Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, franciscan OFM, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – St Pio

Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – The Memorial of St Padre Pio (1887-1968)

“Keep close to the Catholic Church at all times,
for the Church alone can give you true peace,
since she alone possesses Jesus,
the true Prince of Peace,
in the Blessed Sacrament.”keep close to the catholic church - st padre pio - 23 sept 2019.jpg

“Every Holy Mass, heard with devotion,
produces in our souls marvellous effects,
abundant spiritual and material graces
which we, ourselves, do not know…
It is easier for the earth to exist
without the sun
than without the
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass!”it is easier for the earth to exist without the sun - st padre pio - 23 sept 2019.jpg

“Remember – the sinner,
who is sorry for his sins,
is closer to God,
than the just man,
who boasts of his good works.”remember the sinner who is sorry - st pio - 23 sept 2019.jpg

“If any one would be first, he must be
last of all and servant of all.”

Mark 9:35b

“The life of a Christian is nothing
but a perpetual struggle against self:
there is no flowering of the soul 
to the beauty of its perfection,
except at the price of pain.”the-life-of-a-christian-st-pio-23-sept-2018-mark9-35b-if-any-would-be-first-he-must-be-last-and-servant.jpg

“My past, O Lord, to Your mercy,
my present, to Your love,
my future, to Your Providence.”

More here:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/23/quote-s-of-the-day-23-september-twenty-fifth-sunday-in-ordinary-time-year-b-and-the-memorial-of-st-padre-pio-1887-1968/

St Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968)my past o lord to your mercy st pio 23 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in franciscan OFM, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on TIME, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 22 September –    Let’s get to work!

Quote of the Day – 22 September – The Memorial of

St Ignatius of Santhia OFM Cap (1686-1770)

“Paradise is not made for slackers.   Let’s get to work!” 

St Ignatius of Santhia (1686-1770)paradise is not made for slackers - st ignatius of santhia 21 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – The Good News

Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist- Today’s Gospel: Matthew 9:9–13

“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Matthew 9:11b

“Our Lord chose Matthew, the tax collector,
to encourage his fellows to join Him.
He looked on sinners, called them
and brought them to sit beside Him.
What a wonderful sight!
Angels stand trembling while publicans, seated, rejoice.
The angels are struck with awe before the Lord’s greatness
while sinners eat and drink with Him.
The scribes choke with hatred and indignation,
the publicans rejoice because of His mercy.
The heavens saw the sight and were filled with wonder,
hell saw it and was maddened.
Satan saw it and was enraged,
death saw it and withered,
the scribes saw it and were much troubled.”

St Ephrem (306-373) Father & Doctor of the Church

Commentary on the Gospel, or Diatessaron, 5, 17 (SC 121, p.115 rev.)why-does-your-teacher-matthew-9-11b-he-looked-on-sinners-st-ephrem-21-sept-2018.jpg

“The good news of the Gospel
consists precisely in this –
offering God’s grace to the sinner!”the good news of the gospel - pope benedict 21 sept 2019.jpg

“The Gospel of Matthew written in Hebrew or Aramaic
is no longer extant but in the Greek Gospel that we possess,
we still continue to hear, in a certain way,
the persuasive voice of the publican Matthew,
who, having become an Apostle,
continues to proclaim God’s saving mercy to us.
And let us listen to St Matthew’s message,
meditating upon it ever anew,
also to learn to stand up and follow Jesus with determination.”

Pope Benedict XVI

General Audience
Wednesday, 30 August 2006the persausvie voice of the publican matthew 21 sept 2019 pope benedict.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – “Follow me”

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist- Today’s Gospel: Matthew 9:9–13

“Follow me”.. Matthew 9:9matthew 9 9 the calling of matthew follow me 21 sept 2019

REFLECTIONS“Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office and he said to him: “Follow me.”   He looked at him not with the eyes of the body but rather with the eye of interior pity.   He saw a tax collector, and since He looked at him in pity and choosing him as a disciple, He said: “Follow me.” ‘Follow’ meant ‘imitate’ – not by the movement of his feet but rather by a change of life.   For whoever says he is following Christ “ought himself to walk as Christ walked” (cf 1Jn ).

“Matthew rose and followed him.”   It is not to be wondered at that the tax collector should leave the earthly gains he was looking after at the first command of the Lord and that, abandoning riches, he should join the company of Him who, he saw, had no wealth. For the Lord, who outwardly called him with words, through a hidden instinct secretly taught him to follow Him.   By the gift of divine grace the Lord enlightened his mind to understand that He who on earth called him away from temporal interests, could in heaven give incorruptible treasures (cf Mt 6,20).

“And as Jesus sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.”   The conversion of one tax collector provided an example of penance and forgiveness to many tax collectors and sinners.   In a wonderful and true sign of the future, he who was to become the apostle and teacher of the gentiles, brought with him to salvation, a multitude of sinners in the first moments of his conversion!” ... Saint Bede the Venerable (673-735) Father & Doctor of the Church – Homilies on the gospels I, 21 ; CCL 122, 149st bede - in a wonderful and true sign of the future - the calling os st matthew 21 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord, You showed Your great mercy to Matthew the tax-gatherer by calling him to become Your Apostle.   Supported by his prayer and example, may we always answer Your call and live in close union with You.   We make our prayer, in union with God our Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.  St Matthew, Apostle of Christ, pray for us, amen.st matthew pray for us - 21 sept 2018.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 September – “How long are we going to put off obeying Christ..?” St Basil the Great

One Minute Reflection – 18 September – Wednesday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Tim, Year C, Gospel: Luke 7:31–35 and the Memorial of St Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663)

“To what then shall I compare the men of this generation and what are they like? “…Luke 7:31

REFLECTION – “How long are we going to put off obeying Christ, who calls us into His heavenly Kingdom?   Aren’t we going to purify ourselves?   Won’t we resolve to forsake our customary way of life to follow the Gospel radically?…   We claim to want the Kingdom of God yet without bothering to concern ourselves with the means of obtaining it.

What is more, in the conceitedness of our souls, without taking the least trouble to obey the Lord’s commandments, we think ourselves worthy to receive the same reward as those who have resisted sin to the death!   But how could anyone sit and sleep at home during the time of sowing and then gather sheaves by the armful at harvest?   Who has ever brought in the grapes without having planted and tended the vine?   Fruit is for those who have toil, rewards and crowns for those who have conquered.   Has anyone ever crowned an athlete who did not even strip to fight his opponent?   And yet, not only must we win but we must also “fight according to the rules”, as the apostle Paul says, that is to say according to the commandments we have been given…

God is good but He is also just… “The Lord loves justice and right” (Ps 32:5), that is why, “of kindness and judgement I will sing” (Ps 100:1)…   See how wisely the Lord exercises kindness.   He is not gracious without consideration, nor does He judge without mercy for, “gracious is the Lord and just” (Ps 115:5).   So don’t underestimate God – His love for men should not become a pretext for negligence on our part.” … St Basil the Great (329-379) Father & Doctor of the Church – Longer monastic Rules, prologueluke 7 31 to what then shall i compare the men - how long are we going to put off obeying christ - 18 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help me to be holy in the way that You have laid out for me. Let me carry out my duties of my state of life to the full and grant me the grace to carry my crosses in honour of You.   Only in You may I attain holiness, learning to give myself, my will, my heart and my soul only to You.   St Joseph of Cupertino, you who were so disadvantaged, achieved by the grace of God, sanctity in this life and now behold His Face through all eternity. We ask for your intercession, through our Lord Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st-joseph-of-cupertino-pray-for-us-18 sept 2017.jpg

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 September – “Arise! “

One Minute Reflection – 18 September – Today’s Gospel: Luke 7:11–17, Tuesday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of Saint Zygmunt Szcesny Felinski (1822-1895)

And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”... Luke 7:14band 17 sept 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “God wants us to stand upright.   He created us to be on our fee,: for this reason, Jesus’ compassion leads to that gesture of healing, to heal us, of which the key phrase is:  “Arise! Stand up, as God created you!”.   Standing up. “But Father, we fall so often” — “Onward, arise!”.   This is Jesus’ word, always.   His word revives us, gives us hope, refreshes weary hearts, opens us to a vision of the world and of life which transcends suffering and death” .…Pope Francis – General audience, 10 August 2016young-man-i-say-to-arise-luke-7-14b-pope-francis-god-wants-us-to-stand-upright-18-sept-2018 and 17 sept 2019

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help us to be holy in the way that You have laid out for us. Let us stand upright and carry out my duties of our state of life to the full. Only in You may we attain holiness, learning to give ourself, our will, our heart and to You. Keep us ever faithful to Your precepts and bring us to Your home, to look upon Your Face. May the prayers of Your saints assist us on our journey. In your untiring life of trust in God, St Zygmunt Felinksi, you sought to make Him the goal of all and the love of all, please pray that we may imitate your zeal and love. We ask all this through Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st zygmunt felinski 17 sept 2019 pray for us.jpg

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, FATHERS of the Church, LAPSED Catholics, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The LORD'S PRAYER

Quote/s of the Day – 16 September – The wisdom of St Cyprian of Carthage

Quote/s of the Day – 16 September – The Memorial of Sts Cornelius & Cyprian

“Not by words alone but also by deeds, has God taught us to pray.   He Himself prayed frequently and demonstrated what we ought to do, by the testimony of His own example.   As it is written: “But he himself was in retirement in the desert and in prayer” and again, “He went out into the mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God.”   But if He who was without sin prayed, how much more ought sinners to pray and if He prayed continually, watching through the whole night with uninterrupted petitions, how much more ought we to lie awake at night in continuing prayer!”luke-5-16-but-he-withdrew-to-the-wilderness-but-if-he-who-was-without-sin-st-cyprian-11-jan-2019

“So, my brothers, let us pray as God our master has taught us.
To ask the Father in words His Son has given us,
to let Him hear the prayer of Christ ringing in His ears,
is to make our prayer one of friendship, a family prayer.
Let the Father recognise the words of His Son.
Let the Son who lives in our hearts, be also on our lips.
We have Him as an Advocate for sinners, before the Father,
when we ask for forgiveness for ours sins,
let us use the words given by our Advocate.
He tells us –
Whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you.
What more effective prayer could we then make,
in the name of Christ, than in the words of His own prayer?”

An excerpt from his “On the Lord’s Prayer”

let-us-pray-as-god-our-master-has-taught-us-no 2 used on 16 sept 2019 memorial of st-cyprian-12-march-2019-lenten-thoughts-no-2- used again 20 june 2019

“As we do battle and fight, in the contest of faith,
God, His angels and Christ Himself, watch us.
How exalted is the glory,
how great the joy of engaging in a contest
with God presiding,
of receiving a crown, with Christ as judge.”
An excerpt from his Letter 58as-we-do-battle-and-fight-st-cyoprian-of-carthage-6-may-2019-the-contest-of-faith.jpg

“{Lapsed Christians} will often take Communion before their sin is expiated, before confession has been made of their crime, before their conscience has been purged by sacrifice and by the hand of the priest, before the offence of an angry and threatening Lord has been appeased, [and so] violence is done to His body and blood and they sin now, against their Lord, more with their hand and mouth than when they denied their Lord.”
(The Lapsed 15–16 [written in 251])lapsed christians - st cyprian of carthage - 3 feb 2019 sun reflec

“He not only receives and pardons those adversaries,
those blasphemers, those persistent enemies of His name,
provided they do penance for their offence
and acknowledge the crime committed
but He admits them to the reward of the kingdom of heaven.”he not only receives and pardons  no 2 used on 16 sept 2019 st cyprians memorial- st cyprian - 24 march 2019 3rdsunlentyearc.jpg

“Whatever a man
prefers to God,
that, he makes,
a god to himself.”

St Cyprian of Carthage (c 200-258)
Bishop and Martyr, Father of the Churchwhatever man prefers to god that he makes a god to himself - st cyprian of carthage 16 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SIN, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 September – “Stretch forth your hand” – St Ambrose

One Minute Reflection – 9 September – Monday of the Twenty-third week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 6:6-11 and the Memorial of St Peter Claver SJ (1581-1654) “slave of the slaves” and Blessed Frédéric Ozanam (1813–1853) “Servant to the Poor”

“On another sabbath, he went into the synagogue and taught and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.” … Luke 6:6luke 6 6 there was a man thre whose right hand was withred - 9 sept 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “Are you angry at me because I have healed the whole man on the sabbath day?”   In this place he revivified, with the salutary strength of good works, the hand which Adam stretched out to pluck the fruit of the forbidden tree.   The hand which had withered through a crime, was healed by good deeds.   Christ thereby rebuked the Jews who violated the precepts of the law with evil interpretations.   They thought that they should rest even from good works on the sabbath, since the law prefigured in the present, the form of the future, in which indeed the days of rest from evils, not from blessings, would come.

Then you heard the words of the Lord, saying, “Stretch forth your hand.”   That is the common and universal remedy.   You, who think that you have a healthy hand, beware lest it is withered by greed or by sacrilege.   Hold it out often.   Hold it out to the poor person who begs you.   Hold it out to help your neighbour, to give protection to a widow, to snatch from harm one whom you see subjected to unjust insult.   Hold it out to God for your sins.   The hand is stretched forth, then it is healed.   Jeroboam’s hand withered when he sacrificed to idols, then it stretched out when he entreated God” …  St Ambrose (340-397)-  One of the 4 original Doctors of the Latin Church – Exposition on the Gospel of Luke, 5luke 6 6 there was a man with a withered hand - you think you have a healthy hand st ambrose 9 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – God of mercy and love, You offer all peoples the dignity of sharing in your life. Rule over our hearts and bodies this day.   Sanctify us and guide our every thought, word and deed, my our hands be held out to our neighbour in imitation of Your love and mercy.   By the example and prayers of St Peter Claver and Bl Frederic Ozanam, strengthen us to overcome all racial hatreds and to love each other as brothers and sisters.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever amen.

st-peter-claver-pray-for-us 9 sept 2017

bl frederic ozanam pray for us 9 sept 2019

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 8 September – ‘The heavenly trumpet of Christ urges the soldier to battle..’ St Augustine

Thought for the Day – 8 September – Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Luke 14:25–33

“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”… Luke 14:26

Saint Augustine comments on this verse from the Gospel proclaimed during today’s Mass:

“The Lord gives the signal for us to stand guard in camp and to build the tower from which we may recognise and ward off the enemy of our eternal life.   The heavenly trumpet of Christ urges the soldier to battle and his mother holds him back.

What does she say or what argument does she give?   Perhaps is it those ten months when you lay in her womb and the pangs of birth and the burden of rearing you?   You must kill this with the sword of salvation.   You must destroy this in your mother that you may find her in life eternal.   Remember, you must hate this in her if you love her, if you are a recruit of Christ and have laid the foundations of the tower.   Passers-by may not say, “This man began to build and was not able to finish.”   That is earthly affection.   It still has the ring of the “old man.”   Christian warfare invites us to destroy this earthly affection both in ourselves and in our relatives.   Of course, no one should be ungrateful to his parents or mock the list of their services to him, since by them he was brought into this life, cherished and fed.   A man should always pay his family duty but let these things keep their place where higher duties do not call.

Mother church is also the mother of your mother.   She conceived you both, in Christ. Know that, her Spouse took human flesh, that you might not be attached to fleshly things. Know that, all the things for which your mother scolds you were undertaken by the eternal Word, that you might not be subject to the weakness of flesh.   Ponder his humiliations, scourging and death, even the death of the cross.”   (Letter 243)

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have mercy on me a sinner!

Amenthe jesus prayer say it 1000 times per day 8 sept 2019

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ABORTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 September – St Mother Teresa

Quote/s of the Day – 5 September – Thursday of the Twenty-second week in Ordinary Time, Year C and The Memorial of St Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)

..And immediately she rose and served them.”

Luke 4:39

“Not all of us can do great things.
But we can do small things with great love…..
God doesn’t require us to succeed,
He only requires that we try…….
I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot,
together we can do great things.”not all of us can do great things - and immediately she got and served luke 4 39 - st mother teresa 2018

“By blood, I am Albanian.
By citizenship, an Indian.
By Faith, I am a Catholic Nun.
As to my calling,
I belong to the World.
As to my heart,
I belong entirely to
the Heart of Jesus.”by-blood-i-am-an-albanian-st-mother-teresa-28-june-2019-sacred-heart

“The so-called right to abortion
has portrayed the GREATEST of GIFTS
a CHILD
as a competitor
an intrusion and
an inconvenience.”the-so-called-right-to-abortion-st-mother-t 5 sept 2017

“How sad it is,
when someone
comes to you,
looking for Jesus
and all they see.
is you.”how-sad-it-is-when-someone-comes-to-you-lookin-for-jesus-and-all-they-see-is-you-st-mother-teresa-16-may-2019

“You must first learn to forget yourself
so that you can dedicate yourself to God
and to neighbour alike!”

More here:  https://anastpaul.com/2017/09/05/quotes-of-the-day-5-september-the-memorial-of-st-mother-teresa-1910-1997/

St Mother Teresa (1910-1997)you-must-first-learn-to-forget-yourself-st-mother-terea-30-aug-2018-conversations-with-2.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, CONFESSION/PENANCE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, SAINT of the DAY, The WILL of GOD

One Minute Reflection – 5 September – “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

One Minute Reflection – 5 September – Thursday of the Twenty-second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 5:1–11 and the Memorial of St Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)

But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” ... Luke 5:8

REFLECTION – “This is the first decisive step of Peter along the path of discipleship, of the disciple of Jesus, accusing himself:  ‘I am a sinner.’   This is Peter’s first step and also the first step for each one of us, if you want to go forward in the spiritual life, in the life of Jesus, serving Jesus, following Jesus, must be this, accusing oneself, without accusing oneself you cannot walk in the Christian life.
There are people who go through life talking about others, accusing others and never thinking of their own sins.   And when I go to make my confession, how do I confess? Like a parrot?   ‘I did this, this…’   But are you touched at heart by what you have done? Many times, no.   You go there to put on make-up, to make-yourself up a little bit in order to look beautiful.   But it hasn’t entered completely into your heart, because you haven’t left room, because you are not capable of accusing yourself.   Do I do this?   It’s a good question to get to the heart.
Today, let us ask the Lord for the grace, the grace to find ourselves face-to-face with Him, with this wonder that His presence gives and the grace, to feel that we are sinners but concretely and to say with Peter – ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinner.”Pope Francis – Santa Marta, 6 September 2018depart from me for i am a sinful man luke 5 8 - this is the first step of peter - pope francis - 5 sept 2019

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help us to be holy in the way that You have laid out for all of us.   Grant us good Lord, the courage, faith and understanding, to see our own failings and to present ourselves to You for forgiveness, knowing always, that a repentant heart You do not spurn.   May the prayers of St Mother Teresa assist us in using the gifts You have given us, for the Glory of God.   We make our prayer through our Lord, Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.st-mother-teresa-pray-for-us-5-sept-2017.jpg

 

Posted in QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 2 September – My Words are Spirit and Life

Thought for the Day – 2 September – Monday of the Twenty-second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Luke 4:16–30

“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

My Words are Spirit and Life

Thomas á Kempis
Priest

An excerpt from his work, Imitation of Christ

My son, says the Lord, listen to my words, the most delightful of all words, surpassing all the knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of this world.   My words are spirit and life and cannot be comprehended by human senses alone.   They are not to be interpreted according to the vain pleasure of the listener but they must be listened to, in silence and received with all humility and great affection.   And I said – Blessed is the man whom you teach, Lord and whom you instruct in your law, for him you soften the blow of the evil day and you do not desert him on the earth.   The Lord says, I have instructed my prophets from the beginning.   Even to the present time I have not stopped speaking to all men but many are deaf and obstinate in response.

Many hear the world more easily than they hear God – they follow the desires of the flesh more readily than the pleasure of God.   The world promises rewards that are temporal and insignificant and these are pursued with great longing.   I promise rewards that are eternal and unsurpassable, yet the hearts of mortals respond sluggishly.   Who serves and obeys me in all matters with as much care as the world and its princes are served? Blush, then, you lazy, complaining servant, for men are better prepared for the works of death than you are for the works of life.   They take more joy in vanity than you in truth. Yet they are often deceived in their hope, while my promise deceives no-one and leaves empty-handed no=one who confides in me.   What I have promised I shall give, what I have said I will fulfil for any man who remains faithful in my love unto the very end.   I am the rewarder of all good men, the one who rigorously tests the devoted.

Write my words in your heart and study them diligently, for they will be absolutely necessary in the time of temptation.   Whatever you fail to understand, in reading my words, will become clear to you on the day of your visitation.   I am accustomed to visit my elect in a double fashion, that is, with temptation and with consolation.   And I read to them two lessons each day – one to rebuke them for their faults, the other to exhort them to increase their virtue.   He who possesses my words yet spurns them earns his own judgement on the last day.luke 4 18 he has set me to proclaim - even to the present time - thomas a kempis imitation 2 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 31 August – Christ will Impose a Reckoning on me

Thought for the Day – 31 August – Saturday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 25:14–30

“And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness,

there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’” ... Matthew 25:30matthew 25 30 and cast the worthless servant - 31 aug 2019.jpg

Christ will Impose a Reckoning on me

Saint Gertrude of Helfta “the Great” (1256-1301)

Benedictine nun
Exercises VII, SC 127

Behold, I become passionately alarmed by what I have committed, I blush very much at what I have omitted, I become exceedingly frightened at the wastefulness of my life.   I fear, that future investigation, at which Christ, a noble man, will impose a reckoning on me.behold i become passionately - st gertrude the great - 31 aug 2019.jpg

If He wanted to exact a deposit from me for my time and interest from the talent of understanding He conferred on me, I would, in short, not find any worthy answer for Your charity.   What will I do?   Where will I turn?   I lack the strength to dig, I should blush to beg. (Lk 16:3)   O Loving-kindness. Loving-kindnes,. speak up now, may Your dulcet counsel, I entreat You, warm my spirit back to life.   Ah, answer me – what does it seem to You I should do in this [situation), for according to Your name You have a truly loving and kind heart and You know best what may be expedient for me in all this.   Ah, pardon me and bring me help and in this tribulation, do not be detached from me.   Let the poverty of my spirit move You and, touched by the compassion of Your heart, say to me with loving-kindness:  “May there be one purse for me and You.” (Prv 1:14)

O Loving-kindness, Loving-kindness, You have stored up with Yourself riches so immeasurable, that heaven and earth do not suffice to contain them.   You have driven my Jesus to give His soul for my soul, His life for mine, so that You might make everything that was His, mine and thus, out of your abundance, this pauper’s substance might increase.   Ah, call my starved soul to Your food supply, so that in this life, I may live from Your riches and, reared by You and nourished by You, may not grow faint under the discipline of the Lord until at length, under Your guidance, I turn back to my God and give my spirit back to Him who gave it. (Eccl 12:7)

Mater Misericordiae, Ora pro Nobis!mater misericordiae mother of merct pray for us 8 april 2019.jpg

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 August – Flee to Him by Confessing

One Minute Reflection – 28 August – Wednesday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 23:27–32 and The Memorial of St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) – Doctor of Grace

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful but within they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” … Matthew 23:27woe to you scribes and pharisees - whitewashed tombs - matthew 23 27 - 28 aug 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “You are before God.   Question your heart, see what you have done and what you have been yearning for there—your salvation or the windy praise of men.   Look within, for a person cannot judge one whom he cannot see.   If we are assuring our heart, let us assure it in His presence.
“Because if our heart thinks badly”—that is, if it accuses us within, because we aren’t acting with the spirit with which we should be acting —“God is greater than our heart, and he knows all things” (v.20).
You hide your heart from man – hide it from God if you can.   How will you hide it from Him to whom it was said by a certain sinner in fear and confession:  “Where shall 1 go from your spirit, and where shed!  I flee from your face?”…  For where does God not exist? “If,” he said, “I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to hell, you are present” (Ps 139[138]:7-8).   Where will you go?   Where will you flee?   Do you want to hear some advice?   If you want to flee from Him, flee to Him.   Flee to Him by Confessing, not from Him by hiding, for you cannot hide but you can Confess.   Tell Him. “You are my refuge” (Ps 32[31]:7) and let there be nursed in you the love that alone leads to life.”…St Augustine (354-430) – Doctor of Graceyou hide your heart from man - hide it from god if you can - st augustine 28 aug 2019

PRAYER – Renew in Your Church, we pray , O Lord, the spirit with which You endowed Your Bishop Saint Augustine, that, filled with the same spirit, we may thirst for You, the sole fount of true wisdom and seek You, the author of heavenly love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. St Augustine, pray for us! Amenst augustine pray for us 28 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRANDPARENTS, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 August – St Caesarius of Arles (470-542)

Quote/s of the Day – 27 August – The Memorial of St Caesarius of Arles (470-542) Father of the Church

“What sort of people are we?
When God gives, we want to receive,
when He asks, we refuse to give?
When a poor man is hungry,
Christ is in need, as He said Himself:
“I was hungry and you gave me no food” (v. 42).
Take care not to despise the hardship of the poor,
if you would hope, without fear,
to have your sins forgiven…
What He receives on earth,
He returns in heaven!”matthew 18 35 should you not have pitty - what sort of people are we - st caesarius of arles 26 march 2019

” For true charity, beloved brethren,
is the soul of the whole of Scripture,
the strength of prophecy,
the structure of knowledge,
the fruit of faith,
the wealth of the poor,
the life of the dying.
So keep it faithfully,
cherish it with all your heart
and all the strength of your soul.”for true charity is the soul of all scripture-st caesarius of arles 27 aug 2019 memorial.jpg

“I put you this question, dearly beloved –
what is it you want,
what is it you are looking for,
when you come to church?
What indeed if not mercy?
Show mercy on earth and you will receive mercy in heaven.
A poor man is begging from you
and you are begging from God,
he asks for a scrap, you ask for eternal life…
And so when you come to church
give whatever alms you can to the poor
in accordance with your means.”

a poor man is begging from you - st caesarius of arles - 26 march 2019 matthew 18 21-35

“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.”

Saint Caesarius of Arles (470-543)matthew 5 44 - love your enemies - so hold fast to the sweet - st caesarius of arles 18 june 2019

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One Minute Reflection – 27 August – “..Let us each examine our conscience..”

One Minute Reflection – 27 August – Tuesday of the Twenty-first week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 23:23–26 and The Memorial of St Caesarius of Arles (470-542) Father of the Church

“You blind Pharisee! first cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean.”…Matthew 23:26matthew 23 26 you blind pharisee first cleanse the inside of the cup - 27 aug 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “And so, dearly beloved brethren, let us each examine his conscience and when he sees that he has been wounded by some sin, let him first strive to cleanse his conscience by prayer, fasting, almsgiving and so dare to approach the Eucharist.   If he recognises his guilt and is reluctant to approach the holy altar, he will be quickly pardoned by the Divine Mercy, “for whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt 23:12).   If then, as I have said, a man conscious of his sins, humbly decides to stay away from the altar until he reforms his life, he will not be afraid of being completely excluded from the eternal banquet of heaven.
I ask you then, brethren, to pay careful attention.   If no-one dares approach an influential man’s table in tattered, soiled garments, how much more should one refrain in reverence and humility from the banquet of the Eternal King, that is, from the altar of the Lord, if one is smitten with poisonous envy, or anger, or is full of rage and fury? For it is written, “Go first and be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift” (Mt 5:24).   And again, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” And when he kept silent, that man said to the attendants, ‘bind his hands and feet and cast him forth into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” (Mt 22:12,13).   The same sentence awaits the man who dares present himself at the wedding feast, that is at the Lord’s table, if he is guilty of drunkenness, or adultery, or retains hatred in his heart.” … St Caesarius of Arles (470-542) Bishop of Arles, Father of the Churchi ask you then brethren to pay careful attention - st caesarius bishop and father 20 jan 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, renew Your Church with the Spirit of wisdom and love which You gave to St Caesarius.   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.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, in union with the Spirit, one God, forever and ever.   St Caesarius, pray for the Church and for us all, amen.st caesarius of arles pray for us 27 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 25 August – May our Mother, take us to the path that leads to ‘Heaven’s Gate.’

Thought for the Day – 25 August – 21st Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 13:22–30

“Strive to enter in by the narrow door.”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Father & Doctor strive-to-enter-luke-13-24-whoever-would-enter-st-cyril-of-alex-31-oct-2018

This reply may seem perhaps to wander from the scope of the question.   The man wanted to learn whether there would be few who are saved but He explained to him the way whereby he might be saved himself.   He said, “Strive to enter in by the narrow door.” What do we answer to this objection? …  It was a necessary and valuable thing to know how a man may obtain salvation.   He is purposely silent to the useless question. He proceeds to speak of what was essential, namely, of the knowledge necessary for the performance of those duties by which people can enter the narrow door.
I now consider it my duty to mention why the door to life is narrow.   Whoever would enter must first, before everything else, possess an upright and uncorrupted faith and then a spotless morality, in which there is no possibility of blame, according to the measure of human righteousness.   One who has attained to this in mind and spiritual strength will enter easily by the narrow door and run along the narrow way.
“Wide is the door and broad the way that brings down many to destruction.”   What are we to understand by its broadness?   It means an unrestrained tendency toward carnal lust and a shameful and pleasure-loving life.   It is luxurious feasts, parties, banquets and unrestricted inclinations to everything that is condemned by the law and displeasing to God.   A stubborn mind will not bow to the yoke of the law.   This life is cursed and relaxed in all carelessness.   Thrusting from it the divine law and completely unmindful of the sacred commandments, wealth, vices, scorn, pride and the empty imagination of earthly pride spring from it.   Those who would enter in by the narrow door must withdraw from all these things, be with Christ and keep the festival with Him.”

(Commentary on Luke, Homily 9)

May we call upon our Mother Mary as Ianua Caeli, Heaven’s Gate, to guide us in our daily choices and take us to the path that leads to ‘Heaven’s Gate.’   Amenianua caeli heaven's gate pray for us mary - 25 aug 2019

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 August – “..we are illuminated and made shining by the light…”

One Minute Reflection – 21 August – Tuesday of the Twentieth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 19:23–30 and the Memorial of St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) “Doctor of Light”

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life...Matthew 19:29and-everyone-who-has-left-matthew-19-29-21-aug-2018

REFLECTION – “Abraham became “the friend of God” (Jam 2,23) because he freely and generously followed the Word of God, his call.   It was not due to any lack on His part that God’s Word gained Abraham’s friendship.   He is perfect from the beginning; “Before Abraham was, I am” (Jn 5,58).   But it was that He, who is good, might give Abraham eternal life… Likewise, in the beginning, it was not because He had any need of man that God formed Adam but that He might have someone on whom to bestow His blessings.

Still less was it because He needed our service that He commanded us to follow Him but to win salvation for us.   For to follow our Saviour is to have a share in His salvation, just as following the light is to participate in the light.   When we stand in the light it is not we who illumine the light and cause it to shine but we are illuminated and made shining by the light…  God grants His blessings on those who serve Him because they are serving Him and on those who follow Him because they are following Him but He receives no blessing from them because He is perfect and without need.

If God asks for our service it is that He who is good and merciful might bestow His blessings on those who persevere in His service.   Because, if God has no need of anything, yet we have need of communion with God.   The glory of man is to persevere in the service of God.   That is why our Lord said to His disciples:  “You did not choose me, it was I who chose you” (Jn 15,16), thus indicating that… for having followed the Son of God they had been glorified by Him:  “Father, I will that where I am they also may be, that they may see my glory” (Jn 17,24). … St Irenaeus of Lyons (c.130-c.208) Bishop, theologian and Martyr – Against the heresies, IV, 14,1 ; SC 100when we stand in the light - st irenaeus 20 aug 2019.jpg

PRAYER – All-knowing God, let me be able to stand in Your presence with a good conscience.   Help me to avoid anything that would sully my conscience and do all I can to remain united with You  . You made St Bernard burn with zeal for Your house and gave him the grace to enkindle and enlighten others in Your Church.   Grant that by his prayer, we may be filled with the same spirit and always live as children of the Light. Through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen. st bernard pray for us 2

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD is LOVE, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN

Quote of the Day – 16 August – “We are ever but beginning…”

Quote of the Day – 16 August – Friday of the Nineteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and The Memorial of St Stephen of Hungary (c 975- 1038)

“We are ever but beginning,
the most perfect Christian,
is to himself but a beginner,
a penitent prodigal
who has squandered God’s gifts
and comes to Him,
to be tried over again,
not as a son
but as a hired servant.”

Bl John Henry Newman (1801-1890)we are ever but beginning - bl john henry newman 16 aug 2019.jpg

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, The TRANSFIGURATION

Quote of the Day – 6 August – Jesus goes before us to show us the way

Quote of the Day – 6 August – Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord – Today’s Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36

“Jesus goes before us to show us the way,
both up the mountain and into heaven and —
I speak boldly — it is for us now,
to follow him with all speed . . .
Let us run with confidence and joy
to enter into the cloud like Moses and Elijah,
or like James and John.
Let us be caught up like Peter
to behold the divine vision
and to be transfigured by that glorious transfiguration.
Let us retire from the world,
stand aloof from the earth,
rise above the body,
detach ourselves from creatures
and turn to the Creator,
to whom Peter in ecstasy exclaimed:
‘Lord, it is good for us to be here.’”

Saint Anastasius (died 628)jesus goes before us to show us the way - st anastasius 6 aug 2019 transfiguration .jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

One Minute Reflection – 6 August – Listen to Him.”

One Minute Reflection – 6 August – Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord – Today’s Gospel: Luke 9:28-36

“This is my beloved Son. listen to him.”...Luke 9:35this-is-my-beloved-son-listen-to-him-mark-9-7-6-aug-2018 AND 6 AUG 2019

REFLECTION – “Jesus is the Son-made-Servant, sent into the world to save us all through the Cross, fulfilling the plan of salvation.   His full adherence to God’s will renders His humanity transparent to the glory of God, who is love.   He is the fulfilment of revelation, that is why, beside Him appear transfigured, Moses and Elijah appear, they represent the Law and the Prophets, so as to signify that everything finishes and begins in Jesus.   Their instructions for the disciples and for us, is this: “Listen to Him!”.
Listen to Jesus.   He is the Saviour – follow Him.
To listen to Christ, in fact, entails taking up the logic of his Pascal Mystery, setting out on the journey with Him to make of oneself a gift of love to others, in docile obedience to the will of God, with an attitude of detachment from worldly things and of interior freedom. One must, in other words, be willing to “lose one’s very life” (cf. Mk 8:35), by giving it up so that all men might be saved, thus, we will meet in eternal happiness.   The path to Jesus always leads us to happiness, don’t forget it!” … Pope Francis (Angelus, 1 March 2015)listen to jesus he is the saviour follow him pope francis 6 aug 2019 transfiguration.jpg

PRAYER – Father, at the Transfiguration in glory of Your only-begotten Son, You confirmed the mysteries of faith by the witness to Jesus of the prophets Moses and Elijah. You foreshadowed what we shall be when You bring our sonship to its perfection.   Grant that by listening to the voice of Jesus, we may become heirs with Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever and may Mary, our tender and caring Mother, help us to be bright rays of the saving light of her Son Jesus. Amenmary-beloved-mother-pray-for-us-all - 6 aug 2018 and 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on EDUCATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 July – The Parable of the Sower”

Quote/s of the Day – 26 July – Friday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 13:18–23 – “The Parable of the Sower”

“As for what was sown on good soil,
this is he who hears the word and understands it.
he indeed bears fruit and yields,
in one case a hundredfold,
in another sixty and in another thirty.”

Matthew 13:23matthew 13 23 as for what wa sown on good soil - 26 july 2019.jpg

“Store up in your minds, the Lord’s words
which you receive, through your ears,
for the Word of the Lord, is the nourishment of the mind …
Be careful, that the seed received
through your ears,
remains in your heart.”

Saint Pope Gregory the Great (540-604)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Forty Gospel Homiliesstore up in your minds the lords words - st pope gregory th great 26 july 2019.jpg

“Cultivate your vineyard together with Jesus.
To you the task of removing stones
and pulling up brambles.
To Jesus, that of sowing, planting,
cultivating and watering.
But even in your work, it is still He who acts.
Because, without Christ,
you could do nothing at all.”

St Pio of Pietralcina “Padre Pio” (1887-1968)

Letter 3: 579cultivate your vineyard togther with jesus - st padre pio - 26 july 2019.jpg

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 July – ‘… Let us work our hearts…’

One Minute Reflection – 26 July – Friday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 13:18–23 and the Memorial of Sts Joachim and Anne

“As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty and in another thirty.”…Matthew 13:23

REFLECTION – “Indeed, you all know how land is cultivated.   First of all you pull out the weeds and throw away the stones, then you work the ground itself.   You do it again a second time, a third time and finally… you sow.   Oh, let it be like this in our souls!   First of all let us uproot the weeds, that is to say our evil thoughts, then take out the stones, in other words, all our malice and obstinacy.   Finally, let us work our hearts with the plough of the Gospel and the ploughshare of the cross.   Let us break it by repentance, turn over the soil with almsgiving and with charity, prepare it for the seed of Our Lord… that it may joyfully receive the seed of the divine word and bring forth fruit, not just thirty but sixty and a hundredfold.”...St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Monk & Bishop (Sermons to the people, no.6 passim ; SC 175)as-for-what-was-sown-matthew-11-23-st-caesarious-of-arles-finally-let-us-work-our-hearts-27-july-2018.jpg

PRAYER – O Lord, God of our Fathers, who bestowed on Saints Joachim and Anne this grace, that of them should be born the Mother of Your incarnate Son, grant, through the prayers of both, that we may work hard to deserve the grace You send us and thus attain the salvation You have promised to Your people.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.   Sts Joachim and Anne, pray for us! Amensts joachim and anne pray for us 26 july 2019.jpg

Posted in CONFESSION, CONFESSION/PENANCE, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – “A sower went out to sow”

Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – Wednesday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9

“A sower went out to sow”

Matthew 13:3matthew 13 3 - a sower went out to sow 24 july 2019.jpg

“Jesus invites us today to look inside ourselves –
to give thanks for our good soil
and to tend the soil that is not yet good.
Let us ask ourselves if our heart is open
to welcome the seed of the Word of God with faith.
Let us ask ourselves if our rocks of laziness
are still numerous and large,
let us identify our thorns of vice
and call them by name.
Let us find the courage to reclaim the soil,
to effect a conversion of our heart,
bringing to the Lord in Confession
and in prayer, our rocks and our thorns.”

Pope Francis

(Angelus, 16 July 2017)let us find the courage to reclaim the soil - pope francis 24 july 2019.jpg

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 5 July – St Anthony Mary Zaccaria

Quote/s of the Day – 5 July – Friday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year Cand the Memorial of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria CRSP (1502-1539)

In His mercy God has chosen us,
unworthy as we are, out of the world,
to serve Him and thus to advance in goodness
and to bear the greatest possible fruit of love in patience……
We should keep running steadily in the race we have started,
not losing sight of Jesus,
who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection.”in his mercy god has chosen us - st anthony mary zaccaria 5 july 2019.jpg

“If you want to obtain what you pray for,
adapt yourself to it, that is,
if you want humility,
do not avoid humiliations.”if you want to obtain what you pray for - st anthony mary zaccaria 5 july 2019.jpg

“Let them keep in mind, therefore,
that there can be no humility
without reproaches and mockery
and anyone who feels ashamed of them …
may as well abandon all hope,
of being able to achieve perfection.”let-them-keep-in-mind-st-a-m-zaccaria-5-july-2018.jpg

“What good thing could God deny us
when He is the one who invites us to ask?”what-good-thing-st-anthony-m-zaccaria-5-july-2018.jpg

“That which God commands
seems difficult and a burden.
The way is rough,
you draw back,
you have no desire to follow it.
Yet DO SO – and you will attain glory.”that-which-god-commands-st-anthony-mary-zaccaria-5-july-2019.jpg

“The centre and the source
from which everything begins
and to which everything returns.”

the-centre-and-the-source-st-anthony-mary-zaccaria-5-july-2019

“The Eucharist is
the living Crucifix!”

St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502-1539)the-eucharist-is-the-living-crucifix-st-anthony-m-zaccaria-5-july-2018.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 July – “Rise and walk”

One Minute Reflection – 4 July – Thursday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Matthew 9:1–8

“Rise and walk”…Matthew 9:5

REFLECTION – “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will bring your mortal bodies to life also.” (Rom 8:11) Now it is a natural human body, then it will be a spiritual body. “Adam the first man, became a living soul, the last Adam has become a life-giving spirit.” (1 Cor 15:45) That is why He “will bring your mortal bodies to life… through His Spirit dwelling in you.”

Oh, what a happy Hallelujah we will sing then!   What security!   No more adversary, no more enemy, we won’t lose a single friend.   Here below, we sing God’s praises in the midst of our worries, in heaven, we will sing them in perfect tranquillity.   Here below, we sing them as people who have to die, in heaven, it will be in a life that never ends. Here below, in hope, in heaven, in the reality.   Here below, we are travellers, then we shall be in our homeland.   So let us begin singing already now, brothers, not in order to savour the rest but in order to alleviate our work.   Let us sing like travellers.   Sing but without ceasing to walk, sing to console yourself in the midst of fatigue… Sing and walk!

What does that mean, walk?   Go forward, make progress in doing good… Go forward by walking towards the good, advance in faith and in the purity of your habits.   Sing and walk!   Don’t lose your way; don’t turn back, don’t stand still.   Let us turn towards the Lord.”... St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor – Sermon 256rise and walk matthew 9 5 - what does that mean walk - st augustine - 4 july 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Loving God and Father, we turn to You in praise and thanksgiving in good times, in trials and moments of sadness and happiness.   May the prayers of Your angels and saints support our weak efforts, today especially we ask St Elizabeth of Portugal and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, to hear our pleas.   By the great gift of Your love and mercy You dispel the darkness of sin and bring us to the true Light, Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The WORD

Quote of the Day – 30 June – Don’t look back

Quote of the Day – 30 June – Thirteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 9:51–62

Another said,
“I will follow you, Lord
but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”
Jesus said to him,
“No-one who puts his hand to the plough 
and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:61-62luke 9 62 no one who puts there hand to the plough - 30 june 2019.jpg

“You learn to speak by speaking,
to study by studying,
to run by running,
to work by working
and just so, you learn to love by loving.
All those who think to learn
in any other way
deceive themselves.”you learn to speak by speaking - st francis de sales - 30 june 20195

“The Lord delights in every little step you take.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Churchthe lord delights - st francis de sales 30 june 2019

“You cannot be half a saint.
You must be a whole saint or no saint at all.”you-cannot-be-half-a-saint-st-therese-lisieux-11-june-2018-seeking-sainthood.jpg

“Detach the heart from creatures
and you shall find God.”

St Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897)
Doctor of the Churchdetach the heart from creatures - st t of l - 30 june 2019.jpg

“Why don’t you give yourself to God
once and for all… really… NOW!”

St Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975)why dont you give yourself to god - st josemaria 30 june 2019

“Holiness is heroism.”

Bishop Robert Barronholiness is heroism robert barron 30 june 2019

“If you aren’t changing your schedule
to follow Jesus,
you are not a disciple of Jesus.”

Father Mike Schmitzif you aren't changing your schedule - fr mike schmitz 30 jun 2019.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SAINT of the DAY, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 June – Beside You I am not afraid of anything! 

One Minute Reflection – 28 June – Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests, Gospel:  Luke 15:3–7

“Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep, which was lost.”…Luke 15:6luke 15 6 rejoice with me for I have found my sheep - 28 june 2019 sacred heart

REFLECTION – “I feel that my Jesus is drawing ever closer to me.   These last days He has let me fall into the sea and drown in the consideration of my wretchedness and pride, so as to make me understand just how much I need Him.   Just as I am on the verge of being overcome, Jesus, walking on the water, comes smiling to meet me, so that I may be saved. With Peter I should like to say to Him:  “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Lk 5:8) but, I am forestalled, by the gentleness of His heart and sweetness of His words: “Fear not” (Lk 5:10).

Ah!   Beside You I am not afraid of anything!   I snuggle up against You and, like the lost sheep, hear the beating of Your Heart. Jesus, yet again I am Yours, Yours forever.   With You, I am truly great, without You, nothing but a weak reed, upheld by You, I am a pillar. I must never forget my wretchedness, not so as to be constantly trembling but so that, regardless of my lowliness and confusion, I may, with ever greater confidence, draw close to Your Heart.   For my wretchedness, is the throne of Your mercy and love.”…St John XXIII (1881-1963) Journal of a soul, 1901-1903ah. beside you i am not afraid of anything - st john XXIII 28 june 2019 sacred heart no 2

PRAYER – “May Your heart dwell always in our hearts!   May Your blood ever flow in the veins of our souls!   O sun of our hearts, You give life to all things by the rays of Your goodness!   I will not go, until Your heart has strengthened me, O Lord Jesus!   May the heart of Jesus be the king of my heart!   Blessed be God. Amen.”…St Francis De Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of Charitymay-your-heart-dwell-always-in-our-hearts-prayer-to-the-sac-heart-st-francis-de-sales-8-june-2018-sacred-heart

Posted in BAPTISM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 May – “We have been set free…”

One Minute Reflection – 7 May – Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter, C, Gospel: John 6:30–35 and the Memorial of St Agostino Roscelli

“…My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.”...John 6:32bjohn 6 35 - the eucharist is the father's gift to the world.jpg

REFLECTION – ““Sing a new song to the Lord!” (Ps 96[95]:1).   It is a new song to match a new situation.   As Paul wrote: “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation:  the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2Cor 5:17).   Those who were Israelites according to the flesh were set free from the tyranny of the Egyptians thanks to their mediator at that time, all-wise Moses, they were set free from their levy of brickmaking, the useless sweat of their earthly toil…, the cruelty of their overseers, the inhuman harshness of Pharaoh.   They passed through the sea, ate manna in the wilderness, drank water that gushed forth from the rock, crossed dry-footed over the Jordan and entered into the Land of promise.

Now all of this has been renewed for our sakes and this new world is incomparably better than the old.   We have been set free, not from an earthly slavery but from a spiritual one, we have no longer been delivered from this world’s tasks but from the stains of carnal pleasure.   We have escaped, not from Egyptian foremen or an impious and pitiless tyrant, a man like ourselves but from cunning, immoral demons inciting us to sin and from Satan, the leader of their mob.

We have passed over the waves of this present life like a sea, with its commotion and insane bustle.   We have eaten spiritual manna, the bread that came down from heaven giving life to the world.   When we put our delight in the living waters of Christ, we drank from water that gushed from the rock.   We have passed over Jordan thanks to the grace of the holy baptism we were deemed worthy to receive.   We entered the Land promised to the saints and made ready for them, that land, which the Lord called to mind when he said:  “Blessed the gentle for they shall inherit the earth” (Mt 5:4)….St Cyril of Alexandria (380-444) Father & Doctor of the Churchmy father gives you the true bread john 6 32 -we have passed over - sdt cyril of alex 7 may 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Almighty Father, to whom this world, with all it’s goodness and beauty belongs, give us grace joyfully to begin this day in Your name and to fill it with the active love for You and our neighbour.   By the food You give us, to sustain us on this journey, we are brought to holiness in Your Son, our Lord Jesus the Christ, whom You gave to us as our food.   May the Mother of Your Son and our mother, lead us to You and may the prayers of St Agostino Roscelli, be a succour on our way.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.mary most holy pray for us - 9 nov 2018

st agostino roscelli pray for us 7 may 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, SPEAKING of .....

Quote/s of the Day – 6 May – Dangerous Affections

Quote/s of the Day – 6 May – Monday of the Third week of Easter, Gospel: John 6:22–29

Speaking of – Dangerous Affections – St Augustine

“Do not love the world
or the things of the world.
If anyone loves the world,
the love of the Father, is not in him.”

1 John 2:151 john 2 15 - do not love the world - 6 may 2019.jpg

“The honours of this world,
what are they but puff
and emptiness
and peril of falling?”the honours of this world what are they but - st augustine - 6 may 2019.jpg

“What do you possess
if you possess not God?”what do you possess if you possess not god - st augustine 6 may 2019.jpg

“The love of worldly possessions
is a sort of bird line,
which entangles the soul
and prevents it flying to God.”the love of worldly possessions - st augustine 6 may 2019.jpg

“This is the business of our life –
by labour and prayer,
to advance in the grace of God,
till we come to that height of perfection
in which, with clean hearts,
we may behold God.”this is the business of our life - st augustine - 6 may 2019.jpg

“Daily advance,
then, in this love,
both by praying
and by well-doing,
that through the help of Him
who enjoined it on you
and whose gift it is,
it may be nourished
and increased,
until, being perfected,
it render you perfect.”daily advance then in this love - st augustine - 6 may 2019.jpg

“God does not
command impossibilities
but by commanding,
admonishes you do what you can
and to pray for what you cannot
and aids you,
that you may be able.”god does not command impossibilities - st augustine 6 may 2019.jpg

“This very moment,
I may,
if I desire,
become the friend
of God.”

Saint Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Churchthis very moment - st augustine - friend of god - 6 may 2019.jpg