Category: QUOTES on CHARITY

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 October – “For My yoke is sweet and My burden light.” – Matthew 11:30

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 4 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – St Francis of Assisi OFM (c1181–1226) Confessor, Founder – Galatians 6:14-18, Matthew 11:25-30 Scripture Search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For My yoke is sweet and My burden light.” – Matthew 11:30

REFLECTION – “People who complain about the roughness of the Lord’s yoke have possibly not completely rejected, the heavy load of the lusts of the world, or, if they did reject them, they have enslaved themselves to them again, to their greater shame! Outwardly, they carry the yoke of the Lord but inwardly, they submit their shoulders to the burden of the world’s cares. They set on the balance of the Lord’s yoke, the hardships and difficulties which they inflict on themselves… As for the yoke of the Lord – it is “sweet and its burden light”.

Indeed, what is sweeter, what more glorious, than to see oneself lifted up above the world by the scorn one shows it and, seated at the summit of a conscience at peace, to have the whole world at one’s feet? Then, one sees nothing to desire, nothing to fear, nothing to envy, nothing of one’s own which might be taken away, no evil which might be caused one, by another. The eyes of the heart turn towards “an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled and unfading which is kept for us in Heaven” (1 Pt 1:4). With a sort of greatness of soul, one gives little importance to this world’s goods – they pass away; to the pleasures of the flesh – they are contaminated; to the world’s pomp – it fades and, in one’s joy, one repeats the words of the Prophet: “All mankind is grass and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, the flower fades but the Word of the Lord remains forever” (Is 40:6-8)… In charity – and nowhere but in charity – dwells true tranquillity and true sweetness, for, it is the yoke of the Lord!” – St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167) Cistercian Monk (The Mirror of charity I:30-31).

PRAYER – O God, Who by the good works of blessed Francis enriched Thy Church by establishing a new religious family, grant us to imitate him by emulation of him, by looking upon the things of earth as nought and ever to rejoice in sharing Thy heavenly gifts. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, ACT of PERFECT CONTRITION, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the POOR

Quote/s of the Day – 22 September – St Thomas of Villanova

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 22 September – St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor.

“Contrition is the remedy for sin.”

Criticised because he refused to be harsh
or swift in correcting sinners, Thomas said:
“Let him (the complainer) inquire
whether Saint Augustine
and Saint John Chrysostom
used anathemas and excommunication,
to stop the drunkenness and blasphemy
which were so common among the people
under their care.”

“If there are people who refuse to work
that is for the governor and the police to deal with.
My duty is to assist
and relieve those
who come to my door.”

I Will Love Thee, Lord
By St Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555)

I will love Thee, Lord,
in every way
and without setting limits
to my love.
Thou set no limits to what Thou
hast done for me;
Thou hast not measured Thy gifts.
I will not measure my love.
I will love Thee, Lord,
with all my strength,
with all my powers,
as much as I am able.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/22/quote-s-of-the-day-22-september-the-memorial-of-st-thomas-of-villanova/

St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555)

Posted in "Follow Me", CATECHESIS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, MODESTY, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales, The PASSION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 September – Be Patient, Persevere in Prayer …

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 19 September – Hebrews 10:32-38, Matthew 24:3-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For patience is necessary for you
that, doing the Will of God,
you may receive the promise.
For yet a little and a very little while
and He that is to come, will come
and will not delay.”

Hebrews 10:36-37

“Fix your minds on the Passion
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Inflamed with love for us,
He came down from Heaven
to redeem us.
For our sake, He endured
every torment of body and soul
and shrank from no bodily pain.
He, Himself, gave us an example
of perfect patience and love.
We, then, are to be patient, in adversity!”

St Francis of Paola (1416-1507)

“During the night
we must wait for the Light.”

“LET US PERSEVERE IN PRAYER at all times.
For if Our Lord seems not to hear us,
it is not because He wants to refuse us.
Rather, His purpose is to compel us to cry out louder
and to make us more conscious
of the greatness of His mercy.
… In the same way, when Our Lord deprives us
of sweetness and consolation, it is not to refuse us
or to make us lose courage
but He casts vinegar into our mouth,
in order to excite us to draw so much closer
to His Divine Goodness and to encourage us in perseverance.
It is also to elicit proofs of our patience.”

“Have patience with all things
but chiefly, have patience with yourself.
Do not lose courage
in considering your own imperfections
but instantly set about remedying them,
everyday begin the task anew.”

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

“Do not live any longer in yourself
but let Jesus Christ live in you in such a way
that the virtue of this Divine Saviour may be resplendent
in all your actions, in order that all may see in you
a true portrait of the Crucified and sense,
the sweetest fragrance of the holy virtues of the Lord,
in interior and exterior modesty,
in patience,
in gentleness,
suffering,
charity,
humility
and in all others that follow.”

St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775)

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY

Thought for the Day – 16 September – Christ’s Work in Us

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 16 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Christ’s Work in Us

“It is not enough that Jesus live in us – He must increase and act in us continually.
The Spiritual life is like natural life.
It cannot stop, for to halt would mean death!
If Jesus is our life, He should live in us with ever-increasing intensity.
Life is like a stairway, we are either going up or coming down.

If we continue to climb energetically towards Jesus, we shall be coming nearer to Christian perfection.
If, on the other hand, we halt, the supernatural life of Jesus in us, will begin to weaken.
Tepedity will replace fervour and sin will succeed tepidity.
It is difficult to remain unchanged because, life involves movement.
‘Jesus Christ,” writes St Augustine, “was born a baby but, He did not remain one. He grew to boyhood, to adolescence and then, to maturity.”

It is necessary for us to grow also.
More precisely, it is necessary that Jesus grow continuously in us through faith, charity and good works.
“Court the good,” admonishes St Paul, “from a good motive always … until Christ is formed in you” (Gal 4:18-19).

It is not enough that Christ be born in us, it is necessary that He increase to the fullness of perfection (Cf Eph 4:13-16).
“Jesus increases daily,” writes Origen, “in the soul of the holy and just man, which mirror His grace, His wisdom and His sanctity. In the soul of the unfortunate sinner, however, Christ decreases and dies.”

What kind of life has Jesus in my soul?
If I am in the state of grace, He lives in my soul but, how does He live?
In some, those of us who are tepid, worldly and dissipated, Jesus is hidden and languid.
In those who are lazy, mediocre and indifferent, He seems to sleep, as He slept in the boat during the storm on the lake of Galilee.
In those souls which have given in to temptation and surrendered themselves to sin, He is Crucified and dying.

Finally, there are souls in which He reigns supreme and which are resplendent with the magnificence of His gifts and graces.
If we find ourselves in the last category, let us humbly thank God.
But, if we are forced to count ourselves among the tepid or the lazy or the sinful, let us rouse ourselves at once and pray fervently to God, to help us to save our souls!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Holy Name PRAYERS, I BELIEVE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, ON the SAINTS, OUR Cross, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on ZEAL, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, St Francis de Sales, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY NAME, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 11 September – ‘ … Perseverance unto death … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 11 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Protus and St Hyacinth (Died c257) Brother Martyrs – Wisdom 3:1-8, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here:

“And you shall be hated by all men,
for My Name’s sake.”

Luke 21:17

“The fruits of the earth
are not brought to perfection immediately
but by time, rain and care.
Similarly, the fruits of men ripen
through ascetic practice,
study, time, perseverance,
self-control and patience.”

St Anthony Abbot (251-356)

“The Saints must be honoured
as friends of Christ
and children and heirs of God.
Let us carefully observe
the manner of life of all the Apostles,
Martyrs, Ascetics and just men,
who announced the coming of the Lord.
And let us emulate their faith,
charity, hope, zeal, life,
patience under suffering
and perseverance unto death,
so that we may also
share their crowns of glory.”

St John Damascene (676-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Do you not know that the largest trees
which have required years to grow,
are cut down in one hour?
It is foolish to look for their fruits
and yet to be unprepared for their fall.
Let it be your consolation, then,
that God’s enemies, however honourable
and exalted they may have been,
shall, nevertheless, fade away like the smoke!”

St Thomas à Becket (1118-1170)
Martyr, Archbishop of Canterbury

“Now, you must always persevere
in firmly placing all your trust in our Lord,
in the troublesome business you have in hand.
It will give you a fine opportunity
of laying a good foundation of submission
to God’s will and peace of soul.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

“Our Lord, Who saved the world,
through the Cross,
will only Work for the good of souls,
through the Cross.”

St Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865)

May We Confess Your Name to the End
By St Cyprian of Carthage (200-258)
Bishop and Martyr
Apostolic Father of the Church

Good God,
may we confess Your Name to the end.
May we emerge unmarked
and glorious from the traps
and darkness of this world.
As You have bound us together,
by charity and peace
and as together,
we have persevered under persecution,
so may we also rejoice together
in Your Heavenly Kingdom.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on TIME, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WATCHING, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 August –’It is time now for us to rise from sleep!’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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).

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

Posted in GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MARIAN PRAYERS, OUR Cross, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Quote/s of the Day – 9 August – St John Vianney

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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.

MORE and MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/09/quote-s-of-the-day-9-august-st-john-vianney-2/

St Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

Posted in QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 8 August – More About Almsgiving

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/29/thought-for-the-day-29-august-more-about-almsgiving/

Posted in "Follow Me", LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES

Thought for the Day – 6 August – Riches and Poverty

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 6 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Riches and Poverty

“In this matter, as in all others, we have a great deal to learn from the Saints.
Not only did they give to the poor, whatever was superfluous to themselves but, they deprived themselves even of the necessities of life because they saw in their destitute fellowmen, the person of Jesus Christ.

They really loved their neighbour as themselves and, more than themselves, in fact, for the sake of the love og God.
For this reason, they enjoyed clothing the naked and feeding the hungry whenever it was in their power to do so.

We may not be capable of doing exactly the same because we have not reached the same height of perfection, or have ourselves not the material means.
But, we must remember that the precept to “give that which remains, as alms” applies also to us.
If there is someone in grave need whom we have the means of helping, we are obliged to do so by the command of the Gospel.
It is the same Gospel which warns us that if we fail to do so, the Divine Judge will, one day, condemn us!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/11/thought-for-the-day-11-august-riches-and-poverty/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/05/thought-for-the-day-5-august-riches-and-poverty/

Posted in "Follow Me", INGRATITUDE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 5 August – THE CRUCIFIX

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 5 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

THE CRUCIFIX

“Let us weep for our sins and increase in love for our Divine Redeemer.
When we are oppressed by the weight of our own cross, we shall look at the Crucifix and find comfort.
When we are tempted, we shall grasp the Crucifix and turn away with horror from thoughts of sin and ingratitude.

The Crucifix will teach us, as it taught the Saints, the lesson of charity towards God and towards our neighbour.
It will teach us to hate sin and to love virtue.
If we cherish it during life, it will be our consolation to kiss the Crucifix at the moment of death.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/04/thought-for-the-day-4-august-the-crucifix/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/25/thought-for-the-day-25-september-the-crucifix/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 August – The Finding of the Relics of St Stephen – ‘… The gift He brought was love …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 3 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Finding of the Relics of St Stephen, Protomartyr: – Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Matthew 23:34-39 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” – Acts 7:59

REFLECTION – “Yesterday we celebrated the birth in time, of our eternal King; today we celebrate the triumphant death of a soldier… Our King, although He is most high, came for our sake, in great humility but He could not come empty-handed. He brought with Him, as it were, a great bonus for His soldiers which not only made them abundantly rich but also gave them, strength to fight and conquer. The gift He brought was love, which brings men into fellowship with the Godhead…

The love, then, that brought Christ down from Heaven to earth, lifted Stephen from earth to Heaven… And Stephen, so as to deserve to win the crown— which is what his name means—had love as his weapon and by it was everywhere victorious. Through love of God, he did not yield to the raging of his enemies and through love of his neighbour, he prayed for those who were stoning him. Through love, he accused those, who were in the wrong that they might be corrected. Through love, he prayed for those stoning him, to save them from punishment. Trusting in the strength of love, he overcame the cruel raging of Saul and so, won for himself, as a companion in men, the man who had been his persecutor on earth, This holy and untiring love, ardently desired to acquire as converts by his prayers, those whom he had been unable to convert by argument.

Now Paul rejoices with Stephen, with Stephen he enjoys the brightness of Christ; he exults with Stephen, he reigns with Stephen. There, where Stephen arose, the first, stoned under Paul’s very eyes, there too, Paul has risen with the help of Stephen’s prayers.” – St Fulgentius of Ruspe (c 462 – 533) Bishop in North Africa (Sermon 3, 1-3, 5-6).

PRAYER – Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to imitate what we celebrate, so that we may learn to love, even our enemies; because we keep the anniversary of the invention of Him, Who knew how to plead even for His persecutors with our Lord, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with |Thee. lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TRUTH, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 21 July – Holiness

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 21 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Holiness

“We need Saints to recall our wayward and corrupt society to the path of Truth, Justice and Charity.
We should pray to God to send us Saints who will reform the world by living the Gospel and making it live for others.
Above all, we should endeavour to become holy ourselves.
To achieve this, we do not have to put on sack-cloth, go into the desert, or shut ourselves up in a Monastery.
Each of us can become a saint in his own home and in whatever position God has allotted him.
All we have to do is obey God’s Will in everything, love Him above everything, love our neighbour as ourselves, avoid sin and aim at what is good.
We can and should, do all this with the help of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/19/thought-for-the-day-19-july-holiness/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/29/thought-for-the-day-29-march-holiness/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on VOCATIONS, The HEART, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 July – St Vincent de Paul

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 19 July – St Vincent de Paul CM (1581-1660) Confessor, “Holy Hero of Divine Charity.”

“If God is the centre of your life,
no words are necessary.
Your mere presence will touch hearts!”

“We should strive to keep our hearts open
to the sufferings and wretchedness of others
and pray continually,
that God may grant us that spirit of compassion
which is truly the Spirit of God.”

“We should spend as much time,
in thanking God for His benefits,
as we do, in asking Him for them!”

“Perfection consists in one thing alone
which is doing the will of God.
For, according to Our Lord’s words,
it suffices for perfection to deny self,
to take up the cross and to follow Him.
Now, who denies himself and takes up his cross
and follows Christ better than he, who seeks
not to do his own will but always that of God?
Behold, now, how little is needed, to become as Saint?
Nothing more than to acquire the habit of willing,
on every occasion, what God wills.”

“Humility and charity
are the two master-chords:
one, the lowest;
the other, the highest;
all the others are dependent upon them.
Therefore, it is necessary, above all,
to maintain ourselves in these two virtues;
for observe well, that the preservation
of the whole edifice
depends on the foundation and the roof.”

Prayer for Vocations
By St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

O Lord,
send good workers to Thy Church,
but may they be good!
Send good missionaries
to work in Thy vineyard,
labourers, O my God,
such as they ought to be –
utterly detached from themselves,
their own comfort
and worldly goods.
Let them even be few in number,
provided that they are good!
O Lord, grant this grace
to Thy Church.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/19/quote-s-of-the-day-19-july-st-vincent-de-pau/

St Vincent de Paul CM (1581-1660)

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WATCHING, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, St Francis de Sales, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 15 July – Ready?

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 15 July – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“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!””

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

Posted in "Follow Me", LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GOSSIP, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on SCANDAL

Thought for the Day – 8 July – Uncharitableness

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 8 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Uncharitableness

“It is no excuse to claim that we only speak of matters which are true and known to all.
They maybe true but God alone can judge the human conscience.
They maybe known to all but, by our maliciousness, we are spreading evil about our neighbour, whereas we ought to try and spread only what is good.

Besides being opposed to Christian charity, unkind conversation ruins whatever opportunities we may have of practising the apostolate in which everyone is obliged to play his part.
If we are apostolic, we promote our neighbour’s spiritual welfare, whereas uncharitable criticism, spreads evil about him and gives bad example to others.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/07/thought-for-the-day-7-july-uncharitableness/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/08/thought-for-the-day-8-july-uncharitableness/

Posted in franciscan OFM, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION, THEOLOGICAL

Our Morning Offering – 6 July – I pray Thee, O most gentle Jesus by St Clare

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 6 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus”

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.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, MODESTY, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on TRUTH, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 25 June – The many paths?

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 25 June – Pentecost IV – Romans 8:18-23, Luke 5:1-11 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Master, the whole night through
we have toiled and have taken nothing
but at Thy Word, I will lower the net.”

Luke 5:5

“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.”

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

“Those who refuse to be humble
cannot be saved.
They cannot say with the prophet:
See, God comes to my aid;
the Lord is the helper of my soul.
But anyone who makes himself humble,
like a little child,
is greater in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor if the Church

“At Thy Word I will lower the nets.”
Whenever I lowered them on my own,
I wanted to keep what belongs to Thee for myself.
It was myself I was preaching
and not Thee; my words, not Thine.
That is why I caught nothing.
Or, if I did catch something,
it was not fish but frogs,
only good for croaking my own praise! …”

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Doctor of the Church

“When insults have no effect on us,
when persecutions and penalties,
have no terror for us,
when prosperity or adversity,
has no influence on us,
when friend and foe,
are viewed in the same light…
do we not come close,
to sharing, the serenity of God?”

St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167)
“St Bernard of the North”

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

“Dismiss all anger
and look into yourself a little.
Remember that he, of whom,
you are speaking, is your brother
and as he is, in the way of salvation,
God can make him a Saint,
in spite of his present weakness.”

St Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555)

“Humility and charity
are the two master chords –
one, the lowest;
the other, the highest;
all the others are dependent on them.
Therefore, it is necessary, above all.
to maintain ourselves in these two virtues,
for observe well,
that the preservation of the whole edifice
depends on the foundation and the roof!”

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FRIENDSHIP, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 14 June – St Basil the Great

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 14 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Feast of St Basil the Great (329-379) Bishop of Caesarea, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church.

“I tell you, this man went back to his home justified,
rather than the other;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled
but he who humbles himself,
will be exalted”
Luke 18:14

“Be on your guard, therefore
and bear in mind, this example
of severe loss, sustained through arrogance.
… Never place yourself above anyone,
not even great sinners.
Humility often saves a sinner,
who has committed many terrible transgressions!”

“A good deed is never lost;
he who sows courtesy,
reaps friendship
and he who plants kindness,
gathers love.”

“When someone steals another’s clothes,
we call them a THIEF.
Should we not give the same name
to one who could clothe the naked
and does not?
The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry;
the coat unused in your cupboard,
belongs to the one who needs it;
the shoes rotting in your drawer,
belong to the one who has no shoes;
the money which you hoard,
belongs to the poor.”

“I know many who fast, pray, sigh
and demonstrate every manner of piety,
as long as it costs them nothing,
yet, would not part with a penny
to help those in distress!”

“No Christian should think of himself
as his own master
but each should rather so think and act,
as though given by God,
to be slave to his fellow brothers and sisters.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/14/quote-s-of-the-day-14-june-st-basil-the-great/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/01/02/quote-s-of-the-day-2-january-the-memorial-of-st-basil-the-great-329-379-and-st-gregory-of-nazianzen-330-390-fathers-doctors-of-the-church/

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TIME

Quote/s of the Day – 7 June – St Anthony Mary Gianelli

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 7 June – The Memorial of St Anthony Mary Gianelli (1789-1846) Bishop, Founder of the Missionaries of St Alphonsus, the Oblates of St Alphonsus and the Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden.

“In every activity we do,
let us imitate Mary.
Let us build with our example
and exercise charity.”

“In the dangers,
in the anguish,
in the needs,
in the uncertainties,
think, seek, invoke Mary!”

“Everything is possible
and even easier with God’s help
which is never lacking
to those who ask Him,
with humility and faith.”

“Time is short.
While we have it,
let us do good.”

St Anthony Mary Gianelli (1789-1846)

Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/06/07/saint-of-the-day-7-june-st-anthony-mary-gianelli-1789-1846/

Posted in "Follow Me", LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS

Thought for the Day – 6 June – The Worship of the Sacred Heart in Relation to the Love of God and of Our Neighbour

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 6 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Worship of the Sacred Heart
in Relation to the Love of God and of Our Neighbour

“The cult of the Sacred Heart demands, especially, the practice of the two great fundamental precepts of our Catholic Faith, namely, that we should love God above all things and our neighbour as ourselves.
The implementation of this teaching will transform our lives.

Do we love God above all things and more than we love ourselves?
What is the predominant concept in our minds?
Is it the concept of God?
What is the first love in our hearts?
Is it the love of God?
What is our main desire in life?
Is it the glory of God?
Or is it our own glory or our own pleasure?

We have still, a long way to go in the way of love of God which is the way of perfectiuon.
We can only really be said to be ourselves moreover, when we love God above all things and more than ourselves.
If a man does not love God above all things, neither does he love himself in the way in which he ought to love himself because, God is our only true to happiness.

Do we love our neighbour as ourselves?
How much moral and physical wretchedness do we see around us?
But do we try to remedy it by every means in our power, no matter what the sacrifice?
Or are we cold and disinterested?
Let us remember the words of St John the Apostle of Charity.
“In this we have come to know His love that He laid down His life for us and we likewise, ought to lay down our life for the brethren” (1 Jn 3:16).
Are we prepared to do this?
Are we at least prepared to give away whatever do do not need ourselves, in order to relieve poverty and want?

Anyone who is lacking in an effective love for God and for his neighbours, has no real devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/06/thought-for-the-day-6-june-the-worship-of-the-sacred-heart-in-relation-to-the-love-of-god-and-of-our-neighbour/

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the FAMILY, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 1 June – St Angelica de Merici

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 1 June – The Memorial of St Angelica de Merici (1474-1540)

“As our Saviour says:
“A good tree is not able to produce bad fruit.”
He says: A good tree, that is, a good heart
and a soul on fire with charity,
can do nothing but good and holy works.
For this reason Saint Augustine said:
“Love and do what you will,” namely,
possess love and charity and then do what you will.
It is as if he had said: Charity is not able to sin.”

“We must give alms.
Charity wins souls
and draws them to virtue.”

“Disorder in society
is the result
of disorder
in the family.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/01/quote-s-of-the-day-1-june-st-angela-merici/

St Angelica de Merici (1474-1540)

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on WISDOM, St Francis de Sales

Quote/s of the Day –29 May – The 7 Gifts

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day –29 May – Pentecost Monday

“These Gifts are not only inseparable from charity
but they are, the principal virtues,
properties and qualities of charity.

WISDOM
is nothing else, than the love
which relishes, tastes and experiences,
how sweet and gentle God is.

UNDERSTANDING
is nothing else, than love attentive to consider
and penetrate the beauty of the truths of faith.

KNOWLEDGE
is simply the same love
keeping us attentive to know ourselves
and creatures, to obtain a more perfect knowledge
of the service we owe to God.

COUNSEL
is also love, as it renders us careful,
attentive and skilled
in choosing the means proper
to serve God in a holy manner.

FORTITUDE
is love which encourages and animates the heart,
so as to carry out, that which Counsel
has determined must be done.

PIETY
is the love which sweetens labour
and makes us, with good heart,
gratitude and filial affection,
do works that please God our Father.

FEAR
is simply love as it causes us to fly
and shun what is displeasing to God’s majesty.”
(Treatise on the Love of God, Book 11, Chapter 15)

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

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, GOD ALONE!, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, OUR Cross, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, SAINT of the DAY, The LORD'S PRAYER, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Quote/s of the Day –26 May – St Philip Neri

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day –26 May – The Memorial of St Philip Neri (1515-1595) Confessor

When summoned to hear Confessions
or to see someone who had called,
St Philip came down instantly, with the words:

“We must leave Christ for Christ.”.  

“It is an old custom with the servants of God,
always to have some little prayers ready
and to be darting them up to Heaven
frequently during the day,
lifting their minds to God
out of the filth of this world.
He who adopts this plan,
will get great fruit, with little pains.”

“Watch me, O Lord, this day –
for, abandoned to myself,
I shall surely betray Thee!”

“He who wishes for anything but Christ,
does not know what he wishes;
he who asks for anything but Christ,
does not know what he is asking;
he who works and not for Christ,
does not know what he is doing.”

“If a man finds it very difficult to forgive injuries,
let him look at a Crucifix
and think that Christ shed all His Blood for him
and not only forgave His enemies
but, even prayed His Heavenly Father,
to forgive them too.
Let him remember,
that when he says the Pater Noster, everyday,
instead of asking pardon for his sins,
he is calling down VENGEANCE UPON HIMSELF!”

“We are generally,
the carpenters
of our own crosses.”

Rather old images below
but great words from our Saint, of course:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/26/quote-s-of-the-day-26-may-marys-month-the-memorial-of-st-philip-neri-1515-1595/

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SACRAMENTS, The ASCENSION of the LORD, The HEART, The LAST THINGS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The SECOND COMING, The SEVEN LAST WORDS of CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 May – ‘… And so, our Redeemer’s Visible Presence has passed into the Sacraments. …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave of Ascension – Acts 1:1-11, Mark 16:14-20 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And the Lord Jesus, after He spoke to them, was taken up into Heaven and took His seat at the Right Hand of God.” – Mark 16:19

REFLECTION – “And so, while at Easter it was the Lord’s Resurrection which was the cause of our joy, our present rejoicing is due to His Ascension into Heaven. With all due solemnity, we are commemorating that day on which our poor human nature was carried up in Christ, above all the Hosts of Heaven, above all the ranks of Angels, beyond those Heavenly Powers, to the very Throne of God the Father.

It is upon this ordered structure of Divine acts, that we have been firmly established, so that the grace of God may show itself still more marvellous when, in spite of the withdrawal from our sight of everything that is rightly felt to command our reverence, faith does not fail, hope is not shaken, charity does not grow cold. It was in order that we might be capable of such blessedness that on the fortieth day after His Resurrection, after He had made careful provision for everything concerning the preaching of the Gospel and the Mysteries of the New Covenant, our Lord Jesus Christ was taken up to Heaven before the eyes of His Disciples and so, His Bodily Presence among them, came to an end.

From that time onward, He was to remain at the Father’s Right Hand, until the completion of the period, ordained by God, for the Church’s children to increase and multiply, after which, in the same Body with which He ascended, He will come again to judge the living and the dead. And so, our Redeemer’s Visible Presence has passed into the Sacraments. Our faith is nobler and stronger because, empirical sight has been replaced by a reliable teaching, whose authority is accepted by believing hearts, enlightened from on high.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope , Great Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 74).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that as we do believe Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Saviour, to have this day, ascended into the Heavens, so we may also, in heart and mind, thither ascend and with Him continually dwell.Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD is LOVE, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day –30 April – Prayers by St Catherine of Siena

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day –30 April – Prayers by St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)

O God of Truth and Love

O omnipotent Father,
God of truth,
God of love
permit me to enter into
the cell of self-knowledge.
I admit, that of myself,
I am nothing
but that all being
and goodness in me
comes solely from You.
Show me my faults,
that I may detest them,
and thus I shall flee from self-love
and find myself clothed again
in the nuptial robe of divine charity,
which I must have,
in order to be admitted
to the nuptials of life eternal.
Amen

Holy Trinity, Holy Love

Holy Spirit, come into my heart;
draw it to Thee by Thy power,
O my God,
and grant me charity with filial fear.
Preserve me,
O beautiful love,
from every evil thought,
warm me,
inflame me with Thy dear love
and every pain will seem light to me.
My Father,
my sweet Lord,
help me in all my actions.
Jesus, love, Jesus, love.
Amen.

Your Blood, The Fire of Love!

O sweet Jesus, my Love,
to strengthen my soul
and to rescue it from the weakness
into which it has fallen,
You have built a wall around it
and have mixed the mortar with Your Blood,
confirming my soul and uniting it
to the sweet will and charity of God!
Just as lime mixed with water
is placed between stones, to cement them together,
so You, O God, have placed between
Your creature and Yourself,
the Blood of Your Only-begotten Son,
cemented with the Divine lime
of the fire of ardent charity,
in such a way that there is no Blood
without fire, nor fire without Blood.
Your Blood was shed, O Christ, by the fire of love!
Amen

Constant Prayer
to the Precious Blood of Jesus

Precious Blood,
Ocean of Divine Mercy,
Flow upon us!
Precious Blood,
Most Pure Offering,
Procure us every grace!
Precious Blood,
Hope and Refuge of sinners,
Atone for us!
Precious Blood,
Delight of holy souls,
Draw us!
Amen

QUOTES:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/30/quote-s-of-the-day-30-april-st-catherine-of-siena/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/29/quote-s-of-the-day-29-april-st-catherine-of-siena/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/04/29/quote-s-of-the-day-29-april-fifth-sunday-of-eastertide-and-the-memorial-of-st-catherine-of-siena-1347-1380-doctor-of-the-church/

St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on VANITY, QUOTES on WISDOM

Thought for the Day – 29 April – Knowledge and Learning

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

Knowledge and Learning

“What is the purpose of our studies and our quest for knowledge?
It is interesting to read what St Bernard has to say on this subject.

“There are those who wish to learn for learning’s sake – these are simply curious and come to no serious conclusions.
There are those, moreover, who study in order to be better known – these are vain men.
Others acquire knowledge in order to sell it and to make money, or in order to gain honours – these are merchants of science and culture.
There are others, however, who cultivate science as an instrument to be used in the service of their neighbour – such men are motivated by charity.
There are also some, who study in order to sanctify themselves – and this is true WISDOM!” (Serm 35).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 28 April – Oh Jesus, My Love By St Paul of the Cross

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 28 April – The Memorial of St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775) Confessor, Priest, Founder

Oh Jesus, My Love
By St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775)

Oh Jesus, my Love,
may my heart be consumed
in loving Thee.
Make me humble and holy,
giving me childlike simplicity,
transform me into Thy holy Love.
O Jesus, Life of my life,
Joy of my soul,
God of my heart,
accept my heart as an altar,
on which I will sacrifice to Thee,
the gold of ardent charity,
the incense of continual,
humble and fervent prayer
and the myrrh
of constant sacrifices!
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, Of PILGRIMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, St Francis de Sales, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 20 April – ‘… Man believes with his heart …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 20 April – “The Month of the Resurrection” – Feria Day, Thursday in the Second Week of Easter – 1 John 5:4-10, John 20:19-31 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Who is he who overcomes the world?
but he who believes
that Jesus is the Son of God.”

1 John 5:5

“This people honours Me with their lips
but their heart is far from Me.”

Matthew 15:8

“He who believes and is Baptised,
shall be saved but he who believes not,
shall be condemned.”

Mark 16:16

“Man believes with his heart
and so, he is justified.
He confesses with his lips
and so, he is saved.
In the beginning of his speech,
the just man is his own accuser,
next he gives glory to God
and thirdly, if his wisdom extends that far,
he edifies his neighbour.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
The “Last Father”
and Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

“Get up tomorrow early in the morning
and earlier than you did today
and do the best that you can!”

St Joan of Arc (1412-1431)

“The very prince of the universe, is man;
the crowning point of man, is his heart;
of the heart, is love
and the perfection of love, is charity.
That is why the love of God is the goal,
the crowning point,
the be-all and end-all of the universe.”

(Treatise on the Love of God, Book 10, Chapter 1)

“But as a general thing,
what is the state of your heart
with regard to your neighbour?
Do you love him from your heart
and for the love of God?
In order to prove this,
you must call to mind
certain disagreeable, troublesome individuals,
for with such, it is that we practice
the love of God towards our neighbour
and still more, towards those who do us any injury,
either in word or deed.
Consider whether your heart is clear
with regard to such and whether
you have to force it to love them?
Are you slow to speak evil of your neighbour,
especially of those whom you do not like?”
Do you never injure him, either directly or indirectly?”

(Introduction to the Devout Life).

“HOW IS YOUR HEART TOWARDS GOD HIMSELF?
Do you take delight in thinking about Him? …
Imitate little children who, with one hand hold fast to their father,
while with the other, they gather strawberries
or blackberries from the hedges.
So too if you gather and handle
the goods of this world with one hand,
you must always hold fast with the other
to your Heavenly Father’s Hand
and turn toward Him, from time to time,
to see if your actions or occupations,
are pleasing to Him.”

(Introduction to the Devout Life, Part 3, Chapter 10)

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

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 19 April – Faith and Charity

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 19 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Faith and Charity

“Faith is a wonderful thing.
As has been said, it is a supernatural gift from God, which we should keep alive by prayer.
Faith alone is not enough, however.
It is the foundation, on which we must build the structure of our Christian life.
It is especially necessary for it to be united to the flame of charity.
“Without love,” says St Augustine, “there is only the faith, which the devil has” (De Caritate 10) because, as St James explains, “the devil also believes and trembles” (Js 2:19).
We, however, should believe and love.
We must combine faith with charity towards God and towards our neighbour.
Our faith should be active.
As St Paul says, it should work under the influence of charity (Gal 5:6).
Without charity and good works, faith is a lifeless thing.

If we really believe, we should love God above all things, even more than we love ourselves and, we should be ready to make any sacrifice for Him, even the sacrifice of our lives.

Faith should induce us to think constantly of God and charity should urge us to do everytig for His sake, rather than for any lesser purpose.
If we lack this kind of charity, we cannot claim to be sincere Christians.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/23/thought-for-the-day-23-april-faith-and-charity/

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY WEEK, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on the POOR, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 April – “For the poor you have always with you but Me, you have not always.” – John 12:8

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 3 April – “The Month of the Resurrection” – Monday in Holy Week – Isaias 50:5-10, John 12:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For the poor you have always with you but Me, you have not always.” – John 12:8

REFLECTION – “This is the historical event, now let us look for the symbol. Whoever you are, if you wish to be faithful, pour precious perfume on the Lord’s Feet, along with Mary. This perfume is uprightness… Pour perfume on the Feet of Jesus – follow in the Lord’s Footsteps by a holy way of life. Wipe His Feet with your hair – if you have more than enough, give to the poor and in this way you will have wiped the Lord’s Feet… Perhaps the Lord’s Feet on earth ,are in need. Indeed, is it not about His Members, He will say at the end of the world: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of Mine, you did for Me” (Mt 25:40)?

“And the house was filled with its fragrance.” That is to say, the world has been filled with the renown of this woman, for the sweet fragrance is her good name. People who associate the Name of Christian with a dishonest life injure Christ… if God’s Name is blasphemed by bad Christians, it is praised and honoured, on the other hand, by the good: “For in every place we are the aroma of Christ” (2 Cor 14-15). And it is said in the Song of Songs: “Your Name is oil poured out” (1:3).” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermons on Saint John’s Gospel, no 50 6-7).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who fail through our weakness in so many difficulties, may be relieved through the pleading of the Passion of Thy Only-begotten Son. 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).