Category: CATHOLIC Quotes

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SIN, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 12 October – The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery – The Road to Calvary

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Thought for the Day – 12 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery
The Road to Calvary

“The Moment soon pases.
The executioners urge Jesus forward once more, towards the place of execution.
His strength is exhausted and He stumbles several times beneath the weight of the Cross.
Each time, however, He rises, covered with blood and dust and again, embraces the Cross.

How often we also fall!
Sometimes because of the weight of our cross, we fall in discouragement or in despair.
On these occasions, let us look towards the divine Sufferer and embrace our cross again, for it is the ladder by which we must ascend to Heaven.

Sometimes, it is sin which causes us to fall.
If we have yielded to the violence of temptation, let us look towards Jesus, just the same.
He Who loved us so much on the way to Calvary and on the tree of the Cross, is certainly ready to forgive and comfort us.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/11/thought-for-the-day-11-october-the-fourth-sorrowful-mystery-the-road-to-calvary/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, MARIAN PRAYERS, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Quote/s of the Day – 12 October – St Serafino of Montegranaro

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Quote/s of the Day – 12 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” and the Memorial of St Serafino of Montegranaro OFM Cap (1540-1604)

“Be constant in secret prayers
which God, Who indeed sees in secret,
rewards in the open.
Hold fast to this exercise
of a most excellent way of life.
that you may find hidden treasure
in the day of need.”

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“I have nothing,
just a Crucifix and a Rosary
but with these,
I hope to benefit the Friars
and become a Saint.”

Said by St Serafino upon entering the Novitiate

“… [I] resolved to recite a Rosary
for anyone who caused me trouble.
Then I heard the voice
from the Tabernacle say,
‘Your prayers for those
who mortify you,
are very pleasing to Me.
In exchange, I am ready
to grant you many graces.‘”

Saint Serafino prayed each day:

“Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour Crucified.”

St Serafino of Montegranaro (1540-1604)

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Hail MARY!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MOTHER of GOD, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The INCARNATION, The NATIVITY of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, To JESUS through MARY

Thought for the Day – 11 October – Mary, Mother of God

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Thought for the Day – 11 October – Feast of the Divine Maternity – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Mary, Mother of God

“The near-infinite greatness of Mary, flows from the fact, that she is the Mother of God.
The Eternal Word of the Father, consubstantial with Him in nature and equal to Him in majesty, willed to become man in order to set us free from the slavery of sin and to regain Heaven for us.
He became man in the chaste womb of the Virgin Mary.
He took a human body and soul and was born of her, as the God-Man.
For this reason, there is attributed to His Divine Person, the title of Son of Mary and to Mary, the title of Mother of God.

There is a relationship between Mary and each of the three Divine Persons, for she is the daughter of God the Father, the spouse of the Holy Spirit by whose power the Word became incarnate in her and the mother of the Word made Man.
She is, moreover, in the words of Dante, the “termine fisso di eterno consiglio” (Paradiso 33:1-3).
In other words, she is the centre of the eternal plan which God established for the redemption of the human race.
It was God’s eternal design to reunite creation to the Uncreated, by means of Mary.
She became the mother of the Eternal Word, in whom the divine and human natures were indissolubly united.
He redeemed us by His infinite merits but, in this work of redemption, He employed the co-operation of His holy Mother.
All the graces, privileges and virtues of Mary, flow from this great mystery of her divine Motherhood.
As befitted the future Mother of God, she was conceived free from the stain of original sin and full of grace.
Her mortal life was a continuous ascent towards the highest peak of sanctity.
When she died, she was assumed body and soul into Heaven, where she was crowned in glory, as Queen of Angels and Queen of Saints.
When we consider the sublime nobility of Our Lady, we should be moved to love and venerate her.
This love and veneration does not subtract in the slightest from God’s glory, because, she is the Mother of God.
In fact, it is a great advantage to us, to imitate her and to call on her to intercede for us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 10 October – The Third Sorrowful Mystery – The Crowning with Thorns

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Thought for the Day – 10 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Third Sorrowful Mystery
The Crowning with Thorns

“When we see Jesus scourged and crowned with thorns, how can we complain if our path in life is also strewn with thorns?
Jesus was the embodiment of innocence; He was God, yet He willed to suffer in order to expiate our sins and to teach us, that the surest road to Heaven is the way of the Cross.
It was because the Saints understood this so clearly, that they were so eager to participate in the Passion of Jesus Christ and to offer Him, not only the inevitable sorrows of life but, also voluntary suffering of their own, as a proof of their love.
Anyone who does not desire mortification and suffering, does not desire Heaven because, he is not a true follower of Jesus Crucified.

“They who belong to Christ,” says St Paul, “have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal 5:24).
Let us meditate carefully on the significance of these stern words, so often forgotten today.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/10/thought-for-the-day-10-october-the-third-sorrowful-mystery-the-crowning-with-thorns/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 October – St Francis Borgia

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 October – The Memorial of St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572)

“This death … has already levelled
his bow to strike me.
Is it not prudent to prevent its stroke,
by dying now to the world,
that at my death,
I may live to God?”

“O sensual, base,
miserable and blind life!
is it possible, that men should be
such strangers to their own happiness,
such enemies to themselves,
to be fond of thy false enjoyments
and for their sake,
to deprive themselves of those
that are pure, permanent and solid?!”

St Francis Borgia (1510-1572)

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/10/quote-s-of-the-day-10-october-st-francis-borgia-and-st-daniel-comboni/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the HIGH PRIEST, CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 October – You lack one thing – the road that leads to life

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One Minute Reflection – 10 October – “Month of the Most Holy Rosary” – Readings: Wisdom 7:7-11, Psalms 90:12-13,14-15, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-13, Mark 10:17-30

“You lack one thing – go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven and come, follow me.”…Mark 10:21

REFLECTION – “This, beloved, is the way in which we found our salvation, Jesus Christ, the High Priest who offers our gifts, the patron and helper in our weakness (Heb 10:20; 7:27; 4:15). It is through Him, that we look straight at the heavens above. Through Him, we see mirrored, God’s faultless and transcendent countenance. Through Him, the eyes of our heart were opened. Through Him, our unintelligent and darkened mind shoots up into the light. Through Him, the Master was pleased to let us taste the knowledge that never fades, He who is “the radiance of His splendour, who towers as much above the angels, as the title He has inherited, is superior to theirs” (He 1:3-4) (…)

Let us take our body. The head is nothing without the feet and the feet are nothing without the head. The smallest organs of our body are necessary and valuable to the whole body, in fact, all parts conspire and yield the same obedience, toward maintaining the whole of the body (cf.1 Co 12:12f.).
Therefore, let the whole of our body be maintained in Christ Jesus and let each submit to their neighbour’s rights in the measure determined by the special gift bestowed on them. Let the strong care for the weak and the weak respect the strong; let the rich support the poor and the poor render thanks to God for giving them the means of supplying their needs; let the wise show their wisdom, not in words but in active help; the humble must not testify to themselves but leave it to another to testify in their behalf. Those who are continent must not boast, knowing that it is another who confers on them the ability to remain continent.

Let us, therefore, reflect brethren, of what clay we were made, what and who we were when we entered the world, out of what grave and darkness, our Maker and Creator has brought us into the world, where He has prepared His benefits before our birth. Since, then, we owe all these blessings to Him, we are obliged to thank Him in every way.” … St Pope Clement I (c 35 – c 99) – Pope from c 90 to c 99 – Letter to the Corinthians, § 36-38

PRAYER – Almighty God and Father, you sent St Francis Borgia to be Your witnesses and to bring Your Church to all for the salvation of souls. Sustain us by their prayers that by our lives we may lead all to You through Holy Mother Church. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, STATIONS of the CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 9 October – The Second Sorrowful Mystery – The Scourging

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Thought for the Day – 9 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Second Sorrowful Mystery
The Scourging

“The Saints voluntarily imposed on themselves flogging and other severe penances, which would make us shudder in modern times, in order to control their bodily impulses and to expiate, along with Jesus, the sins of their fellowmen.
Today, the pleasure-loving world cries out against such barbaric folly and extravagance.
But you who are a Catholic, educated in the school of Christ Crucified, know that suffering has a mission in your life, that mortification is necessary for the control of the body.

We must make sacrifices in order to combat our evil impulses.
We should avoid weakness and self-indulgence.
Let us always remember that we are followers of Christ Crucified and should, therefore, be prepared to chastise our bodies, even to the point of undergoing martyrdom, if this is necessary, in order to avoid sin and to preserve our chastity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/09/thought-for-the-day-9-october-the-second-sorrowful-mystery-the-scourging/

Posted in QUOTES "CARPE DIEM" - Seize the Day, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHILDREN, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MORALS, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 9 October – 3 Saints

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 October – The Memorial of St Louis Bertrand OP (1526-1581) “Apostle of South America”, St John Leonardi OMD (1541-1609), Founder of the Clerks Regular of the Mother of God and St John Henry Newman C.Orat (1801-1890)

“Do not be afraid any longer, little flock,
for your Father is pleased
to give you the kingdom.
Sell your belongings and give alms.
Provide money bags for yourselves
that do not wear out,
an inexhaustible treasure in heaven
that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.”

“Those who want to work
for moral reform in the world,
must seek the glory of God
before all else.
Because He is the source of all good,
they must wait for His help
and pray for it,
in this difficult and necessary undertaking.”

“Children should be entrusted
only to good and God-fearing teachers.”

St John Leonardi (1541-1609)

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/09/quote-s-of-the-day-9-october-st-louis-bertrand-op-st-john-leonardi-omd-st-john-henry-newman-c-orat/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 October – Bearing Christ in our hearts

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One Minute Reflection – 9 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: : Joel 4: 12-21; Psalm 97: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Luke 11: 27-28

“He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “Mary was more blessed in accepting the faith of Christ than in conceiving the flesh of Christ. To someone who said, “Blessed is the womb that bore you,” He replied, “Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” Finally, for His brothers, His relatives according to the flesh, who did not believe in Him, of what advantage was that relationship? Even her maternal relationship would have done Mary no good unless she had borne Christ, more happily in her heart, than in her flesh.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of Grace (Holy Virginity, 3).

PRAYER – “O my God, whatever is nearer to me than You, things of this earth and things more naturally pleasing to me, will be sure to interrupt the sight of You, unless Your grace interfere. Keep You my eyes, my ears, my heart, from any such miserable tyranny. Keep my whole being fixed on You. Let me never lose sight of You and while I gaze on You, let my love of You grow more and more every day.” … St John Henry Newman (1801-1890) May we run the race in obedience and love of the Will of our God, always seeking Your Face in those who are the leastg. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The LAST THINGS

Quote/s of the Day – 8 October – St Bridget

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 October– The Memorial of St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303 – 1373)

“O Lord, make haste
and illumine the night.
Say to my soul
that nothing happens
without You permitting it
and that nothing of what You permit,
is without comfort.”

“O Mary,
you give assistance
to everyone endeavouring
to rise to God!”

“There is no sinner in the world,
however much at enmity with God,
who cannot recover God’s grace,
by recourse to Mary
and by asking her assistance.”

“Let everyone who has
the grace of intelligence,
fear that because of it,
he will be judged more heavily,
if he is negligent.”

St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303 – 1373)

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – – 8 October – ‘If it neglects the grace …’

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One Minute Reflection – – 8 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Joel 1: 13-15; 2: 1-2; Psalm 9: 2-3, 6 & 8-9; Luke 11: 15-26

“When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came…” – Luke 11:24

REFLECTION – “The unclean spirit dwelt in us before we believed, before we came to Christ when our soul was still committing fornication against God and was with its lovers, the demons. Afterward it said, “I will return to my first husband,” and came to Christ, who “created” it from the beginning “in his image.” Necessarily the adulterous spirit gave up his place when it saw the legitimate husband.

Christ received us and our house has been “cleansed” from its former sins. It has been “furnished” with the furnishing of the Sacraments of the faithful, that they who have been initiated know. This house does not deserve to have Christ as its resident immediately, unless its life and conduct are so holy, pure and incapable of being defiled, that it deserves to be the “temple of God.” It should not still be a house but a temple in which God dwells. If it neglects the grace that was received and entangles itself in secular affairs, immediately, that unclean spirit returns and claims the vacant house for itself. “It brings with it seven other spirits more wicked,” so that it may not be able again to be expelled “and the last state of that kind of person is worse than the first.” It would be more tolerable that the soul would not have returned to its first husband once it became a prostitute, than having gone back after confession to her husband, to have become an adulteress again. There is no “fellowship,” as the Apostle says, “between the temple of God and idols,” no “agreement between Christ and Belial.” – Origen of Alexandria (c 185-253) Priest, Theologian, Exegist, Writer, Apologist, Father (Homilies on Exodus, 8)

PRAYER – Lord God and Father, who entrusted the earth to men and each to the other, grant us the grace this day, to see Your Face. Grant us the grace to work faithfully for Your glory, for the salvation of our souls through the light of faith and by the grace which You have given us. We beg the grace of Your love and mercy and the light of love You send with Your Holy Spirit. May the prayers of Mary our Holy Mother, keep us ever in her guiding care. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen.

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HEART, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 7 October – The Fifth Joyful Mystery – The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

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Thought for the Day – 7 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Fifth Joyful Mystery
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

“To search for Jesus is the principal obligation of the soul, to find Him, is the highest happiness!
If we are without Jesus, our minds are in darkness and scared with false ideas.
Separated from Him, our hearts are filled with remorse, emptiness and yearning.
Only when Jesus is with us, have life and death any meaning.
Then we can set our journey towards the unfading star of Christian hope.

When Jesus promised to give us His Flesh to eat and His Blood to drink, He saw that His listeners were going away, scandalised.
“Do you also wish to go away?” He asked His Apostles.
“Lord,” replied St Peter, “to whom shall we go? Thou hast wprds of everlasting life” (Jn 6:69).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/07/thought-for-the-day-7-october-the-fifth-joyful-mystery-the-finding-of-jesus-in-the-temple/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 October – ‘ … He Who knows how to give good gifts to His children urges us to ask, seek and knock.’

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One Minute Reflection – 7 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Malachi 3: 13-20b; Psalm 1: 1-4 and 6; Luke 11: 5-13

“Which father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?” – Luke 11:11-12

REFLECTION – “Of those three things that the Apostle commends, faith is either signified by the fish because of the water of Baptism, or because it remains unharmed by the waves of this world. The Serpent is opposed to it, because it craftily and deceitfully persuaded man not to believe in God. The egg symbolises hope because the chick is not yet alive but will be; it is not yet seen but is hoped. “Hope that is seen is not hope.” The scorpion is opposed to hope because, whoever hopes for eternal life, forgets the things that are behind and reaches out to those that are before. It is dangerous for him to look backward and he is on guard against the rear of the scorpion, which has a poisoned dart in its tail. Bread symbolises love because “the greatest of these is love” and among foods, bread certainly surpasses all others in value. The stone is opposed to it because the stonehearted cast out love. It may be that these gifts signify something more appropriate, yet He who knows how to give good gifts to His children urges us to ask, seek and knock.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Letter 130)

PRAYER – Lord God and Father, who entrusted the earth to men and each to the other, grant us the grace this day, to see Your Face in our neighbour and to seek all who need our help. Grant us the grace to work faithfully for Your glory, for the salvation of our souls through the light of faith You have given us. We beg the grace of Your love and mercy and the light of love You send with Your Holy Spirit. May the prayers of Mary our Holy Mother, keep us ever in her guiding care. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 6 October – The Fourth Joyful Mystery – The Purification of Our Lady and The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple

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Thought for the Day – 6 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Fourth Joyful Mystery
The Purification of Our Lady and
The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple

“Then Joseph and Mary carried the Infant Jesus to the Temple to offer Him to God and to buy Him back as their first-born Son, with the price paid by the poor, namely, with a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.
Let us reflect on this new act of humility on the part of the Holy Family.
In spite of the supreme dignity which had been accorded them, they submitted quietly to the law which bound those in poverty and in sin.
We, who are so fond of money and of ostentation, have much to learn from this scene.
Jesus, the God-Man, is purchased back as a sinner for two for two young pigeons.
Mary, the Immaculate Virgin and Mother and Joseph, the holiest and noblest of men, make themselves subject to the law of sin.
We can derive from this, lessons in humility and in detachment from the goods of this world.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/06/thought-for-the-day-6-october-the-fourth-joyful-mystery-the-purification-of-our-lady-and-the-presentation-of-the-child-jesus-in-the-temple/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), The LORD'S PRAYER, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 October – “Lord, teach us…”

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Jonah 4: 1-11; Psalm 86: 3–6, 9-10; Luke 11: 1-4

“Lord, teach us to pray …”

Luke 11:1

“For what reason did God send Him to preach to the poor?
“To preach release to captives.”
We were the captives.
For many years Satan had bound us
and held us captive and subject to himself.
Jesus has come
“to proclaim release to captives and sight to the blind.”
By His word and the proclamation of His teaching,
the blind see.”

Origen (c 185-253)

“He did not treat us as our sins deserved.
For we are now sons of God.
How do we show this?
The only Son of God died for us,
so that He might not remain alone.
He who died as the only Son,
did not want to remain as the only Son.
For the only Son of God made many sons of God.
He bought brothers for Himself by His blood,
He made them welcome by being rejected,
He ransomed them by being sold,
He honoured them by being dishonoured,
He gave them life by being put to death.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Bishop, Great Western Father and Doctor of Grace

“For the Author and Giver of divine blessings
could not but be our Teacher as well,
providing the words of this prayer,
as precepts of life,
for those disciples who believe in Him
and follow the way He taught in the flesh.
Through these words,
He has revealed the hidden treasures
of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3)
that exist in Him as pure form.
And, in all who offer this prayer,
He kindles the desire to enjoy such treasures.”

St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662)
Monk and Theologian

Interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer

“Prayer is nothing other than union with God.
… This union of God with his little creature
is something beautiful.
It is a happiness that we cannot understand.
We had deserved not to pray
but God, in His goodness, allows us to speak to Him.
Our prayer is incense,
which He receives with tremendous pleasure.”

St John-Marie Vianney (1786-1859)

(Catechism on Prayer]

“Immediately after rising
and throughout the day,
all make the Sign of the Cross
and renew their trust in God:
to be strengthened by the power of the Father,
to be enlightened by the wisdom of the Son
and to be sanctified by the love of the Holy Spirit.
And as they bless themselves, they may say:
Of myself I can do nothing,
with God I can do everything,
I want to do everything for love of God.”

St Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850)

From the Rule of the Pallottines

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on PRAYER, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 October – ‘Lord, teach us to pray …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 6 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Jonah 4: 1-11; Psalm 86: 3–6, 9-10; Luke 11: 1-4

“He was praying in a certain place and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” – Luke 11:1

REFLECTION – “So, my brothers, let us pray as God our master has taught us.
To ask the Father in words His Son has given us,
to let Him hear the prayer of Christ ringing in His ears, is to make our prayer one of friendship, a family prayer. Let the Father recognise the words of His Son. Let the Son who lives in our hearts, be also on our lips. We have Him as an Advocate for sinners, before the Father, when we ask for forgiveness for ours sins, let us use the words given by our Advocate. He tells us – whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you. What more effective prayer could we then make,
in the name of Christ, than in the words of His own prayer?” – St Cyprian of Carthage (c 200- c 258) – Bishop, Father of the Church and Martyr (An excerpt from his “On the Lord’s Prayer”)

PRAYER – Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Teach us Almighty Father to pray, fill us with the love of Your Spirit and guide us always by the Word and Trust of our lives. With the Blessed Mother of God and of the Holy Rosary, we kneel in love and adoration. May her prayers lead us to heaven. Amen

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRISTMASTIDE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The CHRIST CHILD, The DIVINE INFANT, The HEART, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 5 October – The Third Joyful Mystery – The Birth of Jesus

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Thought for the Day – 5 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Third Joyful Mystery
The Birth of Jesus

“Like the simple shepherds, let us protrate ourselves with faith and with love before the Manger.
Let us offer, as our gifts, our good resolutions; let us offer our hearts and ask God to change them and make them entirely His forever.

Quite suddenly, the darkness of the night and the wretchedness of the cave was illuminated by a bright light from Heaven.
While men were unaware of, or indifferent to, the miraculous event which had taken place, bands of Angels descended from Heaven and sang: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace among men of goodwill” (Lk 2:13-14).
Joseph bent over the divine Infant and silently adored Him, while the Blessed Virgin knelt at His Feet in loving contemplation.

Let us too, learn to adore and love Him, as His Mother and Foster-Father did.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/05/thought-for-the-day-5-october-the-third-joyful-mystery-the-birth-of-jesus/

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, NOVENAS, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – Bl Francis Xavier Seelos

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – The Memorial of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos CSsR (1819-1867)

“It is only through suffering
that we become holy.
And to become holy is our only purpose in life,
our only preparation for heaven.”

TOP 10 Practical Guide to Holiness

  1. Go to Mass with deepest devotion.
  2. Spend a half hour to reflect upon your main failing
    and make resolutions to avoid it.
  3. Do daily spiritual reading for at least 15 minutes,
    if a half hour is not possible.
  4. Say the rosary every day.
  5. Also daily, if at all possible, visit the Blessed Sacrament
    and toward evening, meditate on the Passion of Christ for a half hour.
  6. Conclude the day with evening prayer
    and an examination of conscience over all the faults & sins of the day.
  7. Every month make a review of the month in confession.
  8. Choose a special patron every month
    and imitate that patron in some special virtue.
  9. Precede every great feast with a novena, that is, nine days of devotion.
  10. Try to begin and end every activity with a “Hail Mary.”

Bl Francis Xavier Seelos (1819-1867)

Posted in CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, HYMNS, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on PEACE, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 5 October – To Christ, the Prince of Peace

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Our Morning Offering – 5 October

To Christ, the Prince of Peace
Trans Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

To Christ, the Prince of Peace,
And Son of God most high,
The Father of the world to come,
Sing we with holy joy.

Deep in His Heart, for us,
The wound of love He bore;
That love wherewith He still inflames
The hearts that Him adore.

O Jesu, victim blest,
What else but love divine
Could Thee constrain to open thus
That Sacred Heart of thine?

O fount of endless life,
O spring of water clear,
O flame celestial, cleansing all
Who unto Thee draw near!

Hide us in Thy dear heart,
For thither do we fly;
There seek Thy grace through life; in death
Thine immortality.

Posted in franciscan OFM, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – St Francis

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – The Memorial of St Francis of Assisi (c 1181–1226)

“Alms are an inheritance
and a justice
which is due to the poor
and which Jesus
has levied upon us.”

“Start by doing what is necessary,
then what is possible
and suddenly, you are doing the impossible!”

“He who works with his hands,
is a labourer.
He who works with his hands and his head,
is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands
and his head and his heart,
is an artist.”

“For it is in giving that we receive.”

St Francis of Assisi (c 1181–1226)

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-october-beloved-st-francis-of-assisi/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on JUSTICE, SAINT of the DAY, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 October – ‘ … The weight by which Your Goodness, overcomes Your Justice. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 4 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Jonah 1: 1 – 2: 1-2, 11; Psalm Jonah 2: 3, 4, 5, 8; Luke 10: 25-37 The Memorial of St Francis of Assisi (c 1181–1226)

“But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him and seeing him, was moved with compassion. And going up to him, bound up his wounds …” – Luke 10:33-34

REFLECTION – “ How good You are, O Divine Samaritan, to gather up this wounded world so sadly fallen along the way, trapped in such mire and so unworthy of Your Goodness!

The more wicked the world, the more Your Mercy shines forth: to be infinitely good to the good, is a thousand times less admirable, than to be infinitely good to souls, who, even though lavished with graces, are simply ungrateful, unfaithful, perverse. The more wicked we are, the more the marvel of Your infinite Mercy gleams and shines. This in itself, suffices to explain, the great good that sin produces on the earth and explains, why You permit it. It makes way for an incomparable greater good – the exercise and manifestation of Your divine Mercy. This divine attribute could not be put into practice without it; goodness could be exercised and shown without sin but failure is needed, if mercy is to be manifested. Ah! My Lord and God, how Good you are! How Merciful! Mercy is, so to speak, the overflow of Your Goodness and what is most passionate in Your Goodness, the weight by which Your Goodness overcomes Your Justice. How divinely good You are! (…)

Be kind to sinners, since God is so kind to us – pray for them, love them. … “Be merciful as our Father is merciful” (cf. Lk 6:36). God “prefers mercy to sacrifice” (cf. Mt 12:7).” – Bl Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) Hermit and Missionary in the Sahara – (Meditations on the psalms 103, psalm 52)

PRAYER – All highest, glorious God,
cast Your light into the darkness of our hearts,
give us true faith, firm hope,
perfect charity and profound humility,
so that with wisdom,
courage and perception, O Lord,
we may do what is truly Your holy will.
Amen. – St Francis of Assisi

Posted in franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 4 October – Prayer to do the Will of God

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Our Morning Offering – 4 October – The Memorial of St Francis of Assisi OFM (c 1181–1226)

Prayer to do the Will of God
By St Francis of Assisi (c 1181-1226)

Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God,
grant us in our misery,
the grace to do for You alone
what we know You want us to do
and always to desire, what pleases You.
Thus, inwardly cleansed,
interiorly enlightened
and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit,
may we be able to follow in the footprints of
Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
And, by Your grace alone,
may we make our way to You,
Most High, Who live and rule in perfect Trinity
and simple Unity
and are glorified God
all-powerful, forever and ever.
Amen

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VANITY, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The ANNUNCIATION

Thought for the Day – 3 October – The First Joyful Mystery – The Annunciation

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Thought for the Day – 3 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The First Joyful Mystery
The Annunciation

“Consider now Mary’s reaction to the reverence and praise with which the Angel greets her.
Is she carried away by delight and exaltation at this solemn moment?
Nothing of the sort!
In her humility and modesty, she is disturbed by the Angel’s salutation and wonders what the reason is for it.
“She was troubled at his word and kept pondering what manner of greeting this might be” (Lk 1:29).

How do we behave when we receive praise from our superiors or from our friends and acquaintances?
We are pleased and overcome perhaps by feelings of vanity.
We smile to ourselves and are convinced that we are of more consequence than we really are.
We even feel the need to reveal our thoughts to others and, thereby, seek further aggrandisement!
There is a world of difference between the simplicity and humility of the Blessed Virgin and our vain hunger for praise and honour.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/03/thought-for-the-day-2-october-the-first-joyful-mystery-the-annunciation/

PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/03/thought-for-the-day-3-october-the-first-joyful-mystery-the-annunciation/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY SPIRIT, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 October – Childlike Trust

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 October – Readings: Genesis 2: 18-24; Psalm 128: 1-6; Hebrews 2: 9-11; Mark 10: 2-16

Childlike Trust

“Whoever does not accept
the kingdom of God
like a little child,
shall not enter it.”

Mark 10:15

“Father, I am seeking,
I am hesitant and uncertain
but will You, O God,
watch over each step of mine
and guide me.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“The greater and more persistent
your confidence in God,
the more abundantly
you will receive
all that you ask.”

St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Church

“Do not have any anxiety
about the future.
Leave everything in God’s hands
for He will take care of you.”

St John Baptiste de la Salle (1651-1719)

“Those whose hearts are enlarged
by confidence in God
run swiftly on the path of perfection.
They not only run, they fly
because, having placed all their hope in the Lord,
they are no longer weak as they once were.
They become strong
with the strength of God,
which is given to all
who put their trust in Him.”

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

“The Holy Spirit
leads us like a mother.
He leads His child by the hand…
as a sighted person
leads a blind person.”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on MARRIAGE, MARRIED LOVE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 October – “So they are no longer two but one flesh.” – Mark 10:8

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One Minute Reflection – 3 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Genesis 2: 18-24; Psalm 128: 1-6; Hebrews 2: 9-11; Mark 10: 2-16

“So they are no longer two but one flesh.” – Mark 10:8

REFLECTION – “That man, awake, anointed with splendour and who did not yet know sleep, fell on the earth naked and slept. It is likely that Adam saw in his dream, what was done to him, as if he were awake. After Adam’s rib had been taken out, in the twinkling of an eye, God closed up the flesh, … in the blink of an eyelash. The bare bone took on the full appearance and all the beauty of a woman. God then brought her to Adam, who was both one and two. He was one in that he was Adam and he was two because he had been created male and female.

Then Adam said, “Let the man leave his father and his mother and cling to his wife, so that they might be joined and the two might become one” without division as they were from the beginning. They were not ashamed because of the glory with which they were clothed. It was when this glory was stripped from them, after they had transgressed the commandment, that they were ashamed because they were naked.” – St Ephrem (306-373) Deacon in Syria, Father, Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Genesis, 2).

PRAYER – Almighty, everliving God, whose love surpasses all that we ask or deserve, open up for us, the treasures of Your mercy. Teach us the truth of love and forgive us all that weighs on our conscience. Grant us even more than we dare to ask and grant us the merciful and guiding assistance of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through Him who redeemed us in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 3 October – O Jesus, Sweetest Love, Come Thou to Me

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Our Morning Offering – 3 October – The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

O Jesus, Sweetest Love,
Come Thou to Me
1940 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 ArchAngels and Angels, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 2 October – Our Guardian Angels

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Thought for the Day – 2 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Our Guardian Angels

“The realisation that our Guardian Angel is always close at hand, should be a warning to us.
It should prevent us from doing anything displeasing to God.
Would we venture to do anything unbecoming in the presence of our Father or Mother, or of anyone for whom we have any regard?
Definitely not and still less, should we dare to perform an evil action in the presence of our Angel, to whom we owe such gratitude and in the presence of God, our Creator, Lord and Redeemer, Who could, at any moment, snap the thread which binds us to life and plunge us into eternity.

Furthermore, when pride convinces us that we are of some importance, let us turn to our Angel and pray for the virtue of humility.
When we begin to seethe with anger and long to utter words which are harsh and injurious, let us ask our Angel to pray on our behalf, for the gift of Christian gentleness.
When the devil fills our minds with impure images and thoughts, let us ask our Angel to beseech God to give us the Christian fortitude to resist temptation and to imitate his angelic purity.

Finally, when tepidity is sapping the vigour of our interior life, let us pray to our Guardian Angel in the hope of obtaining a share in his intimate union with God.

Let us pray the Guardian Angel prayer or at least say:
“My Guardian Angel enlighten me.
My Guardian Angel help me.
My Guardian Angel, protect me.”
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/02/thought-for-the-day-2-october-our-guardian-angels/

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 October – ‘ … They help each of us … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 2 October – The Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels, Readings: Baruch 4: 5-12, 27-29; Psalm 69: 33-37; Matthew 18: 1-5, 10

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” – Matthew 18:10

REFLECTION – “For just as the Lord commands that unbelieving and treacherous persons who are a stumbling block to the body of the church should be cut off or plucked out, so He also warns us, not to despise any of the little children, that is, humble people in the faithful who simply and faithfully believe in the Son of God. For it is not right to despise anyone who believes in Christ. A believer is called, not only a servant of God but also a son, though the grace of adoption, to whom the Kingdom of Heaven and the company of the Angels is promised. And rightly the Lord adds, “For I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.”

How much grace the Lord has toward each one believing in Him, He Himself declares when He shows their Angels always beholding the face of the Father who is in Heaven. Great is the grace of the Angels toward all who believe in Christ. Finally, the Angels carry their prayers to heaven. Hence the word of Raphael to Tobias: “When you prayed along with your daughter-in-law Sara, I offered the memory of your prayer in the sight of God.” Around them there is also the strong guard of the Angels; they help each of us to be free from the traps of the enemy. For a human in his weakness could not be safe amid so many forceful attacks of that enemy, if he were not strengthened by the help of the Angels.” – St Chromatius of Aquileia (Died 407) Bishop of Aquileia, Contemporary of St Jerome, St John Chrysostom (Tractate on Matthew, 57)

PRAYER – Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits thee here.
Ever this day, be at my side,
to light, to guard, to rule, to guide.
Amen.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, ROSARY QUOTES, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 1 October – The Month of the Holy Rosary

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The Month of the Holy Rosary

“One of the main advantages of the Rosary is that it enables us to unite with our vocal prayer, meditation on the principal Mysteries of our faith.
During each decade we should meditate briefly on one of these Mysteries.
In this way, our faith will be enlivened and we shall be roused to imitate, in our lives, the example of Jesus and Mary.

The Rosary is composed of the Church’s most beautiful prayers – the Our Father, which Jesus Himself taught us to say when addressiug our heavenly Father and the Hail Mary, which consists of the Angel’s greeting to the Blessed Virgin when he came to announce to her, that she was to be the Mother of God, of the inspired words of St Elizabeth on the occasion of the Visitation and of the moving plea for mercy, both now and at the hour of our death, which the Church places upon the lips of her sinful children (composed and proposed by St Peter Canisius 1521-1597) Doctor of the Church).
Each decade concludes with the short hymn of praise in honour of the Blessed Trinity: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, amen.
This prayer, expresses the two principal Mysteries of our faith, namely, the Unity and Trinity of God and, in an indirect fashion, the Incarnation of the Second Divine Person.

If we think of all this when we are fervently reciting the Holy Rosary, it will prove to be a treasury of grace.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/01/thought-for-the-day-1-october-the-month-of-the-holy-rosary/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The LAST THINGS, Uncategorized

Thought for the Day – 30 September – The Death of the Just

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Thought for the Day – 30 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Death of the Just

Consider now the death of the just man.
Through his dying tears, he also will see the world slipping away from him.   But, one thing will remain to comfort him, namely, the memory of his good actions, of the virtues he acquired, of his fervent prayers and of his voluntary mortifications.
Above all, there will remain his great love of God, for Whom he has lived, worked and drawn breath.
In that moment, this love will even increase the flaming desire consuming his poor, frail body, to be united to God.
He will be able to say, as some of the Saints have said – “I never thought it would be so sweet to die.”
With St Louis, he will be able top say: “I am going joyfully to meet my God.”
He will be able to exclaim with St Charles: “I long for my body to be dissolved, so that I may be with Christ!” (Phil 1:23)

In the sight of God, the death of the good man is a very precious thing.   “Precious in the eyes of the Lord, is the death of His faithful ones” (Ps 115:6)

Antonio Cardinal Bacci