Category: CATHOLIC Quotes

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, St PAUL!, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 11 January – Rejoice!

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – Within the Octave of Epiphany – Isaias 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12

“And seeing the Star they rejoiced
with exceeding great joy.”

Matthew 2:10

“We too, then, when we suffer anything
for Christ’s sake,
should do so, not simply with courage
but even with joy.
If we have to go hungry, let us be glad,
as if we were at a banquet.
If we are insulted, let us be elated,
as though we had been showered with praises.
If we lose all we possess,
let us consider ourselves the gainers of all.
If we provide for the poor,
let us regard ourselves as the recipients! …
Above all, remember, that your struggles,
are for the sake of the Lord Jesus.
Then, you will easily rise above them
and live out your lifetime in happiness;
for nothing brings more happiness
than a good conscience.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father & Doctor of the Church ”

“What is not pleasing to God,
is anxiety and disquiet of mind.
The Lord wants our limitations
and weaknesses, to find their support
in His Strength; He wants us
to hope that His Goodness will complete
and perfect the imperfectness of our means.”

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)
Priest, Founder of the Society of Jesus

(Letter of 17 November 1555)

“What does St Paul mean by rejoicing in the Lord?
He means the joy which is the result of such a love of God as makes us simply wish that His Will should be done
in all things and, which feels positive joy,
in seeing the accomplishment of the Divine Will,
quite apart from any personal advantage or disadvantage which may accrue to ourselves.
This is the secret of true joy, for then,
that which befalls ourselves, is a matter
of indifference to us.
Be it wealth or woe, success or failure,
we rejoice in it simply because it is
what God has ordained for us .
This is the meaning of Our Lord’s words –
“ Your joy, no man taketh from you.”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 January – ‘ … A Light has dawned … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 11 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – Within the Octave of Epiphany – Isaias 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 – cripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy Light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” – Isaias 60:1

REFLECTION – “The loving Providence of God determined that, in the last days He would aid the world, set on its course to destruction. He decreed that all nations should be saved in Christ.

A promise had been made to the holy Patriarch Abraham, in regard to these nations. He was to have a countless progeny, born not from his body but from the seed of faith. His descendants are, therefore, compared with the array of the stars. The father of all nations, was to hope, not in an earthly progeny but, in a progeny from above.

Let the full number of the nations now take their place in the family of the Patriarchs. Let the children of the promise, now receive the blessing in the seed of Abraham, the blessing renounced by the children of his flesh. In the persons of the Magi, let all people adore the Creator of the universe – let God be known, not in Judea only but in the whole world, so that His Name may be great in all Israel.

Dear friends, now that we have received instruction in this revelation of God’s grace, let us celebrate, with spiritual joy, the day of our first harvesting, of the first calling of the Gentiles. Let us give thanks to the merciful God, Who has made us worthy, in the words of the Apostle, to share the position of the Saints in   Light, Who has rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son. As Isaias prophesied – the people of the Gentiles, who sat in darkness, have seen a great Light and for those who dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, a Light has dawned. He spoke of them to the Lord – The Gentiles, who do not know Thee, will invoke Thee and the peoples, who knew Thee not, will take refuge in Thee.” – St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Father and Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from his On the Lord’s Epiphany, Sermon 3)

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who by the guidance of a star this day revealed Thy Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may come to behold Thee in glory. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 10 January – “The Arrival in Bethlehem”

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Thought for the Day – 10 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Arrival in Bethlehem”

+1. When the Wise Men had obtained the information they needed, they wasted no further time in Jerusalem but turned their steps towards the Village of Bethlehem. Their faith was being very sorely tried. The Star had disappeared and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, instead of sharing their eagerness to find the Newborn King, seemed
to be either indifferent or. positively hostile to the idea of His Presence in their midst.
So Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament, lies waiting in the Tabernacle for a visit from those whom He loves. They have no longing for Him, no desire for His Company. Only a few faithful souls go to pay their court to Him. Am I one of them?

+2. Scarcely had they left the City, when the Star reappeared to their joyful eyes. There it is; there is no mistaking it. God has not deserted us. He is still guiding us and we shall find Him Whom we seek. No wonder that they rejoiced with great joy!
So to those who have persevered amid doubt and darkness, God soon restores the Light of His Presence. Courage, faintheart! the Star will soon reappear before you!

+3. At length, the Star, instead of moving above them in the heavens, came nearer to earth and settled on the humble dwelling-place where Jesus and His Mother abode. What! the King of the Jews in that poverty-stricken shed? Yes, so it is; Christ scorns the gilded palace and loves the humble hut. There He is at home; thither
He invites His friends to come and see how He dwells with the poor and humble of heart.

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MARIAN QUOTES, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 January – Thy Light is Come!

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 January – Within the Octave– Isaias 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

This day a great Light has descended upon the earth!
Alleluia!

“Arise, be enlightened, …
for thy Light is Come!”

Isaias 60:1

“ The fire of the Lord is Light Eternal;
the lamps of believers are lit at this fire:
“Gird your loins and light your lamps,”
(Lk 12:35).
It is because the days of our life
are still night that a lamp is necessary.
This is the fire which,
according to the testimony
of the disciples at Emmaus,
the Lord Himself set within them:
“Were not our hearts burning within us
while He spoke to us on the way
and opened the scriptures to us?” (Lk 24:32).
He gives us evident proof of this fire’s action,
enlightening man’s inmost heart.
That is why the Lord will Come in fire (Is 66,15)
so as to devour our faults at the resurrection,
fulfil each one’s desires with His Presence
and cast His Light over their merits and mysteries.”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Eternal Light, Shine into our Hearts
By St Alcuin of York (735-804)

Eternal Light, shine into our hearts,
Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil,
Eternal Power, be our support,
Eternal Wisdom, scatter the
darkness of our ignorance,
Eternal Pity, have mercy on us
that with all our heart
and mind
and soul
and strength,
we may seek Thy Face
and be brought,
by Thine Infinite Mercy
to Thy Holy Presence;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord
Amen

“Taking up the newborn Emmanuel,
Mary beheld a Light incomparably fairer
than the sun and saw a Fire,
which water cannot quench.
She received, in the covering of Flesh
Whom she had borne,
the Light, Who enlightens all things
and she was worthy,,
to carry in her arms,
the Word, Who carries the universe!”

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)
Bishop, Cistercian Monk

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on the CHURCH, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 January – Thy Light is Come!”

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One Minute Reflection – 10 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – Within the Octave– Isaias 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Arise, be enlightened,Jerusalem, for thy Light is Come!” – Isaias 60:1

REFLECTION – “Arise, be enlightened Jerusalem, for thy Light is Come!” (Is 60:1). Blessed is the Light Who has “come in the Name of the Lord.” “The Lord is God and has shone upon us” (Ps 117:26-27). In virtue of it this day too, you are sanctified by the enlightening of the Church. Thanks be to Thee, true Light, Thou Who “enlighten every man coming into this world” (Jn 1:9), Thou Who, for this very purpose, hast Come into this world as a Man. Jerusalem has been enlightened, our mother (Gal 4:26), mother of all those who have deserved to be enlightened, so that she now shines upon all who are in the world. Thanks be to Thee, true Light, Thou Who hast become a Lamp to enlighten Jerusalem and to make God’s Word “a Lamp for my feet” (Ps 117:105) … For not only has the Church been enlightened: it has been “raised aloft on a candlestick” one all of gold (Mt 5:15; Ex 25:31) . The city sits on the mountain of mountains (cf Mt 5:14) … so that its Gospel may shine out far and wide, as far and as wide as the world’s empire spreads.

O God, Thou Who give Light to all nations, of Thee we will sing: “Behold, the Lord will Come and enlighten the eyes of His servants” (cf Jude 14). Behold, Thou hast Come, my Light: “Enlighten my eyes, that I may never fall asleep in death” (Ps 12:4) … Thou hast Come, O Light of the faithful and behold, Thou hast granted us today, to rejoice at the enlightening of faith, that is, of our Lamp. Grant us too, to rejoice always at the enlightening of the darkness which remains in us …

This is the way in which you should advance, O faithful soul, in order that you may cast off the darkness of this world and arrive at your home country of eternal brightness, where “your darkness will be like midday” (Is 58:10) and “night will be lit up like day” (Ps 138:12). Then indeed, then “you will see and be radiant, your heart will thrill and rejoice” (Is 60;5), when the whole earth is filled with the majesty of unbounded Light and “His glory is seen in you” (Is 60:2) … “Come and let us walk in the Light of the Lord!” (Is 2:5); as “children of Light” let us walk “from brightness to brightness, as led by the Lord” (2 Cor 3:18).” – Blessed Guerric of Igny (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (3rd Sermon for Epiphany).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who by the guidance of a star this day revealed Thy Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may come to behold Thee in glory. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD

Thought for the Day – 9 January – “The Magi’s Stay in Jerusalem”

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Thought for the Day – 9 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Magi’s Stay in Jerusalem”

+I. When the Star disappeared, the Magi were not disconcerted. If God saw fit to withdraw His direct and extraordinary supernatural guidance, they must fall back on the ordinary means. So they sought for information from those on the spot, as to the birthplace of the King of the Jews.
Sometimes God leads us by His holy inspirations, sometimes He leaves us to discover His Will by natural means. We cannot expect to live always in the blaze of supernatural Light, showing us the way

+2. When Herod heard of the arrival of these distinguished strangers and of their inquiries after a new- born King, he was troubled. The tyrant dreaded lest he should be superseded.
It is one of the miseries of pride that it lives in continual dread of being set aside and humbled.
Humility is never troubled because it always loves the lowest place and rejoices in its own discomfiture.

+3. The Priests, when consulted, declared with one voice that Bethlehem is to be the birthplace of the King of the Jews. Yet they manifested no desire to follow the Magi thither. Their knowledge of the truth created in them, no wish to carry it into practice. They could teach others but they did not themselves act on the lessons they taught. How often have I done the same!
I preach so well: I practise so ill!

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on TRUTH, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY NAME

Quote/s of the Day – 9 January – In the Name of the Lord Jesus

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family”

“In the Name of the Lord Jesus
and protected only
by the Sign of the Cross,
without shield or helmet,
I shall penetrate the enemy’s ranks
and not be afraid.”

St Martin of Tours (c 316-397)

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name
is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.
It is a source of joy and inspiration in our youth;
of strength in our manhood,
when only His Holy Name and His grace,
can enable us to overcome temptation;
of hope, consolation
and confidence at the hour of our death,
when more than ever before,
we realise, that the meaning of Jesus is
‘Lord, the Saviour.’
We should bow in reverence to His Name
and submission to His Holy Will.”

Bl Henry Suso OP (1290-1365)

“[Jesus] is our only Master, Who must teach us;
our only Lord, on Whom we must depend;
our only Head, to Whom alone we should belong;
our only Model, Whom we should imitate;
our only Physician, Who must heal us;
our only Shepherd, Who must feed us;
our only Way, Who must lead us;
our only Truth, Whom we must believe;
our only Life, Who must be our life
and our sole sufficiency in all things
that, in Him, we may have all in All.
Except the Name of Jesus,
there is no other name given under Heaven,
whereby we must be saved
and apart from Jesus Christ,
God has given us no other foundation of our salvation,
our perfection and our glory! ”

St Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)

“The Holy Name of Jesus is,
first of all,
an all-powerful prayer.
Our Lord, Himself, solemnly promises,
that whatever we ask the Father in His Name,
we shall receive.
God never fails to keep His Word.
Each time we say “Jesus,”
it is an act of perfect love,
for, we offer to God,
the Infinite love of Jesus.”

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The DIVINE INFANT, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 January – ‘ … Mad? Yes, they have become so in order to be wise. …’ St Bernard

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One Minute Reflection – 9 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family”– Within the Octave of The Epiphany –Isaias 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Falling down they adored Him” – Matthew 2:11

REFLECTION – “God’s intention was not only to come down to earth but to become known there; not only to be born but to be recognised. In fact, it is with this recognition in mind that we hold this celebration of the Epiphany, the great day of His manifestation. For it was today that the Magi came from the East in search of the Sun of Justice at its rising (Mal 3:20), He of Whom we read: “Behold a Man Whose Name is the Orient,” (Zec 6:12 ). Today they have adored the Virgin’s newborn Child, following the guidance of a New Star. What great cause for joy do we not find here, my brethren, as also in those words of the Apostle Paul: “The kindness and generous love of God our Saviour have appeared,” (Tit 3:4)…

What is this you are doing, you Magi? What is this you are doing? Are you adoring an Infant at the breast in a wretched hovel, wrapped in miserable rags? Can a Child such as this really be God? Yet, “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in Heaven.” (Ps 11:4) while you are looking for Him in a common stable, held in His Mother’s arms! Whatever are you doing? Why are you offering Him gold? Could such a One as this be King? Where, then, is His Royal Court, His Throne, His crowd of courtiers? Can a stable be a palace, a crib a throne, Mary and Joseph members of His Court? How on earth could wise men be so foolish as to adore a Baby, as contemptible by reason of His age, as for the poverty of His Family?

Mad? Yes, they have become so in order to be wise. The Holy Spirit has taught them already what the Apostle Paul would later proclaim: “Whoever would be wise, let him become a fool. For since the world, in all its wisdom, did not come to know God in His Wisdom, it has pleased God to save those who believe, through the foolishness of the Gospel we proclaim, (Cf 1 Cor 1:21)… And so, they prostrate themselves before this poor Child; they do Him homage as to a King; they adore Him as a God. He Who outwardly guided them by a Star, has cast His Light into the interior of their hearts!” – St Bernard (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, Father and Doctor of the Church (1st Sermon for the Epiphany).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who by the guidance of a star this day revealed Thy Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may come to behold Thee in glory. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 8 January –“Their Journey”

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Thought for the Day – 8 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Their Journey”

+1. The journey of the Magi from their own Country to Palestine, just because a Star appeared in a certain quarter of the heavens, was very like a fool’s errand. Was a mere floating tradition a sufficient ground for undertaking a long, arduous and costly journey? Were not their duties at home of more importance and had they not a greater claim than this strange apparition which tempted them away? What is folly to man is often wisdom to God.
How often have similar arguments been used to deter Protestants from making their submission to the Church and, to dissuade Catholics, from Consecrating themselves to God! Perhaps I may sometimes have followed the dictates of mere worldly wisdom, neglecting supernatural grace?

+2. The Star led the Magi on until they arrived in Jerusalem and then, it disappeared. In the bustle of the City, no Star. In the Palace of Herod, no Star. The busy hum of the crowd seems to be a hindrance to God’s holy inspirations.

+3. Did the Magi , under these circumstances, accept the situation and devote their time to the sights and wonders of the Holy City? No! nothing would satisfy them, except the fulfilment of their mission.
What a lesson to us who are so easily diverted by worldly things from seeking after God!

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MODESTY, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, St Francis de Sales, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 January – Obedience

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 January – Within the Octave of the Epiphany

“Rather blessed are those
who hear the Word of God
and keep it.’”

Luke 11:28

“I Am the Light of the world.
Whoever follows Me
will never walk in darkness
but will have the Light of Life.”

John 8:12

“Our hearts were made for Thee, O God
And restless must they be
Until, O God, this grace accord,
Until they rest in Thee!”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“The obedience of the Star
calls us to imitate its humble service:
to be servants, as best we can,
of the grace which invites all men
to find Christ.”

St Pope Leo the Great (400-461)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Humility is the mother of many virtues
because, from it are born:
obedience, fear, reverence, patience,
modesty, meekness and peace.
He who is humble easily obeys everyone,
fears to offend anyone,
is at peace with everyone,
is kind to all!”

St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555)

“When God puts inspirations into a heart,
the first He gives, is obedience. ”

“To find the Saviour outside obedience,
is to lose Him altogether.”

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

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

One Minute Reflection – 8 January – Imitating the 3 Kings’ gifts

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One Minute Reflection – 8 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – Within the Octave of The Epiphany –Isaias 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… They fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” … Matthew 2:11

REFLECTION – “But if, with careful thought, we wish to see how their threefold kind of gift, is also offered by all who come to Christ, with the foot of faith — is not the same offering repeated in the hearts of true believers?
For he who acknowledges ,Christ the King of the universe brings Gold from the treasure of his heart, he who believes the Only-begotten of God to have united man’s true nature to Himself, offers Myrrh and he who confesses Him, in no wise, inferior to the Father’s Majesty, worships Him in a manner, with Incense.” … St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Father and Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – “Give me, therefore, I pray Thee, this gold, this incense and this myrrh. Give me the gold of Thy holy love, give me the spirit of holy prayer, give me the desire and strength to mortify myself in everything that displeases Thee. I am resolved to obey Thee and to love Thee but Thou knowest my weakness, oh, give me the grace to be faithful to Thee!” … St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Church

Posted in QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 7 January – “The Magi”

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Thought for the Day – 7 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Magi”

+1. The three Kings who came to do honour to Jesus on the Feast of the Epiphany are also called the three Magi , or three Wise Men They were the rulers of an eastern tribe at some distance from Bethlehem. Like Abraham, they left home and country at God’s command. If Abraham thus deserved to be called the Friend of God and Father of the faithful, so these Wise Men were not only the subjects but also, the friends of Christ and the spiritual fathers of all faithful Catholics. We are their spiritual offspring; the innumerable company of Christians in Heaven willall have to thank them for having led the way to Jesus.

+2. What led them to this long and apparently aimless journey? In their tribe there had long existed a tradition that one day a Star would appear which the Princes of the tribe were to follow and following it, to find the King of Heaven Incarnate upon earth. How many
generations had looked and longed for the promised sign ! Yet it came at last.
God always grants, sooner or later, the desires of those who long for Him.

+3. When the Star appeared, the Magi lost no time in setting out to follow it. Prompt obedience was their watchword; prompt obedience brought them to Jesus. Prompt obedience made them the earliest converts and the most earnest of God’s Saints.
Prompt obedience to God’s Holy Will, is the secret of all sanctity.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MARIAN QUOTES, Of a Holy DEATH & AGAINST A SUDDEN DEATH, of the DYING, FINAL PERSEVERANCE, DEATH of CHILDREN, DEATH of PARENTS, PARTIAL Indulgence, QUOTES on MARRIAGE, MARRIED LOVE, St Francis de Sales, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Quote/s of the Day – 7 January – The Holy Family

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Quote/s of the Day – 7 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family”and the Feast of the Holy Family

Indulgenced Holy Family Aspiration

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
I give Thee my heart and my soul;
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
assist me in my last agony;
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
may I breathe forth my soul in peace with Thee.”

(Indulgence of 300 days, Each Time.
Pope Pius VII, 26 August 1814)

“When husband and wife
are united in marriage
they no longer seem like something earthly
but rather, like the image of God Himself!”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“The One Who is the Wisdom of the Father,
put His arms around her neck,
the One Who is the strength,
that gives movement to everything,
sat in her arms. He Who is the rest of souls, (Mt 11:29)
rested on her motherly breast.
… Filled with the Holy Spirit,
she held Him close to her heart …
She never had enough of seeing Him
or of hearing Him,
,,, Thus Mary grew evermore in love and her mind
was unceasingly attached to Divine contemplation.”

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)

“Since God could choose for the Guardian of His Son,
the man in the world, the most accomplished
in all sorts of perfections,
according to the dignity
and excellence of his Charge,
Who was His most Glorious Son,
the universal Prince of Heaven and earth,
how could it be that being able,
He did not will it and did not do it?
There is, then, NO DOUBT that St Joseph
was endowed with all the graces
and all the gifts that were required
for the care which the Eternal Father
willed to give him,
of the temporal and domestic economy
of our Lord and of the guidance of his family … ”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/01/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-january-the-holy-family/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 January – ‘Shine like a Star! …’

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One Minute Reflection – 7 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – Within the Octave of Epiphany – Feast of the Holy Family – Isaias 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Where is He Who is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His Star in the east and are come to adore Him.” – Matthew 2:2

REFLECTION – “All these things we know to have taken place ever since the Three Wise Men, aroused in their far-off land, were led by a Star to recognise and worship the King of Heaven and earth.
The responsiveness of that Star exhorts us to imitate it’s obedience and, as much as we can, to make ourselves servants of that grace which invites us all to Christ.
For, whoever lives religiously and chastely in the Church and “sets his mind on the things which are above, not on the things that are upon the earth” (Col 3:2) resembles that heavenly light in a certain sense.
So long as he maintains, in himself, the brightness of a holy life, he points out to many, like a Star, the way that leads to God.
All having this concern, dearly-beloved… you will shine in the Kingdom like children of Light.”… St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Father & Doctor of the Church.

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who by the guidance of a star this day revealed Thy Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may come to behold Thee in glory. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in Holy Family PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PARTIAL Indulgence, QUOTES on DEATH

Our Morning Offering – 7 January – Grant Us, O Lord Jesus – Indulgenced Prayer in Honour of the Holy Family

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Our Morning Offering – 7 January – Within the Octave of Epiphany – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus” and the Feast of the Holy Family

Grant Us, O Lord Jesus
Indulgenced Prayer in Honour
of the Holy Family
(Indulgence: 200 days, Once a Day
Pope Leo XIII)

Grant us, O Lord Jesus,
faithfully to imitate
the examples of Thy Holy Family,
so that in the hour of our death,
in the company of Thy glorious Virgin Mother
and St Joseph, we may deserve
to be received by Thee,
into eternal tablernacles.
Amen

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The DIVINE INFANT, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 6 January – “The Epiphany”

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Thought for the Day – 6 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide –
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Epiphany”

+1. The Sun of Justice Who rose on Christmas morn did not shine on the Jews only. The Light Who shone upon the rejoicing earth was a Light Who was to enlighten the Gentiles as well as to be the glory of the people of Israel. The Feast of the Epiphany was the declaration of the
world-wide dominion of the new-born King. It
proclaimed that the kingdoms of this world were
to be the Kingdoms of the Lord and of His Christ.
Rejoice with the Infant King in His universal Sovereignty , and pray that His Kingdom may speedily be acknowledged by all His subjects.

+2. Those who came to visit Jesus on the Epiphany were three Kings. They came as the representatives of all earthly monarchies. They came to do homage and to adore the universal King of the whole earth. What a shadow of a shade is all temporal dominion, compared with the dominion of Jesus! What unlimited homage we all owe Him! How we should rejoice to acknowledge Him our King and Lord, by our loyal obedience to Him!

+3. This festival is especially the festival of converts. Our ancestors were once pagans until the Vicar of Christ sent to our beloved country, the apostle who proclaimed to us the Faith of Christ This Faith in many lands, has faded now and mockery sits on Juda’s throne.
Alas, to think that those who had the inheritance of the
Faith have lost it
How can I ever be grateful enough for the Light Who shines on me!

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, OUR Cross, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on WISDOM, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 January – Its Epiphany! Remember the House Blessing –Chalk the Door!

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 January – The Epiphany of the Lord

“We have seen His Star in the east
and are come to adore Him.”

Matthew 2:2

“The obedience of the Star
calls us to imitate its humble service:
to be servants, as best we can,
of the grace which invites all men
to find Christ.”

St Pope Leo the Great (400-461)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Thus we offer the Lord,
Gold, when we shine in His Sight
with the Light of heavenly wisdom ….
We offer Him Frankincense,
when we send up pure prayer before Him
and Myrrh, when, “mortifying our flesh
with its vices and passions” (Gal 5:24)
by self-control, we carry the cross behind Jesus.”

St Bruno of Segni O.Cart. (c 1030 -1101)

Bishop (1st Sermon on the Epiphany PL 165, 863).

Chalk the Door – Epiphany House Blessing
20 C+M+B 25

“Christus mansionem benedicat”
Peace be to this house
and to all who dwell herein.
From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem
to adore the Lord – “and opening their treasures
they offered precious gifts –
Gold for the Great King,
Incense for the True God
and Myrrh to symbolise His Burial.”

The equation is written to be the first two digits of the year,
followed by the initials C, M and B,
followed by the last two digits of the year.
Each portion is split by plus signs (being the Sign of the Cross).
For this year, the equation would be written as
“20 + C + M + B + 25”
The chalking holds two meanings.
The C, M and B, refer to the traditional names
of the Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.
The letters also stand for the Latin phrase
“Christus Mansionem Benedicat” which means
“May Christ Bless this House”
The plus signs represents the Cross
and the 20 and 25 simply refer to the year.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The DIVINE INFANT, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 January – ‘ …Gifts which are not given to a human being but only to God …’

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One Minute Reflection – 6 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – The Epiphany of the Lord – Isaias 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“They found the Child with Mary His Mother and falling down they adored Him.” – Matthew 2:11

REFLECTION – “Brothers, let us follow the Magi, let us leave our pagan customs. Let us depart! Let us make a long journey so as to see Christ. If the Magi had not left and gone a long way from their country, they would not have seen Christ. Let us also leave earth’s interests. As long as they remained in their country, the Magi saw only the Star but, when they left their homeland, they saw the Sun of Justice (Mal 3:20). Or rather, let us say – if they had not generously set out on their journey, they would not even have seen the Star. Thus, let us also rise up and even if everyone in Jerusalem is troubled, let us run to where the Child is…

“On entering the house, they found the Child with Mary His Mother. They prostrated themselves and did Him homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented him with gifts.” What motivated them to prostrate themselves before this Child? There was nothing remarkable in the Virgin or in the house, no object could have struck their eye and attracted them. And yet, not content with prostrating themselves, they opened their treasure, gifts which are not given to a human being but only to God – Frankincense and Myrrh symbolise Divinity. What was their reason for acting in this way? The same as that which made them decide to leave their homeland, to depart on this long journey. It was the Star, that is to say, the Light with which God had filled their heart and which led them, little by little, to a more perfect knowledge. If there had not been that Light, how could they have given such homage, when what they saw was so poor and humble? If there is not material grandeur but only a crib, a stable, a mother who is lacking in everything, it is so that you might see the Magi’s wisdom more clearly, so that you understand – they came not to a human being but to a God, to their Benefactor.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father & Doctor of the Church (Sermons on St Matthew 7-8).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who by the guidance of a star this day revealed Thy Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may come to behold Thee in glory. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Our Morning Offering – 6 January – Prayer for the Intercession of the Three Kings, Saint Caspar, Saint Melchior and Saint Balthasar

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Our Morning Offering – 6 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – The Feast of The Epiphany of the Lord

Prayer for the Intercession of the Three Kings,
Saint Caspar, Saint Melchior and Saint Balthasar
By Cologne Cathedral
(An Imprimatur has been granted for this
publication – Cologne Cathedral)

Lord and God
Thou created us
for a lifelong journey to Thee.
Each one of us takes a different path,
over mountains and through valleys,
through joy and sorrow and need.
May the Three Holy Kings guide us in our wanderings,
as their faith, knowledge and determination guided them
through many perils on their journey to Thee.
They saw Thee, knelt before Thee,
offered up their gifts and paid homage to Thee,
They were filled with the joy of finding Thee!

Lord and God,
We thank Thee for granting us the freedom
to seek and find Thee, our life’s goal!
Grant us the faith, strength and trust we need,
to follow in the path of the Three Kings.
Give us courage when we are at risk
of taking easier but false paths,
Let us experience the joy of being with Thee
at the end of our journey,
so that we may be eternally surrounded by Thy Love.
We ask this, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
the destination of every pilgrimage.
Amen!

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, St JOSEPH, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 4 January – “The Foster-father”

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Thought for the Day – 4 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Foster-father”

At no great distance from the Mother of God stands His holy Foster-father St Joseph, the third person of that earthly trinity. What can we learn from him?

+1. He is the true husband of Mary, united to her by a closer bond than any on earth save that which exists between the Mother and the Son.
He is, moreover, the true earthly father of Jesus in everything except the fact of carnal generation. He has committed to him, the care of God Himself and of her, who is dearer to God than all the world beside. He is, therefore, next to Mary, of all mankind, the most privileged and the most exalted.
How then, can we honour him enough?

+2. When God gives to anyone an office, He gives him the virtues and the qualities which are required for its perfect exercise. What then, must have been the virtues of St Joseph?!
He must have had every virtue, not only in an eminent degree but ,in a degree, to which none other of the sons of men ever attained. In prudence, justice, humility, charity, he was far above all others.
I, therefore, must ask of him every grace which I need.

+3. Above all, St Joseph was eminent for his unspotted purity. Many theologians assert that he was sanctified in his mother’s womb. None save Mary was ever so pure as he This it was which qualified him for his intimate union with Jesus and Mary.
If I desire to be united to them, I too must be pure of heart. St Joseph, please obtain for me this grace of purity!

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MOTHER of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 3 January – “The Holy Mother”

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Thought for the Day – 3 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Holy Mother”

By the side of the manger where the Infant lies, His Mother is watching. Who is she?

+I. A poor and humble maiden but, nevertheless, the Mother of God. The Mother of God!
How can this be? How can the Eternal, Infinite God have a human mother Yet so it is.
Mary has a privilege which raises her immeasurably above the highest of the Seraphim, makes her more perfect in her likeness to God than is possible to any other creature. If, then, we honour the Saints and Angels, how much more should we honour God’s Own Mother!

+2. Yet Mary has a still greater claim to our homage, a more fruitful source of blessedness, even than the Divine Maternity. Her unswerving obedience to the inspirations of God is declared by Our Lord Himself, to be a still higher privilege. “Yea, rather blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.”
If only we realised the blessedness of unswerving obedience, how different our lot would be!

+3. What are Mary’s thoughts as she sits watching there? She has no thought save of God. She is absorbed in Him . The hours pass like minutes, they are a sort of anticipation of Paradise. She sees her God face-to-face and although His glory is veiled under the robe of flesh, yet Mary can pierce through it as none other ever could and can bask in the Divinity which it conceals.
O God help me to realise now, Thy Presence when Thou art veiled under the Sacramental Species.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRISTMASTIDE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY INFANCY, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 2 January – “The New-born Child”

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Thought for the Day – 2 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

I love the fact that Fr Clarke keeps us with the Divine Infant and His beloved Holy Family and oriantates our entire New Year to where it should be and too, still in Christmastide unlike the rest of the world around us. Alleluia. P.S. I will be back in full swing, on Monday, God willing.

Meditations for Christmastide –
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The New-born Child”

In the cradle before us lies the new -born Infant wrapped in swaddling-clothes and laid in the manger. Let us contemplate Him for a few moments and see what lessons He teaches us.

+I. He teaches us the unspeakable force of Divine charity. How was it possible for the Eternal Word, the co-equal Son of God, to leave the bosom of His Father to clothe Himself with the flesh of sinful man?
It seems an almost extravagant act of love, one unworthy of the dignity of God. Yet, love puts everything aside, except the burning desire to promote the welfare of the loved. The Son of God forgot all else in His Divine compassion for us.
How dearly He must love us
How great should be our confidence in His Love!

+2. He teaches us never to judge by appearances. If we had been told that God had Come to dwell on earth, would not the stable of Bethlehem have been the last place where we should have sought Him In how many a humble cottage there may still be found saints more dear to God than even those who have a worldwide repute for their holiness and virtue!

+3. He teaches us the true dignity of self-abasement. God could not do anything unworthy of Himself when clad in human flesh. It, therefore, was no disparagement to the Divine honour that He should thus infinitely condescend. Nay, it proved that the greatest possible likeness to God is attained by the most complete humiliation of self.
How little I have learned to practice this lesson!

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOOD RESOLUTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOTES to Followers, QUOTES for the NEW YEAR, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SILENCE, The HEART

A New Life is Beginning … May 2025 be the ONE which Makes Us All Saints!

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May 2025 be the ONE which Makes Us All Saints!

A RESOLVE
For Every Morning of the New Year

I will this day, try to live a simple,
sincere and serene life, repelling
promptly, every thought of
discontent, anxiety, discouragement,
impurity and self-seeking;
cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity,
charity and the habit of holy silence,
exercising economy in expenditure,
carefulness in conversation,
diligence in appointed service,
fidelity in every trust
and a child-like trust in God.

Bishop John H Vincent 1900

“What we need most,
in order to make progress,
is to be silent before this great God
with our appetite and with our tongue,
for the language He best hears
is silent love.”

“Strive to preserve your heart in peace;
let no event of this world, disturb it.”

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Mystical Doctor of the Church

“Anyone who takes life seriously
in the Christian sense,
will regard it as a difficult journey
towards perfection and towards God.
This journey will be, at the same time,
painful and joyful.
… It is our own loss if we sit down lazily
on the side of the road,
which should lead us to Heaven.
It is even more disastrous,
if we acknowledge defeat
and lay down the spiritual weapons
of prayer and renunciation,
in order to surrender ourselves to sin or to indifference.
Everyday we should say to ourselves,
in the presence of God –
A new life is beginning …
in You, by Your grac and for You!
Amen”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on the FAMILY, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The HOLY NAME

JANUARY 2025 – The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family

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JANUARY – The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus
and the Holy Family

The Second Council of Lyons in 1274 decreed that “at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow; whenever that glorious Name is recalled, especially during the Sacred Mysteries of the Mass, everyone should bow the knees of his heart, which he can do even by a bow of his head.”

It may very well be that the custom of bowing the head at the Name of Jesus has passed out of general use, as have other laudable customs, in recent times but, that does not prevent us personally, from continuing to live it and passing on to our children this ancient custom.

The Holy Family – The Hidden Life

The life of each member of the Holy Family was, from the first, a hidden life, for it was a life hidden with God and concealed from the busy world. The life of Jesus in Mary’s womb, was thus the model of the lives of all, who desire to give themselves entirely to God; a life completely withdrawn from all which could interfere with a continual thought of God and, a continual union with Him, by acts of adoration and of love. This should be my aim, at least during such portions of the day as I am able to give to prayer and to spiritual things.

But a life of complete removal from external things, is not possible on earth. It is reserved for the Blessed in Heaven. Even Joseph and Mary had sometimes to turn their thoughts to earthly things and to the cares of life. Yet, they never lost sight of God and, amid the most distracting occupations, the remembrance of Him, was ever in their hearts. This should be my constant endeavour; thus, to lead a hidden life, by having ever hidden in my heart, the precious treasure of the love of God.

But the hidden life of Mary and Joseph, was from the very beginning, much more than this; they, in the midst of the most distracting cares, had the gift of always having the thought of God, actually present to them. Their conscious intercourse with Him, never ceased. This is the nearest approach to the life of the Angels possible for mortal man on earth. What a contrast to my life, so often absorbed in worldly trifles!

Posted in GOOD RESOLUTIONS, INGRATITUDE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for the NEW YEAR, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on MEDIOCRITY, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 31 December – The Last Day of the Year

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

The Last Day of the Year

“Now that the year is almost over, cast your mind back to the good resolutions which you made at the beginning of it.
Have you put these resolutions into effect?
Has there been any improvement in your spiritual life during these twelve months, or must you confess, that it has deteriorated?
How often have you committed sin, perhaps even grave sin, during the year?
When God appealed to you to perform some good action, how often did you refuse Him?

Your future outlook is very dark if your life has developed into a gradual descent towards evil.
Anyday, God could grow tired of your ingratitude and obstinacy and send death to end your infidelity.
Then you would almost certainly, be damned forever.
If you have surrendered to spiritual languor and mediocrity, therefore, it is time for you to stir yourself.
It is time to become more generous with God, to display a greater spirit of self-sacrifice in responding to His appeals and to form further resolutions.

Virtue cannot co-exist with spiritual tepidity, which leads inevitably, towards sin.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/31/thought-for-the-day-31-december-the-last-day-of-the-year/
ABOVE IS PART TWO
PART THREE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/31/thought-for-the-day-31-december-the-last-day-of-the-year-3/

Posted in JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on PEACE, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Thought for the Day – 30 December – The Holy Family – Mary and Joseph

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

As Fr Clarke has left us in the lurch for the last 3 days of December, I am revisiting dear Cardinal Bacci to come to our aid. I pray you, like myself, never tire of his wisdom.

The Holy Family – Mary

“The Blessed Virgin Mary, is the second model proposed for our imitation in the Holy Family.
… We do not read that Mary worked miracles, had ecstasies, or possessed any extraordinary external gifts.
Her sanctity was completely internal.
She trod the ordinary way of perfection, therefore, the way most easily imitated by us and, nevertheless, reached the highest peak of holiness.
Since we are her devoted and affectionate children, let us ask her for the grace to follow her in the way of perfection and of complete resignation to the will of God.
Although we may have to follow her from afar, let us follow with enthusiasm and love..”

The Holy Family – Joseph

“The third member of the Holy Family is St Joseph, the most just of men, faithful to his vocation as the foster-father of the Child Jesus and chaste spouse o the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Let us imitate his purity, his utter dedication to the service of God and his burning love for Jesus, Whom he was privileged to clasp to his breast before any other man.
Let us ask him to obtain for us the grace to be able to imitate him in his life so that we may also imitate him in his holy death.
May he, who died with Jesus and Mary by his side, obtain peace for us in our final agony, so that we may expire with the names of Jesus and Mary on our lips and in our hearts.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Thought for the Day – 29 December – The Holy Family – Jesus

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

As Fr Clarke has left us in the lurch for the last 3 days of December, I am revisiting dear Cardinal Bacci to come to our aid. I pray you, like myself, never tire of his wisdom.

The Holy Family – Jesus

“We have in the Holy Family, the highest possible models of perfection – Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
As God, Jesus is essentially holy.
By means of the Hypostatic Union, this sanctity is transmitted also to His human nature.
The holiness of Jesus was only gradually revealed as He grew older because He wished to be like us in everything, save in sin.
As the Gospel says, He “advanced in wisdom and age and grace before God and men” (Lk 2:52).
Jesus gave us an example of holiness which we should find easier to imitate because it was eternally increasing all the time.
He offered us, as an example, the kind of sanctity which has its beginning and foundation in utter humility and detachment from worldly goods.
“Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29).

Socrates advised his followers to have few desires and to desire these as little as possible, in order to remain content, for the man who is full of desires is always uneasy and restless.
This human counsel is very true but, it is incomplete.
It recommends detachment from earthly things but fails to teach the ardent and practical desire for supernatural things.
Jesus Christ teaches us both.
After He has urged us to become gentle and humble like Himself, after He has told us not to worry about the future and not to fret about what to wear and what to eat, He points out the way in which Providence clothes the lilies of the filed and feeds the birds of the air.
Then He adds: “Seek the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be given you besides” (Cf Lk.12:22-31).

We must limit and moderate our desire for earthly goods, therefore but, should ardently yearn to love God, to serve and obey Him in this life and to enjoy Him forever in Heaven.
This is what the Infant Jesus wishes to teach us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in ADVENT, ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CHRISTMASTIDE!, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, HOLY COMMUNION, Meditations for ADVENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The O ANTIPHONS

Thought for the Day – 27 December – “O Emmanuel”

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Thought for the Day – 27 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Advent
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“O Emmanuel”

“O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver,
the expectation of the nations and their Saviour,
Come to save us, O Lord our God!”

+1. Emmanuel, God with us, is a Name which in every way belongs to Christ Our Lord. He is with His people in all their needs, ever ready to help and console them. He is with us on every Altar, waiting for us to come and pour out our sorrow and our needs before Him. He is with us, above all, in Holy Communion, when He Comes to dwell in our heart and to bring with Him every grace we need. He is with us in the hour of death and He will be with us forever in Heaven.

+2. He Who thus Comes to dwell with us in familiar friendship is our King; He Who thus condescends to be our companion, is the God Who has an absolute right to our obedience. He is our Lawgiver and the statutes He enacts for us have but one end and aim and object, to lead His subjects into the ways of happiness and the paths of peace .

+3. Come then, O God, our Lord and our Saviour. Come and save us from all the perils of the Evil One and from our own weakness and frailty.
Come and save us in the hour of temptation, for Thou alone art our King and none save Thee shalt rule over us.
Come and bring us safely through this vale of tears to Thy Eternal Kingdom, where we shall dwell forever, O sweet Jesus, in the everlasting delights of Thy blissful Company.

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, CHRISTMAS Quotes, CHRISTMASTIDE!, NOTES to Followers, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Christmas Wishes filled with Joy and Love to You All!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Christmas Wishes filled with Joy and Love to You All!

This day a great Light has descended upon the earth!
Alleluia!

“And the Word became Flesh
and dwelt among us,
full of Grace and Truth;
we have beheld His Glory,
Glory as of the Only Son from the Father.”

John 1:14

My sincere thanksgiving
for those most generous and loving Benefactors,
who, in their generosity, have constantly contributed
to the upkeep of this site.
For those who, in the midst of their manifold duties
during this very busy time, have still found time
to send Christmas donations and prayers.
May the Divine Infant,
His Immaculate Mother and Holy St Joseph,
Bless you all.

My wishes for a most Holy and Blessed Christmas
May the Divine Babe of Bethlehem
fill your hearts with His Joy, Peace and Love!

Sent with my love and prayers to you and yours.
Ana 🤗🙏🧡

Posted in ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRISTMAS Quotes, Meditations for ADVENT, The O ANTIPHONS

Thought for the Day – 25 December – “O Oriens”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 25 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Advent
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“O Oriens”

“O Orient, Splendour of Eternal Light and Sun of Justice;
Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death.”

  1. The night of pagan times was long and dark and seemed hopeless. Deeper and deeper the nations were sinking in misery and vice. But at length the Orient, the brightness of the Eternal Light of Heaven, rose and scattered the darkness , changing the gloom into a brilliant day.
    So too for those who have been long shrouded in the dense gloom of sin or sorrow, there waits the same Divine Light, ready to scatter their darkness in a moment, if only they will draw nigh to Him.
    He waits for me, ready to brighten my path, to scatter my sins and sorrows, if I will avail myself of His Love.

+2. That rising Light is the Sun of Justice, Who shall exercise His Justice in delivering the captive and in recompensing His friends a hundred, nay, a thousandfold, for every little service done for Him. For His Justice is virtually identical with His Mercy and rejoices to employ itself in works of pity and of love.

+3. Come then, O Orient, O Sun of Justice; shine upon those who sit in darkness, upon those who are enveloped in the thick mists of heathendom and heresy. Come and enlighten their
ignorance that they may not perish Come and deliver them from the shadow of death, for they cannot deliver themselves. Pour upon them such a flood of Light and Grace, as may guide their feet into the way of peace.