Category: QUOTES for CHRIST

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Quote/s of the Day 11 September – Blessed Charles Spinola – Martyr

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Quote/s of the Day 11 September – Friday of the Twenty Third week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27, Psalms 84:3, 4, 5-6, 12, Luke 6:39-42 and the Memorial of Blessed Charles Spinola SJ (1564-1622) Priest, Martyr, Missionary to Japan

“A disciple is not above his teacher…”

Luke 6:40

“Let us then learn from the Cross of Jesus our proper way of living.
Should I say ‘living’ or, instead, ‘dying’?
Rather, both living and dying.
Dying to the world, living for God.
Dying to vices and living by the virtues.
Dying to the flesh, but liv­ing in the spirit.
Thus in the Cross of Christ, there is death
and in the Cross of Christ there is life.
The death of death is there and the life of life.
The death of sins is there and the life of the virtues.
The death of the flesh is there and the life of the spirit.”

St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167)

Blessed Charles Spinola went underground, going by the foreshadowing alias “Joseph of the Cross”, a haunt of the shadows who was obliged to conceal himself from daylight because his foreign features were instantly recognisable. With the help of Nagasaki’s ample Christian community he eluded capture for an amazingly long time.

“For nearly two years and a half I have devoted myself to encourage and support the Christians of this country, not without great difficulty. Having no home, I pass secretly from house to house, to hear confessions and celebrate our holy mysteries by night. Most of my time I spend in utter solitude, deprived of all human converse and consolation, having only that which God gives to those who suffer for His love … However I am tolerably well and, though destitute of almost everything and taking but one scanty meal a day, I do not fall away. Does not this prove that “man liveth not by bread alone?”

-Letter of Spinola dated March 20, 1617

“Father, how sweet and delightful
is it to suffer for Jesus Christ!
I have learned this better by experience
than I am able to express,
especially since we are in these dungeons
where we fast continually.
The strength of my body fails me
but my joy increases as I see death draw nearer.
O what a happiness for me,
if next Easter I shall sing the heavenly Alleluia
in the company of the blessed!”

“Oh, if you had tasted the delights
with which God fills the souls
of those who serve Him
and suffer for Him,
how would you condemn all that the world can promise!”

“… God is to be served chiefly for Himself alone,
for He is the fountain of all goodness
and merits all our devotion,
without any hope of reward.”

Bl Charles Spinola SJ (1564-1622)
Priest, Martyr

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 September – ‘Christ made love the stairway…’

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 September – Thursday of the Twenty Third week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Corinthians 8:1b-7, 11-13, Psalms 139:1-3, 13-14, 23-24, Luke 6:27-38

“Love one another as I have loved you”

John 15:12

“This is my commandment,
that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no man than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:12-13

“Once for all, then,
a short precept is given you –
Love and do what you will,
whether you hold your peace,
through love, hold your peace;
whether you cry out,
through love cry out;
whether you correct,
through love correct;
whether you spare,
through love do you spare.
Let the root of love be within,
of this root, can nothing spring
but what is good.”

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

Homily 7 on John

“My brothers,
Christ made love the stairway
that would enable all Christians
to climb to heaven.
Hold fast to it, therefore,
in all sincerity,
give one another practical proof of it
and by your progress in it,
make your ascent together.”

St Fulgentius of Ruspe (c 462 – 533)

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

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)

“At the end of your life,
you will be judged by your love.”

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

Posted in "Follow Me", JESUIT SJ, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Thought for the Day – 9 September – The Two Standards

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

The Two Standards

“The well-known meditation of St Ignatius in his Spiritual Exercies on the two standards, remains applicable to our times.
We need only glance at the world to see, that it contains two different kinds of people – the good and the bad, the enemies of Christ and His faithful followers.
But, there is also a third group, those who are indifferent and apathetic, those who think of their own comfort and convenience and of nothing else!
When one considers it, it is plain that those people who think only of themselves – and their number seems to grow every year – belong to the rearguard of those, who fight beneath the banner of Satan.
That man is an enemy of Christ, who has no generosity, no spirit of sacrifice, no desire to combat the evil which threatens to submerge the world.
“He who is not with me, is against me,” (Mt 12:30) said Jesus.
He who thinks only of his own convenience and remains indifferent to the spread of evil, is not worthy of Jesus.
One cannot be indifferent when faced with the alternative between good and evil because, indifference is tantamount to a betrayal.
“The Christian,” writes Tertullian, “is another Christ!”

The fact that we are Christians imposes on us, the obligation to fight openly and courageously under the Standard of Christ.
The battle must be waged on two fronts.
On one side, the struggle is internal.
We must resist our rebellious inclinations and self-centred egoism.
At the same time, we must make a constant effort to advance in Christian perfection.
On the second front, the struggle is external.
It is not sufficient to sanctify ourselves but, we must try to sanctify others.
When we consider the sacrifices made in the cause of evil by the enemies of Christ, how can we remain indifferent?
We should work with zeal and with the help of God’s grace, to achieve our own sanctification and the reign of Christ in the universe.
We should examine what we have already done and resolve to be more determined in our future efforts!“

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 September – The LORD is near … Psalm 145:18

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 September – Saturday of the Twenty Second week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Corinthians 4:6-15, Psalms 145:17-18, 19-20, 21, Luke 6:1-5

Mother Teresa Quotes here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/09/05/quote-s-of-the-day-5-september-st-mother-teresa/

“The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.”

Psalm 145:18

“And He departed from our sight
that we might return to our heart
and find Him there.
For He left us
and behold,
He is here!”

St Augustine (354-430)
Doctor of Grace

“God, in His promises to hear our prayers,
is desirous to bestow Himself upon us;
if you find anything better than Him, ask it
but if you ask anything beneath Him,
you put an affront upon Him
and hurt yourself, by preferring to Him,
a creature which He created.”

St Augustine of Canterbury (Died c 605)
“The Apostle to the English”

“Christ acts like a loving mother.
To induce us to follow Him,
He gives us Himself as an example
and promises us a reward in His kingdom.”

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor

“Teach us, good Lord to serve You as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
except that of knowing that we are doing your will. Amen”

St Ignatius Loyola SJ (1491-1556)

“God alone!”

St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)

“Nothing is anything anymore to me;
everything is nothing to me
only Jesus!
Neither things nor persons,
neither ideas nor emotions,
neither honour nor sufferings.
Jesus is for me honour, delight, heart and soul.”

St Bernadette Soubirous/of Lourdes (1844-1879)

Posted in "Follow Me", CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 3 September – St Pope Gregory the Great!

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 September – The Memorial of St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) – Father & Doctor of the Church

“God is within all things
but not included;
outside all things
but not excluded.
God is above all things
but not beyond their reach.”

“Let no seductive good fortune lead us astray,
he is a foolish traveller
who sees pleasant meadows on his journey
and forgets where he is going.”

“If some rich and powerful friend were to enter your home,
you would quickly clean the entire house,
for fear something there,
might offend your friend’s eyes, when he entered.
Let anyone then who is preparing his inner house for God,
cleanse away the dirt of his evil deeds.
… The Lord comes into the heart
and makes His home in one,
who truly loves God
and observes His commandments…”

“The Sacred Scriptures grow
with the one who reads them.”

More here:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/03/quote-s-of-the-day-3-september-the-memorial-of-st-pope-gregory-the-great-540-604-father-doctor-of-the-church-father-of-the-fathers/

St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604)
Father & Doctor “Father of the Fathers”

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 September – “Put out into the deep and lower your nets for a catch…” … Luke 5:4

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One Minute Reflection – 3 September – Thursday of the Twenty-second week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23, Psalms 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, Luke 5:1-11 and the Memorial of St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) – Father & Doctor of the Church

“After He [Jesus] had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and lower your nets for a catch…” … Luke 5:4

REFLECTION – “He told Simon and his companions to sail off a little from the land and to let down the net for a draught. But they replied that they had been toiling the whole night and had caught nothing. However, in the name of Christ, they let down the net and immediately it was full of fish.

By a visible sign and by a miraculous type and representation, they were fully convinced that their labour would be rewarded and the zeal displayed in spreading out the net of the gospel teaching would be fruitful. Within this net they should most certainly catch the shoals of the heathen. But note that neither Simon nor his companions could draw the net to land. Speechless from fright and astonishment—for their wonder had made them mute—they beckoned to their partners, to those who shared their labours in fishing, to come and help them in securing their prey.

For many have taken part with the holy apostles in their labours and still do so, especially those who inquire into the meaning of what is written in the holy Gospels. Yet besides them there are also others – the shepherds and teachers and rulers of the people, who are skilled in the doctrines of truth. For the net is still being drawn, while Christ fills it, and calls to conversion those who, according to the Scripture phrase, are in the depths of the sea, that is to say, those who live in the surge and waves of worldly things.” … St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Father and Doctor of the Incarnation – Commentary on Luke, Homily 12

PRAYER – God our Father, Your rule is a rule of love, Your providence is full of mercy for Your people. Through the intercession of St Gregory, grant the spirit of wisdom and understanding in Your Word through Your Son Jesus Christ. Grant that by the light of His Resurrection we may know our eternal home and strive to attain eternal joy there with You. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 2 September – Intimacy with Jesus

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

Intimacy with Jesus

“In his memoirs written while in exile, Napoleon says: “Many have desired and endeavoured to be obeyed, revered and honoured by all; only Jesus Christ has demanded this because He is God.”

“As the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you,” we read in the Gospel of St John.
“Abide in my love” (Jn 15:9).

Jesus, therefore, asks each of us, not only to love Him but, to remain intimately united to Him in love.
He has a perfect right to demand this because, as God, He is our Creator and as God-Man, He is our Redeemer, Who ,out of love for us has given Himself entirely.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, SPEAKING of ....., The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 2 September – “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God” – Luke 4:43

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 September – Wednesday of the Twenty-second week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalms 33:12-13, 14-15, 20-21, Luke 4:38-44

“And the people sought him and came to him
and would have kept him from leaving them,
but he said to them,
I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God
to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

Luke 4:42-43

“Peace be with you
as the Father has sent me,
even so I send you.”

John 20:21

“Proclaim the word;
be persistent
whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince,
reprimand
and encourage
through all patience and teaching.”

2 Timothy 4:2

“Lord, if Your people still have need
of my services,
I will not avoid the toil.
Your will be done.
I have fought the good fight long enough.
Yet, if You bid me to continue to hold
the battle line, in defence of Your camp,
I will never beg to be excused
from failing strength.
I will do the work You entrust to me.
While You command,
I will fight beneath Your banner.
Amen”

St Martin de Tours (c 316-397)

“I preached myself,
the scholars came and praised me.
I preached Christ,
the sinners came and thanked me.”

St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Doctor of the Church

“It is no use walking somewhere to preach,
unless our walking is our preaching.”

St Francis of Assisi (c 1181-1226)

“What a tragedy,
how many souls
are being shut out of heaven
and falling into hell,
thanks to you!”

St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

“Christ has no body on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which, the compassion of Christ, looks out to the world.
Yours are the feet,
with which, He is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands,
with which, He is to bless others now.”

St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of the Church

“Never say to God: “Enough;”
simply say, “I am ready.”

Bl Sebastian Valfre (1629-1710)

“I greatly desire to become a saint,
that I may be able to make others saints
and thus procure the glory of God.”

St Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868)

“In everything,
ask yourself only
what the Master would have done
and do that.”

Bl Charles of Jesus de Foucauld (1858-1916)

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, MIRACLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 September – ‘He laid His hands on everyone of them and healed them.’ – Luke 4:40

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One Minute Reflection – 2 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Wednesday of the Twenty-second week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalms 33:12-13, 14-15, 20-21, Luke 4:38-44

“Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him and he laid his hands on everyone of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.” … Luke 4:40-41

REFLECTION – “But observe again, I pray, how great is the efficacy of the touch of His holy flesh. For It both drives away diseases of various kinds and a crowd of demons and overthrows the power of the devil and heals a very great multitude of people in one moment of time.
And though able to perform these miracles by a word and the inclination of His will, yet, to teach us something useful, He also lays His hands upon the sick.
For it was necessary, most necessary, for us to learn, that the holy flesh which He had made His own, was endowed with the activity of the power of the Word, by His having implanted in it, a godlike might.
Let It then take hold of us, or rather let us take hold of It, by the mystical “Giving of thanks,” that It may free us also from the sicknesses of the soul and from the assault and violence of demons.

He would not permit the unclean demons to confess Him; for it was not fitting for them to usurp the glory of the Apostolic office, nor with impure tongue, to talk of the mystery of Christ.
Yea! though they speak ought that is true, let no-one put credence in them – for the light is not known by the aid of darkness, as the disciple of Christ teaches us, where he says, “For what communion hath light with darkness? or what consent hath Christ with Beliar?” … … St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Father and Doctor of the Incarnation

PRAYER – Heavenly God and Father, through Your Son, Lord God, You shed Your eternal light on all mankind. You gave us our mission, You taught us our way. Grant us the grace to acknowledge the full splendour of our Redeemer, so that, in His steps, we may grow from strength to strength in evangelising all. Fill us with Your Spirit to enlighten and guide us and may the prayers of the Sorrowful Mother of Our Lord Jesus, be our perpetual succour. Through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 1 September – “”Your all-powerful Word leapt down from heaven’s royal throne” Wisdom 18:15

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary” – Tuesday of the Twenty Second week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, Psalms 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 13-14, Luke 4:31-37

And they were all amazed
and said to one another,
“What is this word?
For with authority and power
he commands the unclean spirits
and they come out.”

Luke 4:36

“Your all-powerful Word leapt down from heaven’s royal throne”

Wisdom 18:15

“I and the Father are one.”

John 10:30

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”

John 14:6

“If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:7

“In his name the Gentiles will hope”

Matthew 12:21

“So that we might be able to lay hold of it,
He who is equal to the Father,
having the nature of God,
became like us by taking the nature of a servant
and recreates us in God’s likeness.
Having become son of man,
the only Son of God
transforms numberless men
into sons of God. ”

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

Sermon 194 ; PL 38, 1016

“We, Christians,
are the true Israel which springs from Christ,
for we are carved out of His Heart,
as from a Rock!”

St Justin Martyr (100-165)
Father of the Church and Martyr

“Accordingly, in the Church,
one God is preached,
one God who is above all things
and through all things and in all things.
God is above all things as Father,
for He is principle and source,
He is through all things through the Word
and He is in all things in the Holy Spirit.”

St Athanasius (c 295-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?

Mark 8:12
“But for what sign from heaven were they asking?
Maybe that He should hold back the sun,
or curb the moon,
or bring down thunderbolts,
or change the direction of the wind,
or something like that?
In Pharaoh’s time there was an enemy
from whom deliverance was needed.
But for one who comes among friends,
there should be no need of such signs.”

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

“Who lives in Love, loves least to live
and long delays doth rue,
if Him he love by whom he lives,
to whom all praise is due,
Who for our love did choose to live
and was content to die,
who loved our love more than His life,
and love with life did buy.
Let us in life, yea with our life
requite His living love,
for best we live when least we live,
if Love our life remove.
Mourn, therefore, no true lover’s death,
life only him annoy,
and when he taketh leave of life
then Love begins his joys.”

St Robert Southwell (1561-1595) Martyr

Everything is possible with Jesus.
“I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).
Let us go to Jesus and take our nourishment from Him.
Then, like St Paul, we shall
be able to do everything in Him,
Who is our strength and our support.
In union with Jesus,
we shall be able to conquer sin
and to become holy. amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY GHOST, The WILL of GOD, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 31 August – “… The Light of the Only-begotten has Shone on Us …”

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Quote/s of the Day – 31 August – Monday of the Twenty Second week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Psalms 119:97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, Luke 4:16-30

“… The Light of the Only-begotten has Shone on Us …”

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

Luke 4:18

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

St Pope Clement I (c 35 – c 99)

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

Origen (c 185-253)

“On each occasion I say:
‘Lord, Thy will be done!
It’s not what this, or that one, wants
but, what You want me to do.’
This is my fortress,
this is my firm rock,
this is my sure support.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor

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

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

An excerpt from his Sermon 171

“You have the words of eternal life”

John 6:68

“These words surely make quite obvious to us
the necessity for sitting at the feet of Christ,
taking Him as our one and only teacher
and giving Him our constant and undivided attention. …
Keeping with their guide was the Israelites’ salvation then,
just as not leaving Christ is ours now.
… We will stay with You always and hold fast to Your commandments.
We will receive Your words without finding fault,
or thinking Your teaching hard,
as the ignorant do but thinking rather:
“How sweet are Your words to my throat!
Sweeter to the mouth are they, than honey or the honeycomb!”

“Our lives are all controlled by the Spirit now
and are not confined to this physical world
that is subject to corruption.
The light of the Only-begotten has shone on us
and we have been transformed into the Word,
the source of all life.”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“He is the one who teaches
the truth of prophecy
through His presence
and makes obedience
to the commandments possible,
through grace.”

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

Heal us Lord God
Prayer of St Albert of Trapani O.Carm. (c 1240-1307)

O my God,
You have created the human race
by Your wonderful power.
It is an act of Your clemency that has called us
to share Your glory and eternal life.
When the first sin condemned us to suffer death,
out of Your goodness,
You wished to redeem us
through the blood of Your Son,
To unite us to You through our faith
and Your great mercy.
You have brought us back
from the shame of our sin,
You have veiled our dishonour
in the brightness of Your glory.
Look now and see that what You have created,
giving it subtle limbs and joints
and made beautiful through its immortal soul,
is now subject to the attack of Satan.
Be pleased Lord
to reconstitute Your work and heal it.
May Your power be glorified
and may the malice of the enemy be stunned.
Amen

St Albert of Trapani (c 1240-1307)

“Even to the present time
I have not stopped speaking to all men
but many are deaf and obstinate in response.
… He who possesses my words
yet spurns them,
earns his own judgement on the last day.”

Thomas á Kempis (1380-1471)

The Imitation of Christ

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 31 August – And they rose up and put him out of the city … Luke 4:29-30

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One Minute Reflection – 31 August – Monday of the Twenty Second week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Psalms 119:97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, Luke 4:16-30 and the Memorial of St Raymond Nonnatus O.deM. (1204-1240)

And they rose up and put him out of the city and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong. But passing through the midst of them he went away….Luke 4:29-30

REFLECTION – “A doctor came amongst us to restore us to health – our Lord Jesus Christ. He discovered blindness in our hearts and promised the light that “eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered the heart of man” (1Cor 2:9).
The humility of Jesus Christ is the cure for your pride. Do not scorn what will bring you healing, be humble, you for whom God humbled Himself. Indeed, He knew that the medicine of humility would cure you, He, who well understood your sickness and knew how to cure it. While you were unable to run to the doctor’s house, the doctor in person came to your house… He is coming, He wants to help you, He knows what you need.
God has come with humility precisely in order that man might imitate Him. If He had remained above you, how would you have been able to imitate Him? And, without imitating Him, how could you be healed? He came with humility because He knew the nature of the remedy He had to administer – a little bitter, it is true but healing. And do you continue to scorn Him? He who holds out the cup to you and you say: “But what sort of God is this God of mine? He was born, suffered, was covered with spittle, crowned with thorns, nailed on the cross!” O miserable soul! You see the doctor’s humility and not the cancer of your pride. That is why humility displeases you…
It often happens that mentally ill people end up by beating their doctor. When that happens, the unfortunate doctor is not only not distressed by the one who beat him but attempts to treat him… As for our doctor, He did not fear being killed by sick people afflicted with madness, He turned His own death into their remedy. Indeed, He died and rose again.”…St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – My Lord and my God, help me eternal Father, to overcome my weakness! Teach me to be constantly on guard against my pride, to constantly keep watch for temptation and to live constantly in prayer, that Your Son will lead me to safety. St Raymond Nonnatus, you suffered torture but always remain prayerful and awake, imitating the Lord, please pray for me, amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TIME

Thought for the Day – 30 August – Perseverance

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

Perseverance

“He who has persevered to the end,” Jesus tells us, “will be saved” (Mt 10:22; 24:13).
Elsewhere He says that “no-one, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdome of God” (Cf Lk 9:62).
It is necessary, therefore, to persevere in goodness, if we wish to be saved.

It is easy to begin but, it is difficult to continue.
In a moment of fervour, perhaps, you promised to be holy.
Maybe some misfortune came your way, such as the loss of someone very dear to you and you were moved to meditate upon the vanity of earthly things and promised to dedicated yourself entirely to God.
In that moment, you experienced the truth of the words of Ecclesiastes, summarised in The Imitation of Christ: “Vanity of vanities and all is vanity but, to love God and serve Him alone” (Bk 1, c 1:4).

Unfortunately, your good resolutions wore away with time.
You may have been swept away once more by the deceptive pleasures of this world.
Or perhaps, your charity grew cold and in your tepidity, you gave into the violent onslaught of temptation.

Christian perseverance has three main enemies.
(1) Firstly, there is time, which slowly consumes this virtue.
You must conquer time by resolving to begin the battle anew every morning of your life.
(2) Then there is the devil, who goes about, as St Peter warns us, like a lion in search of his prey (Cf 1 Peter 5:8).
You must resist him by the strength of your faith.
(3) Finally, there is spiritual sloth, which easily invades the soul.
You must take your cue from St Paul’s exhortation: “My beloved brethren, be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 30 August – St Jeanne Jugan

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Quote/s of the Day – 30 August – The Memorial of St Jeanne Jugan /Mary of the Cross (1792 – 1879)

“Little, very little,
be very little before God.”

“He is so good … love God very much.
All for Him,
do everything through love.”

“My little ones, never forget
that the poor are Our Lord;
in caring for the poor say to yourself:
This is for my Jesus – what a great grace!”

“We were grafted into the Cross.”

“Eternal Father, open your gates today
to the most miserable of your children
but one who greatly longs to see You.
O Mary, my dear Mother, come to me.
You know that I love you
and I long to see You.”

(her last words)

More Here:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/08/30/quote-s-of-the-day-30-august-the-memorial-of-st-jeanne-jugan-mary-of-the-cross-1792-1879/

St Jeanne Jugan/Mary of the Cross (1792-1879)

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on The SOUL, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 29 August – The Interior Life

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

The Interior Life

“Human life is threefold.
First, there is the physical life, that is, the life of the body animated by the soul.
Then, there is the intellectual life, through which the soul searches for truth and controls the powers of the body.
Finally, there is the supernatural life, which leads us towards Christian perfection and unites us to God, the source of goodness and happiness.

These three levels of life are all good in themselves but, form a hierarchy in which the primacy is held by the spiritual life.
Physical life is a gift from God but, must remain subordinate to the spiritual life.
If it were given precedence over reason and over the natural and divine law, our proper scale of values, would be upset and we should fall prey to a host of sinful inclinations.
The same applies to the intellectual life.
God endowed us with intelligence to enable us to know the truth, explore the secrets of the universe and use them for our own welfare.
If the intellect fails to ascend to the knowledge of God from it’s knowledge of worldly objects and ceases to be inspired by a high regard for virtue, it’s achievements can lead eventually to death and destruction.

The supernatural life, which is nourished by Divine grace, perfects man.
All our physical powers and spiritual faculties, should be dominated by this life, which Jesus Christ came into the world to bring to us.
We can have this life, if we obey His commands, control our passions, pray fervently, resign ourselves to His will and perform all our actions for love of Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VANITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior)

Thought for the Day – 28 August – The Sons of God

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Thought for the Day – 28 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Sons of God

“In the beginning of his Gospel, St John speaks of the eternal nature of the Son of God, the Word through Whom all things were created and Who became man to enlighten and redeem the world, which was wallowing in ignorance and sin.
Unfortunately, he adds, instead of welcoming Him, the world rejected Him but, he goes on to say that “to as many as received him, he gave the power of becoming the sons of God” (Cf. John 1:1-12).
These words are a summary of the history of Christianity and, indeed, of the human race, for Jesus Christ was to be a “sign that shall be contradicted” (Lk 2:34).
On our side, there have always been the children of the world, those who ignore or openly combat Christ; on the other, the children of God,the thousands who acknowledge Christ as the Hope of salvation and the Light of the world and adore and love Him as God.

To which side do I belong?
Perhaps I am convinced that I have never attacked or rejected Christ.
But, in effect, I did so every time I committed a deliberate sin, for I put my own caprice before His will.
God’s grace in me was weakened by venial sin, or extinguished altogether by mortal sin.
As a result, I cased to be a child of God and became a child of Satan.
In losing Jesus, I forfeited all real happiness in this world AND in the next!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MUSIC/SINGING, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TIME, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY CROSS, The LAMB of GOD, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Quotes of the Day – 28 August – St Augustine

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Quotes of the Day – 28 August – The Memorial of St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) – Father and Doctor of Grace

“To fall in love with God,
is the greatest romance;
to seek Him,
the greatest adventure;
to find Him,
the greatest human achievement.”

“You ask what you might offer to God?
Offer yourself!
What does God expect from you,
except yourself?”

“He bought brothers for Himself by His blood,
He made them welcome by being rejected,
He ransomed them by being sold,
He honoured them by being dishonoured,
He gave them life by being put to death.
So, brethren, rejoice in the Lord,
not in the world.
That is, rejoice in the truth,
not in wickedness,
rejoice in the hope of eternity,
not in the fading flower of vanity.
That is the way to rejoice.
Wherever you are on earth,
however long you remain on earth,
the Lord is near,
do not be anxious about anything!”

“God provides the wind
but man must raise the sails.”

“A man may lose the good things
of this life against his will
but, if he loses the eternal blessings,
he does so with his own consent.”

“Do you wish to RISE?
Begin by DESCENDING.
You plan a tower
that will pierce the CLOUDS?
Lay first the foundation
of HUMILITY.”

“If we live good lives,
the times are also good.
As we are, such are the times.”

“He who calls us, came here below,
to give us the means of getting there.
He chose the wood
that would enable us to cross the sea –
indeed, no-one can cross the ocean of this world,
who is not borne by the Cross of Christ.
Even the blind can cling to this Cross.
If you can’t see where you are going very well,
don’t let go of it, it will guide you by itself. ”

“We pray then to Him,
through Him, in Him
and we speak along with Him
and He along with us. ”

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

Posted in DOGMA, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The ANNUNCIATION, THE ASSUMPTION, The CHRIST CHILD, The HOLY CROSS, The INCARNATION, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Quote/s of the Day – 27 August – St Amadeus of Lausanne

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 August – The Memorial of St Amadeus of Lausanne OCist (1110—1159) Bishop (I am unsure of whether he is a Saint or a Blessed as there seems to be disagreement about the final confirmation of his cultus. Whichever, he is a Saint of God!)

“O how marvellous are His wounds
by which the wounds of the world were healed!
How victorious His wounds,
by which He slew death and stung hell!”

“Your Son appeared to us
as an abundance of food
when grievous famine threatened,
as a spring of living water,
to a life in distress
and fainting from thirst in the heat.”

“He came from Him,
from whom He did not depart,
going forth from Him,
with whom He stayed,
so that without intermission,
He was wholly in eternity,
wholly in time,
wholly was He found in the Father
when wholly in the Virgin,
wholly in His own majesty
and in His Father’s,
at the time
when He was wholly in our humanity. ”

“He himself is your son, O Mary,
He Himself rose from the dead on the third day
and with your flesh ascended above all the heavens
that He might fill all things.
Therefore, O blessed lady,
you have your joy, the object of your desire
and the crown of your head have been granted you.
He has brought to you the sovereignty of heaven through His glory,
the kingdom of the world though His mercy,
the subjugation of hell through His power.
All things with their diverse feelings respond to your great
and unspeakable glory –
angels by honour, mortals by love, demons by terror.
For you are venerated in heaven,
loved in the world, feared in hell.”

“Has anyone ever come away from Mary,
troubled or saddened or ignorant
of the heavenly Mysteries?
Who has not returned to everyday life
gladdened and joyful
because a request has been granted
by the Mother of God?”

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1110-1159)

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ABORTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 August – “Stay awake! … for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” … Matthew 24:42,44

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One Minute Reflection – 27 August – Thursday of the Twenty First week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9, Psalms 145: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, Matthew 24: 42-51 and the Memorial of Bl Amadeus of Lausanne OCist (1110—1159) Bishop

Jesus said to his disciples: “Stay awake! … for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” … Matthew 24:42,44

REFLECTION – “Listen to my words and give ear to my humble discourses,I cry out to you all, I exhort you: “Lift up your hearts to God, unbind yourselves from your attachment to the passions!” Here is what the prophet cries to you: “Come, let us go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob” (Is 2:3), which is that of impassibility and let us contemplate with the eyes of our mind,s the joy held in store for us by the heavenly promises.
My beloved children, gather up your fervour, take wings of fire like the dove, as it is written, fly away (cf. Ps 54[55]:7), place yourselves among the virtuous, those on the right side (Mt 25:33). Receive joy, spiritual desire, impassioned for God. Taste the great sweetness of His love (cf. Rev 10:9-10) and, by it, considering all else as secondary, tread vainglory underfoot, the desire of the flesh and bitter anger! (…)
Let us hike up our tunics, be on the alert, have eagle eyes – this is the speediest flight for the trip which leads us from earth to Heaven! It is true, travellers can have something to endure. And this happens to you too – indeed, as you see, you struggle under hard labours, you tire yourselves, you work the ground until you are out of breath, you pour with sweat, you are at the end of your strength, hungry, thirsty, one of you labouring at the plough, the other cultivating the vineyard, another pressing oil, or cooking, constructing, making bread or busy about the cellar. Briefly, each is at their post. All go forward on the highway to God, they approach the great City and, in death, they will have entry to the unutterable joy of the good things God reserves for all those who have loved Him! …
May we be accounted worthy of the kingdom of Christ Himself, our God, to whom belongs all glory and power with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, world without end. Amen.” … St Theodore the Studite (759-826) Monk at Constantinople – Catechesis 16

PRAYER – Lord God, renew Your Church with the Spirit of wisdom and love which You gave to St Amadeus. Lead us by that same Spirit, to seek You, the only fountain of true wisdom and the source of everlasting love. May we turn to You in sorrow and true repentance when we fail and strive always and everywhere to live in Your truth and Your love for all and thus be ready when You come. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, in union with the Spirit, one God, forever and ever. St Amadeus, pray for Holy Mother Church and for us all, amen.

Posted in CARMELITES, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SCANDAL, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

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

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Quote/s of the Day – 26 August – The Memorial of Saint Jeanne Elisabeth des Bichier des Anges FC (1773-1838) and St Mary of Jesus Crucified OCD (1846-1878)

“Virginity,
is nothing in the eyes of God,
without the humility of spirit,
which is virginity, itself.”

“What! She would say, as if exasperated, can we offer in the Holy Sacrifice the death and humiliations of God-made-Man and be unwilling to be humble!
To want to be esteemed while He is being humiliated!
To want to be something in the eyes of the world,
where as He remains hidden under the Eucharistic veils!
To love one’s independence,
whereas His love for us
keeps Him a Prisoner in the Tabernacle!
Oh! How such differences should cover us with shame,
fill us with self-loathing,
with a hatred of our pride and our folly!”

St Elisabeth Bichier (1773-1838)

“Where there is charity, there is God.
If you are attentive about doing good to your brother,
God will be attentive about you.
If you dig a hole for your brother,
you will be digging it for yourself;
it is you, yourself who will fall into it.
But if you make heaven for your brother,
you will be making it for yourself.
Remember it …”

“It is pleasant to hear about Jesus;
more pleasant to listen to Jesus Himself speaking …
It is pleasant to think about Jesus;
more pleasant to possess Him …
It is pleasant to hear Jesus’ words;
more pleasant to do His will …”

St Mary of Jesus Crucified (1846-1878)

More from her here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/26/quote-s-of-the-day-26-august-st-mary-of-jesus-crucified/

Posted in QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EDUCATION, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SIN, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 25 August – St Louis IX and St Joseph Calasanz

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Quote/s of the Day – 25 August – The Memorials of St Louis IX (1214-1270) King of France and St Joseph Calasanz (1557-1648) Founder

“Dear son, have a tender pitiful heart for the poor
and for all those whom you believe to be
in misery of heart or body and,
according to your ability, comfort
and aid them with some alms.”

“In order to avoid discord,
never contradict anyone
except in case of sin
or some danger to a neighbour
and, when necessary to contradict others,
do it with tact and not with temper.”

“In prosperity,
give thanks to God with humility and fear,
lest by pride,
you abuse God’s benefits
and so offend him.”

St Louis IX King of France (1214-1270)

“All who undertake to teach
must be endowed with deep love,
the greatest patience and,
most of all, profound humility.
They must perform their work with earnest zeal.
Then, through their humble prayers,
the Lord will find them worthy
to become fellow workers
with Him in the cause of truth.”

“As Scripture says,
“Those who instruct many in justice
will shine as stars for all eternity.”
They will attain this more easily,
if they make a covenant of perpetual obedience
and strive to cling to Christ
and please Him alone
because, in His words,
“What you did to one of the least
of my brethren, you did to me.”

“For if from childhood,
a child is diligently imbued
with piety and literacy,
a happy course of life
can be foreseen.”

St Joseph Calasanz (1557-1648)
Patron of children
and of Catholic schools,
Pray for Us!

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MARIAN QUOTES, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 August – “My grace is sufficient for thee …”

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Quote/s of the Day – 23 August – Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Memorial of St Rose of Lima (1586-1617)

“My grace is sufficient for thee,
for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly
about my weaknesses,
so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

“The thief on the cross certainly did not receive
the Kingdom of Heaven as a reward for his virtues
but as a grace and a mercy from God.
He can serve as an authentic witness
that our salvation is given to us
only by God’s mercy and grace.
All the holy masters knew this
and unanimously taught
that perfection in holiness
can be achieved only through humility.”

St John Cassian (c 360- c 435)

“Christ shall minister to us
and show us His radiant Face
and His glorious Body
with all the marks of faithfulness
and love therein impressed.
And we shall see all the glorious bodies
clothed with all the many tokens of love
won in the service of God
since the beginning of the world…
And our living hearts
shall flame with burning love for God
and all His saints…”

Bl Jan van Ruusbroec (1293-1381)
Canon Regular, “Doctor Divinus Ecstaticus,”
Mystic, Spiritual Writer –
The seven steps of the ladder of spiritual love

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

St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303 – 1373)

Prayer of Blessed Paolo Giustiniani

“Lord, I dare not say to You:
“Show me the light that I may believe in Your Light”
but it is enough for me,
that You make me see my darkness …
Bring me back to myself.
In my misery I have distanced myself
not only from You but from myself,
becoming a stranger to myself.
Make me know my darkness,
that then I may look at the light.
Yes, I tell You and repeat to You incessantly,
Show me to myself,
so that I may know my sins.”

Blessed Paolo Giustiniani (1476-1528)

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

St Thomas More (1478-1535) Martyr

“Our Lord and Saviour lifted up His voice
and said with incomparable majesty:
“Let all men know that grace comes after tribulation.
Let them know that without the burden of afflictions,
it is impossible to reach the height of grace.
Let them know,
that the gifts of grace increase,
as the struggles increase.
Let men take care not to stray and be deceived.
This is the only true stairway to paradise
and without the cross,
they can find no road to climb to heaven.”

St Rose of Lima (1586-1617)

St Rose of Lima Quotes here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/23/quote-s-of-the-day-23-august-st-rose-of-lima/

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 August – The two commandments

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One Minute Reflection – 21 August – “Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Friday of the Twentieth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: Ezekiel 37: 1-14, Psalms 107:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, Matthew 22:34-40 and the Memorial of St Pope Pius X (1835-1914) (Pontiff 1903-1914)

“On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” … Matthew 22:40

REFLECTION – “When our Master was asked which was the greatest of the commandments, He replied: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your strength. There is no other commandment greater than this” (Mk 12:30-31). I think so, too, since it concerns primary and essential Being, God our Father, through whom all things were made, all things remain in being and to whom all who are saved will return. He it is who loved us the first, who gave birth to us. It would be sacrilege to think there exists any being more ancient or more wise. Our thanksgiving may be insignificant compared to his great gifts, yet we cannot offer him any other recognition, he who is perfection itself and has no need of anything. Let us love our Father with all our strength and ardor of soul and we shall win immortality. The more we love God, the more is our nature incorporated and mingled with his own.

The second commandment, Jesus says, yields in nothing to the first: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (…) When the scholar of the Law asks Jesus: “And who is my neighbour?” (Lk 10:29), he does not reply by giving the Jewish definition of neighbour – family, fellow Jews, proselytes, those who live according to the same Law – but tells the story of a traveller who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. Wounded by robbers (…), the man was cared for by a Samaritan who “showed himself a neighbour” (v. 36).

And who is even more of a neighbour to me than our Saviour? Who showed more compassion to us when the powers of darkness had left us battered by blows? (…) Jesus alone knew how to heal our wounds and root out the evils planted in our hearts (…). That is why we should love Him just as much as we love God our Father. And loving Christ Jesus, is to carry out His will and keep His commandments.” … St Clement of Alexandria (150-215) Theologian and Father of the Church – Homily “Can the rich be saved?”

PRAYER – Lord God, You filled the saints with strength and courage and gave them the knowledge of unity with You. Grant, we pray, that in imitation of St Pope Pius X, we may defend the Catholic faith and renew all things in Christ, Your Son. Help us Holy Father, to follow the example of St Pius and finally inherit eternal life, with You and all the saints. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

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Quote/s of the Day – 20 August – St Bernard

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Quote/s of the Day – 20 August – The Memorial of St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) Mellifluous Docotr, “Doctor of Light”

“In every lodging, at every corner,
have reverence for thy Angel.
Do not dare to do in his presence
what you would not dare to do, if I were there.
Or do you doubt that he is present
whom you do not behold?
What if you should hear him?
What if you should touch him?
What if you should scent him?
Remember, that the presence of something
is not proved only by the sight of things.”

” It is true that the creature loves less
because she is less.
But if she loves with her whole being,
nothing is lacking,
where everything is given.”

“There are those who seek knowledge
for the sake of knowledge;
that is Curiosity.
There are those who seek knowledge
to be known by others;
that is Vanity.
There are those who seek knowledge
in order to serve;
that is Love.”

“The road to hell
is paved
with good intentions.”

“A saint is not someone, who never sins,
but one who sins less and less frequently
and gets up more and more quickly.”

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

“Rest is in Him alone.
Man knows no peace in the world
but he has no disturbance
when he is with God.”

Jesu Dulcis Memori

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
with sweetness fills my breast,
But sweeter far Thy face to see
and in Thy presence rest.

Nor voice can sing nor heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find
a sweeter sound than Jesus’ name,
O Saviour of mankind.

O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek
to those who fall, how kind Thou art,
how good to those who seek!

But what to those who find?
Ah this nor tongue nor pen can show,
the love of Jesus, what it is none
but His loved ones know.

Jesus our only joy be Thou
as Thou our prize wilt be.
Jesus, be Thou our glory now
and through eternity.
Amen

More here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/20/quote-s-of-the-day-21-august-st-bernard/

St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 19 August – St John Eudes

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 August – The Memorial of St John Eudes Orat. (1601-1680) “Apostle of Two Hearts”

“I ask you to consider,
that our Lord Jesus Christ
is your true head
and that you are a member of His body.
He belongs to you
as the head belongs to the body.
All that is His is yours –
breath, heart, body, soul and all His faculties.
All of these you must use,
as if they belonged to you,
so that in serving Him,
you may give Him praise, love and glory.”

“A man is no true Christian
if he has no devotion
to the Mother of Jesus Christ.

“Every Saint
belongs to the Court
of the Queen of All Saints.”

St John Eudes (1601-1680)
“Apostle of Two Hearts”

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Thought for the Day – 18 August – Renouncing All Things

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Thought for the Day – 18 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Renouncing All Things

renouncing all things - bacci 18 aug 2020

“If we want God to take possession of our souls, we must drive out every inordinate affection to earthly things.
It is not possible for God to dwell within us, if we are still attached to sin or preoccupied with worldly aims.

God should reign supreme in us and inspire all our desires and actions.
This can never happen if we retain an attachment to deliberate sin, even if it is not grave sin.
In the case of venial sin, it is not so much the sin which prevents God from ruling us absolutely, as the attachment to sin.

It is possible for anybody to fall through human weakness, “for the just man falls seven times and rises again” (Prov 24:16).
It is when we remain willingly in the state of sin, that we offend God and weaken our faith and charity.
At such times, it is as if Jesus were asleep within us, as He slept in the boat during the storm on the lake of Galilee, when the terrified Apostles cried out:   “Lord save us! We are perishing!” (Mt 8:25).
We must keep ourselves free from all trace of sin, if we wish to remain intimately united with God and to be governed only by Him!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MIRACLES, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WISDOM, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 August –

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 August – Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Readings: Isaiah 56,1.6-7. Psalms 67(66),2-3.5.6.8, Romans 11,13-15.29-32, Matthew 15,21-28

“Great is your faith, be it done for you as you desire.”

Matthew 21:28

matthew 21 28 great is your faith be it done for you - 16 aug 2020 (1)

“See her humility as well as her faith! …
Behold the woman’s wisdom! …
Behold her constancy!”

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

see her humility as wellas her faith behold - st john chrysostom 16 aug 2020

“I will suggest a means
whereby you can praise God all day long…
Whatever you do,
do it well
and you have praised God.”

I will suggest a means whereby you can praise god - st augustine 16 aug 2020

“Patience is the companion of wisdom.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Gracepatience is the ciompanion of wisdom - st augustine 16 aug 2020

“Aspire to God with short
but frequent outpourings of the heart, 
admire His bounty,
invoke His aid, 
cast yourself in spirit at the foot of His Cross,
adore His goodness, 
treat with Him of your salvation,
give Him your whole soul  –
a thousand times in the day.”

aspire to god - st francis de sales - 16 aug 2020

“He who trusts in God
can do all things.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

he who trusts in god - st francis de sales 16 aug 2020

“Turn to God.
Believe in God.
Trust Him for a miracle.”

turn to god believe in god trust him for a miracle - st padre pio - 16 aug 2020

“God will not allow you to be lost
if you persist in your determination
not to lose Him.”

St Pio of Pietrelcina/Padre Pio (1887-1968)

god will not allow you to lost - st padre pio 16 aug 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WISDOM, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 August – ‘See her humility as well as her faith! …Behold the woman’s wisdom! …Behold her constancy. ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 16 August – Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Readings: Isaiah 56,1.6-7. Psalms 67(66),2-3.5.6.8, Romans 11,13-15.29-32, Matthew 15,21-28 and Saint Armel of Brittany (Died c 570)

“She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” … Matthew 15:27.

REFLECTION – “See her humility as well as her faith!   For He had called the Jews “children” but she was not satisfied with this.   She even called them “masters,” so far was she from grieving at the praises of others.   She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”   Behold the woman’s wisdom!   She did not venture so much as to say a word against anyone else.   She was not stung to see others praised, nor was she indignant to be reproached. Behold her constancy.   When He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs,” she said, “Yes, Lord.”   He called them “children” but she called them “masters.”   He used the name of a dog but she described the action of the dog.   Do you see this woman’s humility?

Then compare her humility with the proud language of the Jews:  “We are Abraham’s seed and were never in bondage to any man.” “We are born of God.”   But not so this woman.   Rather, she calls herself a dog and them masters.   So for this reason she became a child.   For what does Christ then say? “O woman, great is your faith.”

So we might surmise that this is the reason He put her off, in order that He might proclaim aloud this saying and that He might crown the woman:  “Be it done for you as you desire.”   This means “Your faith, indeed, is able to effect even greater things than these.   Nevertheless be it unto you even as you wish.”  This voice was at one with the voice that said, “Let the heaven be” and it was.

“And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”   Do you see how this woman, too, contributed not a little to the healing of her daughter?   For note, that Christ did not say, “Let your little daughter be made whole,” but “Great is your faith, be it done for you as you desire.” These words were not uttered at random, nor were they flattering words but great was the power of her faith and for our learning.

He left the certain test and demonstration, however, to the issue of events.   Her daughter accordingly was immediately healed.” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor – The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 52.matthew 15 27 please lord for even the dogs eat the scraps - and her daughter was - st john chrysostom 16 aug 2020

PRAYER – Lord, by Your grace, we are made one in mind and heart. Give us a love for what You command and a longing for what You promise, so that, amid this world’s changes, our hearts may be set on the world of lasting joy. May the intercession of Your faithful servant, St Armel, bring us strength and courage. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit, God now and for all eternity, amen.st armel of brittany pray for us 16 aug 2020

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN Saturdays, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, THE ASSUMPTION

One Minute Reflection – 15 August – ‘…For you are venerated in heaven, loved in the world, feared in hell.’

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One Minute Reflection – 15 August – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, Readings: Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10, Psalms 45: 10, 11, 12, 16, 1 Corinthians 15:20-27, Luke 1:39-56

My soul glorifies the Lord … Luke 1:46luke 1 46 my soul glorifies the lord - assumption 15 aug 2019

REFLECTION – “He himself is your son, O Mary, He Himself rose from the dead on the third day and with your flesh ascended above all the heavens that He might fill all things.   Therefore, O blessed lady, you have your joy, the object of your desire and the crown of your head have been granted you.   He has brought to you the sovereignty of heaven through His glory, the kingdom of the world though His mercy, the subjugation of hell through His power.   All things with their diverse feelings respond to your great and unspeakable glory – angels by honour, mortals by love, demons by terror.   For you are venerated in heaven, loved in the world, feared in hell.

Rejoice, therefore and be glad, for He who receives you has arisen, your glory, lifting up your head.   You rejoiced at His conception, you were afflicted at His passion. Rejoice again in His resurrection and your joy no-one will take from you.   Christ, rising from the dead, dies no more;  death will have no more dominion over Him.

The Spirit calls you, God says to you:  “Arise, hasten, my love, my dove, my fair one and come.   For the winter is past, the rain has departed and gone, the flowers have appeared on our earth.   The time for pruning has come” (Sg 2:10-12). …   Then the censer, following the incense and lifted up by the hand of the Lord, mounts to the throne of God.   It goes up attended by a train of angelic spirits calling out on high and saying: “Who is this who comes up through the desert like a column of smoke from the odour of myrrh and incense and all the powders of perfume?” (Sg 3:6). … St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159) Cistercian Monk, then Bishop – Homilies in praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary VI, SC 72he himself is your son o mary - st amadeus of lausanne 15 aug 2020 assumption

PRAYER – My soul glorifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!
For He has blessed me lavishly
and makes me ready to respond.
He shatters my little world
and lets me be poor before Him.
He takes from me all my plans
and gives me more than I can hope for or ask.
He gives me opportunities
and the ability to become free
and to burst through my boundaries.
He gives the strength to be doing,
to build on Him alone,
for He shows Himself
as the ever greater One in my life.
He has made known to me this!
It is in my being servant that it becomes possible.
For God’s kingdom to break through
here and now.
Amen

A Magnificat
Translated from the German by Olga Warnke of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Marya magnificat translated from the german - 15 aug 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on FAITH, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on JUDGING, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Quote/s of the Day – 13 August – St Maximus the Confessor

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 August – The Memorial of St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662) Father of the Church

“For indeed, what is more dire
than the evils
which today afflict the world? …
What is more terrible for the discerning
than the unfolding events?
What is more pitiable and frightening
for those who endure them?
To see a barbarous people of the desert
overrunning another’s lands
as though they were their own,
to see civilisation itself, being ravaged
by wild and untamed beasts
whose form alone is human.”

for indeed what is more dire than the evils which today afflict the world_ - st maximus the confessor 13 aug 2020

“All the ends of the inhabited world …
look directly to the most holy Church
of the Romans and her confession
and faith as to a sun of eternal light,
receiving from her,
the radiant beam of the patristic and holy doctrines.”

all the ends of the inhabited world - st maximus the confessor 13 aug 2020

“Since He causes the darkness of ignorance
and the evil of men to vanish,
my Saviour and my God is called a lamp in Scripture.
And since He is the only one able to obliterate
the darkness of ignorance and disperse the shadows of sin,
He has become the way of salvation for all
… The lampstand is holy Church
because the Word of God shines out through her preaching.
This is how the beams of its truth
can enlighten the whole world…”

luke 8 18 take heed then how you hear - since he causes the darkness - st maximus the confessor 23 sept 2019

“To harbour no envy,
no anger,
no resentment
against an offender is still not to have charity for him.
It is possible, without any charity,
to avoid rendering evil for evil.
But to render, spontaneously, good for evil –
such belongs to a perfect spiritual love.”

to harbour no evy no anger no resentment - st maximus the confessor - 13 aug 2020

“He who busies himself
with the sins of others,
or judges his brother on suspicion,
has not yet even begun to repent
or to examine himself
so as to discover his own sins…”

he who busies himself with the sins of others - st maximus the confessor 13 aug 2020

“We adore one Son,
together with the Father
and the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning
before all time,
is now and ever shall be,
for all time
and for the time after time.
Amen!”

Saint Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662)
Father of the Church

we adore one son together with the father - st maximus the confessor 13 aug 2020