Posted in QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 2 September – My Words are Spirit and Life

Thought for the Day – 2 September – Monday of the Twenty-second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Luke 4:16–30

“He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.” … Luke 4:18

My Words are Spirit and Life

Thomas á Kempis
Priest

An excerpt from his work, Imitation of Christ

My son, says the Lord, listen to my words, the most delightful of all words, surpassing all the knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of this world.   My words are spirit and life and cannot be comprehended by human senses alone.   They are not to be interpreted according to the vain pleasure of the listener but they must be listened to, in silence and received with all humility and great affection.   And I said – Blessed is the man whom you teach, Lord and whom you instruct in your law, for him you soften the blow of the evil day and you do not desert him on the earth.   The Lord says, I have instructed my prophets from the beginning.   Even to the present time I have not stopped speaking to all men but many are deaf and obstinate in response.

Many hear the world more easily than they hear God – they follow the desires of the flesh more readily than the pleasure of God.   The world promises rewards that are temporal and insignificant and these are pursued with great longing.   I promise rewards that are eternal and unsurpassable, yet the hearts of mortals respond sluggishly.   Who serves and obeys me in all matters with as much care as the world and its princes are served? Blush, then, you lazy, complaining servant, for men are better prepared for the works of death than you are for the works of life.   They take more joy in vanity than you in truth. Yet they are often deceived in their hope, while my promise deceives no-one and leaves empty-handed no=one who confides in me.   What I have promised I shall give, what I have said I will fulfil for any man who remains faithful in my love unto the very end.   I am the rewarder of all good men, the one who rigorously tests the devoted.

Write my words in your heart and study them diligently, for they will be absolutely necessary in the time of temptation.   Whatever you fail to understand, in reading my words, will become clear to you on the day of your visitation.   I am accustomed to visit my elect in a double fashion, that is, with temptation and with consolation.   And I read to them two lessons each day – one to rebuke them for their faults, the other to exhort them to increase their virtue.   He who possesses my words yet spurns them earns his own judgement on the last day.luke 4 18 he has set me to proclaim - even to the present time - thomas a kempis imitation 2 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The TEN COMMANDMENTS

Quote of the Day – 2 September – We believe

Quote of the Day – 2 September – The Memorial of St Solomon Le Clercq FSC (1745-1792) Martyr

“As for us, we hold, to what we believed,
ten and twenty years ago,
to what our forefathers believed,
one hundred years ago
and one thousand years ago
and to that which,
the whole Catholic world,
has always believed.”

St Solomon le Clercq (1745-1792)as-for-us-we-hold-to-what-we-believed-st-solomon-le-clercq-2 sept 2019 2018.jpg

Posted in franciscan OFM, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote of the Day – 1 September – Dear mother earth ….

Quote of the Day – 1 September – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C and The 5th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfolds rich blessing on our way,
O praise God!   Alleluia!
The fruits and flowers that verdant grow,
Let them His praise abundant show.
O praise God, O praise God,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

St Francis of Assisi (c 1181-1226)

(Translated by William H Draper) (Image by St Francis by Albert Chevallier Tayler)

dear-mother-earth-st-francis-prayer-1-sept-2017, 2018,2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SUNDAY REFLECTIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Sunday Reflection – 1 September – This Body

Sunday Reflection – 1 September – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

“When you see (the Most Blessed Sacrament) exposed, say to yourself –
‘Thanks to this Body, I am no longer dust and ashes, I am no more a captive but a freeman, hence, I hope to obtain heaven and the good things that are there in store for me… eternal life, the heritage of the angels, companionship with Christ; death has not destroyed this Body which was pierced by nails and scourged . . . this is that Body which was once covered with blood, pierced by a lance, from which issued saving fountains upon the world, one of blood and the other of water. . . This Body He gave to us to keep and eat, as a mark of His intense love’.”

St John Chrysostom (347 to 407)
Father & Doctor

this bodty he gave to us - st john chrysostom 1 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, SAINT of the DAY

One Minute Reflection – 1 September -Always descend

One Minute Reflection – 1 September – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C,Gospel: Luke 14:7–14 and the Memorial of St Fiacre (Died 670)

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” … Luke 14:11for everyone who exalts himself - luke 14 11 1 sept 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “[Christ:] See [My] devotion to men and consider what your own should be.   See that humility for man’s good and learn to humble yourself to do good…  to make yourself small to win others, not to fear to go lower or lose your rights when it is a matter of doing good, not to believe that in descending you make yourself powerless to do good.   To the contrary, by descending you imitate Me, by descending you make use of the same means, for the love of humankind, that I Myself employed, by descending you walk in My way and, therefore, in the truth and you are in the best place to lay hold of life and give it to others…  By my incarnation I place Myself on a level with creatures, by My baptism …on that of sinners, descent, humility…  Always descend, always humble yourself.

Let those who are first always stand in the last place, through humility and in disposition of spirit, with an attitude of descent and service.   Love of men, humility, the last place, in the last place, so long as the divine will does not call you to another, since then you must obey.   Obedience before all else, conformity to God’s will.   In the first place, be spiritually in the last, through humility, occupy it in the spirit of service, telling yourself, that you are only there, to serve others and lead them to salvation.” … Blessed Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) – Hermit and Missionary in the Sahara – Retreat, Holy Land, Lent 1898in the first place be spiritually in the last - bl charles foucauld 1 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, teach us by Your Grace, lead us by Your Hand and turn our hearts to love.   Your Son took the last place and became the servant of all.   By our obedience, may we grow in humility and follow in His way.   May the prayers of St Fiacre help us on our way.   We make our prayer through Jesus our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st fiacre pray for us 1 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 31 August – Christ will Impose a Reckoning on me

Thought for the Day – 31 August – Saturday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 25:14–30

“And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness,

there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’” ... Matthew 25:30matthew 25 30 and cast the worthless servant - 31 aug 2019.jpg

Christ will Impose a Reckoning on me

Saint Gertrude of Helfta “the Great” (1256-1301)

Benedictine nun
Exercises VII, SC 127

Behold, I become passionately alarmed by what I have committed, I blush very much at what I have omitted, I become exceedingly frightened at the wastefulness of my life.   I fear, that future investigation, at which Christ, a noble man, will impose a reckoning on me.behold i become passionately - st gertrude the great - 31 aug 2019.jpg

If He wanted to exact a deposit from me for my time and interest from the talent of understanding He conferred on me, I would, in short, not find any worthy answer for Your charity.   What will I do?   Where will I turn?   I lack the strength to dig, I should blush to beg. (Lk 16:3)   O Loving-kindness. Loving-kindnes,. speak up now, may Your dulcet counsel, I entreat You, warm my spirit back to life.   Ah, answer me – what does it seem to You I should do in this [situation), for according to Your name You have a truly loving and kind heart and You know best what may be expedient for me in all this.   Ah, pardon me and bring me help and in this tribulation, do not be detached from me.   Let the poverty of my spirit move You and, touched by the compassion of Your heart, say to me with loving-kindness:  “May there be one purse for me and You.” (Prv 1:14)

O Loving-kindness, Loving-kindness, You have stored up with Yourself riches so immeasurable, that heaven and earth do not suffice to contain them.   You have driven my Jesus to give His soul for my soul, His life for mine, so that You might make everything that was His, mine and thus, out of your abundance, this pauper’s substance might increase.   Ah, call my starved soul to Your food supply, so that in this life, I may live from Your riches and, reared by You and nourished by You, may not grow faint under the discipline of the Lord until at length, under Your guidance, I turn back to my God and give my spirit back to Him who gave it. (Eccl 12:7)

Mater Misericordiae, Ora pro Nobis!mater misericordiae mother of merct pray for us 8 april 2019.jpg

Posted in QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, SAINT of the DAY, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 31 August – An eye to our end

Quote/s of the Day – 31 August – Saturday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 25:14–30 and the Memorial of  Blessed Pere (Peter) Tarrés i Claret (1905-1950)

“His master said to him,
‘Well done, good and faithful servant,
you have been faithful over a little,
I will set you over much, 
enter into the joy of your master.’ ”

Matthew 25:23matthew 25 23 his master said well done good and faithful 31 aug 2019.jpg

“Give me grace to amend my life
and to have an eye to mine end,
without grudge of death,
which to them that die in You,
good Lord,
is the gate of a wealthy life.”

St Thomas More (1478-1535) Martyrgive-me-grace-good-lord-st-thomas-more-31-aug-2018 and 2019.jpg

“A single resolution, Lord, cost what it may”

(on the eve of his Ordination)

Blessed Pere (Peter) Tarrés i Claret (1905-1950)a single resolution lord cost what it may bl pere tarres 31 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SAINT of the DAY, The SIGN of the CROSS

Thought for the Day – 30 August – The incorrupt Monk-Bishop-Cardinal-Man of God

Thought for the Day – 30 August – the Memorial of Blessed Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster OSB (1880-1954)

Today is the anniversary of the death of the Blessed Cardinal Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster, who passed to his reward in heaven in 1954, after serving the church of Milan as her shepherd for just over 25 years and was Beatified in 1996.

Blessed Alfredo had several difficult years as the Shepherd of Milan with rise of Fascism and then advent of WWII.   What is keenly recalled of Schuster as Bishop, is his solicitude for the people.   He visited every parish of the diocese five times, holding several diocesan synods, writing many pastoral letters and founding a Seminary in Venegono. Monk or not, he was a true apostle for the good of the Church’s holiness and engagement in the world.

The funeral Mass was offered by the Cardinal Roncalli, now St John XXIII.   In 1985, the cardinal’s tomb was opened and his mortal remains were found to be intact, the monk-bishop-cardinal-man of God was beatified by Saint John Paul II on 12 May 1996.   The relics were given for the veneration of the faithful in one of the side-altars of the Duomo in Milan.

A treasure of Blessed Schuster is his scholarship in the Liber Sacramentorum, known in its English translation as The Sacramentary.   It was written while he was Benedictine monk with the supreme reverence for tradition, adoration and intellect.   In some ways, the volumes are dated, yet the work remains an invaluable reference point for liturgical scholarship today.

To the seminarians of Milan he taught in a characteristically Benedictine manner of the futility of ministry without personal holiness:

“I have no memento to give you, apart from an invitation to holiness.   It would seem that people are no longer convinced by our preaching but faced with holiness, they still believe, they still fall to their knees and pray.   People seem to live ignorant of supernatural realities, indifferent to the problems of salvation.   But when an authentic saint, living or dead passes by, all run to be there.   Do not forget that the devil is not afraid of our [parish] sports fields and of our movie halls – he is afraid, on the other hand, of our holiness.

Prayer on the occasion
of the Beatification of
Cardinal Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster

Father, origin and source of all good,
we praise You and thank You
because, in the Blessed Cardinal Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster
You have given us and made known
a gentle and tireless pastor,
“all-prayerful” man,
witness to the peace that only You can give.
Lord Jesus, Son of God,
You have been for the Cardinal Schuster, a model of life,
for Your love, he was a passionate servant of all.
Lord of life, peace and joy, grant that
his example may inspire us
and his prayer accompany us,
as we also give our lives
to the service of every human being.
Spirit of love, that makes us saints,
grant us to remember
his constant invitation to holiness.
Make us capable, as he was,
to love the poor, the forgotten, the persecuted;
give us the strength to dialogue with everyone,
with the confidence, to discover in every heart,
the seed of God.
Amen

May we not forget, the devil is afraid of our active striving for holiness.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen.the-sign-of-the-cross-st-john-vianney.-new-version-17-jan-2018-jpg.jpg

Blessed Alfredo, Pray for our Seminarians and Priests, Pray for us All!bl schuste pray for us no 2 30 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 30 August – An invitation to holiness

Quote of the Day – 30 August – the Memorial of Blessed Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster OSB (1880-1954)

“You want something to remember me by.
I have no memento to give you,
apart from an invitation to holiness.”

Blessed Alfredo’s parting words
to the seminarians at Venegono,
a few days before his deathi have no memento to give you - bl alfredo schuster 30 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 August – “That way above the rest”

One Minute Reflection – 30 August – Friday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 25:1–13 and the Memorial of Blessed Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster OSB (1880-1954)

“The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.” … Matthew 25:3-4

REFLECTION – “It is some great thing, some exceedingly great thing, that this oil signifies.   Do you think it might be charity?   If we try out this hypothesis, we hazard no precipitate judgement.   I will tell you why charity seems to be signified by the oil.   The apostle says, “I will show you a still more excellent way.”   “If I speak with the tongue of mortals and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”  This is charity.   It is “that way above the rest,” which is with good reason signified by the oil.   For oil swims above all liquids.   Pour in water and pour in oil upon it, the oil will swim above.   If you keep the usual order, it will be uppermost, if you change the order, it will be uppermost.   “Charity never fails.” … St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor – Sermon 93matthew 25 3-4 the foolish ones took no oil - it is some great thing that this oil signifies - st augustine - 30 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – God our Saviour, through the grace of Baptism you made us children of light. Hear our prayer, that we may always walk in that light and work for truth, love and charity, as Your witnesses before men.   Dispel from our hearts the darkness of sin and keep us ever watchful for the true light, Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever.   Blessed Alfredo Schuster, you lived a life of total charity ever watchful to the needs of your neighbour, please pray for us, amen.bl alfredo schuster pray for us 30 aug 2019

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on MUSIC/SINGING, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, St JOHN the BAPTIST

Thought for the Day – 29 August – St Bede -Precursor of Christ in Birth and Death

Thought for the Day – 29 August – The Beheading of St John the Baptist

Precursor of Christ in Birth and Death

Saint Bede (673-735)
Priest, Father and Doctor of the Church

An excerpt from Homily 23

As forerunner of our Lord’s birth, preaching and death, the blessed John showed in his struggle, a goodness worthy of the sight of heaven.   In the words of Scripture:  Though in the sight of men he suffered torments, his hope is full of immortality.   We justly commemorate the day of his birth with a joyful celebration, a day which he himself made festive for us through his suffering and which he adorned with the crimson splendour of his own blood.   We do rightly revere his memory with joyful hearts, for he stamped with the seal of martyrdom, the testimony, which he delivered, on behalf of our Lord.

There is no doubt that blessed John suffered imprisonment and chains as a witness to our Redeemer, whose forerunner he was and gave his life for Him.   His persecutor had demanded, not that he should deny Christ but only, that he should keep silent about the truth.   Nevertheless, he died for Christ.   Does Christ not say – I am the truth? Therefore, because John shed his blood for the truth, he surely died for Christ.

Through his birth, preaching and baptising, he bore witness to the coming birth, preaching and baptism of Christ and by his own suffering, he showed, that Christ also would suffer.

Such was the quality and strength of the man who accepted the end of this present life by shedding his blood after the long imprisonment.   He preached the freedom of heavenly peace, yet was thrown into irons by ungodly men, he was locked away in the darkness of prison, though he came bearing witness to the Light of life and deserved to be called a bright and shining lamp by that Light itself, which is Christ.  John was baptised in his own blood, though he had been privileged to baptise the Redeemer of the world, to hear the voice of the Father above him and to see the grace of the Holy Spirit descending upon him.   But to endure temporal agonies for the sake of the truth was not a heavy burden for such men as John, rather it was easily borne and even desirable, for he knew eternal joy would be his reward.he preached the freedom of heavenly peace - st john the baptist - by st bede 29 aug 2019.jpg

Since death was ever near at hand through the inescapable necessity of nature, such men considered it a blessing to embrace it and thus gain the reward of eternal life by acknowledging Christ’s name.   Hence the apostle Paul rightly says:  You have been granted the privilege, not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for his sake.   He tells us why it is Christ’s gift that his chosen ones should suffer for Him:  The sufferings of this present time, are not worthy, to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us.

St John the Baptist, Pray for us!st john the baptist - pray for us - 24 june 2018.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOHN the BAPTIST, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 29 August – Whatever He wants I want

Quote/s of the Day – 29 August – The Beheading of St John the Baptist and the Memorial of Blessed Sancja Szymkowiak CMBB (1910-1942)

“O great and admirable mystery!
He must increase but I must decrease, said John,
said the voice which personified all the voices
that had gone before announcing
the Father’s Word Incarnate in His Christ….
But He is said to grow in us, when we grow in Him.
To him, then, who draws near to Christ,
to him who makes progress in the contemplation of wisdom,
words are of little use, of necessity they tend to fail altogether.
Thus, the ministry of the voice falls short,
in proportion as the soul progresses towards the Word,
it is thus, that Christ must increase and John decrease.
The same is indicated by the beheading of John
and the exaltation of Christ upon the Cross,
as it had already been shown by their birthdays –
for, from the birth of John the days begin to shorten
and from the birth of Our Lord they begin to grow longer.”

St Augustine (354-420)
Father & Doctorthus-the-ministry-of-the-voice-falls-short-st-augustine -28 ayg 2019.jpg

“God’s will is my will.
Whatever He wants I want.”

Blessed Sancja Szymkowiak (1910-1942)

Blessed Sancja’s personal mottogod's will is my will - bl sancj szymkowiak 29 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, St JOHN the BAPTIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 August – Pleasing other people is of little value …

One Minute Reflection – 29 August – The Beheading of St John the Baptist, Gospel:  Mark 6:17–29

She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”…Mark 6:24mark-6-24-she-went-out-and-asked-her-mother-29-aug-2017

REFLECTION – “John did not live for himself alone, nor did he die for himself alone.   How many there were, burdened with sin, who were led to conversion by his hard and austere life.   How many who were strengthened to bear their own trials by his undeserved death.   And what about us?   From where does the opportunity come to offer faithful thanks to God today, if not from the the remembrance of Saint John, put to death for righteousness’ sake, that is to say, for Christ?…

Yes indeed, John the Baptist sacrificed his life with all his heart here below for love of Christ.   He chose to despise the commands of a tyrant, rather than those of God.   His example teaches us, that nothing should be dearer to us, than the will of God.   Pleasing other people is of little value, indeed, it often causes great harm…  Therefore, let us die to our sins and anxieties with all God’s friends, tread underfoot our misguided self-will and be careful to allow fervent love for Christ, to grow within us.” … Lanspergius the Carthusian (1489-1539) – Monk, Theologian – Sermon for the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist. Opera omnia, t. 2he chose to despiase the commands of a tyrant - lanspergius 29 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – God our Father, You appointed St John the Baptist to be the herald of the birth and death of Christ Your Son.   Grant that as he died a martyr for justice and truth, so we may also courageously bear witness to Your Word.   We make our prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God forever.   St John the Baptist, pray for us, amen.st-john-the-baptist-pray-for-us1-29-aug-2017

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, GOD the FATHER, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the day – 28 August – O Eternal Truth, True Love and Beloved Eternity

Thought for the day – 28 August – The Memorial of St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

O Eternal Truth, True Love and Beloved Eternity

Saint Augustine of Hippo
Bishop and Great Western Father of the Church

An excerpt from his treatise, The Confessions

Urged to reflect upon myself, I entered under Your guidance into the inmost depth of my soul.   I was able to do so, because You were my helper.  On entering into myself I saw, as it were with the eye of the soul, what was beyond the eye of the soul, beyond my spirit: Your immutable light.   It was not the ordinary light perceptible to all flesh, nor was it merely something of greater magnitude but still essentially akin, shining more clearly and diffusing itself everywhere by its intensity.   No it was something entirely distinct, something altogether different from all these things and it did not rest above my mind as oil on the surface of water, nor was it above me as Heaven is above the Earth.   This light was above me because it has made me, I was below it because I was created by it.   He who has come to know the truth knows this light.

O Eternal truth, true love and beloved eternity.   You are my God.   To You do I sigh day and night.   When I first came to know You, You drew me to Yourself, so that I might see that there were things for me to see but that I myself was not yet ready to see them. Meanwhile, You overcame the weakness of my vision, sending forth most strongly, the beams of Your light, and I trembled at once with love and dread.   I learned that I was in a region unlike Yours and far distant from You and I thought I heard Your voice from on high:  “I am the food of grown men, grow then and you will feed on Me.   Nor will you change me into yourself like bodily food but you will be changed into Me.”

I sought a way to gain the strength which I needed to enjoy You.   But I did not find it until I embraced the mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who is above all, God blessed for ever.   He was calling me and saying – I am the way of truth, I am the life.   He was offering the food which I lacked the strength to take, the food He had mingled with our flesh.   For the Word became flesh, that Your wisdom, by which You created all things, might provide milk for us children.

Late have I loved You, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved You! You were within me but I was outside and it was there that I searched for You. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which You created.   You were with me but I was not with You.    Created things kept me from You, yet if they had not been in You they would not have been at all.   You called, You shouted and You broke through my deafness.   You flashed, You shone and You dispelled my blindness.   You breathed Your fragrance on me, I drew in breath and now I pant for You.   I have tasted You, now I hunger and thirst for more.   You touched me and I burned for Your peace.

St Augustine, Pray for Us!st augustine pray for us - 27 oct 2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ANGELS, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY SOULS, The SIGN of the CROSS

Quote/s of the Day – 28 August – Wonderful Augustine

Quote/s of the Day – 28 August – The Memorial of St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“God in his omnipotence
could not give more,
in His wisdom –
He knew not how to give more,
in His riches: –
He had not more to give,
than the EUCHARIST!”god in his omnipotence in his wisdom in his riches - st augustine - the eucharist - 28 aug 2019.jpg

“I will suggest a means whereby
you can praise God all day long, if you wish.
Whatever you do,
do it well
and you have praised God.”i will suggest a means whereby you can - 28 aug 2019 - st augustine.jpg

“One of the holiest works,
one of the best exercises of piety
which we can practice in this world,
is to offer sacrifices,
alms
and prayer
for the dead.”one of the holiest works - prayers for the dead - st augustine - 28 aug 2019.jpg

“It was pride,
that changed angels
into devils;
it is humility
that makes men
as angels.”

“it was pride - st augustine - 20 june 2018

“He need not fear anything
nor be ashamed of anything,
who bears the
Sign of the Cross
on his brow.”

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

More here:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/08/28/quote-s-of-the-day-28-august-the-memorial-of-st-augustine-354-430-father-and-doctor-of-grace/he need not fear anything nor - st augustine ash wed 6 march 2019

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 August – Flee to Him by Confessing

One Minute Reflection – 28 August – Wednesday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 23:27–32 and The Memorial of St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) – Doctor of Grace

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful but within they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” … Matthew 23:27woe to you scribes and pharisees - whitewashed tombs - matthew 23 27 - 28 aug 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “You are before God.   Question your heart, see what you have done and what you have been yearning for there—your salvation or the windy praise of men.   Look within, for a person cannot judge one whom he cannot see.   If we are assuring our heart, let us assure it in His presence.
“Because if our heart thinks badly”—that is, if it accuses us within, because we aren’t acting with the spirit with which we should be acting —“God is greater than our heart, and he knows all things” (v.20).
You hide your heart from man – hide it from God if you can.   How will you hide it from Him to whom it was said by a certain sinner in fear and confession:  “Where shall 1 go from your spirit, and where shed!  I flee from your face?”…  For where does God not exist? “If,” he said, “I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to hell, you are present” (Ps 139[138]:7-8).   Where will you go?   Where will you flee?   Do you want to hear some advice?   If you want to flee from Him, flee to Him.   Flee to Him by Confessing, not from Him by hiding, for you cannot hide but you can Confess.   Tell Him. “You are my refuge” (Ps 32[31]:7) and let there be nursed in you the love that alone leads to life.”…St Augustine (354-430) – Doctor of Graceyou hide your heart from man - hide it from god if you can - st augustine 28 aug 2019

PRAYER – Renew in Your Church, we pray , O Lord, the spirit with which You endowed Your Bishop Saint Augustine, that, filled with the same spirit, we may thirst for You, the sole fount of true wisdom and seek You, the author of heavenly love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. St Augustine, pray for us! Amenst augustine pray for us 28 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in ON the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on MOTHERHOOD, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the FAMILY, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 27 August -St Monica’s ‘Nunc Dimittis”

Thought for the Day – 27 August – Tuesday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C and The Memorial of St Monica (322-387)

Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Sermons preached on various occations

“Many a mother, who is anxious for her son’s bodily welfare, neglects his soul.
So, did NOT the Saint of today – her son might be accomplished, eloquent, able and distinguished – all this was nothing to her, while he was dead in God’s sight, while he was the slave of sin, while he was the prey of heresy.
She desired his true life.
She wearied heaven with prayer
and wore out herself,
with praying –
she did not at once prevail.
He left his home,
he was carried forward by his four bearers –
ignorance,
pride,
appetite
and ambition –
he was carried out into a foreign land,
he crossed over from Africa to Italy.
She followed him,
she followed the corpse,
the chief,
the only mourner-
she went where he went, from city to city.
It was nothing to her to leave her dear home and her native soil, she had no country below;  her sole rest, her sole repose, her Nunc dimittis, was his new birth.
So while she still walked forth in her deep anguish and isolation
and her silent prayer,
she was at length rewarded by the long-coveted miracle.
Grace melted the proud heart
and purified the corrupt breast of Augustine
and restored
and comforted
his mother!”

“How many difficulties there are also today in family relationships
and how many mothers are anguished because their children choose mistaken ways!
Monica, a wise and solid woman in the faith, invites us not to be discouraged
but to persevere in our mission of wives and mothers,
maintaining firm our confidence in God and clinging with perseverance to prayer.”

Pope Benedict XVI (27 August 2006)monica-a-wise-and-solid-woman-pope-benedict 27 aug 2017

St Monica, Pray with us for our sons, Pray for Us!st-monica-pray-for-us-27 aug 2017

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRANDPARENTS, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 August – St Caesarius of Arles (470-542)

Quote/s of the Day – 27 August – The Memorial of St Caesarius of Arles (470-542) Father of the Church

“What sort of people are we?
When God gives, we want to receive,
when He asks, we refuse to give?
When a poor man is hungry,
Christ is in need, as He said Himself:
“I was hungry and you gave me no food” (v. 42).
Take care not to despise the hardship of the poor,
if you would hope, without fear,
to have your sins forgiven…
What He receives on earth,
He returns in heaven!”matthew 18 35 should you not have pitty - what sort of people are we - st caesarius of arles 26 march 2019

” For true charity, beloved brethren,
is the soul of the whole of Scripture,
the strength of prophecy,
the structure of knowledge,
the fruit of faith,
the wealth of the poor,
the life of the dying.
So keep it faithfully,
cherish it with all your heart
and all the strength of your soul.”for true charity is the soul of all scripture-st caesarius of arles 27 aug 2019 memorial.jpg

“I put you this question, dearly beloved –
what is it you want,
what is it you are looking for,
when you come to church?
What indeed if not mercy?
Show mercy on earth and you will receive mercy in heaven.
A poor man is begging from you
and you are begging from God,
he asks for a scrap, you ask for eternal life…
And so when you come to church
give whatever alms you can to the poor
in accordance with your means.”

a poor man is begging from you - st caesarius of arles - 26 march 2019 matthew 18 21-35

“So hold fast to the sweet and salutary bond of love,
without which,
the rich are poor
and with which the poor are rich.
What do the rich possess if not charity? (…)
And since “God is love,” (1 Jn 4:8) as John the evangelist says,
what can the poor lack,
if they merit to possess God by means of charity? (…)
So love, dearest brethren
and hold fast to charity
without which no-one
will ever see God.”

Saint Caesarius of Arles (470-543)matthew 5 44 - love your enemies - so hold fast to the sweet - st caesarius of arles 18 june 2019

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 August – “..Let us each examine our conscience..”

One Minute Reflection – 27 August – Tuesday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 23:23–26 and The Memorial of St Caesarius of Arles (470-542) Father of the Church

“You blind Pharisee! first cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean.”…Matthew 23:26matthew 23 26 you blind pharisee first cleanse the inside of the cup - 27 aug 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “And so, dearly beloved brethren, let us each examine his conscience and when he sees that he has been wounded by some sin, let him first strive to cleanse his conscience by prayer, fasting, almsgiving and so dare to approach the Eucharist.   If he recognises his guilt and is reluctant to approach the holy altar, he will be quickly pardoned by the Divine Mercy, “for whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt 23:12).   If then, as I have said, a man conscious of his sins, humbly decides to stay away from the altar until he reforms his life, he will not be afraid of being completely excluded from the eternal banquet of heaven.
I ask you then, brethren, to pay careful attention.   If no-one dares approach an influential man’s table in tattered, soiled garments, how much more should one refrain in reverence and humility from the banquet of the Eternal King, that is, from the altar of the Lord, if one is smitten with poisonous envy, or anger, or is full of rage and fury? For it is written, “Go first and be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift” (Mt 5:24).   And again, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” And when he kept silent, that man said to the attendants, ‘bind his hands and feet and cast him forth into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” (Mt 22:12,13).   The same sentence awaits the man who dares present himself at the wedding feast, that is at the Lord’s table, if he is guilty of drunkenness, or adultery, or retains hatred in his heart.” … St Caesarius of Arles (470-542) Bishop of Arles, Father of the Churchi ask you then brethren to pay careful attention - st caesarius bishop and father 20 jan 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, renew Your Church with the Spirit of wisdom and love which You gave to St Caesarius.   Lead us by that same Spirit, to seek You, the only fountain of true wisdom and the source of everlasting love.   May we turn to You in sorrow and true repentance when we fail and strive always and everywhere to live in Your truth and Your love for all.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, in union with the Spirit, one God, forever and ever.   St Caesarius, pray for the Church and for us all, amen.st caesarius of arles pray for us 27 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in CARMELITES, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY GHOST

Thought for the Day – 26 August – ‘It is in You, that I breathe’ – St Mary of Jesus Crucified

Thought for the Day – 26 August – The Memorial of St Mary of Jesus Crucified OCD (1846-1878)

From the Writings of St Mary of Jesus Crucified

Holy Spirit, inspire me.
Love of God, consume me.
Along the true road lead me.
Mary, my mother, look upon me.
With Jesus bless me.
From all evil, from all illusion,
from all danger, preserve me.

“Holy Spirit, enlighten me.   To find Jesus, what am I to do and how am I to do it?   The disciples were very ignorant, they were with Jesus yet did not understand Him.   I, too, live in the same house with Jesus yet did not understand Him.   The least thing troubles and upsets me.   I am too sensitive, I have not generosity enough to make sacrifices for Jesus. O Holy Spirit, when You gave them a ray of light, the disciples disappeared – they were no longer what they were before.   They found new strength, they found it easy to make sacrifices.   They knew Jesus better than they had ever known Him when with them.   Source of peace and light, come and enlighten me.   I am hungry, come and feed me;   thirsty, come and refresh me;   blind, come and give me sight;   poor, come and enrich me;  ignorant, come and instruct me.   Holy Spirit, I abandon myself to You!

Lord, how good You are to hold a weak reed in Your Hand!   I am that reed, I am even weaker.   But I shall always remain with You, like that reed. I  f You dropped it, it would get broken.   You carry it, it is not the reed that carries You.

My enraptured spirit contemplates all your works.   Who can speak of You, O God so great!   Omnipotent One, my soul is carried away!   His wonderful beauty delights my soul.   Who can tell what the Almighty looks upon?   One look!   You who gaze at me, come to me, a little nothing.   I cannot remain here on earth, my soul longing.   Call me close to You, awaken me.   You alone, my God, my All.   The heavens, the earth, the sun rejoice at your Name so great.   I see You, supreme goodness, Your gaze is maternal.   My Father, my Mother, it is in You, that I sleep.   It is in You, that I breathe.   Awaken!   My soul is mad with yearning, it can do no more, take it!   When will we see Him forever world without end!

What are You like , my God?   The ocean?   That comparison is too feeble.   One single raindrop is not enough to refresh the whole earth, so. too, the love of all hearts is not enough for You, my God.   The drop of water is myself, the ocean is You, I wish to have a heart greater than earth.

Lord, if You abandon me , I am like a cinder.   The cinder will not produce any fruit It hinders vegetable growth.   But if You Lord look down on me, I become a good earth, a fertile soil that brings forth good fruits and plants producing flowers. O Lord, look down on me always!

Thank You, My God, for making me aware of what I am.  I prefer to know my weakness than to perform miracles.   That is better for me, for when people see me fall I have nothing then to nourish my pride upon.   It is better for me because it makes me see You are my only strength, better for me to fall a thousand times, if it makes me say to You two thousand times ” “I hope in You, O Lord.   Thank You, thank You, Lord.”

Inscribed on Blessed Mary’s tombstone

“Here in the peace of the Lord reposes Sister Mary of Jesus Crucified, professed religious of the white veil.
A soul of singular graces, she was conspicuous for her humility,
her obedience and her charity.
Jesus, the sole love of her heart called her to Himself
in the 33rd year of her age and the 12th year of her religious life at Bethlehem, 26 August 1878.”

St Mary of Jesus Crucified, Pray for Us!st mary of jesus crucified pray for us 26 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in CARMELITES, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRIDE, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 26 August – St Mary of Jesus Crucified

Quote/s of the Day – 26 August – The Memorial of St Mary of Jesus Crucified OCD (1846-1878)

“Everything passes here on earth.
What are we?
Nothing but dust, nothingness
and God is so great,
so beautiful,
so lovable
and He is not loved.”everything passes here on earth - st mary of jesus crucified - 26 aug 2019.jpg

“The proud person is like a grain of wheat
thrown into water – it swells, it gets big.
Expose that grain to the fire – it dries up, it burns.
The humble soul, is like a grain of wheat,
thrown into the earth –
it descends, it hides itself,
it disappears, it dies
but to revive
in heaven.”

St Mary of Jesus Crucified (1846-1878)the proud person - st mary of jesus crucified 26 aug 2019

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 August – ‘It is from the heart…..’

One Minute Reflection – 26 August – Monday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 23:13–22 and The Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa

“And you say, ‘If one swears by the altar, it means nothing but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.” … Matthew 23:18

REFLECTION – “Consider this analogy.   Think of the altar as the heart and the temple as the whole of Scripture. The temple of God’s glory, spiritually understood, is the divinely inspired Scripture.   The gold refers to the meanings it conveys.   To swear is to witness to the Scriptures, as a validation and confirmation of the word we speak.   Therefore, we ought to profess the whole sense of Scripture, as a confirmation of the sense which we invoke, in all of our words.
…The temple, that is, the reading of the Scriptures, makes a great and venerable sense, just as consecrated gold is valuable.   So we ought not to swear by our own intellects to confirm our beliefs, as if we were creating witnesses that could judge according to the truth.   But let us explore further the analogy of the temple, the gold and the altar.   The altar is the place where a vow is sanctified.   The altar in this passage is the heart of a man.   What happens in the heart happens deeply within a person.   Vows and gifts placed on the altar are clearly those placed upon the human heart.   When you begin to pray, you place the vow of your prayer upon your heart, as if you had placed something upon the altar, so that you might offer your prayer to God.
Suppose you are ready to place an offering of psalms upon your heart, so as to offer to God an offering of psalms, accompanying yourself with a harp.   Or suppose you are ready to give alms.  You make an offering of alms upon your heart, just as if you had placed something on the altar, as you would offer your alms to God  . Suppose you have proposed to fast, in order to make an offering of your fasting upon your heart, as if you had placed something upon the altar.
In this way the heart of a man makes vows in a holy and venerable way.    It is from the heart, that is, the altar, that the vow is offered to God.   Therefore, it is not possible for the offering of a man to be more honourable than his heart, from which the offering is sent up.” … Origen (c 185-253) (Commentary on Matthew, 2)matthew 23 18 if one swears by the altar - it is from the altar that is from the heart - origen 26 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord, be the beginning and the end of all that we do and say.   Prompt our actions with Your grace and complete them with Your all-powerful help.   Fill us with the grace of Your true love, that our hearts may be made of flesh and not of stone.   May our hearts, minds and souls belong to You alone.   May the guiding hand of the Mother of Your Son lead us, with unfailing tenderness, to You.   Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit, ‘totus tuus’ Maria – please pray for us, amen.our-lady-of-czestochowa-pray-for-us.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 25 August – May our Mother, take us to the path that leads to ‘Heaven’s Gate.’

Thought for the Day – 25 August – 21st Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 13:22–30

“Strive to enter in by the narrow door.”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Father & Doctor strive-to-enter-luke-13-24-whoever-would-enter-st-cyril-of-alex-31-oct-2018

This reply may seem perhaps to wander from the scope of the question.   The man wanted to learn whether there would be few who are saved but He explained to him the way whereby he might be saved himself.   He said, “Strive to enter in by the narrow door.” What do we answer to this objection? …  It was a necessary and valuable thing to know how a man may obtain salvation.   He is purposely silent to the useless question. He proceeds to speak of what was essential, namely, of the knowledge necessary for the performance of those duties by which people can enter the narrow door.
I now consider it my duty to mention why the door to life is narrow.   Whoever would enter must first, before everything else, possess an upright and uncorrupted faith and then a spotless morality, in which there is no possibility of blame, according to the measure of human righteousness.   One who has attained to this in mind and spiritual strength will enter easily by the narrow door and run along the narrow way.
“Wide is the door and broad the way that brings down many to destruction.”   What are we to understand by its broadness?   It means an unrestrained tendency toward carnal lust and a shameful and pleasure-loving life.   It is luxurious feasts, parties, banquets and unrestricted inclinations to everything that is condemned by the law and displeasing to God.   A stubborn mind will not bow to the yoke of the law.   This life is cursed and relaxed in all carelessness.   Thrusting from it the divine law and completely unmindful of the sacred commandments, wealth, vices, scorn, pride and the empty imagination of earthly pride spring from it.   Those who would enter in by the narrow door must withdraw from all these things, be with Christ and keep the festival with Him.”

(Commentary on Luke, Homily 9)

May we call upon our Mother Mary as Ianua Caeli, Heaven’s Gate, to guide us in our daily choices and take us to the path that leads to ‘Heaven’s Gate.’   Amenianua caeli heaven's gate pray for us mary - 25 aug 2019

Posted in JESUIT SJ, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUTH, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 25 August – “The Narrow Door”

Quote/s of the Day – 25 August – 21st Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 13:22–30

“The Narrow Door”

“In the difficulties which are placed before me,
why should I not act like a donkey?
When one speaks ill of him – the donkey says nothing.
When he is mistreated – he says nothing.
When he is forgotten – he says nothing.
When no food is given him – he says nothing.
When he is made to advance – he says nothing.
When he is despised – he says nothing.
When he is overburdened – he says nothing.
The true servant of God must do likewise
and say with David:
“Before Thee I have become like a beast of burden.”

St Alphonsus Rodriguez SJ (1532-1617)in-the-difficulties-which-are-placed-before-me-st-alphonsus-rodriguez-20-june-2018.jpg

“All, can enter eternal life but for everyone,
the door is narrow.   They are not privileged.
The path to the eternal life is open to all
but it is narrow because it’s demanding,
asks for commitment, abnegation
and the mortification of selfishness.”all can enter eternal life but for everyone the doo is narrow - pope benedict 25 aug 2019.jpg

“To pass through the narrow gate, means
we must commit ourselves to being small,
that is humble of heart like Jesus,
like Mary, His and our mother.”to pass through the narrow gate means we must commit ourselves to being small humble - pope benedict 25 aug 2019.jpg

“True friendship with Jesus
is expressed in how one lives,
in the goodness of one’s heart,
in one’s humility, kindness and mercy,
in one’s love for justice and truth,
in one’s sincere commitment
to peace and reconciliation.
This, we might say, is the ‘identity card’
that qualifies us as true ‘friends,’
it is the ‘passport’
that will let us enter eternal life.”

Pope Benedict XVI

Angelus, 26 August 2007true friendship with Jesus is expressed - 25 aug 2019 the narrow door.jpg

“The whole of our life
must pass through the narrow door
which is Christ.”

Pope Francis

Angelus, 25 August 2013the whole of our life must pass through the narrow door - pope francis 25 june 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Thought for the Day – 24 August – “God has given”

Thought for the Day – 24 August – The Feast of St Bartholomew, Apostle of Christ – Today’s Gospel: John 1:45–51

The name “Nathanael” means “God has given”

“The apostles’ glory is so indistinguishable and so bonded together by the cement of so many graces that in celebrating the feast of one of them the common greatness of all is called to our interior attention. For they share together the same authority of supreme judge, the same honourable rank and they hold the same power to bind and loose (Mt 19:28; 18:18).   They are those precious pearls that Saint John tells us he beheld in the Book of Revelation out of which are constructed the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem (Rv 21:21.14)…   And indeed, whenever the apostles beam divine light through their signs or miracles, they open up the heavenly glory of Jerusalem, to all those peoples who have been converted to the christian faith…

Of them, too, the prophet says: “Who are these who fly along like clouds?” (Is 60:8)…  God raises the minds of His preachers to contemplation of truths on high… so that they can abundantly pour down the rain of God’s word into our hearts.   Thus they drink water from the spring, so as to give drink to us too.

Saint Bartholomew drew from the fullness of this spring, when the Holy Spirit came upon him, as on the other apostles, in the form of tongues of fire (Acts 2:3).”

St Peter Damian (1007-1072) – Bishop, Doctor of the Church (Sermon 42, 2nd for Saint Bartholomew, PL 144, 726)

St Bartholomew, Pray for Us!st-bartholomew-pray-for-us-24-aug-2018.jpg

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SAINT of the DAY, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 August – St Rose of Lima

Quote/s of the Day – 23 August – Friday of the Twentieth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of St Rose of Lima (1586-1617)

“If only we would learn how great it is
to possess divine grace and how many riches it has within itself,
how many joys and delights.
We would devote all our concern to winning for ourselves
pains and afflictions,
in order to attain the unfathomable treasure of grace.”if only we would learn - st rose of lima - 23 aug 2019.jpg

“Apart from the Cross
there is no other ‘ladder’
by which we might get to heaven.”apart-from-the-cross-st-rose-of-lima 23 aug 2017.jpg

“We must not fail
to help our neighbours,
because in them we serve Jesus.”

St Rose of Lima (1586-1617)we-must-not-fail-st-rose-of-lima-23-aug-2018.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS for SEASONS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 August – Love the Lord, Love your neighbour

One Minute Reflection – 23 August – Friday of the Twentieth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Today’s Gospel: Matthew 23:34-40 and the Memorial of St Rose of Lima (1586-1617)

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart … You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” … Matthew 22:37,40matthew 22 37 and 40 you shall the lord your god you shall yourneighbour - 23 aug 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “Thus, then, the obedient man,with the light of faith, in the truth burning in the furnace of charity … receives his end from Me, his Creator.”…St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Churchthus-then-the-obedient-man-no 2 - st-catherine-of-siena-23-aug-2018.jpg

PRAYER – “God our Father, for love of You, St Rose of Lima left the world and gave herself to a life of penitence, austerity and charity.   Help us by her prayers, so to follow the path of life on earth, in complete love of You and thus of Your children, that we may obtain the fullness of joy in Your presence in heaven and be clothed fit for the wedding feast.  We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st-rose-of-lima-pray-for-us-23-aug-2017

 

Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, QUEENSHIP of MARY, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ANGER

Thought for the Day – 22 August – Queen of the World and of Peace

Thought for the Day – 22 August – Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Queen of the World and of Peace

Saint Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)
Bishop

An excerpt from a Sermon

Observe how fitting it was that even before her assumption, the name of Mary shone forth wondrously throughout the world.   Her fame spread everywhere even before she was raised above the heavens in her magnificence.   Because of the honour due her Son, it was indeed fitting for the Virgin Mother to have first ruled upon earth and then be raised up to heaven in glory.   It was fitting that her fame be spread in this world below, so that she might enter the heights of heaven on overwhelming blessedness.   Just as she was borne from virtue to virtue by the Spirit of the Lord, she was transported from earthly renown to heavenly brightness.

So it was, that she began to taste the fruits of her future reign while still in the flesh.   At one moment she withdrew to God in ecstasy, at the next, she would bend down to her neighbours with indescribable love.   In heaven angels served her, while here on earth she was venerated by the service of men.   Gabriel and the angels waited upon her in heaven.   The virgin John, rejoicing that the Virgin Mother was entrusted to him at the cross, cared for her with the other apostles here below.   The angels rejoiced to see their queen, the apostles rejoiced to see their lady and both obeyed her with loving devotion.

Dwelling in the loftiest citadel of virtue, like a sea of divine grace or an unfathomable source of love that has everywhere overflowed its banks, she poured forth her bountiful waters on trusting and thirsting souls.   Able to preserve both flesh and spirit from death, she bestowed health-giving salve on bodies and souls.   Has anyone ever come away from her troubled or saddened or ignorant of the heavenly mysteries?   Who has not returned to everyday life gladdened and joyful because his request had been granted by the Mother of God?

She is a bride, so gentle and affectionate and the mother of the only true bridegroom.   In her abundant goodness, she has channelled the spring of reason’s garden, the well of living and life-giving waters, that pour forth in a rushing stream from divine Lebanon and flow down from Mount Zion, until they surround the shores of every far-flung nation.   With divine assistance, she has redirected these waters and made them into streams of peace and pools of grace.   Therefore, when the Virgin of virgins was led forth by God and her Son, the King of kings. amid the company of exulting angels and rejoicing archangels, with the heavens ringing with praise, the prophecy of the psalmist was fulfilled, in which he said to the Lord:

At your right hand stands the queen, clothed in gold of Ophir.

Mary Queen of our Hearts, Pray for Us!mary queen of heaven and earth pray for us 22 aug 2019 queenship of mary.jpg

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, QUEENSHIP of MARY, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote/s of the Day – 22 August – From the Fathers on the Queenship of Mary

Quote/s of the Day – 22 August – The Memorial of The Queenship of Mary, Holy Mother of God

“Let Heaven sustain me in its embrace,
because I am honoured above it.
For heaven was not thy mother
but Thou hast made it thy throne.
How much more honourable
and venerable than the throne of a king
is His mother.”

St Ephrem (306-373) Doctor of the Churchlet heaven sustain me st ephrem 22 aug 2019 queenship of mary.jpg

“Be enthroned, Lady,
for it is fitting that you should sit
in an exalted place since you are a Queen
and glorious above all kings.”

St Germanus (378-448)be enthroned lady - st germanus 22 aug 2019 queenship of mary.jpg

“O my Lady, my Sovereign,
You who rule over me,
Mother of my Lord . . .
Lady among handmaids,
Queen among sisters.”

St Ildephonsus (607-670)o my lady my sovereign st ildephonsus 22 aug 2019 queenship of mary .jpg

“Just as Mary surpassed in grace all others on earth,
so also in heaven is her glory unique.
If eye has not seen or ear heard or the human heart conceived
what God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9),
who can express what He has prepared
for the woman who gave Him birth
and who loved Him,
as everyone knows, more than anyone else?”

St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) – Doctor of Light – Mellifluous Doctor

More here from the Saints:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/08/22/quote-s-of-the-day-22-august-the-memorial-of-the-queenship-of-mary-holy-mother-of-god/just-as-mary-surpassed-in-grace-st-bernard-22 aug 2017

Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, PAPAL ENCYLICALS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD, VATICAN Documents

One Minute Reflection – 22 August – ‘She stands high above all created things’

One Mi  nute Reflection – 22 August – The Memorial of The Queenship of Mary, Holy Mother of God – Today’s Gospel: Luke 1:26–38

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be to me, according to your word.” And the angel departed from her...Luke 1:38luke-1-38-mary-said-behold-i-am-the-heandmaid-of-the-lord-4-may-2018.jpg

REFLECTION – “With the certainty of faith we know that Jesus Christ is king in the full, literal and absolute sense of the word; for He is true God and man.   This does not, however, prevent Mary from sharing His royal prerogatives, though in a limited and analogous manner; for she was the Mother of Christ and Christ is God and she shared in the work of the divine Redeemer, in His struggles against enemies and in the triumph He won over them all.   From this union with Christ the King she assuredly obtains so eminent a status that she stands high above all created things and upon this same union with Christ is based that royal privilege, enabling her to distribute the treasures of the kingdom of the divine Redeemer.   And lastly, this same union with Christ is the fountain of the inexhaustible efficacy of her motherly intercession, in the presence of the Son and of the Father.
Without doubt, then, does our holy Virgin possess a dignity that far transcends all other creatures.   In the eyes of her Son, she takes precedence over everyone else. In order to help us understand the pre-eminence that the Mother of God enjoy,s over all creation, it would help to remember that from the first moment of her conception, the holy Virgin was filled with such a plenitude of grace as to surpass the graces, enhancing all the saints.   Recall what our predecessor Pius IX, of blessed memory, wrote in his Bull Ineflabilis Deus: “More than all the angels and all the saints has God ineffable freely endowed Mary with the fullness of the heavenly gifts that abound in the divine treasury and she, preserving herself ever immaculately clean, from the slightest taint of sin, attained a fullness of innocence and holiness, so great, as to be unthinkable apart from God Himself, a fullness that no one other than God will ever possess.”…Venerable Pope Pius XII (1876-1958) – Excerpted from Ad Caeli Reginamfrom-this-union-with-christ-the-king-ven-pius-xii-22-aug-2018-mem-of-mary-queen.jpg

PRAYER – Almighty God, our Father, You have given us Mary, the Mother of Your Son, to be our Mother and our Queen.   Grant that, supported by her prayers, we may come to the kingdom of heaven and to the glory destined for Your children.   We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.mary queen - pray for us.jpg