Quote/s of the Day – 7 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – The Feast of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Our Lady of Victory of Lepanto
“The Rosary is the most divine of devotions.”
St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)
“… [I] resolved to recite a Rosary for anyone who caused me trouble. Then I heard the Voice from the Tabernacle say, ‘Your prayers for those who mortify you, are very pleasing to Me. In exchange, I am ready to grant you many graces.‘”
St Serafino of Montegranaro (1540-1604)
“The greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
“Never will anyone who says his Rosary everyday, be led astray. This is a statement that I would gladly sign with my blood.”
St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)
“The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin… If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labours.”
Thought for the Day – 6 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Month of the Holy Rosary” The Fourth Joyful Mystery The Purification of Our Lady and The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
“Then Joseph and Mary carried the Infant Jesus to the Temple to offer Him to God and to buy Him back as their first-born Son, with the price paid by the poor, namely, with a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Let us reflect on this new act of humility on the part of the Holy Family. In spite of the supreme dignity which had been accorded them, they submitted quietly to the law which bound those in poverty and in sin. We, who are so fond of money and of ostentation, have much to learn from this scene. Jesus, the God-Man, is purchased back as a sinner for two young pigeons. Mary, the Immaculate Virgin and Mother and Joseph, the holiest and noblest of men, make themselves subject to the law of sin. We can derive from this, lessons in humility and in detachmentfrom the goods of this world.”
Quote/s of the Day – 6 October – St Bruno O.Cart (c1030-1101) Priest, Confessor
“Rejoice, my dearest brothers because you are blessed and because of the bountiful Hand of God’s grace upon you. Rejoice because you have escaped the various dangers and shipwrecks of the stormy world!
Rejoice because you have reached the quiet and safe anchorage of a secret harbour. Many wish to come into this port and many make great efforts to do so, yet do not achieve it. Indeed many, after reaching it, have been thrust out, since it was not granted them from above.”
One Minute Reflection – 6 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Bruno O.Cart (c1030-1101) Priest, Confessor – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 31:8-11 – Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Be you then also ready, for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.” – Luke 12:40
REFLECTION – “Let our “loins be girded and our lamps lit”; let us be like “servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast” (Lk 12:35). Do not let us be like those unbelievers who say: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor 15:32). The more unsure the day of our death is, the more painful are the trials of life and the more too, we should fast and pray since, to all intents and purposes, tomorrow we die. Our Lord said to His disciples: “Yet a little while and you will no longer see Me and again, a little while and you will see Me” (Jn 16:16). Now is the time of which He said: “You will grieve but the world will rejoice” (v. 20); now is the time in this life of suffering when we journey apart from Him. “But,” He adds, “I shall see you again and your hearts will be full of joy and no-one will take your joy away from you” (v. 22).
Even now, the hope we thus put in the One Who is faithful to His promise, will not leave us without some joy, until we are filled with overwhelming joy on the day when “we shall be like Him because we shall see Him as He is” (1Jn 3:2), when “no-one shall take our joy away from us”… “A woman in labour,” says our Lord, “is in anguish because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to a child, she feels immense joy because a child has been born into the world” (Jn 16:21). This is the joy no-one can take away from us and with which we will be filled when we pass from our present understanding of faith into eternal Light. So let us fast and pray now because we are in the days of childbirth.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace [Sermon 210, 5 (7)]
PRAYER – May we be aided by the intercession of St Bruno, Thy Confessor, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we, who have grievously offended Thy Majesty by sin, may, by his merits and prayers, obtain forgiveness for our offenses. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
I Love Thee, God, I Love Thee O Deus Ego Amo Te By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552) Translated by Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ (1844-1889)
I love Thee, God, I love Thee— Not out of hope for Heaven for me Nor fearing not to love and be in the everlasting burning. Thou, my Jesus, after me Didst reach Thine arms out dying, For my sake suffered nails and lance, Mocked and marred countenance, Sorrows passing number, Sweat and care and cumber, Yea and death and this for me, And Thou could see me sinning. Then I, why should not I love Thee, Jesu so much in love with me? Not for Heaven’s sake, not to be Out of hell by loving Thee, Not for any gains I see, But just the way that Thou didst me I do love and will love Thee. What must I love Thee, Lord, for then? For being my King and God. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – Pentecost XVII – Ephesians 4:1-6 – Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
THE GREAT COMMANDMENT
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and your whole mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ”
Matthew 22:37-39
“But why does charity include love of ourselves? Why, because we are wearing God’s Image and Likeness and, since all men enjoy the same noble dignity, we love them too as we love ourselves … I say it is for love of God, from Whom he is, Whose he is, by Whom he is, in Whom he is, for Whom he is, Whom he resembles in a most particular manner.”
One Minute Reflection – 5 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Pentecost XVII – St Placidus and Companions – Ephesians 4:1-6 – Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Master, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” … Matthew 22:36
REFLECTION – “The Lord asks of us only two things – love of His Majesty and love of our neighbour. These are what we must work for. By observing them with perfection, we do His Will and so, will be united with Him. But how far, as I have said, we are from doing these two things, as we ought, for so great a God! May it please His Majesty to give us His grace, so that we might merit, if we wish to reach this state that lies within our power.
The most certain sign, in my opinion, as to whether or not we are observing these two laws, is whether we observe well, the love of neighbour. We cannot know whether or not we love God, although there are strong indications for recognising that we do love Him but, we can know, whether we love our neighbour. And be certain that the more advanced you see you are, in love for your neighbour, the more advanced you will be in the love of God, for the love His Majesty has for us, is so great that to repay us for our love of neighbour, He will, in a thousand ways, increase the love we have for Him. I cannot doubt this. That is why, it is important for us to walk, with careful attention, to how we are proceeding in this matter, for if we practice love of neighbour with great perfection, we shall have done everything.I believe that, since our nature is bad, we will not reach perfection in the love of neighbour, if that love does not rise from love of God, as its root.” – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582) Carmelite (Interior Castle, Fifth Dwelling Places, Ch 3).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness, both of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, maybe delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 5 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Pentecost XVII
Lord, My God, My Only Hope! Let Me Never Tire of Seeking Thee By St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of Grace
O Lord, our God, we believe in Thee, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. As far as I have been able, as much as Thou hast given me the power to do so, I have sought for Thee. I have desired to see that in which I believe; much have I striven and laboured.
Lord, my God, my only Hope, let me never tire of seeking Thee but make me seek Thy Face with constant ardour. Give me the strength to seek for Thee– Thou Who hast made me find Thee, Who hast given me, more and more, the hope of finding Thee.
Thou seest my strength and my weakness; do Thou sustain the one and heal the other; Thou seest my strength and my ignorance, where Thou hast opened to me, come, make me welcome; where Thou hast closed to me, open to my plea. Give me to remember, understand to know and to love Thee alone. Amen
Thought for the Day – 4 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Month of the Holy Rosary” The Second Joyful Mystery Mary’s Visit to St Elizabeth
“But are we as grateful to God as we ought to be! Do we correspond with His graces? Are we prepared to make any sacrifice in order to share with others the gifts with which He has enriched us?
Let us remember that gratitude is a virtue which is very pleasing to God and draws down on us other graces and gifts.
In his panegyric on Trajan, the younger Pliny observes that the best means of soliciting new favours, is to show gratitude for those which we have already received. On the other hand, as St Bernard points out, ingratitude is like a scorching wind, which dries up the dew of Divine Mercy (Sermon 5 in Cant). Let us be grateful to God, therefore and do our best to share with others the gifts which we have received. “Because He Who is mighty has done great things for me and Holy is His Name!” (Lk 1:46-55).”
Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226) Confessor, Founder
“But I say to you, Love your enemies …” Matthew 5:44
“Let us pay attention, all my brothers, to what the Lord says: “Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you,” for our Lord Jesus Christ, Whose footprints we must follow (cf 1 Pt 2:21), called His betrayer “friend” (Mt 26:50) and gave Himself willingly to those who crucified Him. Our friends, then, are all those who, unjustly afflict upon us, trials and ordeals, shame and injuries, sorrows and torments, martyrdom and death! We must love them greatly for we will possess eternal life because of what they bring upon us.”
“Alms are an inheritance and a justice which is due to the poor and which Jesus has levied upon us!”
Be strengthened in Almighty God and in the power of His might, for with His help, nothing is difficult. Throw off the heavy load of your own will, cast aside the burden of sin and gird yourselves as valiant warriors! Forget what you are leaving behind; strain forward to the great things before you. I tell you that every place where you set foot, shall be yours. For the Spirit, Who goes before your face is Christ the Lord. He will carry you to the topmost peak in the arms of His Love.”
“In beautiful things St Francis saw Beauty itself and through His vestiges imprinted on creation, he followed his Beloved everywhere, making, from all things, a ladder, by which he could climb up and embrace Him, Who is utterly desirable.”
St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 4 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Francis of Assisi OFM (c1181–1226) Confessor, Founder – Galatians 6:14-18 – Matthew 11:25-30 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“I praise Thee, Father, … Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to the little ones. ” – Matthew 11:25
REFLECTION – “The fact that the all-powerful God has been able to humble Himself even to the humility of the human condition, constitutes a greater proof than the impact and supernatural character of miracles. Indeed, when Divine power effects something of great sublimity, this is, after a fashion, in conformity with and appropriate to God’s nature… On the other hand, that God descended even to our lowliness is, in a certain way, the expression of an overwhelming power which, is not in the least restrained by what is contrary to its nature…
Neither the expanse of the heavens, the brightness of the stars, the governing of the universe, nor the harmony of created things, reveal the splendid power of God so much, as His indulgence, which leads Him to lower Himself to the weakness of our nature… God’s goodness, wisdom, justice and power, are revealed in His plans on our behalf: goodness in His will to “save that which was lost” (Lk 19,10); wisdom and justice, in His manner of saving us; power in the fact, that Christ became “in the likeness of men” (Phil 2,7-8) and made Himself conformable to the humility of our nature.” – St Gregory of Nyssa (c.335-395) Bishop, Father of the Church (Catechetical Discourse 23-26 ; SC 453).
PRAYER – O God, Who by the good works of blessed Francis enriched Thy Church by establishing a new religious family, grant us to imitate him by emulation of him, by looking upon the things of earth as nought and ever to rejoice in sharing Thy heavenly gifts. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 4 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – The Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226) Confessor, Founder
Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace. “The Peace Prayer” By St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow Love; where there is injury, Pardon; where there is doubt, Faith; where there is despair, Hope; where there is darkness, Light and where there is sadness, Joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned and it is in dying, that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 3 October – St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873–1897)
“It is above all, the Gospel which supports me during my prayer. There, I find all which my poor little soul needs. There, I always discover new lights, hidden and mysterious meaning. … Just when I need it, I discover lights which I had not seen before.”)
“Our vocation, yours and mine, is not to go harvesting in the fields of ripe corn. Jesus does not say to us: “Lower your eyes, look at the fields and go and reap them,” our mission is still loftier. Here are Jesus’ words: “Lift up your eyes and see…. ” See how, in My Heaven, there are places empty; it is for you to fill them … each one of you is My Moses praying on the mountain (Ex 17:8) ask Me for labourers and I shall send them, I await only a prayer, a sigh from your heart!” ”
O Jesus, Dear Holy Child By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873 – 1897)
O Jesus, dear Holy Child, my only treasure, I abandon myself to Thy every whim. I seek no other joy than that of calling forth Thy sweet Smile. Vouchsafe to me, the graces and the virtues of Thy Holy Childhood, so that, on the day of my birth into Heaven, the Angels and Saints may recognise in Thy Spouse, Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Amen
Lenten Offering By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face of Lisieux (1873-1897)
O my God! I offer Thee all my actions of this Lent for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to Its Infinite Merits and I wish to make reparation for my sins, by casting them into the furnace of Its Merciful Love. O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfil perfectly Thy Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee, the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in Heaven, for all eternity. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 3 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873–1897) – Isaias 66:12-14 – Matthew 18:1-4 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven.” – Matthew 18:4
REFLECTION – “Remember this saying : “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Jas 4:6). Keep before yourself the Lord’s words: “Those who humble themselves will be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled” (Mt 23:12)… If it seems to you that you have some good quality, set it to your account but without forgetting your faults; do not boast about what you have done well today; do not set aside recent and past evil. If the present gives you reason to glory, remember the past! That is how you will pierce the abcess of pride! And if you see your neighbour sinning, beware you do not just consider him in the light of this lapse but, think too, about what he is doing, or has done which is good. Very often you will discover him to be better than yourself if you examine your life as a whole and do not add up the fragmentary bits. For God does not examine us in a fragmentary fashion … Let us often remember all this, so as to preserve ourselves from pride, humbling ourselves, so as to be raised up!
Let us imitate the Lord, Who came down from Heaven to the lowest depths … Yet, after such a humbling, He caused His glory to shine forth, glorifying with Himself, those who had been despised together with Him. These were indeed, in fact, His first blessed disciples who, poor and naked, went out through all the world, without words of wisdom, without sumptuous escort but alone and in anguish, vagabonds by land and by sea, beaten with rods, stoned, pursued and, in the end, put to death. Such as these are for us the divine teachings of our Father. Let us imitate them that we may also come to eternal glory, Christ’s perfect and authentic gift.” – St Basil the Great (329-379) Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon on Humility 5-6).
PRAYER – O Lord, Who said: Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to follow the footsteps of blessed Thérèse the Virgin, in humility and simplicity of heart that we may obtain everlasting rewards.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Thought for the Day – 2 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Our Guardian Angels
“The realisation that our Guardian Angel is always close at hand, should be a warning to us. It should prevent us from doing anything displeasing to God. Would we venture to do anything unbecoming in the presence of our Father or Mother, or of anyone for whom we have any regard? Definitely not and still less, should we dare to perform an evil action in the presence of our Angel, to whom we owe such gratitude and in the presence of God, our Creator, Lord and Redeemer, Who could, at any moment, snap the thread which binds us to life and plunge us into eternity.
Furthermore, when pride convinces us that we are of some importance, let us turn to our Angel and pray for the virtue of humility. When we begin to seethe with anger and long to utter words which are harsh and injurious, let us ask our Angel to pray on our behalf, for the gift of Christian gentleness. When the devil fills our minds with impure images and thoughts, let us ask our Angel to beseech God to give us the Christian fortitude to resist temptation and to imitate his angelic purity.
Finally, when tepidity is sapping the vigour of our interior life, let us pray to our Guardian Angel in the hope of obtaining a share in his intimate union with God.
Let us pray the Guardian Angel prayer or at least say: “My Guardian Angel enlighten me. My Guardian Angel help me. My Guardian Angel, protect me.” Amen.”
One Minute Reflection – 2 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” and the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels – Exodus 23:20-23 – Matthew 18:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“… Their Angels in Heaven, always see the Face of My Father …” – Matthew 18:10
REFLECTION – “Although the good God is sufficient unto Himself, nevertheless, He makes use of the ministry of the Angels to govern the world … When we see God taking such care of our lives, we conclude that our souls are something truly great and precious, if He is to employ all that is greatest in His Court for the souls’ preservation and sanctification. He has given us His Son to save us; this same Son … gives to each of us,one and, even several Angels, who are solely occupied in asking, on our half, the graces and aids we might need, to ensure our salvation … Oh, how little people know what they are and what they were made for! In Holy Scripture we read that the Lord said to His people: “See, I am sending an Angel before you, to guard you on the way” (Ex 23:20) …
We should often pray to our Guardian Angels, carefully respect them and, above all, try to imitate them in all our actions. And the first thing we need to imitate in them, is the thought of the Presence of God … Surely, if we were completely penetrated with God’s Presence, how could we do evil? How much more pleasing to God would be all our good deeds! … God said to Abraham: “Would you be blameless? Walk in My Presence” (Gn 17:1). How could we possibly forget God so easily, when we have Him always with us? Why are we not full of respect and gratitude towards our Angels, who accompany us day and night? … Perhaps you will say: “I am to unworthy to merit it.” My brethren, not only does God not lose sight of you for an instant but, He gives you an Angel who never ceases to guide your steps. Ah, happiness too great, yet too little known!” – St Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859) Priest, Curé of Ars, Patron of Parish Priests (Sermon for the Feast of the Guardian Angels).
PRAYER – O God, Who in Thy wondrous providence graciously send Thy Angels to watch over us, grant that we, who pray to Thee maybe ever under their protection and may rejoice in their unending companionship. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 2 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” and the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels
O My Good Angel Prayer to One’s Guardian Angel Appointing him Intercessory at the Hour of Death By St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)
My good Angel – I know not when or how I shall die. It is possible I may be carried off suddenly and before my last sigh, I may be deprived of all intelligence. Yet, how many things I would wish to say to God, on the threshold of eternity. In the full freedom of my will today, I come to charge thee to speak for me at that fearful moment. Thou will say to Him, then, O my good Angel – That I wish to die in the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church in which all the Saints, since Jesus Christ, have died and, out of which, there is no salvation. That I ask the grace, of sharing in the Infinite Merits of my Redeemer and that I desire to die, in pressing to my lips, the Cross which was bathed in His Blood! That I detest my sins because they displease Him and that I pardon, through love of Him, all my enemies, as I wish myself to be pardoned. That I die willingly because He orders it and that I throw myself, with confidence, into His adorable Heart, awaiting all His mercy. That in my inexpressible desire to go to Heaven, I am disposed to suffer everything it may please His Sovereign Justice to inflict on me. That I love Him before all things, above all things and for His own sake; that I wish and hope, to love Him with the elect, His Angels and the Blessed Mother, during all eternity. Do not refuse, O my Angel, to be my interpreter with God and to protest to Him, that these, are my sentiments and my will. Amen.
Thought for the Day – 1 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Month of the Holy Rosary
“We should say the Rosary devoutly everyday. This beautiful prayer is very pleasing to Our Lady and, the Church, is particularly anxious that we should recite it during the month of October. Families who say the Holy Rosary together can hope for a special blessing from God and for the maternal protection of Mary.
If possible, every family should gather together in the evening and recite the Rosary before an image of our Blessed Mother. If the parents set an example, their child will join them. It is consoling to come together after the toil and trouble of the day, in order to confide our cares and hopes to Mary.
Do you say the Rosary everyday? If you have neglected this pious practice, begin today! Do not plead lack of time. There is time for so many other things, so surely, there is time to pray and to entrust ourselves, in a special way, to the protection of our heavenly Mother!? The practice of reciting the Holy Rosary, will win for you, the blessing of God and the patronage of the Blessed Virgin.”
One Minute Reflection – 1 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and the Holy Angels” – St Remigius (c438-533) Confessor, “Apostle of the Franks” Bishop –Ecclesiasticus Sir ach 44:16-27; 45:3-20 – Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21
REFLECTION – “The Word of the Father, Only-begotten Son of God, Sun of Justice (Mal 3:20), is the great Merchant Who has brought us the price of our redemption. It is a truly precious exchange which we can never value sufficiently, when a King, Son of the King Most High, has become the Coin, the Gold has paid our dues, the Just Man is given for the sinner. Truly unmerited mercy, perfectly disinterested love, astonishing goodness …, it is a completely disproportionate purchase, in which the Son of God is delivered up for the servant, the Creator is put to death for the one He has created, the Lord is condemned for His slave.
O Christ, these are Thine Works, Thou Who descended from Heaven’s brightness into our hellish darkness, to bring Light to our gloomy prison. Thou came down from the Right Hand of the Divine Majesty, into our human misery, to redeem the human race, Thou Who descended from the Father’s glory, to death on the Cross, to triumph over death and its author. Thou art the only One and there is no other but Thee Who could have been drawn to redeem us through Thine Own Goodness…
Let all the merchants of Teman (Bar 3:23) withdraw from this place … it is not they but Israel [Thy] beloved whom [Thou hast] chosen, Thou Who hide these mysteries from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to those babes and humble servants of Thine (Lk 10:21) … O Lord, I willingly embrace this purchase since it concerns me!… I remember all the things Thou hast done, Thou Who desire that I should keep them alive … Therefore, I shall profit by this talent which Thou hast lent to me until Thy return and will stand before Thee with great joy. O God, grant that I may then hear these sweet words: “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Mt 25:21).” – St Bernard O.Cist. (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, known as the Last Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church (Selected sermons, no 42: The Five Purchases).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God that the solemn feast of blessed Remigius, Thy Confessor and Bishop, may both increase our devotion and advance our salvation. 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).
Thought for the Day – 30 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Presence of God
“In times of temptation, it is especially necessary for us to place ourselves in the presence of God. We are courting disaster, if we do not raise our minds and hearts to God to implore His help, when temptation assails us. Like the Apostles on the lake of Genesareth, when their frail boat was battered by the storm tossed waves and was in danger of being wrecked, let us cry out with the same faith and confidence, when we are assaulted by the devil: “Lord save us! We are perishing!” (Mt 8:25). God knows our weakness and will certainly have mercy on us.
Let us not lose courage if He seems to be slow in granting His enlightenment and His grace and leaves us prey to the onslaughts of our passions. Like the Canaanite woman in the Gospel, let us continue to pray with constancy and with faith and the merciful God will take pity on us at last.”
Quote/s of the Day – 30 September – St Jerome (347-419) Confessor, Father and Doctor
“The scars of others should teach us caution.”
“Be ever engaged, so that whenever the devil calls, he may find you occupied.”
“Being over seventy is like being engaged in a war. All our friends are going or gone and we survive amongst the dead and the dying, as on a battlefield.”
O Lord, Show Thy Mercy to Me By St Jerome (347-419) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church
O Lord, show Thy mercy to me and gladden my heart. I am like the man on the way to Jericho, who was overtaken by robbers, wounded and left for dead. O Good Samaritan, come to my aid. I am like the sheep which went astray. O Good Shepherd, seek me out and bring me home, in accord with Thy will. Let me dwell in Thy house all the days of my life and praise Thee, forever and ever with those who are there. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 30 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Jerome (347-419) Confessor, Father and Doctor – 2 Timothy 4:1-8 – Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:14
REFLECTION – “I shall always love and reverence the Apostles sent by Christ and their successors, in sowing the seed of the Gospel, those zealous and tireless co-operators in propagating the Word, who may justly say of themselves: Let a man so account of us as the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the Mysteries of God. For Christ, like a most watchful and most faithful householder, wished that the Gospel lamp should be lit by such ministers and delegates, with fire sent down from Heaven and once lit, should not be put under a measure but set upon a candlestick, so that it may spread its brightness far and wide and put to flight, all darkness and error, rife among both Jews and Gentiles.
Now it is not enough for the Gospel teacher to be a brilliant speaker in the eyes of the people; he must also be as a voice crying in the desert and endeavour, by his eloquence, to help many to lead good lives, lest, if he omit his duty of speaking, he be called the dumb dog that is not able to bark, spoken of by the prophet. Yes, he should also burn, in such a way, that, equipped with good works and love, he may adorn his evangelical office and follow the leadership of Paul. He indeed was not satisfied with bidding the Bishop of the Ephesians: This command and teach: conduct thyself in work as a good soldier of Christ Jesus but he unflaggingly preached the Gospel to friend and foe alike and, said with a good conscience to the Bishops gathered at Ephesus: You know how I have kept back nothing that was for your good but have declared it to you and taught you in public and from house to house, urging Jews and Gentiles to turn to God in repentance and to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Such should be the shepherd in the Church who, like Paul, becomes all things to all men, so that the sick may find healing in him; the sad, joy; the desperate, hope; the ignorant, instruction; those in doubt, advice; the penitent, forgiveness and comfort and finally, everyone, whatever is necessary for salvation. And so Christ, when He wished to appoint the chief teachers of the world and of the Church, did not limit Himself to saying to His disciples: You are the light of the world but also added these words: A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a measure but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all who are in the house. Those churchmen err, who imagine that it is by brilliant preaching, rather than by holiness of life and all-embracing love, they fulfil their office.” – St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church (Sermon excerpt).
PRAYER – O God, Who graciously gave Thy Church blessed Jerome, Thy Confessor and peerless teacher, to explain the Holy Scriptures, grant, we beseech Thee that, with the help of his merits and by Thy assistance, we may be able to put into practice what he has taught us by his life and works. 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).
Thought for the Day – 29 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Particular and General Judgements
“It is appointed unto men to die once and after this comes the judgement” (Heb 9:27).
To have to appear before the Face of the Living God is terrifying for everybody. How much more terrifying will it be, for the sinner? Weighed down by numberless sins, he will stand before the scrutinising gaze of God. He will be able to hide nothing. Everything will be evident and clear. The Countenance of our Divine Redeemer which was mild and merciful during life, will at that moment, be that of a severe and just Judge. After having scorned so many graces, after having spurned so many calls to conversion and so many secret inspirations to change his life, after dying unrepentant …behold the sinner in the presence of his Eternal Judge. At that moment, he will hear the irrevocable sentence resounding in his ears “Depart from me, accursed ones, into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mt 25:41). This terrible condemnation will be publicly repeated, moreover, at the general judgement. Memento mori!”
Quote/s of the Day – 29 September – The Feast of the Dedication of the Archangel St Michael – Apocalypse 1:1-5, Matthew 18:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“See, I am sending My Angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared.”
Exodus 23:20
“God Loves in the Seraphim, as Charity, Knows in the Cherubim, as Truth, is seated in the Thrones, as Equity, Reigns in the Dominions, as Majesty, Rules in the Principalities, as Principle, Guards in the Powers, as Salvation, Acts in the Virtues, as Strength, Reveals in the Archangels, as Light, Assists in the Angels, as Piety.”
St Bernard (1090-1153) Mellifluous Doctor
O Victorious Prince, Guardian of the Church of God By St Aloysius de Gonzaga SJ (1568-1591) Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
O Victorious Prince, most humble guardian of the Church of God and of faithful souls, who, with such charity and zeal, took part in so many conflicts and gained such great victories over the enemy, for the conservation and protection of the honour and glory, we all owe to God, as well as for the promotion of our salvation. Come, we pray Thee, to our assistance, for we are continually besieged with such great perils by our enemies, the flesh, the world and the devil and as Thou wast a leader for the people of God, through the desert, so also be our faithful leader and companion through the desert of this world, until Thou conduct us safely, into the happy land of the living, in that blessed fatherland from which we are all exiles. Amen.
“The powers of hell will assail the dying Christian but his Angel Guardian will come to console him. His Patrons and St Michael, who has been appointed by God to defend his faithful servants, in their last combat with the devils, will come to his aid.”
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
One Minute Reflection – 29 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of the Dedication of the Archangel St Michael – Apocalypse 1:1-5 – Matthew 18:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Amen I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. ” – Matthew 18:3
REFLECTION – “We must seek for reasons for individual sayings and actions of the Lord. After the coin was found, after the tribute paid, what do the Apostles’ sudden questions mean? Why precisely “at that time” did the disciples come to Jesus saying, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Because they had seen the same tax had been paid for both Peter and the Lord. From the equal price, they inferred that Peter may have been set over all the other Apostles, since Peter had been compared with the Lord in the paying of the tax. So, they ask, who is greater in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus, seeing their thoughts and understanding the causes of their error, wants to heal their desire for glory, with a struggle for humility.
He called a child to Him to ask its age or to show the image of innocence. Or perhaps, He actually set a child in their midst — He Himself, Who had not come to be served but to serve — to show them an example of humility.
Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Just as this child, whose example I show you, does not persist in anger, does not long remember injury suffered, is not enamoured inordinately by the sight of a beautiful woman, does not think one thing and say another, so you too, unless you have similar innocence and purity of mind, will not be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Or it might be taken in another way: “Whosoever, therefore, humiliates himself like this child, is greater in the Kingdom of Heaven,” so as to imply that anyone who imitates Me and humiliates himself following My example, so that he abases himself, as much as I abased Myself in accepting the form of a servant, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” – St Jerome (343-420) Priest, Monk, Translator of the Scriptures, Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Matthew 3).
PRAYER – O God, Who assign according to a wondrous order, the duties of Angels and men, mercifully grant that our life on earth be guarded by those who continually stand in Thy presence and minister to Thee in Heaven. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Thought for the Day – 28 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Divine Counsellor
“Speak Lord, for Thy servant hears. Give me understanding that I may know Thy testimonies. Let not Moses, nor any of the Prophets, speak to me but speak Thou rather, O Lord God, the Inspirer and Enlightener of all the Prophets… They may indeed sound forth words but they give not the Spirit. Most beautifully do they speak but if Thou be silent, they inflame not the heart… They declare the commandments but Thou enables us to fulfil them. They show the way but Thou gives the strength to walk in it… Speak to me that it may be some comfort to my soul and the amendment of my whole life and also, to Thy praise, glory and everlasting honour!” (Cf The Imitation of ChristBk III, Ch 2).
One Minute Reflection – 28 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Wenceslaus (907-935) Duke of Bohemia, Martyr – Ephesians 3:13-21 – Luke 14:1-11 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“For everyone who exalts himself, shall be humbled and he who humbles himself, shall be exalted.” – Luke 14:11
REFLECTION – “Humility is not just about self-mistrust but about the entrusting of ourselves to God. Distrusting ourselves and our own strength, produces trust in God and, from that trust, generosity of soul is born.The most holy Virgin, Our Lady, gave us an outstanding example of this, when she spoke these words: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to thy word” (Lk 1:38). When she said she was the handmaid of the Lord, she was performing, the greatest act of humility, it is possible to do and, all the more so, in that, she was contradicting the praise given her by the Angel – that she would be mother of God, that the child to be born from her womb would be called Son of the Most High, a greater dignity than any we might imagine – I say, she opposed her lowliness and unworthines,to all these praises and greatness, by saying that she was the handmaid of the Lord. Yet, note how, no sooner had she rendered her duty to humility, than she practised outstanding generosity, by saying: “May it be to me according to thy word.”
What she wanted to say was – “It is true, I am in no way capable of this grace of myself if one is to consider what I am ut, insofar as what is good in me, comes from God and what thou say to me, is His own most holy will, I believe it can happen and will ha,ppen.” And so, without the least hesitation, she said: “Let it be done to me according to thou word.” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva, Doctor Caritatis (Conversations 5).
PRAYER – O God, Who through the Palm of Martyrdom transported blessed Wenceslaus from an earthly dominion unto heavenly glory, keep us, by his prayers, from all harm and grant us to rejoice in his fellowship. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 28 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Pentecost XVI
Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to make amends for the outrages He suffers in the Blessed Sacrament By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Grant me, O Sacred Heart, by Thine own sweetness and boundless mercy, the pardon which I ask for, and give me grace to keep the resolution, which I now make, to do all I can in the future , to pay Thee, in the Sacrament of Thy Love, the profound adoration which I owe Thee and to show Thee that gratitude and love which are justly due to Thee. I resolve to repair my past faults by the modesty of my deportment in Thy Churches, by my constancy in visiting Thee, my devotion and fervour in receiving Thee and, in fulfilment of Thy desire, I impose upon myself the duty of often repeating Acts of Reparation in Thy Presence, as Thou hast deigned to direct, in order, as far as I can, to atone for the injuries done Thee by others and of which Thy very love makes Thee the Victim in this Divine Sacrament.
Bless, I beseech Thee, this resolve and give me grace to keep it faithfully. Amen
Thought for the Day – 27 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
HELL!
“In whatever you do, remember your last days and you will never sin.” (Eccl 7:36)
“The meditation considered, by the masters of the spiritual life, to be the most useful for rousing the soul from sin, or from a state of torpor, is that on the last things, in other words, on what will happen to us at the end of life. Amongst these last things, hell is the most terrifying. Yet, if the mercy of God did not sustain us, we could fall into hell at any moment. St John Chrysostom meditated on hell everyday. All the Saints have found in this meditation, the first steps on the way to perfection. Remember, that a single mortal sin, would merit hell for us! In that moment, the sinner could have been already hurled into the abyss of torments. Let us imagine, that we are there …. and, that the goodness and mercy of God has released us from those everlasting, all-devouring flames. If this should happen, all the sacrifices, which virtue demands, would seem so easy and pleasant. How ready we should be to do anything, sooner than return to that chasm of eternal sorrow!”
Quote/s of the Day – 27 September – Saints Cosmas and Damian (Died c 286 ) Martyrs – Wisdom 5:16-20 – Luke 6:17-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Be glad in that day and rejoice, for behold, your reward is great in Heaven,”
Luke 6:23
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in Heaven.”
Matthew 5:12
“The one who walks in the love of God seeks neither gain nor reward but seeks only, with the will, to lose self and all things, for God and this loss, the lover judges to be a gain! ”
St John of the Cross (1442-1591) Doctor of the Church
“It is true that we require great confidence to abandon ourselves, without any reserve, to Divine Providence but, when we do abandon all, Our Lord takes care of all and disposes of all. But, if we reserve anything which we are unwilling to confide to Him, He leaves us, as if He would say: “You think yourselves sufficiently wise to manage that affair without Me – you can do so and see what will come of it!”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis
“The patience of the Saints was more severely tried than is ours. Not only were they stoned, racked, torn asunder, not only did they suffer want, distress, afflictions (Hebrews 11 : 37) but, they had to endure what was still more difficult – ingratitude, failure, unkindness, false accusations, desolation, darkness. Yet they willingly endured all for Jesus’ sake, never ceasing to love Him through it all. I have my trials, yet none so dreadful as theirs, yet I complain even under my lighter cross!”
AnaStpaul 
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