alive by repeating it to ourselves and by continually praying for God’s grace to fulfil it. “I intend to become holy,” said little Dominic Savio and he kept the promise which he had made to God. Many people have formed the same resolution, both desert hermits and University professors, both humble workmen and rulers of nations. Since we ought to have the same intention, what is there to prevent us? Let us make this resolution now and put it into effect, with the help of God!”
Quote/s of the Day – 19 October – St Peter of Alcantara OFM (1499-1562) Confessor
“Keep guard too, over the heart, banishing every kind of vain and idle thought, all alien emotions of love, all passionate and tempestuous movements. Clearly enough, these all impede devotion. Like the violin, if we would play on it, so also the heart, if we would pray and meditate, must be kept well tuned!”
“Keep watch too, over the senses, especially the eyes, the ears and the tongue, for through the lips, the heart is scattered and by eyes and ears, is it filled, with varied imaginings and with much which disturbs the pea,ce and repose of the soul. Hence has it been truly said, the contemplative soul should be as one deaf, blind and dumb, for the less he dissipates his energies abroad, the more will he be recollected within himself.”
“For the same reason, incline toward a solitary life, for it remove from the senses, not merely occasions of distraction and from the heart, occasions of sin but, it also invites a man to enter more into himself and to occupy himself with God alone, for to this, one is indeeh drawn by circumstances of place, when no alien company finds admittance.”
Our Morning Offering – 28 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Pentecost XVI
Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to make amends for the outrages He suffers in the Blessed Sacrament By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Grant me, O Sacred Heart, by Thine own sweetness and boundless mercy, the pardon which I ask for, and give me grace to keep the resolution, which I now make, to do all I can in the future , to pay Thee, in the Sacrament of Thy Love, the profound adoration which I owe Thee and to show Thee that gratitude and love which are justly due to Thee. I resolve to repair my past faults by the modesty of my deportment in Thy Churches, by my constancy in visiting Thee, my devotion and fervour in receiving Thee and, in fulfilment of Thy desire, I impose upon myself the duty of often repeating Acts of Reparation in Thy Presence, as Thou hast deigned to direct, in order, as far as I can, to atone for the injuries done Thee by others and of which Thy very love makes Thee the Victim in this Divine Sacrament.
Bless, I beseech Thee, this resolve and give me grace to keep it faithfully. Amen
Thought for the Day – 15 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)
“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5
XLVI: … On Meditation
“When a considerable length of time [as a half-hour, hour, or an even longer period] is to be spent in prayer, it is advisable to make a meditation on some feature of our Saviour’s Life or Passion; the reflections naturally arising from such meditation, should then be applied to the particular virtue we are striving to attain.
If, for instance, you need patience, contemplate the Mystery of your Saviour Scourged at the Pillar. Consider firstly, the blows and revilements hurled at Him by the soldiers as they brutally drag their innocent victim to the appointed place as ordered. Secondly, consider Him stripped of His garments, exposed to the piercing cold. Thirdly, picture those innocent hands, bound tightly to the pillar. Fourthly, consider His Body, torn with whips until His Blood moistened the earth. And finally, envision the frequency of the blows, creating new wounds, re-opening others on that Sacred Body.
Dwelling on these or similar details, calculated to inspire in yourself, a love of patience, you should try to feel within your very soul the inexpressible anguish so patiently borne by your Divine Master. Then consider the excruciating agony of His spirit and the patience and mildness with which that agony was endured by Him, Who was ready to suffer even more for God’s glory and your welfare.
Behold, then, your Master, covered with Blood, desiring nothing more earnestly than your patient acceptance of affliction and, be assured, that He implores for you, the assistance of the Heavenly Father that you may bear, with resignation, not only the cross of the moment but the crosses to come.
Strengthen, therefore, by frequent acts, your resolution to suffer, with joy and, raising your mind to Heaven, give thanks to the Father of mercies, Who didst send His Only Son into this world to suffer indescribable torments and, to intercede for you in your necessities.
Conclude your meditation by beseeching Him to grant you the virtue of patience, through the merits and intercession of this beloved Son, in Whom He is well pleased.”
I will this day, try to live a simple, sincere and serene life, repelling promptly, every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity and self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity and the habit of holy silence, exercising economy in expenditure, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity in every trust and a child-like trust in God.
Bishop John H Vincent 1900
“What we need most, in order to make progress, is to be silent before this great God with our appetite and with our tongue, for the language He best hears is silent love.”
“Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of this world, disturb it.”
St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Mystical Doctor of the Church
“Anyone who takes life seriously in the Christian sense, will regard it as a difficult journey towards perfection and towards God. This journey will be, at the same time, painful and joyful. … It is our own loss if we sit down lazily on the side of the road, which should lead us to Heaven. It is even more disastrous, if we acknowledge defeat and lay down the spiritual weapons of prayer and renunciation, in order to surrender ourselves to sin or to indifference. Everyday we should say to ourselves, in the presence of God – A new life is beginning … in You, by Your grac and for You! Amen”
Thought for the Day – 31 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Last Day of the Year
“Now that the year is almost over, cast your mind back to the good resolutions which you made at the beginning of it. Have you put these resolutions into effect? Has there been any improvement in your spiritual life during these twelve months, or must you confess, that it has deteriorated? How often have you committed sin, perhaps even grave sin, during the year? When God appealed to you to perform some good action, how often did you refuse Him?
Your future outlook is very dark if your life has developed into a gradual descent towards evil. Anyday, God could grow tired of your ingratitude and obstinacy and send death to end your infidelity. Then you would almost certainly, be damned forever. If you have surrendered to spiritual languor and mediocrity, therefore, it is time for you to stir yourself. It is time to become more generous with God, to display a greater spirit of self-sacrifice in responding to His appeals and to form further resolutions.
Virtue cannot co-exist with spiritual tepidity, which leads inevitably, towards sin.”
Quote of the Day – 23 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”
Preparation for the Nativity
“Our preparation, finally, should also embrace the will. In other words, we should make good resolutions during our Christmas Novena. We should resolve to be more fervent in prayer, to be more mortified and, to make greater efforts to practise virtue.
Everyday and, if possible, every hour, let us think of and invoke the Divine Child. Let us ask Him to help us to model our lives on His, so that they may be full of humility, of love for God and for our fellowmen, of perfect resignation to suffering and of voluntary mortification and penance, designed to prove our love for Jesus and to expiate our sins.”
Thought for the Day – 26 November – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
“How to Pray at All Times” By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
A Method of MENTAL PRAYER or Meditation According to St Alphonsus. Excerpt – Part III Conclusion
III. CONCLUSION.
Three short fervent Acts:
(1) Thank God for the Light He has given you.
(2) Renew your resolution to abstain from some fault, or to do some good thing, during the day.
(3) Ask the Eternal Father, for the love of Jesus and Mary, to aid you to keep your resolutions. At the end of meditation, always pray for poor sinners and for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
NB: – The acts and prayers of petition should occupy the most of the time. Thus, in a half-hour’s prayer, give three minutes to the preparation; reflect for five minutes and then pray for the balance of the time left to you.
Thought for the Day – 25 November – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
“How to Pray at All Times” By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
A Method of MENTAL PRAYER or Meditation According to St Alphonsus. Excerpt – Part II THE BODY OF THE PRAYER.
II. THE BODY OF THE PRAYER.
Use the mind in thinking on some subject as much as is necessary in order to pray fervently. But do not imagine that very much is necessary in order to pray. Do not wait for a great fire to burn up in your soul but cherish any little spark you may feel.
To help your mind, read a text of Scripture or a short Meditation in a book. St Teresa used a book in her Meditations for seventeen years.
Meditate for a few minutes on any thought which has struck you, that is, think for a short time on the meaning, the lessons it teaches and ask yourself: What have I done about this hitherto? What shall I now do? But remember, you think only in order that you may pray.
The great benefit of Mental Prayer consists. less in meditation or thinking, than in acts, prayers and resolutions – the fruits of Meditation. The thinking is the needle which draws after it the golden thread of the fruits (the acts, prayers and resolutions).. The thread is more important than the needle. The chief part of the time of Meditation should, then, be spent in making:
Acts and Affections: Examples. –Acts of Humility: ‘My God, I am nothing in Thy sight.’ Act of Thanksgiving: ‘My God, I thank Thee for Thy goodness.’ Act of Love: ‘ My God, I love Thee with my whole heart. I wish to please Thee in all things. I will only what Thou wiliest. I love Thee because Thou art Infinitely Good. Do with me and mine all that pleases Thee because it is Thy Will.’ Acts of Love and of contrition are golden chains binding us to God. St Thomas says: ‘ Every Act of Love merits eternal life. Make then many simple but fervent, Acts of Love and Sorrow.
Prayers of Petition: In mental prayer, it is extremely useful and, perhaps better than all else, to make many earnest petitions for the graces you wish. Always ask, above all, for (a) the perfect forgiveness of all past sin; (b) the perfect love of God and (c) the Grace of a holy death. …
Resolutions: ‘The progress of a soul,‘ says St Teresa, ‘ does not consist in thinking much of God but in loving Him and this love is gained by resolving to do much for Him.‘ Make one practical resolution which you mean to keep during the day.
Thought for the Day – 20 November – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
“How to Pray at All Times” By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
The Practice of Praying Constantly Remembering Indulgences Excerpt from Chapter Five:3
“Here, in passing, I would remind the reader of Indulgences which are attached to various Acts of Devotion and also, I would remind him, of the desirability of renewing, each morning, the intention of gaining, during the day, all the Indulgences possible. …
In like manner, form the intention of gaining too, all the Indulgences granted for saying the Rosary on beads properly blessed, the Angelus three times a day, the Litany of our Blessed Lady, the Salve Regina, the Ave Maria and the Gloria Patri; … for reciting the prayer Anima Christi; for bowing the head at the Gloria Patri and at the Most Holy Names of Jesus and Mary; for hearing Mass; for making half an hour’s mental prayer – for this, there is a Partial Indulgence, and also, if the meditation is made daily, a Plenary on the usual conditions of confession, Communion and praying for the intentions of the Church; for genuflecting before the Blessed Sacrament; for kissing the Crucifix …”
Quote/s of the Day – 14 November – St Josaphat Kuncewicz OSBM (1584-1623) Confessor, Archbishop, Martyr – Hebrews 5:1-6, John 10:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“I am the Good Shepherd, I know My Own and My Own know Me.”
John 10:14
“My sheep hear My Voice; I know them and they follow Me.”
John 10:27
“I am like the sick sheep which strays from the rest of the flock. Unless the Good Shepherd takes me on His shoulders and carries me back to His fold, my steps will falter and, in the very effort of rising, my feet will give way!”
St Jerome (343-420) Father and 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
“The measure of love, is to love without measure.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
Thought for the Day – 16 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
“Preparation for Death” By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
CONSIDERATION VII
Sentiments of One Who has Seldom Reflected Upon Death “Set thine house in order, for thou shall die and not live.” (Isa xxxviii: i)
SECOND POINT: Oh, how clearly, when the hour of death arrives, do the truths of faith make themselves felt, only to add greater torment to that dying man, who has lived a wicked life and particularly, if he is one who has been consecrated to God and so has had much opportunity of serving Him, much time, many good examples and much inspiration. O God, with what grief will he then reflect and say: “I once admonished others and afterwards, have committed more grievous sins than they. I once left the world and afterwards, have become more attached to its pleasures, vanities and love.” With what remorse will he then reflect upon the light which he has received from God, such as would have changed a heathen into a saint! With what remorse will he then recall to mind that he had despised the practices of piety in others, as weakness of mind and had praised certain worldly maxims of self-esteem and self-love; such as not liking other people to take” precedence of us, to avoid suffering and to enjoy every pleasure which may present itself.
“The desire of the ungodly shall perish.” (Ps cxii: 10). When the hour of death arrives, how much will the time which we waste now be coveted? St Gregory tells us in his Dialogues, of a certain rich man, named Chrysantius,-who had led a very wicked life and who, when the hour of death came, cried out against the devils, who visibly appeared to him to seize him: “Give me time, give me until to-morrow.” And these answered him, saying: “O fool, dost thou now seek time? Thou hast had so much and wasted it and spent it in sin and now, dost thou ask for it? Now there is no more time for thee.” The wretched man continued to cry and to implore help. A son of his, whose name was Massimo and who was a Monk, was with him, to whom the dying man said: “My son, help me Massimo, my son, help me.” And in the meantime, throwing himself from one side of the bed to the other and thus agitated and with cries of despair, he breathed forth his wretched soul. Alas, that these foolish ones should so love their folly in life but should put off until the hour of death to open their eyes to their folly and then confess, they have been so unwise! For at that time it only serves to increase the difficulties which they feel in trying to atone for the sins … and dying in this frame of mind, the salvation of their souls is very doubtful.
My brother, perhaps whilst reading this you are saying to yourself: “Yes, it is very doubtful.” But if it is so doubtful, your folly and your misfortune is much greater still, if, as you know and understand, these truths in life, you do not try to make amends for past sins now. These words, even, which you have just read, would be a sword of sorrow for you in death. Arise, therefore, for as there is time to avoid a death so frightful, hasten to make amends for the past and wait not, until there will be no fit time for reparation. Wait not for another month, another week. It may be that this light which God now grants to you in mercy, may be the last light and the last call for you. It is foolish, indeed, not to wish to think upon death, which is absolutely certain and on which eternity depends but, it is greater folly, to think upon it and not to prepare for it. Make those reflections and resolutions now, which you would make, if you were dying now with profit but, at that time, very uselessly; now is the hope of being saved but at that time in great fear, lest you should not be saved.
A gentleman of the Court of Charles XI. when leaving Court, being asked by the Emperor for what reason he was leaving, answered, that in order to be saved, it is necessary that some interval should elapse between the time of repentance from a sinful life and the hour of death, so that a period of penitence and reparation, may be passed through.
Affections andPrayers
No, my God, I will no longer abuse Thy Mercy. I thank Thee for the Light which Thou art now giving me, and I promise Thee to change my life, to amend my life. I can see plainly that Thou wilt not bear with me much longer. And shall I wait until Thou wilt be constrained to condemn me to everlastingdeath? or until Thou wilt give me up to a life utterly lost which would be a greater punishment to me than death itself. Look upon me at Thy feet; receive me into Thy favour. I know I do not deserve it but Thou hast said that “the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness.“ (Ezek xxxiii: 12).
Therefore, my Jesus, in the time that is past, I have offended Thy Infinite Goodness, now I repent with all my heart and I hope for pardon from Thee. With St Anselm, I will say to Thee: “Suffer not my soul to be lost through its sins, for Thou hast redeemed it with Thy Blood.” Look not upon my ingratitude, look only upon that love which caused Thee to die for me. If I have lost Thy Grace, Thou hast not lost the power to give it back to me. Have pity, therefore, upon me, my dear Redeemer. Pardon me and give me the grace to love Thee; whilst I, from this day forward, promise to love none other than Thee. Thou hast chosen me from amongst so many of Thy creatures to love Thee, therefore, I choose Thee, O my Sovereign Good, to love Thee above all. Thou dost go before me with Thy Cross I will not cease to follow Thee with that cross which Thou dost give me to carry. I embrace every mortification and every trouble which may come to me from Thee. It is enough that I am not deprived of Thy Grace, for with that, I am indeed content.
Quote/s of the Day – 2 August – St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
As you most probably are aware, the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games were marred by some degrading and horrible blasphemies. A parody of the Last Supper was enacted and broadcast with incredible obscenity. Let us pray St Alphonsus Act of Reparation on our knees with tears and love to Our Saviour:
Act of Reparation By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor of the Church Indulgence of 3 Years – Once a Day
O Jesus, my Saviour and Redeemer, Son of the living God, behold we kneel before Thee and offer Thee our reparation; we would make amends, for all the blasphemies uttered against Thy Holy Name, for all the injuries done to Thee in the Blessed Sacrament, for all the irreverence shown toward Thine Immaculate Virgin Mother, for all the calumnies and slanders, spoken against Thy Spouse, the Holy Catholic and Roman Church. O Jesus, Who hast said: “If you ask the Father anything in My Name, He will give it you,” we pray and beseech Thee, for all our brethren who are in danger of sin; shield them from every temptation to fall away from the true faith; save those who are even now standing on the brink of the abyss; to all of them, give light and knowledge of the truth, courage and strength, for the conflict with evil, perseverance in faith and active charity! For this do we pray, most merciful Jesus, in Thy Name, unto God the Father, with Whom Thou livest and reignest in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
“Lord it is good for us to be here” Matthew 17:4
“Lord, let us remain here; let us never more depart from this place; for, the sight of Thine Beauty consoles us more than all the delights of the earth! Let us, then, brethren, courageously resolve to bear patiently with all the sufferings which shall come upon us during the remaining days of our lives: to secure Heaven, they are all little and nothing. “Your sorrows shall be turned into joy.” (John 16:20) When, then, the crosses of this life afflict us, let us raise our eyes to Heaven and console ourselves with the hope of Paradise. Have courage! Let us love God and labour for Heaven. There the Saints expect us, Mary expects us, Jesus Christ expects us – He holds in His Hand a Crown, to make each of us a king in that eternal Kingdom!”
“Let us read the lives of the Saints; let us consider the penances which they performed and blush to be so effeminate and so fearful of mortifying our flesh.”
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
Act of Spiritual Communion By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
I desire, good Jesus, to receive Thee in Holy Communion and since I cannot now receive Thee in the Blessed Sacrament, I beseech Thee to come to me spiritually and to refresh my soul with Thy sweetness. Come, my Lord, my God and my All! Come to me and never let me ever again be separated from Thee by sin. Teach me Thy blessed ways, help me with Thy grace to imitate Thy example, to practise meekness, humility, charity and all the virtues of Thy Sacred Heart. My divine Master, my one desire is to do Thy will and to love Thee, more and more. Help me, that I may be faithful to the end, in Thy service. Bless me in life and in death, that I may praise Thee, forever in heaven, Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 31 July – St Ignatius Loyola SJ (1491-1556) Priest, Confessor, Founder, Theologian, Spiritual Writer, Mystic.
“Be generous to the poor orphans and those in need. The man to whom our Lord has been liberal ought not to be stingy. We shall one day find in Heaven, as much rest and joy as we ourselves have dispensed in this life.”
“If our Church is not marked by caring for the poor, the oppressed, the hungry, we are guilty of heresy!”
“After we experience the great peace of knowing God’s Love for us which quiets our anxieties and insecurities, we find another deep desire stirring within us. We desire greatness because we are made for greatness!”
Teach Us Good Lord By St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)
Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deserves to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do Thy Will. Amen
Eternal Lord of All By St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)
Eternal Lord of all things, I come before Thine Infinite Goodness and before Thy glorious Mother and all the Saints of the heavenly court, to make my offering, with Thy grace and favour, it is my wish, desire and determination, provided that it would be for Thy greater service and praise, to imitate Thee in suffering injury, insults and poverty, actual, as well as spiritual, should Thine most Holy Majesty choose to receive me, in such a way of life. Amen
Thought for the Day – 30 June – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
The Adorable Heart of Jesus Meditations for a Month
EXERCISES OF DEVOTION.
Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to make amends for the outrages He suffers in the Blessed Sacrament
O Heart of Jesus, ever on fire with love for men and ever outraged by their ingratitude! Thou hast done everything on earth, during Thy mortal life, to show Thy Love to men, even so far, as to wear Thyself out and to consume Thyself for them. Thy Love was repaid then, by nothing but contempt and the most disgraceful insult. And now that Thou burnest with the self-same love in the Holy Eucharist, where Thou art still dwelling in Thy Sacrament of Love in the midst of us, Thou dost suffer at the hands of ungrateful men the most cruel outrages, although they have no longer the excuse of ignorance and know now, what Thou art.
I see Thee on our Altars expose, during the lapse of so many hundred years, to numberless irreverences, sacrileges and insults, the memory of which fills me with horror and which, are going on now, even amongst those who believe in the True Faith!
Moved by these outrages, I prostrate myself before Thee, O Adorable Heart and weep for Thine outraged Love. I beg Thy pardon for the ingratitude of which I myself am guilty. I detest the sins which I have committed in Thy Presence by irreverence, coldness, and negligence. I would make reparation for them, as also, for the abominations committed against Thee by so many heretics and bad Catholics.
Would that by my homage and my grief, I could make amends to Thy injured honour. Would that by my tears and my blood, I could wash out the insults I deplore. Would that by some new kind of homage, I could atone for so many irreverences, insults and sacrileges. My life would not be too much to sacrifice for so worthy an object. Grant me, O Sacred Heart, by Thine own sweetness and boundless mercy, the pardon which I ask for, and give me grace to keep the resolution, which I now make, to do all I can in the future , to pay Thee, in the Sacrament of Thy Love, the profound adoration which I owe Thee and to show Thee that gratitude and love which are justly due to Thee. I resolve to repair my past faults by the modesty of my deportment in Thy churches, by my constancy in visiting Thee, my devotion and fervo.r in receiving Thee and, in fulfilment of Thy desire, I impose upon myself the duty of often repeating Acts of Reparation in Thy Presence, as Thou hast deigned to direct, in order, as far as I can, to atone for the injuries done Thee by others and of which Thy very love makes Thee the Victim in this Divine Sacrament.
Bless, I beseech Thee, this resolve and give me grace to keep it faithfully. Amen.
Thought for the Day – 23 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)
“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5
LII: … The Benefits derived from Meditations on the Cross and the Imitation of the Virtues of Christ Crucified
“GREAT are the ADVANTAGES to be derived from meditating on the Cross, the first of which is, not only a detestation of past sins but also, the firm resolution to fight against our ever-present disorderly appetites which, Crucified our Saviour. The second advantage is, the forgiveness of sins, obtained from Jesus Crucified and, a wholesome self-contempt which inspires us, forever to forsake offending Him and continually to love and serve Him with all our heart, in acknowledgment of that which He suffered for our sakes.
The third, is the unceasing labour with which we root out all depraved habits, however trivial they may appear. The fourth consists in our ardent efforts to imitate our Divine Master, Who died, not only to expiate our sins but, to bequeath to us, the sublime example of a life of sanctity and perfection.
The following method of meditation will be highly serviceable, assuming, as I do, that you particularly wish to imitate the patience of your Saviour in carrying your crosses. Consider well these several points:
What the Soul of Christ suffered for God. What God did for the Soul of Jesus. What the Soul of Jesus did, for itself and its Body. What Jesus did for us. What we ought to do for Jesus.
Consider in the first place that the Soul of Jesus engulfed in the ocean of Divinity, contemplated that Infinite and Incomprehensible Being, before Whom, even the most exalted of creatures is utterly insignificant – contemplated, I say, in a state so debased as to suffer the vilest indignities of ungrateful man, without the least diminution of its essential glory and splendour. And from the depths of its suffering, the Soul of Christ adored its Sovereign Majesty, giving it myriad thanks and accepting all for its sake.
Behold, on the other hand, what God bestowed on the Soul of Jesus – consider that the Divine Will decreed the scourgings, spittle, blasphemies, buffetings, crown of thorns, for love of us and the crucifixion which were meted out to Jesus, the Only and Beloved Son of God. See with what delight God, knowing the admirable end to which it was all directed, beheld His Divine Son, loaded with infamy and overwhelmed with affliction.
Contemplate next, the Soul of Jesus and observe with what alacrity it submitted itself to the Will of God, either because of the immensity of its Divine Perfection, or the Infinity of Divine Favour bestowed upon it. Who can describe the ardent affection of this Soul for crosses? This was a Soul which sought, even new ways of suffering,and failing in this, abandoned itself and the innocent Body to the mercy of miscreants and the powers of Hell.
Turn, then, your eyes to Jesus, Who, from the midst of His Agony, addresses you in this affectionate manner: “See to what depths of misery I am reduced by thy ungovernable will, which refuses the least constraint in compliance with mine. Behold the horrible pains I endure, with no other purpose than to teach thee a lesson of patience. And let me persuade you, by all these sufferings, to accept with resignation, this cross I here present and those which I shall send in the future. Surrender your reputation to calumny and your body to the fury of the persecutors whom I shall choose for your trial, however vile and inhuman they may be. Oh, that you didst know what delight your patience and resignation afford me! But then, how can you be ignorant of it, when you behold these wounds received to purchase for you, those virtues with which I would adorn your soul, more dear to me, than life itself? If I have suffered this debasement for you, can you not bear a light affliction, in order to lessen My Agony to some degree? Can you refuse to heal those Wounds, I have received, through your impatience, Wounds more cruel to me than physical anguish?”
Consider who it is who speaks thus to you – consider that it is Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, true God and true Man. Consider too, the magnitude of His torments and humiliations, greater than that deserved by the most vicious of criminals. Be astonished to behold Him in the midst of these agonies, not only firm and resolute but even replenished with joy, as if the day of His Passion was a day of triumph. Just as a few drops of water sprinkled upon a flame, only adds a fresh intensity to its glow, so did His torments, embraced in a charity which made the burden seem light, serve to augment his joy and desire of suffering still greater affliction. Moreover, reflect that throughout His entire life, He was motivated, not by compulsion or self-interest but rather, by pure love alone that you may learn from Him, the manner of practicing patience. Endeavour, therefore, to attain a perfect knowledge of what He demands of you and consider His delight at your practice of patience. Then form an ardent desire of carrying this cross and heavier ones, not only with patience but with joy, that you may more exactly imitate Christ Crucified and render yourself more acceptable to Him!
Picture to yourself all the torments and indignities of His Passion and amazed at His constancy, blush at your own weakness. Look upon your sufferings as merely imaginative, when compared to His and regard your patience as not even the faintest anticipation of His. Dread nothing so much as an unwillingness to suffer for your Saviour, rejecting such unwillingness as a suggestion from Hell.
Consider Jesus on the Cross as you would a devout book, worthy of your unceasing study and, by which you may learn the practice of the most heroic virtues. This is the book which may truly be called the “Book of Life” [Apocalypse, III, 5], which, at once enlightens the mind by its doctrines and inflames the will by its examples. The world is full of books but were it possible for man to read them all, he would never be so well instructed, to hate vice and embrace virtue, as by contemplating a Crucified God!
But remember that there are those who spend hours lamenting the Passion of our Lord and admiring His patience and yet, on the first occasion, betray as great an impatience, in suffering, as if they had never thought of the Cross. Such men are like untried soldiers, who, in their barracks breathe nothing but conquest but on the first appearance of the enemy, beat a hasty and inglorious retreat! What is more despicable after considering, admiring and extolling the virtues of our Redeemer, than to forget them all, in an instant, when an opportunity of practicing them presents itself!”
Thought for the Day – 27 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Agony of Jesus
“While Jesus was praying and suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and the Apostles were unconcernedly sleeping, a group of hired ruffians approached, led by the traitor, Judas. Jesus went to meet them and quietly allowed Himself to be fettered by these rascals. He could have struck them to the ground in an instant or, as He said Himself, called more than twelve legions of Angels to His defence (Cf Mt 16:33). But this was the hour of the power of darkness. “This is your hour and the power of darkness” (Lk 22:53). When the Apostles saw Him being bound and led away, like an evil-doer, they deserted Him and ran away. “Then, all the disciples left him and fled” (Mt 26:56).
We also, may have been guilty of such shameful conduct on many occasions! Whenever God granted us the experience of His consoling presence by means of His grace or favours, we formed the most generous resolutions. But, in the presence of difficulties or of bad example from others, we may have shamefully deserted Jesus! Let us reflect whether this is so and reinforce our good resolutions.”
Thought for the Day – 21 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)
“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5
XXXV: … Of the Means Whereby Virtues are Acquired (Part One)
“For the attainment of holiness, we need, besides all that has been already described, a great and generous heart, a will which is neither slack nor remiss but firm and resolute and withal, a certain expectation of having to pass through many bitter and adverse trials.
And furthermore, there are particular inclinations and affections which we may acquire by frequently considering how pleasing they are to God, how excellent and noble in themselves and, how useful and necessary to us, inasmuch as from them and in them, all perfection has its origin and end.
Let us, then, make a steadfast resolution every morning to exercise ourselves therein, according to the occasions which may arise in the course of the day; during which, we should often examine ourselves, to see, whether or not, we have fulfilled them, renewing them afterwards more earnestly. And all this with especial reference to that virtue which we have in hand.
So also, let the examples of the Saints and our prayers and meditations on the life and passion of Christ, which are so needful in every spiritual exercise, be applied principally to the particular virtue in which we are, for the time exercising ourselves.
Let us do the same on all occasions which may arise, however variant in kind, as we shall presently explain more particularly.
Let us so inure ourselves to acts of virtue, both interior and exterior,that we may come at last to perform them with the same promptness and facility, with which, in times past, we performed others agreeable to our natural will. And, as we said before, the more opposed such acts are to these natural wishes, the more speedily will the good habit be introduced into our soul.”
Thought for the Day – 8 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)
“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5
XXX: … On the Delusions of Some, Who Consider Themselves on the Way to Perfection
“Our malignant foe, thus repulsed in his first and second assault and stratagem, has recourse to a third which is, to turn away our attention from the enemies who are close at hand to injure and assail us and to fill us with resolutions and desires, after higher degrees of perfection.
Hence, we are continually being wounded; yet, we pay no attention to our wounds and looking upon these resolutions, as already fufillled, we take pride in them in various ways.
Therefore, at the very time when the least contradiction or affront upsets us, we amuse ourselves with grandiose dreams of being ready to suffer the greatest torments or the pains of Purgatory itself, for the love of God. And because our inferior part feels no repugnance at these things in the distance, we flatter ourselves, miserable creatures, as we are, into the conceit that we belong to the class of patient and heroic sufferers! To avoid this snare, resolve to fight manfully against the enemies who are close at hand and actually waging war against you.
You will thus discover whether your resolutions are real or imaginary, weak or strong and so, you will go onto virtue and perfection, by the beaten and Royal Road.
But, against enemies who are not wont to trouble you, I do not advise you to take up arms, unless there appear a probability of their making an attack at some future time. In this case it is lawful to make resolutions beforehand that you may be found strong and prepared.
Do not, however, judge of your resolutions by their effects, even though you should have long and faithfully exercised yourself in virtue but, be very humble with regard to them; fear yourself and your own weakness and trust in God and seek His help by frequent prayer to strengthen and preserve you in all dangers and especially from the very slightest presumption or self-confidence. For in this case, although we may not be able to overcome some slight defects which our Lord sometimes leaves in us, in order to greater, humility and self-knowledge and for the protection of some virtue, we may yet be permitted to form purposes of aspiring to higher degrees of perfection.”
Thought for the Day – 7 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)
“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5
XXIX: … Of the Efforts of the Devil to Prevent the Conversion of Those Who Desire It (Part Two)
“Prompt obedience, I say and not mere resolutions; for these are often fallacious and many have been deceived thereby through various causes:
+++ FIRST: Because our resolutions are not founded upon self-distrust and trust in God, but our excessive pride, whence proceeds this blindness and delusion, prevents our perceiving it. The light to see and the medicine to cure it, both proceed from the goodness of God, Who suffers us to fall that He may recall us thereby, from self-confidence to confidence in Him alone and from pride, to self-knowledge. Your resolutions, therefore, to be effective, must be steadfast and to be steadfast, they must be free from all self-confidence and humbly based on confidence in God.
+++ SECOND: When we are making our resolutions, we dwell on the beauty and excellence of virtue which attracts our will, slack and feeble as it is — but, when confronted by the difficulties which attend the attainment of virtue, the weak and untried, will fail and draw back. Learn, therefore, to love the difficulties which attend the attainment of all virtues, more than even the virtues themselves and use these difficulties, in various measures, to strengthen your will, if you desire, in good earnest, to acquire thesm. And know that the more courageously and lovingly you shall embrace these difficulties, the more speedy and complete shall be your victory over self and all your other enemies.
+++ THIRD: In our resolutions, we too often look, rather to our own advantage than to the will of God and the acquisition of the virtues He requires of us. This is frequently the case with resolutions made in times of great spiritual joy or acute sorrow, when we seem unable to find any relief but, in a resolution to give ourselves wholly to God and to the practice of virtue. To avoid this snare, take care in times of spiritual consolation to be very cautious and humble in your resolutions, especially in your vows and promises and in tribulation, let your resolution be to bear your cross patiently, according to the will of God, nay, to exalt it, refusing all earthly and, if so be it, even all heavenly consolation.
Let your one desire, your one prayer, be that God would help you to bear all adverse things, keeping the virtue of patience unstained and giving no displeasure to your Lord.”
One Minute Reflection – 22 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – St Vincent of Saragossa (Died 304) Protomartyr of Spain and St Anastasius the Persian (Died 628) Martyr – Wisdom 3:1-8; Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Resolve, therefore, in your hearts, not to meditate beforehand, how you are to make your defence. For I Myself, will give you utterance and wisdom …” – Luke 21:14-15
REFLECTION – “O strong love of God!I really think, nothing seems impossible, to one who loves. O happy soul which has obtained this peace, from its God! For it has become mistress over all the trials and perils of the world. If only it can serve its good Spouse and Lord, it fears none of them – and, with good reason … Think of something which occurs to me now and which, is applicable to those who are naturally pusillanimous and have little courage … Although, in actual fact, their soul has been raised up to this state, the weakness of their nature makes them afraid. We must be on the watch, or this natural weakness, will deprive us of a great crown. When you find yourselves as pusillanimous as this, my daughters, have recourse to faith and humility and do not fail to go forward with faith, for nothing is impossible to God (Lk 1:37). He has thus been able to give many holy Saints, the courage to endure all the cruel tortures which they had resolved to suffer for His sake!
It is of this resolution and this free-will that the soul wishes to make Him Master, though He has no need of our efforts. Indeed, His Majesty is pleased that His works should shine forth in those who are weak, since in these, there is more scope for His power and, for the fulfilment of His desire, to grant us favours…
Pay no heed to the arguments adduced by your mind and your own weakness – this weakness will only grow, if you begin to imagine, what will and what will not happen …This is no time to think about your sins, leave them alone, humility is out of place now, it comes at the wrong time… Be assured that the Lord never forsakes those who love Him and risk everything for His sake!” – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582) Carmelite, Doctor of the Church (Conceptions of the Love of God Ch 3:4-6).
PRAYER – Give heed to our humble prayers, O Lord, that we who know we are guilty of our own sin, may be saved by the intercession of Thy blessed Martyrs Vincent and Anastasius.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 – 3 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Necessity of Meditation in Silence
“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.”
Quote/s of the Day – 3 January – Help for those New Year Resolutions
“A tree is known by its fruit, a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost, he who sows courtesy, reaps friendship and he who plants kindness, gathers love.”
St Basil the Great (329-379) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Remember God more often than you breathe!”
“Grace is given, not to those who speak [their faith] but to those, who live their faith!”
St Gregory of Nazianzen (330-390) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Be strengthened in Almighty God and in the power of His might, for with His help, nothing is difficult. Throw off the heavy load of your own will, cast aside the burden of sin and gird yourselves as valiant warriors! Forget what you are leaving behind; strain forward to the great things before you. I tell you that every place where you set foot, shall be yours. For the Spirit, Who goes before your face is Christ the Lord. He will carry you to the topmost peak in the arms of His Love.”
JANUARY – The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family
The Second Council of Lyons in 1274 decreed that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow; whenever that glorious name is recalled, especially during the Sacred Mysteries of the Mass, everyone should bow the knees of his heart, which he can do even by a bow of his head.”
It may very well be that the custom of bowing the head at the name of Jesus has passed out of general use, as have other laudable customs, in recent times but, that does not prevent us personally, from continuing to live it and passing on to our children this ancient custom.
The ideal of the Catholic family has been once fully realised. There have been many good examples, all more or less approaching the ideal. But all except one must be regarded as having failed, at least in some respects, to achieve the perfection of family life. That one, of course, is the Holy Family of Nazareth. Since, therefore, God has given us the ideal fully realised, in the concrete, it is to that rather than the more remote symbols that we must go for our lessons, as to what the Catholic family should be. The Word was made flesh, to reveal to us, the mind of the Eternal Father. In order, then, to learn the mind of the Eternal Father concerning the nature and end of the Catholic family life, we cannot do better than turn our thoughts to the little home at Nazareth.
… The purpose of the Incarnation, is the salvation of souls. The purpose of the Church, is the salvation of souls. The purpose of the first Catholic Family, is the salvation of souls. The first and foremost purpose, then, of every Catholic family, is to obtain for its members, the possession of everlasting life. The family does not exist merely for the sake of the love of husband and wife; nor for the love of parent and children; nor for the acquisition of worldly fortunes; nor for the promotion of the children in business; nor for the material prosperity of nations. All these are lawful and subordinate aims, subordinate to the final aim of all human life — to help immortal souls to reach Heaven. This is the first and, in a sense, the only lesson to be learned from the Holy Family of Nazareth — the purpose of the Catholic family is the undoing of sin, the hindrance of sin, the propagation of those truths and virtues which lead to Eternal Life!
Thought for the Day – 1 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The New Year
“During these days, it is customary to exchange, verbally or in writing, good wishes for the New Year. But these poor greetings are often nothing more than conventional phrases. Men lack the power to transmute such good wishes into reality. God alone is the source of every material and spiritual good, therefore, He alone can ensure that these benevolent expressions are translated into deeds of Christian renovation. Since we are at the beginning of a new year, it is especially important for us to ask God more fervently and insistently, to bless the resolutions which are making for ourselves and the good wishes, which we are showering on our friends.
These wishes have no meaning and these resolutions have no force, if they are not accompanied by fervent and persevering prayer!”
AnaStpaul 
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