Thought for the Day – 18 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Two Paths to Heaven
“The second path to Heaven, however, demands sacrifice on our part. Our repentance must be practical and supernatural. It should lead us to confess our sins in the Sacrament of Penance and to regain God’s friendship in Holy Communion. After that, our way must be one of self-mortification: “Unless you repent,” Jesus warns us, “you will all perish” (Lk 13:51).
The first penance which we must perform, is to offer to God, all the physical and moral sufferings which are in store for us during life and at the hour of death. Then, we must add our own voluntary acts of self-denial. The generosity of the Saints, in this regard, was rewarded by the lasting friendship of God. As for ourselves, we should remember that Jesus, Himself, has warned us that we shall be lost if we neglect to do penance (Ibid).”
Thought for the Day – 17 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Pride is Robbery!
“In order to combat human pride, God humbled Himself (Ps 18:15). Not only did He assume a human nature like ours but, He was born poor and lowly and willed to die upon the Cross, as a condemned criminal!
What a tremendous lesson for human pride! God gave us Himself as an example to be imitated: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29).
If we do not learn from this great lesson in humility, we shall never make any progress in the way of Christian perfection. Nothing, says St Augustine, is a greater barrier to perfection than pride (In Ps 18:15).
We must take care to lay the foundation stone of humility, therefore, before we can begin to build the edifice of Christian perfection.”
Quote/s of the Day – 17 August – St Hyacinth OP (1185-1257) ) Confessor – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Be vigilant at all times and pray, that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man…” Luke 21:36
“Watch” over your life. … Sheep will turn into wolves and love into hatred. With the increase of iniquity, people will hate, persecute and betray each other. Then the world deceiver will appear in the disguise of God’s Son. He will work “signs and wonders” and the earth will fall into his hands. He will commit outrages such as have never occurred before. Then humankind will come to the “fiery trial“ and many will fall away” and perish.”
Unknown 1st Century Author (ACW) of this early Treatise (Didache, 16)
“Be you then also ready …” Luke 12:40
“Wretch! using the excuse that your Master is late, do you imagine He will not come at all? His coming is certain! Then why do you not stay on your guard? No, the Lord is not slow in coming – this lateness is purely in the imagination of the wicked servant!”
St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church
“It is time now for us to rise from sleep!”
St Benedict (c 480-547)
“But vigilant faith not only performs good works, like living faith, it also penetrates and understands revealed Truths quickly and with great depth and subtlety of perception. It is active and diligent, in seeking and embracing those things which can increase and strengthen it. It watches and perceives from afar, all its enemies. It is always on the alert to discover the good and to avoid evil. It guards itself against anything which could ruin it. Vigilant, it walks firmly and easily keeps from falling over precipices.
This vigilant faith is accompanied by the Four Cardinal Virtues: Fortitude, Prudence, Justice and Temperance. It uses them as an Armoured Breastplate to put its enemies to flight, or to remain among them firm, invincible and unshaken. So great is its strength that it fears nothing because, not only is it strong but also, it is aware of its strength and by Whom it is supported— Truth itself!”
(Sermon for Thursday after the First Sunday of Lent, 17 February 1622).
One Minute Reflection – 17 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary”– St Hyacinth OP (1185-1257) ) Confessor – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” – Luke 12:40
REFLECTION – “The Lord was looking to our days when He said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Lk 18:8) We see that what He foretold has come to pass. There is no faith in the fear of God, in the law of righteousness, in love, in good works …. That which our conscience would fear if it believed, it does not fear because it does not believe at all. If it believed, it would also take heed and if it took heed, it would be saved.
Therefore, beloved brothers, let us arouse ourselves as much as we can and break the slumber of our listlessness. Let us be watchful to observe and to do the Lord’s precepts. Let us be like He Himself, has bidden us to be, saying, “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately, when He comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants, whom the Master finds vigilant on His arrival“.
We ought to be dressed for work, lest, when the day of setting forth comes, it should find us burdened and entangled. Let our light shine, in good works and glow, in such a way, as to lead us from the night of this world, to the daylight of eternal brightness. Let us always wait with solicitude and caution for the sudden coming of the Lord, so that when he knocks, our faith may be on the watch and receive from the Lord, the reward of our vigilance. If these commands be observed, if these warnings and precepts be kept, we will not be overtaken in slumber, by the deceit of the devil. But we shall reign with Christ in His Kingdom, as servants on the watch.” – St Cyprian (c 200-258) Bishop of Carthage and Martyr, Father of the Church (Treatise on the unity of the Church, 26-27).
PRAYER – God, Who gladden us with the annual feast of blessed Hyacinth, Thy Confessor, mercifully grant that, while honouring the anniversary of his death, we may also imitate his deeds. 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 – 16 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Surest Way to Avoid Sin
“The third defence against sin is a spirit of prayer. A man who is constantly close to God cannot offend Him. The spirit of prayer keeps a man in supernatural contact with God. As in an electric current, when the contact is interrupted, the light goes out. If we wish to receive light from God, we must remain in contact with Him.
Christ told His disciples that “they must always pray and not lose heart” (Lk 18:1) and, St Paul explains how we can always pray. “Whatever you do in word or in work,” he says, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col 3:17). In this sense, therefore, all work becomes prayer and since we are constantly praying, we cannot offend God!”
Quote/s of the Day – 16 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11, Matthew1:1-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary and of her was born Jesus, Who is called Christ.”
Matthew 1:16
“O daughter of King David and Mother of God, the universal King. O Divine and living object whose beauty has charmed God the Creator; your whole soul is completely open to God’s action and attentive to God alone. … Your womb will be the abode of the one whom no place can contain. Your milk will provide nourishment for God, in the little Infant Jesus. Your hands will carry God and your knees will serve as a throne for Him that is more noble than the throne of the Cherubim. … You are the temple of the Holy Spirit, the city of the living God, made joyous by abundant flowers, the sacred flowers of Divine grace. You are all-beautiful and very close to God, above the Cherubim and higher than the Seraphim, right near God Himself! Amen”
St John Damascene (675-749) Father and 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, which 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)
“She saw herself raised to the highest dignity that ever was or will be, for although it should please God to create anew many worlds, He could never make a pure creature be greater than the Mother of God.
Our Lady humbled herself and acknowledged herself unworthy of being raised to the high dignity of Mother of God, therefore, she was made to be His Mother, for she had no sooner uttered the protestation of her littleness, than, having abandoned herself to Him, by an act of incomparable charity, she became the Mother of the Most High, Who is the Saviour of our souls!”
One Minute Reflection – 16 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11, Matthew1:1-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary and of her was born Jesus, Who is called Christ.” – Matthew 1:16
REFLECTION – “ It is of no avail to say that our Lord, the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was true and perfect Man, unless we believe that He is so in the way that the Gospel declares. For Matthew says: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” and follows the order of his human origin, so as to bring the lines of His ancestry down to Joseph, to whom the Lord’s Mother was espoused. Whereas Luke, going backwards step by step, traces His succession to the first of the human race, to show that the first Adam and the last Adam, were of the same nature (Lk 3:23).
No doubt, the Almighty Son of God, could have appeared for the purpose of teaching and justifying, in exactly the same way as He appeared, in the semblance of flesh, to the patriarchs and prophets, for instance, when He wrestled with Jacob (Gn 32:25) or engaged in a conversation with Abraham, not refusing His hospitality and even partaking of the food set before Him (Gn 18). But these appearances were indications of that Man Whose reality they manifested, assumed from the stock of those same ancestors.
But the fulfilment of the Mystery of our Redemption, ordained from all eternity, was not assisted by any images because, the Holy Spirit had not yet come down on the Virgin and, the power of the Most High, had not overshadowed her (Lk 1:35). Wisdom had not yet built herself a house within her undefiled body, so that the Word might there become flesh and, the Form of God and the Form of a Slave coming together in one person, the Creator of time, might be born in time and He Himself, through Whom all things were made, might be brought forth in the midst of all things. For, if the New Man had not been made in the likeness of sinful flesh and taken our old nature on Himself and, being consubstantial with the Father, had deigned to be consubstantial with His Mother also – yet, without sin – the whole human race would be held captive under the devil’s yoke and we should not be able to make use of the Conqueror’s victory because, it would have been won outside our nature!But it was from Christ’s marvellous sharing of our nature that the Mystery of regeneration shone upon us.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Letter 31).
PRAYER – O God, Who, willed St Joachim to be the father of Thy Son’s Mother; grant, we beseech Thee that we may ever enjoy the spiritual help of him whose feast we celebrate. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 16 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary”
Act of Consecration and Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth and tender Mother of men, in accordance with thy ardent wish made known at Fatima, I consecrate to thee, myself, my brethren, my country and the whole human race. Reign over us and teach us how to make the Heart of Jesus reign and triumph in us and around us, as It has reigned and triumphed in thee. We wish to atone for the many crimes committed against Jesus and thee. We wish to call down upon our country and the whole world, the peace of God in justice and charity. We promise to imitate thy virtues, by the practice of a Christian life without regard to human respect. We resolve to receive Holy Communion on the first Saturday of every month and to offer thee five decades of the Rosary on this day, together with our sacrifices in the spirit of reparation and penance. Amen.
Thought for the Day – 15 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“After she had risen, Mary was gloriously taken up into Heaven. Jesus has ascended into Heaven by His own power but Mary was borne aloft by the Angels, whose Queen she was soon to be proclaimed. She reigns in Heaven with her Divine Son and looks down in love and mercy on her exiled children, whom she is ever ready to assist.
She was the humblest and most exalted of creatures (Dante, Paradiso XXXIII 2), for, when told that she was to be the Mother of God, she desired to be called His handmaid.
Humility is the Mother of all the virtues, even as pride is the source of all the vices. If we wish to share in Mary’s triumph, we must first of all share in her humility.
“Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled” Jesus has said “and he who humbles himself shall be exalted” (Lk 14:11). “God resists the proud,” we are reminded by the Apostle James “but gives grace to the humble” (Js 4:6).
The glorious Assumption of Mary contains a lesson in humbility for all of us!”
Thought for the Day – 14 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Christian Joy
“If we live good lives, hoping for a Heavenly reward and guided by the action of the Holy Spirit, dwelling within us, we shall possess this spiritual joy. Once we possess it, it will be erased, neither by temptation, nor by suffering, nor by persecution, as long as our faith remains firm and steadfast. The sincere Christian accepts pleasure and pain with equal readiness because he places everything in God’s hands.
This explains what Jesus had in mind when He said: “Blessed are you poor … Blessed are you who hunger …. Blessed are you who weep …. Blessed shall you be when men hate you and when they shut you out and reproach you …. ” (Lk 6:20-22). The Saints were happy in spite of suffering and persecution.
We must try, at least, to achieve that spirit of complete resignation to God’s will which is always rewarded by peace of soul!”
Quote/s of the Day – 14 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Vigil of the Assumption – Ecclesiasticus 24:23-31, Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Rather, blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.”
Luke 11:28
“A person who wishes to become the Lord’s disciple must repudiate a human obligation, however honourable it may appear, if it slows us, ever so slightly, in giving the wholehearted obedience we owe to God.”
St Basil the Great (329-379) Father and Doctor of the Church
“To arrive at the knowledge of the Truth, there are many paths – the first is humility, the second is humility and the third is humility.”
“Humility is a very strange entity. The moment we think we have it, we have already lost it!”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace)
“If you seek an example of humility, look upon Him Who is Crucified, although He was God, He chose to be judged by Pontius Pilate and put to death. … If you seek an example of obedience, imitate Him Who was obedient to the Father “even to death” (Phil 2:8). “For just as through the disobedience of one person, Adam, the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of One, the many will be made righteous” (Rom 5:19). . If you seek an example of contempt for earthly things, imitate Him Who is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tm 6:15), “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). On the Cross He was stripped naked, ridiculed, spat upon, bruised, crowned with thorns, given to drink of vinegar and gall.”
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Angelic Doctor of the Church
“To find the Saviour outside obedience, is to lose Him altogether.”
“When God puts inspirations into a heart, the first He gives is obedience.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 14 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Vigil of the Assumption – Ecclesiasticus 24:23-31, Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28
REFLECTION – “Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak” (Jas 1;19). Yes, brethren, I tell you frankly… I, who frequently address you at your own request, it is undiluted joy for me, when I take my place in the audience; my happiness is unalloyed, when I listen, rather than speak. Then, it is that I savour the Word in all confidence; my satisfaction is unthreatened by vainglory. When you sit on the solid rock of Truth, how can you fear the precipice of pride? “I will give ear,” says the psalmist, “and you will fill me with joy and gladness” (cf Ps 50:10). So, I am never more delighted, than when I am listening – our position as hearers, is that which keeps us in an attitude of humility.
To the contrary, if we speak … we need to have a certain restraint. Even if I do not give in to pride, I am always afraid I might still do so! If I listen, on the other hand, no-one can take my joy away from me, (Jn 16:22) since no-one witnesses it. This is truly the joy of the Bridegroom, of Whom Saint John says: “He stands and listens” (Jn 3:29). He stands because he listens. The first man, too, was standing because he was listening to God, as soon as he listened to the serpent, he fell. The friend of the bridegroom, then, is “overcome with joy at the Bridegroom’s Voice.” What makes him joyful is not his own voice, as preacher and prophet but the Voice of the Bridegroom Himself.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace [Attri] (Cf Discourse on Ps 139:15 – Treatises on St John’s Gospel No 57)
PRAYER – O God, Who chose for Thy dwelling the virginal womb of the blessed Mary, grant, we beseech Thee that, with the help of her protection, we may with joy, take part in her festival.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 – 13 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Lapsing into Sin
“Away then, with all thoughts of discouragement! Let us ask humbly for forgiveness every time we fall, for God understands our weakness. Then let us begin again with confidence in God’s grace!
But why, we may ask, does God permit us to fall, time and time again, without giving us the grace to resist? In such a case, we must accept the mystery of God’s dealings with us. God often allows us to fall in order to humble us and to make us realise that we are powerless without Him. Pride is often the cause of our sins and our pride must be curbed. “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Cf Is 4:6).
Instead of giving into discouragement, therefore, we should acknowledge our own weakness and pray again to God to help us!”
One Minute Reflection – 14 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Pentecost XI – 1 Corinthians 15:1-10, Mark 7:31-37 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears and, after spitting. touched his tongue.” – Mark 7:33
REFLECTION – “The Lord heals all your ills” (Ps 102:3). Never fear, all your ills will healed. You say they are big ones but the Doctor is even greater. For an all-powerful Doctor there is no such thing as an incurable sickness. Simply let yourself be cared for, do not push away His hand, He knows what to do. Do not be happy only when He acts with gentleness but bear with it, too, when He prunes. Accept the unpleasantness of the cure, by thinking of the healing it will bring you. Notice all those things, brethren, that people put up with in their physical ills, so as to prolong their lives a few days… You, at least, are not suffering for an uncertain result – He, who has promised you, your health, cannot be mistaken. Why is it that doctors are sometimes mistaken? Because they have not created the body they are treating. But God has made your body, God has made your soul. He knows how to re-create what He has created;, He knows how to re-fashion what He has formed. You have only to abandon yourself into His Doctor’s hands… Endure His hands, then, O soul that “blesses him and forgets not all his benefits – he heals all your ills” (P2 102[103]:2-3). He who had made you never to become sick, if you would keep His precepts, will He not heal you? He who made the Angels and, in re-creating you, will make you equal to the Angels – will He not heal you? He who made Heaven and earth, will He not heal you, after having made you, in His image? (Gn 1:26) He will heal you but you must consent to be healed. He heals every sickness, perfectly but He does not heal it, in spite of Himself… Your health is Christ!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermon on the Psalms, Ps 102[103]: 5-6; PL 37, 1319
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, may be 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).
Thought for the Day – 12 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Renouncing All Things
“Self-renunciation involves too, the surrender of other attachments, such as the love of worldly honours, ambitions, the desire for success and many other affections which would binder us from living the life of Gof.
When we have arrived at a state of indifference to illness or health, wealth ot powers, life or death, we shall be able to say that we have completely renounced self because God alone will reign within us.
When we have stripped ourselves of all alien affections, God will be our absolute Sovereign and we shall be really immensely rich!”
Quote/s of the Day – 12 August – St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253) Virgin
“God will be your helper and best consoler. …”
“Because the way and path is difficult and the gate through which one passes and enters into life, is narrow, there are both few who walk it and who enter through it.”
“May the love you have in your hearts be shown outwardly in your deeds.”
Excerpt from the Prayer to the Five Wounds of Jesus By St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)
I pray Thee, O most gentle Jesus, that having redeemed me by Baptism from original sin, so now, by Thy Precious Blood, which is offered and received, throughout the world, deliver me from all evils, past, present and to come. And by Thy most bitter Death, give me a lively faith, a firm hope and perfect charity, so that I may love Thee with all my heart and all my soul and all my strength. Make me firm and steadfast in good works and grant me perseverance in Thy service, so that I may be able to please Thee always. Amen.
One Minute Reflection – 12 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253) Virgin – 2 Cor inthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2 , Matthew 25:1-13
“Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.” – Matthew 25:7
REFLECTION – “There has come a shout at midnight. What can this shout be, if not what the Apostle speaks of – ‘in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.’ For the trumpet will sound and the dead will rise up, imperishable and as for us, we shall be changed (1 Cor 15:52). Once the shout has been raised at midnight, what happens next? They all arose. What is the meaning of “They all arose?” The hour is coming, says the Lord Himself, when all who are in the tombs will hear His Voice and come forth (Jn 5:28-29).
… What is the meaning of “They did not take oil in their flasks?” In their hearts … I mean, look at these foolish virgins who did not carry oil with them; by their self-denial which earns them the name of virgins and by their good works, represented by the lamps they bring, they are intent on pleasing other people. And, if they are intent on pleasing others and that is why they do these admirable things, they are not carrying oil with them. So you, then, mind you carry it with you, carry it inside, where God can see; carry the testimony of your conscience there. … So if you refrain from unlawful things and perform good works, in order to be admired by other people, there is no oil inside you! …
Before those virgins went to sleep, it does not say that their lamps were going out. The wise ones’ lamps were burning, from the oil inside them, from the assurance of their consciences, from their inner boast, from their deepest charity. But those of the foolish ones, were also burning. Why were they burning then? Because there was no dearth of admiration from other people. But after they had risen, that is to say, in the resurrection from the dead, they began to trim their lamps that is, to prepare to give God an account of their works. And because there is no-one then expressing admiration … they were asking for what they had always been used to, that is to say, to shine with someone else’s oil, to live in dependence on others’ admiration. Give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 93).
PRAYER – Hear us, O God, our Saviour that as we are gladdened by the festival of blessed Clare Thy virgin, so we may learn from it piety and devotion. 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 – 11 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Divine Providence
“How foolish it is for the sinner to exult and to sink into complacency. For all he knows, he may already be abandoned by God because the measure of God’s mercy to him has been exhausted!
Those who are leading good lives may have to endure a great deal but, “blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted”and, “blessed are they who suffer persecution, for justrice’s sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Cf Mt 5:10).
Even in the moral order, Divine Providence stands out quite clearly, being infinitely good to the just and merciful to sinners but, severely condemning all sinfulness. Let us meditate on the wonders of Providence and regulate our lives in accordance with its designs.”
Quote/s of the Day – 11 August – Tiburtius (Died c286) Martyr, Layman, St Susanna of Rome (Died c 295) Virgin Martyr, St Philomena (Died 304) Virgin Martyr – Hebrews 11:33-39, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And you shall be hated by all men, for My Name’s sake.”
Luke 21:17
“But others were racked, not accepting deliverance that they might find a better resurrection.”
Hebrews 11:35
“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father, who is in Heaven…”
Matthew 10:32
“Rejoice and be happy! Persevere to the end and prefer to die rather than abandon the post, to which God has called you!”
St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church
“Give me grace, to amend my life and to have an eye to mine end, without grudge of death, which, to them, who die in You, good Lord, is the gate of a wealthy life.”
St Thomas More (1478-1535) Martyr
“You must choose – is it better that there should be thorns in your garden, in order to have roses, or that there should be no roses in your garden, in order to have no thorns?”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis
“We must love God so much, that we are prepared to endure everything willingly, for love of Him. Those who suffer are blessed, therefore, only on one condition, namely, on condition that they suffer for love of God.”
One Minute Reflection – 11 August – St Tiburtius (Died c286) Martyr, Layman, St Susanna of Rome (Died c 295) Virgin Martyr, St Philomena (Died 304) Virgin Martyr – Hebrews 11:33-39, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But you will be delivered up by your parents and brothers and relatives and friends and some of you, they will put to death. And you will be hated by all, for My Name’s sake …” – Luke 21:16-17
REFLECTION – “I must give thanks to my God continuously. He has helped me to keep my faith, through difficult times, so that I can fearlessly offer myself as a kind of living sacrifice to Christ. The Lord has rescued me from so many dangers that sometimes I just have to ask: “God, who am I?… “From where did I get such wisdom?” It certainly wasn’t from inside myself. “I didn not know my future” and I had no great knowledge of God. And later on, Who was it, Who gave me such a wonderful and life-giving gift, the gift to know and love God? But to receive such things, I had to leave behind my home and family… I came to Ireland to preach the good news and to suffer abuse from unbelievers and… to have my mission shamefully criticised. I have had many hard times, even to the point of being enslaved again but I traded in my free birth for the good of others.
If I am worthy, I am even ready to lay down my life willingly and without hesitation for His Name. Here, in Ireland, is where I wish to live out my final days, if God will permit me. I owe so much to God, Who allowed so many people to find a new life in Him through me. I confirmed them in our Faith and Ordained Clergy for them everywhere, for a people just coming to a belief in God. The Master chose them from the ends of the earth, just as He said He would through the prophets: “The gentiles will come to you from the ends of the earth” and… “I will place you like a lamp among the nations so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” – St Patrick (c 380-461) Bishop. Missionary Monk (Confession, 34-38).
PRAYER – May the constant protection of Thy holy Martyrs, Tiburtius and Susanna and Philomena support us, O Lord, for Thou never fails to look mercifully upon those whom Thou, hast given the help, of such intercession. 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 – 10 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Rash Judgement
“Let us contemplate Jesus as our model. While He was hanging from the Cross, He looked down compassionately upon His jeering enemies. Not only did He pray for them and forgive them but, He even made excuses for them to His heavenly Father. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:24).
It is still the same. Very often, when people commit sin they do so because they have not reflected about what they are doing.
For this reason, we should always be kind in our judgements and prudent about expressing them. A harsh judgement can cause irreparable damage to our brother’s character, whereas, a kind word, can lead him back from the path of evil!”
Quote/s of the Day – 10 August – St Lawrence (Died 258) Martyr, “Keeper of the Treasures of he Church” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, John 12:24-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“If anyone serves me, he must follow me and where I am, there will my servant be also.”
John 12:26
“If it dies, it produces much fruit” John 12:24
“Through the glorious achievements of the holy Martyrs with which the Church blossoms everywhere, we are ourselves, proving to our own eyes, how true are the words we have been singing that: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Ps 116[115]:15). For it is precious both in our sight and in the sight of Him, in Whose Name. the death took place.”
“Do not love your life in this world! If you truly love yourselves, do not thus love your life and then, you will save your life!”…
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Day by day follow God’s path, keeping Him closely attached to you by His promise. In fact, He Himself said, through the mediation of His Apostles, to all those who seek His will and His testimonies that He would be with them until the end of the world (Mt 28:20) where paths and footsteps will be unknown (cf Ps 76:20), as the divine David said in his songs. Yet, in an invisible way, He is present to the eyes of the mind, making Himself seen by those who have a pure heart and conversing with them. So pursue your path …. “
St Theodore the Studite (759-826) Monk and Theologian at Constantinople
Preparatory Prayer by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
O Mary, Virgin most Blessed and Mother of Our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ, through thy mercy I beseech thee, to come to my aid and to inspire me with such confidence in thy power that I may have recourse to thee, pray to thee and implore thy aid, in all needs of soul and body. Amen
Reasons for the Bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven
Meditation: The wages of sin is death. Now, as the Blessed Virgin, from the first moment of her existence was preserved from all sin and even from original sin, it necessarily follows that death could have no permanent dominion over her and that, her body would not be permitted to see corruption.
This sinless body had been the medium by which the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who was the conqueror of death, had been formed. How, then, could such a highly privileged body, a pure and virginal body, be permitted to pass through corruption and decay?
As Mary had yielded up her sacred person to be a dwelling-place for the Lord of Heaven, it seems fitting that this same Lord, in His turn, should give the Kingdom of Heaven to her as her resting-place. St Bernard expresses this sentiment as follows: “When Our Lord came into this world, Mary furnished Him with the noblest dwelling on earth, the temple of her virginal womb. In return, the Lord,on this day, raises her up to the highest throne in Heaven.”
Practice: If You desire to look forward to death, without fear and to expect your dissolution with confidence, follow the Apostle’s injunction, “Therefore, whilst we have time, let us do good works, to all men” (Gal. 6:10). Avoid sin, perform good works, be patient in affliction and strive to expiate the punishment due to your sins by voluntary acts of penance, thus reducing your inclination to sin. Therefore, offer up to God, every morning, in a spirit of penitence, all your labours, trials and sufferings.
Prayer of the Church: We beseech Thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants that we who, by our own works, are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Novena Prayer: Day Four
Glorious Virgin and Mother of God, Mary! I beseech thee through the ineffable glory, thou didst make for thy departure from this world by a life of retirement, full of merits and virtue, dedicated to God alone; obtain for me the grace, of, following thy example, that I may detach my heart from this world and patiently bear affliction and adversity, carefully avoid sin and always strive to advance in the love of God. Obtain for me too, I beg thee Holy Mother, this my special petition ……………………
Hail Mary …….
Ejaculation:Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation!
Indulgence: (1) 100 days, every time. (2) A Plenary Indulgence, once a month, on any day, to all who shall have said it everyday for a month, under the usual conditions.
Thought for the Day – 9 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Mystery of Life
“These reflections reveal to us the transience of this life and make sorrows and hardships seem easier to endure and, even welcome, if we know how to offer them to God. What difference will the sufferings of a past existence make?
What will remain tomorrow of the trials which we have encountered today? Only a consoling memory, as long as we have offered them to God.
Let us examine all our affections, desires and sufferings in the light of eternity. Viewed in that relationship, they can all become a source of self-sanctification.”
Quote/s of the Day – 9 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859) Confessor
“You either belong wholly to the world or wholly to God.”
“You must accept your cross. If you bear it courageously, it will carry you to Heaven.”
“All our religion is but a false religion and all our virtues are mere illusions and we ourselves, are only hypocrites in the sight of God, if we have not that universal charity for everyone – for the good and for the bad, for the poor and for the rich and for all those who do us harm, as much as those, who do us good.”
O Thou, Most Holy Virgin Mary (Pray for Me in All My Necessities) By St John Vianney (1786-1859)
O thou, Most Holy Virgin Mary, who dost evermore stand before the Most Holy Trinity and to whom it is granted, at all times to pray for us to thy Most Beloved Son; pray for me in all my necessities; help me, combat for me and obtain for me, the pardon of all my sins. Help me especially at my last hour and when I can no longer give any sign of the use of reason, then do thou encourage me, make the Sign of the Cross for me and fight for me against the enemy. Make in my name, a profession of faith; favour me with a testimony of my salvation and never let me despair of the mercy of God. Help me to overthrow the wicked enemy. When I can no longer say: “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I place my soul in your hands,” do thou say it for me; when I can no longer hear human words of consolation, do thou comfort me. Leave me not before I have been judged and if I have to expiate my sins in Purgatory, Oh! pray for me earnestly and admonish my friends, to procure for me a speedy enjoyment of the Blessed Sight of God. Lessen my sufferings, deliver me speedily and lead my soul into Heaven with thee that, united with all the elect, I may there bless and praise my God and thee, for all eternity. Amen.
One Minute Reflection – 9 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St John Marie Vianney (1786-1859) Confessor – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Blessed are those servants whom the Master, on His return, shall find watching.” – Luke 12:37
REFLECTION – “We must sleep in such a way as to be easily awakened. For Scripture says, “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when He comes and knocks.” (Lk 12:35-36). For a sleeping man is of no more use than a dead man. Therefore, we ought often to get up at night and bless God!
Blessed are those who watch for Him and so, make themselves like the Angels, whom we call “Watchers.” A man asleep is worth nothing, no more than if he were dead. But whoever has the light keeps watch and “darkness does not overcome him” (Jn 1:5) neither does sleep. Whoever has been illumined is, therefore, wakened to God and such a person is alive, “for what came to be in him was life.” (Jn 1:4) “Happy the man,” says Wisdom,“who obeys me and happy those who keep my ways, happy the man watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts” (Pr 8:34).
Therefore, “let us not sleep as the rest do but let us stay alert and sober” as Scripture says. “For those who sleep, go to sleep at night and those who are drunk, get drunk at night,” that is, in the darkness of ignorance. “But since we are of the day, let us be sober.” (1Th 5:6-8) “For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness.” (1Th 5:5).” – St Clement of Alexandria (c150- c215) Father of the Church, Theologian and Philosopher, Professor who taught at the Catechetical School of Alexandria (The Instructor II:9).
PRAYER – Almighty and merciful God, Who made St John-Marie glorious by priestly zeal and untiring fervoru in prayer and penance, grantP we beseech Thee that by his example and intercession, we may have strength to win for Christ, the souls of our brethren and, with them, attain everlasting 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).
Our Morning Offering – 9 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Memorial of St John Vianney (1786-1859) Confessor
I Love Thee, O My God By St John Vianney (1786-1859)
I love Thee, O my God and my only desire is to love Thee until the last breath of my life. I love Thee, O my infinitely lovable God and I would rather die loving Thee than live without loving Thee. I love Thee, Lord and the only grace I ask, is to love Thee eternally. My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love Thee, I wish my heart to repeat it to Thee as often as I draw breath! Amen
Thought for the Day – 8 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
More About Almsgiving
“We should often read and contemplate passages in praise of charity and almsgiving which are contained in the Sacred Scriptures. “Give that which remains as alms and behold, all things are clean to you” (Lk 11:41). “Alms delivereth from death and the same is that which purgeth away sins and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting” (Tob 12:9). “Redeem thou thy sins with alms and thy iniquities with works of mercy to the poor” (Dan 4:24). “My sons, rob not the poor man of his livelihood; force not the eyes of the needy to turn away” (Ecclus 4:11). “Water quenches a flaming fire and alms atones for sins” (Ecclus 3:29). “Be merciful, therefore, even as your Father is merciful … Give and it shall be given to you … For with what measure you measure, it shall be measures to you ” (Lk 6:36-38). “For judgement is without mercy to him who has not shown mercy ,,, And if a brother or a sister be naked and in want of daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ yet you do not give them what is necessary for the body, what does it profit? ” So faith too, unless it has works is dead in itself” (Js 2:13-17).”
Quote/s of the Day – 8 August – The Fourteen Holy Helpers – 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16, Mark 16:15-18 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15
“Let us trust in Him. Who has placed this burden upon us. What we ourselves cannot bear, let us bear, with the help of Christ. For He is All-powerful and He tells us: ‘My yoke is easy and my burden light,’”
St Boniface (c672-754) Martyr, Confessor, Bishop “The Apostle of Germany”
“We will never do anything great for God if we do not realise the great gifts which God has given us. The very fact that you have the Catholic Faith at this time of apostasy, shows that you are especially blessed by God. Count yourselves extremely blessed. Hold onto your Catholic Faith, despite all the things going on around you ,- not only in your own life but in the world in general AND in the Church!”
St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church
“Know that the greatest service that man can offer to God, is to help convert souls.”
St Rose of Lima (1586-1617)
Prayer to the Fourteen Holy Helpers By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
Great Princes of Heaven, Holy Helpers, who sacrificed to God all your earthly possessions, wealth, preferment and even life and who now are crowned in Heaven in the secure enjoyment of eternal bliss and glory. Have compassion on me, a poor sinner in this vale of tears and obtain for me, from God, for Whom you gave up all things and Who loves you as His servants, the strength to bear patiently all the trials of this life, to overcome all temptations and to persevere in God’s service to the end that one day, I too may be received into your company, to praise and glorify Him, the Supreme Lord, Whose beatific vision you enjoy and Whom you praise and glorify forever. Amen.
One Minute Reflection – 8 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Fourteen Holy Helpers – 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16, Mark 16:15-18 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15
REFLECTION – “You have heard what the Lord said to His disciples after the Resurrection. He sent them out to preach the Gospel and they did so. Listen: “Through all the earth their voice resounds and to the ends of the world, their message” (Ps 18[19],5). Step by step, the Gospel has reached even to us and the ends of the earth. In a few words the Lord, addressing Himself to His disciples, set out what we are to do and what we have to hope for. Just as you have heard, He said: “Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved.” He asks for our faith and offers us salvation. What He offers us, is so precious that what He asks of us, is as nothing.
“The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings, O my God… from Thy delightful stream, Thou gives them to drink, for with Thee, is the Fountain of Life” (Ps 35[36],8f.). Jesus Christ is the Fountain of Life. Before the Fountain of Life came to us, we had only a human salvation like that of the beasts, of which the psalm speaks: “Man and beast you save, O Lord” (Ps 35[36],7). But now the Fountain of Life has come even to us, the Fountain of Life died for our sakes. Will He refuse us His Life,Who, for our sakes, gave His Death? He is salvation and this salvation is not worthless, like the other one. Why? Because it does not pass away. The Lord has come. He died but He killed death. In Himself, He brought an end to death. He assumed it and He killed it. Where is death now, then? Look for it in Christ and it is no longer there. It used to be there but there it died. O Life, Death of death! Take heart: it will also die in us. What was fulfilled in the Head will also be fulfilled in the members and death will die in us, too!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 233).
PRAYER – PRAYER – O God, Who gladden us with the annual festival of Thy 14 holy Saints, mercifully grant, that we, who celebrate the anniversary of their death, may also strive to equal the courage of their Martyrdom. 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).
AnaStpaul 
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